25 things about me

I did this on facebook (finally). I stole Brandi's idea to also put it on here.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. I'm not tagging anyone here (I did on facebook, but feel free to do it if you want to.)


1. I have now been teaching for 11 years.
2. My husband is from Costa Rica. While several of his aunts and uncles and cousins live here in the US, his immediate family lives in Costa Rica and I have yet to meet them. (After 7 1/2 years of marriage!)
3. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read. It could probably be considered an obsession. I usually finish at least a book a week (before child number 3 it was closer to 2 most weeks.)
4. Having my second child at home on my couch (not on purpose) changed my whole perception of myself. It made me feel so strong and like I could do just about anything. Particularly when I was also able to have my third child drug-free.
5. About 2 years ago I had to have 2 wisdom teeth pulled. The dentist asked if I wanted anesthesia or laughing gas or anything. I said no. I figured if I could have a baby without drugs, I could have 2 teeth pulled. And I did. And it wasn't that bad at all.
6. I have traveled to Korea and to 9 countries in Europe. I wish I could travel even more. I love it!
7. However, when I first came to college the only places I'd ever been in my whole life were Utah, Arizona and California! In one day I doubled the number of states I'd been in by going to Yellowstone (Idaho, Wyoming and Montana...although obviously, I only saw small parst of these states.)
8. Once a month, I cook about 20 or so meals and freeze them. Then I don't have to cook on weeknights after work.
9. I wish I was more organized. I keep my house fairly clean, but I'm not that organized and wish it was cleaner.
10. I adore my children. I think they are sweet, smart, beautiful and usually well-behaved.
11. I think 3 is my least favorite age. Tantrums seem worse at 3 then at 2. And my 3 year old doesn't believe in sleeping. She never really has. (Don't get me wrong. I still love her and think she is a sweetheart, but she has her moments.)
12. I used to read books on how to teach reading FOR FUN! I really haven't done that for the past couple of years. I've gotten busier and reached saturation point a little bit. I can't possibly do all that I think I should.
13. I spend too much time comparing myself to others. I shouldn't, I know. But I do.
14. I get hurt easily. My stepdad always told me I wore my heart on my sleeve. But I can usually forgive pretty easily too.
15. I care deeply about the students I teach. I am passionate. I bring my work home with me. I want my students to succeed. I believe in public education. I think I am a good teacher. I think most teachers are doing a good job.
16. I don't like to exercise.
17. I love chocolate and sweets. Number 16 and 17 are probably why I lost most of my pregnancy weight within the first 2 or 3 weeks and haven't lost a pound since.
18. I love to blog. (panamenos.blogspot.com)
19. My husband still surprises me sometimes with roses or flowers for no reason at all... just because he loves me.
20. Michelle is attending a dual immersion school where she learns in English and Spanish. She is doing really well. She is in kindergarten and is learning to read in Spanish and English. I love seeing her excitement for learning.
21. I don't like my hair. It is wavy but not really curly. It gets frizzy easily. It is thin. I often sit in church and look at other people's hair thinking, "Oh, I'd like my hair to look like that." Even when I've tried to get a similar cut to someone I know, I don't think it ever ends up looking the same though. Oh well.
22. Hmm... what else to say? Let's see... my favorites.... color: blue, book: too many to name, A Wrinkle in Time is one of them, music: country, movies: romantic comedies (I really like Hitch)
23. My mom and grandpa are my heroes.
24. I once went trick-or-treating with my sister when it wasn't Halloween. We were little and went to several neighbor's houses and said "trick or treat" and even got candy from a few.
25. I don't mind speaking in church, teaching classes, even giving presentations at work, but hate going to parties/gatherings where I don't know people and trying to meet people and talk. Maybe it is because I can prepare for the former and not the latter. Maybe it is because I'm a born teacher. Maybe it is because I am still a little shy. Who knows?
That is me!

go figure

Tonight Michelle had a little meltdown because her favorite show was not on. So, you might ask, what is my five year old's favorite tv show? Super Nanny. We watched it a couple of weeks ago and she loved it. This week she has asked every day when it would be on. She was so happy that tonight was the night. But apparently it is not on tonight. She was so disappointed. To mollify her, we let her watch her second favorite thing.. HGTV. Are those normal shows for a five year old to love? She has very strong opinions about the houses she sees on HGTV too. It is too funny.

