Growing up, my Mom was a domestic engineer. We had one t.v. (black and white) and we couldn't watch it till her soaps were over which was at 3 o'clock (still remember). Then, we had to vote on which cartoons we were going to watch. During the day, we either went outside and played with the neighborhood kids or watched soaps with her. (Till this day, I hate soaps!) I'm not saying we never did anything because we did occasionally. I remember going skating, to the movies, to the water park, but not everyday. And, we were happy!

My kids have way more than I ever did. They have tons they could do right here a home and never have to see the outside world. They each have their own t.v., videos, video games, radio, cell phones, a pool, the list goes on and on. Yet, they want to go some where everyday! This evening, we went bowling.

Elena happy she made a strike.

Allan workin' the puter.

All Grown Up!!

The conversation at the dinner table while were eating the tasty dinner Elena made.

Allan: I need a bib.

Elena: Why? You a baby Allan?

Allan: I not a baby LENA!!!! Mom , tell Lena I not a baby.

Thank You Very Much!!!

Yesterday afternoon, I came home to a surprise. Without being told, Elena and Brandon cleaned the ENTIRE house. They even mopped and dusted. Elena also made dinner for the first time ever. She made spaghetti with the help of Ragu Old World style. I was so proud of them. I'm so grateful too to have kids like them. They did an awesome job!!!

Family

The last living and youngest brother of my deceased paternal grandfather, Ramon or as his grand kids called him Abuelo Rancho, came from Brenham, TX with his wife, Rebecca, of over 50 years, along with their daughter, Mary, son-in-law, Ricky, and granddaughter, Alyssa, to visit

my ailing 84 year old Abuela Rancho in the nursing home for the day.

I wish there was more time to hear and learn all the fascinating stories my great Tio and Tia have to tell. I learned they lived in Seogoville before they moved back to South TX in 1954. My great uncle also spent 17 days at Parkland Hospital due to a fire accident.

My great uncle is 80 years old. EIGHTY!!!!! He doesn't look his age at all. My great aunt is 72 and she still WORKS! She takes care of a 87 year old blind lady. I guess that's what keeps her young. She loves life.

My great uncle reminds me so much of my grandfather. They look so much a like. I really enjoyed the short amount of time I was able to spend with them. I hope to have the opportunity to do it again.

Belated Birthday Celebration

Since Bran was away at camp for his birthday, we had to celebrate when he returned. We were suppose to celebrate Saturday evening with bowling and laser tag at Alley Cats, but Scott had to go and get attacked multiple times by bumble bees. He was suppose to be getting in the car, but he decide to make a detour to the back yard to check on the pool filtration system. He then noticed the air condition unit to the "play house" was not positioned correctly on the window. That's when his McDowell luck kicked in. So.....................we just got around to celebrating. Allan happy to see birthday candle!

Allan eager to blow out the candle.

Candle relit because Allan blew out the candle.

Thank you Mama & Papa Ocanas!

Thank you Mama and Papa McDowell!

Can't keep the cash unless you read the b-day card.

Farewell

Scott's brother, Mike and his family are moving on Tuesday. We were invited over Sunday evening to say goodbye. He is a professor and has accepted a position at a college in San Antonio to teach. To Scott and I that means we will have a place to crash at when we are in the area. See ya in August! Allan being sly hoping to not get caught spraying the adults.

Check out the power!

Take a picture of me! Yes, he poses ALL the time!!!

Elena & Bran

Chemical Peel Update

The worst is over!....................along with the explaining. At first, I was grossed out when I started shedding all this dead skin. The end result was worth it, though. I love how it turned out! I could really tell the difference. My skin looks and feels smoother. Other than eye make-up, this is my natural skin tone. I'll try it one more time against my husband's wishes.

Tight Roll

Check out the pants! Tight rolling is back! Takes me back to the 6th grade.

Lysol kills everything.....

My 15 year old third cousin, Jon, (My Dad's cousin's child) was in town for the weekend from Kennedy, TX. I told him if you were ever in town I would take him to do some thing. The town he lives in reminds me of growning up in Ferris. (POOR KID!!!) We went bowling and then to the drive-in movies to watch Hancock.

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Originally, I decided to sit out and watch the kids bowl because I was wearing sandals and forgot to bring socks. You know, what a germaphobe I am. Then, I felt guilty and obligated because I told my kids I would bowl, also, Jon was with us. So, I DID IT!!! I know, I STILL feel queasy, disgusted and weirded out about it!!! Did I mention STILL?! Someone else's funky feet were in the shoes! OMG!!!! Even though, the clerk sprayed the inside of the shoes with Lysol................still didn't make me feel better. I would have paid $20. bucks for a pair of socks.

Now, you can add Lysol to the list of Vick's vaporizer and Windex to the "cure all."

Oh and I did come in second....................... with a score of 87. How sad are we? (I'm an awesome player on the internet.) Jon was the first place winner. Elena came in third and Bran was last.

THEY'RE BACK!!!!

The kids came back home on Friday afternoon. They came back with the same attitude they left with..........TWEENS!!!! I walked through the door excited to see them and said, "HEY GUYS!!!!" Bran said in a low voice "Hey!" Ricky was on the recliner and gave me the blank stare with no response. Elena was laid up in her bed asleep at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. (Scott made her get up.) While they were forced to be miserable and be in the same room with me, I started asking questions. "How was it? Did you have a good time? Did you make any friends? How was the food?" You know, the annoying parent questions. The response was one word per question. "Fine. Yes."

Elena said (annoyed), "Mom, I'm tired!" My response was, "Girlfriend, you've been go all week and I just paid a lot of money for you to go. You are having a conversation with me."

All in all, they had a great time and they want to go back again next year. They made friends, learned a few verses and card games.

The Price of Beauty

The things we women go through for the name of "beauty." I went to the dermatologist yesterday and had my trade mark Cindy Crawford mole removed from my neck along with a few skin tags (that come with too many birthdays) and my first chemical peel. My friend, Gina, introduced me to the idea.

The procedure took about 10 - 15 minutes. My face turned as white as a sheet of paper and my face burned a little. Nothing too bad.

The next day, my face felt a little tight and as you can see, I have some areas with some hyper pigmentation. This should last two to three days. We shall see.

I know it looks painful, but it's supposed to do this I hear. I should then have more beautiful looking skin. I'll let ya know.

Lonely

Allan is so lonely without his older siblings. He has no one to play with..........Mom and Dad are BORING!!! Scott and I don't want to get in the pool especially since Dad works in the sun and I could care less about it, but we have reluctantly. We're no fun though.

Look who's TEN!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

AND.................They're off!

My older kids left today at 6:30 A.M. for their first experience of a week long camp in Clayton, OK, away from any of their "own" parental supervision. I must say, I was nervous about it and still am because I've been biting my nails. Elena said, "I'm going away for a week not a year!" Someday, as my parents once told me, she'll understand when she becomes a parent. I have faith they are in God's good hands. They need to experience this because I never had the opportunity to.

Although, they each have their own beds, they shared the same bed, the night before. Bran even set his phone alarm for 5:45 A.M.

Unloading their luggage. Bran always cheesing for the camera, no matter what the time. Baby Girl, wishing she could sleep in longer for her extra beauty sleep.

Dad showed up to see them off.

One bag: check

a life jacket: Check

a sleeping bag: Check

Texas A&M or UT? Pick one Bran!

Ricky: O.K. Mom! Enough pics!!

Allan: I onna go!

Allan trying to touch them through the window.

We're so cool, we all three wanted to sit in the back of the bus.

Bye! See ya on Friday! Have a great time!!!

Love, Mom, Dad & Allan