1/24: Michelle asked Alfredo if he ws about to leave. He said yes. She said, "No wonder you are wearing your handsome shirt."
1/19: Michelle and Ella were playing and Ella was "buying" things from Michelle. I overheard Michelle tell Ella to buy some "Silly-antro" (cilantro). :)
12/6: Our dog needed a bath yesterday. (He got one later that day.) He was inside, laying down by my feet and I started rubbing him with my foot. Michelle said, "Don't do that Mommy." I asked why. Michelle said, "You'll make him stink more." Thanks, Michelle. Thanks a lot.
12/4: Ella's prayer tonight: "Thank you for mommy and daddy and me and Michelle and Gabrielle. I love Jesus. I love the Christmas tree...."
11/29: Alfredo was teasing Ella. He called her "Medusa" because her hair was looking pretty crazy. She called him a ding dong. Then she looked up at him and said, "I only called you that because you were being mean to me first."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dec 08 and Jan 09 Reads
December 08 and January 09 Reads--I am pretty sure I missed a couple but here are most.
An Unlikely Friendship ...very interesting book about the friendship between Mary
Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave
Dave Barry's HIstory of the Millenium (so far)
Friday Night Knitting Club
Revelations by Melissa Delacruz
Royal Target by Traci Hunter Abramson
State of the Onion
The Hunger Games
The Next Thing on My List
The Shepherd, The Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry
The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli
This I Believe II (everyone should read this!!!)
An Unlikely Friendship ...very interesting book about the friendship between Mary
Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave
Dave Barry's HIstory of the Millenium (so far)
Friday Night Knitting Club
Revelations by Melissa Delacruz
Royal Target by Traci Hunter Abramson
State of the Onion
The Hunger Games
The Next Thing on My List
The Shepherd, The Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry
The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli
This I Believe II (everyone should read this!!!)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
6 months old
First, isn't this an adorable cow outfit? She has so many cute outfits that I may just have to play dress up one of these days and do a post just to remember all these cute clothes. :)
Gabrielle will be six months old this coming week. It will be a busy week so I wanted to post about this milestone now. I can't believe it has been half a year since we brought this sweet baby home from the hospital. She is growing so quickly and fills our home with so much laughter.
I love the sweet relationship developing between her and the other girls. Michelle loves to make her laugh and tries all kinds of silly thngs to achieve that goal. Ella begs to hold her all the time. They adore their baby sister and she adores them.
She is rolling over fairly well now, especially from her back to her tummy. She grabs things with her hands and holds onto them. She can put her pacifier in her mouth and pull it out. She can hold her bottle. She can just about sit up on her own. She still topples forward sometimes but she is really close to being able to sit on her own. She is loving solid foods. She has pretty much loved everything we've given her so far, except squash. She generally wakes up twice at night to eat (for quite awhile it was only once, but for the past month it has been twice, sometimes 3 times a night, which is okay by me...it gives me a chance to cuddle her a little more.) She still does not have any teeth. She babbles a lot. I know it isn't a real word yet, but she often says, "Dada, dada, dada." She adores the dog and he is so gentle with her. When she is on her tummy, she pushes up with straight arms. She also sort of scoots around to grab onto things and she is starting to be interested in toys. She loves her swing. She tolerates her bouncy seat. She sometimes likes the exersaucer. She loves to be held, but she is content to be just about anywhere, particularly if others are in the room and she isn't left out of the action. She has such big, brown eyes and watches things so intently. Most people, right now, think she looks more like Alfredo. She is one of the most content babies I've seen and is such a joy to us.
Gabrielle will be six months old this coming week. It will be a busy week so I wanted to post about this milestone now. I can't believe it has been half a year since we brought this sweet baby home from the hospital. She is growing so quickly and fills our home with so much laughter.
I love the sweet relationship developing between her and the other girls. Michelle loves to make her laugh and tries all kinds of silly thngs to achieve that goal. Ella begs to hold her all the time. They adore their baby sister and she adores them.