**A couple of other cute notes about Michelle. About a week ago we were talking about scripture stories, or something,and I ended up telling Michelle and Ella about Satan/Lucifer. She is fascinated and has been asking me questions all week. Many of which I haven't known the answer to. Just a few of her queries: Where does he live? Is he real? What does he look like? Does Jesus love him too? Will he ever get a body like us? When will he die and when he dies will he live with Jesus?

A week ago, I was feeding the baby. When I walked into the kitchen, there were a series of post it notes hanging on the kitchen counters. One had all of her numbers written out up to about 20. Then the rest were in Spanish. One said, "Soy, estoy, yo" Another had "ma, me, mi, mo, mu" and another "la, le, li, lo, lu". I find her drawings and writing everywhere these days.

Her school wears uniforms. Friday is choice day where they can wear other clothes. But kindergarten hasn't done choice day all year until last week. In order to participate, the kids have to be there on time each day, have done their homework and have good behavior. Then on Thursday they get a "choice day" sticker that they must wear on their clothes on Friday. Since Michelle missed a day of school last week, this week was her first time for choice day. She was so excited. She wanted to look "beautiful" and chose a very springy yellow dress. She was so happy even when I picked her up after school to be wearing something else. And when we got there this morning, she pointed out what all her friends were wearing. (She was definitely not the only one who wanted to look beautiful...some kids were in their "Sunday best" dresses.)

return to health?

I think the viruses have just about finished visiting our home. I hope! As I mentioned, Ella was sick a week ago. She was miserable. She had a high fever and vomited and had a cold. She definitely got hit the hardest. But starting on Monday, Gabrielle was congested. By Wednesday, both Gabrielle and Michelle were coughing, congested and miserable. Alfredo stayed home with the three girls on Thursday. Gabrielle was coughing and I was nervous for her since she was so little. She is such a content baby and really wasn't that fussy, but between having a stuffy nose and coughing, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything more than a cold. So Alfredo took her to the doctor on Thursday. Nothing serious; no RSV, flu, or anything. She did have an ear infection though. She's now on antibiotics and still is a little congested, but I don't think she's coughed all day. What a relief!


Despite being sick, Gabrielle still had plenty of laughs and smiles for us all. I took her with me to book club this week and everyone commented on how content she was.

squash and bananas and carrots, oh my!

So about a week ago, we started giving Gabrielle squash. She wasn't so sure about it. We tried it for 4 days and then decided we'll try it again in another week or two. But Alfredo wanted her to try bananas. She loved them. I mean loved them!!! However, she got a terrible diaper rash. I don't know if she ate too much or if it was totally unrelated or if she is allergic but we decided not to give her any more bananas for awhile. So yesterday we tried carrots. They weren't as good as the bananas, but she seemed quite pleased with the experience yesterday and today. We'll give them to her for a few more days. Then we'll try something new or go back to the squash. It's fun to see her trying and learning new things.

yuck!

So, what should I say about these photos? Look at his tongue!! Did you know it could stretch out that far? Look at her face. She can't seem to decide whether to tolerate his licking or to protest. But overall, they appear to be friends. YUCK! I like dogs, but I do not like to be licked on the face. But I also didn't have a dog until I was in high school. Maybe little Gabrielle will feel differently since she won't be able to remember a time when we didn't have one? FYI: I usually keep him from licking her face but Alfredo decided we had to snap a few pics of her snuggled up against him (he wasn't licking) and right when I grabbed the camera, the licking began. That just added to the charm of the photos, right?

