Here Kitty Kitty!

We had a visitor this morning.

He's such a sweetie.  I let him in from the rain and fed him a little bit of tuna, it's all I have because I don't have cats.  Then he went in the fireplace, cleaned himself up and after that spent two hours under our tree.  He allowed Zuri to pet him, sat on my lap for a bit and then wanted to go outside for a potty break.

I want to keep him, but I can't.  First, I'm bad with animals.  My kids get fed because they make noise, I've killed about 3 fish because they don't.  This is a pretty vocal cat, but my last one ran away, I think because he was super jealous of the new baby.  Second, I can't afford him.  It's a $300 pet fee, plus he's a stray so who knows how much vet care he's going to need and also, apparently, cats like to eat, so that's another monthly expense that I'm not ready to take on.

So if anyone wants a good sized orange tabby male, about 3-4 years and can get to TX to pick him up, I know a real sweet heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Things worked out pretty well this year.  Nick's maternal grandmother has been in the hospital for the past few days, but after a few stints being put in and a pacemaker, she's doing pretty good.  The in-laws decided at the last minute, after the doctor told them she was going to be fine, to go up to WI to be with the other half of the family.  So even though the surprise is spoiled, the rest of it isn't.  I had waited until they decided what they were going to do to decide what I was going to do.  If they stayed, the kids and I would go to the in-laws for the holiday.  If they left, I was going to get food and cook here.

Since they left, I went shopping for a mini-meal for the kids and I.  I went to the town 20min away, even though I live about 1/2 a mile from a grocery store because the Wal-Mart over there never has anyone and I figured it'd be less crowded than the HEB behind the house.  And I was right.  It was so uncrowded, I got a spot right up front and managed to buy everything I needed in less than 30 min.  I got a bagged turkey breast (the preseasoned kind that takes only two hours to cook), sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and all the things to make sweet potato casserole.  I could have spent all day shopping, making the meal bigger and bigger, but I decided to make it the things I couldn't live without.

I didn't have to start cooking until 11, my meal only took 2 1/2 hours to cook.  Unfortunately, it was a lot of peeling and prepwork, but the food turned out awesome.  Also, neither of the kids wanted anything.  Zuri has a head cold and wasn't hungry and Aaron's meds are keeping him from wanting to eat.  Oh well.  I stuffed myself silly and then passed out on the couch for 3 hours.  Have to keep up with tradition.

At this moment, we're working on potty training.  Zuri keeps saying she has to go potty, so she goes to the toilet, sits on it for 2-3min, then gets off and claps.  Nothing comes out.  But she's proud of herself anyway.  I figure I'll let her keep doing it and maybe eventually she'll go.  No pressure.

That's all.  Have a Happy Day!

two weeks worth...

I think it's been about two weeks since I've been able to update.  I've only been able to spend a few moments at a time online, so writing out all that has happened since my last one has been hard to even think about doing.  Because this is going to be pretty long, I'll leave out the photos.  I'll try and make a photo entry sometime this week and add all the photos, but for now, photo free.

Nick came home on the 16th.  It was really weird compared to his last homecoming, which was 5000 people on a ship with thier families meeting them on the pier.  Here, it was 20 people with their families meeting them at a hanger. Very anti-climatic.  No bands, no screaming throngs of people, no media, nothing.  But it was nice in the fact that it only took one hour to get there, collect Nick and get his bags loaded in the car.  I think for his last homecoming, we were on the pier for hours.  I took Zuri with me to pick him up, but left Aaron at school.  I wanted Nick's coming home to be a surprise to him.  Zuri was a little hesitant and tried to hide from him, she's seen him on webcam and heard his voice, but the connection that 'this is daddy' wasn't being made.  We went and picked Aaron up from school and all he could do was giggle and say 'That's my daddy,' over and over again.  He was super excited to see Nick and wouldn't leave him alone the rest of the night.

Wednesday through Friday was spent at home, hanging out and working on unpacking.  Also, we had to pack for the weekend that Nick and I planned to spend alone without kids.

