Myslym Shyri

Today we went down to Myslym Shyri.  New Years is definitely over because there was no place to park.  We decided it was worth it to park really far away and try to pull the stroller out of the back window since our back door is broken.  We found a parking place and got the stroller out with very little trouble.

We put Bumbles in the front of the stroller without his carseat so he was facing out.  At first he didn't like it, but as soon as we started moving and he saw all the sites he was fine.  Super Jack rode in the back.  We were off.  Our first stop was to the meat store.  You see we used to live on Myslym Shyri and we had lots of old haunts we wanted to visit.  We had also heard that one of our friends now worked at the meat store and we wanted to visit with him.  I was especially excited because I have been to the meat store so many times, but really can't figure out what most of the meat is.  If my friend was working I wanted him to explain it all to me in ENGLISH.  He used to live in England so he speaks English really well.  Much to my delight he was there.

Marion the Magnificent Meat Man, B.D. and Sweets (she doesn't want to be Zemer anymore).  I promised Marion I wouldn't embarrass him so that is all I'll say about that.

Next we went to get some Byrek me Gjize (Byrek is Albanian pie, but usually not sweet.  Gjize is kind of like ricotta cheese) , but they told us to come back later because they didn't have enough ready.  We headed on to our favorite fruit stand.  I really don't want to focus on finding ways to substitute sugar.  I just want to focus on all the other DELICIOUS foods in the world that have no added sugar.  We had to go to this fruit stand because they have the best selection of anyone in town.  Plus, they know us and love us. 

Can you find the Strawberries?  600 lek per box, but so worth it!  Wait 'til you see what we bought for 4380 lek!  (I hope my husband doesn't see that.)

Once we loaded up on the fruits, veggies and nuts we headed back for our byrek.  It was super crowded there and people will just push you out of the way, but B.D. finally made it.  He had to wait 3 minutes for the Byreks to finish, but he finally got the 8 we ordered.  Two for each of us.

Can you spot B.D. with his snack pack his aunt made for him?  I really wanted you to see how they painted Byrek on the wall, but that lady with the orange jacket kept getting in my way.  I finally maneuvered around her.

Once we got home I thought the kids would play and Bumbles would go off to dreamland.  However, Super Jack kept barging into my room and waking up Bumbles.  I convinced him not to come in the room.  The next thing I knew he was calling for me over and over again.  I got up and discovered that he had peed his pants right by the toilet.  (this was not how I imagined it, grrr).  I got him all fixed up and went back to put Bumbles to sleep.

Once Bumbles nodded off I spread out all the yummy things we got at the market.  My kids kept asking me to eat the strawberries, but every time they did they had their friends with them and I wasn't about to share 1200 lek (about $12) worth of strawberries with the neighbors (am I evil?)

Not a drop of sugar

I also need to report that the kids are really struggling with their week of no sugar.  An old man saw us sitting on a step eating our byrek and came back and gave each kid a piece of candy.  They each gave them to me to save until next Monday.  Then B.D. went to the neighbors for a minute and she forced him to take 3 chocolates.  Those are also waiting for Monday.  When Super Jack was falling asleep he asked me, "Mommy, when can we have candy again?"  What a mean mom I am, but like I tell my kids, "Mean moms are the best kind!"

I had a horrible headache today.  I hope it stops soon.  After two doses of advil and one of tylenol it is finally better, but I'm going to bed early.