Greek Fest

This year at the Greek Fest was awesome.

 

Basically, my dad and I ran in as soon as it opened, got food and left.

 

It was smokey with a hint of hellish heat, so we weren't really feeling it.

 

Joe worked the Gyro booth as he always does. I had a horrible craving for this Greek cheese bread after we left, so I never got it. Now it's all I can think about. I'm going to have to call Thea Popi and figure out how to make it.

 

Thoughts for next year: Less gyro and loukomades, more souvlaki, tiropita, and spanakopita.

 

And being the humble person I am, I really did think that my most recent Galaktobourico was better.

 

Greek salad and feta. Staples in life. We could eat everyday and never get tired.

 

And really, I'm kind of tired of talking about going to Greece. I'm setting a goal of going with my children within the next 10 years. If I have to sell an organ, so be it. The motherland has been calling and I'm ready to make the commitment to go.

Shirley!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Shirley. She was one of the best visiting teachers I ever had. I'm grateful for our friendship, for her help, for her love and for the type of person she is. Shirley is moving on in life and living her dream of becoming an architect in Philadelphia. I'm so excited for her and for her courage to take the plunge. She is always giving and helping. She is dependable. She is kind. She loves my kiddos. She is a unique soul that I feel so privileged to know. When I first met her it was right after Joe had died. She brought Kleenex and just sat with us. She didn't say much at all. Looking back I'm so thankful for her peace she brought and calmness. She's had her fair share of trials and her strength is inspiring. I know she's going to do great things and I'm glad her kids are here so we'll still get to see her! We had a going away party for her and it was really nice.

 

 

 

Everyone was so helpful. My parents brought a gorgeous dessert platter and mousse cake. Friends brought cookies, pies, doughnuts!! We had so many extras we made plates to take to friends and neighbors!!

 

It was a great night with great company!!!



10 lb Pizza Challange

 

Randomly we were eating pizza one day and Joe looked up at the wall where we were sitting. There were pictures of "Wanna Be" men that had tried eating a 10 pound pizza and failed. There was a lone picture on the victor wall. Joe decided he wanted to do the challenge.

 

He set it up with some students at work.

It was gross.

There was vomit.

There was spicy sausage.

 

There was family. We were so blessed to have my wonderful Aunts in town! We had great time visiting with them. We all cheered for Joe and Dre (his partner). We cheered for the other team too, but they were light weights. Joe and Dre were serious.

This was as far as they got. Their minds just weren't in the game.

But Joe and Dre got down to the last 2 slices of the 10 pound pizza. His partner wimped out on him. Joe was ready. His mental stamina is stellar. However, it just wasn't meant to be.

 

What is the prize? A picture on the wall and bragging rights. However, they didn't win.

It was a bitter failure and Joe's body took a few days to "normalize".

He is such a spastastic spaz.

 

At one point, he barfed. My mom shouted at him to get it back in his mouth. I was saying if I could have 4 kids he could eat 5 pounds of pizza. It was actually really entertaining. And greasy.

I ended up losing my dinner because I was thinking about it too much.

 

Fun times Joe. Fun times.

Well I guess the month flew by.....

School has been going good for the ladies. Christina already had a field trip to Bowers Mansion and said it was her favorite all time field trip. It's pretty interesting because the lady who owned the Mansion was actually a Mormon. Her husband became a polygamist once she wasn't able to have children and she divorced him for $5. She moved to Nevada and became wealthy by giving rooms to miners who couldn't pay and gave her % of their finds, if they were to make mining finds. Well they did and voila. She ended up traveling the world, where her daughter died abroad, lived lavishly and went bankrupt. Now there is a swimming pool there and a Polynesian Music festival in the summer time.

Maria is going through the motions. Her teacher told me at parent night that she'll be tested soon and that quote, "Her needs will be met." I guess she'll be tested sometime next week, so that's a month down the drain academically. She does love being around friends and is already a classroom leader. She helps where help is needed. She is currently reading Fablehaven. Christina is on book 3 of the series. They are in love. It's an interesting series because one of the lead characters Seth is such a moron and he never changes.

