Fairy Birthday

Happy 6th Birthday to Our Fairy Princess!!!

She is our in-house comedic routine. She's sassy and knows when Mami is supposed to be stern but is fighting a snicker. She does things, like wear rainboots with sunglasses and polka dot shirts with plaid skorts and doesn't get why it doesn't match. She hunts bugs with the abandon of an entomologist in the Amazon. Her love of bugs is only second to her love of My Little Pony.

She's an intercessor. She prays every night whether Mami remembers or not. And she remembers prayer requests. God is going to use this child one day, sooner, rather than later, I think!

Super Princess!!

Ok, seriously, some days I feel like a really bad parent.  Yesterday was one of those days.  Friday night we left all four blessings with some friends so we could go to a council meeting at church.  They went out for a walk and while running, Our Princess fell down.  She didn't really cry and didn't complain so we went home and she slept no problem.  The next morning she didn't want to feed the dog because it still hurt.  I had her hold out both arms and saw no irregularities, no swelling.  I thought she was trying to get out of her chores.  I told her to do the best she could.  Then she complained about pouring milk into her cereal.  I checked again, but didn't see anything. 

Fast forward to Yesterday evening, 24 hours after the fall(I'm such a rotten mommy) and she says something again.  This time I see a little swelling from the wrist toward the elbow.  We decide I should take her up to the ER and the entire time I'm thinking, Am I overreacting?

Maybe, but better safe than sorry.  We get up there and our ER is relatively fast (comparatively, I think we waited 45min).  We saw a lady who had severed her index finger with a kitchen knife and a guy with a compound fracture of his arm.
Again, I'm thinking, am I overreacting?  We get the X-rays done, which was really cool, because we had just talked about X-rays last week.  The radiologist lets me sit behind the window and watch the x-ray appear on the computer screen.  She immiediately says, "Yep, there's a fracture."

I felt horrible.  My poor baby.  But she had been using it all day, twisting it and bending it.  She even put her weight on it to scoot up onto the bed.  The Doctor walked in when she did that and said, "Hey, didn't anyone tell you that arm is broken?"

I'm in awe that she wasn't complaining more.  She was more upset when she heard what she would have to wear for the next 6 weeks and that she wouldn't be able to go in the pool.

This is her, "Are you kidding?  I have to wear what?!  For how long?!  It doesn't hurt that bad!!"

Well, THAT was easy!!

Last week I went on our semi-annual undie run and decided to pick up some training pants for Our Oso. Because of his speech development, I wasn't planning on starting until Summertime, just because I didn't think he was ready. I think, perhaps, I wasn't ready!! Anyways, I picked out the Cars undies and he found them in the bags and decided he liked them better than his diaper. So he took his diaper off and put them on. He had a day of accidents while he realized he couldn't just go anywhere anymore and I gave him a treat(Doritos, like I said, I wasn't prepared to start yet) every 15-20 min. when I checked to see if he was still "clean and dry." I gave him a bunch every time he went in the potty and the next thing I knew I was walking past the bathroom and he was in there doing his thing, no fanfare, nothing. He does like to flush the toilet, a lot. He sits there, lets a little dribble in, then flushes...lets a little more dribble in, flushes again. Now I have to teach him about water conservation...

Na

Our Oso has a Na. It's pretty bad that everyone else calls it a Na as well, instead of blanket or even blankie. Oh no, it's a Na. Well, it was filthy and had to be washed. I mean so grubby I didn't even want to think about what nastiness it contained. So I washed it Saturday morning.
The world ended.
There was weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I feared for my life.
The drama was quite extensive.
So I got Our Lady Giggles' Na (here we go again) and pawned it off on Our Oso.
Thankfully, he was appeased.
For the time being.
I broke down and bought him a new one. It has Mickey Mouse (a crowd pleaser) on it.
Do you know many College kids with a Na?

