Trick or Treat

Halloween. All hallow's eve. Watch out for all the ghosts and goblins, not to mention all the Princesses, Harry Potters, and Doras out there. Scary. Halloween is fun. The people down the street have been working on a haunted front yard all weekend. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it is done.

We have been so busy we forgot to get a pumpkin. Who forgets the pumpkin? Well I guess Siobhan will see lots of neighboring pumpkins. She is looking very forward to Trick or Treating. Last week Eric asked her what she was going to say when she went to people's houses, and she said "Give me some candy please", hee hee. Actually I think that would be cuter!

Diego is going along but I don't think he will be asking for any candy, seeing as how he does not yet have teeth. Besides that just means there is more candy in the house that will be tempting. I bought no chocolate and lots of fat free candy. We have Fun Dip, Applehead, Lemonhead, Redhots and candy braclets. What the heck do you care what kind of candy I bought?!

So anyway, I am looking forward to tonight. I think Siobhan will enjoy handing out the candy as much as picking up some treats for herself. I enjoy seeing the little one's all dressed up. What I can't stand are the 10-13 year olds who come wearing regular clothes. You know you might as well give candy to save yourself some problems. I think I might have Eric take care of those kids this year.

Happy Trick or Treating. Have fun out there and be safe!

Love today and tomorrow

I would just like to take this time to remind everyone to tell those that you love, that you love them. Don't wait for tomorrow. Don't fret over the little things. Remember to love and to love everyday!

I would like to let all my family and friends know that I love them. I love each and every one of you. I would like to take a special moment and say "Dad, I love you!"

The Grove

Siobhan and I attened Sesame Street Live on Friday night at The Grove in Anaheim. Of course Sesame Street was great, everyone was there. Even Mr. Noodle's OTHER brother, Mr. Noodle.

I just want to say that if you ever want to go to a show that is there, go! All the seats are great. There is not a bad seat in the house. You can buy tickets at the door if they are not sold out. AND getting out of the parking lot is a breeze.

We really had a great time. I am going to look for things to go to there (of course it doens't hurt that it is only about 7 minutes from our house).

Here's to the arts!

iPod, iPod, iPod

As some of you may know, eveyone over the age of 3 here in our house, has an iPod. I think I might depend on mine just a little too much. I realized yesterday as I was listening to the RADIO, that I wanted to speed through the music at the beginning to get to the lyrics and I COULDN'T. What is that about?

Would it be so hard to make the radio like my iPod? So I could pause, speed up, go back, turn it up at will? I suppose so, but until then I shall enjoy my iPod to no end. I love my iPod. I wish all of life could be so easy.

Weight Watchers update week 10

okay, yeah, I skipped writing last week. I gained .6 and it was a very busy week. Quite frankly I didn't want to face it, okay!
But this week has proved to be a really good one. I am now, in week 10 of the program, down 19 pounds! WOO HOO! Even I can't believe. That's almost 2 pounds a week.

I really hope to hit my first Weight Watchers goal by Christmas (maybe even Thanksgiving)!

Anyone else want to join? There are a few friends and family doing really really well too.

Hope you see less of me!

2 months people

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old mans hat, if you haven't got a penny a ha' penny will do, if you haven't got a ha' penny, then God bless you!

Can't believe it. Wasn't Christmas just here? Didn't we JUST take down the lights? Didn't we just put out the tree? Sent cards? Bought gifts? Midnight Mass( at10)?

Just remember that we need to celebrate the birth of Jesus, that is what Christmas is for. It is a time of giving, but stop worring about buying all your gifts. Forget about who needs what and what you got for whom.

Can't wait for my brothers cinnamon rolls, he better not forget those! hee hee (only I mean it!)

Two months to try and do Christmas right. Different. More real. Let's hope we all succeed.

blogs, blogs and more blogs

I sit here hour after hour ignoring my family as I go from one blog to the next. Just looking to see what is going on in the world out there. What people think and what they are writing about. I have found a dillema. How come a lot of the blogs that I think look really interesting are always in another language? They have cool pictures that I would like to know about, yet I know nothing. Poor me. Hee hee, but really it is the truth. Look around, see if you find the same problem. That little link at the top right hand side that says "next blog". Don't you feel it calling to you? Tormenting you? Begging you to click it?

My chocolate Lab

When my Lab, Cucui, was a puppy we couldn't water without her trying to eat from the hose. When we take her to the dog beach or any other body of water she jumps right in. When we got our fountain, she thought it was just for her. Why is it then she HATES getting a bath?

So sad it makes my heart hurt

I can sum it up in one sentence. What about Sudan? Over 70,000 people have been killed over there. Yet we are doing nothing to help them. Even if you 100% agree that we should be in this "war" that we are in, why are we doing nothing in Sudan?

