The Holiday Spirit

As I made my way to the gas station, I was cheerily listening to Christmas carols and a familiar song played...."It's the most wonderful time of the year...." la la la. While pumping the expensive liquid that so desperately eats my pocketbook, I hear yelling. I turn around and witness two old men arguing. One old guy chooses the most vulgar words that have ever spurted out of a senior citizen's mouth. "You F___ing Idiot!!". The other guy starts dropping the dreaded "N" word as he pounds his fists and turns red. I look around to see the expressions of my gas pumping companions. One young guy was cracking up as the older lady next to me continued to shake her head in disgust and disbelief. I said a silent prayer, hoping I wouldn't be shot. That gas couldn't come out quick enough for me. I thought about leaving but who leaves $20 worth of gas these days?  All I could think of as I finally drove away was, "Wow! I guess they don't think it's the most wonderful time of the year, huh?". Bah Humbug! Where is the Christmas spirit? Geez!

Niko's Future Career Goals

The other day Niko comes home from school and says, "Mom, my teacher says that I don't have to go to college if I don't want to. She says it's my choice. I decided that I'm not going to college. I'm just going to live my dream and work at the casino. My boss will say that I can play all the machines when I'm done with my work."

If only life were this easy, huh?? lol

I just love his ideas ;)

Can I Quit School?

Niko drew a picture for me today and wrote, "Rhonda, I Love You! Love, Niko". I said, "Wow, good job! You're a very good speller for a first grader!". He responds with, "I know everything! Can I quit school now?" I love this kid! hahaha He is fully educated at the age of six and is ready to rule the world. Somehow, I believe he probably could. ;)

My Local Hero!!

My Niko was riding his bike outside and I told him, "Don't go by that house on the corner! That big German Shepherd jumped the fence the other day and attacked a man and his little dog." Niko says, "I don't care! I'll take a big weapon, like a knife, down there and stab that bad dog right in the eye! I'll be a hero!". He continued to tell us that he'll be a local hero because the city will make a golden statue of him stabbing the dog. Around the statue will sit golden benches where people can sit and look at him.

As he described the statue to us, he posed in the position that he and the dog will be in. We couldn't stop laughing! I don't know where he comes up with this stuff!

My Prince Charming

As we were browsing through a shoe store the other day, Niko picks up a pair of school bus yellow, patent leather, stripper heels. He says, "Mommy, try these on. They're beautiful!". Since he handed me a size 6, I knew would be impossible to fit even my big toe in, I declined. He proceeds to pick out lots of colorful, exotic shoes for me to try on. Since when did my 5-year-old stuntman take an interest in women's shoes? He tells me, "But, Mommy.....you'll look so beautiful with these shoes on!". Too cute!

As we continue shopping, his eyes suddenly light up and he runs over to me, gets on one knee, holding a shoe in one hand and says, "Try this shoe on and see if it fits!". I look down and see a clear plastic, strapless, 3-inch heel with lots of gold and silver sparkles. This shoe was bejeweled and glittered to the max! Niko says, in his Boston accent, "This is the glass shoe that Prince Charming gives all the gals!". The young, Mexican salesgirl couldn't stop laughing. Only my little Prince Charming would do something so adorable! I hope he never grows up but when he does, I hope he buys me lots of glittery shoes :)

My Mom Is Sooo Funny!

The other day my mom and I were talking and she mentioned that she watches, "The Apprentice". I immediately said, "I can't stand Donald Trump!". In her cute southern accent she says, "He's not so bad once you get to know him." Know him? What? Well, I knew what she meant.

I told her that Donald is considering running for President. Although I would never vote for him, my mom feels that he would make a great President. She says, "Hey, he knows how to make money! I would vote for him!". That's true. Good point, Mom!

I immediately responded with, "How can the man manage a country when he can't even manage his hair?". She says, "Hey, he manages his hair pretty well because he's actually bald under there!". Hahahaha!!

Oh......how I love these debates with my mother :)

Vacation???

On a recent road trip to Florida, I wondered if a vacation was actually a good idea. 1,200 miles away, in a car, with my hubby and two kids. My son threw up the whole way there. My daughter was aggravated because she couldn't sleep. My husband's back was killing him from driving and I was stressed beyond belief. A vacation, really?

One week in a small hotel room....all together. Sure, we're a close family but at home we can escape to our bedrooms or the basement. Not this time! We were forced to be together, in small quarters. I had absolutely no privacy for days! My only escape was the five minute shower I took each day and even then my son was banging on the door needing his mommy's attention.

Niko (5) wanted to go to the beach and swim while Kiana (14) wanted to visit Harry Potter Land to shop and explore. My son couldn't ride many of the rides that my daughter and I rode. He was very upset! My hubby couldn't stomach most of the rides. It was 92 degrees and extremely over crowded. Everyone was frustrated and I was ready to run away!

I surprised my family with a spring break trip to Florida with the intentions of spending some good, quality time with them. Was this all blowing up in my face? Did I even know these ungrateful people?

As the week progressed, things got better. We enjoyed the beach, restaurants, and museums. We even began enjoying each other. During the drive home, my daughter raised an interesting point. She believed that we had a hard time adjusting to the constant time together. We were forced to be together, like it or not. Although I did not achieve total relaxation during my vacation, I learned a lot. I learned to love all the good and bad things about my family. I also learned to appreciate home because I sure missed it a lot!