6

Wow...6 years old...that' s 1/3 of her life with us. My baby girl is finally(already?) six! She's a very sweet-natured girl who is quick to help others. She's the one who goes up to others she sees by themselves to talk. At her K5 graduation, her "superlative" was "Everyone's Friend." I couldn't be more proud of her. She loves Josefina, her american girl and to read stories about her. She loves to be crafty and makes cards for everyone. She says she never wants to leave us when she gets older and that she wants to marry her daddy. She never wants to cut her hair, at least until it gets to her feet, because it would hurt to walk on it all the time. She loves to pray and be read to. She plays soccer and sings all of the time. What a blessing she is to our family.

Kindergarten Graduation 2010

Finally, after playing catch-up, the blog I really wanted to get to! Our Princess graduated from K5 on Thursday...She is done with formal "school." From here on out, God willing, we are homeschoolers! The ceremony was wonderful and sweet. I managed to make it through, barely, without crying. I think that had to do with me being the one with the camera and seeing most of the ceremony through the lense. Our Princess's class performed several songs, one of which was so boisterous, it caused her to knock her own hat off. It really was a blessing being able to send her to Northwood for the time that we did. I've always said that if we couldn't homeschool, the only other place I would send my children would be Northwood. Her teachers this year have been such a blessing and I am so thankful for what she has learned so far.

Afterward, we went out to eat and I caught Our Fairy being silly.

How could anyone not love her? She's precious!

Sprinklers 2010

Our first trip to the sprinklers! We went to the park today for a friend's birthday party. The kids had a great time. Our Oso went in the sprinklers for the first time. At first, he was not amused, mainly because a friend put him in there with his back to the water, so all he got was cold and wet. When he got to see what it was, he loved it! I think, however, that he has my skin. The girls we have always put on sunscreen at the beginning of the day and left it at that; they've always bronzed nicely. Our Oso went a little pink. I hope he doesn't have my skin. I get burnt driving the car. He's so cute, look at those ears! Those are my mother-in-law's ears. Yep, no denying him.

His happy freeze: he stiffens up and squeels like a girl with a huge grin!

The girls love to play in the sprinklers, too!

Our Princess loves to pose!

4 years old

Our Fairy had her four-year-old checkup last friday. It went well. She is perfectly healthy and, contrary to the health department's statement, not the least bit overweight. She took her vaccinations like a woman, not crying or cursing until it was all done. She will need a palate something-or-other when she gets older, because her lower jaw does not align with the upper (thumbsucking!). But overall we are blessed with a perfectly healthy, happy, silly little girl.George came along for the ride...

Edventure

I decided to go with Our Princess's class on their last field trip of the year, up to Columbia to Edventure, the state children's museum. I realize it has been two weeks since the trip...I've been busy :OB

One thing I can say about our school, the parent involvement is great. I think all but two parents in our class came on the trip, making sure we only had our own kids to haul around. Anyways, the number one attraction is a two story(probably 4 if he were standing) person named Eddy. You can climb around his insides, through his heart, jump on his diaphram and slide down his bowels...I mean really, who wouldn't want to slide down bowels? Not to mention that there are speakers making the appropriate(or perhaps inappropriate) noises...needless to say, I sat at the bottom and took pictures.
They also have a "career" area, where you can be a farmer, a fireman, a grocer, a construction-worker, etc. Our Princess and her cousin enjoyed going for a ride on the big, green tractor(too much country music, I know; especially since she was singing it as she drove)
Tuesday was also a special birthday, so we celebrated while we were there by drawing graffiti in the museum...it was fun.

Mother's Day 2010

I'm not even going to dwell on the disaster that was this morning. This afternoon made up for it. We had a lovely luncheon after church. The men put it on for the moms. It was quite lovely and nice not to have to worry about cooking today.Our Oso enjoyed it. He was given a slice of cantaloupe which he proceeded to devour with undue haste.

This is him choking on a piece of melon as I attempt to get the perfect shot...don't worry, he spit it out right away... This is him 2 seconds later, letting you know he is the cutest guy around...