Friday, we went up to San Antonio after Aaron got out of school.  Nick's parents took us out to dinner for Mexican food and Nick shared stories from the past 6 months.  After dinner, Nick and I went downtown to stay the weekend without the kids.

Saturday Morning, we went to San Marcus to the outlets for shopping.  We bought some things for the kids, some things for me and Nick some sunglasses.  I really love the outlets because I was getting normally expensive things for very cheap.  Nick even bought me a bracelet that was 70% off retail as a gift, it's flowers and pink and I have a thing for pink and flowers.  That night, we went out for sushi at a sushi bar downtown called Sushi Zushi.  They'd won 'best of the best' 6 years in a row, so we were expecting it to be awesome, but it wasn't even good.  We went home pretty disappointed in our food, our service and the atmosphere.  the only thing that the restaurant had going for it was they wore cool shirts with funky sayings on them.

Sunday, we went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas.  I'm terrified of heights, so roller coasters get my blood going.  I actually did really well on the coasters, better than usual (no threatening to vomit or calling for my mommy) but the drop ride (Slingshot) caused me to threaten Nick with bodily harm if we ever did it again.  Not cool.  They had different themed areas through out the park and one was 'The Boardwalk' where they had the older rides like the ferris wheel.  We rode one ride called 'Frisbee' and both of us nearly threw up.  Not good considering we were in a giant circle, spinning around; the vomit would have landed on us, or the poor kids sitting across from us.

After we got back from the park, we went to Mi Tierra, the best Mexican food I've ever had and I've had a LOT of Mexican food.  It's world famous and according to our waiter, Bette Midler, Lyle Lovett, Carlos Santana and George Lopez have all eaten there.  They also have awesome margaritas.  I had a large strawberry, a 'swirl' and a prickly pear, all of which were insanely good.  I think it's hard to decide which was the best part, the atmosphere, the waitstaff, the roaming mariachi bands, the food or the drinks.  It was all great and we plan on going back.

Monday, we went and picked the kids up and came back home.  We spent the rest of the week chilling at home, doing some shopping and just enjoying being a family again.

I also made a new friend this past week.  Aaron's schoolmate's mom and I got to talking outside of the school on Thursday.  I was wearing my gym clothes and said something about going to work out and next thing I knew, we were at the gym together, laughing at each other.  She got a little dizzy and we spent about an hour or so in the bathroom talking about ourselves and our families.  We made plans and got together again on Friday at the gym.  We did my first class together, Body Pump and even though I tipped over and broke a nail, it was still a lot of fun.  We left the class extremely sore but working out plans for the next week on what we'd do together.

Friday night it was back to San Antonio.  We went out to Mexican for dinner again with Nick's parents.  I told you, we eat a lot of Mexican food down here.

Saturday, we went to Sea World.  Nick, his parents, the kids and I.  Aaron was disappointed because he wasn't big enough to ride any rides, but he did have fun at the kids net area and loved sliding down the slides after climbing to the top.  We made sure to see the 'Shamu' show, which didn't go over very well with Zuri because we sat in the splash zone and that water is FREEZING.  I believe she now has an unnatural aversion to killer whale tails.

Sunday we had a BBQ at the in-laws where Nick grilled some of the most perfect ribs ever consumed.  They were just awesome.  Nick's aunts, uncle, cousin, grandparents and some family friends all came out.  Nick's birthday recently passed so his High School best friend brought him a present; a painting of Yankee's Stadium.  It's pretty big so we're still trying to find a place to hang it.

Today, I met up at the gym again with my friend.  We did the body flow class, a combination of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates.  Since the body pump on Friday, we have both been so sore walking was an issue, so the body flow really stretched us out and loosened up our muscles.

And to end it all on a high note:

I haven't been to the gym in nearly a month.  With Nick back, we've been eating a lot of junk food and I was really worried about weighing myself because I figured I'd gained all the weight I've lost and then some.  Nope.  I maintained my weight loss. Didn't gain anything in a month.  That has me really encouraged and happy.  Now that I have a gym buddy, I feel like I can lose even more.

