"All" About the Girls

My sister had some extra "All About Me" school posters and gave us a couple to fill out. The posters are too big to keep for years to come, but the answers are too unique to not hold onto in some way. Here is "all about our girls":

AF:
I am 3 years old. My favorite colors are blue and orange. My favorite animal is a turtle. My favorite food is PB&J. Chipotle is my favorite place. When I grow up, I want to be a mermaid or a ghost. My favorite thing to do is play on Poisson Rouge. If I had one wish, I would wish for chocolate milk.


[AF's self-portrait]

H:
I am 6 years old. My favorite colors are pink and purple. My favorite animal is a unicorn. My favorite food is egg salad sandwich. Party On is my favorite place. When I grow up, I want to be a fairy. My favorite thing to do is watch movies. If I had one wish, I would wish for an Ariel boat.


["Our family playing at Party On with our pet unicorn" by H]

1st Grade and Pre-K

"Summer" is on the way out. As we are saying good-bye to the morning til bedtime pretending-sand box factories-biking-all-the-while-in-swimsuits, we took sometime to reward H and AF's efforts with our homegrown summer reading program. Given several choices, unanimously the girls chose "bouncing tents!"--our local indoor playland.

















Back-to-school dinner followed at our home away from home, Chipotle. Espi and I shared some of our hopes for the girls' year. Daddy starts out with, "Have fun," before adding a few responsible goals. When asked what H wants to do now that she's a 1st grader, she responds, "I want a new bike." As a 3 year old, we have been telling AF she's now an official pre-schooler. What she wants to do this year? "Keep going to bouncing tents!" They sure sound like 3 and 6 year olds.

Enrichment started this past week, and it will continue just about every Thursday for the rest of our school year. Due to an unusually, early, AD wake up call this Thursday morning, I was reading at 6:00am when I heard a scuffle from the girls' room. Wow, is H so eager to see friends and get to her new class, I thought. Then AF comes down the hall all dressed for the day wearing her mini, pink, angel-winged backpack. "Mom, will I get to stay all day with H today?" It hurt a little to let down her hopes, but she bounced back just fine.




{sitting with big sister at assembly--notice the wings??}

Espi joined us for ice cream following H's first day with her classmates. H was all smiles--the first day was a success.

Once home, AF was searching for paper and pencil. She made two "thank you cards" for H. That was a first! Someone really missed her big sister's company. Yet, I know this day apart will be good for AF and AD's play and learning, too.

Happy 2011-2012 school year!

It's Good to Be a Kid

Out of the blue this week, H asked me, "When are we going to that one spray park again?" We have enjoyed several in our area throughout the years, so I picked her brain for details. She took me back to Great Plains Park sprayground. We visited it once 3 years ago! This girl has an amazing memory as far as I can tell.

Well, her idea was a good one. We invited friends and made a day of it.


{H soaked it all up from start to finish.}


{AD wasn't thrilled with the sporadic sprays.}


{AF followed her sister's lead...


...and found her favorite shoots.}






{In the center of the sprayground, this circle of shoots goes off and on. AD was intriqued and walked right inside when off. His surprise soak also seemed to perk up his attitude for the rest of the day.}




{The little one with beads in her hair was so full of life and laughs. She made me want to jump right in with my clothes on, too!}


{Then her dad joined in the fun, and I could see where she gets it!}


{Precious kids. Precious playtime.}

My Mother-in-Law

You are one of the strongest...
and gentlest.

Your legacy for your children and grandchildren is one of great hope.

You have seen hardship and grief like no one else I know, but you smile and love and love and love.



You are a mother-in-law who honors, supports, prays, cherishes. I am fortunate.



Your son, your grandchildren, and I need the goodness that you give us, and we are so thankful for it.



Maybe AD can chime in next time, but from the other three, these "three" words remind them of you:

AF: I-like-her, I-want-to-go-to-her-house-again, I-like-drinking-her-water
H: Texas, kind, nice
Espi: I love you.



You are a beautiful woman.
Have a happy birthday.
We love you!

Wish

We have seen several of these this spring and summer as grocery and other prices soar, and I look for more ways to save a buck.

Before this moment, AF is in the lead 2 out of 2, but moments later, H finally gets her wish. As the rules go, a well-cleaned, thoroughly dried poultry "wishbone" gets snapped apart. The longer side gets to make a wish. But in order for that wish to come true, you can't tell anyone.

H squeals, "I can't wait for my wish to come true!"

With that excitement, I almost can't either.

08 August 2011

My Mother

Often, I wonder without your love and care where would I be.

When I think unconditional love, I think of you.

When I think steady and faithful, I think of you.

When I think honoring and celebrating the individual, I think of you.



You have taught me how to listen to the heart, not just the words,

how to be open and honest, because you have encouraged that from me,



how to accept and forgive, because this life hurts...terribly sometimes and we all need it,

how to hope and believe individual dreams, change, healing, wholeness to live out our purpose with our Creator and each other.



Your love, care, and prayers have meant more than you and I know and more than I can express...

but I'll keep trying.



The rest of the "understanding" Espinoza clan gave the first three "words" that come to mind when they think of you:

AF: I-like-her, I-want-to-come-to-her-house, I-want-AD-to-be-at-her-house

H: fun, plays-with-us-a-lot, pretty

Espi: kind, honest, loving

Happy Birthday, Mom.
We love you!

04 August 2011

Summer Fun

About this time I am ready for the summer to slow down at half speed. I am loving the growing season, the warmth and the perfect outdoor evenings.

It has been harder to share pictures and happenings lately. Before school starts up again and time is more limited, here is a taste of how the children are growing and the play that has been filling our warm days: