Diego is TEN

Today my baby boy is 10 years old! Time flies for sure. When he was born I was scared out of my mind. That the tiny 6lb 2oz bundle coming home with us was my responsibility. I had to care for him, love him, teach him, discipline him and share far more experiences with him than I knew I was in for. Loving him was the easy part.

He was a happy baby.  Never cried never fussy. (Okay maybe once or twice) As soon as he was a toddler he was off. Talking way before most babies talk. Dancing. Potty trained at 18 months. This kid was ready to be an adult by the age of 2. And I always wondered... am I doing okay? Is he going to grow up and be a good man? Someone people admire and respect?

When he became a brother even at 2 years old you could see the person he was becoming. He adored his sister and immediately took the brother role. He protected her and wanted nothing more than to be around her, protect her, and see her happy. 2 more sisters later he is still this way with each one of them.

He loves his Mama. I know all my babies love me but I am not sure if it's cuz he is a boy or because he is Diego but he loves me more than anyone I know. He wants to please me and see me happy. He is my other half around here. Without him I couldn't function. He helps me in so many ways physically and emotionally. And he takes this on like its nothing. Most kids dont have a care in the world. And as much as I try and make him just be a child and play and get into trouble and just not care and let loose. It is just not Diego.

So here we are... I have spent a decade with this boy. I've seen him deliriously happy. I have seen his heart break. I have seen him take on things that children shouldn't have to deal with. And each and every time he is the one who is teaching me something. All along I thought it was me who had to mold him but in truth I can't take credit for him. He was born as great person. Everything he is, is him alone. He is naturally a person that people admire and a respect. God gave him these qualities and I stand by in amazement because I dont know what I did to be so lucky to be a witness to how awesome he is. I REALLY don't.

We had a conversation recently about parent child roles and I tell him its so hard to be a parent to him because I feel like when we have conversations with him... his daddy and I... he understands everything and is so mature. I told him, "Diego when you were born our job was to take care of you. Teach you. Raise you. And your job is to learn from us and become a great man. Instead you already have knowledge within you to be a great person and we stand by here and watch you with our hands up because all we can do is surrender." He replied,  "Mom you had me at a very young age. You were still in high school. But you finished and set an example... so whats wrong with me and you growing up together and learning from eachother? Then we can teach the girls to be good people. I can help." This kid is  amazing. Seriously.

I love you my son. Happy birthday! I hope today we can make you a bit as happy as you have made me and your Daddy! You are our everything!

Kicking the Summer Bucket List

Crossing off some more from out Summer Bucket List!
3. Summer Movie Program @ Harkins

We just finished week number 4/10. So far we've seen... Clifford's Really Big Movie, Ramona and Beezus, Megamind, and How to Train Your Dragon. I love this annual thing with the kids.

15. Summer Reading Program @ Library

The kids are reading but the library isn't handing out prizes so they are un-interested in coloring their sheets. But they're still reading non-stop!

43. Peter Piper Pizza

Yesterday Diego's baseball team had a pizza party to give out trophies. So this worked for us to cross this one off our list because miraculously we haven't made it to Peter Piper on our own yet!

While we waited we were entertained by the spinning coin on our table... yup we're easily amused.


Can you tell?


That went on for 10 minutes or so and then Atalie entertained us by laughing. She randomly breaks out into laughter because she loves the reaction that we all start cracking up laughing at her! And this went on another few minutes. I would have recorded it but I was too busy laughing.


Then it was time to grub!


Alayna asked me to take a picture of her and made she was absolutely "pretty" with her smile. Dang Poser!


And of course then Arielle requested a picture and she also gave me her pose... I swear this girl can NEVER be serious.


Then the two Coaches handed out the trophies and said some nice things about each kid.


A my husband cheered a little too loud for our son. But there's no such thing as too loud when you're a proud parent.


A team picture was in order...


And then they had to let all PPP know who was in the house... D-backs!


I am gonna definitely try and get him in again next season. It was so much fun!

