week away, week off

I had a week off, where I went away and did a solitary meditation retreat. I then followed that by a week off, to be with my lovely sons. It's been a challenge at times, my sons challenge me greatly. I've given Diana a bit of a rest after having them for a week without me. I love my sons and it's been wonderful spending so much time with them. William is doing well in school, though he is a challenge for the teacher. He always wants to be in a group with his girlfriend Natalie. He says he wants to marry her. I ask him who's going to be the best man? He can't say. One of his peers like Camillo? He's not sure.

I try to take every opportunity to expand and explore through play. Sometimes I'm not in the mood to play. I use the boys as an excuse to not do things, too.

Last night Andres didn't crying with his hair being washed. William buttoned up his pajamas by himself. They are growing up very quickly.

I had a challenging gym class with Andres on Thursday. He wasn't in the mood. My job was to remain positive and not get flummoxed by it all, and at the end he did some stuff. I must investigate why I'm so easily overwhelmed and frustrated! One little blow up at the boys and they reflect it back to me. It's a sickening mirror.

Time on what kids should watch on TV

Time suggest shows to watch in this article.

Here's an article on spanking. It's not recommended.

Lying

I have fibbed, but I'm very conscious about telling the truth. I feel a tweak every time I don't. Additionally I feel the urge to speak the deepest truth too, but it's not always appropriate. Anyway, here's an article in the New Yorker about some recent research about lying and children.

video dedicated to Diana.

HIV/AIDS

Here is a free video on talking to kids as young as 4 about HIV/AIDS.

Andrew in Chip's grill

W, Venus, Nati, Emma and AJ

Harry and Andres

before the hair cuts

me and the boys

retreat

William was upset last night when I didn't stop and back up the car, to allow him to point out the "W" he saw. He's been pointing out W's.

They went on such a tired crying jag, that they fell asleep early last night. They had a good night sleep.

I recorded some videos for my being away for a week, which I'm very anguished about. I hope the videos help.

I have asked for ordination into the FWBO, and I feel very strongly about deepening the depth of my dharma practice. I'm often in conflict between competing demands: family, career and spirituality. I've dropped other concerns that are just as important because they don't make the squeeze cut.

My hope is that by going on a solitary meditation retreat I will be able to lift the responsibility of family and work.

heritage

When the boys fall or hurt themselves, Diana's family has a cute little Spanish thing they say:

Sana sana culito de rana
(heal heal frog butt (it rhymes))

Si no te sanas hoy dia
(if you don't heal today)

Te Sanaras manana
(You'll heal tomorrow)

my favorite video for William

William's favorite video

Boys Voted

The boys voted with Diana, in the NY presidential primaries. I went earlier on my way to work. I think I took William once. Diana took William and Andres, and they both went in the booth with her. She thought they were going to give trouble over taking 2 in, but they allowed them both in. My mother and others have strong values about voting. We're trying to inculcate that value with our boys.

vid: presents

I accidentally put up a video of Andrew dancing naked. When I realized that my video of the boys taking a bath as seen my thousands more than any of the other videos I got nervous, wondering what people would be doing looking at them. So while I see Andrew dancing naked as innocent, this is a public blog, and I don't want to expose the boys that way.

Here's another of Xmas eve, the beginning of doling out presents.

video: William throws ball to dog Georgia