It just seems like yesterday when school was being let out for the summer and all of us parents were having to figure out how on Earth we were going to keep our impatient, always "bored out of my mind," kids entertained and then wham, just like that, the summer is OVER and it's back to the first day of school.
Well for me, that means the first day of 2nd grade for 7 year-old Sydney. Because of the program she is in through the district, her teacher and school would remain the same and more than likely will through 5th grade, but nonetheless, as camera crazy as I am, had to document the occasion for the memory vault.
Sydney was quite excited to go back to school, at least every time I asked she said, "yeah," then again, she does for everything, but heck, I'll take that....beats her saying no and dealing with a tantrum from her.
I walked her into the school and to the cafeteria where her class meets in the morning and she got very excited when she saw Ms. Regalado, one of the TA's she had last year. I was sad to find out that Mr. Brand, the other TA, did not come back, but happy to hear he now has his own LIFE Skills class in another school - way to go Sir. Sydney's new TA, Lacey Boruk, looks to be very friendly, so I don't see any problems with Sydney adjusting to her. As for Ms. Padden, well she's the best so I'm looking forward to another great year and I'm certain we will see Sydney develop even more as the year progresses.
My Sydney poo from behind getting ready to head out to school. I swear, I can't ever deny her, if you ever observe me from the back when I'm wearing a chongo, we look identical - it's kind of scary.
I swear these pants are capri's and not high water jeans people, I'm not that cruel. You try shopping for a 7 year old who can still fit into size 2T clothes which is not made for schoolers and in schoolers colors. I think she still looks adorable
Showing off her backpack - unlike last year, she is more into Disney's Little Mermaid, Ariel, and so I went off and found the perfect backpack.
A very common sight once school starts again. That's the only thing I dislike about when school is in session, all the school zones and getting stuck behind a bus that picks up kiddos every 10 ft down a 1 mile stretch.
Being silly!
Proud momma!
On my way out, one last picture before I leave the big girl alone for her first day of 2nd grade. Side note, check out her windows (missing teeth) & her very overgrown front tooth...my poor child.
Oh my goodness, I don't even know where to start on this one. Obviously I'm writing my blog after the concert and let me just tell you, that was one heck of a concert. I am talking two of Mexico's finest singers putting on a damn good show. Heck it was more than just good, it was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
The shin dig was supposed to begin at 8:00 pm and we didn't have to sit there long past 8 o'clock. At 8:10 behind a curtain started appearing shadows of the "teddy bear" himself, Pepe Aguilar. I swear that man is huge (about 6 ft something), but has the sweetest voice that makes you melt - he can definitely get his music across to his audience.
The entire show he put on was unbelievable. On top of the great music he has, he also brought with him an awesome mariachi group from Zacatecas. He must have played for at least an hour and a half, very entertaining. The one song I wish he had sung that he did not was "Cruz De Olvido." The one I thought for sure he'd sing but didn't was the popular one from the novela (Spanish soap), "Destilando Amor." Either way the songs he choose were great..some extremely romantic and others mighty catchy..make you want to get up and dance. It must have been close to 9:45 or so when he finally ended his show.....only to still leave us waiting for the next performer.....
Marco Antonio Solis himself! This man seriously needs no introduction. If you know anything about good 80's Spanish music, you know he was the lead singer of one of the best groups back then, "Los Bukis." In the late 90's he separated from the group to go solo and his successes have not stopped there. I can't tell you what an awesome show he put on. The man is not very handsome in my opinion but his ability to write and sing the songs he does just make him very handsome, in his own way.
During his show, Marco Antonio Solis, entertained us with a number of his hits including those that made him popular with Los Bukis. He also sang more recent songs playing on the radio right now. Regardless of what song came next and next, and next, it would bring the crowd to a roar as soon as we figured out what song he was going to sing - you have to keep in mind that during concerts, the singer/groups tend to change up the start of the songs from what we are used to hearing on the radio, therefore, it could take a couple of seconds to figure it out.
