Luna asked me if I wanted to play with her and I said I have to clean the kitchen. She said you have 2 choices clean the kitchen or play with me, what do you choose. I said clean the kitchen. She said Ok, that' your choice.

What are the best elementry schools in Louisville?

Well in Louisville we don't have neighborhood schools. In Cincinnati where I grew up you simply went to the school closest to your house and you took the school bus, unless you were always turned around in your seat, up on your knees talking to the kids behind you, then you got kicked off the bus and your parents had to drive you. Obviously that never happened to me:)
So in Cincinnati, if you didn't like the school near you or you wanted to send your child to a better performing school you could either drive them to a private school or move to a different school district.
Anyways here in Louisville they want to create diverse schools by mixing up the students, therefore you can't just go to the school nearest to your house and your child might have to have a very long bus ride to a school across town. Basically you are asigned a cluster and within that cluster you get to chose 4 schools. A lot of people don't get their 1st or 2nd choice, sometimes they get their 3rd or 4th choice, but it might be very far from their house and not a school they wanted at all. Moving within the county doesn't guarentee you anything except a different cluster, so I that is not an option. In short it's kind of like luck of the draw here in Louisville.

My daughter is 5 and must go to kindergarden next year. We are hoping she can get a good education at a public school. I hear the Oldham County Public Schools are good but I would have to move to Oldham county and I don't want to move)

I visited Middletown and St, Matthews and I like them both. I hope Luna gets into one of them If she doesn't we will send her to Ascention, a Catholic elementary school near our house) but my husband is cringing at the idea of paying out so much money for pirvate education.

Do you like the Jefferstown Public School system? Is Oldam county really that good?

A surprise friendship

Ignacio, Luna, Me, Gabriel, and Myriam (Ignacio's mother)

Myriam and Ignacio's niece spent 7 weeks with us the summer and it was a wonderful time. I got to know these two wonderful people in a way that I never did before. I am so happy I had the opportunity to get to know them because they are really such wonderful women. I am so glad that I was able to put aside my issues, pride and ego and let them into my lives. I gave up trying to control the home, dinners, cleaning, order, childrens schedule and basically how things were done and that gave me the opportunity to enjoy my quests. I learned so much for her and she fell in love with my little boy,so much that she cried when she left. Oh, how wonderful to have someone love your children that much.

Thank you Jazmine and Myriam for being part of my life and my family. I hope we get to spend many more summers together.

Luna's Four!

Happy Birthday Luna!

Everytime we go to the grocery store we have to look at the birthday cakes on display in the bakery. There is a Tinklebell cake, Diego, Noah's Ark, princess castle, and more. Luna has been looking at them for about a year. So, for her birthday I asked her which one she wanted. Here she is with her barbie birthday cake. She was so excited and I am so grateful that I could give her it.
Aside from a cake, and small party she received at Cinderella doll from her parents, and lots of other lovely gifts from friends an family. She is so excited to be 4, but she keeps asking me what comes after 4 and is already telling me what she wants for her next birthday.

What 4 year olds can do (really what Luna does):
-Play dolls for hours
-Asks me to play with her
-Recall events from when they were three.
-Stick there tongue out at their baby brother when they think mom is not looking.
-Write their name, cut glue, dress, brush teeth and cleanup when they want to.

