Wednesday, September 03, 2008

The first day of the rest of his life.......

Posing with Mei Mei
My Big Brave Boy!


He is hoping his Diego backpack will change into a light aircraft so he can boogie at lunch!

Here is the entrance to his school - I had to bully a security guard to allow me to park by the door!


Rico Suave in his classroom - what can I say?

Well, we all survived the big day. EBB decided he wanted to stay home with Mommy (which truth be told, alternately delighted and devastated Mommy) yay - boo. But we talked it up and made it sound SO EXCITING! He was happy that Mom and Dad and little sis were all together (kids really are ALL about the simple things!) in the car. We drive to the school and I bully the security guard and park out front (We are half an hour early) and when I get into the office I got two shocks! One, I know the school social worker AND at the last minute his teacher changed AGAIN! I was really ready to have a heart attack right there in the crazy busy office - I guess the secretary was concerned because she called over the Principal and she offered to take us up to EBB's classroom and introduce the last minute sub-in. We trudged up the three flights to the HOT classroom and (you will never guess....) I meet the teacher and SHE IS A NEIGHBOR I KNOW! I am so happy! The aide and assistant are just warm wonderful people (you know for day one that is) and he really seemed to like them all. The Teacher, Ms. S is soft-spoken and calm. I have been buying girl scout cookies from her adorable daughter for years.... so a huge sigh of relief!

Then the end of the day - I landed at the school with DH at the appointed hour and they called my dear boy down and all of a sudden there he was down the hall looking for me and daddy... it was so sweet. He said he didn't like Kindergarten and still wants to stay home with Mommy or go to my office (GREAT!) but the assistant said he had a great day. Who knows. When we got home one of my worst fears was realized - his lunch and snack were completely uneaten. My poor little guy! I am not sure if he didn't know - wasn't told or if there is some less sinister explanation (maybe he wanted a turkey hot dog at the cafeteria) like someone bought him lunch.. I freaked out completely. Also ALL his school supplies were still in his backpack and his milk money untouched. YIKES! What have I done? My baby starving in kindergarten - with several bottles of untouched white school glue. I became Lady Bountiful handing snacks here and there to be sure he wasn't hungry - and then sent him off with DH to the MD. He has grown from 38" to 39.75" and he now weights 43lbs - I am so thankful for that inch and three-quarters and three pounds. Maybe I won't have to shop for next year's school uniforms in the toddler section. You just never know.

Finally - after my darling girl continued her big success we decided to dine a la famiglia at a local Italian place and the kids did a number on some pizza while DH and I pretended to be serious and eat some veal and pasta. My chillies ate a LOT of Chocolate Gelato - fell asleep in the car on the 10 minute ride home and were in bed in a flash - poor EBB was so tired he begged to sleep in the car... LOL. All is quiet on our family front and all in all I feel his first day went very well. I did write the teacher a note about the lunch situation, offering to help out in any way I can (I mean. hey - I can easily stop for cupcakes on my way... ) and explain that his smile - though genuine does not necessarily mean he is ok or agreeing to requests. I hope I can figure out this kindergarten thing before winter recess. I just hope that things go well for him... I do love my happy little boy and darling girl to pieces and just want all the very best for both.

Late Breaking News :-)

Notice the bribes - a cup full of M&Ms and a Crown!



WOOOHOOO!! WHEEEHOOOOO!!!!!


We are DIAPER & Pull-UP FREE


FREE AT LAST !

FREE AT LAST !


GREAT POTTY ALMIGHTY - FREE AT LAST *






* with my sincere apologies to MLK Jr. - he had 4 kids so I think he would have understood!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

RIP Calliope the Great




We have suffered a loss this week. Our beloved Calliope "Cali-puss" has passed on to Kitty Heaven. She was diagnosed a couple weeks ago with Lymphoma and she succumbed rapidly. I am saddened - because she was a great cat, great friend and beautiful soul. We didn't mean to adopt Cali - she was our foster cat - but she snuck into our hearts and we fell in love with her. She had a sad life before she came to be our kitty - discarded and starved, she lived out of a dumpster on the campus where I work (which explains her penchant for fritos, potato chips and pizza). She was thin (bottom pic is right after she came to live with us) and scared - but had such a sweet and friendly nature. She was not so quick to trust, having been hurt at some point by a human.... but soon with all our love and care she became the mushcat she was always meant to be. People say that animals don't grieve - but I know they do. Orianna (our remaining excellent kitty) is grieving for her sister-friend and she too is saddened by her loss. We take comfort in knowing that Cali has all the tuna she can eat, her water will always be fresh, catnip mice abound and there will always be a warm lap to sleep on. Goodbye my dear cat-friend.
Here too briefly - but in my heart forever.
Say hi to Eek-a-mouse and Zandalee, Shiloh and Shenandoah, Moschino and all our forever pets.

Monday, August 04, 2008

I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Make mine strawberry with M&Ms, MiniMarshmallows, Chocolate sauce, whupped and a cherry on TOP! YUM-EE!










Saturday, August 02, 2008

Spam Blog indeed!

Sunset over Beijing

Touring Beijing


Olympic Stadium - The Bird's Nest

The "Bubble" Water Cube

Family of Four at last 03.16.08! Luckily - that little boy smiles ALL the time now!

So if you have been wondering where I and my two gorgeous kids have gone -well, I have been unable to post! Apparently bogger's new spambot identified my blog (big HURUMPH!) as a spamblog! Can you even imagine.... how could my boring little blog all about two kids be spam-worthy? Ugh. So here are a few pics to prove I am just a little old Mama with two great kids!

Monday, July 14, 2008

LI Children's Museum











From within the depths of the mini-van

Mom: "So, what are the Museum Rules?"

EFP: "Use good walking, no running"
EBB: "Listen to Mama"
EFP: "Use inside voices, no shouting"

From Sign just inside museum:

Do Run
Do Shout
Do have a blast!

Seriously! We met our friend A and her little one R at the Children's Museum and we had a BLAST! (We always follow the rules!) The kids just thought it was the best.. and why not!? They had fun in the bubble room, the music room, the physically challenged demo house, the sand pit (not my all time favorite,) the construction room, the geometric computer manipulatives, etc. We had so much fun that we may just have to do it again really soon. It was worth the trip!

Pinata Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Pinata Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Monday, July 07, 2008

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

This blogger - who is muy talented is giving away a gorgeous dress - fit for an Empress if ever I saw one!

Tagged!

Italia Tagged Me! Italia is my Beijing Bathroom Break Buddy! You can read our "meet cute" at Italia's blog!

I have to describe my life in six words and then tag five people for them to do the same. If you're up to the challenge (and fun), here are the rules........ you need to describe your life in six words, link back to me, and then tag another five people. Leave them a comment to let them know they are tagged. It really is fun.


Incredibly Blessed Chaotic Family Loving Living!!

I tag Michele, Sissy, Beverly, Amy S, and Kelly!!

We are all doing great - just busy!! More later of Imperial Doings....

Empress Fussy Pants

Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

Emperor Big Brother

Lilypie Next Birthday Ticker