December 26, 2008
I have SOOO many photos and stories but I'm tired so they will have to wait a few more days. My SIL is here and we are having so much touristy fun! Please go to her webpage here to see a few photos and her impression of Bogota. Some of the photos are dark and small so click on 'em and blow them up to see more details, well if you want to that is!
In other big news christmas eve my cousin, Alicia, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!!!! Pics to follow when the family visits this weekend. Her name is Katherine and I'm sure she is perfect :o)
Chau!
OYE!
December 19, 2008
I really could NOT do this job without Maria, my empleada. Okay, apparently I CAN but it was NOT FUN! Mike planned a cocktail for last Friday but then got sick. He moved it to this Friday and I was under the impression it was gonna be about 5-8 people but then last night he told me he invited FIFTEEN! YIKES! And we have 20 some kids coming tomorrow afternoon for a kid christmas party, and Maria had to take her son to the doctor so she left at 2 today. Oh and I forgot my Spanish class this morning. I felt so bad when Yolima showed up and I had to send her on her way. My day consisted of run to the grocery store, prep the food, finish picking up the house, distract the kids, review plans for tomorrows party and then cook all the food while keeping my children out of my husbands hair and answering the phone (The portero calls for all guests and I have to send the elevator or they can't come up. Which sounds cool, and is secure, but a pain in the butt too. The phone doesn't work so well so he calls, I answer, nothing, he calls I answer, nothing. We can play this game for a while. Meanwhile MY SHRIMP ARE BURNNG!). Oh, the party was a guy only thing. Which was good because I cooked in the kitchen while the men did their thing. My kids were good though, you know, for preschoolers. They did want food, drinks, different tv shows etc but I didn't hear any fighting. And I put Max in the tub and he washed his hair all by himself. So cute, he puts on goggles, rubs in the soap, and then swims it out. Maggie is still a little concerned about water on her face and goggles hold no interest for her at all.
Anywho, my point of this blog is that I will NEVER let Maria go home early on a party day again. Sick kid or not! Okay maybe that last part isn't true but cross your fingers it doesn't happen again.
Oh and the food was AMAZING. I made shrimp on the George Foreman Grill because we didn't bring a gas grill and charcoal won't work at this altitude. If anyone wants the recipe let me know because it was Y U double M Y - YUMMY! Oh and great bruschetta, and cocktail meatballs, and empenadas with the best aji salsa. I could go on. Needless to say it was a "1 for me, 1 for the guests" kinda cooking night. Did I just toot my own horn? LOL
I really could NOT do this job without Maria, my empleada. Okay, apparently I CAN but it was NOT FUN! Mike planned a cocktail for last Friday but then got sick. He moved it to this Friday and I was under the impression it was gonna be about 5-8 people but then last night he told me he invited FIFTEEN! YIKES! And we have 20 some kids coming tomorrow afternoon for a kid christmas party, and Maria had to take her son to the doctor so she left at 2 today. Oh and I forgot my Spanish class this morning. I felt so bad when Yolima showed up and I had to send her on her way. My day consisted of run to the grocery store, prep the food, finish picking up the house, distract the kids, review plans for tomorrows party and then cook all the food while keeping my children out of my husbands hair and answering the phone (The portero calls for all guests and I have to send the elevator or they can't come up. Which sounds cool, and is secure, but a pain in the butt too. The phone doesn't work so well so he calls, I answer, nothing, he calls I answer, nothing. We can play this game for a while. Meanwhile MY SHRIMP ARE BURNNG!). Oh, the party was a guy only thing. Which was good because I cooked in the kitchen while the men did their thing. My kids were good though, you know, for preschoolers. They did want food, drinks, different tv shows etc but I didn't hear any fighting. And I put Max in the tub and he washed his hair all by himself. So cute, he puts on goggles, rubs in the soap, and then swims it out. Maggie is still a little concerned about water on her face and goggles hold no interest for her at all.
Anywho, my point of this blog is that I will NEVER let Maria go home early on a party day again. Sick kid or not! Okay maybe that last part isn't true but cross your fingers it doesn't happen again.
