Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting is all about the journey. And for us getting involved in Girl Scouts have been quite a journey. It all started when The Phi started kindergarten. Yes over 3 years ago. I looked into signing Phi up and was told that we would have to be placed on a waiting list. So on the waiting list we waited.

Fast forward to March (of this year!) and I finally get a notification from the Girl Scouts that there is going to be a meeting for girls in our area that have been on the waiting list. Great! So I head to the meeting and it is all about how there is a long waiting list and troop leaders are needed. So another Mom volunteers to be a leader so a co-leader is needed. Of course I volunteer for the position.

I go through all the training, pay all the fees and then the troop leader goes MIA. No one can get ahold of her and she isn't returning emails. About a month or so ago I get another phone call from the Girl Scouts asking me if I know how to get ahold of the MIA troop leader. I tell them again that I don't and then ask what my options are. I want my daughter to be involved with this program but have been having such a hard time getting started. She tells me about a new troop in our area that had just started and gives me the troop leader info. I send an email and I get a response that they would love to have Phi join. YEA!

We go to one meeting. It is a mixed troop of Daisy and Brownie's and things are a bit chaotic and Phi and I were both a bit unsure about it all. Then through the social media outlets its comes down that the troops are going to split. So Brownie's are now in need of a......you guessed it....... co-leader.

When the idea was put on the table I hesitated and instead of jumping right in I met with the troop leader and had a great talk about roles, responsibilities and expectations. I got to know the troop leader and she is enthusiastic, organized, smart and a very hard worker. She is dedicated to this position and I knew we would be able to work well together. So I accepted.

We recently had our first official troop meeting. A week before we got together and planned out the whole lesson plan. What a difference it made! The meeting went smoothly, and everyone had fun!

We have our next meeting in a few days and we are both so excited! 

The Greatest Party on Earth!

Remember last year when my cousin Monique shocked everyone (including herself!) when she gave birth to a baby boy! It was one of those "I didn't know I was pregnant" stories that could have been on the show! Well that little baby boy turned 1 year old over the weekend and his parents threw him the greatest party on earth. Every single detail was amazing. My cousin Monique really pulled out all the stops, she planned for months and Mr. Mathme had the most amazing circus themed birthday party ever! 

There were a bunch of carnival games and each kid received a prize each time they tried each game!

There was a face painter, a henna tattoo artist, a balloon maker and of course a bouncy house! Phi and Louie had an amazing time.

The tables were set with decorations and adorable centerpieces of popcorn containers filled with lollipops and pictures of the super adorable Mathme!

There was a photo booth and a cardboard cutout for even more photo ops!

The pinata was an adorable lion. Before the pinata each kid was given a box already filled with toys and candy.

There was an great taco guy with tons of good food, and a dessert table filled with tons of candy, popcorn, peanuts, cookies, cupcakes, rice krispie treats and an amazing cake!

What I really loved was seeing and feeling how loved this little boy is, by everyone there but especially by him Mom and Dad. I have never seen my cousin Monique so completely happy and in love like she is with her baby Matthew. And Chris is such a proud Daddy. He opened all the gifts and oohhed and ahhed over every single one.

The love and attention that Niques and Chris shower on Mathme is so obvious. You can feel it when you are around them. And it shows in Matthew. He is the happiest baby around. Content and safe and loved.

Mathme, you were the biggest and best surprise this family has ever received. You are a gift and we are so happy and lucky to be your family. We love you so much and are so happy we got to celebrate the big "1" with you!

A Real Look at the Bracero Program

My Comadre handed me this DVD and warned me to have tissues near by. She was so right. This documentary is an in-depth look at the reality behind the program that was established to help the US get through WWII.

Of course as a Chicano Studies major I thought I knew what there was to know about the Bracero Program. I also knew that my Tata (grandfather) had been part of this program as a young man.

This documentary showed me that what I had learned all those years in college classrooms was just as very rose-colored glasses versions. The entire process that these men were subjected to, in hopes that they will be qualified and then chosen for a job in the fields was beyond humiliating. They were corralled like cattle, stripped naked and at times literally sprayed down with pesticides. There were times that thousands of men were left in desolate areas of California or Arizona, with no food, housing or money, to fend for themselves. Waiting and hoping that a farmer would need workers. Then they would work 10-16 hours days in the hot sun.

Watching this film was eye-opening and heart wrenching at the same time. I am not sure how much of the process my grandfather was subjected to. As much as I hope that it was none, I know that it was most likely some.

These stories are so important and need to be heard. I know that as hard it was to watch this film, it is important for me to really know where I come from and how I am able to be where I am today. My Tata went through the Bracero program to come to the United States, where he met my Nana and started their family. I am a direct benefactor of the hard work my Tata put in with his jobs and raising his children and grandchildren.

