April 14, 2008 - R.u.t.h's Thoughts
It’s funny to read what tidbits of our Meridian life enter P.a.u.l’s brain and stick to it like gum in your hair. The tidbits that stick to me are images such as Miriam stumbling out of her kitchen with a shot glass in her hand full of maple syrup. Her eyes lids kept fluttering as she repeated deeply and slowly, “Miel de maple, ahhh, miel de maple.” (“maple syrup, ahhhh, maple syrup”) I guess we are the concubines from the north.
What else? Most days I spend riding around with Miriam in the morning while she runs her daily “diligentes” (errands). I swear we spend most of the time just driving around in circles but it prolongs my Spanish lessons, which is a good thing. And she teaches me where to get the best deals. She bought a little boy a backpack for $2.50 for his birthday and then we went to the school for the party. Luckily we had some extra goodies we had brought with us from Vermont -- a children’s book in Spanish. Miriam said that it was sufficient for a gift.
The whole school was invited to Juan Alberto’s 8th birthday. So, 40 kids, all the teachers and some loafer parents like Miriam and I were there. I met Juan Alberto’s mom but I never figured out who Juan Alberto was. But, his mom served us hot dogs at 10 in the morning with tomato, onions, mayonnaise and ketchup on them. The kids got to destroy a huge piñata and eat the contents (Miriam and I got there after the piñata had been attacked. M.i.l.e.s and J.i.l.l say it was a major free-for-all with candy everywhere and kids grabbing candy off M.i.l.e.s’s back that had fallen on it in the mayhem.) Our kids managed to fill their small plastic goody bags.
The birthday party ended with cake from Sam’s Club and bottles of tamarinda flavored juice. What IS tamarinda, anyway?? It tastes good, whatever it is. During the festivities I made the mistake of telling the teachers that M.i.l.e.s’s birthday is next week. They immediately wanted to know what super hero he’d like for the piñata. We’ll report on the party next week. M.i.l.e.s really doesn’t want the whole school to be there. He’s a bit of a celebrity at Ruben Dario as it is and he would like some normal kid time while there. However, Miriam wants to invite all the teachers over to the guesthouse to celebrate. They haven’t seen this place since Miriam and Enrique put in two new bedrooms. I suppose a birthday party is a good excuse to have them over.
Miriam and I left the birthday party at about 10:45 to continue running errands. When Miriam and I returned to school at 12:30 to pick the kids up Jill actually asked if we could get candy from Senor Lucerito the candy man. I looked at her candy bag and at her and I didn’t have to say anything else. And this was before I had done my candy research.
We came home and I typed into google “ploma en dulces mexicanas” and “lead in Mexican candy”. A friend and neighbor at home had warned me about this two years ago and I had done research back then on it. But it seems the Mexican candy makers still haven’t dealt with their lead issue (at least not as of May of 2007) and Miles and Jill weren’t happy when I showed them pictures of the alleged criminal candies. “But, Mom!” My response, “But J.i.l.l-J.i.l.l, lead is bad for growing brains. ” She interrupted my lesson on the hazards of lead and held up a marshmallow looking plastic wrapped candy between her thumb and forefinger and asked disbelievingly and challengingly, “So, how many brain cells will I lose if I eat this?”
Despite the candy, their brains seem to be doing okay. Their Spanish is coming back to them. M.i.l.e.s is starting to speak in the correct tenses and J.i.l.l is reacquiring her basic vocabulary. She speaks in Spanish with Ali more than before so that’s a good step.
It’s now time to get a snack and then off with Miriam, Ali and Sergio to swim in some cenotes.
It’s funny to read what tidbits of our Meridian life enter P.a.u.l’s brain and stick to it like gum in your hair. The tidbits that stick to me are images such as Miriam stumbling out of her kitchen with a shot glass in her hand full of maple syrup. Her eyes lids kept fluttering as she repeated deeply and slowly, “Miel de maple, ahhh, miel de maple.” (“maple syrup, ahhhh, maple syrup”) I guess we are the concubines from the north.