The show lasted a total of 2 hours with him coming back for an encore performance that didn't disappoint. It is so funny to see how people will leave when the singer announces the first time around that he is leaving and people actually get up and leave thinking the show is over. I guess they don't know what an encore is or have never been to a concert. You NEVER leave your seat until the fat lady sings and I do mean more than likely the lights are put on.
It was like 5 minutes before midnight people when the concert finally ended. This was definitely a concert - mark my words, next time either of these performers come back, I'm there and if possible, front row!
As with all other concerts, I had to take the "remember me later" picture of the ticket.
La Sra. Adriana & I.
The rest of the ladies. From beginning to end: la Sra. Adriana, Laura, Eva, Liz & Ruth.
Well, what do you know. Tonight I went to my 4th concert this year so far and like all the other 3, this one did not let down. In fact, it set the bar at a much higher standard for great concerts.
Unlike the last 3 I've gone to which have been English groups or solo artist, this one was the first Spanish singer. Ricardo Arjona is from Guatemala but speaks Spanish.
I dragged Erica along with me this time. I say dragged but if you ask her I think after going to the concert, she would have gone willingly all over again. It was that good of a show. I'm not even joking around people.
We had no clue whether he would have an opening band but quicly figured out that he could not possible have one, as the stage that was set up, took up almost everything and Erica and I figured there was no way another group could set up their stuff in the middle of all that was propped up.
8:30 came around and we were not wrong.....Ricardo Arjona took the stage.
For the next 2 1/2 hours, it was nothing but great music with plenty of laughter in between and even some tears from peopel in the crowd.
I can't put into words how great of a concert this was. Only thing I can say is if you know Spanish and want to listen to some good live music, next time this man comes around, GO SEE HIM! You will not be disappointed.
Of all the concerts I've gone to, this is the most I've paid for a ticket and it was worth every single penny!
Not that I needed a reminder for this, but my phone never fails me....giving me my reminder that I had scheduled almost 8 months before!
The stage!
The rest of the pictures will be of the man himself, RICARDO ARJONA!!!!!!!!
This was actually part of a video!
Now, in my personal opinion, he is not the most handsome man out there...but there is just something about him and the music he writes that makes him awesome!
Finished for the night!
Erica & I!
Here is some of the great music I was able to record!
CUANDO!
DESNUDA!
DIME QUE NO!
EL TAXISTA!
REALMENTE NO ESTOY TAN SOLO!
TE CONOZCO!
SENORA DE LAS CUATRO DECADAS!
I started to record this song and my memory ran out so unfortunately was not able to record the entire song!
Okay, I know I've slacked off horribly with my blog. Believe it or not, been a little tied up...not literally but, you know what I mean.
Over the past 3 weeks, there have been several happenings that I hadn't had a chance to post but nonetheless have pictures to document with.
I'll be brief again, as I have pictures to post that I know might be more interesting than listening to me ramble away.
Here are the 3 happenings:
(1) My dad came to visit from the valley the weekend of the 1st; (2) My nephew, Jacob, was born on the 3rd making me an aunt for the 12th time!; (3) Celebrated Liz's 40th birthday on the 8th...gosh she is getting old! :)
This is my dad with all his children minus Andy! (L-R) Albert, Americo, Dad, Liz, Eva, me, Erica and in the front Abram.
Here is a brief note about the following pictures. I thought it would be a good idea to write all over Liz's truck to make sure she didn't forget how old she was turning. Being that I am an early bird, I headed over to her place around 7:15 on Saturday (8/8) morning and proceeded to write all over it. I got all this off without incident though I have to mention that I almost set off her alarm from moving all over her hood to write on her windshield. I also almost thought I would get a ticket from a Sachse cop that happened to drive around the apartment. I don't think it's illegal, but for a minute I thought I would get in trouble for doing this.
The windshield.
Passenger side! This was also on the driver's side!
Back window!
Driver's side rear-view mirror! As you can see, even at 7:15 in the morning, I can get a little creative!
And well, a little evil!
