Kindergarten vs. First Grade

When I was in kindergarten I remember the hardest thing I had to remember was my address. I recited my address all the way to school. Lucky for me the path to school was at least a three block radius from the street(long blocks). We had a crossing guard and her name was Josie. When you crossed the street there were I think three small buildings that were a day care, then the LONG path.

Again, I remember walking with my mom and reciting over and over 527 N. Col. de las Magnolias Los Angeles, Ca. (I am not certain about the zip code now in my old age I was 5 after all).

Avery and I have had similar conversations as we walk to the bus stop. This morning he decided that he would not have his morning dose of television, instead he was going to recite his spelling words to me. Now here is the kicker. WHEN!? in KINDERGARTEN!? did we decide that 5 and 6 year olds need to learn how to write and spell FAVORITE? That is a big word. Poor little guy he was kind of stressed out this morning. I guess that is good I hope on his end it was self-realization because he did not put in the time he usually does into his studying last night. On top of words like favorite and school he needs to also be able to comprehend singular and plural, "The bugs were fed" "The bugs was fed" circle the right one.

I am counting down to June 18th I too want to celebrate his last day of school but I am not gonna lie I am afraid of what is to come in first grade.

Movies in March

Alas March is here for no other specific reason than to wait for the wild things to be released on dvd on March 2nd and then to go and watch Alice in Wonderland on March 5th. I really don't know why I am so excited the chances, realistically, of me going to see this movie are slim. Movies just don't fit in our schedule. Well where there is a will there is a way, plus Avery wants to see it so I will make it happen. Can you tell I really want to see this movie

Thanks to the Graphic Fairy for all the great pix.

Adults are worse than children

When my sisters and I were little and did not pay attention my parents would call us donkeys. May be a term of endearment but none the less at that point we knew we needed to listen. This word has gracefully made its way into my store and sometimes the sales associates who act like children are referred to, behind closed doors, as donkeys. I needed to laugh and thought the story behind the picture above would be appreciated.

Alyssa and I get to relax today until Avery gets home from school. Unfortunately daddy has to work. Relax and a dose of Little Bill and Phineas and Ferb all day is what I need.

I just came out of two very long meetings on Thursday and Friday and then the chaos that is the business this past weekend. I have never been more drained to sit with 10 other adults in my life. I don't know where I am going with this post I just need to vent a little but with that said this is my thought. I really appreciate that the kids (my kids) do know when to stop and listen for the most part. I guess what I am trying to say is that, that is certainly not always the case with adults who still act like donkeys. So note to self remind my children as they are growing up to be self-aware of when they are acting like "BURROS!"

Sick

COLD, COLD, GO AWAY COME AGAIN SOME OTHER DAY! I am sure I can chant that for anybody but right now that is directly for me and Avery.

Happy New Year!

Oh wait, it's February. Well technically my work year started effective Sunday. That being said you could see it one of two ways the stress starts all over again or (what I chose to do) leave the store three days in on the top so I could with no second thoughts take 13days off! Typing that just put a smile on my face.

Here is a quick recap of January. Happy Birthday Alyssa Grace! Three year old big girl. She loved all her gifts. Aunt Victoria, Alyssa loves her tutu outfit. Unfortunately for Alyssa her birthday landed on moving day. Yes we moved.

The kids still share a room but they have their own bathroom, We new we made the right decision when Avery and Alyssa lost each other. So the last month has been filled with trying to not live out of a box.

Avery started taking the bus. He has been a "morning kid " for about three weeks now. It was kind of rough on all of us at first, he has to be at the bus stop at 7am which puts us waking up at 6am, that is if he wants breakfast. We have all somewhat assimilated and Avery does'nt whine and cry any more that it is too early, the sun is not up and no one should be up or going to school in the dark.

Which brings us to today. It is actually "Wacky Wednesday" Avery and Alyssa love reading "Wacky Wednesday." We only read it on Wednesday because it just gets to loud in here. So today we are having a guest reader, GRAMMY CLAUDE! Claude is flying in and it is a complete surprise for the kids. I am super excited. All week long Avery has been asking who his special guest reader is, they are both in for a surprise.

First and Last

This may possibly be my first and last post of the year, definitely the first for the month. Well December being my busiest and craziest month of the year has definitely not let me down this year. What date is it today? Oh (I just looked on my phone) the 30th. Well I was right this will be my last entry of the year.