Oh and the food was AMAZING. I made shrimp on the George Foreman Grill because we didn't bring a gas grill and charcoal won't work at this altitude. If anyone wants the recipe let me know because it was Y U double M Y - YUMMY! Oh and great bruschetta, and cocktail meatballs, and empenadas with the best aji salsa. I could go on. Needless to say it was a "1 for me, 1 for the guests" kinda cooking night. Did I just toot my own horn? LOL
December 18, 2008
Wowee life sure does stay interesting! Today we went to an orphanage to help throw a christmas party for the kids. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. The party was nice though. The kids sang some christmas songs and then Santa handed out the gifts we bought for all the girls. It was fun to see the bartering going on afterward - I'll trade you my "hello kitty" purse for your earrings. Very cute! And of course we baked a ton of goodies to take along. I also brought my kids with me although I was the only one. I think it's good for them to understand how fortunate they are and how others don't have nearly so much, not even parents. The whole idea went over Maggie's head but Max was a bit concerned. He wanted to know what happened to the mama's and papa's. Then he asked if he could take home a brother and a sister. How sweet is that?! Melted my heart really. This orphanage was all girls. A few asked questions about my kids and when they heard Maggie was adopted well... they just couldn't leave her alone! Anyway, I had finally come to the conclusion that I wasn't so interested in going through the adoption process again. Really the chances of it being so easy a second time were about zero but after seeing all those girls... Well, I may need to reconsider!
Wowee life sure does stay interesting! Today we went to an orphanage to help throw a christmas party for the kids. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. The party was nice though. The kids sang some christmas songs and then Santa handed out the gifts we bought for all the girls. It was fun to see the bartering going on afterward - I'll trade you my "hello kitty" purse for your earrings. Very cute! And of course we baked a ton of goodies to take along. I also brought my kids with me although I was the only one. I think it's good for them to understand how fortunate they are and how others don't have nearly so much, not even parents. The whole idea went over Maggie's head but Max was a bit concerned. He wanted to know what happened to the mama's and papa's. Then he asked if he could take home a brother and a sister. How sweet is that?! Melted my heart really. This orphanage was all girls. A few asked questions about my kids and when they heard Maggie was adopted well... they just couldn't leave her alone! Anyway, I had finally come to the conclusion that I wasn't so interested in going through the adoption process again. Really the chances of it being so easy a second time were about zero but after seeing all those girls... Well, I may need to reconsider!
Mommy, where does Santa live?
December 8, 2008
Such an innocent question from Max. So I respond with the ol' "at the North Pole". Max replies, "Next to the food court?" AHHHH HA HA HA HA!!! Can you say commercializm?
Such an innocent question from Max. So I respond with the ol' "at the North Pole". Max replies, "Next to the food court?" AHHHH HA HA HA HA!!! Can you say commercializm?
Party here, party there, EVERYWHERE!
December 6, 2008
Or is it really the 7th of December seeing how it is now past midnight. Life is officially CRAZY!!! Let's see, Thurs. night a late dinner at the Colonel's with the kids, Friday afternoon a christmas party at the ambassadors house (which was awesome and photos will follow tomorrow'ish) and Friday night (still with the kids) a look at the christmas lights in the park, which were AMAZING and again, photos to follow and then dinner with friends, Saturday a hunt downtown for more christmas decorations and then yet another party at a co-workers. My kids are so stinkin' tired! Every night we've been out 'til 11'ish. Tomorrow is free for them but we have a dinner party and Sunday we meet another Colonel and his wife and daughter at a lake for fishing and boat riding. I think he also said there would be horses. I need a nap! This professional party stuff is out.of.control!
Or is it really the 7th of December seeing how it is now past midnight. Life is officially CRAZY!!! Let's see, Thurs. night a late dinner at the Colonel's with the kids, Friday afternoon a christmas party at the ambassadors house (which was awesome and photos will follow tomorrow'ish) and Friday night (still with the kids) a look at the christmas lights in the park, which were AMAZING and again, photos to follow and then dinner with friends, Saturday a hunt downtown for more christmas decorations and then yet another party at a co-workers. My kids are so stinkin' tired! Every night we've been out 'til 11'ish. Tomorrow is free for them but we have a dinner party and Sunday we meet another Colonel and his wife and daughter at a lake for fishing and boat riding. I think he also said there would be horses. I need a nap! This professional party stuff is out.of.control!
