Zi chose indoor rock climbing for her birthday. Turned out to be an awesome time for the kids to learn together! Zi cleared 6 courses, and developed a love for climbing. Even Elle at 4 years old almost reached the top. They all did great, some conquering their fear of heights and trusting the harness as they jumped down. This place we went to were kid friendly, as well as accommodating more experienced climbers. But they were the only one that allowed 4 year olds to climb. We’ll definitely repeat this activity again soon.
Today was a milestone for our beloved Zienne, the much anticipated Stepping Up Ceremony commemorating her PreK achievements. Scholastically, being a PreK graduate may seem trifle, but a school year of learning social behavior, practicing using your voice, building your courage, allowing mistakes (yours and others), experiencing conflicts, progressing in writing, speaking, and reading, refining fine motor skills, exploring your creativity, and getting accustomed to a schedule and rules are all very worthy of a congratulations for 4-5 year olds. So, Zienne Noelle, our beloved, a joyful congratulations is in order. Maybe it’s just us, maybe it’s how we translate your teacher’s stories about you, their praise of your knowledge and personality, but you’ve proved to be very special, easily adapting to what was put before you. You’re such a pleasure to us, my love. Continue on in your pursuits, Zi, and your dad and I will always uphold you in prayer. Jesus loves you. Today is your day, and you really held such pride, taking extra care in how you looked for such an occasion. Your smile during today’s events said it all.
On Monday, the kids had their rescheduled Valentine’s parties at school. Zi came home with a card she made for us, and in it was a letter her teacher enclosed for us telling the story of Zi bravely singing “Let It Go” in front of the whole class. Her teacher said it had brought her to tears. I love how at such a young age, Zi is a blessing to those around her. Every day, I tell my girls, specifically, to practice their voices. As girls, I know how hard it’s going to be to find their voices- to know who they are, be comfortable with themselves, AND be able to let themselves be heard. You don’t know how many times I’ve been to meetings, classes, in work, in school, in church, in the group of friends where the guys monopolize the conversation because they just feel comfortable and want to be heard. Even during Bible studies, more men lead the teaching and discussions. Even in the educational scope, statistically, men are in the science field, engineering and math. My point is that I’m raising three girls who I hope will one day be strong individuals. Not strong, as in […]
Zi: I dreamt of the kids last night, mamam.Me: what kids?Zi: you remember, last night? You told us about the kids. ***flashback the night before when I told them that our family’s new year’s resolution would be to help out people more who have no homes, no food, no beds even in the winter…***Me: Oh! What was your dream about the kids?Zi: I gave them blankets, and coats. I gave them food so they were happy. And when they got sleepy, I gave them a nice pillow.
My 2 year old (30 months to be exact) comes running up the stairs into my room crying:Zi: Mamam!!!!me: what happened zi?zi: the care-a-bears!!me: what about the care bears? zi: mamam, it’s something bad tv downstairs. The care bears deleted.” me: deleted?! zi: ya. deleted. can you help me? oh pretty pretty please? me: what do you mean they got deleted? what does deleted mean? zi: because it got deleted. it means, GO AWAY!!! Can you help me? It broken! Can you help me? I’m in trouble. #LOLS #notlying #wheredoesshelearnthesewords #30months “Deleted” ? Really, Zi? Where do you learn these words? I don’t even remember using it around you. You amaze me and entertain me in moments like today. d
Zienne. I haven’t been blogging, and if I had, it was always about your Ate. I didn’t forget about you. It’s just that your Ate is so busy with things this summer, firsts that I know she’ll remember throughout her life, like ballet and reading, graduating kinder, and trying to sustain an ant farm that dies after 24 hours. But you. Never in the sidelines, little one. You are your own spirit, one that commands attention. You have determination like no other baby I’ve known, not even your Ate. Your Ate would get discouraged and frustrated, when you would always demand, “I do it!” And usually, you do. The force is strong in you little one. You can speak in sentences, very fluent with your thoughts and emotions. You even know how to manipulate your mom when you’re in trouble; you grab my face with both your hands and say, “I love you, mama. Happy? I soweee (sorry), mama. I love you soooooo much!” You’re also so aware of where your sister is. When you were younger, you wouldn’t mind if your sister was absent from your side, but now, you feel so empty without her. She’s your best […]