Happy b-day to me!

Yep, that's right. Today it's official: I'm a year older.
To be totally honest, it all started kind of lame. Glenn is not here, and well the kids are too little to understand that on a day like today I was born. Nicky is SO excited about her b-day that she doesn't care about other people's b-days. Anyway, I woke up and got ready then I woke up Nicky to get her ready. While I was doing it I told her that today was my b-day and the best gift I could ever ask from her would be a happy b-day song. Then she asked me "IS IT MY B-DAY TOO?" I told her that her b-day would be in 3 more days, but today was my b-day.
I guess I gave her the wrong answer because she looked at the floor and her eyes all of a sudden were full of tears. I hugged her and told her that her b-day will be very soon and I had a great present for her but I needed to see a big big smile. She did what she could and I decided to forget about the subject.
I took her to school (5 minutes late as usual), so I helped her to get into her class room. Then she told her teacher I was there and she invited me to get into the class room. I told her I was in a rush (Ian was waiting for me), then I waved good bye and out of nowhere a little kid came to me and hugged me. The teacher introduced him to me. I felt kind of awkward as I'm not used to strange kids hugging me. Well all of a sudden all Nicky's whole class room was hugging me! I was touched by that since my daughter didn't want to sing or hug me a few minutes before (I guess she was mad for not sharing my b-day with her). The teacher was surprised, too and didn't know what to say. Then I told her that this was great since today was my b-day, and when the kids heard that, they all screamed, "HAPPY B-DAY!" The teacher asked Nicky if she knew this and Nicky said yes. I thought she was going to hug me or something but nada.
Anyway I came home expecting to hear a message from Glenn but nothing not even telemarketing called this time. I check my e-mails and cero. I went to pick up my mail and there it was a beautiful card from my mother in-law with a letter in it. It was the most touching card I've ever had from her. A 3 page letter ALL ABOUT ME! Just what I needed! I really needed to hear that I'm a good person, mom, wife and in conclusion an awesome human being (you see Glenn tells me this all the time, but he's my husband. What else can I expect from him?) I was so happy to read this letter that I read it more than once. It really cheered me up. I decided to go to Target to buy some drawers for Ian. When we came back there it was, Glenn's e-mail explaining that he had been calling all morning but for some reason the phone card didn't work very well and that's why he couldn't leave a message and then he went to the romantic private section of the e-mail. Oh that e-mail made me the happiest wife on earth.
Then I checked my older account and all my friends from Monterrey wished me the best and my sister-in-law Laura sent me a beautiful e-card. They all remembered it.
Well the morning passed quickly and it was time to pick up Nicky. I picked her up expecting a hug or something...nothing. Oh well I guess I can't have it all. My sister called me and I couldn't talk much. I wasn't feeling good to talk so I decided to disconnect the telephone for a couple of hours (beside the kids were asleep).
However, I made dinner. The kids ate it and loved it. I sat in the living room to watch my show and rest while the kids were playing and from nowhere Nicky came to me and told me "MAMA CAN YOU TURN OFF THE TV PLEASE?" I asked her why, and she said she needed to tell me something important. So I did it, and she went for her little microphone and sang the long awaited song, "HAPPY B-DAY TO MOMMY, HAPPY B-DAY TO MOMMY, HAPPY B-DAY TO MOMMY, HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU!" Then she came and gave me a hug and a kiss. I won't lie to anybody, THAT TOTALLY MADE MY DAY! I had started to feel that b-days were a waste of time. I was okay with my day, but not happy at all since Glenn is not here and my kids wouldn't tell me anything. I even told one of my friends that my b-day was like another day just officially older.
I'm totally grateful for the surprise hugs and kisses and letters and e-mails and phone calls, don't get me wrong, but well we all know Glenn and my kids are my number one.
It is a pity that I don't feel good. Yesterday I was actually having a decent day, I thought today could be the same.
I can't wait to celebrate my b-day with Glenn. He is coming on Saturday. The kids and I are SO waiting for his return YAY!
(Lindsay, I didn't mention your gift because your gift arrived a few days ago and this post is about today but you know I love my gift :)

Another day has gone!