UGH!
December 4, 2008
I was doing really well the last few days, REALLY well. Exercising, eating all the right foods and at all the right times. I finally found my motivation then... Mike came home tonight and said we had dinner at the Colonels, and to top it off the kids were invited - UGH! Now please understand, the colonel and his wife are great, really super nice people. And the colonel knows some English, a lot actually, which really helps to normalize conversation when your vocabulary has holes. And they have a 4 year old daughter who is SUPER cute. So why the double ugh? Well, Colombians don't eat dinner 'til waaaay late. Diet rule #1 b.r.o.ke.n. They LOVE heavy foods with lot's of butter, cream etc. Diet rule #2 b.r.o.ke.n. There is ALWAYS dessert and it's rude not to have any. Diet rule #3 b.r.o.k.e.n. And let's not forget the alcohol. Diet rule #4 b.r.o.k.e.n. And what really tops off the "oh no my diet" drama is that the Colonel's aunt is like a friggin' gourmet chef who made tons of mouth watering appetizers BEFORE the dinner that didn't even start until around 8:30. Yes, that's 8:30. So now you see why I didn't want to bring the kids. What time did we get home? Um yeah that would be 11:00. Guess who's NOT going to school tomorrow. Oh yeah, and btw, my empleada asked for tomorrow off so I have no help. I know sob sob but really, if I had known earlier I could have done some of my errands today. Now I have to take 2 preschoolers with me tomorrow to stand in line at 2 banks to pay some bills and this process, as I KNOW you've heard me complain about before, will probably take an hour each.
Hmmm, I am spoiled aren't I. But still, you gotta feel me on the diet part.
I was doing really well the last few days, REALLY well. Exercising, eating all the right foods and at all the right times. I finally found my motivation then... Mike came home tonight and said we had dinner at the Colonels, and to top it off the kids were invited - UGH! Now please understand, the colonel and his wife are great, really super nice people. And the colonel knows some English, a lot actually, which really helps to normalize conversation when your vocabulary has holes. And they have a 4 year old daughter who is SUPER cute. So why the double ugh? Well, Colombians don't eat dinner 'til waaaay late. Diet rule #1 b.r.o.ke.n. They LOVE heavy foods with lot's of butter, cream etc. Diet rule #2 b.r.o.ke.n. There is ALWAYS dessert and it's rude not to have any. Diet rule #3 b.r.o.k.e.n. And let's not forget the alcohol. Diet rule #4 b.r.o.k.e.n. And what really tops off the "oh no my diet" drama is that the Colonel's aunt is like a friggin' gourmet chef who made tons of mouth watering appetizers BEFORE the dinner that didn't even start until around 8:30. Yes, that's 8:30. So now you see why I didn't want to bring the kids. What time did we get home? Um yeah that would be 11:00. Guess who's NOT going to school tomorrow. Oh yeah, and btw, my empleada asked for tomorrow off so I have no help. I know sob sob but really, if I had known earlier I could have done some of my errands today. Now I have to take 2 preschoolers with me tomorrow to stand in line at 2 banks to pay some bills and this process, as I KNOW you've heard me complain about before, will probably take an hour each.
Hmmm, I am spoiled aren't I. But still, you gotta feel me on the diet part.
Muchas Gracias to The English from The Colombia :o)
December 3, 2008
Yeah my goodies from "the English" arrived yesterday! That's the version of the US Max uses, my boy is so clever ;o) Anyway, a big shout out to Liz Fisher who found 99.9% of the stuff I couldn't find here in Colombia - you are the best!!! And of course she sent some cute little gifts. Which I do have photos of but my hubby decided to take the camera cord to work with him and then take off on a trip to Cartagena for a few days soooo.... no photos, sigh.
I also have photos of the awesome meatball soup Liz posted, what did you name it "cute soup?". The kids loved it. Well, Max picked out the meatballs just like Carly. Maggie, my little carnivore, gobbled them up! I pulled some seperate for me and put in beans instead of meatballs and that was really good too. Oh, and I added sage to the meatball mix. It's one of my fav spices so I couldn't resist. Anywho it's good and easy and you all should make it!
