::Last Day of School:: First year complete..many more to come...

::First day of school post here::

The last day of school finally came and guess what just like the first we survived. We missed the bus and were a little late but we made it. Made it through a whole year of school. As my Husband would say... "I didn't think we were gonna make it, but we made it." Truth is, our first year of Kinder with Santiago was not easy. I am not going to blame it on anyone but his teacher was a little difficult. Regardless of all the continued work and efforts on my part, it just was never enough for her. She had some kind of complaint about Santiago every other day. Toward the end of the year, it got old. I would tell Santiago every day until the last day, be good son. The complaints were harmless, trust me.

Truth is, he is a great kid. He is 6, active and very social. Some may see that as bad and will scrutinize his behavior, which is that of an active healthy 6-year-old boy, who loves to joke and play around. But, we worked on it and at the end of the day he wasn't a robot. He did though excel in all his academics especially math and science according to all his testing and "grades", cause we never actually saw grades just pass or needs improvement. Mostly pass. Santiago was also bullied this year, to the extent that I had to call upon  a friend who is a police officer, the bullying ended once I threatened to press charges. I am sure the issue will arise again, but we will know how to handle it. None-the-less, we made it! We survived. 

Now on to a kick ass Summer with lots of fun and some studying. I want Santiago to do even better in 1st grade and I know that a lot of that will come from our own efforts and hard work. We plan on doing all that's needed to make 1st grade better than Kinder. 

As for Camila, I am not sure Kinder is ready for her. Her sass grows with every new thought in that little crazy brain of hers. She doesn't miss a beat and is currently the reigning Queen of her daycare. We have warned her time and time again that nap time will be no more and that Kinder at a new school will be a whole new ball game...to which she replied this week... "I'm not gonna stress about it." Y'all be ready for the stories...Kinder watch OUT, Cam is on her way and she is gonna bring you down. Just saying.... Of course, she had a wonderful year in pre-K, as I said, she rules and runs her school. She is smart and SO strong willed, I have no doubt Kinder will be a breeze for her. I think I will send her teachers' thank you notes in advance, maybe even apology letters. She is getting all the new school particulars from her brother, who has warned her..."Camila this school is hard."

Her reply... 

"Santiago where do you go when you get in trouble and how do you get in trouble?" 

Y'all help me! HAHAHA. 

::Top 11 Things we have learned from Kid Sports::

Like with everything that has to do with our family, we knew we wanted our kids to play sports but we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know how involved we would actually become. How competitive our kids would be, even though my Husband and I are pretty competitive. And, we both agree winning isn't everything but we want to teach our kids that they can win and should win!  With that said two years ago, we started Santiago in Soccer, we become so involved that last year both the kids played and we became the soccer parents. Ricardo coached and I helped him with the organizing. 

This year we decided to try baseball. We have so far learned that baseball is no joke. The recruitment of the kids is pretty intense for 6 & 7-year-olds. Santiago was literally drafted onto a team and practice is now 3 times a week. And, even when it rains we have discovered practice still happens. Which we understand discipline and not making excuses is a big part of life itself. Which then led me to think, what have I learned the last few years as the kids have been in sports. I have compiled a list for you today. One that I wrote and one that my Hubby sent me. 

I said: 

::Sportsmanship::
The kids have learned more about teamwork, about how winning isn't everything and that hard work does pay off. They have learned to lose, although its not always a graceful process and some tears are endured. This is always hard as a parent. But, you can't win at everything and I know Camila and Santiago are both learning this. Slowly but surely. They both still hate losing, like duh, who doesn't! Only as a child, it's more "acceptable" for them to freely express it. They still at the end of every soccer game congratulated the winners no matter what! As a parent, we got into the game more than the kids did. So we also had to learn to control the emotions. A little. 

::Prioritizing::
The kids have learned that we need to create priorities, do they want to lounge around on the couch or go play with their teammates. Sure, these are pretty fickle priorities but making their sport their number one priority helps keep them focused on what needs to be done. They know that some nights going to practice was a little more important than staying home. As a parent, the lesson of adult time vs spending time on the fields becomes very clear. Family and sports, in this case, come first. 

::Schedules::

It creates formal schedules that we have to keep up with and adhere to. The kids learn what days their practice and games are on. They would prepare themselves from the moment they woke up to go to school. They knew they had things scheduled and it helped them learn days and times. As a parent, it helps keep you organized by having to keep up with practice and game days. Teaches all of us the importance of keeping a good schedule. School, practice, dinnertime, bath time, & bedtime. We keep some pretty good schedules once the season kicks off. Baseball has been far more time consuming but we should be good! 

::Meeting new Kids::

While our kids have daily friends that they make at school and daycare, I like the fact that they step outside their social circle and comfort zone. In life, they will have to learn that their circle should be much larger than their everyday interactions. These interactions help them be less shy, more interactive wth kids they wouldn't usually meet and open to relationships with children from all walks of life. Much like in the grown-up world. Your circle of "friends" shouldn't always be the same five people you went to high school with, the world is SO much bigger than that. I want my kids to know this and be aware. 

