Morning Truth

V- If you think about it, F gets 75% of the attention in this family.

F the Misogynist Hooligan

F-Can we go home?
Me- We are home.
F-No, I mean New York.

When F got out of the car, F- Why are you going to drive?
Me- Because I am the only adult here.
F-Moms don't drive.
Me- Yes they do. I drive you everywhere.
F-You are a silly woman.

When he went to drink water that had been in the car since yesterday, Me-That is hot. Do not drink it.
F- It is not hot, you crazy woman.

Hooligan #5

Me celebrating no pee in the pull up: No hay pis!
F: There's a little bit of fartss!

F as he tripped: Aw, shit!
Me: ¿Qué dijiste?
F: I said "shate."

F: Why you always call papi puchie and he call you tesoro?

End of an Era

F to me: If you give me tv, I will give you a lollipop. If you don't, you don't get one.


F also told me he was my boss today. Ha!

This crib, that I did not even buy, sitting on the sidewalk in Newton, made me oh so sad. This little man is 3 years old now. He clearly does not need this crib. We all agree. It was a great one our neighbors lent us. Then they opted to not have any more kids so we brought it with us to MA. It is a classic drop-down side one, ie illegal to gift, sell, or donate- hence its sad demise on the sidewalk. My factory is officially closed. While we knew this before, this confirms it. I could not possibly have another child for many reasons, but if I were a little younger, richer, and had a nursing degree... I would. Once a looney, always a looney.

Fuuuuuuck New England Weather

After many months of over 1K (you read correctly- we could have fed dozens of children in the developing world instead of half-assedly heating our home) heating bills, I pulled the plug. It is April. We can be chilly if need be- it is Spring for goodness sake. Well, not only has it been chilly and raining a lot (some teasing warm days sprinkled in) but I may have to eat my words. It is currently 55 degrees in this house (38 outside). Heeeelllp!

This week

V on his piano teacher: He is overrated.

F after pooping: Holy smokes! That was gross.

F to me: Look at that leaf stuck to my (car) window.
Me: That's funny.
F: It's not funny. It's not even cute.

F at 8:40am this morning as we pulled up to the gym: I want to go home and eat tortellini and get in bed.

F before his first swim class (in a year!) this week: I am going to fall into the pool and get lost.

F to me: I like my new house!
Me: Oh good. (please not that it has been almost 10 months since we moved here, ie a third of his life).
F: After this house, I am going to go back to my NY house.

Today

V- Do dentists go to the dentist?
Me- Yes.
V-Then that dentist has to go to a dentist. What if they run out of dentists.

V- Are pull ups a higher level of diapers?

V looking at brownie stuffed pretzels- They really get creative with making stuff you want to eat.

Yesterday..

V to me as I got ready to go out for dinner- You look beautiful, as usual.

F to me at the table after I scolded A for taking too much food- What does it mean to "eat with your eyes"?

Final March Lines

A,  after walking in on her abuelo in the shower- I just saw abuelo R naked- now I have to kill myself!

F , when he heard his siblings'  Zumba class dancing to a song from the movie Sing: That's not their song! They are going to finish it.

F when he woke up in the middle of the night and could not find my hand (he sleeps with V but on the inside side of the bed)- I am here. Do you see my eyeballs mamá?

V to M: Open your mouth. Your canines are perfect!

V when I asked him if he lied about bathing (tub was dry): Yes. I am sorry. It is a habit I am growing.

V when I asked him what he was doing in J's room: Tittying up!
Me: Tidying?
V: Cleaning up. (not sure where tits come in or where he gets his vowels)

A, when the pediatrician asked her what she was sure she would not be as an adult: A mathematician or a pianist.

F in March

Out of the blue- Mamá, why you always say puta madre? (I do not)

While shopping at CVS- Ooh la la, look at this (anything) so bootiful.

When I said he could watch TV- Can you put something happy for me?
Me- What?
F- something that will make me happy.

Miami Musings

J to F- You punk!
F- I am not a pumpkin!

V- Do you buy a book about being a parent or do you just have a kid and figure it out.

V getting out of the car at abuelo R's office- He is CEO of like the biggest company in Miami!

Latest

A to V: Do not steal my fame tomorrow at my party.

F to my friend M who was watching him: Hold my hand down the stairs. I'm big and fat and I might not make it.

F when I told him to pee in his diaper on road trip: Mi pañal no es un toilet!

February Folly

F- M said I can't tell you so I had an oreo.

A- I have never been to a funeral but I have the perfect dress!

V: Will you be mad if I am a rapper who curses like Eminem when I grow up?

Me: No, but I think you are going to be a scientist.

V: I can be both.

F as a man spoke to me at the JCC: I hate these people!

A: Now that I think of it, Newton is very peaceful.

F to his friend: I know these are all your toys but you have to share with me. What can I do? I don't have any my toys here. I don't have anything!

(after he wouldn;t)

F: Mamá, let's get out of here they are not sharing!

(little) F to F: Hurry up!

(Big) F: Why?

(little) F:  So Christmas can come!

A when I asked if I could see a letter a boy sent her: I like to keep my personal life personal!

F the Jokester?

F to me: I don't want to take a bath.

Me: Hablame en español por favor.

F: I-ah don't-ah want-ah bath-a!

What Do You Want to BE When you Grow Up?

F: Tiger. Farmer

A: Youtuber or artist

V: Scientist.

J: Snake breeder

M: Crime lawyer

Más

F to me: Eat this gummy bear. It is good. I promise.

