And Tino got ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!

I feel like we have been waiting for a mission call or something. We have been stalking the mail carrier and waiting for her to drive her little USPS truck to the corner. Tino has been riding his bike every day to the mailbox . . . . waiting and waiting and waiting. The letter we have been waiting for finally arrived. Tino was accepted into the magnet program. Some might call it luck since it was on a lottery system . . . I call it divine intervention. I am so relieved that we can cross that unknown factor off our list. Next . . .

Spring Break-One Week Early

News Flash: For all those that think Thanksgiving Break and Christmas Break are the busiest time of year at the most "Magical Place on Earth" . . . think again. I stand as a personal witness that the day after Easter is the busiest . . . when 99.9% of the children in the United States and other parts of the world are out of school. We used the last of our Disney gold so we could go to the parks with Cristian's sister and her family. When Cristian used to work at Disney we had a silver pass which allowed Cristian and I to enter the parks plus bring four friends/family members along. As an added Disney bonus, twice a year (Summer and Christmas) we got six stand alone passes (Disney gold) that we could use or give away to friends/family. We've been holding on to our last bit of Disney gold for 18 months. I would have been EXTREMELY BITTER if I had to pay admission into the parks the day we went. It was wall to wall people. Not my idea of fun.

One thing I can say is what a difference 15 months makes. Mateo and Sarah were at such a fun age to take to the parks. And get this . . . I was able to go into the parks in the "no bags" line. No diaper bags, no purses, no backpacks, etc. We even left our food and drinks in the car. (As you can notice . . . the camera also stayed in the car for the first park we hit . . . Hollywood Studios). It was HEAVEN traveling so light. We didn't even take a stroller. Of course that wasn't heaven when Sarah fell asleep or Mateo fell asleep . . . but for the most park it was SOOOOOOOOO great traveling light to the parks.

Cristian's sister wanted me to accompany her family to Magic Kingdom. Since I had to work the next day, I opted out. But Cousin Tino decided to stay. He was able to show them the ins and outs of the park . . . how to bypass long lines, how to child swap, etc. I was surprised he remembered everything since it had been over a year since he had been. They closed the park down. Tino got home at 1:55 A.M. He was up the next morning at 7:30 a.m. so he could go to school. That was Tino's second time to miss school this year. He was freaking out a little bit about missing school to go to the parks, but I think after it was all said and done he had a very fun day. Adios Disney Parks.

BA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

We were just getting into the van after Tino's baseball game. All the lights of the baseball fields were being turned off one by one. All of a sudden we heard a big giant BA-BOOM sound in the distance. The kids asked me what that was. It was definitely a HEAVIER sound than gunshots or thunder. Maybe a bomb being detonated? (Yes, we know what that sounds like since our house was built on a stinkin' bombing range and the Army Corps of Engineers have been working since July trying to find said bombs and detonate them for us). Anyway, a couple seconds later, my neighbor called me and wanted to know if I was home. She said her whole house shook and pictures on the walls tilted. Weird. EARTHQUAKE in ORLANDO?????? Nope, she just turned on the television and found out the space shuttle had just come back to Earth. Nothing to fear folks, just a sonic boom. I guess when it's the space shuttle, it does a double sonic boom. You're welcome in advance for providing you with your mini science lesson and space shuttle Endeavour information for the day.

Family Reunion

Today we had an awesome visit from an awesome family. Cristian's half-sister Mabel came to visit us from North Carolina. We hadn't seen Mabel for 11+ years. We hadn't seen Mabel's husband for 9+ years. They moved to the U.S. three years ago. Since our last visit in the Dominican Republic, both of our families have changed dramatically. We now have three children . . . they have four. Cristian's oldest half-sister Belkys hadn't seen Mabel for 22 years. Yes, 22 years. It was like a modern day Dr. Phil or Oprah happening in my own house. It was really fun visiting. What completely is A-MAZ-ING to me is how even though they didn't grow up with one another and didn't start to develop a relationship until they were adults . . . THEY HAVE THE SAME MANNERISMS, SAME LAUGHS, etc. I look forward to the next couple of days we will have to hang out with them. Tino, Mateo, and Sarah were excited to meet the cousins they never even knew they had and they too look forward to hanging out with them.

The Ark is Coming Our Way . . . Or So "They" Say

So the inside scoop (if there happens to be an inside scoop) tells us that we will be one of the next families to participate in the ark project of our stake. If that rumor turns out to be true, I figured I better post some pictures really quick. Here are some pictures of Sarah and Mateo in their Easter attire. Yeah, they actually wore it one month ago to our Carnival/Mardi Gras Festival. Since I am ever so timely in most things (such as getting out Christmas cards, remembering birthdays on the actual day of the birthday, etc.) I figured I might as well bust out with the Easter attire one month early. Tino was too busy running around and playing with his friends, so I don't have any pictures of him. Just imagine Tino wearing Mateo's shirt. We are actually having slight issues with this. Mateo has jumped up to the next size in clothing . . . which means he no longer can be matchy matchy with his little sister Sarah. Now since he is officially in "big boy clothing", I can make Tino and Mateo be matchy matchy. Who has the issues with this? Would it be Tino? Would it be Mateo? If you guessed Mateo . . . you are absolutely 100% correct-a-mundo. Mateo DOES NOT like being A same (no that is not a typo) or being a match with Tino. He wants HIS OWN CLOTHES. Whatev.

