News Flash

For the last two weeks, during bath time, I've been sitting Claire on the toilet, just so she can get used to the feel and I tell her what she is doing and supposed to be doing. She's been watching Azure as well. Today, she actually peed on the toilet for the first time. That may not mean much to anyone, but I had to write down this moment so I wouldn't forget. One step closer to a diaper free kid!!!

Carving pumpkins

On Halloween morning, I took the girls out in the backyard to carve their pumpkins. Azure was really excited, but Claire didn't care. I cut open the first pumpkin and showed Azure what was inside. I explained to her that we had to clean it all out before we made the face on the pumpkin. She was excited to help.
I gave her a spoon and she was able to get a handlful of seeds out before she told me, "This is gross, mom. Really disgusting!" And she gave up.
So I got to finish cleaning and then carving the faces. But Azure was so happy when she saw the finished product.

Halloween celebrations

Here are some of the pictures from our fun weekend. Azure celebrated Halloween at school with a big party and singing for the parents. We made cookies to take in for her classmates. She was very sweet to let Claire sit with her during singing time even though the other kids didn't want to. Later on, she was lucky enough to spend a few minutes playing with her best boy friend Elijah!







On Friday afternoon, we went to Mamie's work to trick or treat. We met new friends and got lots of candy. Even Allie dressed up for the festivities. She made such a cute fairy!

We tried to get a good photo of Mamie and the girls, but no one cooperated. This is the best we got.

Azure corrects her Teacher

On the first day of school, I noticed when I picked Azure up from class that her teacher called her Ay-zure. She used a long "A" instead of a short one, like the A in Apple. On the way home, I asked her if her teacher had gotten her name wrong. She said "Yes, but my name isn't Ay-zure."
I told her, " Well you need to tell your teacher that your name is Azure. But say it nicely." I didn't think about it again until I dropped her off. I reminded her that it was okay to tell the teacher how to say her name in case the teacher got it wrong. She nodded, but didn't say anything.
When I picked her up from class today, I hear the teacher say, "Your mom is here, Azure. Have a good day!" As soon as we got to the car, I asked her what she had told her teacher. She said, " She said Ay-zure and I said, no that's not my name. My name is Azure."
I asked her if her teacher said anything else and she said, "No, but my name is Azure now."
I am so proud of her to have the courage to step up and say something to her teacher. Usually, I am the one who does the talking for her and telling people how her name is pronounced, but this time I wanted her to do it herself. I don't want her to be afraid to speak up or to always depend on me to do things for her. So far, school has been a learning experience for both of us, and I'm really noticing how grown up she really is!

Azure's first day of Pre-school

Today Azure went to her first day of preschool. I had gone to the store the night before to buy her a fisrt day of school outfit. It was something my parents had always done and I wanted her to feel special with a new outfit. Tania met me at Target and we settled on a cute dress.Azure was awake at 5 am. She couldn't sleep so I let her lay with me in bed and hoped that she would fall asleep. She tossed and turned for about an hour before falling asleep. I had to go and wake her at 8 am so she wouldn't be late for school. She was so excited to see her pretty new dress and only ate about half of her breakfast before she wanted to put it on and get ready. She told me she wanted her hair pulled back and wear a pink hair clip.When we got to the school, I let her out of her seat and she immediately said "Bye Mom!" and started to walk away. I had to tell her that I needed to walk her to the door. She was a big help and held Claire's hand and her emergency kit. We were a little early and we were able to watch other kids come around. On the table next to her class there were name tag necklaces with all the kids names on it. We found hers, and she was happy to wear it.





The teacher, Miss Jackey, came to open the door and smiled really big. Azure was the first to walk right in without hesitating. She handed over her emergency kit and I gave the snack and picture to her teacher and followed her straight to a little play castle. She had seen it at orientation the week before and wanted to play with it so badly. It was on a table so she went straight to play with it. She saw me still standing there and she said, " Bye Mom, get out!" I was so surprised that she just wanted me to leave her so quickly. I told her to give me and Claire a kiss which she did. And then she said "You have to leave now." And she went back to playing. A little saddened by her actions, I turned and walked out. The teacher told me it was a good thing, that at least she wasn't crying. I had to agree.
As I drove home, I shed a few tears, not because my child was in school, but because I was a little sad that she dismissed me so quickly. But I was over it when I got home and noticed how quiet it was.

Claire had a hard morning. She walked from room to room looking for Azure and sometimes crying. She didn't have anyone to play with and she missed her sister. She was really happy when it was time to pick her up. We had gotten there a few minutes early and she cried because they wouldn't open the door fast enough for her to get to her sister.

Azure made a new friend named Sophia. Miss Jackey said that they became friends fast and played with each other all morning. They were even able to sit next to each other at the table when it was time to be picked up. She was excited to show me her calendar and can't wait until she goes back on Thursday.

I'm so proud of her. She really was ready for school and I'm glad that she is able to go. She has looked forward to this day for a long time. It saddens me that she is even old enough for this. It seems like it passed too quickly for me. I can't wait to see what she learns this year at school!

Skype

I am having a lot of fun with Skype. It's is the best invention ever for keeping in touch with those of my friends across the universe. I'm really excited that I'll be able to keep in touch with Katie and MAry since I'm stuck here in Cali without them. Miss you already.

4th of July

I was looking back at my blog and realized that I never shared about our 4th of July. Even though we did the same old thing, we had a lot of fun doing it. It was Allison's first 4th of July so it was special.
We went to the Dye's house for breakfast before the parade started. They live right on the parade route and were kind to invite us to their home to watch the parade after breakfast. Azure and Claire were really excited because they got the chance to ride on Papa and Mamie's wagon to the house. They love to sit in it and many people we passed thought they were so cute in their matching red white and blue outfits. They looked so patriotic! After a nice quiche breakfast we waited and listened for the sirens that start the parade. They were soft at first, but they got louder. When they got close to us, the fire trucks let off a big sound and it made Allison cry and Claire started to cry. They had such sad little faces!
After all the loud trucks and cars and motorcycles went by, we were able to settle down and watch the rest of the parade. We were waiting for Mamie to walk by so we could cheer her on. She was in the parade representing her work- The University of La Verne. She held on to some special candy for the girls. Azure was able to get some candy and she was happy. Azure's favorite was the horses. She always loves the horses. I'm pretty sure Claire didn't care about anything. She was pretty tired and close to her nap time by the end. After the parade, we pulled the girls back on the wagon.
Later that night, we took Azure and Claire to the local park and watched the fireworks. Fernando and I each took a child and covered her ears. Claire loved the bright lights and clapped. Azure wouldn't even open her eyes to look, she was so scared. I was disappointed because she loved them the year before. But she has a fear of loud sounds.
The 4th of July is one of my favorite Holidays. It is a special day to recognize the freedom in this country and the people who are fighting for it. I have many friends who are in the Military Service and I tear up knowing that they are putting their lives on the line for me and my kids. Just because of them I know that my kids will have a better life in a free country that they will be able to voice their opinions and not be punished, that they can take a stand in their beliefs and morals, that they can get an education wherever they want and whatever they want. I am proud to be an American. And from the bottom of my heart I thank all those who dedicate their lives to this country so that I can have that freedom.