Category: MLV

We were Benchmarking at work again so the library was closed. Orlie and the other students walked in and he took a seat beside me, ready to tackle his Science test and get some drawing in. I told him I unfortunately couldn’t sit with him for that test that day; this time I would be working on the bulletin boards per Mrs. V.’s request. He was a little upset, but I told him he was in good hands. I let her know about how he needs to distract himself with drawing sometimes so he doesn’t become so overwhelmed.

I laminated the heart die-cuts that were still not laminated and sat and chatted with Elva in her office as we cut the hearts out of the plastic. I’m really going to miss all the girls. They’re all so fun to talk to.

I finished as much of the boards as I could and later, when Karina and Jesus finished their tests they went out to help me. They did the high stapling for me since I didn’t want anyone scolding me for stretching again. When we were done, I started looking through files and putting my stuff in my bag (like my hairspray and lotions and stuff). I had enough time to cut out, laminate and glue the bright pink number cards for the computer center which I hadn’t had a chance to do all year! As I was instructing Saul and Jesus where to glue the cards, Mrs. V. let me know about the field trip the next day. I had no idea I was going with the Book Club to the movies, so that was a nice surprise!

I picked the boys up afterschool and they handed me a very last-minute note about a TAKS meeting and report card night. Grr. I hate that they do that, let us know about stuff at the last minute. So I waited till the last possible moment and got the boys in the car while Mom entertained Alaethia.

The TAKS meeting was about what we should look out for when the kids are doing their TAKS practice homework. Basically, if their passages and math work doesn’t have writing all over it, then they’re not doing their strategies correctly. I’m one of those people who’s extremely anti-TAKS, because they focus so much on stupid, confusing strategies than just getting to the point and showing the kids what the hell to do. It’s seriously more confusing then just doing regular work to get the right answer. Eenan can find the answer himself but has so much trouble trying to correctly assemble his strategies. I think it’s bogus. I do have to admit, though, that the strategy, or game as they called it, that they used to elaborate and be more descriptive with their sentences was pretty darn neat.

The meeting was over and Eenan’s teacher gave me his report card. He got all A’s! I’m so proud of him. And even after the whole perfect-attendance-field-trip fiasco, they still did give him perfect attendance. Good. Or I would have raised hell again—crying, or no crying.

The 4th grade classes are having fundraisers to visit the aquarium in Corpus. We have the pleasure of selling 51 different types of candy. The good thing is they’re candies people actually want to eat, like Snickers, M&Ms, and Skittles.

Jaylen’s teacher had nothing but good things to say about him, too. He’s reading anywhere from 1st to 4th grade reading level and he actually comprehends, so that’s great :). That’s what I love about his teacher; she doesn’t hold them back, regardless of the “rules” of the program.

He’d also be having a fundraiser, but they didn’t know what it was yet. I told myself last year, after they lost his whole packet with $174 or so in it (and didn’t believe ME when I went to complain about it) that I wasn’t going to sell crap from those booklets if that’s what it was. We’ll see.

Mario had just gotten home when I arrived with the boys. We all picked at left-overs at Mary’s and then Yadira and the kids got there and everyone started working on the candy bags for Alaethia’s and Angela’s party. I felt awful leaving them but Mary said it was fine and shooed Mario and I away. The kiddos all stayed with the in-laws while Mario and I went to Scent Chips and then Target. I wanted to get Mrs. V. and Mrs. Ruiz something nice and found some cute angels at Scent Chips. We went next door to Claire’s where we found a Jonas Brothers tote bag for Angela for her birthday. Then we went to Target where our first stop was nail polishes for Angela (she had actually told us that’s all she wanted) and went on to the stationery I picked out some thank-you cards for the baby shower and tried finding the perfect card for each Mrs. V and Mrs. Ruiz. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Mario had been doing wonderfully till I started taking long at the cards. I decided to start making up my mind when he said, “I’ll be in electronics,” which means he’s pissed and he’s probably going to wait in the car LOL.

I went to bed that night feeling bittersweet about my last day of work the next day. I even prayed that I’d keep my composure and not cry throughout the day.

I dragged John and Mario to go with me to town to exchange the felt bags I’d bought at Target and search for pails or cute jars or something to complete the centerpieces. Actually, Mario had been busy and he’d kind of ignored me when I said I was leaving so John and I left. He calls when I’m putting gas in the truck at Aziz and says, “You leave without Petrie?” LOL So back I go. The only reason he really wanted to go was because we were going to Kumori for lunch.

We get to Target and as we’re walking towards customer service I see the cutest white pails with pastel hearts on them. Mario returned the bags while I searched for the pails. I got the only 6 pails they had. We paid and immediately went to L.A. Imports and bought 2 more Care Bear cubs for the centerpieces. I went across the street to the other L.A. Imports and bought some iridescent basket grass to stuff in the pails with the Bears. The guys were really surprised (and relieved) that I was done so quickly. They were quite happy to make it to Kumori. We ordered some extra rolls this time, the Venus rolls and they were pretty good. I need to start ordering rolls other than my Fiesta Rolls (even though they are my favorite).

