Summer Vibes

Blogging hasn't been as easy lately. I am finding it more and more difficult to get a quiet minute to sit down with a busy two year old and energetic almost 6 year old. I can't believe I just typed that. Luca is going to be 6?!?! It just doesn't seem possible. I am not sure which sounds more crazy, the fact that he is turning 6 or the fact that we just celebrated his kindergarten graduation. My baby is a full on big kid. FIRST GRADE. At least kindergarten still sounded like "little kid". Ok, ok I know he is still very much a little kid. And not just by his size. But for some reason reaching the "grade" stage of school just sounds so much more grown up. I don't know. Speaking of first grade...I am returning to first grade in August. After three years of teaching reading intervention I will be back in the classroom. I have mixed emotions about this change, but I can honestly say that I am mostly excited. Ask me again in December and I may have a different answer. I knew this was a possibility due to funding cuts in Title 1, and to be "safe" and avoid me getting a RIF (reduction in forces) notice my principal stuck me in a classroom position. It may be that the funding does go through and my Title position doesn't get cut this coming year...but we know that Title is slowly getting defunded. She does not want to lose me, so she is securing my position at my school. I am flattered that she thinks so highly of me, but it also feels like a lot of pressure! I have learned a LOT these last three years in Title 1. A lot about teaching reading and a lot about how to best support our unique body of economically disadvantaged children who often come with all of the affects of trauma. It's not for everyone. But I honestly feel that this is where my heart is right now. I loved teaching English as a second language, and I still love my English language learners, but I also feel like God led me to Fairview for a reason. Not only was my Title position absolutely perfect as we transitioned to our new old home in Indiana and added Mila to our family, but I feel like He put me at Fairview because He was calling me to serve these children. And now being back in the classroom I feel like I have the opportunity to make an even bigger impact in the lives of our students and their families. I know I will need to rely on Him for strength to do this, and to do it well, but I feel pretty good about this new old journey. I know I am meant to be in the classroom. It will definitely be an adjustment again, but I know it will be rewarding too. And I couldn't have a better team supporting me. So...Luca and I will both be in first grade next year! This also leads me to some exciting news about Luca! He will be in a dual language immersion classroom for first grade, which I could not be more thrilled about! I had wanted him to be able to attend an immersion school, but I never imagined that it would be a possibility right here in Bloomington and at OUR neighborhood school! Just another God moment. They just announced this new program for incoming kinder and 1st graders this spring and we jumped at the opportunity. What an amazing experience for him to be taught in both of his languages throughout his school day. He will be able to learn to read and write in BOTH languages, which is amazing! He will spend half of his day in Spanish with a new teacher, and the other half in English with his former kindergarten teacher who was absolutely awesome! He is super excited he gets to have her again. And he will have many of his friends from kindergarten in his class. They will continue on through 6th grade in this program together.
So Ms. Mila. I guess I need to get back to my Dear Luca and Dear Mila posts! Mila is most definitely a two year old. She is determined to do everything herself. She has to climb in her carseat by herself, wipe her own nose, flush the toilet herself, wash her hands herself. She also talks nonstop. Sometimes I have no idea what she is talking about, but she loves to tell stories. My mom said I used to do the same thing. She also likes to pick up books and pretend to read them out loud. Usually something random gets thrown in there like "chicken nuggets are hot" or something equally crazy that just comes to her mind. She is fully potty trained now, which is super awesome. She is so sweet. She loves to give hugs and kisses, and she is always saying "I love you mommy!". She loves to copy anything and everything her big brother does...which isn't always a good thing. She still hates to sleep. Summertime is rough because she refuses to nap and then is a hot mess by the evening. She just never wants to miss anything. She also still ends up in mommy and daddy's bed almost every night. But I am okay with it now that she doesn't nurse. I actually enjoy the cuddles from my baby. I know she is our last and her baby features are fading far too quickly. Like Luca's...it seems they just disappear overnight. Those chubby hands and feet. No more diaper bottom. Ugh....I am not an emotional or sensitive person. I didn't shed a tear when Luca graduated kindergarten or when I sold the last of the baby items, but I know I will miss these days. I enjoy watching my babies grow though. It's so fun to see who they are becoming. So conflicted.
So for now it's summer. And our calendar is already full of fun things. I am looking forward to soaking up the sunshine and enjoying lazy days with my babes. I love this time of year. The late evenings outdoors, swimming, hiking, traveling. No real rush to get anywhere. I am going to enjoy these days while they last, because I know this next school year is going to be BUSY.

