Beginning a fourth year in Halloween style

I love the reflecting that birthday's force me into.  I love to look back at pictures and days and milestones and see where my children have been and where they are headed.  I love to hope for them and guide them, and simply watch them embrace their experiences with excitement and love.  And, although most of the time I am pretty positive in my reflecting, I have to admit the three's for Aydon were a rough year in some ways.

This year is particularly "interesting" for Aydon, as he has been my most difficult child in terms of stubbornness and throwing tantrums/fits, etc.  It could be that he is a boy.  Or, that he's three (now four), and I sometimes expect that he should act like Alina (who's five).  It could be my own lack of patience, and/or lack of understanding of what the "norm" is.  There are many, many reasons that this "could be."

What is funny to me in my reflecting of Aydon's fourth birthday, is that the day represented Aydon's third year.  He had an amazing birthday party, surrounded by family and friends.  For the most part, he embraced every moment, enjoying that everyone was there for him.  However, he had two moments of frustration/tantrums that sent him to time out.  As a Mom that planned an amazing party for her little man, it was so frustrating to have to deal with his moments of discontent; however, while discussing this with Daddy later, it really just is him.  And while my frustration overcomes me at those moments, I also can see that he is so much more than tantrums.  :)

He is passionate and full of energy.  He loves to be told how amazing and sweet he is.  (He melts when I sing, "You are my Sunshine" to him.)  He is happy to help others, even if it can be a bit overwhelming.  :)  He loves candy and will eat as much as he can get a way with.  He simply can't have a drink without spilling and/or anything really without making an absolute mess.  (Why we say, "You can only have this if you don't make a mess.", simply doesn't make any sense.)  He is competitive and driven, and that is already so evident.  He made milestones this year, from his amazing vocabulary to riding his bike without training wheels.  He loves to cuddle and wants a book (or two, or three) read to him every night.  He is obsessed with flossing, and thinks that tooth paste is paint.  He adores his Papa and Grammie and became best buds with his cousin, Xander, this year.  He loves bugs and dirt and to chase the cat/dogs just because he can.

Ultimately,  he is our boy.  And, although he has tested me so much this year, I realize, that is his job.  (And, maybe I have some growing to do in my 30's.)  He's a three-year-old, now 4!, boy and he is an amazing "package deal" - good, bad and indifferent.  While he tests my parenting skills and forces me to ask "what is normal?", along with reading many, many parenting books - he is an absolute joy in our life, who makes me happy to be his Mommy.  Here is to Year #4 and all that it has to offer!

Another Milestone: Kindergarten

There are moments in life that are formed long before they happen, as we witness others experience them, we see them on television, and we create the moment in our head.  Everything in parenting is kind of/sort of that way, but the day Alina walked across the parking lot at Manse Elementary, I especially felt this way. 

So many people had said that they cried.  Honestly, I didn't feel that I would cry.  She was more than prepared, and was ecstatic to be going.  It really wasn't the idea of her starting school and/or attending class, but instead, the fact that my baby is 5-years-old.  With my brother, who is seven years younger than me, it felt as if once he was five, that the time flew.  I'm worried that the same will be true for my little girl and that I will constantly be asking the question, "Where has the time gone?" 

For her first day of kindergarten, Alina picked her own outfit, laid it out the night before, jumped up early in the morning to get ready and talked all the way to school about the unknowns.  I stressed a little bit about getting her there on time (with managing dropping off her sister and brother at different locations first), and then getting to work on time, but of course, it all worked out.  We even had time to stop off at the local coffee shop first for some much needed coffee, and hot chocolate.

Once we were at school, Alina had no problem getting to her class and greeting her teachers/ new friends, and old.  She walked into school as if she had been going for a year and was excited/ready to learn.  I hung back for a few minutes and took pictures, and then decided it was probably time for me to leave.  There were moms with their little one's clinging to their legs, like on the movies, and there were mom's with tears in their eyes.  I wasn't dealing with either of those issues as I beamed with pride at the sight of my little girl playing on the abc's mat with her friends.  I quickly gave her a kiss and a hug, and then left the room to get to work on time.  As I walked out of Manse Elementary School the tears crept up on me and slid down my face.  Finally, all those things people had said about "their baby going to kindergarten" had hit me.  My little girl was no longer an infant, or a toddler.  She is a school-aged girl.  She is embracing one new beginning of her future that will lead to so many more.  I didn't bawl in my car, or go hysterical, I simply cried a few tears representing the beautiful past we have had and the new journey of the future.

