Happy Inauguration Day!

Finally! Don't ask me how many times I cried. The kids were really excited today. They wore their shirts all day long. Alec asked me if he looked like Barack Obama once he put it on. I answered no and he looked really disappointed almost on the verge of tears. I explained I hadn't gotten a good look and told him that yes, he definitely looked like Obama. : )
Look at the cake they decorated. It looked really nice. The kids had some then Badger helped himself to some too -- A Christmas Story style. He's lucky I'm in a really good mood.


feeling: the sun is shining, the birds are singing, strawberry fields forever
watching: coverage of the inaugural balls

the last election post

Unless I get invited to the inauguration ceremony or something, I pinky swear this will be my last post about the election. (hold out your pinky and hook it with mine). It actually even isn't about the election as much as it is about Brianna. See, she is super upset that neither Rodrigo nor I are old enough to run for president. She is a really into what is going on with the Obama girls. She wants to be pens pals with the one that is her age and is always talking about how she likes the clothes the girls wear. I guess as a little kid, it is super exciting to think of all the things that you'd do if you got to live at the white house. Her latest reason for wanting to be a first kid is because she heard news that the Obama girls are invited to be on any Disney show any time they'd like. Yesterday during dinner, she and Alec were discussing what shows they'd be on if they could. (It ended up in a fight and with Alec crying, as usual).
One other thing that has her really concerned is the puppy. I think that was her favorite part of the acceptance speech because she talked about it for a long time after the speech. She did some research (she has several books on dogs) and has come to the conclusion that the girls should get a Bichon Frise. Now she wants to be pen pals even more so that they can discuss puppies. I think it's really cute. My apologies to Brianna for not being old enough to be the president. Maybe I'll be the president of the PTA and that way I can run for VP in 2012. Yeah, I had to throw that in.

feeling: even though we have most bills sent electronically, we still get a ton of mail
listening to: Radiohead (High & Dry)

catching up with yvett . . . . mode

It's been so long that I don't even know when to start.

- I have 18 drafts of emails I started and have never sent. I've you've sent me in an email in the last two months or so and are expecting a reply, it's coming. Slow and steady.

- Brianna's Halloween party went off without a hitch. The food was all up to their gross standards. I haven't even uploaded the pictures, but you'll see when I do.

- The election. Ah, the election. That day I was helping out at the kids' school. They had a mock election there. The person who didn't win in the national election won at the school. What I found interesting, though (and by "interesting" I mean sad) was the things the kids were saying about Mr. B.O. It was unbelievable! I mean, Alec is in kindergarten and they already had things to say. Obviously it was from hearing the parents but I think it was a little extreme. Things like "my daddy says Ob@ma wants to come and steal our money". To which I thought, "yeah, your non-existent money". Another little boy was saying that his dad said he wanted to "beat him up". Alec was telling them that they couldn't beat up a president because then they'd go to "jails". I felt uber proud. Brianna's class had their own voter cards and were asked for them at random. They read up on both candidates' biographies and on some of their stances on issues. I nearly laughed out loud when one kid said that Ob@ma would raise every one's taxes. The teacher then asked "And just what are taxes?" Of course he didn't know.
That night I let the kids stay up late. I can't imagine them as adults thinking about this election knowing that mom made them go to bed. We were all awake watching. When the announcement came, I started sobbing. So that's where I was . . . on my couch with Rodrigo and the kids, all of us in pajamas. I called my grandma shortly after the announcement and she was crying too. I cried again the next day and still get a little teary once in a while.

- Since I'd been glued to the TV, the house was starting to look a little, uh, dirty. I spent a few days doing all the stuff I'd been neglecting and I feel a whole lot better. I'm sure my family does too.

- While putting away all the Halloween decor, I really considered just skipping the Thanksgiving stuff and decorating for Christmas early. Lots of families have their tree up by Thanksgiving, right? I really, really thought about it and almost did it, but I'm just not in the mood yet. It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit with these Arizona temperatures. Sandals and Santas don't make a good mix. You know on Halloween night we were in the 90's (temps). Seriously. We've only been in the 80's these past few days, but still it's no hazy shade of winter around here.

- I miss reading blogs. I'm about to do that now. . . . . . .

feeling: -sigh- good to be back
listening to: Depeche Mode (Blasphemous Rumours) <-- hence the post title