"Stroller Buzz"

A routine getting perfected. We keep adding baby steps to our daily routine so the children know what to expect and what I expect of them. We are pretty much on our own today. Christina, Nick and her brother Joe went to the organization where they got their little girl for a tour. After breakfast the children were patiently watching TV (cartoon network) while I was trying to figure out what to do with them today. I decided to try to take them back down to the mall that Steve (hi honey) and I went to before he left. My sister gave me this fantastic idea of using an umbrella stroller to go places as it makes it a lot easier for her with her 2 children. I asked Nick if there was a stroller I could use and Betty did have one here that a family had left behind. It is a pretty sturdy one (it needed to be to hold my little guy) except the wheels are a little tough. They don't really roll right but, I made due with it. Before we left I explained to the gals here what my plan was and when I would be back. I also explained to the kids in my kindergarden spanish that I was going to try to take them out (vamos Unicentral Mall) and if they are not good I will turn around and bring them right back (porte bien, no porte bien then vamos la casa rapido), I asked them if they undersood and promised (intende, promido). They both shook their heads yes and said "SI!". I packed my little sachel with appropriate things (wipes, juice, crackers, my purse, tissues, etc) and off we went. I was really surprised at how much they listened to me. The first store we went into Maria was touching all the clothes and I asked her in Spanish not to touch and she stopped. I also asked her to stay right by my side and she did. We went into the big Exito and I looked around a little bit. We walked through the toy aisles because I was looking for some other stuff for them to do. Maria was looking at some things here and there but, not once did she ask me for anything nor complain about not getting anything. She said to me occasionally "look Mommy" and I did and said I see. They were very good. I found the "craft asile" and picked up some playdo, some paint stuff, a coloring book they could paint in and some foam shapes and construction paper for some stuff for us to do to kill time. Then it was back to the residence. It was about 12:30PM and almost time to eat something for lunch. We made one stop at the grocery store where I got some chips and a bottle of Cocoa Cola (I haven't had any in a while). Back at the house I got them seated at the table and I went into the kitchen to make one of my favorite lunches as a child - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Maria liked it with no problem especially after I told her that Taylor liked them. J.P. wasn't so sure and ate all of his chips first. I had to help him with his sandwich. After lunch they had about a half an hour before their Siesta time at 2:00PM. I opened the playdo and we had fun making different things: cars, snowman, pizzas, butterflies and snails. I am not sure if they have seen playdo before or not. I think they might have. They called it something to do with plastic in the name. We ordered pizza for dinner (oh how I miss Bizarro's - somebody have a piece for me) and ice cream for dessert. After dinner it was back to the room to watch "Free Willy" and then it's bedtime. Another day comes to a close. The days seem to be running together now (I don't have a calendar so it is hard for me to keep track). I had to ask family what day it was. Tomorrow - Saturday- we may either take a walk to some of the other parks or try to get to this place called " __ flippers" which has a lot to do for kids. It would require a taxi ride. We'll see. I called today about starting Maria with an English tutor. The cost is $30K pesos per hour which I think is about $18.00 per hour. This may help her learn. She starts Monday and will probably have them come to the residence 3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 10:00 AM to 11:00AM. After which we can go out and let them play somewhere. I am not sure how JP will react. I may have to do something with him while she is studying. We'll see. Guess that is it for now. Hasta Luego.