Last day of school...an excuse to brag!

Arly and Pierre completed their first full years of school. Words cannot express how proud I am of them. I was really afraid that it would be a tough year getting them used to all the routines of daily school life, turns out I was wrong. Very wrong.


Arly's reading skills have impressed Pedro and myself. I never expected her to be a 'reader' in Kindergarten. I realize that FWCS has full day kindergarten now, but I didn't start reading until 1st grade. I suppose it helps that we read allot at home. Anyhow, we're very proud of her and her desire to learn, be respectful, sweet and basically, make us look like we're doing something right! She received her Kindergarten diploma today and a Franke Park Elementary 'Hard worker' award and a 'Citizenship' award (I assume/hope everyone receives that one)... When I was in school I'm pretty sure these type of 'honorable mention awards' were the only things ever presented to me. -haha- That's okay though, I wasn't nearly as scholarly motivated as my Arly. Anyhow, very proud of my baby.









Pierre and Arly are like night and day, summer and winter, hot and cold -- two different kids all around. I knew from day one of school he would be a different story. In fact, when I took him to his 'practice day/orientation' he literally threw a fit because I wouldn't pull some NASA Rocket down from a classroom shelf for him...so much of a fit that he STOPPED the future students/teacher from singing the ABC song so he could TELL ON ME! Yep, that is my boy. I was so embarrassed (and angry) by his behavoir, but what can you do in front of 30 parents, students and teachers -- other than laugh and apologize. Okay, so my point is Pierre was a challenge; but he proved me wrong. We (us and the school) really didn't have any problems with him. He was/is in speech therapy and improving daily, has learned TONS of stuff. Even TONS more than Arly took from her pre-k class last year, and she was nearly a year and a half older than him when she started Pre-K. So with these challenges we were dreading, Pierre proved us wrong, worked hard and received the 'Kiwanis' award today. Only one is presented per class per year, and it can be for different things. Pierre received it for 'most improved' and that, I'm sure, he most definately deserved.

Congrats to my babies, who are no longer babies (*_*)...Seriously, high school is around the corner.

Take us out to the ballgame!

Last month on May 15th Pedro and I drove up to Detroit to see our very first LIVE Boston Red Sox game. Though I'm not a huge Red Sox fan they are growing on me. My family always followed the Chicago Cubs more, but nothing hardcore so I think it's okay if I change up my team in order to support my husband's...right? Anyhow, ever since Pedro was just a young lad in El Salvador, he's liked the Red Sox. Though unfortunately, he'd never had a chance to see them. Sometimes life gets in the way, especially when it's as loco as ours. So, for Pedro's birthday I wanted to get him something totally unique, and luckily, one week after his b-day the Red Sox were playing in Detroit, so we went for it. I must say I was a little apprehensive at first with it being 'Detroit' and all, but we were fine, and we weren't the only Boston fans either. Here's some pics of our day. P.S. we had excellent seats.

Finding our seats


A scary pic of me...hehe


Pedro excited for the game to start


The game


About two weeks after the Tigers/Red Sox game our family went to our first FW Tincaps game. We had an excellent time. The kids got free tickets from school for participating in a reading program. Here's some shots:

View from our seats


Shot of the city buildings


Pierre looking cool in his (my) shades


Arly, sucking up the last of her dippin' dots

Old Blog Posts I copied from my Myspace blog...

So I'm really going to try and update this more often, in hopes that someday my kids will enjoy reading it. So, I used to blog a little more frequently on myspace and wanted to paste those old posts here. So here they are (most recent first):

December 22, 2008, Monday - 'Life update'


o here it is, the end of 2008. I can't believe how fast time goes, the older you get, the faster it goes. All in all, 2008 was an excellent year for us. We managed to reach a lot of goals including eye surgery for Rafaela, finalizing some legal issues, repaired major repairs on our house, a new job for me, a mini vaca to Chicago and many other small accomplishments. All of these great things cause me to worry what 2009 will bring. It seems like even years always work out best for us. Oh well, time will tell, and then tell itself again -- I hope I'm not jinxing myself now?

Other big things this year would be Arly starting school, and me finishing another year towards some degree. I'm getting to the point now where my classes will actually have something to do with my major. Going part time makes this process move much slower than an average young college student, but like I mentioned above, "the older I get the faster time goes" so better keep working than quit before I'm ahead...right?

