cooking together

We had tacos for dinner tonight. All 3 of us in the kitchen, preparing the meal. I cooked the meat and Bug and Mariposa cut the tomatoes and lettuce. This is Bug telling me no when I wanted to take his picture as he ate strawberries and cream

ripping up lettuce

cutting tomatoes. Thanks so much to Salsa Momma (is there salsa in china is her blog) for the idea of giving Bug a plastic knife to cut up items- he was so happy to help.

The kiddos cutting together.

That's about it. We are heading to the pool tomorrow after I get done working. It should be great.

Love and hugs,

Deb

cooler weather and playing at the park

The weather is cooler now and that means more trips to the park- with the breeze, cooler temps and no humidity- it is perfect outside. We did need jackets today thanks to the wind- it was a "blustery day" as Pooh bear would say.

Mariposa running from Bug- they were playing chase. Later they played Hide and Seek.

Momma going down the slide at Bug's insistence.

He can do it all alone now. Such a change from the spring when he could do it, but he would hold on to the foot holds, not the sides.

One happy little slider. I love this face- pure joy. He is now at the point that he would slide all day at the park if I would let him.

Bug and Mariposa

ZOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM

Mariposa's first trip down the slide. She and I both agree that this slide is too twisty and tight for anyone who is big.

He still fits in the baby swings and he still loves it. he is so much more into being pushed. which is fine with me.

Love and hugs,

Deb

More homecoming pictures and some pictures from birthday celebration

Uncle D turned 45 today- YEAHHHHHH. I hosted the family party- the first one Mariposa attended. We had to teach her the family version of the birthday song. I think she was not so impressed. her birthday is coming in a month- so she will get to experience it again.

Mariposa and I made dinner tonight- weiners chnitzel (breaded pork chops) and potatoes. Mariposa brought a German cookbook that is in English. This was fun meal to make.

Bug "resting" on the couch, waiting for Mariposa to come home from the homecoming dance.

on the couch he sleeps so compactly- in the bed- he is all over the place.

This is me, on Homecoming night. bug refused to be in the picture

Jas being goofy

Good looking couple.

Mariposa got home at 12:30 am Sunday morning. She came into the house glowing and exuding happiness- the happiest I have seen her since she arrived. It was infectious. She said she had a great time. She did mention the freshman who asked her "what language do you speak in Germany?". Apparently this freshman thought that Germans speak English as their first language. Unbelievable- I can not believe the ignorance of students today- to not know basic history- Mariposa has been asked how Hitler is doing, and now this with this freshman. What the heck are students being taught- clearly it is not world history. I am assuming they are being taught the graduation tests- all part of no child left behind. Instead of educating our youth- we are handicapping them because they are taught nothing more than the test. I am scared for them and for the world. That statement completely sounded like my parents- but it true- how can you live in a world that instantly connected but be so ignorant of basic things?????

Love to you,

Deb

Second post- Mariposa's dress for homecoming (Saturday)

Mariposa's first dance in the US is tonight. She is attending the homecoming dance at my nephew's school. The corsage- Uncle Darrell did a great job picking this one out.

My incredible "daughter".

Jason and Mariposa. I would have bought him a purple tie if I had known he did not have one- but they are a cute couple of kids no matter what they are wearing

This morning, we were supposed to meet up with another group of students and go shopping- OK the teens were going shopping and Bug and I were supposed to make ourselves scarce so that the teens could hang out.

not a single friend showed up- we waited at the designated place for 30 minutes. I felt so bad for Mariposa- she was so disappointed. We decided that since we drove to the other side of town, we would go ahead and shop for a while. She got her pair of chucks- converse all stars that she has been looking for for a month.

I found a picture studio that has a moto for Bug. I think we will back here for formal pictures in the near future.

After the mall- I was still feeling sad due to how disappointed Mariposa was, so I took the kids to see FAME. Mariposa loved, Bug was bored. he told us half way thru the movie that he wanted to go home. it was a long second half of the movie- I think I saw 2/3 of the last half of the movie.

I am off to rest- Mariposa is not due home until almost midnight.

Love to you,

Deb

Post 1- hanging with J and N (Friday night)

We headed over to J and N's house on Friday night. It was a chance to hang out and talk while the boys played and to give Mariposa a chance to get to know J better. The boys had a great time.