::Meeting new parents::

In the same sense, I am used to talking to the same group of friends, or co-workers. Playing sports helps us build a new support system and a new circle of parent friends. Sports parents have the same commitments as you and the same dedication. Which might make them different from your everyday circle. As sports parents, we share a common interest and goal. The mindset is a little more focused and it helps keep you accountable. Some sports parents are either new like you and you can both learn as you go or they might be seasoned parents and can teach you the in's and out's of the game. Both are great to have!

Now my Husband's list.... 



He said:

::Builds Character, Discipline, and Confidence:: 

Agreed it really does, especially an already confident child who needs that extra boost. Or a somewhat shy child, who needs exposure to public events, speaking and exhibit. My kids are very good at showing off at home and being silly but we don't want them to be scared or shy in public. So, sports are helping with all this. 

::Good exercise and keeps them Active:: 

Very true and important. If my little couch potatoes are not pushed to do something outside they are quite content with being indoors and lounging. As parents we must show them that staying active is good and healthy for you. Plus being indoors with two toddlers all the time is nuts. They need the energy outlet. We don't' mind it. It helps us remain active as well. 

::Quality time and fun for the Family:: 

Our weeks become so busy with work and other adulting that we can forget about creating that quality time and bond with our little families. It's so necessary. Sports have helped remind us how important this is and how much we need it. 

::Keeps them competitive::

Again this is something that my Husband and I both agree on. While winning isn't always everything, reminding our children that they can win, that they should strive for their best and that they can be competitive is good for them! Life is tough and teaching your kids to rise to the occasion is always good. 

::Gets this Momma good picture for her blog:: This is true. A lot of my content comes from my children and the activities that we do. Sports are one of those "perks" to my blog that helps me gain valuable material to write about. I love it. 

:: Entertaining:: Because of their age and the fact that they are learning the sport, it's hilarious to watch and very entertaining as parent spectators. As parents, it can be a little frustrating because you want them to do well but once you see them in action you learn to relax and simply enjoy it all! 

{Garner State Park} ::Weekend Snapshots:: Part 1

This past weekend we had our first family camping trip with the kids! We made the long car trip to Garner State Park. After numerous potty breaks, food stops and of course our must, Bucee's stops we made it to the peaceful park in Concan,Texas.  {More pictures from our road-trip on my Instagram @mommaofdos} 

My Husband and I love camping and traveling but when the kids were younger we  I  always feared that traveling and the outdoors may not be very age appropriate. So, we waited, until now. I am so glad we did. To be able to build the anticipation of a trip like this and be able to hear my children voice their excitement and experiences as well as ask a million and one times, are we there yet?! Was definitely worth the wait! 

We did everything they wanted to do. We set up a tent, we ate s'mores, hiked and swam in the Rio Frio! It was so much fun and family friendly. One of my favorite moments was hiking up the big flat hill which my children claimed was a mountain filled with Dinosaur remains and treasure. Both of which they found.  

It was amazing. The determination was real and my kids loved it. It wasn't easy but we made it to the top and enjoyed our mini-vacation to the max. 

To be continued..... 

{Vacation Mode} Summer 2013

Do you often find that coming back from vacation or getting back into a routine after a long time away from it to be a little well, difficult?!

So, we got back from vacation almost 3 weeks ago and we still couldn't manage to get it together;until this weekend! I think the 3 day weekend allowed for that extra time needed to adjust. We are still working on schedules, between being on vacation and being sick timing is off.



Here are FIVE things that just had me feeling overwhelmed and well, a little off:

1) Laundry; I could't manage to get it under control with Dos toddlers who are constantly changing and between the Hubby and I and our work clothes and home clothes. I had to finally just wash, wash, wash...and then fold and put it all away in 2 days! It took a lot  but it's finally done!

2) Dishes; we often find ourselves using disposable dishes and still constantly filling the dishwasher or hand washing dishes. Again, I got home one afternoon and washed dishes until I couldn't wash dishes anymore...I did a double dose; ran the dish washer and hand washed as may dishes as I could! Finally getting the job done.

3) Unpacking! Yes, it had been almost 3 weeks and our suitcases were still sitting in our bedroom with some of our stuff still in them. The day{s} that I did laundry I finished emptying them and put them back in the garage! Until our next little getaway....

4) Getting Organized! So, last week I heard some good advice and I can't get it out of my head; Do one thing tonight that will make your morning easier! Last night, I set aside the kids clothes for today and I made sure that the kitchen and living room were clean. It's not something I usually get to do because I run off to bath time and then bed time, usually falling asleep before I can get organized. But, I think this is something I need to keep going.

5) Schedules; being a Blogger {and working outside the home} a schedule is really a blurred line... I Blog when my kids fall asleep but it's getting them to bed while my light is still on and the clickity-clack of my keyboard is going off that's a challenge. Usually we try to be in bed between 9 and 10:30pm. It's a little late but it works for us. Thankfully when the lights go out the kids fall asleep but it's those afternoon/nights when our schedule is super busy or I have too may things to do for the next day that our times are off but we try.

What kind of things keep you organized and going, or ready for the next day?

In our home we take it one day at a time because every day brings a new challenge... but we try to  be as prepared as possible! Un dia a la vez....