Baseball is Life

This past week the weather has been awesome... well except that my allergies are KILLING me... but I am trying to not think about that. I enjoy this time of the year. Lots of afternoons and nights at the park, sports and activities for the kids, water, bbqs, water, and with summer coming my usual summer activities with the kiddos are already so near! Summer movies and Peter Piper we will be seeing eachother a lot this summer! I can't wait!

So Diego started baseball this week. He has never played baseball before so this is really exciting. Baseball is in our family... we grew up around it. Summers = Baseball to me. So I am pretty excited to watch him play. It's Coach Pitch so he needs to not only learn the game but learn to hit when being pitched to.

His first practice was great! They practiced hitting and I was totally surprise that he did pretty well hitting the ball! He is on the same team with his best friend since kindergarten :) Even with our move from his first school their friendship is still there!









And he has a cute little cheerleader on his side who kept trying to run onto the field to follow him... so she had to be restrained.


His 2nd practice was cool too. They actually played on the field and practiced their catching... which by the way Diego sucks at. And I say that in the nicest way possible. He spends more time trying to imitate movies and the big leagues than actually focusing on catching the ball. It was quite a show though!


And his little cheerleaders... well they just bugged. But they are cute!








Yay for Baseball Season! Did I mention his team is the Diamondbacks! Heck yes!

8 years

I really can't believe that my son is 8 years old today. Really? I know I say this like every year but this year it's just a little harder to swallow for some reason! I can remember in detail like it was yesterday the day he was born. I can remember specific conversations word for word. I can play it in my head like a movie. It's really very crazy to me. 8?! I wish time would slow down. That means I have been out of High School for 8 years! I had him 2 months before graduation! Yeah pretty crazy that my H.S. reunion is like 2 short years away. Oy!

But back to my son...

I guess all I want to do is remember him the way he is RIGHT this second. Because if 8 years went this fast then 8 more can fly by in the blink of an eye.

{Diego}

Diego is the oldest of 4 and the only boy. And he lives this role. He is a leader. He is a take charge type of person. He is very orginized and responsible. He loves to be this way. He helps me with the girls, he gets on their cases when they aren't listening, he tries to make everyone around him lives easier. If I am cooking he helps, he cleans the table, he feeds his baby sister, he sits the girls down and helps serve them. And he does all this without asking. He is the most helpful, compassionate, caring, and mature child I have ever known.

He lives to please others, to serve others and to make my life as easy as possible. He does this not for rewards, or praise, just purely because he genuinely wants to see everyone around him happy. I don't know how many times in a day he will ask me, "Mom what can I do to help you?" "Let me help you!" He takes on so much responsibility on himself that I have to stop him many many times and tell him, "Diego you are not the parent, I am... so please just be a kid!" If we are at dinner he will make sure the girls and I all have what we need before he will even sit down. I had to ask him to sit and eat a few times and he still gets up to serve juice, get napkins, push Arielle's chair in, or make sure I have a drink too. And sometimes as I go to sit down I will say, "Oh I forgot the cheese (insert anything I forgot here)!" And he will automatically jump up and grab it before I have a chance to. He cleans up the girls plates, he gets his and Alayna's stuff ready for school the next day. I mean I can go on and on about how amazing this kid is.

They say a Mom has a special relationship with her son. That boys love their Mamas in a unique way... a love that's hard to describe. I know exactly what they mean. He will make a woman very happy someday. He has the upmost respect for women. He tells me everyday that he loves me. Without fail. He tells me everyday how much he appreciates what I do for him and the girls. It's not always in the same way but it can be a hug he gives me out of the blue and says Thank You Mom. Sometimes when I am working on bow orders he will come over and ask me to take a break... he will then voluntarily give me a massage or rub my feet. Yes. He does this all on his own. At various times thoughout the day he will check in on me to make sure I am not hungry, thirsty, or need anything. It's wonderful to know that my son, merely a little boy, can appreciate me for who I am... the good and the bad.

