Jackie, the shortest girl, can in fact carry me on her back, she's 8. Enoch,who's ten, and acts like he's 40, cannot carry me on his back...:)

Four days in NYC!!

We just got back from New York. We took off on an early plane and flew all day, arriving about 11:30 in Jersey, and then drove to New York City. We got to stay in a really nice hotel, right in midtown, New York. Julia, my new friend, informed me that it's called midtown, not downtown:) Anyways, we were within walking distance of Times Square, Central Park, Carnagie Hall, and everything exciting in NY! The reasonwe went to New York, was becuase the kids were invited to sing at a special event. This event was a fundraiser for Unicef, a large non-profit organization. It was hosted by Gucci, the big purse company and Madonna. Anyways, Madonna was the lady who organized having us there, and her people paid for our entire trip, so it was fun to just go, and not feel like I was spending money:) The event was at the United Nations. Naturally, people like me don't get to do things like this. So it was exciting. The event included dinner and several performers, including our kids, Rihanna performed "Umbrella", Alicia Keys sang, and presentations made by Madonna and others. Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore all attended. Unforuntaly, I only saw Alicia Keys and Madonna. Alicia spoke to me, and is a nice lady:) Some of the highlights from the day.... Rihanna did come and met the kids. That was the day I wasn't there, i spent the day touring New York. I suppose I coulda seen her, some of the chaperones saw her perform Umbrella, but I didn't get to, ahh well... you pick your choices with one day in New York. This event was quite fancy..to put it lightly. I know for a fact I will never, unless while working with these kids, get to go to such an expensive and fancy event. I bought myself a dress at Gap in New York.. thought it might be appropiate:) Tickets went for up to $100,000 each... yeah... needless to say, we didn't get to eat the food. Or mingle with stars for that matter.




On the night of the performance, we sat in the dressing room area until it was the kids' turn to perform. Then we went out and performed, I peeked at the dinner, tried to see if i could see celebrites, but coudlnt' and got yelled at for taking pictures:) it was worth it though... that was my chance to see the highrollers:) then were quickly shoed back to the dressing room as soon as they were done. I snuck out and watched my kids perform, which was good. I was a little annoyed they wouldn't let us watch any more of it. I understand, but in fact, the press was saying afterwards our kids "stole the show." So why couldn't I watch Rihanna? ah well:) it was still fun! Alicia Keys told me my kids were "beauties", that was the extent of me talking with anyone famous. We flew in Monday night, the kids rehearsed all day Tuesday, and Wednesday, performed on Wednesday night, and we were on a flight back to Seattle by 7am Thursday morning. It was exhausting, but memorable, and fun.


I spent Tuesday hanging out with my sister in law Natali's friend Julia, who is now a friend of mine. We had fun, she took me to see all the fun sights. We saw Central Park, the Empire State Building, the M$M store, ate dinner at Planet Hollywood, went to the zoo, went to the diamond district and Tiffanys, and she was even interviewed by channel one new york for her political shirt, she was campaiging for Ron Paul. We also went to the wax museum. That was really fun. That's where I got the picture with Superman, and several other waxed moviestars and politicians. Anyways, it was fun!:) I got some fun pictures, and it's not something you get to do everyday!

Washo and Enoch


On my day off, I saw many things, including Central Park, the Diamond district, Tiffanys and of course, the M&M store!




Me and Anna, could life get better then it is right now?

Faulanta, Enid, Anna- Beautiful, wonderful, sweet and adorable girls of mine



My passes into the Gucci event for Unicef, the passes to the fanciest dinner I will ever attend in my life... tickets for this thing went up to $100,000 each...



The kids are all ready to sing!

The kids rehearsing thier song for the fundraising event at the UN in New York, hosted by Gucci and Madonna





Me and Martin





Times Square





Me and the boys, lunch in NYC!

Barf Brigade

Today was eventful... not that we did so much, but yet it was still eventful... at least on the bus. We drove over two passes. On the drive, several of our kids got carsick. Somehow, I always seem to have to help clean up ralph on the bus, usually if we're lucky, it all makes it into the plastic bags, but sometimes the kids don't get them in time. today, Daniel puked all over his coat, and on the floor, as I was trying to help him clean up and some of it got on me... He puked three times in the five hour trip.... Washo puked twice, and several of the other kids puked... i counted 10, but i think there were more. in the process of me running up and down the bus, I earned myself the name "barf brigade" and "puke patrol" by some of the other aunties and uncles. They're thinking of making me a shirt... something might make up for all of my excersise back and forth in the bus...

About two hours in, we had to stop for a bathroom break, but being in the middle of the pass, there wasn't much. So, we pulled over at this tiny little stop. It was snowing, and there were two smelly outhouses. These are some of the pictures, it was hilarious! We had fourteen girls lined up for one little outhouse, and 12 for the other. Martin said "Auntie, it smells like rotten matoke". Sarah walked into the outhouse and walked out, crying. When Anna went in, she came out "auntie-- uh, i don't need to susu." "Yes you do!" "No, i don't." "Anna get in there!" Anyways, it was funny:)