We were actually going to try to get family Easter pictures taken, but that didn't happen. I forgot that it takes FOREVER for my skin biopsies to heal. And of course I had two giant CHUNKS taken off my face. One pre-cancerous . . . and one turned out o.k. So until I heal from that, there will be absolutely NO families are forever pictures for me.

Viernes Santo

I can't make sugar cookies for Christmas or Valentine's Day . . . nor do I ever remember about the Leprechaun thing (unless I am teaching Kindergarten) . . . but boy do I make a mean habichuelas con dulce for viernes santo. We had a lovely Viernes Santo. Since Cristian's territory is all of Latin America . . . and Latin Americans are very religious, the workers he supports were off today. This means Cristian had time to go golfing AND help me with our $389 "get ready for the Ark project" Costco run. We actually decided that we were going to spend a portion of our tax refund to get our food storage replenished.
Cristian's fellow friend from the islands came over today to enjoy habichuelas con dulce with us. My kids are confused because they think that Hno. Fortunato is Abuelo Fortunato. They are CONVINCED he is their other "Spanish grandpa". Cristian and I think it's because Fortunato and Abuelo Bienvo have the same skin coloring. . . and they have the same accent when they speak Spanish. IGUALITO. Happy Good Friday!

Sitting on the OTHER SIDE of the Table

Sarah turns 3 in less than two months. This means that Sarah will no longer receive her speech, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis therapies through the state. She will transition into the public school system. As I was reviewing all of the paperwork from the school district, one of the things it said over and over again throughout is "Make sure somebody else comes to the transition meeting with you: Friend, family member, etc." I read this and thought, yeah I can see why it would be nice to have someone there for emotional support, etc. But then I thought to myself, why would I need anyone to go with me since I have attended hundreds of 504 plan meetings, I.E.P. meetings, and Student Success Team meetings?

It is a MUCH different experience sitting at the other side of the table. As a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach, I facilitated the Student Success Team meetings for four years. And I had to attend the 504 plan or I.E.P. meetings of the students I taught. Although I understood all the education lingo that was thrown my way during Sarah's transition meeting, I kept feeling as though an anxiety attack was coming on. It was hard to breathe and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Once again, where did that come from????? I have been the one fighting for the educational rights of Sweet Sarah for well over a year. I was the one advocating for her services. So it's not like this was any new news to me that my daughter has learning issues (and behavior issues).

Anyway, at the end of the meeting, I was asked to sign the dotted line on about five hundred and one forms. Imagine my surprise when someone had already signed on MY LINE. It's the line that says: Early Intervention Team Member/Title or the line that says Teacher. How many years have I not been teaching school? (This would be my fourth school year as a "stay at home mom"). It took serious concentration for me to be able to find the line on all of the paper work that says: Parent. What a bizarre concept. I am the parent of a "Special Needs" kiddo. Even though I have known this for quite some time, that whole concept is still processing in my brain.

"DO NOT MOLEST ALLIGATORS"

If my new battery for my camera wasn't in Cristian's car . . . I would run over to the lake and take a picture of my absolute favorite sign in our neighborhood. The sign says: "Do Not Molest Alligators". Can we say somebody was on the sign committee who speaks Spanish as a first language????? The verb "molestar" means "to bother". I'm thinking the message the person wanted to convey on this sign was something to the effect of "Do not feed the alligators" or "Do not taunt, tease, or in any other way bother the alligators". Why on earth would anyone even think of bothering alligators? Common sense would tell you to STAY AWAY from the alligators . . . wouldn't it? Unless of course, you are Mateo. Because if you are Mateo, you spend hours upon hours in your bedroom after "lights out" scurrying around and doing something. (As long as he is in his room and not bothering me, I don't care what he is doing). The other night, I heard a lot of noise. And heard footsteps going to and from the kitchen. About one hour later, Mateo came out of his room. (Yes, one hour past bedtime, but that's neither here nor there). P.S. The photo below has nothing to do with the post . . . just picture this cheesy grin and mischievous look as we were having the conversation below.

Mateo: Ummmmmm . . . mami?

Mami: Yes, Teo?

Mateo: Ummmmmm . . . what happens if you ride your bike off the dock at the lake?

Mami: You fall into the lake.

Mateo: Ummmmmm . . . mami, but what about the alligators?