I still to this day don't know what I did to get so lucky?! If you know Diego personally you know exactly what I am talking about... I am sure anyone can vouch for me on that! I am so glad I get to be a part of this little boys life... Diego will do great things I just know it. He is the most humble and caring person. And his determination to be a GOOD person, a genuinely GOOD person, is incredible. He has told me many many times he wants to eventually help as many people in the future. What he will do is unknown but this boy has it in him to succeed in anything he chooses.

Diego,
Mommy still can't believe you're 8! Please don't grow up too fast.
I want to hold on a little longer to the boy who isn't afraid to kiss his Mom in front of his friends.
The boy who shows me off to the world like I am a prized possesion.
The boy who isn't afraid to stand up to people at school who mess with his sisters, who isn't afraid to stand up for other kids who are being bullied, and who isn't afraid to defend himself against teachers and principals who question why he got into an altercation with another little boy who was bullying.
You my dear have a kind heart.
A selfless heart.
A heart of gold.
I appreciate you everyday of my life. You make me prouder than you can ever imagine.
Thank you for being you... amazing you.
Love, Mom

Diego's 8th Birthday Party

We had a simple little gathering this year for Diego's birthday.

Just some hot dogs...


...and cake.






And lots of family :)











My boy had a good time!


Oh and Arielle loves to give Grandpa kisses! :P

Diego's Birthday Weekend Begins!

Since Diego's birthday is Sunday (and like every year so far) I decided to take cupcakes to his class to celebrate! With Jr's new awesome work schedule he is off Thursday-Saturday so he got to go with me this year. That sure was a treat for Diego. He loves when his Dad is involved in anything we do because he used to work so much. So this had him pretty excited.

We got to go into his class and he handed out the goods.


It was adorable to see him up there just soaking in the attention when everyone sang to him!


And since it's his weekend... we let him decide what to do tonight. He chose the park. So we bought a pizza, loaded up the dog, and headed to the park.

The kids enjoyed their dinner...




Even Atalie who loves bread!


Arielle and I hung out while Jr took Diego and Alayna to play with Hazel in the doggie park.


Arielle is my little Best Friend Ever... she tells me this all the time!


And the rest of the time was spent on the playground.


It was a completely cold night for some reason and I was miserable. But the kids had a blast.

I am still cold. And I have been home for hours :/

Holes In The Floor Of Heaven

"One day shy of eight years old
Grandma passed away
I was a broken hearted little boy,
Blowing out that birthday cake

How I cried when the sky let go
With a cold and lonesome rain
Mama said don't be sad child
Grandma's watchin' you today

'Cause there's holes in the floor of Heaven
And her tears are pourin' down
That's how you know she's watchin'
Wishin' she could be here now
And sometimes if you're lonely
Just remember she can see
There's holes in the floor of Heaven
And she's watchin' over you and me"



If you haven't noticed by now or don't know me well enough... I greatly relate to music. A song can say exactly what I am feeling or thinking and although I can't put it into words, the song can. At different times in my life, or even during the day, I can be feeling a certain way and when I turn on the radio the station just reads my mind. It happens various times when the song that's playing fits exactly what I am feeling at that moment. I listen to country music, it's practially 97% of what's on my computer, my phone, my ipod, and of course my car. And I listen to it because... well it usually tells a story. It's usually something I can relate to or have lived through.

So one night my friend Dawn asked me to listen to a song.

She sent me a link to a youtube video.

I immediately cried thinking... this is about Diego.

Diego was SUPER close to his Grandma. Diego lost her 3 months before his 7th birthday... and on that day he was sad. He came to me in the morning and said, "I am sad. Sad because this is my first birthday without Jamma." But I quickly reminded him that she can still see everything that happens and will still be watching on his special day. Grandma wouldn't miss it for the world.

He's always comforted knowing she can still see us.

But it's not always him who needs a reminder. Sometimes when I am feeling sad I have to remember that she is watching. It's not just something I say to make him feel better... it's something I know.

I hope he always continues to remember there's Holes in the floor of Heaven... and she's watching over all of us.



Song: Holes In The Floor Of Heaven - Steve Wariner

Mother's Day Tea Party

Diego brought me an invitation a few days ago for a Mother's Day Tea Party at his school today. And of course I told him I would be there. He's been so excited all week and kept tight lipped about what he had made me and what was going to go on.