What else? Most days I spend riding around with Miriam in the morning while she runs her daily “diligentes” (errands). I swear we spend most of the time just driving around in circles but it prolongs my Spanish lessons, which is a good thing. And she teaches me where to get the best deals. She bought a little boy a backpack for $2.50 for his birthday and then we went to the school for the party. Luckily we had some extra goodies we had brought with us from Vermont -- a children’s book in Spanish. Miriam said that it was sufficient for a gift.
The whole school was invited to Juan Alberto’s 8th birthday. So, 40 kids, all the teachers and some loafer parents like Miriam and I were there. I met Juan Alberto’s mom but I never figured out who Juan Alberto was. But, his mom served us hot dogs at 10 in the morning with tomato, onions, mayonnaise and ketchup on them. The kids got to destroy a huge piñata and eat the contents (Miriam and I got there after the piñata had been attacked. M.i.l.e.s and J.i.l.l say it was a major free-for-all with candy everywhere and kids grabbing candy off M.i.l.e.s’s back that had fallen on it in the mayhem.) Our kids managed to fill their small plastic goody bags.
The birthday party ended with cake from Sam’s Club and bottles of tamarinda flavored juice. What IS tamarinda, anyway?? It tastes good, whatever it is. During the festivities I made the mistake of telling the teachers that M.i.l.e.s’s birthday is next week. They immediately wanted to know what super hero he’d like for the piñata. We’ll report on the party next week. M.i.l.e.s really doesn’t want the whole school to be there. He’s a bit of a celebrity at Ruben Dario as it is and he would like some normal kid time while there. However, Miriam wants to invite all the teachers over to the guesthouse to celebrate. They haven’t seen this place since Miriam and Enrique put in two new bedrooms. I suppose a birthday party is a good excuse to have them over.
Miriam and I left the birthday party at about 10:45 to continue running errands. When Miriam and I returned to school at 12:30 to pick the kids up Jill actually asked if we could get candy from Senor Lucerito the candy man. I looked at her candy bag and at her and I didn’t have to say anything else. And this was before I had done my candy research.
We came home and I typed into google “ploma en dulces mexicanas” and “lead in Mexican candy”. A friend and neighbor at home had warned me about this two years ago and I had done research back then on it. But it seems the Mexican candy makers still haven’t dealt with their lead issue (at least not as of May of 2007) and Miles and Jill weren’t happy when I showed them pictures of the alleged criminal candies. “But, Mom!” My response, “But J.i.l.l-J.i.l.l, lead is bad for growing brains. ” She interrupted my lesson on the hazards of lead and held up a marshmallow looking plastic wrapped candy between her thumb and forefinger and asked disbelievingly and challengingly, “So, how many brain cells will I lose if I eat this?”
Despite the candy, their brains seem to be doing okay. Their Spanish is coming back to them. M.i.l.e.s is starting to speak in the correct tenses and J.i.l.l is reacquiring her basic vocabulary. She speaks in Spanish with Ali more than before so that’s a good step.
It’s now time to get a snack and then off with Miriam, Ali and Sergio to swim in some cenotes.
posted by The Lambersons at 11:24 AM
1 Comments:
Hello World Travelers!!
Thought of you today at Shelburne Farms. Look forward to picking out your lamb upon your return and doing some work on the hill pasture- remove the briars and burdocks. We are enjoying some sunny weather and up to 70 by Thursday. I am passing on your blog address to Lucy on Saturday.
You may want to check the Smith's blog. Katie had her kidneys out yesterday and will have her donor one put in tomorrow so think of them down there.
Buenos moches mis amigos.
Shelley (keep reading below from Allison)
Today we picked out our lambs at Shelburne Farms. Baldy and Bambi were(sadly) the only two out of the lambs we showed to have lambs. Marissa is going to show Baldys lamb!!!! Also, either Thursday of Friday, we are going to the Smith's, to pick out my two sheep!! I would have shown Baldys, but I won't really have the time!! I think you will be able to pick out REALLY cute lambs, they are all very cute. Word of advice though, DO NOT pick a Navajo Churro!! They are VERY crazy and wild!!
Allison
Post a Comment
<< Home