After dinner, we walked over to a local ice cream shop- J lives in a great neighborhood for walking to things. the boys had chocolate ice cream and the girls had sundaes. the boys quickly decided that "drumming" on the seat cushions was much more fun.

Bug was reading the menu. Too funny!!!!

Bug loving on N's dog Crackers

we need to do this more often- I was so relaxed after the evening- just the chance to talk and relax with friends was so refreshing to me.

Off to post the second post for the evening- Mariposa's homecoming pictures (the pre homecoming dance pictures).

Love to you,
Deb

Home to you, Home to me

I made it home to my Bug and Mariposa. I was very lucky to be able to switch flights and get home 3 hours early. I am tired, Bug is out of sorts but we are happy to be a family.

it rained today- as my flight was landing and after dinner, Bug and I took a walk in the neighborhood. Bug needed some momma time and some time to burn off energy. My work travel is very hard on him. I was shocked that he did not start crying the moment he saw me at the airport which is his typical reaction. he held all his emotions in until after dinner when I got in the front of the car to drive Mam home, then he started crying. Poor little boy- the emotions going thru him- happiness that momma was home, relief that I came home, and anxiousness that I really was not coming home. So it all bubbled over. Tomorrow morning will be hard for him when I take him to Auntie Lulu's, then Friday will be worse, but then it is Saturday and he will have momma time all day. The weekend will help him regain his equilibrium in terms of his emotions. We will have one week together and then I will be traveling again. I expect a full break down after that trip. I ma already looking at my schedule to see how I can change it around in order to make sure Bug's emotional needs are met.

Mariposa did fine with the travel and I expect that she will do fine until November - when I travel right after her birthday. I expect that her birthday will be hard for her, being away from home for her first major holiday/event. So I suspect that she will be homesick then and coupled with my travel, her emotions will be in turmoil too. But, I could be wrong with regard to Mariposa's emotional state at that time.

So here are the pictures of walking through the neighborhood.

Bug likes his water - drawn to it like a moth to the flame. he is happiest when he can splash and play in the water.

So that it all for tonight.

Love and hugs,

Deb

out with co workers on Tuesday night

The pictures are pretty dark- although the restaurant did not seem dark. We walked over to Tapas place near the hotel. This one was much better than the one we eat at In July when I was here in Boston. I did have the garlic shrimp again (YUMMMMMMM)

Momma at the end of the evening

This is a cold soup a co worker had. I like the cucumbers on the side.

This is my cocktail- the "Happy Cocktail". Yes, that is the name. Orange juice, pomegranate juice, citrus vodka and some other things- very good. Although since I drink about once a year, I have now had my one drink for the year. I guess I can't have this in 2 weeks when I am back up here.

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and on the way, we found a ice cream place. The flavors were so different- one of the team had saffron ice cream. I choose chocolate hazelnut. I guess we will have to make a run to the store this weekend to pick up some Hanuta for the house (Hi Mariposa) because now I have the taste in my mouth again.

I need to finish getting dressed and packed. Our meeting is this morning and then it is off to airport to come home to you- my son. Momma is coming home. I am going to see if I can switch my flight once I get to the airport- I will call you, mom, if I can switch the flight.

Love and hugs

Off to Boston --again

Well, I am here in Boston.

The hotel this time was arranged by someone else so I thought I would share the room I scored. It is the size of my best friend 's (Hi E) first apartment in Ypsilanti.

Separate sleeping room- including a 40 inch flat screen TV

Desk area- standing in the corner of the living room area

standing at the corner of the hallway from the room door. I closed the curtains- nothing but the upper deck of the parking garage to see there (boring).

Standing at the room door looking into the room

Saying bye-bye to my family.

I go home tomorrow night so it should be fine. Bug is hanging with Mam while i am gone, Mariposa is in school all day and then she is home with Mam too.

I will say the decor in the hotel is not my taste- too modern and too grey. If this hotel was on the Charles River, then it would rock. Oh well, I am back here in 2 weeks and I know the hotel I am at then has river views.- SWEET!!!!

I am off to answer work emails before the meeting starts.

Love to you Bug, Mam and Mariposa

Te Amo mi hijo, Abuela, hija.

Deb