She is rolling over fairly well now, especially from her back to her tummy. She grabs things with her hands and holds onto them. She can put her pacifier in her mouth and pull it out. She can hold her bottle. She can just about sit up on her own. She still topples forward sometimes but she is really close to being able to sit on her own. She is loving solid foods. She has pretty much loved everything we've given her so far, except squash. She generally wakes up twice at night to eat (for quite awhile it was only once, but for the past month it has been twice, sometimes 3 times a night, which is okay by me...it gives me a chance to cuddle her a little more.) She still does not have any teeth. She babbles a lot. I know it isn't a real word yet, but she often says, "Dada, dada, dada." She adores the dog and he is so gentle with her. When she is on her tummy, she pushes up with straight arms. She also sort of scoots around to grab onto things and she is starting to be interested in toys. She loves her swing. She tolerates her bouncy seat. She sometimes likes the exersaucer. She loves to be held, but she is content to be just about anywhere, particularly if others are in the room and she isn't left out of the action. She has such big, brown eyes and watches things so intently. Most people, right now, think she looks more like Alfredo. She is one of the most content babies I've seen and is such a joy to us.
student of the month!
Michelle is the student of the month for her class at her school this month. She was so excited when she told us Thursday night. On Friday, they were having an assembly at 9 AM and she really wanted us to come. I was hoping to be able to, but I couldn't justify taking a personal day for a 30 minute assembly when I'm down to 2 personal days and 3 sick days left for this year. So I figured I would talk to my principal on Friday and see if I could have my assistant cover my class for 20-30 minutes while I ran over to Michelle's school briefly for the assembly. (Thank goodness her school is 5 minutes from mine.) Fortunately, my principal said yes. Alfredo had a meeting at work at 9 AM on Friday morning and he didn't think he would be able to make it. But he talked to his boss and was excused from the meeting. He was there for the entire assembly and was able to stay for a few minutes after to take photos. Michelle was so happy that we were both there.
Michelle informed us on Thursday that parents bring flowers or balloons to their child at the assembly to show how proud they are. I stopped on my way to work to buy flowers. Alfredo also stopped to buy flowers, so Michelle now has a vase of tulips and a vase of orangeish-yellow roses to admire. :)
Here is Michelle with her Spanish teacher, Mrs. Tiburcio, and the students in her group.
Michelle and Alfredo in front of the Jackson Cougars mural inside the school.
Our sweet student of the month
getting her ribbon pinned on
Mommy handing her two bunches of flowers
At home showing off her beautiful flowers.
Michelle told me last night that in Spanish class she said two new sentences to her teacher and that her teacher was very proud of her. She said, "I'm really learning, Mommy. I love my Spanish teacher and Spanish class."
We are SO proud of you Michelle!
Michelle informed us on Thursday that parents bring flowers or balloons to their child at the assembly to show how proud they are. I stopped on my way to work to buy flowers. Alfredo also stopped to buy flowers, so Michelle now has a vase of tulips and a vase of orangeish-yellow roses to admire. :)
Here is Michelle with her Spanish teacher, Mrs. Tiburcio, and the students in her group.
Michelle and Alfredo in front of the Jackson Cougars mural inside the school.
Our sweet student of the month
getting her ribbon pinned on
Mommy handing her two bunches of flowers
At home showing off her beautiful flowers.
Michelle told me last night that in Spanish class she said two new sentences to her teacher and that her teacher was very proud of her. She said, "I'm really learning, Mommy. I love my Spanish teacher and Spanish class."
We are SO proud of you Michelle!
Monday, February 2, 2009
2 more crazy things about me
I totally don't mind being pregnant. I could be pregnant over and over. There is just something so remarkable about knowing that a child is growing inside you. But raising kids is hard and expensive and we probably won't have any more kids. This makes me a little sad. I would probably even consider being a surrogate except that I don't know if I could carry a baby and then give it up (even if it wasn't biologically mine) and also, probably people would think I was weird and I would probably worry about what people were thinking about me. Is that strange that I would even consider it?
My family mirrors almost completely the family I grew up in. I had two sisters. Rebecca and I were born 2 years apart. Then a little more than 3 years after Rebecca, my sister Suzy was born. (I'm the oldest.) Michelle and Ella are 2 years apart. Gabrielle is a little more than 3 years younger than Ella. Crazy, eh?
My family mirrors almost completely the family I grew up in. I had two sisters. Rebecca and I were born 2 years apart. Then a little more than 3 years after Rebecca, my sister Suzy was born. (I'm the oldest.) Michelle and Ella are 2 years apart. Gabrielle is a little more than 3 years younger than Ella. Crazy, eh?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, January 30, 2009
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.)
**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.)
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