Loss and Grieving

There are some life lessons that your hope to put off for as long as possible. This week we dealt with loss and grieving. We lost Great-Grandma Iris and our family is heartbroken.

We spent one last day with her last Friday and a few days later I had to tell Phi that her great-grandmother had passed away. I hesitated for a second about telling her, but I knew that, unlike Louie, there would be no hiding it from her. She cried.

I had to have one of those parenting moments where I had to put on a brave face and figure out the best way to talk to my daughter. I reminded her that Grandma lived a good and long life. She got to be a kids, a teenager, fall in love, marry the love of her life, raise kids, love her grandbabies and even watch her great grandchildren grow up. For a second I saw panic in her eyes. She was thinking about the possibility of losing other grandparents. Joey reminded her that to live in constant fear of losing the people you love, you will never enjoy life. We reminded her to enjoy life and tell the people you love how much you love them. My Phi wholeheartedly believes in God and heaven and the idea of Grandma being in heaven with God was a big comfort.

These conversations are hard. Phi is has always been our quiet and sensitive child. She has a big heart. This was one of those instances where I hope we said the right things. I hope that she understands that her feelings are important and it is okay to be sad and cry, but to smile and remember the happy times.

Greetings

this is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Hallmark and Latina Bloggers Connect

Back in 2007 I made a goal to send a birthday card to everyone in my family. It took some organization, lots of stamps and lots and lots of Hallmark cards. Like a lot! Every Tia, Tio, Cousin, grandparent got a birthday card from me. This little challenge was a lot of work and completely worth it. It gave me a chance to send a little message to each and every member of my family. To tell them with pen to paper how much they mean to me, how special they are, the things I like about them and most importantly, that I love them. That same year my family was rocked when my cousin Roman passed away. We were reminded how important it is to tell each other how we feel because, as the saying goes, tomorrow is not promised. Knowing that I had told each and every person in my family that I loved them helped me get through a very hard time. 

I only did this challenge during 2007. Since then it seems like every member of my family has an email, Facebook or Instagram. These days people send each other greetings with an e-card or by writing on their "wall". I know that I rely on my little reminders on social media to remember to leave a quick note for someone. But sending a greeting card, made out of paper, like in the mail, will always mean so much more than a few words on a "wall". 

Plus, how much fun is it to browse the greeting card aisle looking for the perfect card? To make card buying even better Hallmark is introducing The Hallmark Card Rewards Program. By signing up for this program you earn rewards for every 5 individual cards you buy. (sorry boxed cards don't qualify for rewards) Finding Hallmark cards is easy, they are in over 30,000 grocery, drug store, and supercenters across America! And if your family is as big as mine, you will be earning rewards like crazy! Rewards include great things like gift cards from places like Starbucks, Nike, Applebee's, Lands End, Omaha Steaks and more! You can also earn discounts, and coupons for $1.00 off. 

Signing up is easy. Click Here to sign up. Then you can download the mobile app to scan the barcodes on the back of all the Hallmark cards you purchase to start earning rewards. 

Homeschooling Week 13- More Multiplication, Thanksgiving Then and Now, Ecosystem Review and Poems!

Week 13 was a little less hectic than last week. No big craft project this week. Instead we found ourselves still moving along on multiplication tables. We have been working hard up to the 5's and Phi did really good on a practice test Joey gave her. But getting her to use that memorization while working on math problems has been a struggle. The work packet we were given for the week was on the 9's and 10's and started working on order of operation. Right now the work is hard and I feel is moving a little too fast for Phi. If I next week the lessons don't slow down or time is given for review I may have to talk to the teacher. 

For science we are finishing up chapter 3 all about ecosystems. We pulled out all the handouts about the different types of ecosystem and reviewed. We made flashcards for the vocabulary words. 

A great way we reviewed vocab was to take each word, write a sentence and make a picture to go along with it.

Social Studies was all about colonies and of course Thanksgiving. We looked at what the first Thanksgiving looked like and did a list of similarities and differences between Thanksgiving in 1621 and Thanksgiving today.

For writing Phi had to write about what she was thankful for. We could do this in any format and because she had so much fun with her Halloween poem, we went with poetry. She really enjoys writing and reciting her poems.

She had to make a picture to go along with her poem and Phi was just not feeling creative so all I could get out of her was this. I am learning when it comes to homeschooling, just like in parenting, you have to pick your battles. 

We worked a little on verb tenses, spelling words and using fables and myths to help with reading comprehension to round off the week.

I am curious to see what are work load will be for Week 14 since we will be off for a week for Thanksgiving!