So I left the girls with Jr and I went to his school. Man did his face light up when he saw me. I was immediately invited to his desk. Once most Moms had arrived our kids served us Tea and Cookies. But truth be told... I got pink lemonade instead. Hey it was an option... and Diego picked it out. He said I'd like lemonade better. And I got a chocolate chip cookie. Good stuff.


After eating our little treats... he presented me with my gifts.

I got a poem. Titled "My Mommy". They laminated them and those were our place mats.


If you can't make it out (he has bad handwriting!) it says:

My Mom is a byoodfool Mom
Osom
sweeT
Happy
rEsponsible
Respectful

Isn't that adorable? So what if "Awesome" is spelled wrong... I am OSOM!

But that wasn't it... they also had a choice to make their Mom's bath salts or plant them flowers. So I also got a flower in a pot that he painted for me. I love it so much. I am gonna hope and pray I can keep it alive. I sure don't have a green thumb... not at all. But I will try! He planted it all himself and grew it. It's so special.


And last but not least they performed some songs for us along with their 4th grade buddies. It was cute.





And then it was time to go home. I love being able to go to these special things. The excitement in his face to do everything for me makes my heart swell up. How just taking time out of my day for him can make him so happy.

I looked around the room and lots of Moms looked extremely bored and annoyed. Most of them playing on their cell phones. Some actually walking out of the room to make or take calls. It was kinda sad. Is it really so much to take 45 minutes out of your day for your child? I mean they already went through the trouble to be there. The Mom across from us kept telling her boy "I think I am going to leave now..." And he'd beg her to stay. And she would say, "Your Dad is waiting for me." And she did this like 3 times before actually bailing out early. Sad really. All I can say is I was so proud to be there. Oh and when Diego was presenting me with my flower and stuff I heard her behind me tell her son, "Why didn't you paint me a pot for flowers instead of making me bath salts... what I am I supposed to do with these?" I couldn't believe it. I was so irritated. Like really really irritated.

But for me, it was a great afternoon. Thanks my Diego! I love you.

Updates!

I went to the Dr. today. (What's new right?) And he asked me since my appointment 2 weeks ago if I had been having contractions and I told him... "I am in constant pain especially at night and early morning... but I wasn't sure." He said I was feeling too tight in my tummy but then said nothing else. Today he asked me again. I told him the same thing and he gave me this look... and said, "Well it looks like you might be. We'll set you up for an ultrasound tomorrow and go from there. You're almost 35 weeks so we'd like the baby to wait at least another 3 weeks... but if we make it to 37 weeks I'll let you labor without stopping it." Great. This baby better not kill my birthday party for Diego and Arielle which is in 2 weeks. As long as she can wait until after the 27th I will be one happy person. Then he looked at my chart and doesn't like that I still continue to loose weight. Down another 2lbs. So he asked me if I had been sick. I told him no... but that diet they have me on for the GD is really leaving me hungry all the time. He doesn't like that so he scheduled me another appointment with the dietician to perhaps modify my diet again... or something. I am not sure yet. I have that appointment tomorrow along with the ultrasound. And from now on I will need to be monitored weekly as well. (And the monitoring is not a quick appointment it last about an hour and a half each time... so 2 times a week with a 2 year old will be HORRIBLE!) So ultrasounds and monitoring every Tues and Fri. And my regular Dr. appointment every Thursday. Oy! Isn't once, sometimes twice, a week enough?! I am in pain and discomfort all day long. I run around too much as it is already... then they want me to fit in MORE appointments and have to take my grumpy almost 2 year old who can't sit still? And depending on the time of day the appointment is, possibly having all 3 of my kids there with me and no help. Jr can't take all that time off work to be there unless it's an important appointment. Oh well I guess I will live like I did today. It was hectic, Arielle needed a nap BIG TIME, and Diego wouldn't pay attention and listen (which is unlike him at all... but seriously going from Dr. to Dr. gets to me I can see how he can easily become bored). Thank goodness Alayna was at school today because I would have lost it if I had been running around with all 3 to deal with from Noon until 4pm. I'd rather be at home doing laundry and mopping... seriously it was THAT bad. And we all know how much I HATE laundry and mopping!

