How things are Going

Well, we have had a lot happening the past few weeks. Here are a few updates on the kids.

Ameera is adjusting well to school. She cried a little on days 3, 4, and 5, but has done better every day since. This week she has done great. This makes things a lot easier for me. She walks into her class, puts her backpack and snack pack in its place and goes to sit with the other students. She picks a flower for me just about everyday and also brings home a Star, which is her teacher's way of letting us know she had a great day. She loves for mommy and grandma to put special things, like a sticker in her snack pack and every morning we have to give lots of hugs and kisses to last the day.

Joaquin loves his preschool, which is grandma's home. Grandma has a daycare, but it is more like a preschool. He does circle time, and projects, and sings songs, and reads stories. In the evening he will tell me all the things he did that day and sing me a song or two.
He is also doing very well with his potty training. He loves to wear his big boy undies. He has had a few accidents, but overall he is doing great. He even wakes up dry in the morning now. Pretty soon we will not have to buy pull ups for sleeping times.

It amazes me every day how quickly the kids grow. They do or say new things all the time. They make me laugh and are the joys/loves of my life. Sometimes I do not know what I would do without my two little rascals.

Ameera's First Day of School

Well, it is official. Ameera is a kindergardner!! She started school yesterday and she did very good. She got herself all dressed in the outfit she picked out the night before. I had wanted her to wear something else, but decided it was her big day and she should choose what she wants to wear. (of course she does have to choose from only the outfits mommy approved of and bought) Auntie Terry brought her a special red flower with little rhinestones from her shop, Bloom Beauty Boutique, where Ameera loves to hang out at any chance she gets. Ameera requested grandma's homemade oatmeal for breakfast, so of course grandma made it special for Ameera. Mommy packed her a snack in her new polk a dot lunch box and we were off to the school down the hill.

Ameera had an entourage when she walked on the school grounds. Mommy, Joaquin, Papa, Grandma, Auntie Terry, Tio, and even Tia Becky were there to see the little princess. Ameera did so good and I was so proud. She walked right into her class, got her name tag from the teacher, put her backpack on the shelf, and sat on the mat to read books along with the other children. The parents were not aloowed to go into the class so that the kids can adjust easier, but that did not keep them from all trying to stand around the door to get a peek at their babies, me being one of them. LOL!

I have to admit that I almost started to cry when we were walking from the car to class, but seeing Ameera so excited and skipping to school made me feel ok. When we left, brother was the one who was worried. He was wondering why we were leaving sister there and if we were coming back for her. He felt much better when we went back to pick her up. Both of them were so excited to see eachother and gave such a big hug that they actually fell over.

We went to Red Robin for lunch after to celebrate with Ameera and so that she could have her dessert with cherries on top. She told us all about her day and said she is ready to go back again.

Ameera's Preschool Graduation

It is almost time for kindergarden!! Last Monday Ameera went in for her kinder assessment. She was a little nervous to go in to the room at first, but after a minute she was telling the teacher how to spell her name for her name tag. She spent about 30 minutes in the room and came out all excited. I asked her what the teacher asked her and she responded, "Mom, they asked me everything, my letters, and numbers, and to color and write my name." I guess the teacher will let me know how she did once school starts.

On Friday she had her preschoo graduation from Little Steps (Grandma's preschool). Ameera. Andre, and Liliana were this years grads. Ameera did great during rehersal, but got stage fright when it came time to walk down the aisle in front of all the guests. The next big step is her first day of school on the 25th. Wish me luck! At least I know she will be in the same class as her little neighbor friend, Melina.

The Graduates ~ Ameera, Liliana, and Andre

Ameera's All About Me Poster

Happy 3rd Birthday Joaquin!

My little pirate turned 3 years old on July 31st. He celebrated with a pirate themed party with all his day care friends. He had fun playing pirate games, hitting the treasure chest pinata, and eating his pirate ship cake.

Joaquin also celebrated his birthday with a special trip to Disneyland with Mommy, Ameera, Grandma, Papa, and Tio.

Joaquin with Mommy, Ameera, and Minnie at Disney California

God Has Not Promised

God has not promised Skies always blue,

Or flower strewn pathways, All our days through.

God has not promised, Sun without rain,

Or joy without sorrow, Or peace without pain.

But God has promised, Strength for the day,

Rest for the weary, And light on the way.

Grace for the trials, Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, And undying love.

I have this little poem up at my desk and every so often I have to look up and read it just to remind me that life may have ups and downs, trials and heartache, or be just plain stressful, but God is always with me. The last few weeks have been very stressful and I just pray for God's will. I also think of an old song and sing it when I feel really overwhelmed with life...

God has not promised me, sunshine

That's not the way it's going to be,

but a little rain

mixed with god's sunshine.

A little pain,

makes me appreciate the good times.

Be grateful, Be grateful

God desires to feelyour longings

every pain that you feel,

He feels themJust Like you.

But he can't afford to let you feel only good.

Then you can appreciate the good times.

Be grateful, Be grateful

Be grateful Becuase there's someone else who's worse off than you.

Be GratefulBecause there's someone elsewho'd love to be in your shoes.

Be grateful

My God said He'd never,never forsake you.

Be Grateful

Our Princess Fairy

I thought I would share a few of Ameera's fairy pics that she took last fall. She loved dressing up as a fairy. She just loves playing dress up in general. She is such a girly girl.

Gone Fishing

Here are a few pictures of our handsome boy. He had fun taking these pics...especially the knight ones. When Grandma asked him if he caught a fish, he said, "No, I caught a frog."