Those people have begged the US for help and yet we do nothing! It is sick! Women are being raped and then brand so that everyone knows what happened to them.

It has been about 18 months, yet we sit by and do nothing! How can we do this. This is a country that CAN NOT help themselves. We are not talking about giving them democrocy, we are talking about saving THOUSANDS of lives. They suspect that 10,000 people wil die every month. Many of these are women and children!

You can go here and view the 60 Minutes article.

I think more people need to be informed that SEVENTY THOUSAND people have already died and ANOTHER EXPECTED TEN THOUSAND per month, we need to do something more then sending humanitarians to help.

God bless those people!

Three dry days..

..and I don't mean the rain. Siobhan has spent three full dry days with no accidents in panties! One day after pre-school I even took her to the mall and she stayed dry. We are so proud of her. I just know she is going to continue!

Sen. Ryan on the draft

Draft?

Monday through Friday IS okay!

Can I just say that I LOVE my job! Things are really looking up at work. I feel great about being back at work. Maybe it was the 4.5 month off. Maybe it is all the changes going on and new people starting. I love when new people start, it is a chance to make new friends. I love the people I work with. Everyone treats everyone else like family. (which is really a good thing since we are there so much).

Sometimes I forget why I work there. I forget that I am helping families to suceed in life each and everyday. I help them better themselves and the lives of their children. When I am able to remember that, I feel like I am making a difference in the world. I have to be doing a job that I think makes a difference, otherwise I would never be happy. How great for me! hee hee

I hope you love your job too!

amazing kids

I dropped Siobhan off at pre-school today and she DID NOT CRY! My gosh I was so happy. Her teacher said she was a little sad after nap but then she was okay. YIPPEEEE. I just hope it continues.

Took Diego for his four month check-up yesterday. He weighs 16 pounds and 4 oz. What an amazing baby he is. He is so happy all of the time. Usually sleeping 6-9 hours a night. He smiles at EVERYTHING. And I do mean everything. Eric holds up a sock and he smiles. hee hee

Weight Watchers update week 8

Had to go a day early so I can be home to watch the debate tomorrow. I only lost .4 this week, for a 8 week total of 16 pounds. I am getting there slowly but surely. I will keep trying!

I WILL reach my goal!

potty time

Tomorrow we will begin sending Siobhan to pre-school in panties. What a big girl! Of course, we will also send many changes of clothes (just in case) but this whole pull-up thing has gone on long enough. I mean, she can correct us for goodness sake. I know she is capable of going on the potty all of the time, maybe this will help her be aware of it.

She needs to get into the next class at school. Where all the kids are potty trained, have better toys, and can actually talk. The kids in her class now only say one or two words. Siobhan is well into a full converstaion. She said she wants to try, her teacher is willing, so what the heck. It will either work or I will have a lot of laundry to do!

Superman is dead

Christopher Reeve died Sunday due to complications from a bed sore. Even though he was a normal guy he sure turned out to be a real Superman. He never gave up his fight. What a wonderful strong man.

Christopher, you will always be the one and only true Superman! God bless you!

So close but no cigar

I worked out a deal with Siobhan. She really wants the third Princess DVD, so I told her if she could go two days without crying at preschool, it was hers. (I figure I probably would've gotten it anyway, this way I get something out of the deal). So today was supposed to be day one. She was doing great. She asked me to stay a few minutes. I stayed while her teacher read a story and they sang the ABC song.

I think my downfall was when I asked for a hug. I think I should've just said good-bye and been on my way. Through the hug she was okay, I stood to go, and here it comes. "Mamaaaaaaaaaa, Mamaaaaaaaaaaa". I said "Okay, I love you, you will have fun and I will be back later, right? I will always be back later", and I was gone.

Oh how my heart breaks everytime I leave her. I KNOW it will end soon. It is already A LOT better then before, but it still feels like she is tearing at my heart.

Maybe tomorrow.....

Understanding Catholics

I was thinking of something as I was driving home. There are a lot of people who support Bush just because he is against abortion. People who do not think that it is right to kill a person. Those same people who do not believe in abortion, supporting Bush, are supporting the war.

Supporting the KILLING of people. So is it okay to kill SOME people? It is only okay to kill people who are already born? Kids and adults?

Shouldn't all killing be wrong? Shouldn't the amount of killing matter too?

I am not saying that an abortion is okay. I am saying No killing is okay". It is not okay to kill an unborn baby. It is not okay to kill children. It is not okay to kill adults.

Killing is not okay. Yet there are people supporting the President because they don't want abortions, but they are supporting the killing going on both to others and our soldiers. Just something to think about.

weight Watchers update week 7

yeehaw! Down another 1.2 for a total of 15.6. YEAH!

Man can move mountains, one stone at a time!

Cucs In A Box

Cucs In A Box
Originally uploaded by cucsmom.