In other random news, I have finally come to the decision that this mom stuff is hard work, I mean like REALLY hard. Perhaps today was just an extra special bad day but I think 2 preschoolers at once is enough to make anyone batty. Every second of the day someone was screaming and someone was running the other direction, usually laughing. Is that a bad sign? You know that they get pleasure out of torturing one another? It's interesting too because apparently only THEY can torture each other. If someone else tries to bully either of them they won't stand for it. So it's days like these when I think I should send them to school full days. In case I haven't mentioned the Montessori they go to has a full day program, as in 8-3, that they can start attending in January. I'm on the fence. Should I push them to start a year earlier than I had planned? The program is AMAZING! 20 kids and 2 teachers with horses, a garden, HUGE playground, computer room, ballet, soccer, tai kwon do... But I'm afraid Max won't be happy. Mike thinks I am making too much of this. Max is a mama's boy and prefers to sit at home with me. He often complains he doesn't want to go to school but he ALWAYS comes home happy. And then there is the money, about double. Which isn't bad considering it's all day. And starting in August Max is paid for by the gov't. So - what to do?
Can you tell I'm home alone?
Yeah my goodies from "the English" arrived yesterday! That's the version of the US Max uses, my boy is so clever ;o) Anyway, a big shout out to Liz Fisher who found 99.9% of the stuff I couldn't find here in Colombia - you are the best!!! And of course she sent some cute little gifts. Which I do have photos of but my hubby decided to take the camera cord to work with him and then take off on a trip to Cartagena for a few days soooo.... no photos, sigh.
I also have photos of the awesome meatball soup Liz posted, what did you name it "cute soup?". The kids loved it. Well, Max picked out the meatballs just like Carly. Maggie, my little carnivore, gobbled them up! I pulled some seperate for me and put in beans instead of meatballs and that was really good too. Oh, and I added sage to the meatball mix. It's one of my fav spices so I couldn't resist. Anywho it's good and easy and you all should make it!
In other random news, I have finally come to the decision that this mom stuff is hard work, I mean like REALLY hard. Perhaps today was just an extra special bad day but I think 2 preschoolers at once is enough to make anyone batty. Every second of the day someone was screaming and someone was running the other direction, usually laughing. Is that a bad sign? You know that they get pleasure out of torturing one another? It's interesting too because apparently only THEY can torture each other. If someone else tries to bully either of them they won't stand for it. So it's days like these when I think I should send them to school full days. In case I haven't mentioned the Montessori they go to has a full day program, as in 8-3, that they can start attending in January. I'm on the fence. Should I push them to start a year earlier than I had planned? The program is AMAZING! 20 kids and 2 teachers with horses, a garden, HUGE playground, computer room, ballet, soccer, tai kwon do... But I'm afraid Max won't be happy. Mike thinks I am making too much of this. Max is a mama's boy and prefers to sit at home with me. He often complains he doesn't want to go to school but he ALWAYS comes home happy. And then there is the money, about double. Which isn't bad considering it's all day. And starting in August Max is paid for by the gov't. So - what to do?
Can you tell I'm home alone?
Party Animal
November 30, 2008
I am SO far behind on photo sharing. Probably because there has been about a bazillion parties lately. Anyway, this one was cool. Max was so excited you would have thought it was his birthday. We went to a place called Multiparque that had what looked like old stables in the back decorated for kids.
Ah, back to the theme. Here are the kids feeding a cow. Although all you can see is sombreros.
Then they got to milk the cow! Maggie was a little skiddish hence the womans hold on her to help. Max was literally pushing kids out of the way to get there first!
Birthday boy on a horse.
Then Max.
Maggie preferred to offer the horse carrots.
Oink oink.
Neighbors Jacob and Jeff also attended. Jacob wasn't so sure about the animal theme.
Ducks, ducks ducks. I was seconds away from a shot of a duck attacking one of the workers. Really funny. The duck was biting his pants and honking at him angrily.
There were tons more animals but I won't bore you with photos of them all.
