I think of it as a very small price to pay for the luxury of yearly, summer vacations.  Having to pack up all our belongings at the end of the year and then unpack them before the start of a new one.  But you know what... it still sucks!!! 

We went in to fix the classroom and let me just say that I am SO LUCKY to have Reg with me!!    He and I were able to get done within a day what would've taken me alone, an entire week to do!!  It's about as ready as it will ever be; just a few minor things to take care of.    Well, aside from the chalkboard, that is... but I don't want to get into that. 

The only things that have me worried are parents - as usual!  Aaaannnndd... well, I'm still bothered by that experience I had with my coworkers last year.    Not sure if I can take more of them hiding in the nearest available classroom when I approach or the sudden quiet that fills the air when I appear.  Sometimes, I want to say  "Hey... here's a little advice:  I can easily lip-read oh she's coming or here she comes coupled with your body language.  And the sudden change of topic in the middle of a conversation seemingly due to my arrival is VERY, VERRRRRY obvious as well.  If you're going to talk about me, do it when I'm NOT around!!"  Sheesh!!    Some people!  Honestly, and I hope you're not in the practice of doing those things, but if you are... it is very obvious, at least I think so.  They're just lucky I pretend I never notice anything.  Sorry, I know you can't tell, but I'm still a littttttlle irked by that whole situation.   I don't know why they're still acting that way, I'm doing exactly what they want me to do too.  Oh never mind!  LOL!

Sooo... our cats have been bringing gifts to our doorstep lately.  Cute, huh?    NOT!!  Dead lizards?  Fine, I can stomach that.  Disemboweled, dead lizards?  Okaaaay, but that's pushing it.  Roaches?  I can deal with those since they're dead, but that's still pushing it.  But the other day was the last straw.  Not that I can do anything about it, but I sure wish I could!  When I stepped outside to feed the cats, I stared for a long time at the two mounds on our doormat.  Took me a few moments, but I was finally able to identify the... dead and... disemboweled FINCH!!!    Poor birdie!!  One mound was its body, the other was innards!!!  And the worst part?  It was already rotting from the heat of the sun!      It was all I could do to sweep it towards the grass where it could properly decompose.  Dang cats!

I must share!!  I was chatting with Gayle (my cousin) the other day and she was telling me about their family's experience watching War of the Worlds.  Throughout the entire movie, Amihan (daughter) was soooo quiet.  You'd think she'd be a little jumpy since the movie is quite violent (ahem...  J/K Gayle!!).  Anyway, she told me what that little patootie did.  Towards the end of the film, where the aliens were being vanquished by their human foes (hahahaha), Ami finally utters a word.  "Yes!" she says, "They did it Mommy!  They did it!"    Cracks me up thinking about it - what a cutie-pie!!  Here's a picture for you!

I sooooo wish I was able to spend more time with this munchkin!    I miss you Chams and Ami!!

We hope to see the Pat-boy today (Jules) and catch up on his latest antics.  Haven't seen him since Friday and we miss that fatso!!  The funniest thing... one day, we were all together at the Obispos.  Reg and I, his folks and Cheryl & Rob.  Anyway, Jules took my hand and led me to the pantry where he obviously wanted something - a jar.  Closer inspection revealed that the jar was filled with all kinds of chocolates!!  Clever boy!!    Anyway, he motioned for me to open it.  I know Cheryl and Rob don't want him eating chocolates/candies (for obvious reasons), so I just gave him the jar and told him to ask his Uncle Reggie, whom I was positive would exercise good judgement.  When I looked to see how he handled the situation since fatso is prone to crying when he doesn't get what he wants (I know, unusual behavior for a toddler), Jules had a Hershey's Nugget in his hand!!  What's worse was he had already peeled the wrapper and there were telltale smears all over his mouth!  Too funny!!  I had to nudge Reg and what did he do?  He tells on Jules' to the father!    So Rob lumbered over and snatched the chocolate away.  Jules looked so sad!!  His shoulders dropped, his face fell and he started crying quietly.  Awww!!  He even laid his head on the very knee of the person who told on him, too!    Anyway... Cheryl felt bad and carried him until he was back to normal before setting him down.  At this point, she and I were both watching Jules carefully.  Good thing too because I'm sure we would've missed it:  A foot away from Rob, Jules glances at him busy chatting away.  So he wanders over to where Reg and I were, on the couch (a safe distance away, I'm guessing) and turns back to look at Rob.  Then he raises his arm and you won't believe what he did!  He punches the air in Rob's direction and makes a loud "Hmmph!" sound!! LMFAO!!     Cheryl and I couldn't stop cracking up at his defiance!!!  That boy is such a character!!  Anyway, I think Rob felt bad so he gave Jules, not chocolate, but some FRENCH FRIES. 

  Tell me I am not the only one who feels like there's something wrong with that!

Okay... well, I'm heading out tonight with a pal.  Taking advantage of my remaining vacay.  That means dinner must be cooked for Reggie, so see ya later!