So I guess I will have more information on that tomorrow. Knowing my luck I will make it all the way until my due date (April 17th) and have to deal with all these appointments for 5 more weeks. Anyone wanna trade places with me right now?

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I also had parent teacher conferences today for Diego. His teacher (who is an older lady) had been sick off and on since the beginning of the school year. I had been quite angry with the fact that Diego isn't reading and writing up to the standards that I would assume a 1st grader should be at. I wrote her letters many times only to recieve them back because there was constantly a different substitute in the classroom. After Xmas break I went in to try and talk to her again. And again she was out. He has never really gotten homework since the beginning of the year, and what little he did get was never explained so I had a hard time helping him do it. It got really frustrating. So finally she was able to contact me and she told me that she apologized and would make sure the kids understood their work before coming home. I was still left uneasy about the fact that he wasn't reading well yet. But for the last 6 weeks they had a substitute again and she was placed as the permanent substitute for his class.

Yesterday I got a call from his principal and he said that his original teacher was too sick to return to teaching and was retiring. Her health is declining and so I was notified that his class (which is the smallest of the 1st grade classes) would be split up amongst the 3 other 1st grade teachers.

And today at the conferences I had a chance to go in and talk to the sub he's had for the last 6 weeks. She very much made me feel better fast. After giving me all his scores and telling me he's right on track I let her know about all the doubts I was having that he was where he needed to be. I have noticed that there has been a major boom in his reading and he can read me small books now. She said she couldn't believe the level the children in his class were at 6 weeks ago when she arrived. So I am impressed with the improvement she has made to try and catch the students up. She also at my request showed me all the activities they do and how she teaches them to break down words for reading. It put me at ease so much that I can finally see the methods in which he is being taught so I can help him. My biggest fear in helping him learn was to deter or completely show him a different way than from what he was used to at school... and then confuse him even more. I hated being stuck in a position where I didn't know how to help my child. But she gave me many good resorces and I feel confident that by the end of the year he will be reading without a problem. But it's also good to know that it wasn't just him struggling, it was the whole class because of the inconsistancy with his teacher constantly being out sick.

We spent a good hour with her and then we went to meet his new teacher as well. Well Diego needed no introduction but she offered to meet the new parents of the 6 kids going into her class. I really like her. She's very young, fun, and totally the kind of teacher I like. I could see she had stuff made up for me and is in constant contact with the kids parents. She has logs in their folders where I can communicate with her via notes daily. She has weekly homework and she assured me that Diego (as well as the other few students) will not fall behind in anything and she'll be working closely with them and us as the parents to get them on track. I left there completely happy and I am glad that he will finally be learning what he needs to.

Other than that his teachers have praised him for always being the most well behaved. And that he helps everyone else in his class. His sub said he has been the biggest help to her because his maturity is incrediable... he sets a great example for the class. My little teacher's pet...

Diego Lost His First Tooth

I can't believe the little sucker finally decided to come out! he's had a loose tooth for about a month now and he wouldn't get it out. It's been there so long in fact the other tooth started growing right behind it already. And now he has another loose tooth (2nd) and I think that tooth is trying to grow in too.

Last night he was messing with it while watching TV and it just popped right out! We were at my Mom's house so they came running out of the room screaming that he lost his tooth! I immediately got my camera and while Jr made him rinse out his bloody mouth. Jr also tried talking him into pulling out the other one but Diego wasn't having it.





So after all the tooth excitement he put it in a ziplock baggie and as soon as we got home he immediately put it under his pillow. Then he showered and went right to bed! Which was a relief to me because he asked just about a million questions about the Tooth Fairy. And so I had to make up some answers quick!
"What does the Tooth Fairy look like in real life?"
"Have you ever seen her?"
"What does she do with all the teeth she collects?"
"Does she come right away or does it take her a few nights?"
"How does get in our house.... does she borrow Santa's key?"