Our Fairy's first "real" haircut!

ok, I finally broke down and took Our Fairy to see Mrs. Sarah to get her hair cut. I mean really cut, not just trimmed. We had Sarah take at least 5 inches off. It looks so much healthier now. The girls' hair has never been cut more than an inch or two to get rid of frayed ends and we figured Our Fairy's would follow suit with Our Princess's, but her hair was just too ragged; it had to go. She was ok with it, her sister would have been hysterical. We still can't get rid of the toe-rag look, she has too many cowlicks for that, but it does look thicker! I still couldn't get her to stand still long enough to get a picture that wasn't blurry! I'm surprised Sarah was able to do it to get it cut! We won't talk about the hands on hips thing...

"Chuckacheese"

Before yesterday, Our Fairy had never been to Chuck E. Cheese. She had only seen it on TV and passed by it several times a week. Every time we went by she begged to go there. So we decided we would do her birthday party there this year.

She got to invite four friends and we brought everything with us; just ordered pizza, drinks and tokens (lots of coupons!! Thank you Hi-C!). It was way too expensive to do one of their birthday parties and who really wants rats on their birthday cake? I think we spent half the money doing it with Princess and the Frog. We got there when they opened and there was NO ONE there. It was perfect! They got to play for a long time before people started showing up. Our Fairy got a quilt from her Maga that Maga has been working hard on for a while. She didn't actually quilt it, although she knows how, her hands just don't do it anymore, so she had someone quilt it for her...but she and Papa cut out each and every little square and put them together. It is beautiful! It was the first thing we put away when we got home. The girls' room is the color I am pointing to there on the girl's hat. I can't wait to get one for Our Princess!

School Picnic

Our Princess's school picnic was Friday. It's a pretty fun day for the kids and Friday was just beautiful. Not too hot, and a slight breeze all day long. We went to Wannamaker and played on the playground, went on a nature walk and played in the field by the picnic shelter. Our Princess running under the parachute when they called June Birthdays...

They were great about letting Our Fairy join in on the fun

Our Oso loved watching all the kids run around on the playground while chewing the head of his Little person.

Until he fell asleep during his favorite part, the bubbles! (We won't talk about where his sister decided to leave her bag of Cheetos)

Our Fairy

Four years ago today, Oliver was having a decision-making crisis about whether to go to work. Like today, four years earlier there was immigration reform going on and everyone was all worked up. It was decided by the pro-immigration movement that they would "boycott" work on May day. But Oliver didn't want to do that. He felt it was wrong to treat his boss that way, yet was concerned about his co-workers with less than perfect papers thinking he didn't care about their situation, which was far from the truth. He really did struggle with this decision, so I made it easy for him...I told him to call in and tell his boss that he was going with his wife for her 39th week check-up, 'cause hopefully today would be THE DAY.

He did and it was. At 6:30pm on Monday, May 1st, 2006, a "day with no immigrants", Our precious Fairy was born at 8 lb 1 oz, 18.5 inches long and she was so light! Funny when you consider the significance of that day.  Our little Gûerra.

Now Our Fairy is four years old. She loves Clifford and Curious George, her baby dolls, especially Bitty Baby Julie, and riding her bicycle. She bumps into everything and falls down everywhere. If there is an accident that could happen, it's happened to her, although thankfully she has never broken any bones or had serious injuries...Her new favorite movie is Princess and the Frog (thank goodness, I'm getting tired of the mouse movie). She loves her Tía who has lived with us since she was 6 months old and would spend all day everyday with her Maga and Papa. She likes spicy food, much to our surprise. She can't wait to go to the water park this summer and she swims like a fish. She gets distracted easily and can't count to four yet (1, 2, 3...6!) but she comes up with some amazing stories and ideas that you know there are more important things going on in that mind. She loves to "read" books and tell the story Fairy-style. She has the most beautiful brown eyes and always looks like she's up to mischief (half the time she is! Did I mention the time that she decided Her sister's American Girl doll and her Bitty Baby needed a bath?) She is a blessing to our family and so very precious to me.

Gift #1 was a jungle pop-up book with animal/jungle sounds...the dog was not happy.

Gift #2 was a bug felt-board book with little felt bugs and such to put all over it.

