Las Hermanas Mirabal

This past weekend I had the honor of visiting the museum near Santiago that was the home of the Mirabal sisters before they were assassinated by the Trujillo government in 1960. I wouldn't be able to do their stories justice (in part because the whole thing was in Spanish) so to learn more you can look here or here.

I don't use the word "honor" lightly. The excursion was set up by the Embassy and along with 15 or so community members, I spent a long bus ride and a late lunch with Patria Mirabal's daughter, Noris (photo right). She was 15 when her mother and aunts were first imprisoned, and 16 when they were assassinated. The poor woman was hoarse from talking all day, sharing her memories of a typical (but somehow much more fascinating because it was so typical) childhood and the history of the Mirabal sisters. She has such a warm personality and a positive outlook on life.

The museum is located two hours outside of Santo Domingo and was the women's home for only a few months before they were killed. Their previous home was seized and the wood was used to build a local Trujillo supporter's home* and they moved into the now-museum when their husbands were jailed. The small house is filled with clothing, pictures, and mementos of the sisters and family and while it was probably only a 20 minute tour, it felt like I had experienced a lifetime with the sisters. I really liked the fact that it focused on the routine aspects of their very unusual lifestyle.

The most memorable part of the day was the 30 minutes I spent with four other Americans and Dede Mirabal, the surviving sister. She is 85 years old and the most vibrant person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She sat in a plastic lawn chair while tourists hovered nearby, only occasionally striking up the courage to ask her to autograph a copy of the sisters' (fictionalized) story. But we're Americans and have no shame, and we plopped down next to her, monopolizing her attention for a good half-hour until someone, tired of the American regime, made a move for our positions.

This is one of the places I hope to visit more than once. The bus trip was not very fun, and I would have liked to explore the town around the Mirabal's house. Since their death, the town has created murals (like the one Noris is posing in front of) throughout the town dedicated to the Mirabal sisters and the ideals they exemplified. So start doing your homework now and no cheating by watching the movie.

*Noris said that after Trujillo's assassination, townspeople destroyed the house of the man who took the wood from the Mirabal's seized house.

A Year to Remember

A year.... a year! This week we will have owned our house for a whole year. So much has happened that it is no wonder that I rarely update this blog and when I do it is just a few photos. We're in the midst of starting our next adventure. In less than 3 weeks we will be on another plane headed for another foreign country. We're excited that we won't need to cart a Pack 'n' Play through the airport because after a mild accident involving The Girl's neck and the crib she is now sleeping in a big girl bed. But we wouldn't mind carting the dog kennel so much. The Boy is constantly telling us that he needs a dog.

This will probably be my last post until we get settled (or at least packed-out and settled in a hotel room!). Here are some pictures of September and October followed by some of our trip to California in August (Hey, you're getting pictures. Who cares if they are in consecutive order?!).

Up in the Air

As I type, I am flying over Missouri. We're finally on our way back to the winter wonderland of DC after a week of canceled flights. I thought I'd post a few pictures of our latest adventures in CA with a few summer photos thrown in for fun. Check out how big all the kids are: Sophie (5), Jack (4), Max (blond 2), Nico (brown 2), Violet (girl 2), and Baby Owen!

And the hits keep coming...

As if we don't have enough to keep us busy... The Boy took a spill at my mom's last night. It was a gusher. I think I was a little in shock because I could only follow my sister's directions to get ice, water, etc. She was amazing.

We visited the dentist today (our goal is to benefit all medical specialties in the Bay Area) for an exam and (more) xrays. The prognosis: his tooth may turn a different color (we're hoping for Penn State blue if we can't have white) or it might fall out. Given that it will eventually fall out, we're not too freaked. No more riding Gigi's lawn cart, though!

Here he is after we cleaned up all of the blood. What a toughie!

Pixieland

Click the Pixies for more photos

February photos

Here are some pictures from The Boy's birthday party (at the school he no longer attends), our trip to Arica, Chile with our friends that have since left us (sniff, sniff), and day to day stuff.

You had better look at these pictures, or else!

December Slideshow

Finally, I can upload. Here are some pictures from December including Jack's school's graduation ceremony, Santa, and Violet standing. Also check out the adorable photos of our adorable children. They aren't wearing matchy match sweaters, but consider this your Christmas card...

There's No Place Like Home

I posted new pictures to the right of our trips to California and Pennsylvania. My mom says I can't post the stories I want to post about our trip... probably because my funny stories focus on coping with our crazy families (and I say "crazy" in the most endearing way possible). I mean, wouldn't you think someone was crazy if on the first day she showed your escape-artist-son how to open the baby gate? Or how about for watching Fox news? I have to admit, though, that no one in our family offered cake to our children for breakfast like we did on our first morning back home. What? I couldn't wait until dinner to try it.

Here we are less than 12 hours after arriving home.

Home Sweet Home

Remember that scene from Raising Arizona when John Goodman breaks out of prison? That's how I feel. Not that our trip back home was prison-like exactly, but we're finally home and sleeping (a lot) in our own beds and It. Just. Feels. So. Good.

We arrived home yesterday and our staff has off until Tuesday, so in between unpacking and taking care of the kids, I am resting and readjusting to the altitude. So far I just have a headache, I am super tired, and I am dizzy. The Boy races around the yard and then leans forward with his hands on his knees and wheezes. The Girl is sleeping like a champ and drinking a lot of milk. It seems to hit us all differently - except for the terminal flatulence (see post from June) - although if I was racing around the backyard I am sure I would wheeze, too. It is like all the altitude training we did this winter (your summer) was for nothing.

