Halloween Party

We had a lovely Halloween party last night. Grandma Becky sent the costumes for the girls and Myrna just happened to have adult sized costumes of a ladybug and a bee. Andres was hesitant, naturally, but went for it. I am so proud of him - especially because this was his baptism into Halloween Costuming.

Little Farm - Pumpkin Patch

We visited Little Farm today and it was a big hit with the girls. They got to ride a horse (and managed not to get bucked off. They left that to Catalina!), they ran around, saw fish, a turtle, turkeys, chickens, ducks, goats, cows, horses (of course) and butterflies. The pumpkin selection was limited, but the girls enjoyed playing with them. Here are a few photos.

Smartest Kid on the Planet

Yes, it is a case of overly proud parents (okay just me) thinking that their child is just the most amazing child alive. Truthfully, while I tend to think that my child are very bright, inquisitive children, I actually like to think that they represent the average child as well. It isn't just my 4 year old that is making such amazing leaps in her learning - it is many 4 year olds the world over. It is no less amazing to think that this is the normal progression that many children make.

Specifically I would like to submit into evidence writing samples A, B and C from Lorelei. Both were written within the span of one calendar week. Sample A is a string of letters that Lorelei hoped would actually spell something. She asked me to read it to her and was disappointed when I said that it didn't actually "spell" anything. I then suggested that she read it to me, but she was not at all interested in her own interpretation. She wanted it to be obvious to me what it said. Sample B was from Saturday. Andres and I were making our shopping list for Costco. Lorelei decided to also make a shopping list and wrote her version of pescado (missing two vowels). Sample C is from this morning (Sunday). Lorelei wanted to write her friend's name - Juliet. Again in is missing a vowel - but WOW! I am so impressed what has transpired in one week. Lorelei has gone from writing a string of letters to represent who knows what to understanding that the letters represent sound to make up words. And by the way, I never suggested that she sound anything out. She may have learned that at school. Lucky for her that Spanish is mostly phonetical!

Step By Step

The house still isn't ours - yet - but we have made it over some potential hurdles. Yesterday was the 5 hour long thorough inspection. And this morning, best of all, we got to see the Appraiser's report and the property appraised $5,000 over what we are paying. Yeah! Monday I'll be breathing down our Lender's neck to see what we can do to move this process along! Almost there.Even though I measured every square inch of the house (including closets) and the yard, I didn't take as many photos as I'm sure my mother would have liked. In any event I will include a few additional shots of the house. (Remember that these are the "before" pictures, because the house will look nothing like this when we are through with it.)

Almost, Almost Our House

The negotiations between the bank and the borrowers has concluded! We have the official letter accepting our offer of $225,000. Next week will be the inspection and appraisal of the house. Things are going to really be jumping in the next 10 days. Then we'll close! I'm waiting to hear what the closing date might be. I want to circle it in red on my calendar. Then the real fun will begin with construction. I've had even more time to refine and explore alternative layouts and construction configurations. I am so ready to meet with the architect! That might start happening next week, too! By summer we might have a house and a guest room. Bring on the visitors!

How Much Interference at School is Acceptable?

So I am bumping up against an issue that is sure to plague me for many years to come - school. Lorelei doesn't love her teacher, as I have shared before. It is an opportunity for Lorelei to learn some coping strategies.

But then on Monday when I picked her up she said, "I don't want to come to school tomorrow." Why? Because her teacher talks strong (code for both loud and firm). Hmmm..... I have heard her teacher speak to the kids in the morning during drop off and I think I know just what Lorelei means. Her tone of voice isn't nice. It is hard and sharp and critical. On Tuesday afternoon, Lorelei told me that she did want to go to school on Wednesday for soccer, but that after that she didn't want to ever go to school again. Turns out that Lorelei was sent to nap in an adjacent room becuase she had gotten off of her cot. (This is what I can piece together from Lorelei's story.) She wanted Katherine to tie her shoes for her because Katherine is a famous star of the moment becuase she knows how to tie shoes! Easy one to field. Lorelei, I say, the rule during nap time is that you must stay on your cot (I'm assuming that is the rule butreally I'm winging it here). Your teacher probably thought that you were going to play with Katherine. If you follow the rules you won't have a problem. 

Come Wednesday morning, Mami remember that after today I don't want to go to my school anymore.

So how do I approach her teacher in a non-confrontational way and when? I think that she starts duty at 7 am and she leaves sometime in the afternoon before I pick up Lorelei. Should I talk directly with the Principal/Director? As Andres pointed out, a conversation isn't likely to change this veteran teacher, but I sure hope that the Director would care what story I put out to the public. Do I request a change in teacher? Arg. This morning I left a note for the teacher requesting a sit down meeting. I hope that she jumps on my request soon, because come Friday afternoon, I'll be in the Director's office sharing my thoughts.

What would you do?

From Hammock to Key

Yesterday we joined the Restrepos for a picnic in the park - Matheson Hammock Park. The temperature was still in the 90s but with less humidity. The only thing we lacked were pop up hammocks for napping. The girls had fun chasing down iguanas and collecting up brush.




Today we went to Virginia Key for a few hours. The girls are just so content playing in the sand and surf. It was also a way for Andres and me to have a mental break from the rhythym of the work week.The place was jumping when we got there. We'll definitely need to return for a full day event in the near future.

Real Live Photo of Fellow Driver

Just a little illustration to support my earlier point about some of my fellow Miami drivers "drifting" into the intersection throughout a red light. This was taken this afternoon on my way to pick Emma up from school. I am still shocked. This car is entirely and completely in the intersection!

Fantasizing About a Home

No more news about the house. We're still "almost there". So I am left to continue fantasizing about MY house. Essentially we are proposing to knock down three of four walls and all interior walls, add out to the left of the house and in the rear. We intend to make OUR HOUSE OURS. That is we get to design it. Everything. Until we close we won't meet with an architect, but until then we are considering all kinds of possible layouts. In my latest version I thought to myself, "What about a place to put the elliptical machine that I don't currently own but would love to have? How about an exercise room? A place to follow along with my videos?" Super luxurious to allot an entire room to this? You bet! That is part of the fantasizing. Think big. The architect's input and the price tag will bring my plans into the realm of reality soon enough.

In the meantime I am applying my expert skills at research to collecting ideas for every room in the house - flooring, wall colors, furniture, windows, layout of furniture, etc... Here are a few pictures of my "house" workspace.