As a parent, it is our natural instinct to want to protect our children, especially when they are crying out in grief, anxiety, or sadness. But I am learning an important lesson. If we try to protect our children from every negative emotion we are also depriving them of the opportunity to build confidence in their abilities!
For example, Lily finally did a swim meet yesterday, after a full season practice. She was supposed to do another one earlier in the season, but she panicked and refused to do it! So with the help of her coach, she said she would try again. Yesterday was the MSC B Championships and Lily signed up to participate at the urging of her coach!
She was very anxious. Especially when she learned that she would have to wait with her team separate from us. She spent a good part of the morning working herself up and crying. Of course, my natural instinct was to just bag it. Why fight the battle. But I heard this little voice saying to me, that she needed to do this for herself. And so we went.
She had a spectacular meet. She did the backstroke and the breaststroke. She shaved over 10 seconds off her backstroke time and came in 1st place in her heat. She shaved over 18 seconds off her breaststroke and came in 2nd place in her heat. You could tell she was SO proud of herself!!!! A real confidence builder! Score for everyone!
I am so glad we made her go! It was a good lesson for all!
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
February Blur
February has been one big blur! Unfortunately, Olav's sister, Lily's Tante Britt died expectantly. So we had nearly 3 weeks without Daddy! During Daddy's absence, both Lily and Ashton had the stomach bug two times! Poor things!
Lily did not make the honors chorus, but we are super proud of her for trying. She is the understudy in case one of the two girls can't fulfill their commitment.
Lily continues to well in school showing progress in all areas! The area I am most proud of is all her learning behaviors! She is mature beyond her years! Such an amazing young lady!
Lily is a voracious reader! She can down an entire book in just a few sittings! She also loves to write historical fiction! While Daddy was gone she was working on a book taking place in the 1930's with westward expansion!
Lily continues to be an old soul. She is all about fairness, justice, and righteousness! She has strong convictions about what is right and just. Unfortunately, she is learning the hard way that life is full of unfairness.
She also has a strong mothering soul. Sometimes she can mother to death! We constantly remind her she doesn't have to "be the mama". I am sure her little brother can attest, however she is an amazing babysitter, for sure to be the richest teen on the block!
Lily did not make the honors chorus, but we are super proud of her for trying. She is the understudy in case one of the two girls can't fulfill their commitment.
Lily continues to well in school showing progress in all areas! The area I am most proud of is all her learning behaviors! She is mature beyond her years! Such an amazing young lady!
Lily is a voracious reader! She can down an entire book in just a few sittings! She also loves to write historical fiction! While Daddy was gone she was working on a book taking place in the 1930's with westward expansion!
Lily continues to be an old soul. She is all about fairness, justice, and righteousness! She has strong convictions about what is right and just. Unfortunately, she is learning the hard way that life is full of unfairness.
She also has a strong mothering soul. Sometimes she can mother to death! We constantly remind her she doesn't have to "be the mama". I am sure her little brother can attest, however she is an amazing babysitter, for sure to be the richest teen on the block!
Thursday, January 26, 2017
So proud!
So proud of our Lily bean! Last week or so she had mentioned that she wanted to try out for the 5th grade honors chorus! This is huge for her! She rarely does anything that stretches her outside her comfort zone when it comes to her talents, so her daddy and I were super proud to hear that she decided to try for it! However, yesterday she was having second thoughts because she was feeling "forced" to do it by us. Of course, we were not forcing her, but we were very excited when she mentioned she was going to try! Well, today she came home and announced that not only did she try out, but she also tried out solo as opposed to the comfort of a partner! We of course told her we were so proud of her regardless if she makes it or not (they only pick 2 students in 5th grade), but I won't lie if I secretly hope she makes it. She does have quite a nice voice and it would be so great if she would be rewarded for taking this step of faith! I guess we'll see!
Sunday, January 1, 2017
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!
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!
Saturday, December 17, 2016
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"!
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"!
Friday, November 11, 2016
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!:)
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!:)
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
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
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!
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.
Earlier this month at the art studio she did this mixed media project and yesterday she did a sugar skull. Again absolutely talented!
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.
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
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| adorable! |
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| My beautiful peacock |
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| 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!
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| Lily and the backhoe! |
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| 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.
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