What a Busy Time

It's a busy busy busy time of the year. Liam just had his last day of school. It was so hard (for me) to say good-bye to his classmates. I was relieved when, at Isabella's last ballet class of the year the day before, one of the other moms commented on how hard it was for her emotionally at the end of the school year. I never knew! Anyway, I was touched by the hugs I got from Liam's classmates. I guess the time I spent with them all did matter after all. They're such a special group of kids.

As I looked at his album with pictures covering the span of the school year that he and all of the students had received as a gift from their teacher, I realized just how much my little boy has grown-up over this past school year.

Liam wasn't looking forward to second grade, until they visited the second grade classroom the day before school ended. He came away very excited about it all. I was amazed. I wondered what the teacher said to get him so enthused. She's good! The one thing he appreciated was having to earn privileges. That got him excited for some reason.

We went out to celebrate tonight the kids' "graduations" at a Brazilian Rodizio Restaurant. Isabella even got to dance. There was a singer accompanied by the tacky sounding electric piano he was playing! Isabella got right up on the dance floor with her 'papai' (nobody else was dancing). It was sweet to watch them dancing together. I will have to post some pictures later.

Here are some random shots from the past week:

The ballerinas and their families went out for ice cream with their teacher after their last dance class together.

Isabella showing off her skills.

Pictures from this Evening

Liam got a hold of the camera and took this

"Sasquatch-esque" photograph of me. Seriously,

when I saw it, I remembered the pose from that famous

"Big Foot" photo!!!

Liam in his obviously favorite Gap shirt, seen in so many photos.

I took the camera on our stroll around our new place this evening. Isabella was feeling up to the walk since she started taking her medicines. We walked just across to the other side of our complex to the canal and watched the fish. There were baby Barracudas and Puffer fish swimming around. Another school of fish was there in the shallow waters on the other side of where the boats are moored. What nice surroundings we have here. We met some neighbors who were sitting out on their porch looking to the canal, and we fed the fish. It was very peaceful and serene and finally cool enough to be outside. I heard on the news we broke records for the hottest day for this date. It was in the 90 degrees + category.

Without a Doubt it's Mother's Day

I have no doubt that it's Mother's Day, and that, I am in fact, a mother. My poor 4 year old was up all last night crying, moaning and screaming at times, in such pain from a wretched swimmer's ear and ear infection. Poor darling. It was very upsetting to see her in such pain. I am emotionally and physically exhausted from the experience.

We took her to Urgent Care today. She is on antibiotics and painkillers and other meds to clear up the swimmer's ear. She's much more peaceful now. I think we'll all sleep much better tonight.

That's been my Mother's Day. Urgent Care, pharmacy, laundry, and too tired to do anything now that it's over. I did get some beautiful flowers and cards. And also, bought myself a heart-shaped chocolate cheesecake at the grocery store, and some big juicy luscious beautiful strawberries to put on top, when I picked-up Isabella's prescription. Happy Mother's Day!

Come on and....Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road...

The end of the marathon is almost near (I think!) What a week... topped-off by Isabella's dance recital. It was the first major recital for her (and the rest of us). It was fun to see all the girls together doing their thing.

I'm at the point where I feel like I'm floating (the exhaustion is setting in). Our van decided to get the shakes so Edilberto had to take it in for fixing when we got home. I wonder when it is that we'll get to just "BE." I sure am tired. I can't wait to relax and enjoy our new home. Although there's still the unpacking....Ugh!

SOME PICTURES TAKEN BEFORE THE RECITAL:

IN THE DRESSING ROOM:

SOME PICTURES AND A LITTLE PRACTICE BEFORE GOING ON.


BEFORE GOING ON FOR "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST."

WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD:

"THE WIZARD OF OZ" STARS:





TIME TO GO HOME!

It's Been One Nutty Week!

I'm very happy and relieved to announce we have moved and are in our wonderful new place (as of yesterday). Of course, I can't say we've moved "in" entirely as we are living in a maze of boxes. But hey, we're happy. I have the weekend to unpack. Or do I? Well, not really. Tomorrow, Isabella has her ballet/tap recital. She will be dancing two numbers as I mentioned before. We also have a Family Fun Day at Liam's school to get to. Also, some last minute pick-up items at our former residence (not to mention, our aquarium fish are still there. They'll be moving here tomorrow.)

It's been one crazy week. I've had to work. Isabella came with me to work on moving day while Edilberto was packing-up our house in a U-Haul - two trips! - with just one friend helping for just part of the day - that's what you get when you move on a weekday - and then, some other wonderful friends from my work came over with dinner late and we enjoyed their company and much appreciated the food.

The entire week's been extraordinarily busy. Liam at school with a lot of extra things going on. Isabella had ballet/tap dress rehearsal at the theater the evening of the day we moved OF COURSE!

On Edilberto's second trip to the new place with the U-Haul full again, he unloaded about 3/4 of the contents alone. Then, the kids got into action. Liam and Isabella were up and down the ramp to the back of the truck hauling out items and boxes. All the while they were singing and jolly. It was such a sight! Edilberto said it really blessed him to see them and gave him renewed energy to get on with the job. Our friends who came with dinner also helped get the last items unloaded.

Edil and I were up until 1:30 a.m. getting some essentials put into place, beds made, etc. He actually got our bed put together, but the kids were on their mattresses on the floor. Their bunk is more complicated to assemble. Little-by-little we'll get it all in place.

But even with the chaos, this house is beautiful and we're very delighted to be in.

Pictures from a Breezy Sunday...

Coming to Terms with Playing the Scare Crow

My frilly glittery princess of a girl had such a hard time at her ballet/tap class today. Her dance class got their dance costumes for pictures. They have a recital in two weeks. One costume was fine because it was dainty and pretty and all the girls had the same outfit for "Beauty and the Beast." They all get to be 'Belle'. The other costume, for the tap dance to the "Wizard of Oz," however, was not so acceptable. I couldn't blame her since all the other girls' costumes had some sort of sparkle or glitter to them. Just how do you convince your four year old princess that it's really fun and cute to play a Scare Crow? Really a great part if you understand dance. Her outfit was adorable. She didn't think so. She wanted glitter and sparkles. She really wanted to be Dorothy. But the Scare Crow is such a fun part. She didn't care. It was so hard to get her to come out of the bathroom and participate in the photo shoot. She did rise to the occasion though and did great for the photos. I was proud of her for that.

Click on the Wizard of Oz group shot to see more closely how adorable they all were!