Last Day of Ballet

Today was Alayna's last day of ballet. Next week is dress rehearsal and the recital. We're still undecided if you we'll put her in for a 6 week course or just wait until the fall for another 12 week course so she can be in another recital. Part of me doesn't want to take her out. She really likes it. More than I thought she ever would. And it's helped her to get over her fear of being in front of other people, she's made friends when before she'd NEVER play with any other kids, and her confidence is higher. Not only that... but she also has learned that she CAN be away from me for a little while and the world will NOT come to an end. I mean of course I am only in the next room but still. Before ballet that NEVER would have happened with her. In 12 weeks she's become a different girl. It's kinda great to see her come out of her shell.

So on her very first day, she clung to me like velcro, she cried, she didn't want to participate, and definitely would not dance in front of anyone. Well since today was the last class for this session, parents and family members were invited to sit in class as they demonstrated everything they learned stretches, ballet, tap, and they also performed their routine for the recital next week. At first when we walked in and all the parents were sitting in the room I though Alayna was going to run to me and not want to dance. But she slowly tiptoed her way to her spot, and to my surprise she performed the whole 45 minutes like no one was watching. At that moment I was so proud for what she accomplished! It may not seem like a big deal but if you know Alayna... then you know it's out of character for her to be so independent, confident, and outgoing. It's awesome to see the look on her face when she leaves class so proud of herself for trying so hard. She doesn't have to be perfect but the fact that she's trying and having fun is all that matters!

My little ballerina... my pride and joy... Showing off her dance moves

















After they finished they had a little mini party... everyone brought treats to pass out. Alayna loved that part!



And last but not least... here's a video of her in practicing her routine for the recital!

Memorial Weekend

What's better than BBQing? So that's just what we did.

Thanks to my parents we had a pool to swim in and good food to eat! Man was it delicious!

My brother, sister, and familes came over to join us and my parents and we had a great time.

My Daddy the Cook!


My favorite subject lately... my nephew Juanito.




He's just too cute for words...


And he likes to involve my Arielle when he stirs up trouble...


All the while everyone else is in the pool...

(My Brother Juan)

Well except Alayna took a timeout to dance with Grandpa poolside...


Arielle took a stroll with her Tia Nichole


And a dip...


And the guys and kids did many tricks in the water










I love weekends like this!

Our Summer Thus Far...

One week in... and Oh Man I have been SUPER busy! But busy is fun... we're all over the place and I am so glad summer is here! One thing that is apparent though... is that Diego and Alayna aren't used to being together all day anymore... and are driving me B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!! Like seriously... I want to shove their lovely little faces into their room and never let them out. All they do is fight with each other! So I came up with a plan to give me a little sanity. It's called stay busy and stick to a schedule.

First rule in place... nap-time is a MUST. I stopped forcing Alayna to take a nap and since Diego has been at school all day, he doesn't nap anymore... but let me tell you my friends... that has changed. When Arielle takes her first nap... so do they! And sometimes me too! (I need it)

Second, I bought tickets for the Summer Movie Fun Program at Harkins Theaters. Once a week for 10 weeks we get to watch a movie. This week was our first one and we watched Space Chimps. It was really very cute! I look forward to these mornings with my kids... and because Jr is off on Mondays he stays with Arielle... so we actually can enjoy it. 9 more movies to go! Oh and it's very cheap... a ticket for ALL 10 MOVIES was $7 per person! For $21 it's a steal to have an activity for the whole summer.

And lastly, I went to the dollar store and stocked up on Craft stuff, crayons, markers, paint, bubbles, playdoh, and lots of little projects for us to work on during the summer. And of course lots of learning workbooks to get Alayna prepared for pre-school and to keep Diego's memory fresh over the summer. It's not all gonna be fun and games... might as well teach them something too.

So here's some pics of what we've been up to so far:

Playing with Playdoh = Hours of fun!

We've eaten thousands of popsicles... you have to if you wanna keep cool in Arizona.

We've gone swimming... yes... even I have gone swimming! (Surprising I know...)

And Arielle is trying to get used to it even if she doesn't like it... at least she doesn't cry.

We've modeled new bathing suits... (My girls both have at least 12 each if not more, so modeling is a must)

We've watched storms roll in and out of here... Monsoon season is upon us...

We've spent lots of time outdoors... the weather is hot but still bearable in the evenings.

We've gone to Peter Piper and won lots of silly little prizes...

We've found creatures in our home... grasshopper?

Then it met it's untimely death at the fate of my Mother... poor little guy never had a chance.

And we've spent time with family...

(Arielle, Mia, and Luis: All of them just turned one recently... Arielle is 1 month older than the twins.)

So far that's our summer... hopefully I can find more time to blog!

Diego's Kindergarten Graduation

On Friday Diego had his graduation ceremony. It was a luau theme and it was held outside on the grass. Needless to say, it was HOT. Even at 6:00pm.

I am so proud of him and amazed that this year went by so fast! Where does the time go? When I was in school it seemed like an eternity for one school year to go by... but now, it's gone in a flash.

So like I said... Luau theme. My very good friend Tiffany bought Diego the cutest Hawaiian looking polo from Old Navy that he wore for the special occasion. He looked so cute!

(Here's some spectators who cheered for Diego.)

After the ceremony we all went into the cafeteria where the kindergarten class sang us a couple of songs. So cute. They also had food and drinks and snacks afterward. But we didn't stay to eat because it was way too crowded.

(The 3 Musketeers - Marques, Cassius, and Diego)

Before we left we took a bunch of pictures in front of the school. And Diego told me he's proud of himself but doesn't want to go to 1st grade because he will miss Ms. Peoples. Aww...

Funny Story: When he came home from school I asked him if he was excited for his graduation. He said: Yes but I made a special lei for someone special in my life that means a lot... and I made it for Daddy... because I made you a lot of things this year.

Me: It's okay... I think Daddy will love it!

D: Yeah but I am worried because I think I made it too short... and it won't fit around his neck.

Me: Oh don't worry about it... if it's too short Daddy will probably just wear it on his head.

After the graduation as we were walking out Diego stops Jr to give him his special gift. And since I hadn't mentioned our conversation to Jr because I wanted it to be a surprise he didn't know. So Diego hands him the lei and Jr looks at it and sticks it on top of his head...

Do I know my husband or what?