I will post pictures and stories when we get situated and back to normal.

Note: Remember when you "fall back" tomorrow morning, we don't. We'll be one hour ahead of the East Coast and four hours ahead of the West Coast.

Good Ole 35mm

MH loves our 35mm camera, but it is a pain to get the film developed and onto the computer so we can post the pictures. He says that the picture quality is much better (ignore the blue line... that's a different camera issue all together). Here are two photos of the clouds rolling in over the Cumbre from our Labor Day roadtrip. Which do you think is better: A or B?

A. B.

I-can-not-be-lieve-it!*

We're here. We're here, we're here, we're here. Hallelujah, praise be to Jah, Allah, Buddah, Shangdi, Yahweh, or Godbunny. I'm not picky. Just thank God... we are here. Click the picture to the left for proof.

It was a long flight (and we almost didn't go because The Boy has an ear infection in his left ear) and we couldn't sleep because the helpful flight attendant moved us to the bulkhead seats (where the arm rests don't go up). The Girl now has The Boy's illness. It presented itself at 30,000 feet and again in the middle of last night. We're going to the doc here to get them both looked at.

We're here.

Yesterday I had the most delicious sandwich of my life. For dinner I had ribs and salad with jalapeno ranch dressing. For breakfast I had a bagel with cream cheese and jalapeno ranch dressing. Can you guess what we are planning for lunch and dinner tonight? I'll give you a hint... it involves bread and jalapeno ranch dressing.

Speaking of hot and spicy... today is the ten year anniversary of MH's and my wedding (the second one). We've had more romantic celebrations in the past (we have, haven't we?), but at this moment, I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate than laying around all day in pjs with my two phlegmy but adorable kids.

*The title of this blog should be read in the voice of Leo from Little Einsteins. That show was the most popular request of The Boy over the past week. Thank God we're here and he has toys to play with.

Something About Mary-can Airlines

So I promised you an update when we got back to Cali. That's going to take a while. We have yet to make it out of South America. We had a delightful trip to Santiago and during dinner at Ruby Tuesday's our expediter and I noticed The Boy was out of sorts. By the time we got to the gate, he had a 103.something fever and American Airlines had the medics come to check him out. They determined he was too sick to go on the flight. We've been stuck in Santiago for 24 hours now. From what I have seen this city is awesome. Unfortunately, I have only really seen our swanky hotel and the Hypermercado. We've also seen two docs who gave us different stories.

• The Boy has an ear infection.
• The Boy doesn't have an ear infection but since he sucks his thumb, he has done serious damage to his bite.

As I blog, The Boy is sleeping restlessly and keeps screaming out. He has another fever and I can't wait until we get home and his grandparents can take care of him. The Girl, on the other hand, is sleeping peacefully in the bathroom. I have always found that room to be quite comforting, but I can't say I have ever fell asleep in it. Alas, it is only Monday!

Labor Day Slide Show

It truly is a labor to go through all these pictures.
Sorry, I couldn't choose.
Click The Girl for more!

What A Bunch of Goobers!

Here are more pics of our visit to see Tom, Liiz, Alexandra, and Tommy in the peanut capital of the world... Suffolk, VA. According to the city's website

"It's a good time to be in Suffolk."

We thought so!
The Mamarazzi were everywhere from the bathroom to the breakfast table. Look at Tommy in the background. Doesn't he look psyched that he has the playroom to himself (and the big kids are restrained)? Despite what the sign says, this park wasn't depressing at all - Great Dismal Swamp National Refuge.

Work-Release Program

Not that motherhood is like prison, but I realized this weekend that I have basically been on a work-release program for the past 22 months. This weekend we went to Suffolk to visit Tom and Liiz and family. Liiz and I went to a craft parade (I can be crafty) and then out to lunch. At some point we both realized the once-in-our-kids'-lifetimes (so far) experience we were having. We were away from home without kids or spouse and we were doing something just for us. No "work" was involved like grocery shopping or exercising or errand running. It was amazing. Now, don't get me wrong. I missed The Boy and wondered what new and exciting things he was experiencing, but I also enjoyed sitting down to eat a meal I didn't have to cut into tiny pieces or share.

I was going to call this "Private Time" but that is what Papa calls it when he and The Boy stand outside knocking on the door when I go to the bathroom - as in "Let's share Mama's private time." So, this "Mommy Time" has some drawbacks. At the craft parade* Liiz and I saw awesome fleece blankets and scarves by the woman at www.missingmonsters.com. While not artistic or coordinated, I have been known to make fine handicrafts, and with guidance from the other 3 adults in the house, I was able to make some pretty awesome blankets for The Boy and Fantozzini (see picture). Liz made a couple of fancy scarves, too. What exactly is the "drawback" to Mommy Time? Simple, I have created yet another thing to do... Even though I enjoy making fleece throws, it is another thing I have to clean up after. The drawback (or advantage, depending on your perspective/need) for you is that this is the only gift that I will probably be giving for the next 5 years.

*According to Wikipedia, "a parade is an organized procession of people along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by floats or sometimes large lighter-than-air balloons with complex shapes." This craft parade, while organized, did not offer any costumes, floats, or balloons. I feel like I was ripped off and had it not been for the fact that even the raffle tickets were free, I would have demanded compensation for their false advertising.