Small Vignettes of Life

There is a strange odor hanging around these days. Always overly-sensitive to aromas of any kind, this one has far outstripped any previous aromatic distinctions I have come across. Somehow this wafting scent has managed to permeate not only clothes, hair, and skin cells... but also time, thought, and life in general. What could it be, you ask? Well, comprised of one-fourth part milk, poopy diapers, baby lotion, and sticky raisins and three-fourths part joy, tears, and general mayhem... I think you can guess... lol.

My new scent is called eau de baby (or in this case... eau de BABIES plural) if you are interested in trying some for yourself... ;)

THE HAT...

has been worn around quite often lately. Edi and Momo seem to be the main competitors for "Who looks like a New Kids on the Block member"... personally, I think they both get a star for the contest "Who wants to pick you up and squeeze you when you're really this adorable?"

INGENUITY...

which I believe our kids have plenty of here at CVE! The top picture shows the sight that greeted us outside the red bodega... someone was taking out some aggression on the poor dinos. On the up side, it made a pretty amazing photo session... lol. The bottom two pics are of Francisco and Federico being a "tall man"... and subsequently asking for five million photos to be taken... ;)

PAINTING KIDS...

which literally involves both the kids painting, and painting on the kids...! Jenna had the youngest boys displaying their artistic talent the other morning, and somehow (these things do happen, you know) paint managed to get smeared everywhere and on everyone... including Jenna and I!

At left is Andres, and on the right, Edi. Jenna decided that every time Edi started crying, she was going to paint something on him... he cried quite a bit that morning... lol.

THE FALLEN TIRE SWING...

resulted from the breaking of the branch above... and thankfully with no one beneath! Kirk Schambach has been here this week, and started cutting up the branch to either use as firewood or haul off to the brush pile. Gabriel decided to help, which actually meant putting on the safety equipment and then "riding" swiftly (pedaling like mad on the bike that doesn't work or go anywhere) to the rescue! lol...

A YOUNG NARCISSUS...

became fascinated with the hair-cutting mirror. First Aaron had been playing with the mirror and letting the sun reflect off it, but then Edi managed to grab it, and refused to put it down. He carried it up and down the sidewalks, walking through the grass, muttering imprecations to it and often kissing its reflective surface. Any offers to relieve him of the mirror met with fierce scowls, a complete 180 degree turn of body to head in the other direction, and a wide-mouthed, dictatorial "Naaaaghhhh!" So... vanity wins this round... ;)

S'MORES NIGHT...

gives a good example of how nice the weather has become. The other night at the suggestions of Jenean and Kirk, the single staff gathered outside after the kids were all in bed to roast marshmallows, get sticky fingers, and chat around a fire in the grate. Someone asked us last night whether the kids ever get worried when they wake up and their mentors aren't there? General consensus was that the kids always know where the mentors are... either in the kitchen eating, or somewhere else... still eating. ;)