I am playing Grandma

Today is Katherine's birthday. I sent her a birthday greeting this morning and said that for her birthday gift I would keep her kids overnight and feed them breakfast before I brought them home. I said we could work out a date. She messaged back and said could we do it today. She has tickets to the Metallica concert in San Jose. I said when would you want to leave and she said noon. It was now 11:00am. I asked if anyone else could take them until 5:00 as I had lots to do to get my house ready. She said that would work so just before 5:00 I headed to their house. It turned out the girls were at the house next to the hotel. The lady brought them out in the stroller. It was raining and Lexi held the umbrella and I put the hood of my raincoat up. We headed down the middle of the road in a big double stroller. We went to the pizza shop where Emilio had a pizza ready for us, half cheese and half pepperoni, cut in small squares to make it easier for little hands.

The stroller really handles quite well and I made it over all the bumps and steps right to my front door. I had gone shopping before I went to get them and had every snack I could find in case things didn't go well. We had a good time and it only got tricky at bedtime. Courtney wouldn't stay in bed and Lexi clung to me. She would fall asleep on me but wake up when I laid her down. Finally I laid down with her in my arms and it only took a few minutes for her to be sound asleep and I could get up. Then I went to the other bed and laid down next to Courtney with my arm on her. Another few minutes and she was sound asleep. It has been over 2 hours and they are still sound asleep. I planned to put Lexi on the inside of my bed, up against the back of the couch. Courtney ended up there. The other set up was the couch, then the single bed. Since Lexi ended up there I also lined some chairs with their backs toward the bed on the other side. It didn't take long for Lexi to slide onto the couch. I have moved her back to the bed. I will stay in the living room so I can hear them.

Jose and Gerardo brought a man, Ron, who had been staying at Katherine's hotel and was looking for a long term place. I told him all about La Quinta and from what Jose told me later he is now staying at one of Gerardo's houses until things are less busy here. He really liked the upstairs apt but Gerardo has promised it to Heather over the holidays. There is also Angela who asked for it for December and January. Things seem to be picking up as there hasn't been anyone here for quite a while. 

I started this on Saturday and it is now Monday. Lexi got up about 4:30 and came to me with her arms out. She went back to sleep for about an hour laying on my stomach. Courtney woke up and we all settled in my big bed with a bowl of Froot Loops. Do you know what happens when you jump on the bed with a bowl of Froot Loops in your hand? Yup, you can guess. When we finally got up I made them ham and scrambled eggs and peanut butter toast. We headed to their house about 9:00am. Lexi with my soccer ball and Courtney  with the white dog. I told Katherine when they lost interest in them she could bring them back. I came home and took a nap and had a pretty lazy day.  I did go over to the pizza shop and had the best corn I have had since I got here. Emilio said it was grown here in Orosi and he cooked it with a little milk and sugar in the water. It still wasn't as tender as Minnesota corn, but very good. Mine is pretty much dried up but the sunflowers are beautiful and the hollyhock is just wild.

Today I decided I must get back to my projects and finish them one by one so I started with the book I was reading and finished it. I do have my priorities. I can't start another one until I have more projects done. I also started planting and I was almost out of dirt when Jose called to say he is outside with dirt for me. He brought 3 bags so I am in good shape. I added flowers to most of my planters and added several things to the concrete planters. I need to figure out pots for the pointsettia. The flame flowers are for the Thanksgiving table and will have burlap covering the pots, tied with the ribbon I bought to use.

I forgot to mention yesterday was a 7 year old's birthday party here and when I got back from eating corn Dora brought me a plate of food. This coming Sunday is Papa's birthday fiesta but I am also invited to Ziomara's so we can work out details for the garage sale of all the clothes I have brought and to give her the bows I will make this week. And pick up the things I left at her house from Pequeno Mundo.

So, I finished my book and planted most of the flowers, had another Spam sandwich - yup, I opened it and most of it is gone. Tonight I will make bows and tomorrow morning I must bake things for my crochet ladies. I also have to do laundry very soon. I also finished this so I am making some progress.

Tomorrow is THE DAY in the US. At least all the political advertising will be done. 

I had bought a bunch of little Christmas decorations to put on my Judi  tree. One of the things is little gift wrapped packages. Well, a 2 and 4 year old know there should be things inside pretty packages so they tore them open. They found just a styrofoam cube but no problem, you can have fun crumbling that up. My living room was quite a sight! 

My hydrangeas have several buds started so I may be able to add some of my own to the Thanksgiving decorations. Last year I had tons of Gerardo's. I am hoping there are still some sunflowers too.

Nov. 15 is slated for my trip to Price Mart. Emilio says they even have bacon. When I was in WalMart I saw chocolate chips. They were over $6.00 a bag. Heather is bringing me bags at $1.50 a bag. We will see what Price Mart has. 

Well all the animals need to eat too.

I kept hearing yummy, yummy, yummy.

She has quite an imagination and all the animals are always talking to each other.