I am SO far behind on photo sharing. Probably because there has been about a bazillion parties lately. Anyway, this one was cool. Max was so excited you would have thought it was his birthday. We went to a place called Multiparque that had what looked like old stables in the back decorated for kids.
Cute huh.
Annie, the birthday boy's mom, found this photo and the bakery put it on a cake for her.
Annie, the birthday boy's mom, found this photo and the bakery put it on a cake for her. When we arrived the kids were given cowboy hats and bandanas. Sooo adorable!
Then went for llama rides :o) That's Laurenz, the birthday boy, with them.
Could Max smile any bigger? I think not! He was given fake pesos to buy candy with, every boys dream.
Ah, back to the theme. Here are the kids feeding a cow. Although all you can see is sombreros.Then they got to milk the cow! Maggie was a little skiddish hence the womans hold on her to help. Max was literally pushing kids out of the way to get there first!
Birthday boy on a horse.
Then Max.
Maggie preferred to offer the horse carrots.
Oink oink.Neighbors Jacob and Jeff also attended. Jacob wasn't so sure about the animal theme.
Ducks, ducks ducks. I was seconds away from a shot of a duck attacking one of the workers. Really funny. The duck was biting his pants and honking at him angrily.
There were tons more animals but I won't bore you with photos of them all.
Next stop - trampolines! I love Maggie's hair ;o)
Is it a cow? Is it a pig? No it's Maggie Flynn!
Most of the kids made this shot. Of course no one is actually looking at the camera.
Is it a cow? Is it a pig? No it's Maggie Flynn!
Most of the kids made this shot. Of course no one is actually looking at the camera.I Gotta be ME!!!!
November 24, 2008
On Sunday, well Saturday too but that will be my next post!, we went to a birthday party. This one was at gymboree. It was VERY cute. And the kids got TOTALLY worn out - which is always a good thing. Anyway, at one point all the kids were sitting in a circle and each child had a turn standing up while the others sang and then they do a somersault. Max was about the 10th child to go. As you will see in the video he did EXACTLY like he was told and EXACTLY what all the other kids did. Maggie well, Maggie is Maggie. I have decided her mantra needs to be "I gotta be me!" Watch the video, it's cute and pretty much says it all :o)
Really you just gotta love her...
WHEW!
November 24, 2008
Seven dinner guests equal...
One empleada equals...
Seven dinner guests equal...
ONE BIG MESS!
One empleada equals...cleanliness :o)
And...
morning after relaxation, AHHH!
Andres Carne de Res
November 19, 2008
This restaurant was so over the top crazy only pictures can explain it. Mike called it Friday's meets Sanford and Son. Plus they put braclets on your kids with matching numbers to your braclets so they can roam free and play without leaving the restaurant. Oh and they also wear name tags with your table name on them, all tables have a name, so if they want to find you the staff can help. Mine are old enough now, thank God, to find me on their own but it does provide an extra layer of comfort. So, without further ado, here are the photos. You can also go here to check out their website.
Table name "Campanario".
Making pizza, of course.
Not so good a photo!
Maggie and Ravida. Ravida's family took us here.
And what goes with pizza... chocolate chip cookies of course!
Arts and crafts area with playground in the background. They also had puppet shows, dance room with costumes, clay model area, woodworking (for the older kids). I could go on...
This, well, I don't know what to say about this. Some crazy chicken dance/parade. I don't know. The kids were fascinated and Ravida seemed to know the song.
She was by far the best chicken!
See what I mean... Max is in awe.
Ravida too. Maggie was just content as usual. She really took to Midad, Ravida's father.
BEFORE...
AFTER... ROOOOAAAAR!
BEFORE...
This restaurant was so over the top crazy only pictures can explain it. Mike called it Friday's meets Sanford and Son. Plus they put braclets on your kids with matching numbers to your braclets so they can roam free and play without leaving the restaurant. Oh and they also wear name tags with your table name on them, all tables have a name, so if they want to find you the staff can help. Mine are old enough now, thank God, to find me on their own but it does provide an extra layer of comfort. So, without further ado, here are the photos. You can also go here to check out their website.
