Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was lovely - a day I thought I would never experience.  Sunday morning I was greeted with kisses and hugs, mums, calla lilies, and roses.  Russell Stover even attended the celebration.  Lizet presented me with a ceramic cupcake she painted in art class. I also began wearing my beautiful bracelet from my in-laws;  a silver charm bracelet with the children's silhouettes, etched with their names on the front and birth dates on the back.  I thanked my "Baby Doll," "Angel Face," and "Butter Bean" with hugs and kisses and then we got ready for church.  I wanted to visit First Baptist Church and that we did.  I received more gifts at the end of the service. Next, Dave prepared one of my favorite Peruvian dishes:  Lomo Saltado.  Then, I took a nap while they cleaned the house.  It was a great day!

Lizet likes to break the tension by saying, "Meanwhile, back at the ranch."

Lizet has a heart for others.  One of her friends in class had a birthday.  Lizet wanted to spend her money to buy her a beautiful jewelry box.  It looked like a miniature armoire.  She asked if she could buy something for a boy who is also a friend of the birthday girl's, because he didn't have any money.  So, what does she do?  She signs his name on the card, too!    

The girls were antagonizing Xavier at dinner one night...  He wasn't in a good mood...  Dave said, "Don't poke the bear."  What does Lizet do?  She gets up from the table and does a "don't poke the bear" dance.  Luckily, we were at home.  And fortunately, it cheered up Xavi.

Lizet and Xavi were playing outside one day...  Lizet rang the bell because she missed Angela. Angela opened the door and Lizet says, "Hello ma'm.  Did you order a pizza?"  She got the door slammed in her face.  Then, Angela laughed - mainly because Lizet had her hands on her hips.

The kids have a couple new favorite shows...  Avatar: The Last Airbender and  Ben 10.  

The girls are both working on their embroidery projects.  

Angela and I have been practicing badminton.  She's pretty good.  She thinks I'm pretty good. We tire out about the same time.

Lizet loves to sing "We Are Family" while we’re cooking.

In fact, the other night we made a chef salad together for dinner.  I washed and chopped the lettuce and washed all the toppings that she wanted to chop, putting them in individual bowls so everyone could top their salad with what they wanted:  hard-boiled eggs, pepperoni, cucumber, tomato, cheese, turkey, ham, and mushrooms.  Croutons were added, and the table was set.  As we're eating, Lizet's hands danced beside her eyes as she says, "Xavvviiiieerrrr....  I made your dinner with these disgusting hands."  He played up a gagging sound, but grinned.  She giggled.  Then, "Brother, I hope you enjoy your delicious salad."  He did.







     

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Easter (Pascua)

Easter baskets were filled with Russell Stover Jesus fish, movies, games, Cadbury eggs, and Easter eggs (which we couldn't "hunt" because of all the rain).  My sweet gift from Lizet was a little bear wearing purple pajamas, kneeling with hands clasped and eyes shut.  You press the stomach and he says in a little voice:  "Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.  Amen." 

We're enjoying our new Ford Explorer, so hopefully we will have frequent trips to Texas in the future to visit family and Christ Church.

The Royal Wedding was beautiful.  The girls were fascinated at various moments, especially once I told them I am related to the Royal family. (Princess Diana and I share lineage ten generations back.)  But, I'll take it!  Don't judge me.

Tonight we attended Anglican Church of St. Paul.  It was a beautiful service about forgiveness.  After studying my genealogy on Ancestry.com and confirming it through my relatives who are historians and genealogy buffs, I found I actually have an ancestor through my maternal grandmother, who was an Anglican vicar ordained by the Church of England at Canterbury Cathedral.