We chilled out the rest of the day. Alaethia was playing with her girlie toys; such a different and beautiful thing to see!

I’m taking a break. My feet and back are killing me for standing and walking around the past 2 hours. Not to mention the heaviness I feel carrying around this big belly. I woke up at 8, got Mario’s lunch packed and he left to work. Alaethia was already awake and had some milk and watched Noggin while I made eggs. She’d fallen asleep around 9:30 last night, but she didn’t stay in her room all night. She called for her Daddy-O around 11:30pm and came to our room. I laid her down and she was out like a light again. I supposed I could have just taken her to her room again, but we’ll try that again tonight. Even though she kicks and uncovers me and wakes me up around 5 times a night, I will miss sleeping beside her. She’s so loveable :).

We ate and were interrupted by Elda’s mom and sister-in-law who were looking for my mother. They said her door was locked. Not to be rude, but I was like, Um…and? I guess they all do it, including my mom, just walking up into people’s houses. I’m sorry, but I don’t like that. Like I told Mom once: what if Mario and I are doing the deed and she just walks in??

Anyway, I started cleaning up the kitchen table (our dumping ground, unfortunately) and ran back and forth changing DVDs for my indecisive daughter from Strawberry Shortcake to “Terabithium”. Then I started washing dishes. That’s what took 2 hours. Bless Mom. I ask her—daily–not to wash dishes because 1) she doesn’t watch Alaethia very well when she’s occupied with something else, 2) she just piles them and piles them up and it becomes overwhelming having to put them away, and 3) I end up washing half of them over again anyway because she doesn’t wear her glasses and leaves dried up food or grease on them. So it took me a while to put them all away (especially since my belly doesn’t exactly let me reach the cabinets anymore) and then I washed the dishes and cleaned up the counter, because Mario likes to dump all his electronics and tools there. Now it looks much, much better. Alaethia asked to color, so I strapped her into her high chair and gave her some crayons and her Little Mermaid coloring book. When I was almost done she asked for strawberries (or apples as she calls them LOL) and she ate them all, about 6. Then she asked for grapes. I’m amazed at how well she’s eating today. She ate all her eggs, had a little bit of milk, and then the fruit. I feel like the sky was split open by rays of sun and angels are signing “Hallelujah!” down to me. I hope she continues to eat well.

(Hours later…) Well, I spoke too soon. She didn’t eat lunch very well, but she did stuff herself with all that fruit. She poked at her macaroni and fish a little bit, but didn’t even eat half. I got ready around 2:30 and dropped a package off for Mario at the Post Office and then picked up the boys. I decided we should go see Gramma today just in case we get busy like we usually do during the weekend. So the boys unwillingly put their clothes back on (they strip down to their undies once they step over the threshold). Alaethia was happy to get ready. She looks forward to going places.

Gramma’s doing very well, thank goodness. Mom unloaded the goodies she’d bought for Gramma while the kids got comfy on her bed and watched TV. They were doing well for the most part, until Eenan started putting his feet in Jaylen’s way and was blocking the TV—then it got nasty. They started smacking each other and almost knocked Alaethia off the bed until I told them to stop or they were grounded indefinitely. That stopped them right away…until they started again a few minutes later. After talking with Gramma and her telling me the name she liked for the baby (Julissa, but I told her my half-brother’s daughter’s named Julissa), I gathered my children and we said our goodbyes.

Our next stop was Target where I needed to find little pails in the Dollar Spot for the Care Bear centerpieces for Aly’s party next weekend. I usually find them but had no luck this time. I found some cute Valentine-y felt bags and bought 6 of those hoping they’d look okay with the bears.

The boys did well for the beginning of the shopping trip, but they both got really antsy towards the end. Eenan almost knocked over a whole rack of clothes when Mom was picking two dresses as Alaethia’s gift. She got her the dress she’ll be wearing the day of her party and the shoes she’ll be wearing. They are too cute.

I got Alaethia a potty chair and psyched her up a bit. It’s got lights, it talks to her and it dispenses stickers! I hope she’ll get excited and want to use it. I’ll be starting the potty training next Sunday! Eek!

I was so tired on the way home. Mario was barely on his way also since he’d bought a Treo off his boss since his Razr died on him and had been activating it. He was quite moody when we finally got home because he couldn’t get the MiniTones program working and my phone wouldn’t beam to his. But I found the USB wire and everything worked and he was happy. One of the highlights of the evening was that it was leftover night, so I didn’t have to cook, thank God.

I’ve been trying to finish updating my backed up entries and resting on the sofa since Alaethia fell asleep. Emily’s been squirming around like crazy (I can literally see and feel my stomach being lunged from side to side!) and I can feel her tiny feet pressing against my skin. I’ve been getting these weird little shocks of pain on the right side of my belly right above my leg. Feels like a pinching almost. I hope it’s not that I’m dehydrated or anything.

Okay. I have to go to bed. It’s 1:34am and Mario, of course, is still outside drinking with Jose. We supposedly didn’t do anything tonight because he was SO sleepy and tired. Uh huh. Sure.