Glenn is in Las Vegas. It is hard for me too hear Ian asking for his dad. Nicky is a good supporter. She always answers him, "IAN, DADDY IS IN THE HOSPITAL FAR, FAR AWAY." Glenn and I think that perhaps that is why out of the blue Ian has been asking to watch Shrek. I know I might be biased, but honestly my kids are just so darn cute. Every morning while I'm dropping off Nicky to pre-school, she tells Ian the same thing: "THIS IS IT IAN, THIS IS MY SCHOOL. PLEASE BE GOOD TO MOMMY. REMEMBER, SHE IS SICK!" It's even cuter the way the he answers, "AWRITE, NICO! BYE, NICO!" They are just so cute. I know I'm sucking as a mom right now because I can't give my 100%, but they are so sweet to me. They make me feel that I'm the best mom ever. I had a "good day" a few weeks ago so I decided to make some meatballs. Since I can't stand to the smell pretty much of anything it is hard for me to cook as I normally do. The kids have been eating frozen meals or nuggets, mac and chesse, noodles, etc. Well they were very happy the first month, but little by little got tired of the same things. Anyway as I was saying a few weeks ago I had a "good" day and made meatballs filled with hard boiled eggs. It sounds crazy, but it tastes good. Anyway, I seasoned just with salt and pepper and the sauce was very simple. I just opened a can of diced tomatoes and added it to the blender with salt and pepper. Then I added the sauce to the meat balls and waited until they were cook. I made also a white rice. The kids loved it. Nicky told me I was the best mom in the whole world and Ian had seconds. Even Glenn told me that it tasted very good. It normally tastes awesome, but of course I normally add more ingredients. Anyway, I ate it and it was good. I could keep it down so there you go, another thing that I can eat for the short menu that I have. However I do feel blessed that the Lord is giving me enough strength to hold up. Waking up early to drop off Nicky has been hard for both Nicky and me since we are the laziest of the family. Although Nicky is very happy with school, she gets very tired, too. Two days ago she asked me for 3 more minutes before she had to get ready for school. My almost 4 year old acting like a teen. Should I be scared? Maybe, but right now I'm enjoying the command of the house while I can. Glenn and I have told Nicky that when we give her an order she needs to answer with a nice, "Yes, mom." or "Yes, dad." and do it. Well she got the message and wasn't late enough that she wanted to communicate this message to Ian. It goes like this:

Nicky- "IAN, CAN YOU GIVE ME THAT BALL?" Ian - "NOPE." Nicky - "IAN! LISTEN, WHEN MOMMY TELLS YOU SOMETHING, YOU SAY, 'YES, MOM.' WHEN DADDY ASKS YOU FOR SOMETHING YOU SAY, 'YES, DAD.' AND WHEN NICKY ASKS YOU TO DO SOMETHING YOU SAY, 'YES, NICKY.' UNDERSTOOD?" Ian- "MMM, NOPE." Nicky of course was disappointed at his answer. Glenn and I well we were just laughing. Now she knows what we feel like when she disobeys.

Glenn will be gone for another 3 weeks. Then it'll be time for interviews. It will be hard, too, since he is going to be travelling. At least it will be just for one day or two. I've got to say I was very inspired to write, but I just had to put the kids to sleep and that is another battle. I'm tired now. Until the next time that I feel like writing.

Katie, Emily, Emily, Cassidy,Elise,Amanda you are tag now!

I forgot to add the names of the ones that I am supposed to tag, so here they are:
Katie (Logan)
Emily Martino (Gracie)
Emily Trefeten (Maddie)
Cassidy (Carter)
Elise (Ava)
Amanda (Tylin)
I thought about you girls because most of you have had a second child, and you know the older one needs some mommy thought time. Trefeten in your case it was just because I know Maddie is growing so fast that soon enough she will be a teen, and, well, you know it is always hard. Anyway, enjoy and I hope to see your tags soon!

Something that you didn't know about Nicky!

I have been tagged again, but the the one who tagged me was my cunada (sister in-law) Laura and this time it's not about my ABC's. This time is about one of my favorite subjects. My favorite daughter NICKY!
Name & meaning: Claudia Nicole.

Claudia means: Vain.
Nicole: Victorious
Age: 3 yrs old (4 in november)
Nicknames: Nicky, Nicoleta, Princess
Favorite Activities: Swiming,coloring, dancing, playing outside, singing, cooking, riding her bike, going to the park.

Favorite Foods: All kind of Veggies, Chicken, Quesadillas, oranges, grapes, mac&cheese, noodles, spaghetti, white rice, roast beef, and of course PICKLES!

Least Favorite Foods: Depends on if it tastes good and who makes it
Favorite Music: Primary Songs (cd number 4), and all the walt disney cd's
Favorite Toys: her little oven, her babies, her princess castle, her princesses

Favorite Book: Chronicles of Narnia, and Princess stories (all the Disney ones).

Favorite Item of Clothing: her princess blouse or her princess dress.

What Makes Her Happy: Hope. Example "MAMA CAN I HAVE A HORSE?" Me: "MAYBE SOME DAY, NICKY." Nicky: "YAY! MAYBE LATER I CAN HAVE A HORSE." and on and on and on

What Makes Her Sad: This is a hard one.

I'd say when I say NO to something that she wants to do or eat like candy or ice cream, etc.

Additional things I love about Nicole: She has such a precious heart. She forgives and forgets really easily when somebody has hurt her. She cares about others, especially me. She melts my heart when she tells me, "MAMA I'M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR SO I CAN HELP YOU. DON'T WOGGY!" She is very sensitive of others pain and suffering. She loves her family more than anything. She was known in her first class in nursery as SWEET NICKY! She is always taking care of others. I guess I could go on and on, she is a wonderful girl, very easy to love.