In Like a Lion

Wow. Here we are in March already. I sure wish it felt like March. Spring break officially started at 4pm today. Yesterday it was 70 degrees and sunny, today it's been 40's and windy. And of course the weather outlook for our spring break week is looking pretty glum. We had quite a few sunny days scattered throughout February that sure felt like spring. But March has decided to do its thing, so alas we will wait for our real spring. As for us, we are just chugging along through the remainder of this school year. Usually I look forward to the end of the school year with anticipation as any teacher does. But this year I am not sure. Luca will be finished with kindergarten. His first year of elementary school. There just seems to be such a big difference between kindergarten and first grade. First grade just makes him sound like such a big kid. I mean, dropping him off at school in the mornings and seeing him walk right in those big double doors on his own, alongside kids twice his size...it still gets me. I still see that tiny little Luca that we used to drop off at daycare every day in Arizona. First in the baby room, which I still remember so clearly. Then the toddler room. Now all of a sudden he is big enough to just walk right in himself with a backpack as big as he is. And I have been reminded repeatedly lately that Ms. Mila isn't so much a baby herself anymore. She is talking up a storm lately. She's so funny and even though she has really started to test boundaries...and we've gotten a glimpse of the "terrible twos" lately...this really is a fun age. She is really a sweet little girl. I can already see what a big heart she has. She is always giving kisses and hugs. Tonight she saw me cleaning up her play doh mess and came over to help...without me even asking. She just recognized that I needed some help. It's also been neat to see Luca and Mila's relationship develop. They are starting to play more together, and although that also means fighting and irritating each other often, they also have many sweet moments that I just want to freeze. Time flies. Besides the everyday, Santi and I have been working towards our fitness and personal health goals in the last month or so. I feel like we are making some progress and moving in the right direction finally, and I am looking forward to sharing that journey and the changes along the way. I think we have some exciting things coming in the months ahead.

Dear Ms. Mila...

Mila Paz,
We are just a week away from your 2nd birthday and I just can't wrap my mind around it. I must say, I absolutely LOVE the little person you are becoming. Your personality has really blossomed in the last couple of months and it's just so much FUN! I think I am really going to enjoy the "terrible twos" with you. Honestly, other than your constant battle with sleep...you are a pretty easy going kid. You are sugar and spice....but more sugar than spice...usually. You are talking up a storm lately and you are oh so funny...and adorable. I can't even handle your cuteness most days. I forgot how fun the early talking days are. You know, before I just want you to be quiet for 2 seconds😁.  Lately you are loving Mickey Mouse, dancing, playing with baby dolls and your doll house, sleeping with 24,207 stuffed animals and babies, eating soup and rice, coloring (on anything and everything 😐), copying everything your big brother "Wuca" does, playing vet with Tevez, and play doh. The big news around here is that you FINALLY started sleeping through the night in your own bed!!! Even though bedtime is still a long process while you situate, cover and uncover your 24,207 babies and stuffed animals, give them all a drink of water, and turn your sound machine on and off about 35 times....you typically fall asleep and stay that way until around 5-6am...at which point you still come to our bed so mommy can catch a little more shut eye. But, I am super proud of this accomplishment. It's a really big deal going from sleeping with mommy and daddy every night and nursing several times a night to sleeping all night in your own bed...and you did it! Even though nights have improved, you are still very much into your nursing during the day. Especially on days when mommy is home all day. As much as I have enjoyed our nursing relationship...I think 2 years is long enough! I am hoping you will be such a busy little 2 year old that you will soon be ready to let it go. Next week we are going to spend your birthday at the Children's Museum with your cousins, and then celebrate here with Abuelitos and Grandpa and Grandma with Minnie Mouse cupcakes. I can't wait to take on 2 with you! We love you to the moon and back Mila Paz!!!

Another Year Gone By

As 2016 comes to a close, I have many mixed emotions. This is the first time that I can recall that I am actually feeling uneasy about the start of a new year. Typically I feel energized and motivated when a new year rolls around. It's a new beginning, a fresh start. A chance to reflect on the year that is ending and look at areas in your life you wish to improve upon. Time to set goals. Make plans...list your hopes and dreams for the new calendar year. 2016 was not particularly difficult for my family or in my own personal life. In fact, it was actually the first year in our almost 10 years of marriage that I can recall in which we had no major life changes or occurrences. No moving, babies, pregnancies, illnesses (thankfully), job changes, school, major trips, or otherwise life altering happenings...good or bad. While I am guilty in the past of praying for an "easy" year at the beginning of a new year, I know that while your comfort zone is just that...comfortable...it's not a place of growth. So even though 2016 was mostly kind to us, and mostly easy, I am ready for 2017 to shake things up a little. I am hoping this year we can make some positive changes for our family in several areas, and there is one big risk in particular that I am contemplating. Maybe it's not so much a risk, but a challenge I may be taking on. More on that when I work through it a little more. But back to that uneasy feeling as 2017 quickly approaches. 2016 may have been a quiet year in our little corner, but for the world and for our country it was anything but. On a national and global level, 2016 was filled with devastation, hate, hurt, loss. Mass shootings, Aleppo, police violence, terror, ISIS, natural disasters...and at the forefront of my mind the ridiculous political season that culminated with the election of someone I believe to be completely unfit to serve as our Commander in Chief. I could go on and on about the many reasons his presidency fills me with fear, but it's already out there. I am not alone by any stretch of the imagination. There are many real reasons that we as a country should be deeply concerned about him taking office in just a few weeks. And I am baffled by the fact that so many people still legitimately believe that he is qualified to hold one of the most powerful positions in the entire world. Mostly my fear is for my children. The decisions he makes in the coming months and years will impact the lives of my children...and all children...for decades to come. Decisions regarding our environment, public education, human rights, war, nuclear weapons...it's truly scary. But I have to continually remind myself that my God is bigger than all of that, and ultimately His plan will prevail. He is in control. And maybe this is all just a wake up call for our country. So as we move into 2017, may it bring peace and hope to our hurting world...may it bring our country together as we strive to become the country we were created to be. And may my own family be challenged in ways that cause us to grow, set goals and accomplish them, make positive changes in health and wellness, grow closer together, closer to Him, and reach out to love and serve others in our community.