You know how when you buy your kid a toy, they always enjoy the box? Every parent says "I should have just gotten a box instead." Well here is someone else who enjoys the box as well.

Krystal was outside looking for Cucui, when Cucui finally peeked her head out. Now she may not look that big, but we were surprised she could fit into that box.

Two for one! Diego has a toy and Cucui has a dog house (custom!)

hammock dog

hammock dog
Originally uploaded by cucsmom.

This is Eric's dog, Xochitl. She loves to be wherever we are. Here she is enjoying the hammock. I mean why else would we have a huge hammock but to let the little chihuahua enjoy herself in it. You have to admit she is cute though!

My dog, Cucui, would also like to enjoy the hammock. But I don't think the hammock would like to enjoy a 60 pound Chocolate Lab!

what about our little girls?

Siobhan and I were going over the characters on Diego's Sesame Street blanket. Elmo, Big Bird, Ernie and Cookie Monster are on there. All of them are boys (at least I think Big Bird is a boy!). So I was thinking, who else that is a big name is a boy. Here they are:

Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Burt, Snuffy, Oscar, Grover and The Count. All male!

Not to mention Barney, Clifford, Caillou, Arthur and Jay Jay. Anyway you see my point.

What do we girls have, Dora! Now I like Dora, she is all over our house, but there is only Dora. (I mean let's not even mention Barbie!) Something to really think about. Dora can't do it all.

Day of rest?

How come if Sunday is a day of rest it is the only day I want to cook a big meal? (Maybe because my day of rest is Monday through Saturday!). Today we are having Pozole Verde. I was going to make it yesterday but I drove all over Anaheim looking for nixtamal. I knew one store that sold it but it was the wrong direction, so here I am, cooking.

This is the second time I have made it. The first time it was great except it had too much chicken, so we are adjusting that. It is an all day thing because the nixtamal (I refuse to buy hominy) has to cook for two hours, but nothing is too good for my family. hee hee Truth be told, I enjoy it!

So in an hour and so we will be enjoying a great linner (we skipped lunch today) of green pozole. Yum Yum!

Mike Tyson at Childtime?

I arrived at Siobhan's preschool only to find out that she had been bitten two different times by a girl trying to get Siobhan's attention. The second time was only about 15 minutes after the first.

It is so hard when you do all you can to prepare your child and something like this happens. I know children bite. I know it is to be expected (like the runny nose she has now). Before Siobhan started school I told her if she bites anyone her teacher was going to send her home. Now, I know part of the problem is Siobhan's speech and understanding is well beyond her 2.8 years, and we expect others to be the same. But how hard is it to tell your child "Do not bite!"

Poor baby. She looked so sad when I picked her up (the last bite happened about 20 minutes before I got there). I would have done anything to get that look off her face. Poor baby. Those kids better watch it if they know what is good for them!

four and a half months

That is the amount of time I have been off work. Well no more. Today was the day.

Eric asked once more before he left the house, "Are you sure you don't want to be a stay at home mom", and I was sure! I called him as I was driving in and it still didn't feel real that I was going to work. I walked in my office and my friends has decorated it to welcome me back. Natalie brought breakfast (she hates me, hee hee) and the administrator called a meeting right at 8:30. There was no messing around, it was right to work.

Everyone gave me hugs! I felt so loved. Of course they all asked about Diego and Siobhan. It was nice to tell them that Diego is the best baby and actually mean it. Siobhan loves her little brother!

Lots of work to do and I am looking forward to it. I am always one at work to say "Give me more, keep me busy!", and I think they will. I was thankful that Natalie allowed me to help her, so I could help fill my day.

All and all it went well. Hope took Natalie and I to lunch so that was really nice. The day went quickly. I was glad to be able to rush home to my family. I missed them!

lots of lots

Yesterday we had our House Party for the debate and it was great! What a turn out. We had a few friends and met lots of new people. Our house was overflowing, there was no where left to sit. It was so cool.

I wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. We had about 9 or 10 people over that we did not know. People who found us through the Democratic National Committee or the John Kerry web site. Everyone was so different but we had something so huge in common, wanting Bush out of office!

It was so much more exciting then it would have been to watch it alone. Everyone cheering and clapping. Everyone knowing Kerry was saying the truth while Bush could only say how "Kerry flipflops" over and over again.

I think we might try and do it again. Although it will be harder now that I am back at work.

Go Kerry! Keep us free and SAFE!

weight Watchers update week 6

Okay, sorry this one is so late. Obviously it wasn't great or it would not have taken me so long to write, hee hee. This week I did not lose weight. I did not gain weight either. I stayed exactly the same, to the ounce. Can you believe it?

I am doing the flex points, so I have so many points per day. I think it is great.

I hope this week goes better.

1999

By Prince. It goes "Two thousand zero zero, party over oops out of time". Wouldn't that be 200,000?