Dolphin Pee

I took the kids to the TX State Aquarium today.  They had a lot of fun running around looking at all the fish.  We also watched the dolphin show (again).  We sat in the very front row, in the center.  I've seen this show maybe 10 times and every time they tell you 'If you're in the blue row, you might get wet.'  I've always sat in the blue row, and I've never gotten wet.  Today was different though, we got soaked.  One of the dolphins splashed us three times.  Zuri loved the water and was licking it off her hands.  I made the mistake of saying; 'Yummy, Dolphin Pee' and Aaron freaked out.  I guess Dolphin Pee is nasty.  Hehe.

I didn't bring my camera because they haven't changed the exhibits since the last time we went.  BIG mistake.  On the way down to see the underwater dolphin exhibit, we caught them playing with a large cat.  About the size of a bobcat, but with spots.  When they noticed we were watching, they told us it was an African Serval.  So beautiful.  I can't believe I missed out on getting a picture of one.   

*photo was found on photobucket.

Saturday, Planes, Trains, Tigers and bears... What?

Saturday, we kept the kids really busy.  First was a trip to downtown San Antonio to visit the Children's Museum.  Right now, they have a big exhibit on trains and Aaron was super excited to go.  He got to 'drive' a train, fly in a plane, see fish and be in a bubble.

Zuri just had fun chasing after him and running up and down the stairs, but she did enjoy being in the conductor's seat of the train.

After the museum, we went to the Rainforest Cafe.  It's a 3 story restaurant with waterfalls, fake flowers and anima-tronic animals.  The one in San Antonio is the only one with the Panda Bears, so it was cool to hear them and see them during dinner.  Also, every 15-20 minutes, there was a 'thunder storm' where the lights would flicker and thunder would sound.  The food was also awesomely good but more than we could eat.  We treated the kids and got each of them a rainbow Icee.  Zuri's was almost as big as she was.

Friday, for the Birds!

We're up in San Antonio this weekend.  The kids love it here.  Mostly because the Grandma caters to their every whim and the Grandpa bakes homemade cookies.

This time, Grandma had a craft project waiting for the kids.  Painting wooden bird houses.  They both did a great job and we're planning on hanging them in the back yard after adding a little seed to them.  This is Zuri's first craft project and she enjoyed it a lot.  Aaron has done a few other things but I think this painting one was his favorite.  

A few pictures for you all to enjoy

Zuri, ready to paint-

Aaron saying 'hi'-

Masterpieces in progress-

The finished project-

Zuri's 

Aaron's

Kindergarden

Monday was Aaron's first day of Kindergarden.  We missed orientation so we had no clue where his class was or who his teacher was (they did registration two weeks prior to the first day and orientation was the friday before, very last minute).  Aaron was less than excited.  I think he thought we were going back to Head Start and wasn't having that.  He and Zuri also refused to sleep the night before so they were both very cranky when I took him to class.  It didn't help that he wouldn't be riding the bus this year, we live too close to the school.  Riding the bus was by far one of the best things for him.  I guess when we move, we'll have to get a place far away from school to make him eligible for the bus.

I did good.  I saw a few mommies crying after dropping of their kids, but I managed to keep it together.  Aaron had an okay first few days, the second was hard on the teacher because she wasn't used to Aaron's 'spirit' and actually brought up putting him into pre-K this year because he's not adjusted.  I shot that down, considering he's either at or above the level of the rest of the kids in his class, pre-K would hold him back and make him hate school even more.  Together we decided we'd get some evaluations done and that we'd wait to do anything considering they're going to start a new Kindergarden class because all the current ones have 24-25 students and there's only one teacher.

The first two days were bad because I had no idea how much lunch was (they didn't send the information home until the first day... something that should have been given out at registration), I had no idea when school started and when it ended, I didn't even know how the drop off stuff works.  But I found out lunch is $1.30 (HOLY CRAP!), school was from 8 to 3 and the drop off is a free for all except for kindergarden and pre-k, we're expected to walk our kids in, they're not allowed to go anywhere without an adult (a plan I like).