But luckily he was pleased with my answers.

And after he went to bed the Tooth Fairy left him $2 in nickels, dimes, and quarters... because the Fairy was a little broke and wasn't carrying cash! But no worries! Diego was up at 6:45am (so not like him... he sleeps the latest) and woke me up carrying his ziplock baggie full of change.

And he was happy!

The School Bus Adventures Continue

So this morning like the past 3 mornings before I took Diego to the bus stop. I was pretty lazy and it's my Mom's day off so I took him in the van. Literally like a minute and a half drive once I turn around and park on the side of the street. But hey it was better than walking 6 minutes or so. So we get off and wait for the bus. We hear the bus coming and it turns the corner from the opposite side. His bus usually goes west down our street and makes a left turn to the park. But this bus was coming east on the street and made a right. I found this unusual. So I look at the side of the bus and see the bus is number 45... his bus is 35. So as he starts making his way to get on I say, "Hold on, this isn't your bus..." But all the usual kids jump on it like nothing. A little girl sees my hesitation and turns to me and says, "Oh it's okay... sometimes we have to ride this bus instead because our bus isn't coming." So I let Diego get on.

I get in the car and drive back to my house. As I am pulling into my driveway I see a school bus pass my house behind me and I catch a glimpse of the number... and it says 35... going in the direction of his bus stop. So I put the van into reverse and follow it. It goes to the bus stop and kinda just sits there for a minute. Then it continues on. So I think... "Oh shoot, it did come! Now how will I know if Diego will make it to school in time?" I know the other bus would eventually end up at his school but this made me worried. Again.

So I drive through the neighborhood seeing if I can find bus number 45 again. Nope. I see 41, 42, 25... but not 45. So at this point I decide to just drive to his school. I pull into the parking lot where the busses drop off... and the only bus there is number 35... his original bus. So I drive to the front of the school and park. I get off and I walk towards the cafeteria... and once inside I peek my head through the door and start scanning the room. There are millions of kids. (Well it seemed like it) And then I spot him at the front of the long line grabbing his breakfast. PHEW!

And I ducked out of there quickly so he wouldn't see me.

This bus situation is just making me all wacko! LOL But he made it there and in time to eat.

Diego & The School Bus Adventure

On Monday I decided to have Diego start riding the school bus to and from school from now on. So I got him all set up and yesterday was his first day to ride it.

Now Jr was quite surprised by my decision. He knows I didn't really want him riding the bus until he was older. Why do you ask? Well it's my own personal selfishness and overprotectiveness as a mother. If I take him and pick him up then I, and only I, have control of him getting to and from school safely. But with the bus, I have to just drop him off and put my trust into someone else to get my baby to school safe. But with our hectic schedules now it's just a much easier decision.

So Monday when he got home I prepped him with all the info he needed and tried to pound it into his brain like a crazy woman. I was so nervous that he'd get confused or something. And being that in all my years in school I never took the school bus so I couldn't even explain to him what the experience was like. So I started by making sure he knew his bus number. One of my fears would be that he'd get on the wrong bus after school. Then I made sure he knew that he needed to remember to get in the bus lines after school instead of getting in the parent pick-up line. Another thing I worried about of course... I hoped that he wouldn't be so used to routine and forget to even make his way towards the bus after school. This feeling of not having control and not being able to guide him and make sure he was comfortable, safe, and not confused was getting to me... but I couldn't show it because Diego is the type of child who picks up those signs and easily starts feeling the same feelings. And so far as I could see, he was totally confident that he could do it. And although I don't doubt his abilities at all... he's my smart child... I was worried that being that he's just six, he may just forget something and then I'd have a problem.

So Tuesday morning we wake up, get ready and walk to the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus was supposed to be there. As we're walking I am telling Diego, "Don't forget that once you get to school go straight to the cafeteria and eat your breakfast". Of course he just rolls his eyes at me, or might as well have, when he said for the millionth time, "I know Mom." Then before I even had time to react the bus had arrived, he kissed me, and ran to get on. And I was left standing there as the bus drove off feeling like, "this was it?" "I didn't even have time to take a picture!!!" And a million things were running through my head as I walked back towards the house.