Elijah is a love bug. I love this precious one on one time I get with him. He's just a happy soul. The other day we drove by a taco bell and he started shouting "Chemicals!!!!!!!!". He's also started saying "I need...", my favorite being "I need Gatorade right now here." He is always telling the girls that he loves them. They are super duper helpers. Elijah has been using the potty every single day. When he's ready for a diaper sometimes Nina helps put one on. The girls also enjoy dressing him.

I'm expecting!! I finally hit my 3 month mark and life has gotten much easier. I was pretty sick but I didn't have to go to the hospital once this time for dehydration. I'd get sick on average 2-5 times a day. That's stopped but I do have a little break out on my neck and lower back and I do get pretty queasy at night time before bed. Maybe in a few weeks everything will be hunky dory. If not. Oh well! It's so worth it. I never cease to be amazed by the sweet images of a heart beat on the monitor.
My due date is Feb 17. It's funny because Elijah and baby will be the same age difference as Christina and Maria. We'll find out gender on my birthday! Very very exciting!
So remember on Joe's birthday when he got a piece of plastic, it was the pregnancy test with a little plus on it. He was really confused and shocked as he always is. He was super helpful while I was sick and brought food home many a night!!

I got a new calling. I'm the ward Primary President. I have excellent counselors and an amazing secretary. We all work well together so I know we're going to have a great time!! It's been a little hectic getting all our teachers and everything organized, but within the next month the ship should be sailing smoothly! There are 70 children, that are active, and I love every single one of them. It's been the best year because of my music calling and I'm so grateful to be able to be in there still.

The playroom has officially been organized. I have plastic containers and everything has a home now. I got rid of ripped and stained dress up, as well as a few other things to fill up my trunk and now we all just enjoy our clean space.

Upcoming happenings: Greek Fest, Shirley's good-bye party and birthdays! It never slows down!

1st Day of School 2013- First Grade and Fourth Grade

The morning arrived!! I can't believe both my ladies are in school!! We had a special breakfast and enjoyed getting ready. We had plenty of time with school starting at 9:30AM. We practiced piano and started our routine. I was happy this year because Christina's teacher had a funny class supply list. I remember last year thinking how anal the list was... and yeah. But this year, I got a nice laid back vibe. Plus I liked her bulletin board outside her classroom. It was all about the field trips they are going to take which sound amazing!

My sweet first grader. I'm very excited she has Mrs.Lee. Mrs. Lee was Christina's Kindergarten teacher and she is nothing short of the nicest teacher ever. She has a loving personality and I'm kind of hoping we can push Maria up to some 2nd grade classrooms for reading and math. And typical Maria, she got a gift her first day. Kids are always giving her things. It's really weird. When I asked how her recess went she said she quote, "Spent most of my time spying on Charlie." She came home with a paper and her spelling was superb. They went on a treasure hunt, had a great lunch and made a kissing hand puppet.

 

Maria posed him like this. Eli and I had a relaxing day going to Costco with Yaya Sofia where she spoiled us rotten. She also fed him pineapple for 20 minutes straight. We both got a nap.... ahhhhhhhh!!!! JOY!!!

 

Christina... my sweet 4th grader. Hooray for Nevada History. She also had a good day but has some annoying people in her group. She loves her teacher but I guess her desk is too small and she gets stuck? I guess some kids were being mean to one of her friends, but she stood up for her and told them to leave her alone. Ah, catty girls. Day 1. This year should be interesting. 

 

The girls were well pampered by Yaya Sofia and Yaya and Papa. Thanks for the gorgeous backpacks, new clothes from Gymboree and shoes!!! Not to mention all the school class supplies too.... $100... love-lay.

 

 

How quickly time flies!!

Hot August Nights... For the Boys

 

It was fun doing a "boy" activity today. The girls and I could care less about cars. But it was fun to see Joe and Eli so excited.

All the colors were bright, the weather wasn't too hot and it was nice to walk around.

Joe's favorite. (Above)

Eli's favorite.(Below)

I heart the people of my state. "Won't know what bit ya" indeed.

After downtown Sparks, we headed over to the lowrider show.

I think the girls were a little freaked out by the weed and rap music. But honestly, cars that can drive on 3 wheels are coolest.