Sooo Worth Lugging Two Toddlers Out to the Gym

I've been going to a few exercise classes, specifically, in the pool. Yikes! (I know, that was my first reaction, too.) Well, there's a first for everything, right?

So, what is the first thing you picture when someone says "water aerobics"? For me, it was older women with hairnets. Turns out, I was right; the stereotype for H2O fitness attendees is definitely in-tact. The other day, I attended a Deep H20 Aerobics class and the cd we were listening to was Hank Williams... not your typical out-of-water exercise music, but it seemed to work fine for those of us in the water. Interesting.

Most women in my classes out-age me by about 45 years, but I love going. Usually, I keep to myself because I don't have any surgery stories and can't talk about my grandkids, but I still go because the ladies are a riot! Also, the water is a hot 83 degrees because someone keeps complaining of the cold. It's like taking a bath.

The first night, they all talked about their TV shows they follow. Then health care, Tiger Woods, Dick Clark, John Edwards, and back to their shows. Yesterday's conversation is what inspired this blog post. The instructor's 81 year-old mother comes with her (most of these women are in WAY better shape than me,) and she's always griping about something. Her daughter just gets so vexed (like that word) and doesn't even try to hide her frustration/annoyance. Well, yesterday, her mom wasn't there. Everyone was asking, "Where's Jeanine? Is she okay?" The instructor goes on to tell us that her mom is on a date. In Florida. All sorts of questions come up and here's what it came down to, in a nutshell:

He's the father of her friend
He lives in Florida permanently
He asked Jeanine on a date over the phone
(by the way, they are just acquaintances)
She's staying there all week

...and she made him soup yesterday.

This is what caught me off-guard- everyone then started cracking jokes left and right.

Instructor: "I hope she has the time of her life down there. (pause) That way, maybe she'll stay there."
"Knowing Jeanine, he might put her on a plane back to Philadelphia before next Tuesday."

"I asked Jeanine before she left for Florida, 'Did you pack your birth control?'"

"She's probably making soup for him because she doesn't want to be seen in public with a 90 year-old man."


...Then someone made a joke about a little blue pill and things got really racy. Like, to-the-point-that-I-can't-even-quote-them-on-my-blog racy.

I guess I keep going to the class because I never know what to expect, (besides the fact that it IS a good workout.)

Siena's Songs of 2010

So, here are a few Primary songs Siena likes to sing. We hear them from time to time... okay, we hear them 24/7 because the girl likes to sing. Had to hit the "record" button on my phone before she gets sick and tired of singing them (which should be any day by now. I think we've heard the first song about 200 times now.) It's still cute. Can you recognize any? In order, they are: Mary's Lullaby, Follow The Prophet, and I'm A Child of God.

What is it?

For fun, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to guess what this is?

Hint: One of my favorite memories of 2005.

The most correct answer gets a DAY OF FAME on the ol' blog.

Yep, it was a crêpe, seeping with Nutella. This is taken from my trip journal:

April 14, 2005

"...We just walked home after that and went by the Eiffel Tower again. The banana and Nutella crêpe was a big deal--Whoa! Those are sooooooo good! That's going to be one of the first things I do when I get home--make a Nutella-banana crêpe for everyone. It was a great day in Paris again!"

Make and Take a Sidebar Button

I've been looking for a while to find easy instructions for sidebar buttons. I've never been able to get mine the right size. Anyway, I found GREAT instructions at MommyBits.net.

Hopefully it helps anyone who has been wanting to add a button for their readers!

Blizzardy Goodness

The last two days have been nothing but lazy bliss. Juan didn't have to go to school and we all got to sleep in. The snow has been fun, but not without it's danger; thousands of people in our area are without power. Luckily, we have not felt any of the negative side effects, other than being houseridden. Today, as Juan was digging our car out of the mountain of snow, we made snow angels while poor little Qiana slept all morning. She's trying to recuperate from an eye infection and we're hoping we don't have to take her to the doc, especially because they haven't plowed our roads yet.

How many cars can you count?

The man in action

Yesterday, Siena and I shoveled the walks (to no avail) and made a snowman.

Stephen's Mint Truffle Cocoa was the perfect ending to our snow play.

Top Ten News Nuggets of the Week

1. SNOW! We're in a huge, record-breaking snowstorm right now. Remember back in December when our flights were canceled? Well, this is worse. Luckily, we learned from last time and stocked up on food yesterday before the snow started falling. The only thing we forgot was milk, which isn't life-threatening. Again, it happened on a weekend, so Juan didn't miss any school and church is canceled... Lucky or Unlucky? You decide.
   
