Dearest Alina

Dear Alina,

You are nothing short of amazing!  Today you had your kindergarten assessment, which I can hardly believe.  We arrived to the school just on time and we signed in.  The moment your name was called, you ran out the door to the teacher and were on your way to testing.  Most of the kids were timid and shy, a little unsure, but you were so excited to begin this journey.

Aydon, Olivia and I waited for you in a room with other parents for an hour and a half while you "tested."  When you were done you came running into the room with excitement for what is to come.  And then you explained the test to me: she asked you to count and your abc's and colors and patterns.  You were so elated to have known everything that was asked of you.  You then explained that she wanted you to play a game with your hands while you sang the alphabet and you said, "I just couldn't do that...But, I'm going to learn!"  Later you showed Papa and I the song you learned, with the motions.  

I love your spirit and your enthusiasm and I watch you and thank God for giving you to me (and Daddy).  You are so compassionate and caring and have the enthusiasm for success.  I can't believe that you, my baby girl, are starting kindergarten.  It's not really the starting of kindergarten or letting you go that makes me a little sad, it's that I know how quickly time passes from here.

I just hope you know that from homework to sports to boys to peer pressure and bullying...I'm here for you.  I will always love you and support you.  You are not always going to like me, or Daddy, as we guide you through this crazy life, but know that we are trying to raise you to be the best that you can possibly be and to give you everything you need in life to be successful.  Not someone else's definition of successful, but a definition that suits you and makes you happy.

The journey is just beginning and the most beautiful thing is that you are ready and jumping for flight.  I am so very proud of you and so excited to watch you flourish and grow and learn.

I love you baby girl.

Love, Mommy

God is Controlling

On the way home tonight, Alina rode with me while Olivia and Aydon rode with Daddy.  Alina asked, "Mommy, why is brother going to school with Daddy?"  I explained to her that they weren't going to the school right now, but once we got everyone to bed, Daddy was going to take Mommy's stuff to her classroom.

Puzzled, Alina questioned, "You got your job back?"

I said, "No, I'm going to be working at Daddy's school as a 7th grade teacher."

She replied, "You bumped someone?"

**Heart melting***  I said, "No, they created a new position and Mommy got it."

Alina then said, "That makes me sad."  I explained that that made me a little sad too, but then, of course, I asked why.

She said, "Because I liked your old job."  :)

I said, "I liked my old job too honey, but God has a plan and this must be where he wants me to be."

She then said, "Yeah.  God is controlling."  :)

I just love this little girl!

Making Memories - Vacation 2011

Every year the Veloz family vacations at Panguitch Lake in Utah, where we rent cabins and a boat, and simply spend our hours fishing, lounging, playing games and soaking up the time with each other that every day life doesn't usually offer. This year was especially special as we brought McKenna, my niece, along with us to share in the memory making.

Kindergarten - Here I come!

As a child, school shopping was not only fun, but it was made special by my mom and grandparents, as after we shopped, we had a fashion show for Grandpa and Grandma Cole. To this day, it is one of my most cherished memories. Not only did I love school, so I was excited with anticipation for it to start, but I also enjoyed shopping and getting new clothes to begin a new year. Even though my mom was a single parent, and money tended to be an issue, she always made sure that we were able to have new school clothes each year - leaving a great memory for me and a tradition to pass on!

This past weekend Armando and I took Alina school clothes shopping all by herself. We catered to her, as she dressed in the dressing room and came out to show us how she looked and/or how items fit. She insisted that she go in the stall by herself like a big girl and grinned ear to ear each time she came out, sporting a new outfit. Daddy was so sweet, as he kept coming back to the dressing room with another outfit and another...and another.

Tonight, we had Grammie and Papa over for a fashion show! Alina was "nervous" as she got ready in her bedroom and went down the hallway, turning around...and around, in the living room and going back into her room, where she changed again. (And, again.) Brother was also included in the fun, as he needed a few outfits for school as well. As you can see by the pictures, he was quite the model - jumping all over the place. At the end, Alina wanted me to "announce," "And, for the grand finale...Rocker Girl Alina," as she modeled her favorite outfit (pictured top right).

Alina was so excited for the evening and had such a great time, but it was really my heart that was content. I am simply thankful for being able to shop with Alina and to get her ready for school. The memories of my own youth swarmed me and warmed my heart. Now, I just pray that Alina keeps the excitement and energy for school that she currently has. I hope she sees that anything truly is possible with education and that it truly is the only thing that matters.

We've gone through so many milestones already, and it seems we are constantly preparing for the next one and the next one. I pray to enjoy each and every step with my beautiful girl, as I know it won't be long and I will be looking back asking where the time went, as I am now.

Now you see it! Now you don't!

The milestones this month just keep coming!  :)  Just a few days ago, Alina was talking to me and I noticed another tooth in her mouth behind her baby tooth.  I panicked and called the dentist, wondering if I should bring her in.  They said it is completely normal, as long as the baby tooth is loose.  Indeed, it was!

I had purchased carrots and apples for Alina to coax the tooth out on her own, but she was a bit skittish, as she could feel the tooth loosen and didn't like the feeling.  I didn't worry about it, as I figured, it would happen on its own.

Yesterday morning she came to me and asked me to feel her tooth.  It was SERIOUSLY loose now!  She explained to me that she tried to open the milk with her teeth, and it made it loose!  I asked her if I could just take it out and at first she said no, but then she obliged.  I pulled her tooth out and she was elated, as she said that she heard that the tooth fairy pays well on the first visit!  :)

That night she told me that she was going to wash her tooth as there was blood on it.  I told her not to and that it could be lost down the drain.  Indeed, she didn't listen and washed her tooth...down the drain.  She immediately ran to her room and cried and cried.  I didn't tell her "I told you so", as she was already visibly upset.  Instead, Daddy explained to her that she can write the tooth fairy a letter, and she will understand.  While Alina told me what to write to the tooth fairy, Armando went and fished the tooth out of the drain!  Truly Alina's hero, she almost cried when he showed her her tooth again.  Little does she know that was more for me, than for her.  ;)

The tooth then made its way safely under Alina's pillow where the tooth fairy replaced it with five whole dollars!  This certainly isn't how much every tooth is worth; however, the first one is a big deal, according to Alina (and Caillou, I guess).