View of the courtyard and part of the restaurant. I forgot to mention it is, no lie, 2 city blocks long on two sides of the street!
Table name "Campanario".Menu made out of junk but pretty cool. You scroll through it.
Inside the restaurant. I told you it was Sanford and Son. The man is a genious!
Making pizza, of course.
Not so good a photo! Maggie and Ravida. Ravida's family took us here.Isn't she cute!
And what goes with pizza... chocolate chip cookies of course!Arts and crafts area with playground in the background. They also had puppet shows, dance room with costumes, clay model area, woodworking (for the older kids). I could go on...
This, well, I don't know what to say about this. Some crazy chicken dance/parade. I don't know. The kids were fascinated and Ravida seemed to know the song. She was by far the best chicken!See what I mean... Max is in awe.
Ravida too. Maggie was just content as usual. She really took to Midad, Ravida's father. BEFORE...AFTER... ROOOOAAAAR!
BEFORE...
AFTER..... ruff, ruff I LOVE the tongue hanging out!
LOS DOS!
This is how the bill came. In a tube, with a flashlight and magnifying glass.
And of course a bag of goodies for each kid. Told you they were kid crazy here!
LOS DOS! This is how the bill came. In a tube, with a flashlight and magnifying glass.And of course a bag of goodies for each kid. Told you they were kid crazy here! The White House?
I know I don't usually post twice in one day - heck twice a week isn't even happening in this crazy month. But anyway... I saw someone painting this in a restaurant today. Not sure what this means about Colombia's opinion of Obama. What do you all make of it?
Oh and the restaurant... OVER.THE.TOP. Crraaaaaazzzzzy fun. I'll post photos tomorrow, or the next day :o)
Oh and the restaurant... OVER.THE.TOP. Crraaaaaazzzzzy fun. I'll post photos tomorrow, or the next day :o)
WHAT???
November 18, 2008
Can anyone explain this to me? I'm going to set my DVR - this is tooo weird not to explore. I mean it's really a chick - right? I'm thinking a lesbian who wanted to be a man but then wanted to have a baby too.
***edited due to Morgan's comment.
Sexuality issues aside I think the title of the program is misleading. I mean a man CANNOT have a baby because he does not have a uterus. My thought is they attract more attention this way than with the reality of what is occuring. I may post more thoughts after I watch the show because at this point I honestly don't understand, other than the obvious "how'd they do that" part.
Can anyone explain this to me? I'm going to set my DVR - this is tooo weird not to explore. I mean it's really a chick - right? I'm thinking a lesbian who wanted to be a man but then wanted to have a baby too.
***edited due to Morgan's comment.
Sexuality issues aside I think the title of the program is misleading. I mean a man CANNOT have a baby because he does not have a uterus. My thought is they attract more attention this way than with the reality of what is occuring. I may post more thoughts after I watch the show because at this point I honestly don't understand, other than the obvious "how'd they do that" part.
Monserrate
November 12, 2008
We actually went to Monserrate a few weeks ago but somehow missed posting the photos. This place was BEAUTIFUL! It's like many countries where they put a church/monastery waaaaaay up high on a mountain but still, each has it's own beauty. Plus I got some nice photo's of Bogota. Before we get to the mountain we HAD to ride llamas in the parking lot.
Max
Maggie
Then the cable car up! Max LOVED it - Mommy, not so much. I'm a bit afraid of heights.
Photo of the church from the cable car on the way up. Looking up is ALWAYS better than down :o) OOOPS! Sideways - sorry :)
And the monastary.
Views of Bogota...
Cheesey stuff for sale. We were hoping to find a treasure in the market, or at least something unique.
But all we found was this stinkin' t'shirt! (ok, for those who can't read Spanish it's the same ol' same ol' t-shirt in English. "Someone who loves me brought me this shirt from Colombia blah, blah, blah)
But the kids found some slinkeys so they were happy.
Trying to make it "walk".
Random photo of me and the munchkins with the pretty church in the background.
Daddy's girl ;o)
The stations of the cross. All pretty but we don't need to see them all now do we?
I LOVE this humming bird photo!
And these flowers...
Oh, and a wild horse!
GREAT restaurant with a view of the city.
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