Smiles from the Front Porch

Y feliz cumpleaños, abuelo.  Te queremos mucho!

Soccer Organization

The other day, Salvatore tells me that I don't have to do his laundry anymore.  Because he has chosen his clothes for the next week. All soccer outfits. All the time.  He matched them up and had each one ready.  These outfits span the globe of all his favorite international teams.

Too bad it's too cold to wear these. And too bad he wasn't serious about the laundry:)

12-7=5

(As a math teacher, I couldn't resist the irony of the date of Salvatore's birthday equaling his age :)

 Salvatore turned 5 last Friday!  I was especially emotional because he was born on a Friday, and it all felt full circle, ya know?  He is an amazing little guy...

full of smiles and giggles...

full of questions and answers...

full of love and curiosity...

full of language and talent...

full of energy and mischief...

equal parts momma and daddy...

 We got him a soccer cake.  Part of his gift was the figurines and goals, so he plays with them each day and night, setting up scenarios and acting out the parts of coach, goalie and striker.

 His crack at his piñata.

 The goods.

 With his friends and family in the bouncy house.  We all eventually got in and bounced away.  They delivered it first thing at 8 a.m., so he and Valentina were busy bouncing in their pajamas long before guests arrived. 

 After a full day of partying, we went to the Long Beach Convention Center the next day for the Motorcycle Show 2012.  

Salvatore, we are so proud of you and we love you so so much!

This is Salvatore showing me his latest tricks for the soccer field.

I'm...flattered???

The other night, I went to get gasoline by myself.  As I stepped out and began the routine at the pump, I heard/saw a loud car pull up to the pump next to mine.  I glanced over and saw a sports car full of young men, possibly 16-18 years old, laughing and joking around.  I turned my eyes back to my pump and proceeded.  After a minute or so, one of the guys who went in to pay was walking back out to the car and flashed me a great smile.  I shyly smiled back and then really turned to face my car.  We were the only cars at the gas station as I overheard this conversation:

One guy:  Quit staring at that lady!

Other guy:  Why?  She's pretty hot.

One guy:  Dude, she's like a MOM!!!!

Other guy:  How do you know?

One guy:  DUDE!! She's driving a minivan!!!!!!  What do YOU think?

While I did not turn around again, I was totally laughing.  Quickly, I grabbed my receipt and pretended to be none the wiser.  I jumped into the car, glancing one more time at the car next to me.  "Other guy" flashed me another grin and a "peace sign".  

Sigh...I AM old enough to be his mom.  HA!

Love/Hate Foods

I found this card at Halloween and found it completely appropriate for my current state.

I've had many a funny discussion with friends and family about food and what we love and hate about it.  Some of my friends seem to think I am a bit strange for some of my preferences.  These preferences start off on the "love list", yet can quickly end up on the "hate list".

LOVE bananas.  HATE bananas in anything, including bread, muffins, cake, pie or any other dessert.

LOVE blueberries.  HATE when people bake them into muffins or put them on pancakes.

LOVE strawberries.  HATE strawberry milkshakes and strawberry ice cream. Or on pancakes.

LOVE apples. HATE apple pie.  

LOVE raspberries. HATE raspberries in cookies, cakes or any other desserts.

LOVE carrots. HATE carrot cake.

LOVE cranberries. HATE cranberry sauce or jelly or whatever that stuff is that slithers out of that can.

And raisins.  LOVE raisins. From a box. But good grief, don't put them or bake them in anything.

I LOVE Thanksgiving and HATE when it is over.

What do you LOVE/HATE when it comes to food?

A Picky Eater

Salvatore and I have some of our best conversations while driving in the car. 

 The other day, we were running errands and he was unusually quiet. 

 I decided to ask him what he was thinking about.  

This was our exact conversation:

Me:  What are you thinking about back there?

Salvatore:  Picky eaters.

Me: (Caught off guard by this subject...)  What about picky eaters?

 (For the record, Sal is picky and not picky, just like most other kids.)

Salvatore:  Well, there is this commercial on TV that says that you should give picky eaters this special chocolate milk to drink when they won't eat their regular food.

Me:  And what made you think about that?

Salvatore:  Well, I don't like how the little boy pushes his plate away and refuses to eat.  (I have never seen the commercial he is speaking of.)  That is very rude. When mommies give you food, you need to eat it. If I was his mommy, I would make him eat his food and THEN give him the chocolate milk.

Me:  Sal, you will make a great parent someday.

Salvatore:  Yes, I know. I do it already with Valentina.  And when we get married, we can take care of daddy and make him eat more vegetables.  

Happy Halloween 2012

 Captain America and Cinderella took to the streets.  

 Salvatore changed him mind many times before finally settling on Captain America.  He ran through all options of the Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk or Thor.  One night in Toys R Us, we started putting all of the stuff on him and joked that he should just BE the Avengers all by himself. We had the Captain America costume already, an Iron Man mask, those huge Hulk hands, and Thor's hammer in his other hand. He finally chose Captain America because he is really a soldier. Those were Salvatore's words.

 Valentina was easy. She wanted to be a princess. Any princess. She loved every type and color of dress. The hard part was finding her size, but we finally did.  I added her little black choker, tights, black shoes, and a wand. Hair up in a fancy bun, a bit of girly glitter, and Cinderella was created.

This was Salvatore's favorite house. He was amazed at the life size Iron Man and his little Hulk friend. They were constantly giving each other high-fives and Salvatore told them that he would go and find Thor and be back so they could work together for peace. Again, his words. 

We went through our neighborhoods, stopped at a pumpkin patch, and ate a second late dinner with Tio Jorge (also a soldier).  The loot was bountiful and we were (I was) very happy with the large amounts of Reece's and good chocolate this year. Far less licorice and fruity stuff, and only one Tootsie Roll (NOT REAL CHOCOLATE IN MY BOOK). I've been on overdrive, but trying to pace myself to have both bags finished by Thanksgiving. 

How was your Halloween?