Craigslist, Xterra ad

Craigslist Post: NINJA HAULER: 2005 Nissan Xterra - $12900 (Ronan / Lake County)
Date: 2008-11-19, 10:04PM MST
OK, let me start off by saying this Xterra is only available for purchase by the manliest of men (or women). My friend, if it was possible for a vehicle to sprout chest hair and a five o'clock shadow, this Nissan would look like Tom Selleck. It is just that manly.
It was never intended to drive to the mall so you can pick up that adorable shirt at Abercrombie & Fitch that you had your eye on. It wasn't meant to transport you to yoga class or Linens & Things. No, that's what your Prius is for. If that's the kind of car you're looking for, then just do us all a favor and stop reading right now. I mean it. Just stop.
This car was engineered by 3rd degree ninja super-warriors in the highest mountains of Japan to serve the needs of the man that cheats death on a daily basis. They didn't even consider superfluous nancy boy amenities like navigation systems (real men don't get lost), heated leather seats (a real man doesn't let anything warm his butt), or On Star (real men don't even know what the hell On Star is).
No, this brute comes with the things us testosterone-fueled super action junkies need. It has a 265 HP engine to outrun the cops. It's got special blood/gore resistant upholstery. It even has a first-aid kit in the back. You know what the first aid kit has in it? A pint of whiskey, a stitch-your-own-wound kit and a hunk of leather to bite down on when you're operating on yourself. The Xterraalso has an automatic transmission so if you're being chased by Libyan terrorists, you'll still be able to shoot your machine gun out the window and drive at the same time. It's saved my bacon more than once.
It has room for you and the four hotties you picked up on the way to the gym to blast your pecs and hammer your glutes. There's a tow hitch to pull your 50 caliber anti-Taliban, self cooling machine gun. I also just put in a new windshield to replace the one that got shot out by The Man.
My price on this bad boy is an incredibly low $12,900, but I'll entertain reasonable offers. And by reasonable, I mean don't walk up and tell me you'll give me $5,000 for it. That's liable to earn you a Burmese-roundhouse-sphincter-kick with a follow up three fingered eye-jab. Would it hurt? Hell yeah. Let's just say you won't be the prettiest guy at the Coldplay concert anymore.
There's only 69,000 miles on this four-wheeled hellcat from Planet Kickass. Trust me, it will outlive you and the offspring that will carry your name. It will live on as a monument to your machismo.
Now, go look in the mirror and tell me what you see. If it's a rugged, no holds barred, super brute he-man macho Chuck Norris stunt double, then contact me. I might be out hang-gliding or BASE jumping or just chilling with my ladies, but I'll get back to you. And when I do, we'll talk about a price over a nice glass of Schmidt while we listen to Johnny Cash.
To sweeten the deal a little, I'm throwing in this pair of MC Hammer pants for the man with rippling quads that can't fit into regular pants. Yeah, you heard me. FREE MC Hammer pants.
Rock on.

5 months

An old pix

Me in 2006

Big Sister

Luna is such a great big sister.
Since he was born she has always loved on him. She kisses him and hugs him. Sometimes a little too much:) She plays with him and makes him laugh more than anyone in the family. I mean really laugh, it's like a chuckle or maybe you would call it a belly laugh. Sometimes she is just jumping or laughing herself. One time it was because she had rice on her face. He thought it was halarious. It is so cute to see a baby so little crack up laughing. He was really cracking up!



It wasn't too long after his birth that we were in the car and I looked back and she was holding his hand. It just melts my heart.



In this picture she went and got something to sit on so she could be next to him. She just likes being by him. I am really treasuring these moments. I hear that the sibling arguing stage that happens when they are a bit older is no fun at all.

Miami 2009

Ignacio, Luna and I took Gabriel on his first vacation and first plan ride.

He did great on the plane. Here he is on the beach.

My boys. Aren't they handsome?

Father' Day Pictures

Two days before Fathers Day I called my neighbor, Tony, who is a good photographer and asked him if he would take some pictures of the kids and I. I told him it was a surprise for Ignacio for Father's Day. My plan was to frame the picture.

Later that night Ignacio and I were putting the kids to bed and Luna said, mommy why do you have earrings on? I replied, so I look pretty. She then said, "for Tony". Ignacio looked over at me. I just laughed, but he tried to get Luna to say more. Of course she didn't. Later that night I told him and we had a good laugh.

8 hours!

My four month old slept eight hours last night. That is the longest he's slept. I got a good 7 hrs, oh it was so nice. I woke up on my own, before him, feeling great and energized. I made my bed, took a shower, and got ready for work. Usually I am so tired the bed doesn't get made and I'll seriously consider skipping the shower to lay in bed a few more minutes. Telling people about this will probably jinx it and tonight he'll probably be up every hour. Blogging about it is a sure way to make that it doesn't repeat. Oh well, still hoping for the best.

When your having a good day, do you sometimes start thinking about all the wonderful things in your life? Amazing what some good rest can do.
So I was thinking how lucky I am to have such a great person to take care of Gabriel.

Sara, is a senior in H.S. and she watches Gabe at my house and she is so smart and responsible. Today luna is home with her too so I didn't have to drive her to school, so I had time to feed Gabe one more time before I leave. Before Sara, I had another great person taking care of him and she might again in the fall.