El pastel! It was marble flavor and very yummy in case you were wondering!
The gifts & cake table...decorations courtesy of muah!
If you all have been keeping up with me, you have probably noticed that I have been hitting up the concerts this year like a mad woman....kind of my own version of the Today's show "Summer Concert Series," type deal.
Last night was not the exception, just the continuation of the great concerts that I have been lucky to go to this year. The only thing I did a bit different that I had never done before, EVER, was to go to a concert all by myself. Yeah, you are reading right people, I went on a date with none other than ME, MYSELF, & I!!!!!
I will admit I was scared to death...not too much worried about being at a concert by myself....I eat a lot by myself so have gotten used to the "stares" of people I'm sure saying to themselves, "poor girl, can't even get someone to go to lunch with her!" I was more worried about driving out to Grand Prairie on my own and getting lost either on the way to or from the concert!
In preparation of "anything" happening and also because I was picking up my single ticket at "Will Call," I left the house at 5:30 pm (concert started at 7:30). If you live in Dallas, or know about the traffic in Dallas, you know very well that I-30, doesn't matter which direction, if almost always bad with traffic, well, my drive through there yesterday was NOT the exception. Right as I got near downtown, the traffic came to a complete halt. I was stuck in the mess for about 15 minutes before I reached the mess, which was an accident. The worse part was that the scene was all wrapped up, but leave it to the gawking motorist to make it all that much worse.
I finally made it through and before I knew it, I had arrived at my destination, Nokia!!!! I paid for general parking ($15) which was the cost of my ticket...yeah for great deals, and off I went to pick the best spot that would get me out of there without too much trouble. Getting my ticket was a piece of cake, too...I was done in about 3 minutes.
I headed into the "theatre," and there was hardly anyone there, but then again, I was early...it must have been around 6:45 or so. I found my little spot...to the far right on the last seat by the wall and plopped my little self there. I would stay there for the remainder of the night until the concert was over.
7:30 rolled around and the opening group came on stage. I didn't get their name, but they were four guys from Australia. They were really good considering they are just starting out. They had a really good sense of humor too and of course their accent was just to die for...very Aussie-like! :)
The band must have played for about an hour and then it was on to the main show. It took about 15 minutes to clear the stage of all their instruments and equipment. The carpet was rolled up and nothing but bare floor with a symbol was left on the floor.
After a few more brief minutes, the screens that were put up, started displaying a cartoon-like image of Rod Stewart and then the music and then the man!
I'll be brief but hope to convey just what an awesome concert he put on....the best part of all of it too was that instead of having a 15-minute break, loosing the mood and then coming back, Rod Stewart opted to have his back-up singers do a Tina Turner song and then he came back with more songs.
The concert wrapped up around 11 pm. I must say that for going for the first time alone to a concert, this was the best - I had a lot of fun, even the couple sitting beside me pointed it out (they were a tad older). The gentleman commented on how he couldn't believe being I was so young (thank you, thank you!), I knew every song and seemed to have a better time even than the two of them.
If anyone has a chance to go see this man in concert, I would recommend it hands down....you'd be in for a very fun night. Below you'll find some pictures of the awesome evening and some video of 3 of my favorite songs from Mr. Stewart himself.
Enjoy!!!!
Back here AGAIN just after a little over 1 week!!!!
"My $15 great economical saving!!!!"
"One of the members of the Australian band."
"The other member!"
The stage after the band left.
The stage right before Rod Stewart came out.
The mini-cartoon!
The robots!
Rod Stewart - The Cartoon!
The RODMINATOR!!!!
Here he comes!!!!
The man himself....Rod Stewart!!!
She was awesome!
Here, he was singing the song, "The First Cut is the Deepest"
Another outfit!
He's a big Celtic Football fan!
And another outfit!
He must have thrown out about 30 soccer balls to the crowd!
Being that he was in Texas, had to bust out with the cowboy hat!
He left the stage as if the concert was over........
But, of course he came back and did one more song...Maggie May!
