Life Lists

Uneventful morning routine. Dropped off kids, picked up S., went to gym for boxing workout, and then drank coffee and chatted with Sergio. While picking up S., I called J. E. and asked him for advice regarding Ben. He suggested I visit a colleague of his who could help me figure out if Ben’s behavior is a discipline issue or is related to Justin’s death. The colleague he recommended works on spousal issues but has a lot of experience helping children with broken family structures. When I was telling J. about this, he said that if I wanted, he would go as my spouse since we lived as spouses and that was basically what he was.

Picked up kids and took everyone to eat at Cami’s restaurant again. Delicious!

Afterwards dropped off S., came home, picked up Ben, showered, and sat to update my lists.

Usual morning routine, but late for everything.

After dropping kids off, went to gym, where we did Zumba Toning. Ha!

Went to Juan Valdez and drank some coffee, then went to get nails done. Finally!

Picked up kids, then dropped J. off at his new writing course. On the way there, we managed to have a conversation about Ben without fighting. After dropping him off, I took the kids to Cami’s restaurant for lunch, and then rushed home to avoid Pico y Placa.

Finished organizing/scanning papers in my office, got kids in pajamas, made sandwiches to eat in the car, and went to pick up J. and Carolina at Makro.

Came home, put them to bed, watched The Theory of Everything, and went to sleep.

Today Lily turns 4!!!

Usual morning routine, then picked up S., picked up Lily’s birthday cake, and then went to Lero Lero to share the cake with Lily’s friends. Clarita told me that Danny’s attachment to me seemed a bit strong to her, and after I talked to her about Ben’s recent comportment, she suggested I speak to someone who could give me support in dealing with their issues.

Afterwards, we went to HomeCenter to look at wood for J.’s bookshelf. Stopped at Pan Pa Ya for a quick coffee and S. found out he had an appointment. Dropped him off at Transmi station, then back to Lero Lero to pick up kids. Took them to lunch at El Corral.

Spent afternoon organizing office and scanning all the receipts I was carrying around in my purse. Felt good to organize things!

Mom came over to wish Lily a happy birthday and we ate left-over cake. She played with the Lily for a bit and left happy. We talked to the Rice’s, who are in Hawaii, so they could also wish Lily a happy birthday.

Kids to bed and J. and watched The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them.

Let’s be upfront: we spent all day in pajamas and did almost nothing today. It was wonderful. Highlights included reading The Guardian, reading a chapter of Infinite Jest, Ben finishing his homework early in the afternoon, Lily perfuming and making herself up all day, and a long, late-afternoon nap.

In the evening, I got the kids to clean up all their messes. We have improved a lot in this respect. After showers and evening snacks, kids went to bed, I took the rent to A., J. and I ate a bit of dinner, and then we sat down to watch Selma.

Woke up crazy early and took Danny to the San Carlos school to take the first admissions test. I think he did well!! Fingers crossed.

Afterwards, took Danny for breakfast, and then picked up Lily’s cake, bought some electric tape, and paid a couple bills. Went home where I found Ben in a terrible mood. Spent some time talking to him, trying to figure out what was wrong.

J. and I went to Mom’s house to get things ready for Lily’s birthday party. Blew a lot of balloons, taped banners, etc. There were some tense moments with the entertainment people, who blew some lights in Mom’s house. J. went on a last minute run to Home Center to buy an extension cord so they could plug in the air blower for the bouncy castle. Crises averted.

Friends and family came for Lily’s party and a good time was had by all, especially Miss Lily. I would dare to call the party a success.

Got home totally knackered. Put leftovers in fridge and went to bed. Started to watch The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby but by the 30 minute mark I was falling asleep. Slept soundly, with just a brief late-night interruption^.

Another warm, cuddly morning. Bought J. his Christmas present: a Hemingwrite.

Went to the gym, ran errands for Lily’s birthday, ate lunch, worked with Danny, and messed around with Twitter.

Had movie night with kids and watched old Disney Robin Hood. Ben and Danny laughed so hard. After putting the kids to bed, J. and I started watching The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby but had to stop because I was falling asleep.

Before we fell asleep, as we lay spooning, J. asked me if I thought it could work out between him and I. I said I didn’t know, but I was trying. He said he was trying too. I said that was the best we could do, and he surprised me, replying that it wasn’t, that we could expect more, ask for more. I said he never liked it when I asked for more. He said he did, I just had to learn how to ask. I asked him if the fact that he as trying meant he wanted it to work. He said yes. I said, “Eres lo máximo.” He said, “Eres divina.” Tonight, I will allow myself to feel hopeful. He said he had hope and if he can have hope, then surely I can too. Please, let me learn from my mistakes, let me remember what is important and allow me to let go of the little things.  I want to be happy. Being right just doesn’t seem that important anymore.

Usual morning routine. A bit late getting to gym as I had to call moms to invite Lily’s friends to her birthday party on Saturday. At gym, did boxing workout that kicked my ass. God, I’m out of shape!!

Had lunch, cleaned out storage room, including getting out my 500 pencils, and showed Mafe and her photographer friend around the house because she wants to get some photos taken here. Photographer thought J. and I were a couple. Ha!

After dinner and getting kids to bed, had joint shower, and then sat down to organize my pencils while J. and I wached God’s Pocket. I think I have run out of movies with Philip Seymour Hoffman 🙁

A bit of reading in bed and then to sleep.

Lily quote of the day: “Mama quiero hacer mi fiesta en la casa de la Nana. Tranquila que yo ya la llame. “

Usual wake up, off to gym (with a quick pause at Philippe for a spot of breakfast), and then off to run errands. At Doña Gloria’s, we ran into Judith, Laura, and Adriana.

Had lunch, J. left for his course, spent the afternoon doing not too much. Right before Ben got home, Liky fell and got a huge bruise and goose egg on her forehead. Wait till Nana sees it!

Homework, dinner, kids to bed.

J. came home earlier than expected. I sat with him while he watched a movie (Historias Minimas) and I looked at Circa notebooks online, then to bed^.

Lily quote of the day: “Tranquila Mamá. No me duele.”

Almost didn’t get out of bed, it was so lovely and warm and cosy, and J. was all cuddly and nice. 193.

Quick work-out at gym and then to Sindamanoy to pick up the organ Tia Edith gave us. I have such fond memories of it that it makes me happy to have it in my home. They have been so generous with their  things!

Lunch and then another afternoon spent hanging things. J helped me today and we got a lot done.

Dinner with kids, then to bed to read all sorts of things.