Our Crazy Beautiful Life

It's been awhile since I took the time to sit down and blog. We have been engrossed in the day to day since the start of the school year. The first couple of months of a new school year are always busy...and sometimes downright exhausting. We are almost 3 months into kindergarten...and my 11th year of teaching. I am thrilled to say that Luca LOVES kindergarten and he is THRIVING. I could not be more happy. He is excited and ready to go every morning, and he comes home happy each afternoon. He loves his teacher, and he has made many new friends. He is also learning so much and it has been really fun listening to him tell us all about it. He continues to amaze me every day with new things he can do or things he knows. The one challenge for me has been finding the time in the evenings to incorporate some learning at home. I love reading with Luca, and being a reading teacher myself I always want to work with him on sounding out words, reading sight words, and all of the things I know he needs to become a good reader. But I have also been teaching reading ALL DAY. And he has been focused and engaged in learning ALL DAY. And he isn't a huge fan of mommy as a teacher. And I am tired. And I just want to hang out with Luca. And Mila needs my attention too. And I have to make dinner. And clean up dinner. And do baths. And then it's bedtime before we know it. Tomorrow we have his first parent/teacher conference. Being on the other side of the table will definitely be a different experience for me. Sigh. I am sure she will have good things to say.
Ms. Mila has been talking up a storm lately. FINALLY. I was a little worried because she was taking a little longer than Luca, but now her vocabulary is exploding in English AND Spanish! She repeats everything all day long. She will see her baby doll and say "baby crying". She calls Spiderman "man"...and has also started referring to actual spiders as "man". So funny. She loves saying "bye" and "ciao" and waving/blowing kisses to everyone. She asks for her favorite "show" every morning...Mutt and Stuff. It's a kid show with actual trained dogs. Of course she would love a show about dogs. She still loves animals, especially dogs and her "Tay". She loves making animal sounds and knows many animal names. She calls her two favorite foods (peas and blueberries) "bubbles" because they are round. She also loves actual bubbles. She loves climbing on anything and everything, and she is constantly climbing into her highchair on her own...including standing on top of the tray. She will climb up and say "eat"...even though most of the time she does't really want to eat. She is a pretty picky eater like Luca was. She will eat all day with Abuelita....but it's another story at home. She loves "counting" things. She has heard Luca count and I believe she is also listening to me count backwards from 5 when Luca has been warned to do something...ha ha ha. Tonight we read a counting book and she said "5, 4, 3". She loves coloring, painting, play doh, and anything artistic. She holds a crayon perfectly, and she will sit contently for a long time just coloring. She also loves cleaning up messes and she is a great helper! Tonight she stepped on some Goldfish on the floor and was picking up the pieces and putting them into the trash. She is particular about things, and she knows where everything goes. She even cleans up after Luca. Her other favorite thing is being outside. She loves to swing, and she really loves riding around the neighborhood in her little pink car. She is Ms. Independent all the way. She refuses to ride in strollers or the Ergo anymore, and most of the time she refuses to hold anyone's hand when we are out and about. Which can be particularly challenging. Even though she is independent with some things, she is still very much a mommy's girl. And she can be super shy when she's around new people. But it's getting better, and she has stayed in the church nursery without a problem the last two weeks! Sleeping is still a struggle with her. She has never once slept through the night. And she is still nursing several times a night and sleeping in our bed for half of the night. But my plan is to really work on weaning before she turns 2...shhhhh don't tell. As much as I am thankful that I was able to exclusively nurse her for a long time and continue with extended breastfeeding...we have reached that point where I am ready to be able to comfort her in other ways, and I am SO ready to sleep like a normal human.
As for Santi and I. Well we are just working on finding balance between work, kids, home life, faith, marriage, family. This is always our challenge, and we are always in search of new ways to make the most of our time as busy working parents of two. Most weeknights by the time the kids are finally asleep...which unfortunately still takes forever....we are too exhausted to do anything but pack lunches and crash on the couch. Weekends are busy just catching up with housework, grocery shopping, meal prep, and laundry. We struggle to make time for date nights, time with our families, individual time with the kids, and just time for ourselves....time to exercise, relax, get away for a moment of peace. I know it will come. Mila won't be little for long. And Luca is already getting more independent. I am just going to try to stay in the moment and do what I can when I can. And focus on the important things. And drink lots of coffee.

Oh...and just for fun here are a couple shots from our fall family photos. Mila refused to cooperate, but we still got some sweet shots of the little stinker.