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.
Monday, December 19, 2011
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.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The winds of change...
I am in a major love affair with both of my boys as of late. I am so proud of who they are and the little people the have become.
Ignacio is creative, thoughtful, polite, kind and respectful. The list could go on of course. He is enjoying preschool and we are enjoying watching him blossom into a little student. As parents we are also enjoying the experience of becoming involved members of his school and connecting with other families. Ignacio told me yesterday that, "one day I will make you lunch mommy" and the loving lines like that come every day. He is patient and responsible with his brother. He alone has taught Emilio the last 4 words he has learned. He is a good problem-solver, leaving me in a position to rarely need to intervene, whether it is with other kids or just his brother. And then he is just three...funny faces, hilarious observations and whiney at times.
And Emilio is beautiful. He is intense, yet balanced. He still moves that little left arm when dancing or running and he is active. He is learning to share and applauds himself every time he does it. He can say sooo many words now and his language has taken off. He is cuddly and a little love with enough boy energy to keep him a little bit of ying and a little bit of yang.
But the most magical part of it all is watching them together. They are partners. They have inside jokes and games. They make each other laugh without worrying about if the adults are even paying attention. They take care of each other and play so well together that I rarely have to be present in the same room or participating in what they are doing. Today I overheard Ignacio in the other room say to Emilio, "Tu eres mi mejor amigo Emilio" Translation: "You are my best friend Emilio." I couldn't have painted that picture any more perfect.
Ignacio is creative, thoughtful, polite, kind and respectful. The list could go on of course. He is enjoying preschool and we are enjoying watching him blossom into a little student. As parents we are also enjoying the experience of becoming involved members of his school and connecting with other families. Ignacio told me yesterday that, "one day I will make you lunch mommy" and the loving lines like that come every day. He is patient and responsible with his brother. He alone has taught Emilio the last 4 words he has learned. He is a good problem-solver, leaving me in a position to rarely need to intervene, whether it is with other kids or just his brother. And then he is just three...funny faces, hilarious observations and whiney at times.
And Emilio is beautiful. He is intense, yet balanced. He still moves that little left arm when dancing or running and he is active. He is learning to share and applauds himself every time he does it. He can say sooo many words now and his language has taken off. He is cuddly and a little love with enough boy energy to keep him a little bit of ying and a little bit of yang.
But the most magical part of it all is watching them together. They are partners. They have inside jokes and games. They make each other laugh without worrying about if the adults are even paying attention. They take care of each other and play so well together that I rarely have to be present in the same room or participating in what they are doing. Today I overheard Ignacio in the other room say to Emilio, "Tu eres mi mejor amigo Emilio" Translation: "You are my best friend Emilio." I couldn't have painted that picture any more perfect.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Death and Dying 101
My sensitive soul has encountered the concept of death and it has been a challenging week. Call it a rite of passage. After coming across a dead squirrel, a dead bird and a dead cricket all in a few days, the questions started coming.
Do all animals die? Do all people die? Do we only die when we are old? Do you die when you get white hair? Are you going to die today? Is Papa going to die? Are we going to die together? Do I have to keep you from dying? What happens to our bodies when we die? Will I have the same face? Will they put your body in the garbage like Uncle Chad put the bird in the garbage? Do I get to keep my necklace? Will you still give me kisses? WHY DO WE HAVE TO DIE?
On and on the questions come and on and on I am faced to really evaluate, "What do I think about death and dying?" While it would be easy to talk about a happy place that we all go where there is lots of candy and toys, I fight the urge. I feel a responsibility to provide simple and honest answers but also feel okay saying, "You know. I don't know the answer to that." What do I know and what can I share? I know that we are more than our bodies. That there is a part of us that lives on with those we love. Call it a spirit. Call it a soul. Call it most simply the love we have shared during our time on earth. I know that I will always be with Ignacio. In the way he treats himself. In the way he treats others. In his laughter and the things that most break his heart. I know that we will never really be apart.
Do all animals die? Do all people die? Do we only die when we are old? Do you die when you get white hair? Are you going to die today? Is Papa going to die? Are we going to die together? Do I have to keep you from dying? What happens to our bodies when we die? Will I have the same face? Will they put your body in the garbage like Uncle Chad put the bird in the garbage? Do I get to keep my necklace? Will you still give me kisses? WHY DO WE HAVE TO DIE?
On and on the questions come and on and on I am faced to really evaluate, "What do I think about death and dying?" While it would be easy to talk about a happy place that we all go where there is lots of candy and toys, I fight the urge. I feel a responsibility to provide simple and honest answers but also feel okay saying, "You know. I don't know the answer to that." What do I know and what can I share? I know that we are more than our bodies. That there is a part of us that lives on with those we love. Call it a spirit. Call it a soul. Call it most simply the love we have shared during our time on earth. I know that I will always be with Ignacio. In the way he treats himself. In the way he treats others. In his laughter and the things that most break his heart. I know that we will never really be apart.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
First Day
Here he is. My preschooler!!!! Froggy lunchbox and Elmo backpack. Please notice the crocodile in his right hand. So Ignacio.
