3 Noteworthy Items

First, Lucero has her first loose tooth. Last week, the four of us had just gotten home when she said she had a loose tooth. I was doubtful, given that I'd read that children begin losing teeth around 6. Then she added that there was a popping sound when she wiggled it... a tell-tale sign that few children would know to include in wishful storytelling. I hopped out of the car and took a look. Sure enough-- a loose tooth. I was excited, jumped up and down, but then I felt a little sad. She's very tall now, and a little girl. No trace of round toddler. Such is life. But say, how much is the tooth fairy paying for teeth these days? It was a dollar in my day.

Second, we were all listening to Vicente Fernández' latest album in the car for the umpteenth time ("Para Siempre", which is so amazing, btw). For those unfamiliar with him, he embodies the classic Mexican ranchera singer with violins, horns, and the 'grito', which is the crying out that sounds like a hyena laughing and sobbing. When I first heard him after moving to Texas I thought "wow, this music is awfully dramatic"; now I can't get enough. Pero estoy divagando. So we were listening to one of the songs heavy on gritos, and who should start belting out gritos from her carseat but our own little Rosie. This would be a way cooler story if I had an embedded sound file of her doing it. Alas, I do not.

Three, I hit and killed a cat today. His name was Mr. Keasbey, and may he rest in abundant fields of catnip and canned salmon. The girls were in the backseat, and it happened on our street (hence the cat's name). I wasn't driving fast (honest), but he darted out between my front and back wheels. I breaked and watched him die in my rear view window, somehow concealing my horror from Lucero, who remained oblivious. It was terrible. I managed to track down the owner, only after crying to my neighbors, the woman at 311, and the poor guy from Solid Waste Disposal, who convinced me not to create a street block to preserve the cat's remains while I tracked down the owner. The owner was an artist, who was really nice and actually hugged me (in a non-creepy way), as he processed the news. He said that he first found the then-stray right by the spot where he died, and that Mr. Keasbey has recently recovered after being paralyzed. Crappy. Extreme bummer.

Kindergarten!

Lucero started her first day of kindergarten at Lee Elementary a couple of weeks ago. Lee is a great school, even if it is named after a champion of slavery. Her teacher is a sweetheart, and her classmates are awesome. However, I miss the Spanish immersion at Escuelita, and Agapito and I are excited by talk of plans for a Spanish/English elementary school. I can't believe that Austin is teeming with French immersion schools, but hasn't got any Spanish immersion programs. Maybe it's just because we border a French-speaking country...

Anyway, my self-righteous preachiness aside, here's the real reason for reading this blog, pictures. Below are before and after pictures from Lucero's first day.

Before

After

And here are a couple of cute pictures from playtime on one of the girls' favorite play spots, the bed.


Besides all of the wonderfully deep existential implications of being mommy to these girls, one of the greatest aspects of motherhood for me has been the sheer fun we have together. My mom loved to have fun with me and my sister. It's nice to feel that I'm not only becoming my mom in the more irritating respects, but also in positive ways. Once she took me to Knot's Berry Farm and we rode the Log Jam in the rain over and over again until closing time. Lucero and I have already made a vow that when Rosie turns 3, we are all going to Disney World. I can't lie...I am pumped.

What's Grosser than Gross?

Well, Sarah Palin. But a close second are the latest rage in baby fashion..."heelarious". They are baby shoes (0-6months) that are made to look like stilettos. Depressing.