Today, Saturday, Matt woke up really sick with high fever and no desire to play or do anything. Karla went to the Pharmacy to retrieve some medicine, in the meantime I did give him some medicine. He was laying on his bed, then on the couch. I played him some movies, songs, and even tried playing different games. Nothing.
Middle of the afternoon, he starts recovering while Genesis was playing with her grandma, I took Matt to the toy store and got him a couple of gifts, which I personally think are really cool: his brand new Hulk and a Spider-Man Automobile. He looks recovering.

Today is Saturday, but this blog belongs to yesterday, Friday, January 31st, 2003. Matthew's birthday. He woke up early and went straight to the living room. I had music prepared with "Las Mañanitas", his face glowed with happiness. We got around him and prayed for him. Got dressed and got Genesis ready for her school day.

Teacher Ena forgot to tell us about "Play-day-Friday"; I guess next time we'll bring her a toy. On our way back, Matt was asking me to sit down, since we were both running to the stop sign. Had our baths, cleaned up the house and prepared for the day's work. I sat him down and asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday, he asked to go to the Zoo. And we did, we stopped by the Daly City McDonald's. He got a yellow Tonka Truck and Genesis got a Spaghetti doll (purple.)

Once we got to the zoo, we ran for the Lion's house, we saw Kita, a lioness that's pressumably pregnant. She was huffing and puffing, I was so stoked seeing my kids' smile and their eyes opening wide when they saw this animals move back and forth. Finally, the lion keeper brought a metal bowl with raw meat for Kita, she pounced it and licked it clean. Right behind us a big growl, it was the two new Sumatran tigers that are in the process of introduction to the pride.

It was really great seeing that tiger jump to the second level of his cage and jump right back down with such grace and ease. Matt was standing and suddenly fell down, he was so impressed. We made our way to see the Magellanic Penguins, which have a couple of additions to their group. They now swim non stop all day long. Matthew wanted to go and see the Hippos. It was so impressive to see the hippo rise from the water to about six feet into the air with its mouth wide open, its fangs glistenig in the sun.

All in all today was a magical time, we played in the park, saw the Koala bears, the kangaroos, the meerkats and prairie dogs and even saw the caretakers carry off the hawks and eagles. C/S - S.S.

Karla was able to take Sissy to school while Matt and I had the time to hang out. I had quite a tough night with my neck pain, it's really giving me insomnia.
Today Matt practiced some phrases and words in French and Italian. He is laerning his numbers and other basics to the rest of the languages; I believe that with the goals I've set and the pace we are maintaining, by the age of 7 they will both be able to read, write and speak French, Spanish, English and Italian. Which should be a good solid foundation for the other languages I would like 'em to learn.
Genesis looked really tired today, the teacher told me she is a well behaved girl, very smart and willing to help around. We discovered our pet spider has caught three bugs, Matt was really surprised to see it devour them. Yuck once again.
Overall today was a mellow day, not much to tell except the kids went to sleep at their specified time. C/S - S.S.

Genesis was wide awake this morning ready for another school day. Matthew in the mean time was fast asleep but quickly woke up when he heard us getting ready. Had a lovely walk to school, Genesis looked so happy on her way and skipped along. We had a stop over near the tree with the spider web, I was able to show the kids how spiders fix their webs so they can continue catching their meals. A poor bug was all wrapped up (it might have been its breakfast for all I know.)

On our way back, Matthew stopped over a plot of shrubbery and small vine-like plants. There were all kinds of snails roaming about, quietly munching on dead plants and fresh leaves. He decides to stoop and pick one up, as he senses the slime from underneath screams and throws it back. I was laughing so hard. Went back and I taught him what snails eat, the kind of animals they are and also the name of the snails.

Noon time came, Ena, Genesis' teacher told me how smart and well-behaved she is. I was so glad to hear it and see it, she was helping the teacher's assistant, Rasha is her name, a lady from Lebanon. On our way to our home, Matthew once again wanted to pick up a snail, but this time, he wanted to bring it home! - yuck! - I hate those slimey animals. He cried saying the snail was his "buddy." We went right back to the lot of shrubs and plants, he picked one up but when he felt it move, threw it back. But this time, he had other plans in mind, he saw another snail, grabbed the very leaf by which it was crawling and plucked out the leaf. That was funny, of course, you had to be there to understand it.

Today is grandma's day, so I got 'em ready for it. C/S - S.S.

Today was Genesis' first day. Matt woke up real late so I stayed and Karla dropped Sissy off. What a day was today, Matt spent some time together while getting ready for a whole day of fun. We headed to the SF Zoo a bit after 12pm. It was so much fun to see the kids interact w/farm animals and others.

If it wasn't because today was as school day, Genesis and Matt would not have slept in. What a coincidence today is the day they picked to sleep a bit more. We got ready and strolled down to the school. I took a few snapshots of the kids walking down the street. The front office clerk tells me today was development day and the school is closed. Classes resume tomorrow! Genesis was sad.
We walked back to our car, called my Abue to babysit the children for a few minutes while a finalize some issues with my job and my current job status. It was a nice easy day as helping the kids goes, I spent some time with grandma. What a blessing to hear my Tía Vilma and Lauri calling from San Salvador.

Aside from that the kids seem a bit worn out and stayed home resting. C/S - S.S.

Last night I kept checking the empty beds of the children, i am so used to going and checking, making sure they're wrapped in their "colchitas", listen to their breathing and just contemplate them. It is on those moments when I have time to reflect upon my doings, whether good or bad; I confront my loneliness, my imperfections and my feelings of inadequacy. They are so pure, so strong and happy. I thank God for them every day.

Karla left early to pick them up, but apparently they stayed later playing in the park. I had time to pray and meditate on family relations and intercede for my family. C/S - S.S.