Full of Firsts

We attended Ignacio's first parent-teacher conference. I am not going to brag...but...the teacher did use the word "advanced."

In a nutshell...Ignacio:
*prefers social interaction over playing alone
*talks A LOT
*is respectful and kind
*has many friends and interacts with everyone
*is fluid in Spanish and English
*is a great listener...one of the only ones that stays sitting during circle time
*makes people laugh
*regulates conversations by looking away
*knows all his letters and numbers up to 20
*is empathetic..he knows who is out sick and asks about them
*talks all the time about his brother
*is good at letting people know what he needs

Last weekend was his first concert and the Joyce Holiday Fiesta. Auntie was right there to cheer him on. As I had the video camera pointed at Igancio ready to sing in the big gym I noticed that Emilio was no where to be found. Not wanting to take the camera off Ignacio but also wanting to find Emilio, I panicked. As I looked through the screen of the video camera I noticed a little boy in the front row with the kids up on the stage ready to sing. It was my little Emilio. He was up there ready to go and up there is where he stayed all three songs. He was moving back and forth and making eye contact with the audience.

This just solidified the fact that Emilio thinks he is in preschool. On the days Ignacio goes, Emilio carries his lunch box to school and upon entering, Emilio hangs his coat up on the hook with Ignacio's. Before you know if he is off and running into the classroom until I have to take him out kicking and screaming because he wants to stay. Well, he had his moment at the Fiesta up on stage like a big boy. Ignacio sang beautifully and was shy. He held his friend Jacob's hand the whole time. It was adorable...every part of it was adorable.

4 years of love and life!

The post is a little late, but better late than never right? Ignacio is four. Yea, you heard me. Ignacio is four. Once again I reminisced about the length of my labor...remembering back over the two days before he was born what I was doing and where I was. He woke up the day of his birthday this year so early and so excited to be four and we were sure to make it sure it was special. I had preordered tickets for the Aquarium, which we had never been to. Ignacio, Emilio and I made our way there and the excitement was mounting. I have to admit...it was pretty cool. There is a huge tunnel and you feel like you are actually in the ocean. The huge sharks and turtles swim right over your head. I took a picture with my phone of Ignacio at this part of the visit and I had a moment. As I looked at it on my phone he looked so big. His bright eyes were glowing and his lanky little body was tall and strong. He is a preschooler...almost a school-aged kid and he is beautiful. After lunch at home and a day full of play we returned to the Mall Of America to meet Angel where we had a special dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. It reminded me of being there with my mom when Ignacio was really little and she requested a change from having a view of the huge dancing gorillas to a seat next to the big fish tank. This time around he was fascinated by the huge animals but still anxious. After eating waaaaaay too much food Angel took the boys back to the Aquarium to take a look also. As we arrived home we lit a candle on a cupcake. Ignacio requested that HE sing to us, rather than the other way around. Goofball. As we tucked him I thanked God for him. Thanked the universe for bringing me such a gift in the form of a bright light we decided to name Angel Ignacio four years ago.