School of Rock

There are some really awesome advantages to homeschooling. One of them is not having to stick to a strict weekday schedule so that when your favorite Metal/Mariachi band is playing at a local brewery on a Wednesday night, you can go!

After you finish your school work of course.

And that's what we did on Wednesday night! 

(We did have to ditch catechism class but we are pretty Jesus will understand. 

He is no doubt a Metalachi fan) 

It was a super fun show! It's funny because Phi is our rocker at shows and Louie is our old fuddy-duddy who complains that it's too loud.

Photo cred to Uncle Matty because if I don't give him credit he will cry like a little baby.

And the best part is that this time we got to meet the band! That's right!! 

Here is Me, Phi, Pancho Rockafeller and lead singer Vega de la Rockha!

 

We had such a fun night living up to the punk rock parenting image! 

 And like my sister Elaine said "these are the things the kids will remember". 

"When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It" - Sponsored Post

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with the makers of Pine-Sol® Products and Latina Bloggers Connect

No matter how we try to avoid it, sometimes life will take a turn and smack you square in the face. Recently in my life things got a little rough and instead of sitting in the corner and crying I pulled up my boot straps and rose above it. 

You may know that this school year, our Phi started 3rd grade and started a homeschooling program. I signed her up and spent the summer excited to become a home-school parent. My excitement lasted until the first week of school. I found homeschooling to be difficult and frustrating. My husband and I were struggling to figure it out and in the crossfires was our daughter. This was suppose to be a good change for our family. Something that would keep up close-knit and give us some control over our daughter's education. Instead it was becoming a nightmare that was consuming our everyday. We found ourselves raising our voices and even Louie was getting less time with her parents. 

We had a hard few weeks. There was a meeting with the teacher and I walked in there in fight-mode. I was having the hardest time "getting it". There were many moments when I wanted to give up, but I had to dig deep. I had to work, reorganize and change my thinking. It took time, some good advice from a friend and the support of my family to get through it. I knew that right now, for my daughter, this homeschooling program was the best option and I needed to suck it up, and put my pride aside and figure it out. For her. 

We all have stories of triumph and makers of the Pine-Sol® have teamed up with Latina actress Rosie Perez to launch the "When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It" campaign. Pine-Sol® has donated $25,000 to Women Empowered. This non-profit organization is based in Los Angeles and helps to educate and support women of all ages and backgrounds. 

Pine-Sol® wants to celebrate your triumphs by hosting a great sweepstakes! Head over to Women Rise Above It.  or for the spanish version Las Mujeres No Se Rinden. Here you can read some stories of women rising above it, as well as tell your own story of triumph. By sharing your story you can enter to win the following:

• Once a week for 12 weeks, Pine-Sol® will award one lucky winner small tokens of appreciation. (Flower bouquet + Pine-Sol® coupons) 
• Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year!
• One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to enjoy a peaceful spa experience at a deluxe hotel. 

So head over and share your story. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 18 years and older.  Ends 1/31/14 at 11:59 a.m. PT.  To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visitwww.womenriseaboveit.com. Void where prohibited.

SIN OBLIGACIÓN DE COMPRA. Abierto a residentes legales de los 50 estados de los Estados Unidos y D.C., mayores de 18 años. Termina el1/31/14 a las 11:59 a.m. PT Para participar y consultar las Reglas oficiales, incluyendo las probabilidades y las descripciones de los premios, visite www.lasmujeresnoserinden.com. Nulo donde esté prohibido.

Parenting Payback

When I was little I had really long thick beautiful wavy hair. My Mom would put braids and ribbons and I would always get compliments on how nice my hair was. It was down to my waist and I HATED it. When I was about 9 years old I started begging my Mom to let me get it cut short. Like a boy, short. She told me no for a long time. She told me that my Pops liked our long hair. She told me that once it was cut it would take a long time to grow it back. But eventually she caved in and for a year or so I sported this hairstyle..... 

That's me with the yellow and Cabbage Patch kid.

And on Monday I got my parenting payback. Phi has been begging me to let her cut her hair off. She even went as far as to make friends with a girl at church just to show me how much she liked her pixie haircut. I found myself saying all those same things my Mom said to me all those years ago. Then Monday, after yet another appointment to deal with her eczema I asked her one last time...

"Are you sure you want to cut off your hair?"

She didn't even hesitate with a big YES. So we found ourselves at a salon and in the chair. 

Phi showed her stylist Chris some pictures of what she liked, and he went right to work. Phi was so excited about getting her haircut she spent the entire time chatting it up with her stylist. She kept making him laugh with her little stories. 

And then it was over and we had a brand-new Phi....

It's so short! But it is so cute! Louie is still trying to get use to it.. 

Day-day?? Is that really you?

