This Reminds Me

We took off to Mexico for our annual “purses and earrings” jaunt this weekend.  We used to go to Laredo – l-o-v-e-d Laredo - but the whole drug-lords-with-automatic-weapons thing turned us to the valley crossings near MacAllen.

The girls poked fun at my new. ultra-svelte Sketchers walking shoes, perfectly designed to navigate congested, uneven sidewalks.  Jealous.  That’s what they were.  Just plain jealous.  We spent Friday evening wandering Reynosa – no fun.  Too many snowbirds – too many fixed-price Wal-Marto-type stores.

Quatro hermanas in Progresso, where we scooted Saturday.  Plenty of snowbirds there, too, but fewer proportionately.  Lots more stores.  Note Julia’s orange mustachio, the result of sugary orange soda (which mean Mamacita does not buy at home.)

Different hats, different countries – 2 years, 1 week and 2 days apart

Hungry?  How about some Bob Esponja creamy goodness?  The girls love this mush.  They swiped it out of the individual containers with their fingers, not realizing little plastic spreaders were included.  But what the heck – all that stuff under their nails – a snack for later!

I’d never seen fist-sized marshmallows before.  Fortunately, we bought none.

The tie-on name braclets are sold everywhere, but surprisingly, “Julia” wasn’t to be found.  “Lois” never is, and Rachel coveted a “Wyoming.”  So for $14, we got a custom-made “Julia,” :”Lois,” and “Wyoming,” plus a pre-made “Hannah.”  This guy was really fast.  Took him about three minutes to whip one out.  And while we were waiting on the bracelets….

…..Keith bought a gynormous terra cotta turtle “for the pond.”  Started off at $90.  By the time we were finished, it was $60, and the owner got an associate with a green card to walk it across the border (to our car) for us.  When I post pond pictures again, expect to see it.

Our mostest favoritest purchase – wrapper purses and wallet.  This satchel-sized (“Judy-sized”) bag belongs to Rachel.  Lois and Hannah got smaller sizes.  We waited until we found the best selection, then bartered a deal for three bags and a wallet – $60 total.  I think I could have gotten him down $5 lower but I was embarassing Keith.

Wanna see “Jumper?”  Us too!  $5.  Special price for you, lady.

Dramamine for everybody ensures a quiet ride home.  It’s this mother’s little helper.

Quotes from the weekend:

Lois, describing some scene from a movie: “It’s so cute.  Like kittens drowning in ice cream.”

Keith, trying to determine the way to the border:  “The sun rises in the east.  It’s mid-way on the horizon.” Hannah:  “It’s by the Burger King.”

Lois, describing her friends at school:  “I’d really hate to be around anyone like myself because then I’d know how really annoying I am.”

Rachel:  “So what do you call a foot doctor?  A p*dophile?”

Keith, listening to Julia sing “Island in the Sun” in the back seat:  “So – she’s taking art in middle school?”

Rachel, explaining why she likes Mexican candy so much:  “It’s got the most salt and lead.”

Lois, after I said I was sure that with enough training, I, too, could create a name braclet in three minutes or less:  “No, Mom, you’d set it on fire and walk away.”

Rachel to Hannah, who was announcing every minute that she needed a pit stop:  “I don’t want to hear childbirth noises back there.”

“Adios!”