Playing with PlayDoh once we arrived. Emilio sat and the table too. It was kind of his first day too. At least we let him think that.
His cubby!!!
Walking into the building. Here is where I got a little teared up.
Ignacio insisted the boys be matching today. Here they are. They joys and loves of my life. Brother LOVE!!!I woke up to Ignacio two inches from face asking, "Is today my first day of school????!!!!" Yes, indeed it was. After doing circles around the house while I got ready, he finally decided to use his excitement constructively and make a picture for his teacher. A purple whale. By 8:30am we were out the door and I was taking an insane number of pictures while he and Emilio ran circles around each other. He looked so little and yet so big at the same time. Rewind 12 hours and I was sighing as I packed his first lunchbox and wrote him his first love note. And now here he was, jumping out of the car as we arrived at preschool with that same lunchbox in tow. He ran to the top of the stairs in front of his school at put his fist to the air and exclaimed, "Listo para aprender!!! (Ready to Learn!!)" Okay, he's ready.
As we entered the school the energy was high and his teacher was there to greet him. After hanging up his jacket and backpack on his hook we made our way to the all-purpose room where all the parents and kids were gathered. How refreshing to hear a room full of kids speaking Spanish with little gold chains on and parents giving them directions that sounded eerily familiar to the way we instruct in our household. He jumped into PlayDoh and within minutes I felt it was time for me to go. After giving him my "Bendicion" (blessing) I made my way out with Emili0.
There it was. The moment I had been anticipating. The moment that, some days, never seemed would come. How did it feel? It felt natural and perfectly timed. I was ready. He was ready. I just don't know if the world is ready!
L.O.V.E.
Mama Ama with her two boys.
A trip out to the harbor on a beautiful afternoon. The family made our trip so special. From juice boxes to yummy meals it was such a special time.
SPIDER MAN!!!!!!I knew it was going to be a good trip when I looked over to see Mama Ama holding a KitKat out to Emilio and saying, "Grandma...say Grandma." A little bribery never hurt! Within one day she had a sand box in her back room and a smile on her face. Watching my grandma parent my children brings me back to how she parented me. love. leniency. laughter. Ignacio feels a strong connection to her. Just another thing he and I now have in common.
More Manson Memories
So many memories made...Ignacio going down the slide alone, swimming to all the ladders, out to the raft and jumping in alone...sleeping upstairs alone in a bunkbed...the boys playing...the sound of little feet on the dock...the smell of the cottage...screaming at seeing the lake for the first time...eating popcicles...looking at albums...the babies playing...turtle hunting...walks...sunsets...the water...sweet, sweet, memores.
The babies. Need I say more?
What's in that bucket you ask? TURTLES!!!! Here we are after our hunting expedition.
Angel and Chad caught fish with the kids by putting bread in a net and waiting for the fish to come. It worked!
Here is me laying on the dock just one of the nights with a beautiful sunset. I take a picture every night I am at the cottage.
Another naked baby picture in the water at the steps of the cottage. Emilio was a little unsure of the water because it was pretty cold but he went swimming every day to keep up with his brother.
Our first trek into turtle territory. I was hesitant for Angel and I to take a 3 year old and a 1 year old in a canoe but we didn't tip over. Give a kid a net and he really thinks he's doing something!
Every morning we went for a walk to pick up sticks, look for animals and enjoy the silence. First order of business was finding flowers for the Virgin.
The boys spent a good deal of time in the sandbox and, while I don't have very many memories of playing in it, I am sure I was there too at their age. One of the days a toad popped out of the sand as Ignacio was playing. Surprise! Please note Emilio's camera smile. He can do it on cue now.
The babies. Need I say more?
What's in that bucket you ask? TURTLES!!!! Here we are after our hunting expedition.
Angel and Chad caught fish with the kids by putting bread in a net and waiting for the fish to come. It worked!
Here is me laying on the dock just one of the nights with a beautiful sunset. I take a picture every night I am at the cottage.
Another naked baby picture in the water at the steps of the cottage. Emilio was a little unsure of the water because it was pretty cold but he went swimming every day to keep up with his brother.
Our first trek into turtle territory. I was hesitant for Angel and I to take a 3 year old and a 1 year old in a canoe but we didn't tip over. Give a kid a net and he really thinks he's doing something!
Every morning we went for a walk to pick up sticks, look for animals and enjoy the silence. First order of business was finding flowers for the Virgin.
The boys spent a good deal of time in the sandbox and, while I don't have very many memories of playing in it, I am sure I was there too at their age. One of the days a toad popped out of the sand as Ignacio was playing. Surprise! Please note Emilio's camera smile. He can do it on cue now.
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