my poor sick girl

On Tuesday evening, Ella seemed to be getting a mild cold...sniffles and a few coughs. When I picked her up after work last night, she was coughing hard and running a fever. As the night progressed, she seemed to be feeling worse and worse. She vomited several times and her fever was 102.8. Now her fever is 103.4, poor girl. She has a bad cough and while she can't seem to sleep, she has spent most of the day lying down. I feel so sad for her. She is miserable. The only positive thing about the situation is I guess I get a five day weekend...so not worth having my sweet girl sick.

fabulous five

Gabrielle is now five months old! Here are 5 of the things I love about her:

1. I love her laugh!!! I have decided that a baby's laugh is the greatest sound in the world. She is ticklish and laughs when you tickle her. But she also thinks that Michelle is hilarious. Last night, Michelle was standing on the edge of the tub and then jumping into the tub (with no water and with me right next to her). Gabrielle was laughing hysterically. Michelle really gets her laughing.

2. I love how she grabs onto things and holds on tight...my finger, toys, her pacifier, her bottle.

3. I love all the cooing sounds she makes. She is very vocal.

4. I adore how her face lights up and she gives me the biggest grin ever when I walk into the room or get within her line of sight.

5. I love how she curls up against me to go to sleep. She is so sweet and such a delightful baby.

here's what you say, Mommy

Yesterday a neighbor who speaks limited English (fluent Spanish) watched Ella and Gabrielle. Michelle asked as we were driving home from work/school if she could stay and play for a little bit when we picked up Ella and Gabrielle. I said it was okay with me but we'd have to ask Jenni's mom. Michelle said, "But Mom, she only speaks Spanish and you don't talk Spanish good." She was quiet for a moment and then said, "Okay, here's what you say, Mommy. Say, "Puede mis ninas jugar con Jenni y Francisco, por favor?" (Can my girls play with Jenni and Francisco, please?) She then made me practice repeating it to her several times. Then she said, "Or if that's too hard, you could ask Jenni in ENGLISH and Jenni can ask her mom." I didn't know whether to laugh (I don't speak Spanish well, but I can say some things.... it's funny that my 5 year old is now so confident that she knows so much more than me...and she probably will soon) or to feel incredibly proud. Mostly, I am so pleased with all that she is learning.

Stop the train! I want to get off!

I am in (very mild) mourning tonight. My kids are growing too fast. Ella started primary today. I was worried for her... she was really upset to leave nursery. She finally decided she liked nursery about 4 or 5 months ago. She didn't want to go to primary; she didn't want new primary teachers; she likes nursery. Then she fell asleep in my lap about five minutes before primary was to start. Alfredo wasn't feeling well and stayed home. So I took Ella to my primary class with me. She woke up after a few minutes and half way through she wanted one of the kids in my class to take her to her primary class and she was fine. I'm glad, but sad too. She is 3 1/2. Michelle is half way done with kindergarten and this is her third year of primary. And today Gabrielle grabbed the bottle and held it up all by herself in her mouth. Also, over the past 2 weeks as I've been home, I've watched Gabrielle grow up so much. Two weeks ago, it seemed like she was still sleeping a lot during the day and it seems like each day she has slept a little less... now taking just 3 or 4 naps all day and being awake for 3 or 4 hour stretches at a time. She is also getting better at reaching for and grabbing things and holding onto them. She is starting to really enjoy toys.

They are growing too, too fast. I went time to pause and let me enjoy them at these ages a little longer. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that Michelle was starting primary. Just a few weeks ago that Ella was finally old enough for nursery. This train called life is zooming down the tracks. I want it to be on slow speed and it is on fast forward. It is bittersweet to see them grow. Of course, I am pleased with all they are learning and with their accomplishments, but it is happening too fast.

(however, don't get me wrong... i was braced for ella to cry and cling to me and not go to primary. so i am relieved that since i let her go on her own terms... staying with me until she was awake and bored sitting quietly in my class...that she loved primary and now can't wait for next week.)