2016 comes to a close

Another year has flown by.  I know I say this all the time, but man time needs to slow down.  We had a fun-filled Christmas and Hanukah time.

For Christmas Lily really wanted this fur real friend's horse.  Of course, I told her no way.....figuring first it was expensive and 2nd I know she will outgrown it in no time flat.  Of course, she said to me, "then I'll ask Santa!"

Well why I do believe she has her serious doubts about Santa and I think for the most part she knows it's us....we have had lots of jokes about when you stop believing you get socks and underwear.

Well even though Santa didn't deliver what she wanted, Jesus certainly did, it was really cool!  One day I was on Facebook and I saw a friend of ours had listed on FREECYCLE a pony-sized fur real horse to give away for FREE!!!!!  I messaged her immediately and amazingly we got it!  For Christmas Lily was ecstatic!  Now granted I have this huge monstrosity of a computerized horse in my house, but Lily loves it!

Lily even went to horseback riding camp one day this week! She loved it!

Lily has begun to act a little "preteen" lately, much to her daddy and my dislike.  Moody, disrespectful, and acting entitled to everything!  Hopefully, it will be short lived and we will see more of our sweet and kind Lily in 2017!

She's growing up so fast...

Okay, I admit, I've been in denial!

In the fall we bought Lily some new ugg-like boots at Costco.  We first went to the children's boots because hey....she's a kid....but no....she has outgrown children's she is now is women's.  Okay, I can handle this...she'll wear a size 5 or 6....oh no....we bought her a 7.  I figured it was a fluke... bad sizing.  Fast forward to today....her size 4 tennis shoes are falling apart....so we go....try on a size 6....nope....size 7...nope....size 7.5...om gosh....how did she get so grown up!!!!  Then we proceeded to buy her some new winter boots....size 8....om gosh.....hard to believe she is my "little Guate girl"!

Proud mama moments

The election of our new president-elect Donald Trump has created a little bit of anxiety for our precious daughter.  I just hate seeing her filled with worry.  She's been fearful of things like the return of slavery (not sure where she got that from) and of course, she's heard about the "WALL"  We have been reminding her that one of the benefits of living in America is that our government is a series of checks and balances, and that one person even though they are the president doesn't hold all the power.  Furthermore, yesterday she asked me about ISIS.  Again, not a conversation you love to have with your precious 10-year-old!  I want to assure her that she is safe, but at the same time, I don't want to create false security for her as well.  I talked about how they were a group of evil people who sometimes do evil things because they believe their "god" honors their sacrifice.  We also talked about how our government has people like "spies" who try to seek out members of ISIS and stop them before they can hurt people.  Age 10 just seems so young for the real world to come crashing in!  I just want to protect her a little longer!

On a happier and lighter note, we received Lily's report card this week and had her parent-teacher conference and we could not be more pleased!

Not only is she doing well academically, but she is excelling at being an amazing human being.

Her report card read:  Lily is an empathetic and compassionate member of the classroom, sought after as a friend and work partner.  She fosters integrity, honesty, and fairness in all that she does, and acts responsibly in regards to the larger classroom community by her actions.

Lily for PRESIDENT!!!

One proud mama!

During her conference, which was led by Lily, Lily stated repeatedly that she was really proud of her NEAT work and that if she could improve one thing, she would do her work in cursive!:)

October whirlwind

I simply love October!  We have so much fun as a family and this October was no exception.

We had a super fun Halloween.  Lily had such a creative costume!  A pretty peacock!  She even won the costume contest at Awanna for having the most colorful costume.  The kids tore up pop-pop's neighborhood.  I think they have enough candy to last a while!  She also carved an adorable kitty pumpkin

adorable!

My beautiful peacock

Back of costume

We went away for the weekend to an amusement park for Ashton called diggerland, but I think Lily had a good time with our friend Rudy!  They got to actually steer and drive a backhoe, a mini Land Rover, and a Work Max truck.  I think she really enjoyed that!  I think her favorite was the Workmax truck as it was like driving a real vehicle!

Lily and the backhoe!

We also got to enjoy a fall festival with our cousins Kodi and Aly.  The kids enjoyed jumping on the jumping pillow and walking through the corn maze. Of course, while Ashton and Lily frequently bicker and get on each other's nerves occasionally they smile and give me a sweet picture!

I adore their faces here

 

Lily has also had the opportunity to embrace her artistic side both at school and at a special camp at a local art studio.  Her self-portrait artwork was featured in her school's blog. She was so proud of herself!  I know I am really impressed plus I love how she used Guatemalan colors and patterns.

Lily self-portrait

Earlier this month at the art studio she did this mixed media project and yesterday she did a sugar skull.  Again absolutely talented!

Mixed Media

Like I said last month I keep trying to keep Lily little, but time marches on.  She lost her very lost tooth this month.  She was very sad.  She wrote the tooth fairy this endearing letter!  She's been sad that the tooth fairy will no longer be coming to visit her.  #growinguppains  Mama on the other hand has been feeling a little torn about the tooth fairy wondering if it's time to break the magic spell, but for now the magic is still alive and well in our household. 

I keep trying to keep her little, but life happens!

Lily is definitely growing up!  Until very recently she wore a long skirt every day, but now she is beginning to embrace more of a pre-teen look.  Leggings and tunics, cute slim-fitting dresses, she even found some cute jean shorts she loves!

We recently went to Charlotte's  9th birthday party and Lily tried roller skating for 2nd time and she did really well.  I was so impressed and proud!  She really got the hang of it.

Her body is beginning to show some signs of maturing as well.  I can't believe how fast it is happening.  The other day I had a really bad day so I got half a dozen crabs and I really wanted a cold beer.  I told Lily, "I look forward to the day when we can go out together as adults when we can order a dozen crabs and order a beer or two.  She replied, "Mommy I can't wait until I can have one of the fruity drinks you drink out of a coconut with you!"  Me too little lady, me too!  But not too soon okay:)

Lily continues to be a little mama.  Sometimes it is really sweet and sometimes it drives us all totally crazy!!!!  I guess it's just her instinct, but her poor brother cannot get a break!  I am constantly telling her he doesn't need you to be his mama, just be his sister!

Funny thing tonight, our neighbor Cindy was talking with Lily and she was remarking that even though Lily is not flesh of my flesh, she has so many of my mannerisms...Cindy was like" Hey, that's a Kimmie characteristic".

Gosh, I love this girl to pieces!  As much as I hate her growing up, I do hope she continues on her current path and we can be close friends when she is an adult!

Toothfairy heartbreak?

I think the tooth fairy is going to be so sad today.  Lily said she didn't think the tooth fairy was real....she thinks it is me!  She just lost one of her last teeth today and I told her fairies are magical and when you no longer believe, they stop coming...I guess we'll see if she comes tonight!

Watch out 5th grade

Today Lily began her 5th grade year at Carroll Creek Montessori. She set an alarm to wake herself up and promptly began her day!

She reported having a good day and reported the best part of her day was seeing her friends!