Here are the last two months at home in a nut shell. Thanksgiving was spent at my sisters. My mom went to visit Lety in Virginia so we had to fend for our selves. Seeing as my sister and I don't cook and the restaurant that we had intended to go to was closed our only other option was to make what we do know how to make for Thanksgiving dinner, BURRITOS! Plus the supermarket had a black out and between my pantry and hers thats all we had the energy to muster up.

December, again Ryan and I worked like crazy. Ryan got promoted (good job babe). Avery and Alyssa eventually got to see Santa. I would like to apologize to everyone Christmas cards were not sent out this year. Avery took his folder wish list and asked Santa for a gazillion things. And after waiting in line for an hour Alyssa decided she was done and would not smile for the picture. Considering last years picture she is trying to escape Santa's lap I thought the picture was mildly a success. Christmas day was spent at my mom and dads with the fam. that was great. The kids made out like bandits as always Santa and the grandparents came through.

No plans for New Year's Day, as Avery likes to put it we will probably watch a movie and bring in the New Year quietly as a "Happy Family"

Stressed Out Mommy :(

I must admit I am feeling a little stressed out. Avery's 6th birthday is coming up like in a week and still little to no plans. Clearly there will not be a party, because no invitations have gone out. But there must still be a show of some sorts. I have a two day ALL DAY conference on Thursday, Friday before his birthday and that will actually take me out of the house(staying in a hotel). So I know I need to take cupcakes to his class, oh by the way his birthday lands on a Sunday this year. We will go to Disneyland on Sunday but the question is what to do on Saturday. I did forget to mention that I was able to get out of work in spite of being down a manager but Ryan was not. That is really the stinker in all of this, Ryan has the Tiger Woods event at Pelican Hill and could not get out of it. Oh here is where I go into my rant and rage to Mr. Newman and Freidlander for not having a heart and children apparantly. That is all I have to say and I do feel better.

Whorange

If you dont already read whorange do your self a favor go read it. If you like quirky retro inspired anything she's your girl. Plus she has introduced me to some other fun links like Jenn Ski for starters.

Thanks Nina!

I wanted to THANK Nina for my new blog back ground. THANKS NINA!

Friends

Friday rounds out Avery's first week of school. I must admit Ryan and I were concerned that he came home everyday and when we asked did you make any friends he replied "No." He is not very shy but he does have a tendency to sit back and observe before he gets involved. I was very excited to see this morning when I dropped him off that he was approached by three little boys they all stood there and laughed. Avery looked over to find me made eye contact, smiled, waved and gave me a thumbs up, I guess that was his way of saying see i made friends :).

Imginary Friends

As I spent time with my family yesterday many subjects arose one of them being imaginary friends. With that came teasing my only and baby brother Lorenzo for having an imaginary friend. Kevin became part of the family right around when Lorenzo was about 3. I am not sure why he would need Kevin there are four of us in total but there are significant age gaps?

Well Lety laughed very hard at the thought of Kevin but she quickly stopped laughing when we brought up Mr. Lee. Mr.Lee was her imaginary CAT! Don't ask why a cat, it just was. She was in the first grade when she found Mr. Lee. I don't know what became of him, hmm?

This brings me to my children, 2 1/2 years apart. I would not say that Alyssa has an imaginary friend because Soraya(her cousin) is a legitimate person. But I found her today in her kitchen talking to Soraya. She actually played with Soraya for a good half hour before moving on.

I guess my thoughts have to end with Alyssa needs to spend more time with her girl friends and girl cousins.

My Blog Sucks.

I am really sad because I can not share pix of the kids at the fair. I am not the most computer savvy person, so when something does not work then I am at the mercy of Ryan and his time frame to help a sister out. So I will simply say we had a wonderful time.

The kids and Ryan took a picture in front of the giant cow. Avery finally agreed to stick his head in one of those big wood cut outs that you stick your head in and look like a farmer. Alyssa rode the horse(pumpkin)and she loved it. Finally the boys took a picture with GIANT SMILES with the (Avery life size) Incredible Hulk that Ryan won with his superb basketball skills.

Trust that they are wonderful pictures.

The Boys are Back in Town!

Yeah! I am glad to say that Avery and Ryan have now been back home for about 5days. I am so excited. Avery is tanner and unfortunately for him much more sassy. Welcome Back home Boys.