So, here are a few pictures of Aaron on his first day.  And yes, they do have 'uniforms', royal blue or hunter green polos, jeans only with a 5 pocket maximum, shirts tucked in, belts, and shoes can't be open toed, without a back or a combination of red and black.  Yeah, it's kinda weird.

Aaron on the couch, trying to hide:

Letting me take a full picture after fighting me:

In the car:

In class. Yes, he sucks his thumb and plays with his hair:

Well Hello Dolly!

We're waiting.  Dolly is coming and we're ready for her.  She's only going to be a Cat 1 when she hits the coast of Tx, which isn't bad.  We're at the northern tip of the storm.  I've been asked by a few people if we're evacuating, but since just north of us, about 10 miles north, it's no longer a hurricane warning, it's a tropical storm warning, we're staying right here.  I have moved my car out from under it's customary tree, just in case.  And we have plenty of water, just in case.  A good amount of canned goods, some cash and a car full of gas.  What more could you want?

People aren't even freaking out yet.  I got gas and the lot was empty, even though the station was 10¢ lower than usual.  The grocery store beside my house isn't more crowded than usual and people are going to and from work like it's nothing.

I went to the gym again today.  For some reason, I wasn't feeling well and nearly tossed my Raisin Bran Crunch all over the elliptical, but I managed to hold it down and finish my usual workout, even though it wasn't as 'intense' as it normally is.

We're on the downward slope of Nick's deployment.  Only 6 weeks to go.  He's started making plans over what he wants to do with his two weeks of leave when he returns.  One of our plans was to go to the Mall of America and spend a week or so up there.  Instead of that, we've decided to pay on our truck and get some of it taken care of, and stay in San Antonio on the Riverwalk instead.  Nick was cruising the hotel sites and found one he liked a lot.  He inquired online about military discount and it's the BEST we've ever heard of.  50% off!  He booked it without bothering to ask me because the deal was awesome.  We probably won't get a room overlooking the walk, but who cares?  We're getting the Mariott for the rate of the Motel Six!  We also plan on going to San Marcus to the Outlet mall for our little shopping trip.  Nick has lost about 30lbs and needs new clothes and will also need new shoes.  Might as well get them cheap.

Aaron starts school on the 25th of August.  I don't know how he's going to take it.  He's really good with routine.  You get him on one, and he won't stray from it.  But breaking a new routine in is really hard. I look forward to him going back, he had a lot of fun these last 2 years at HeadStart, but I'm also worried the new teacher won't understand him.  That she'll think he's a 'problem kid' instead of understanding that he needs a little more direction in the beginning but once it's established, he's a really happy kid.  I can see me having to pick him up early a bit in the beginning.  Luckily, we've met with his principal and she understands that though Aaron is no longer 'special needs' (he was discharged from speech therapy at the end of last year), he still might need some social adjusting that other kids developed while he was working on speech.  We'll see I guess.

My husband finds me boring

After being gone for 3 months and talking everyday, N. has decided I'm 'boring' and that he doesn't want to talk to me but ever other day, at the most.  

Wow.  I find that funny.  I told him in the beginning when he was super excited about the fact we could talk via messenger this deployment that it'd get boring.  That we'd run out of things to talk about.  He blew me off, saying 'We love each other, we should talk everyday and we can do a web cam to keep it interesting.'  The daily chats are fine, if you're exciting.  But I'm not.  Somedays, I take the kids places and have cute stories to tell him but most days, we chill here or we go out to the park and nothing interesting happens.  I can't help that, I can't make funny things happen.  I can't fill my life with drama.  

But N. thinks I should.  I guess we're here for his entertainment, his amusement.  After 40 minutes of sitting on the computer, staring at each other on web cam, he announces "Okay, I'm not talking to you anymore, you're boring.  Ping me if anything interesting happens."

I'm thinking it's going to be a while before I send out that next ping.