Fiesta!

Both girls had Fiesta celebrations at their schools last week. Julia had a trike-a-thon and Sarah had to make a float that she got to pull in the kindergarten parade. Second only to Mardi Gras, Fiesta is a good excuse for San Antonians (and all others who travel here) to p-a-r-t-y. The kids even get a school holiday out of it for the Battle of the Flowers parade. We're not big crowd people, so we stay away from the formal parades, but it's fun to participate in the kiddie versions of the festivities.

Expanding her vocabulary

So, we always thought that since Sarah loves to talk Julia might be a little more introverted, quiet or shy. But whoa were we wrong! Since Sarah started kindergarten in the fall, and Julia has had more one-on-one time with me, she talks all - of - the - time!!! She's really started putting more complete sentences together that sound very grown-up. Today we had a conversation that went something like this:

Julia: Mom, can I ask you a favor?

Me: Um, okay, what?

Julia: Can you pick up my crocs for me and put them away?

Me: (jaw dropped) Sweetheart, Mommy does favors for you all day long. You can pick your shoes up by yourself.

And, last Friday at MOPS, one of the adult helpers in Julia's Moppets room told me that Julia had told her that I got frustrated that morning because she didn't want to wear a ponytail. Geez! Talk about accountability! For the record, I think I maybe rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as she exerted her independence that morning over her hairstyle.

Spring Break

The girls and I enjoyed some time in Victoria last week during Sprink Break hanging out with family and visiting the sites of Victoria. It was a great change of pace, and of course the girls get spoiled with both sets of grandparents around.

A rite of passage

Last Friday definitely an exciting evening at our house ... Sarah lost her first tooth! It had been loose for a while and she had been complaining that it hurt when she bit into hard foods like apples. When we got home Friday night after supper, I noticed it looked a little grey, and Carlton asked her if she wanted him to pull it. After some initial hesitation, she agreed, and two or three tries later she had a tiny hole in her pretty little bottom row of teeth. She wanted to call everyone we are related to to share the news!

Carlton and I were marveling the other night at how many "firsts" she has accomplished over the past several weeks/months. She has learned how to read, started learning how to ski, lost her first tooth, learned how to tie her shoes and started taking piano lessons. She's eager to learn and takes on new challenges with patience and determination.

P.E. Showcase

Sarah was chosen along with four other kids from her class to participate in the P.E. Showcase for our school district, and I must admit it was bigger deal than I originially thought it would be. Each grade level from about six schools in our district learned the same routine and performed it together. Several routines included props like hula-hoops, parachutes, ribbon wands, and balls. The kindergarteners performed an aerobic routine to "I'm a Believer." It was so cute and Sarah was pumped to be a part of it. She's quite the performer! (She's in the black shirt on the left.)

Where's Waldo?

Steamboat '09

For the fourth consecutive year, my family has gone to Steamboat Springs, CO to enjoy some R&R. We're fortunate enough to have access to a very nice house, complete with outdoor hot-tubs, so you almost have to peel yourself away from the luxurious amenities to visit the mountain and town.

There are always so many wonderful memories from our time in Colorado, but some of the highlights of this year included: our best travel yet; Sarah skied for three days in a row including a day with Dad on the mountain; Julia got on ski's for the first time. My nephew also cut his first tooth while we were there, which was ironic because Julia cut her first tooth while we were there two years ago. Fun times and happy memories!

A good day

I don't often post without a picture, but today was one of those days I want to remember, especially when the next day rolls around that I'm not wanting to remember so clearly.

First, we had a good old-fashioned dose of sibling rivalry at our house yesterday, coupled with fatigue and lots of together time (yesterday was a school holiday for Sarah), leaving Mom (me) exhausted and wondering why my sweet daughters insist on fighting so much lately. This is a fairly new dynamic for the girls, and the way I'm handling it is clearly not effective (any advice is VERY welcome!). Days like yesterday chip away at my mommy-confidence and strengthen my desperate desire to raise girls that are not only sisters but truly good friends. Well, today was the sunshine behind the clouds of yesterday. They played together, shared without my constant reminders and laughed together ... the kind of belly-laughing that makes you laugh just because you hear it. Oh, it was music to my ears! In my short journey of motherhood I've learned that when there's a challenging day/week/month, don't give up hope because something good and rewarding is around the corner. Now if I can only remember that when the next round of squabbling starts!

The other highlight from today was what I refer to as my "paycheck." At dinner tonight, Julia reached over and touched my arm and said, "You're a beautiful mom." It was the most angelic thing she's ever said to me (believe me, there have been plenty of un-angelic things too! :) I wouldn't trade any monetary amount, job title or corner office for those sweet words spoken by one of my kids. I've been a stay-at-home-mom for over five years and can say with all sincerety that I wouldn't rather be doing any other job than the one I'm doing right now. Words of affirmation are definitely one of my top love languages, and Julia spoke to my heart tonight, and I'm feeling very loved!