Luna goes to an awesome school. This week is Art week and they are learing about Picasso and VanGogh! Prior to school Luna was being taken care of by a wonderful and loving family, that was a big blessing too.

My back doesn't hurt.

My husband is amazing and good looking and kind and funny and helps me a lot with the kids. He is an incredible dad.

I've taught Luna Spanish. She is officially fluent in two languages.

I slept well last night.

I have lots a great friends.

My job is nice and my boss and coworkers are all really nice, good people. I was approved to work P.T. which means more time with my cute kids. So glad that worked out.

I got a good night's rest last night.

Did I mention my 4 month old slept 8 hours?

Derby baby Derby

and the number #1 reason Louisville is great!.

Derby with my younger sister. In the clubhouse!We had a great time!

Some highlighter were;

The cab we took from where we parked to the entrance. I believe Jessi said it was a pedicab, I assume that's because the guy was pulling the cart with his bike. That was fun/funny!

Derby Pie

Lots of people dressed very nice

Talking to random people

Finding the clubhouse

Being away from our newborns for a whooping 7 hours! (Mine was 2 1/2 months and her baby was almost 4 months)

And last but not least-hanging out with my cool sister!

Luna loves dressing up Gabriel

3 months

Ignacio and Gabe at our awesome church, Encounter. This was May 24th. He is 3 months old, but wearing 6 month old clothes. Everyone says he is big.

Gabriel

On a saturday in February at 11:57 AM I was able to hold in my hands the wonderful being that I had been carrying in my belly for so long. Although pregnancy is an amazing thing, It was so wonderful to see his face and finally meet him. It was a long and hard labor. Luna's labor was about 10 hours. Gabriel's was 24 hours. I wonder if it had to do with him being so big? He was almost 9 lbs and 23 inches, but Luna was 7.10lbs 21 inches. It started very slow on Friday afternnon but by hour 5 (dinnertime on Friday) I had to lay down during contractions. By 5:30 Am on Saturday I asked for the epidural, so I didn't have an unmedicated birth like I did the first time, but it was beautiful and amazing and I am so grateful for a healthy happy baby. He was born at 11:57 AM on a saturday in February

He loves to sleep and when he's awake he smiles a lot and laughs a lot. He loves his sister and she loves on him A LOT. I am back to work and miss him, but he is being very well taken care of by a friend. He's a big boy, already weighing 16 pounds! I believe he will have his father's nose and general good disposition. His father already taught him how to do a rasberry at 2 months!

I am looking forward to many many more happy moments with yet another wonderful child.

-mother of 2

Where the monsters live

I don't like spending a lot of time in the car. I feel it is a waste of time. I use to have to drive my daughter 20minutes to her daycare/school that's one way. It bothered me that we spent 40 minutes in the car when we could be spending that time together or she could be at home playing. I am sure I am not the only person that dislikes spending so much of their time in their car, driving places.

However, today was different. Today the time in the car on the way to school was well worth it! On the way to Luna's school, she read me a book! Well she doesnt' read yet, but she has memorized the majority of the book "Where the Monsters Live" The book is in spanish so of course she told me the story in spanish and she didn't miss too much. I was very impressed that she also remembered the part that is a play on words and a bit difficult. It is also in the present tense! When Max is leaving the mosters say,

"no te vayas te comeremos, en verdad te queremos. Which is

"don't go we will eat you, really, we love you. The two words in spanish sound similar.

In short I truly enjoyed hearing the story and it was time well spent in the car. I am looking forward to hearing more stories on the way to school!

What a 3 year olds thinks...

Luna can write her name! She writes it in all capitals and the L is very good and the U is all right, the N and A need some work, but I think it's official she can write her name. I am so proud of her.

One day we were playing and she told me I am a prince and she is a princess, she closed her eyes and told me to kiss her. Of course after I kissed her she came alive (really just opened her eyes)!

One morning while I was driving Luna to school I looked in my rear view mirror and saw her looking out the window, her face very pensive. I asked her what she was thinking of and she said "princesses", she paused then a few seconds later, "princesses everywhere"

Some cute things Luna does are:

If she doesn't want something (usually a food) or is finished with it she will give it to me and say "I don't love that"

She has begun to refer to her brother as her baby. She'll say things like, "when my baby is bigger he can eat cereal" or "I can teach my baby to clap his hands."