Avery's Proposition ( a little late)

Oh I feel so bad I found this in my drafts. Clearly I did not finish my thoughts. I some what recall the conversation. I think Avery was feeling a little home sick at this point.

We have talked to Avery every night since he has been gone "Mommy I want to go on a date with you and daddy to go watch transformers."

Minus One

We just spent a week of fun with Ryan's Family. Claude and Neil were able to come out from Colorado, as luck would have it Michael and Laurel (Ryan's brother and sister in-law) were in California from Idaho as well. I have a lot of great pictures to share later on, but right now Alyssa and I are just hanging out missing Avery. Fortunately for Avery he is getting to experience his first road trip with Papa Neil. Avery and Neil left yesterday via car (boys road trip) to Colorado. Neil promised to take lot's of pictures for me to share so stay tuned for Avery's adventure. He made a pit stop in Vegas yesterday. Miss you buddy, love you.

Where are the Kids!?

I always realize how much we miss the kids when they are gone. My parents have them this weekend and outside of work there is really nothing else to do when they are not here. Ryan and I often find ourselves asking (when the kids are gone) what did we do before we had the kids? Don't get me wrong we definitely take advantage of a free Saturday night and go out to dinner but then Sunday it is just way to quiet in here. So in honor of the kids, here are some random pictures of them being silly(Actually most of these are of Alyssa) and a video just for fun. We stareted to dvr Yo Gabba Gabba and watch it at night as a family it is much more fun that way. Thank God for season 2 we've watched every episode a million times.

Thanks Daddy! You Genius.

So I just want to take a minute to send Ryan a shout out he was able to fix what ever was not allowing me to post pictures. So thank you to him first of all and second there has been an addition of pictures if you want to scroll down and see the bead Alyssa stuck up her nose a couple of days ago.

Enjoying the Day

I haven't posted in a while although I have had lot's to share. My picture icons are kinda screwy and I have been trying to figure out what's wrong. I end up getting frustrated and not posting anything. But let me catch you up to speed. Avery has caterpillars (his godmother, my sister very kindly ordered for him) he is very impatiently waiting to turn into butterflies, I do have pictures. Alyssa has learned the power of her bite and scream and what it does to her brother. I actually feel sorry for him. We have had some family functions which I will again try to post atleast the video. It might scare the family in Colorado but you can't hide the crazy Mexican side of the family for ever. And baby Iris has finally graced us with her presence. A big congrats to Michelle and Dan.

chivalry is not dead

Feb 28,09
I know like most moms that my kid is the best but let me confirm why. Keep on reading and you too will see why I am so lucky. I came home from a very long day and night of work and the only one awake was Avery. Very sweetly he greeted me and recapped his day with Daddy and Baby Alyssa. He then told me he had a surprise for me and presented me with a raisin oatmeal cookie that he had saved for me from his lunch, what a sweet boy. But if that does not make you melt, this will. I sat in front of the television to unwind as I reached over for my blanket Avery stopped playing with his cars and walks over to me and asks that I help him unzip his track jacket. He proceeds to take his jacket off an say "Here you go mommy this will keep you warm." I dread the day he offers his jacket to another girl to keep her warm.

I like grass...

Feb. 28, 09
I don't normally just share thoughts about the kids I save those for their private journal but Avery continues to get wiser and funnier so here we go. Those of you who have been lucky enough to spend some time with the kids know how funny they both are. Clearly they feed off of each other last night was the exception as Alyssa decided not to partake in dinner but to pout through most of it. I must say she missed out, it was a good dinner. I actually cooked and baked at once that in itself is a miracle. Just in case you are wondering nothing burned and no one got food poisoning. We (daddy and I) don't generally force the kids to eat anything but we do insist on them trying something before they say they don't like it. Dinner was pretty basic lasagna, french bread, salad and cup cakes for dessert. I had promised the kids cup cakes three days ago, baking was not an option. As we sat to dinner we made sure we prefaced to the boy and the girl that in order to get a cup cake they had to eat their salad as well Avery looks at me with discuss and says "What you want me to eat this, what is this Grass! Your making me eat Grass!" We both turned our heads and laughed, because it was funny. Well before we new it Avery was half done with his salad and proceeds to comment "I like grass."