I am sure my parents gave each other a high-5 and were very happy to know that I have been properly paid back by karma for chopping off my own hair when I was a kid. 

Homeschool Week 12: Pigs, Explorers, Bass Lake and more Multiplication

Week 12 was packed! Phi worked her little tail off and she did some really great work this week.

For math we continued working on memorizing multiplication facts. The worksheets from school were working on the 6,7,8 and 9's but Phi has only really mastered up to the 3's and most of the 4's. We have been doing drills, flashcards and just writing them down over and over. It has been a slow process but she is getting there.

This week Phi asked if she could use the computer for a few of her assignments. So this week we did a couple of her assignments using Microsoft Publisher.

For science we are still making our way through the ecosystem's chapter. This week we talked about saltwater and freshwater ecosystems. After learning a little about each Phi had to chose a freshwater ecosystem and write 3 facts and 3 animals that live there and make a picture. So of course we picked our little piece of heaven on earth...BASS LAKE! The picture was easy, we made a great collage of pictures from vacations over the years. Then we used Published to make her lists. I showed her how to add WordArt to make a heading, how to make a table,  and how to cut and paste pictures.

In social studies the kids are learning about explorers. Each students was assigned an explorer to research. Phi was given Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Joey and I were not familiar with him so we learned a lot about the man who is known for settling San Diego, Ca! Phi wrote a great report on who he was, where he came from, what he did and how he died. She also used Publisher to make a great page with photos, and a route map and little interesting bits of information.

This week Phi read the last few chapters of Charlotte's Web. All except the last one, which the class will read together today! I had her read out loud to me so that I could discuss with her and make sure she was retaining what she was reading. Of course it was the scene where Wilbur figures out that Charlotte is dying and then Charlotte's bites the dust. I was waiting for the waterworks to start, or at the least hear her voice get wobbly with emotion, but Phi is much like her Father and the scene didn't effect her at all.

Phi wrote a really great opinion paper on the book. She wrote about how much she enjoyed the book because it was a story all about friendship. She gave some really great examples of friendship from the book. Out last big project was to make something to represent the book. Phi and I hopped onto Pinterest for some inspiration and boy did we find it! We found a great way to turn a milk gallon into a pig and went from there. A trip to Home Depot and the $1.00 store and this is what she ended up with!

So cute!! Phi and Joey spray painted the milk gallon a pink Phi picked out from Home Depot. We glued down some hay (Thanks horses for letting us borrow some!) and added a fake spider and fake rat we found at the $1.00 store. The spider web is drawn on a piece cut out of a 2-liter bottle and then with glue and glitter we added the word "humble". Some ears, eyes and nostrils added and we had Wilbur. On the front of the box Phi added a sign that said "Zuckerman's Famous Pig". This project was so fun and came out so cute!

It was a lot of work this week, but Phi like always rocked it out! We are ready to tackle week 13!

NickMom reminds me of The Pre-Kid Era

I was recently getting my parenting humor fix over at NickMom.com and a silly comic got me thinking. See Joey and I are going to be celebrating 10 years together soon. Out of those 10 years we had a good 1.5 years without kids.That may not seem like a very long time, and let me preface this with a I LOVE MY KIDS MORE THAN ANYTHING, BUT there are certain times when I reminisce about how easy and different things were before we had our 2 little punks.

Here we are before we had the girls....

We are wide-eyed, probably because we are so well-rested. I don't think my smile could get any bigger. And look we both have NO grey hair! When I look at pictures and remember this time in our lives I think about how different things were then.

• We could jump in the car at 11 pm and go grab an ice cream cone. 
• We could leave the house with no notice.
• We never had to schedule anything around a nap time.
• I could leave the house with just my keys, drivers license and a debit card.
• Laundry could be done in just a couple of hours.
• Drinking. At Bars. At Night.
• The backseat of our car was clean.

But there is one thing that I really miss, and I really look forward to enjoying again after the kids are in college and out of the house. (Mom and Pops you can stop reading now)

Making noise during sex. 

Every since Phi was born over 8 years ago, our sex life went from loud and rambunctious to a freakin' mime act. I can only imagine how ridiculous it must look. It's like a naughty movie on mute. And I can never fully pay attention to what's going on. One eye is always checking the door. My kids are not super light sleepers, but the older ones tends to stay up late, I never know when she will actually fall asleep. The little one tends to get out of bed once at night, and she is little with ninja-like skills so I never hear her until she is standing next to my bed and says something. I fear the day when we are in the middle of the hibbity-bibbity and I look over to see this....

That ish can scar a kid for life.

So we have at minimum, 15 more years of "silent sexy time". But the day that Louie leaves for college it is on like donkey kong and we will be turning the volume up to an 11!