Schatz, don't turn away

Those were the words that came out of my husband's mouth last night. Let me tell you what happened.

We were having dinner: waffle and mini burgers, requested by the kids. It was my husband's specialty, so, he was busy making the waffle during dinner. After making two batches of waffles, he discovered that the waffle machine conked out. Instead of enjoying dinner, he got up to try to repair it.

Well the kids, since they were the ones who got the first batches; were already full. Instead of staying seated, decided to play wildy in the kitchen. I always tell them that playing in the kitchen is a big no-no. Our kitchen tiles tend to be slippery; most especially since MC helped the papa make the dough for the waffles and she then helped in frying the mini burges (flour and oil mix on the floor!). And we havent cleared up the dinner table.

Added to that is that papa is trying to fix a waffle machine that is still hot. Accidents could happen, right? Well, I warned the kids for more than a dozen times to stop running around; to stop standing on their chairs, etc. Of course they did not listen. And then in a second, we saw IC on the floor and heard her crying. She banged her head on the floor.

That was when I turned away. Instead of running to comfort her, I left the kitchen. After a moment, I returned and gave IC a hug and sat her on my lap. She's ok. I wont turn away if I had known that it was a big 'ouch'. I gave both kids my piece of mind after IC calmed down. I repeated the house rule: no playing in the kitchen. And I didnt have to tell them again the reason why, they know now.

But that action of mine puzzled my husband. I explained my action to my husband. Why did I turn away? Because my temper was already flaring and I am afraid of screaming my head off; thus, I decided to calm myself down first. Plus, I know that papa is there for the kids. Does that make me a bad mom? I dont know.

While the kids were playing, he was telling the kids to be careful; and I was telling the kids to listen to me and stop running wildy in the kitchen. I guess, the words that we use does sometimes create a difference right?

Kids' Day: Carnival Party

Kids' Day again! As said, we always celebrate this during the first Sunday of the month. A day where we let the kids decide what they want to do, where they want to go; and most especially a day to let them know they are loved, most especially this day.

This February's first Sunday landed during the Carnival Party for kids here in our town. There is no more discussions on where to go, especially since I have given my time to selling the goodies during the carnival party.

The real issue was what to wear. The kids have been dressing up since last week, two times in kindergarten; and I would think they are already overwhelmed with all these celebrations and then the coming much awaited vacation. Well, MC decided to be a flower girl and IC wanted to be one, too. Now what was this flower girl dress they are talking about? It took time before I realized it was the traditional Chinese dress I bought during our last trip in Bangkok.

Well, they have chosen; they only needed a bit of face painting to complete their costume. We took off an hour earlier as I would need to help with the preparations. It was okay for the kids as they got the chance to play around the still empty hall.

I'm banished in the corner to sell coffee, pretzels and berliner (filled doughnuts); which are traditional carnival snacks.

And then the party started with the traditional Polonaise dance; a sort of a warm up dance popularly participated by most kids and adults alike which signals the next exciting hours of games, dance, and party to come.

And then some games like this one, too.
The program was not too long for the kids to get bored; not was it too short for the kids to want to cry for more. Nope, the party was fun and action-packed that almost everybody got busy. Kids were allowed to play around, run around and dance around; but they must take a break when there is a game being played or they could choose to participate and get some prices. Of course, nobody looses, everybody gets a prize.

And the adults? They also came in costumes and got the chance to comfortably chat and enjoy the party; unless of course for those moms with small kids. The got to be dragged from one end of the floor to the other. Well, I used to be one of those moms but now the girls drag their papa; after all, mama is busy selling goodies, hahaha.

Oh, I rewarded my husband by inviting him to dinner in the nearby Greek restaurant. After all, he would be the one paying, too :D Life is not fair, huh!

My First Costume Ball

Well, I did attend a costume ball: the one that involves women of all ages dressing up, drinking, dancing, having fun and partying until the wee hours of the morning. That was during the Weiberfastnacht or Fat Thursday.

I did say my friendly neighbor helped me create a sort of Alladin costume; and she even took time to sew the rest of the materials left for MC's gown.

What did we do during the costume ball? Well, I arrived early, although the program would officially start at 20:11; I decided to come early, around 18:30 pm, just because I wanted to find a nice seat. And whoa, there was already a long line of witches, bees, pirates, hunchbacks, etc! When I got in, I cant believe my eyes, the hall was almost full! I am glad I told my group I would be joining, or else I wont have a reserved seat.

I sat between the cats and the 80s girls. Well, of course my eyes got busy. I saw a group of bees, a group of jungle women complete with real leaves, a group of big haired blond girls -- I saw funny costumes, chic costumes, simple ones and those really creative ones. Fascinating! Since I was wearing a sleeveless dress, as per my husband's advice, I asked for a rose wine to keep me warm; and had a nice mushroom soup with it. Knowing that it would be better to eat and order my drink before the program -- I immediately asked for a plate of french fries and a bottle of mineral water! Then I am ready to party!

We were the first on the dance floor! I so love dancing and I so miss it! And of course, there were a great program consisting of women from age 80s to 15 -- everybody were simply awesome: belly dancing, the 80s with Abba, etc but the highlight of the show was the All Men Ballet!!! Really! Wearing tongs and fake eyelashes and high heels and leather sexy tops, they gyrated with their beer stomache to a disco tune. They really brought the house down! I was really sorry that I decided not to bring my camera :(

But here is something that I only discovered though I always see this on the television everytime there is a festival around Germany -- the Schunkeln dance. There are really no words for it in English; but this dance is fun!. You link arms from with all those in your table and sway from side to side in rhytmn with the music, then in a minute there would be someone who would be standing up and down, still with arms linked, until everybody would be swaying standing up -- the adventurous ones would even stand on the chair! Well, I do love this schunkeln dance! Good thing the chairs were stable enough! We did this dance for how many times I already lost count!

Well, do I need to tell you that I was there with my group until the dance music stopped? I so enjoyed it so much. Plus, I had to take care of an acquiantance who had too much to drink. She's with someone but that someone was also tipsy already. I had to know how they would go home or else I dont be able to sleep.

But first, they had to find a corner to loose off some of those excess drinks. You know what I mean. Good thing they would be walking home. But still, it took sometime before the other mom could really find her orientation. I saw them off, both swaying their way back home. (I saw them the next day and am glad they were okay).

I was home before 3 am. My shoes were killing me but I dont care. I got to dance! But before making myself ready to bed, I had to make sandwiches for my kids for kindergarten; I had to tidy up as toys were scattered all over the floor; I had to prepare clothes for the kids for the day -- I feel like Cinderella after the ball :D

And the kids woke me up at 7 am; and my husband leaving a message on the answering machine apologizing for waking me up so early but the kids must go to kindergarten. Actually, we arrived late in kindergarten, not because I slept late; but because I had to tell the kids everything about Mama's first costume ball.

And here's MC's note: 'Papa should join the All Men Ballet,' which made me really laugh!