2. Qiana has mastered the art of rolling. She is now a miniature steam roller when we put her down.
3. Siena is only one size up in diapers than her 4 month-old sister. Hopefully she will be out of them soon.
4. We got a pass to the YMCA and have been exercising like responsible adults again. I have been going to an Exerswim class where I am the youngest person by about 20 years. It's such a fun class! However, P90X still works itself into our week here and there. Today's workout was AB RIPPER X. "I hate it!... but I love it!"
   
5. Siena and Qiana have minor colds, nothing super special, but nonetheless out of the ordinary. Usually they have great health.
6. I took on two more students, so now my piano guild numbers to 7! Watch out world!
7. Juan got a part-time dental assisting job in Northeast Philly. It's just what he was looking for until he graduates.
8. Siena has given up her afternoon naps, it seems. I do not know how I will ever survive.
9. Juan brought home some wax for a crown wax-up he was doing for a patient; he asked me if I wanted to try making my own for fun, and I just couldn't turn down his offer. By the time I was done, my molar "wax-up" looked like a Lego.
   
   
   
   
10. We're almost done making our Valentines. If Siena would just stop getting into the inkpads and fancy-edged scissors, we'd be finished (hmph!)... but I love having her "help", just as I love having her "help" while making dinner. Last night, she helped Juan by scrubbing dishes while he made meatballs. As usual, it was a glorious wet mess! Even though the rose-colored glasses of raising a cute little toddler were tossed to the curb many, many months ago, I am still constantly reminded of how much I LOVE it!

Wait! There are more random pictures from the week:

This morning we all stayed in our pajamas until... well... we're still in our pajamas.

Siena had to make a very important call. Good thing whoever was on the other end couldn't see her bedhead; she looks like a hobo.

Piling into the "casita"

Having friends over!

Siena's First Ski Trip

While in Utah, Siena got to go skiing with her papi, uncle, and cousin Ava. She hated it. Then she liked it. Here's the video to prove we actually took her:

After a while she got tired and just wanted to make snow angels. (There's a video, but it's too long to upload. Just imagine cuteness.)

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I may not ever do a giveaway again because it's hard to make a random drawing and stick with awarding just ONE person when everyone who enters is your friend. I wanted to give the earrings to everyone, but I had to stick with the first random pick.

So the winner of the Lucky Dangles is.......drum roll please........ NYCOLE

Thanks to all who entered and congrats Nycole!

Christmas Morning

Harper won for the most clever wrapping job:







We got Harper a sweet Philly-grown gift: his very own du rag.

Sierra was left confused on how she was going to get those Calypso Braids (also a gift from Philly) into her hair.

It was a fantastic morning finished off with our traditional waffles, strawberries and cream. Yum.

Christmas Vacation

How could I have forgotten to post this?!

We'll start small. Here's Christmas Eve with Juan's family:

...and opening gifts.

Free to a Good Home

I think it's about time for another GIVEAWAY! You know how these things work: just leave a comment and a little contact info (however you want) and I'll announce the winner in 3 days. Good luck!

Lucky Dangles
(Sorry about the shadowy picture. We are experiencing stormy
weather right now, so I have no natural light to help me out.)

I learned how to make jewelry from my mom a few years ago when she was designing accessories for her Fall line. This was more of a chore for my sisters and me than a fun hobby because the pretty things we made weren't going to be for us and I, for one, didn't appreciate anything handmade. Most of the finished products were for bat mitzvahs, weddings and christenings; we made bracelets, necklaces, purse handles and hair combs from beautiful crystals, pearls, beads and rhinestones. (Wow, I just counted 3 "lists"--a journalistic pet peeve of my mother--Sorry Mom!)

Anyway, the trend is here again to make jewelry and I decided I'd give it another go. Surprisingly, I like making jewelry (although I had forgotten the toll it takes on your hands.)

I admire anyone who can sit down with enough patience to do it professionally.

"It's Keeks with a Q"

"Mom, let's not waste time cleaning the house when there are pictures to be taken!"

(Yes, those are her natural cheeks. We did not fill them with cotton.) And yes, that is my natural bedhead.

Check out her kimono outfit!
Yeah, my MOM made it.

She's pretty amazing.

I love this chub!