A look back at this week...

Lucia and school friends at the park.

Having fun in the pool.

So, I haven't posted in a while. It's been busy with the holiday making it a shorter week. On Memorial Day we decided to officially kick off the summer with swimming and a BBQ at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was Sylvie's first time swimming and she loved it! Lucia can now touch the bottom of the pool in the shallow end. Marco isn't afraid of the water either and paddles around in his floater. It was Lucia's last week of preschool and they had an End of the Year party at the park. She is going to miss her teachers and friends when she starts kindergarten in the fall, but she is ready! Her teacher was so sweet and made each of the kids a scrapbook with their work and photos from throughout the school year.

Another thing that has been occupying my time is looking for a house. We are trying to find a bigger place to live and it's proving to be somewhat of a challenge. We have been working with a mortgage counselor and a realtor-they have been very helpful in educating us on what we can afford and what type of homes are good to buy or not. Everything in our price range is sold or on active short sale contingency, so we're hoping all the foreclosures that are out there will be put on the market this month and won't be snatched up in a day!

Julio has been swamped at work and is working 12 hour days, plus doing work late at night after we all go to bed. He talks in his sleep about bankruptcy. Poor guy.

Well, I guess that's all for now. We are excited for the summer to be officially started now. Lots of swimming and a camping trip are in store!

Sylvie...our little cute baby

"Are you talking to me?"


Sylvie loves to dance to music!

Puzzle Sandwich

Here is Sylvie attempting to crawl. She really wants to move!

I have to write this down before I forget. Julio was making sandwiches for lunch and gave one to Marco whole. He took it back to him and asked him to make a "puzzle sandwich". We didn't know what this meant. Here it is:

I'm glad they love eachother...

So, this week I've been a little spacey. I totally forgot about a lunch I had planned with some friends on Wed. Maybe it's the new meds I'm on. I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for the past few months and finally saw a doctor. She was very helpful and I'm hoping these meds will help. They are making me more mellow :-)

Here is a list of some crazy things Marco did recently:
Put peanutbutter in Lucia's new shoes.

Killed a fly with his blanket

Sat in the rain-filled sandbox in his clothes and then stripped naked and ran around the yard and the house.

Threw clothes up onto the fan in his room.

Drew on a dining chair with ball-point pen.

I enrolled Lucia in kindergarten this week. It just kills me to think she is going into KINDERGARTEN!!! Where did the time go? It's hard to decide what to do because I want the best for her and the school she is in now is definitely NOT the best. But, since we are planning on moving soon, we don't know where we will be. We did open enrollment and she didn't get into any of the 3 choices. So, what to do? I guess she is enrolled just in case. Hopefully the neighborhood we move into will have a better school. I guess kindergarten is not a big deal. For next year we'll try to find a better option. What is the purpose of early education anyway? Set a good foundation for learning, develop good social skills and respect for other adults. I know the older she gets, the more imperative it will be that she gets what she needs and develops her interests and talents so that she can be a functional, happy and contributing member of society. Until then, we'll see!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mother's out there. It is the most noble and most important job anyone could ever have. I have so much more respect and gratitude to my mother and grandmothers for all they have done for our family. Love you mom! After becoming a mother myself, I've realized how much of a sacrifice you make taking care of your children, but how much joy and happiness you get in return-far outweighs that. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

I love Thrift Town

Thrift Town is a nearby thrift store that I have fallen in love with. It is cheaper than the DI, and has better quality stuff! I went this afternoon with the kids because they had a 30% off everything sale. This is what I got: 3 shirts for me, 2 shirts for Marco, 2 shirts and a skirt for Lucia, 2 shirts, a skirt and a hat for Sylvie. Some of the brands are Gap, Old Navy and all in good condition! Guess how much I spent? $16.32. Yes, that's right-all this stuff for less than $20! I love a deal and I feel I'm doing my part to, "Use it again, hand it down, wear it out or do without!" (I think that's the quote, but I'm not sure-you get the jist)

Sylvie is 8 months old!

Well, what is there to report this month...She loves to stand! She will rock back and forth like she's ready to launch herself. This month has been hard for her as far as sleeping. She is teething big time, although none have broken through yet! I'll be glad when this teething phase is over! She used to sleep through the night but lately has been waking up twice a night. It's really taking a toll on Mommy. She is eating much better now. She loves the Gerber fruit mixed with grains, but would rather feed herself anything she can get her hands on. Speaking of hands-she does this funny thing with her thumb. She'll stick it out and bang it on surfaces really hard. It's pretty funny. She's becoming wary of strangers lately-she'll still let people hold her, but she gives them this look like, "Who are you and why are you holding me?" People always say, "She's so serious!" It's true, but she has her fun-loving side too. We love her so much-our Mika girl, Sylv Sylv, Cutie pie.