Mami: Well, the alligators will eat you, of course.

Mateo: Don't worry, I made a snack for the alligators. See . . . it's the pretzels. I crushed them up and put them in the bag. Tomorrow in the morning when I ride my bike off the dock, I'm going to take these pretzels with me. It's a snack for the alligators. Is that allowed?

Mami: Riding your bike off the dock or feeding the alligators?

Mateo: Feeding the alligators.

Mami: Nope, haven't you seen that big sign by the lake?

Mateo: No. What it says?

Mami: It says DO NOT MOLEST THE ALLIGATORS.

Mateo: Oh, that means no pretzels for the alligators?

Mami: Yes, exactly.

Mateo: Well, what about the fishies? Can I feed the fishies the pretzel snack?

Mami: Sure Mateo.

Mateo: Well, actually, I haven't seen any fishies at the lake. That's cause the alligators have already eaten all the fishies.

Mami: You got it buddy.

Mateo: So, maybe I'll ride my bike at the park and not go into the lake tomorrow.

Mami: Great idea. NOW GO TO BED MATEO!

Now I'm the Dreamer . . . and the Non-Doer

I so love the way that I decided to get a sitter for my kids this afternoon so I could clean the house in peace. (And have the house be clean for a little longer than one hour. ) Yeah, I also love the way that I just took a two hour nap, have done my online banking, and have spent the last 45 minutes blog lurking. Yeah, of course I couldn't spend some of that time updating my own blog or uploading photos that are sitting on my camera.

Speaking of cleaning house, for those of you that have someone clean your house, have you ever had issues with theft? My son's DS Lite has been missing since last month (the same exact day our cleaners came). I have spent the last 3 weeks looking EVERYWHERE for that darn DS Lite. And I can't find it anywhere. We have searched under Tino's bed, looked behind his computer desk, drawers, etc. I can't find it anywhere. He can't find it anywhere. AND I KNOW it was in his room the day the cleaners came. One of the ladies was the gal that has been cleaning our house for over a year. The other two were new to the company. She was training them. How should I handle this situation? Is it too late to call the owner of the cleaning company? Should I just ask the gals when they get here on Monday? Let it slide and keep looking for the thing?

Dreamer and Doer

Each year Walt Disney World invites school districts across the state to select a Disney Dreamer and Doer. The Disney Dreamers and Doers program recognizes students who possess Curiosity, Confidence, Courage and Constancy - the qualities that Walt Disney so admired.

Students complete a form listing their school activities and activities outside of school (such as sports, music, theater, dance, visual arts, scouting, church, synagogue, mosque, community volunteer work, etc.) This year they decided to mix it up a bit. In order to celebrate the whatever year anniversary since they have been doing this, the focus was on COMMUNITY SERVICE. When Tino brought the form home, I threw. it. in. the. garbage. can. Yes. And then we had to fish it out of the garbage can the next day when Tino told me it was homework and EVERYONE had to fill out a form.

I came to a harsh realization. How many countless hours upon hours have I toted my kids all around town as I do my community service schpeel???? They have learned to follow me around as I do my community stuff . . . canvasing neighborhoods for politicians, being active attending school board meetings, Port Commission meetings (when living in CA), PTA, School Advisory Committee, Cub Master for the community pack, and later den leader for church tri-pack, 5th Grade Banquet Committee, and that's not even taking into consideration the countless hours spent doing church callings (Young Women Presidency, Primacy Presidency, etc. etc. etc. ) But with all this hauling around town and spending countless hours doing community service, HAVE I TAUGHT MY OWN CHILDREN HOW TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY?????? And the answer would be NO. Ouch.

So I made a mental note to self that I really need to be a better mother and teach my kiddos the value of serving others and watched as Tino filled out his Disney Dreamer and Doer application. He included the community service such as School Beautification Committee, Mentor, Reading Buddy, being a teacher helper, Cub Scouts: Neighborhood Clean-up and Scouting for Food, Faith in God: Helping to plan and carry out a quarterly activity for the primary children.

Apparently the 128 5th graders that applied for Disney Dreamer and Doer had less community service than Tino. He ended up being one of the three finalists for the school. And then came the interview with 10 adults including the principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, librarian, and the 6 fifth grade teachers. Of the experience, Tino said "Mom, that was a really nerve-wracking experience. Do you know how difficult it is to be in a room with ten adults asking you a bunch of questions and you're the only kid in the entire room?" To that, I replied "That was a great experience. When you are a professional baseball player, you will be interviewed all the time."

So the inside scoop (given to me straight from Tino's favorite 4th grade teacher), is that he did awesome on the interview. The 3rd finalist was no longer in the running. It was neck and neck between Tino and another girl that had loads and loads of service. Although Samantha won on the school level, Tino is still my DREAMER and DOER. I'm very proud of him.