Alina ready to embrace the day, along with her silly brother making an appearance.  :)  

Spending some quality time with Mommy before the day began.  

Taking in everything around her.  I adore this picture.  

Ms. Mills and Alina.  What a beautiful task laid before her - to help encourage, teach and "grow" these little people.  

Beginning the day with fun time, playing with friends.  :)  

Sept. 1, 2011

My Advice and Aspirations for You

October 2011

Greetings Lovelies! 

In life, as I have told you from day one, you are going to meet some “strange birds” (according to Dr. Seuss at least).  I am so happy to have been a “strange bird” in your life for at least a short time and I hope that you are able to remember some key things that I have already taught you through my own life experiences and trials. 

1.        You are lovely.  You may not have been told this all of your life, and maybe you have.  Some people may have (and will) put you down.  You may not feel lovely.  There will be times when you are the last person that tells you, “You are lovely.” 

You ARE!  You are a “lovely” and you are lovely.  Relish in this idea and you will believe in you, and you will succeed! 

2.       L-E-T-S G-O!  Life is about embracing opportunities as they arise.  Be ready to “go” at any present moment.  Not everything is going to be planned.  Not everything in life is fair and things simply may not go your way; however, if you are ready to “go” at a moment’s notice, you will be the one seizing the opportunity, while others sit back and figure out what to do next.  J

3.       Seize the day!  This goes along with #2, but it is so much more!  You HAVE to attend school!  You HAVE to get out of bed in the morning!  You may HAVE to do chores…or help take care of siblings…or do your homework, etc.  Instead of being upset that you must be doing such things, enjoy each moment.  Take the moment for what it is and soak up the lesson, the experience, the strain and/or stress, etc.  You will certainly take something from it – even if you are learning what it is that you “don’t” want to do with your life. 

4.       Be a monkey!  “Monkey-ing” around, or having fun, is 99% of your success!  Being fun/having fun is contagious – keep it appropriate and use it as part of your equation for success! 

I truly believe in you as so many others do – my hope is that you will believe in you.  I hope that you have an amazing seventh grade year and that you are able to find the best in you and embrace it!  Remember, “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” –Souza 

My best,

Mrs. Veloz

dveloz@nye.k12.nv.us

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 
― Albert Einstein

Moments of Reflection

As she sat in the rundown cabin she stared out the window waiting for her dreams to come up to shore.

 

Driving up the mountain, the green beauty fills my eyes and my heart.  With the trees, the wildflowers and the breath-taking views, my spirit is simply lifted.  This year, as I drove up the winding road, listening to my children talking about the beauty and the deer and the sheep, I felt contented at the progression of my life. 

One of the most beautiful aspects of the journey to Panguitch is the memories of Armando and I taking our first vacation there.  Unlike now, we stopped in Cedar City for our camp gear and groceries, planning not being a big priority.  Once packed, we drove up to the mountain and set-up camp.  Afterwards, we drove around in Uncle Saul’s pink chevy pick-up, listening to the same Kenny Chesney CD over and over again, loving every second of our time together. We discussed everything – from where we wanted to live, what our dreams and aspirations were/are, children, life, etc.  As individuals, we had it all figured out.   When we weren’t driving and/or talking, Armando was fishing, while I read a book (or 3).  Everything around us was, and is, so beautiful and we were, and are, happy in love. 

Now I am sitting in my cabin at 6:30 in the morning, enjoying my cup of coffee, with two of my children sleeping peacefully, while Armando, Alina and McKenna are on a boat, fishing on the lake with Grammie and Papa, Uncle Rey and Bri.   It’s hard to even fathom how far we have come and what has happened in our lives in the short ten years since our first trip.  Now, packing begins at least one week in advance of ever filling up the gas tank and heading off.  The car is filled with children’s laughter and crying, conversing and questions.  Lots of questions.  Armando has fishing buddies and reading has become a novelty.  Three children really weren’t in our future, and yet, it is by far the most meaningful, amazing aspect of our life.  Teaching wasn’t a career that I had chosen, or thought that I would choose, and yet I have spent the last five years teaching, and loving every minute.