F to me: Can I have pineapple?
Me: ¿Dónde hay pineapple?
F: En tu culito.

V: If I do not have a girlfriend by the end of college I will be gay.

V: I suck at sportsmanship and at sports. I am a sore winner and a sore loser.

? You could hire a babysitter. I can't believe you have not done that yet.

F: Terminé. Hallelujah!

? :I suggest that if your last name is Lee you name your child Bracka.

F: I farted. Is that so funny?
Me: No. Its rude.
F: Es un poquito funny.

A: Russian math is improving on my mind.

Something

V to F: You are a bad boy.
F: So I am a bad boy? What are you going to do?

F: ¿Dónde está papi?
Me: En el trabajo.
F: ¿Qué es el trabajo?
Me: Donde papi va y ayuda a la gente y la dan plata y él la usa para comprar comida y otras cosas.
F: Oh! Me gusta la comida.

V to A: If you get Snapchat when you are older you will waste 29% of your life on it.

In the car listening to music:

F to A: Oh yeah, work it out.
F to me: Get your power on mamá.

Me: Vamos Fede.
F: Estoy mirando la nena. Es muy linda.

F flirting with a different girl 5.5 year old at the library: My muscles are coming out.

V to me: Do you believe in physics?

F lingo:

Neckliss (Netlfix)

McKantiles (Magnatiles)

Facing your Fears

Today I am 43. I do not feel old or sad or anxious about aging for the most part. I am somewhat relieved. First and foremost 43 is an odd number ("Hallelujah" as little F would say) and secondly, I may be finally evolving. I will be completely honest. Moving has been brutally hard for me, much harder than I had imagined. Maybe part of the problem is that I did not try to imagine it. I was tired of my job, tired of the schlepping on the subway, of working at night.... ready for a change. How could I pursue a nursing degree while sending five kids to a private school and live in Manhattan? I came to Newton and it was desolate. Everyone was on vacation. We lived on a ghost street and F was in NY for a week finishing his previous job. I started to have to drive everywhere. Yuck. I joined the JCC and everyone was rich and spoke Hebrew. Yuck. From living amongst all African Americans I went to celebrate the days I could spot one. I had a bad attitude. I cried. I was not going to be able to sleep listening to fucking crickets. Why were people here so unfriendly? Turns out that is their resting face- they are not actually being actively unfriendly- I think. Why were they almost all deranged sports fans? That one I cannot answer.  I have always been uber aware of working to not come off as a snob. Argentines all think they are superior, I do not want to be like that. Private school people have the same complex- not me, I would be down to earth. I got here, where they actively (almost unbeknownst to NY) compete with my hometown and I am the worst snob. Fuck Boston. I am a New Yorker. Forever. This sentiment, while true, would not help me. I realized after reading an article that my former head of school sent me that I was in mourning. Mourning the person I used to be. Who the hell was I? Not a Spanish teacher after twenty years of being one. Not a New Yorker, at least not on a daily basis (but always in my heart). Nobody knew me or needed me like in the old iteration of myself where I organized, connected, and helped at all the institutions I was affiliated with. I was not even a nursing student. Even though I was 10-20 years older than my BMCC classmates, at least I had them. I spent the fall taking microbiology online and preparing for the GREs. Mostly I spent them thinking about my old school/job and going to farms with little F. He was sad. He missed BT and L and had to get used to being with me and in the car. All. The. Time. I knew one very nice woman from grad school- she has her own life. That was it. While F went to a wonderful job and began another part of his career, the kids began school. We knew nobody and had nobody to help us. I went to the elementary and middle schools and could not help compare them to the one in NY. Apples and oranges. Private versus public. I did not know a single parent or teacher or rule after having known them all, always. I ramble and digress. Every trip back to NY has been hard and wonderful and great and sad. I no longer belong to the school. I have wonderful friends and colleagues and they tell me how much they miss me and this warms my heart. But then I remember Newton, the suburb where I live. I began to go the JCC religiously in September for the free child care (I have yet to lose a pound or an inch). I go to the library many times per week. F and I food shop and nap together. My best friend is two. He is a funny and smart two but still a two-year old. We talk about snacks and cows, chickens and tv, ee-i-ee-i-oh and caca. He eventually stops crying when F goes to work and the kids to school. Recently I decided to try to surrender a little more. I invited a mother from the JCC for a playdate. She is a nurse! She has a hard and also lonely life even though she is from here. I had previously read her as cold- I was wrong. I finished my BC application weeks ago and now I wait. Vulnerable and unsure if they will take me. If I do not become a nursing student, what will I be? I think for now I will focus on being a good mother and wife and a better version of myself if possible. I want to enjoy this finite time at home that I never had or will have with a child again. I want to acknowledge that I am fortunate and have no real problems. I want to hope that being scared and untethered will make me stronger. I want to be brave. I hold on to the new/good parts. I already have so many good/old parts- amazing siblings, parents, friends. The new: Zumba Gold and POUND with Ketty- the kindest woman I have met here. Fun and fit she is a woman in her 50s who hugs me and invites me to her house because she remembers being new here. The library- huge and amazing- we go there every week and take out books, movies puzzles, and even instruments! Five children who have had a relatively easy transition to public school and a new life despite it all. A partner who supports me literally and figuratively (the former irks me but I breathe and try to accept it). A new friend? The chance to start a new career at 43?! Not many people get that. I do not want to be from here but I will work to do a good job being here. May 43 to 44 allow me to grow and accept.

My fortune according to A

"you lead a depressing but happy and good life"

¡Caramba esta nieve!

F this am on the weather situation