Michelena Graduates Preschool! [MOMLIFE]

Is this really happening? 

Honestly, having a hard time grappling with this moment. She's 4 but feels like she's going on 14. Her preschool days are over and I think I'm supposed to be crying right now but you know when things happen so fast it takes a while before it hits you? This is one of those moments and it still hasn't hit me.

This was honestly a rough day. She was excited for this event, as she's excited for all school-related events, but came to the sudden realization during the performance, when her best friends were missing, that this year is coming to an end as is her daily life with those best friends not graduating along with her. Instead, she's forced to sit among another class, singing strange songs she's been prepping to sing only in the last few weeks or so.

A day later, now looking back, I realize how odd and strange this setup was for the kids in her class who were moving to higher level schools. Had I known the effect, I honestly wouldn't have brought her. 

Transition is tough. And the lesson I learned this weekend is change might be harder going forward as she grows older, more aware, and more attached.

Nonetheless, we got through it. I continually remind her how much I love her, how valuable our family is, that we are a team and will always stick together. Because that is what families do. Amongst all the change that surrounds them, those that are true to each other will always move through change together, as a unit, as a team. 

Another day, another milestone, and How proud I am of her and how far she's come.

For memory: She can spell her name backwards and simple words forward :> She can read level 2 books and can do simple arithmetic. She can identify Google cars on the road and can run, skip, and hop. She can listen in on and interject in adult conversation, and even understands some Chinese though her accent is just as horrendous as mine. Her humor is impeccable and she loves playing with her friends. She loves play doh, legos, and monopoly. Killer smile, huge heart, love of technology and toys. xo

Watching Movies, Pearl Harbor [MOMLIFE]

We had just watched Pearl Harbor.

Mom and I have been on a movie-watching kick and I love it. When Nui Nui was born, we used to watch Revenge together. Then, when we moved west, those evenings together ended.

Now, we've started up again, borrowing movies from the library. When I was in New York, I lived right across the street from the library and used to watch a lot of movies-- The Reader, Remember Me, An Education, to name a few.

What I love about this new, or revived, pastime is that we get to spend time together, relaxed, as the kids are asleep (well, I'm in the process of putting baby to sleep with her last feed but close enough), and getting the opportunity to escape and get lost in another world, even if just for a moment. When you don't travel, this kind of escape is a nice way to break the routine of the same old, day in and day out. Plus, it gives you more to talk about (not that we ever really run out of conversation) and things to learn about and sometimes analyze. 

So, anyway, as I mentioned, we just finished watching Pearl Harbor. We ran out of movies from the library, so mom suggested we watch it since she had a copy and I've never seen it.

She recounted the time she was back home, in the house alone, in the middle of a winter snowstorm. Knowing she'd be stuck at home, she watched the entire movie-- it's something like 3 hours long, broken into 2 DVDs. She said by the end of the movie, it had snowed a foot.

We've watched quite a number of true story/based on true story movies thus far, and I admit I've enjoyed them. I was even telling Mom that I think my taste in movies is changing-- she picked out most of what we've seen and I was open to whatever (except 12 Years A Slave-- that one was too much for me).

When the movie was over, my reaction to Pearl Harbor was this: back and forth and back and forth.

Mom's response: it's always good to have back up.

So funny. And this is what I love. Good times, good laughs. Together. xo

Final Four Of 2015! [MOMLIFE]

Merry Xmas 2015!

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!

Feeling so very thankful for all that I have and all that I've achieved since one year ago. My girls are my everything. This is the dream. xo



Outtakes :>

Weekend Morning, Big Sister Little Sister [MOMLIFE]

Nui Nui is always excited to come into my room to check up on me and the baby in the morning.

She greets us with a sweet 'hiiii baaaaby!', then proceeds to poke her nose and tickle her.

You can see baby recognizes her big sister, smiling when she is near and even reaching her arm out for her. 

You can now understand now why it's so difficult to get out of bed in the mornings :>

Love these girls with all my heart. Family. It's the dream. xo

Portraits Are A Family Affair [MOMLIFE]

Mom held baby E while I ordered lunch. M then wanted in on the photo op. Love how portraits become a family affair :> xo

Pantsless On A Warm Winter Day! [MOMLIFE]

Today was one of those days that I was so glad to be where I am. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, which always uplifts my spirit. I realized I'm one of those people that are actually ok with not having cold weather or snow for xmas, and good with white xmas' for the movies.

Considering it was so warm-- me in a tee shirt-- I kept the baby's pants off in the afternoon after I changed her. It's a rare treat and the freedom of no pants, I imagine are liberating for her tiny but growing legs. 

In several of these photos, you can also see her love of play (especially fist-punch, or hand coordination) is still strong and likely growing. From a daily perspective, it's amazing to watch her development. You'd think seeing her on a daily basis I might not notice but each day now there's just so much growth it's hard not to. 

Adventure. Love. Lottery. I truly hit the jackpot. xo