Will he be intimidated by how many kids are on the bus, how loud it gets, how rowdy it gets?

Will they make many more stops and then he not get to school with enough time to eat his breakfast? Oh I must make sure he eats a little something at home then tomorrow JUST in case.

Will he even remember to go and get breakfast since he has to pass the playground on his way and may just see his friends... and then try to hang out and play?

But of course I knew deep down he'd be okay... so I went about my day.

Once it was time to pick him up from the bus stop after school... I started making my walk and I was talking to Jr on my cell phone. He was laughing at me because I was a bundle of nerves. All I could think in my head was, "Please please please get off the bus..." I told Jr my worst fear of all was that the bus would stop and he wouldn't get off with all the other kids. Would he know which stop was his? Would the bus driver remember to tell him? Do bus drivers have a special code or something so that the kids know what stop is theirs? Seriously at that point, standing there waiting, all I could wish was that Jr was standing in my place. He'd know how to deal with it all. Me on the other hand, I was sitting there shaking, hoping that I wouldn't have to live out the worst case scenario in my head.

Then I heard the bus.

I jumped up to my feet since I was sitting down on the curb. (Hey if I didn't sit I think I would have passed out from nerves)

And then the bus turned the corner...

I tried hard to make out some faces that were staring out the windows from the side I could see...

When all of a sudden...

I faintly made out the shiloutte of a little boy with fluffy hair, somewhat big ears sticking out, a smile, and a little hand waving at me... and then that silouette jumped out of it's seat and started heading towards the door.

And in that moment all the blood rushed back to my face and I let out a HUGE sigh as I walked to meet him at the door.

As I approached I snapped a picture with my cell phone.


And the first thing out of his mouth was, "I did it Mommy!"

I cannot say how proud and relieved I was of this boy. And although I knew he was fully capable of this, and I never underestimated his ability to figure it out and ask for help when needed (Diego has always been very independent)... I was just afraid of all the what ifs. And only I had planted those in my head. But I couldn't help but worry about my baby. It's hard letting go of your oldest, as I am sure it will only get harder with my girls. But Diego more than anyone likes his independence, he likes to challenge himself because he likes the feeling he gets from accomplishing something big... having us be proud of him.

And I am proud. It may not be nothing huge. Millions of kids in America ride the school bus. But for Diego this is huge and for me this is even bigger. Letting go is hard. But Mr. Diego is more than ready. Even if I am not.

Side Note: Today was his 2nd day on the bus and he was perfectly fine again. Yesterday on our walk back home I asked him how was his experience on the bus he said, "It was okay but I didn't like some parts." And of course I wanted to know what. And he said, "Well in the morning all the kids push and shove and they get sort of unruly!" (Bwahaha! What six year old uses 'unruly'? So today when he jumped off the bus, before I could even get a word out, he said, "I CANNOT believe it Mom! I CANNOT believe it! The bus doesn't even have seat belts!" Which of course made me laugh hysterically. And I said to him, "No sweetie, unfortunately no school buses have seat belts..." And he says, "That's so stupid Mom. I know I am not supposed to say stupid but it really is. I told my bus driver... My Mom never lets me get in a car without my sealt belt!"

It was so funny! He was seriously was so worried that I'd be mad that he wasn't wearing a seat belt. So much so that he felt inclined to tell me he sat there without one the whole ride. Haha!

Yup he'll be the kids who does something bad and then run and confess before anyone finds out.

Ahh my boy...

Diego My First Grader!

Diego started first grade this week. Monday to be exact. And I can't believe vacation came to an end just like that. And he was so anxious to start school... all because of this...

Yes... his new shoes.

And he looked so handsome


All his cousins are still on vacation so they were excited when he got off school and was able to play!






Brothers - Luis & Noe


Then the boys went outside to play...




And the twins longed to go outside too... but sorry... no babies allowed.