I've been trying to get caught up for Christmas. After going 3 days without power and eventually giving up the freezing battle, loading up my fam and crashing at my moms, my plans to organize and prepare were thrown out window. But the power is on so it's time to move on forward. Why is it that I'm always broke at Christmas time? This year I promise I am starting a Christmas club at my bank. I'm tired of stretching pennies. Money tightness right now is probably a good thing though. I've found over the past 3-5 years that the more I get my kids the less they appreciate, so Christmas will be slim but fulfilling. They each are only asking for one thing so all the little extras we've purchased will just be bonuses. All Arly wanted was a desk, and not a round one when I tried to convince her their round table would work, but a rectangle one like her teacher has. I managed to find a cute little one at Big Lots this weekend -- I let Santa know. LOL. Pierre is simple he's only requested a "Big Bigger Bigger Speedracer car", so Santa should be able to land that no problem.

I came across this quote in my philosophy class that I just finished, and really liked it, so here is the quote of my day:

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." —Friedrich Nietzsche

Merry Christmas

to all my Peeps

& Happy New Year too!


October 20, 2008, Monday 'The "I" Survey'


I am: A Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister a Friend

I think: I am very blessed

I dislike: people who feel superior

I miss: not having tons of time on my hands

I fear: losing the ones I love.

I feel: really happy.

I hear: negativity too much.

I smell: nothing at the moment

I crave: acceptance from those who really don't matter at all.


I cry: when i'm frustrated and stressed

I usually: pretty laid back

I search: for deals to save money!!

I wonder: why I ever sweat the small stuff.

I regret: wasted time.


I wish: we were independently wealthy so I could be home with my kids

I love: my family.

I care: about the less fortunate, we forget how good we really have it.


I always: forget things if I don't write them down.

I worry: about everything.

I remember: less and less as time goes on.

I believe: we've all been put on this earth for a reason.

I sing: w/my daughter all the time.

I don't always: make time for me.

I write: when I have something to get off my chest.

I win: when I apply myself.

I lose: my temper too quickly.

I listen: to others opinions.

I don't understand: my philosophy class


I can usually be found: at work or home


I need: my family

I forget: too slow down and enjoy the music.


I am happy: with my life & the choices I've made.


August 6, 2008, Wednesday - 'So it’s that time again...'


Summer has flown by, and I am in absolutely no hurry to return to school. I know its something that I have to do, and if I stop going now I'll never go back, but I'm for some reason or another dreading it. I don't even know why I don't want to go, I do pretty well, and manage my time decently. I think I just keeping thinking that its one more thing that I will have to do, every night and weekend my classes and what needs done is going to weigh on my shoulders again. Unlike when I was a teen/kid I didn't have anything else to worry about, only my part time job ringing up groceries, but really even then I never really cared about school. I really wish that my parents would have pushed me harder, or even pushed me a little, when I was in school, that way I'd probably had went straight to college when I was 18 and by this time I'd already be finished and had my dream job. I guess we live and learn. Now and eventually if I do ever finish I'll appreciate it more...but still ...not looking forward to going back.

On a more pleasant "school" topic, my little 4 year old Arlita will be starting preschool on the 18th. I'm pretty excited and so is she, but I'm curious to see how she does in such a "structured" environment. I think I'll constantly wonder about her all day long..."Did she use the potty at break time," "Did she wash her hands," "Is she eating her lunch," "Are the kids being nice to her" etc...I could go on but i'll stop at that...



July 22, 2008, Tuesday - Three...



My son will be 3 years old in 3 short days. It is true what they say, "they grow up so fast, so enjoy it." Time is going so fast it's pretty amazing to see how quickly he's becoming a big boy. ..Pierre is the perfect mix of my brother, my husband and me. He reminds of BJ (my bro) because he's a little ornery and sweet all at the same time, Pedro because he's really smart, good with his hands and loves to fix things, and me because he's stubborn and at times a "know it all." He loves his sister very much and looks up to her for everything as if he's always seeking her approval. He loves his cars and his Nana. He loves going to Grandma's house. He's fascinated with the human body. He's a pretty good counter, but hasn't mastered his colors. He has absolutely no interest in potty training! In time I know this will come when he's ready and I try not to rush but I would really love to knock diapers off the weekly grocery list! All in all, my sweet little soon to be 3 year old boy makes me proud and succeeds in amazing me everyday with new actions and phrases among many other things.