Archives for 2010

Apr 18 2010

Heritage Festival and stuff

Yesterday was the Heritage Festival. My family has gone for years and loves the chili cook off. Only..there wasn't one this year! Why not??? Why get rid of a 20 year tradition? Why? Why?

I managed to get myself going and hubby dropped off the Drama Queen, Chicken Noodle Butt and myself at the parade so I wouldn't have to park and walk forever. The parade was nice. After, we decided to walk around the festival and see what was what.

Not a whole lot to see, really. I was pretty disappointed, but they did have a cute little kids craft section. They got balloon stuff….a sword and a butterfly. Then, Chicken Noodle Butt's balloon popped when he kept poking it on the hot concrete….but that was kind of special, because there were two girls standing nearby who saw it and then went and got another balloon sword for him. I so wanted one of my Random Acts of Kindness awards to give to them, but I didn't have any on hand.

After balloons we headed over to make some tissue flowers. I had no idea how easy they are to make! Wow!

And then, we finally called hubby to come get us. What an exhausting morning…it was nice to get out, but still.

And yet, the Drama Queen was still unhappy because she didn't spend enough time with her cousin, the Ox. The same cousin who helped her to this

And this

To her face.

We had time for a quick wannabe nap and then a late visit of a round of Family Feud. And then….

I went to bed. Because my body still hasn't figured out how to have fun yet. It's trying though!

Apr 15 2010

Bummer

I finally get to be part of my first ever Blog Party…and life happens and prevents me from enjoying the last two days. Oh well.

The past two weeks have pretty much been spent living the life of a foster parent and all the hoopla that comes with it. I think I may have made it out alive…I'll let you know later.

Then, the Drama Queen and her cousin had a little..er..accident. He's twice her size. She's a tomboy. They don't always use their brains when they are together. Yesterday, they apparently decided to mash them together. Her face is swollen and bruised. Big nose; big lips…I hear his forehead has black marks on it. That's what happens when you charge at one another and then collide; his forehead/her face.

And yet…she still couldn't understand why her Aunt would not let her play with her cousin today. After all, she only wanted to play a board game with him. She didn't get her way.

So she spent the day in her pajamas instead. What a funny child.

I've decided tomorrow I'm going to take it easy. I'm going to be lazy and veg with the Drama Queen while everyone is at school. We'll curl up with the last book of Kaya and just relax.

Yeah, I know…I've only just started doing things…and I am exhausted! I think I forgot that I'm supposed to slowly start doing things. Yes…well….anyway….

Apr 11 2010

Laughable Moment #25

OK, I'm going to preface this by stating that in no way do I think homelessness is funny. I have a family member who has spent most of his life homeless. In addition, B-boo started a small ministry for them. You can read more about that here. My children have a special place in their hearts for the homeless and are not lax when it comes to ministering to them in any way that they can.

That said, the other night B-boo and I were driving home from getting her a pattern for her Fashion Class at school. We came upon a cross-walk and B-boo jumped over the seat and raced to the back of the van. Yup, I knew without a doubt that there was a homeless person somewhere that I didn't see yet. He was walking across the street in front of us. B-boo quickly rolled down the window as he started to pass by us and offered him one of her bags. (We keep bags filled with a drink, snacks and hygiene items in preparation for when we come across a homeless person. This is her ministry.)

Her: "Excuse me, Sir, I have this for you." (She holds the bag out the window.)

Him: "What is it?"

Her: "It's food and a drink."

Him: "What is it?"

Her: "It's food and a drink."

Him: "Is it juice?"

Her: "Yes, it is juice."

Him: "No, it's not alcohol."

And then he walks away. The look on B-boo's face was priceless!

I told her, "Well, at least he was honest!"

And then, the shock wore off and she burst into laughter!

"Mom, I'm 15. I'm so sure I am going around with my mother passing out alcohol to homeless people!"

So I burst out laughing, too. And then we called Dad and told him what had happened.

Apr 10 2010

Wedding Plans!

Today we decided to do something fun since hubby didn't have to work at the church and the Princess had no therapy. So, we headed to the park for kite flying, bike riding….and an unexpected moment with the Drama Queen.

When we arrived at the park, the Drama Queen noticed a bridal party taking pictures. So, while her brother and boy cousins were doing this

And the Princess was doing some serious kite flying

Not sure if you can tell or not, but she was lying down watching the kite fly above her!

We got a good laugh at her today!

Anyway, the Drama Queen, normally full of energy and craziness instead, stood on the hill under a tree, and watched this

I gave her a few moments alone in her thoughts, and then walked over to join her. We had a sweet conversation as she told me about her dreams of her wedding day and how many children she would have. She has big plans for her wedding day, as she has told me about over and over since I can remember…and yes, she's only 9. She plans to get married right before Christmas. There will be red roses and a gorgeous dress. She will walk down the aisle to the tune of Christmas Cannon. And not just any version, it has to be Trans Siberian Orchestra's version with the children.

Of course, after today's visit to the park, she's decided she is going to take pictures outside at the park, too. Only, as she pointed out, there will be snow when she gets married, so she'll have to have a warm dress and be able to change when they are done. And the dreaming went on, and she asked if she could go down and take a picture with the bride and groom. I thought that was maybe a bit too much, and we finally sighed happily and headed over to sit on a bench and watch from afar.

And much to her joy, the bride and groom walked right over to where we were sitting after they were done. What a happy couple, they'd just gotten married and were shining so bright. And the Drama Queen told her how pretty she looked. And me, well, I just had to ask. Could she please have a picture with you? Her photographer called her famous and the bride and groom graciously invited the Drama Queen over. Doesn't she look happy, wind and all?

Apr 09 2010

2010 Ultimate Blog Party!

I'll have to admit I'm kind of excited! I woke up this morning, wondering what on earth would I blog about today? Then, I discovered the 2010 Ultimate Blog Party going on at 5minutesforMom.com and thought…oh, that could be fun!

I started "It's a Vivas Thing" a little over a year ago. I'd had many friends and family tell me over and over I should write a book, and so I decided blogging would be the next best thing! I'll never forget sitting there trying to figure out what I'd write, when B-boo started screaming in the shower! A spider had decided to join her and my first ever blog was written!

It's these kind of posts that are really what happens on a constant basis at our house. As my good friend so kindly pointed out to me last night, "Nothing is ever small when it comes to the Vivas's!" In a family of 7, life can be chaotic much of the time! Adding in my niece and nephew to our mix a year ago only added to the chaos fun!

I still find it amazing that others enjoy reading my blog; after all, I really don't think I'm that interesting. Not long after I started blogging, I discovered "We're That Family." I like to read her blog because she makes me laugh…and think. So imagine my surprise after coming home from vacation last year to see my blog had been hit with numerous readers. It took me a moment to figure out why…and then I discovered I'd been added to the "We're THAT Family" with my "Bird, Dogs, and TV Crew" post!

And what's really neat is that my hubby and kids like to read my blog. My family has been so encouraging and supportive, even when I'm writing about them! As a matter of fact, two months ago when I became septic and hospitalized after a minor surgery; unable to even think of touching a computer, it was B-boo who conquered my blog and wrote what was happening. A few blogger herself?

This week also will hold a big moment for "It's a Vivas Thing!" I'm about to hit 10,000 views! I think that's pretty cool! And what better way to celebrate than to join in this blog party!