Gift #3 was The Princess and the Frog movie

Gift #4 was Curious George!! She has been eye-balling him at Barnes & Noble for the last three months and begging to bring him home. How could I say no? She has been dragging him around for the last 24 hours...

The sad thing is I have no digital baby pictures of Our Fairy...our hard drive was erased January '09. But Maga has some and as soon as I get copies, I'll post one!

9 months!

July 28, 2009

Our Oso

My baby boy is 9 months old today. These last months have gone by so quickly. I think it's worse when I think that he might possibly be our last. That just makes me want to go back and live the last nine months all over again, sleepless nights and all...He is such a precious little man. He has just learned to sign "please" and he blows raspberries ALL the time (I think he gets that from his sisters). He has a ticklish spot, his belly. He loves sweet potatoes and puppy kisses(much to the disgust of his daddy). He loves to ride in the swing in the front yard; well, any swing for that matter. He hasn't said anything yet, but you can tell he's thinking it; he's got the greatest expressions. He wants to talk, just hasn't gotten it out yet. He gives me the biggest smile when I walk into the room that makes my heart swell. Everyone said that there was something about a mama's relationship with her boy, but I thought "No, not me, I'm not raising a Mama's Boy." And I'm not, He's Mami's little Man.

Princess Photos

Leyni's Beautiful Smile

Some more of Our Princess's photos. The weather has been so nice we have been going outside a lot more often (before the invasion of the mosquitos). It really kills me to go to work on those perfect spring days. The more I spend outside, the more I feel inclined to do yardwork(normally an area that Oliver has commandeered). I've actually gotten a few things planted, we'll see if they grow! Tía and Our Oso swinging in the yard. He LOVES the swing. (please ignore the fact that the cushion is on backwards and is covered in pollen...I said I started, but have not accomplished very much :op)

Puss....In Birdbath

Merlin, our newest little man...9 weeks old now

Spring Pictures

Just a couple of pictures our good friend Miss Grace took for us. She always does such great pictures of the kids and I know having a professional camera helps, but she really does have talent at grabbing that perfect shot! We decided to go to Gahagan park because it's a favorite of the girls and really is a lot of fun to try to get pictures. It really is a blessing to have Grace as a friend and an even bigger blessing that she is willing (and even calls me because she wants) to take pictures!

Easter Sunday 2010

Easter Sunday is always very busy...we go to church (of course). This Sunday we had a guest preacher, a brazilian missionary to Cuba, Gleysi Raoul. It was the first time I had been in a church service since probably before Christmas. I've lost count. It was such an inspiring service. Of course we didn't leave church until almost 1, had to run home to let the puppy out and get our food, then head to Maga's house. We always have a great Easter dinner and then a HUGE easter egg hunt. The girls made out like bandits!

8 months old

Our First and Favorite Little Man is almost 8 months old. He likes to sit in his big boy seat with his sippy cup. He talks to Tía while she cooks and loves to laugh! He likes to eat pineapple and have his belly tickled. He hasn't said any words yet, but you can see his thoughts right on his face and know that it won't be long! Especially when he sees his sisters. He twists in ways I never thought possible to see them as soon as he hears them. Makes mealtime interesting. Oh, and he loves biter biscuits!

Olympic Confusion

This has been an interesting week and a half. We've been watching the Olympics, something Oliver and I have loved doing, and Our Princess has been watching with us. I'm sure she has been zoned out at school, I normally advocate going to bed right at 7:30, but this happens once every 4 years, so we have let her stay up, especially to watch the figure skating. It's been very educational. We've looked for the countries on our globe and then looked them up online to see if the country is snowy in the winter; or if, like Mexico, they have to practice elsewhere.

On that note, Our Princess has peppered us with questions all week long about what's going on and where they are from, but the most common question that comes up every time someone new comes on is, "Is that a boy or a girl?"

It started with Kd Lang at the opening ceremonies, which her daddy told her was a boy, to Shaun White, to some of the short-haired or pink-wearing figure skaters. It's been an interesting week. Really.