Pics From Grandparent's Day

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS PAPAMIGUEL

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS ABUELITO. QUE BONITO SERIA OIR LAS AMATRELLADORAS DE CUETES EN LAS CALLES CELEBRANDO TU CUMPLEAÑOS.

ESPERO QUE TENGAS UN BUEN DIA LLENO DE PASTEL, ABRAZOS, BESOS Y FELICIDAD.

First Day of School

Here's the pictures of the kids on their first day of school.

This is Drew's second year of preschool and is excited to learn how to read like her cousin Diego.  Although she rather be in kindergarden, she is very excited to be back with Mrs. Allred and her friends. 

Frankie is in 8th grade.  I still can't figure out how I could possibly be a mother of a Jr Higher.  My problem might be that I am using the age I feel and not the age I am.

He is also loving school.  This year he decided to do Encore Choir which is a girls and boys choir but was also invited to be in the Men's choir.  When I asked him what his favorite class so far this year is he said Choir but then changed it to P.E.   I should've guessed.  If he had recess I'm sure he would've said that.

Happy Grandparents' Day

A few years ago I found out that there was a grandparent day.  I don't know how I went my whole life not knowing that; however, now that I know, I want to make sure I take a moment to honor my grandparents each year.  They have been a huge influence in my life. Although they are far away I want them to know that I love them and think of them all the time.  My eyes tear up just looking at their pictures. I wish that I could see them every Sunday after church like we did when we lived in Guatemala.  I thank my Heavenly Father for them and everything they have done for me and my family.  I'm especially thankful that I was able to go see them 2 years ago and that my family was able to meet them and see what great people they are.

While in Guatemala I was also able to visit my Amado grandparents.  This was also such a great experience.  It was as if I never left.  We talked and laughed.  Abuelita Carmen was so hospitable and loving as always and Abuelito Otto so tender and kind.  A few months after our visit my Abuelito Otto passed away.  I miss him!!! I still remember how great it felt as he kept hugging and kissing me on the forehead. 

My great-grandmother, Mama Licha is 108.  She is such a great, hard working woman.  She worked until she was 105 and the only reason she stopped was because of her doctor's request.  If it was up to her, she probably would still be working.  When we visited her in Guatemala we enjoyed listening to her stories. Can you imagine?  She has seen so many changes in the world.  I am so grateful that my kids were also able to meet their great-great-grandmother!

And I can't go without being grateful for the grandparents of my children.  They are also a great blessing in not only my life but my children's lives.  I'm am thankful that they are blessed with knowing all of their grandparents and sharing special moments and memories with them.  They are a very important part of my kids lives.

Pets or Pests

Ok, I may be struck by lightning for this. I'm surprised I didn't after writing just the title.
For some reason me being home has given us some kind of immeasurable freedom to adopt pets.
In the process Drew has added to her list a lot of "first" pets.
   

You already know about Pax (which really doesn't fall under the "pest" category).

Pax was actually her 2^nd pet but 1^st puppy.

Then there is Ariel the gold fish coming in 3^rd










and my favorite… the SNAILS, Zack, Princess Slimy and Sleepy.

   

   
   



YES!!! You read that right…SNAILS!!!



 




 
 
Now are you beginning to understand the title?


   
At first I thought, how much harm can they do?, they are probably really easy to take care of, and most importantly and how can I say "no" to a little four year old desperate to have a pet.



Besides, not many kids can say "my first pets were snails".

I guess there is the rare "my first pet was a chicken" which Frankie can say.











My kids definitely know how to choose interesting pets.



Although we are down to only one snail, she, Princess Slimy, is trying to beat the record of living for 15 years with the help of Grant! (don't ask me why).With my luck she will beat it! Every time I think she has died and gone to a better place, Grant manages to revive her. 

I know they are also Heavenly Father's creatures, but to all there must be an order. I don't mind them being alive, just not in my house but I guess for Drew's sake I must love them as much as she does.




As for Ariel, she went to join her long lost relatives living at the pond in my sister's front yard. (thanks Pinky)


Anyone have a snail farm needing an additional guest?

We did learn some interesting facts about snails.  I've bolded my favorite.

 

• A snail can crawl across a razor and not get hurt thanks to their thick slime. (There goes that plan)

• The largest land snail ever found was 15 inches long and weighed 2 pounds

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  Some snails have been known to live up to 15 years. (With my luck Princess Slimy will beat this record)

• Snails are hermaphrodites which means they have both male and female reproductive organs. (Which means I'm screwed if Princess Slimy decides to get freaky with herself).

• Snails travel in irregular paths, often traveling in a circle.

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  Snails rely on their sense of touch and smell when finding food because they have poor eye sight.
  
  

• Snails cannot hear. (It makes me feel better knowing that they didn't hear me say "DIE you dumb thing!")

• Snails are nocturnal.

• The fastest snails are the speckled garden snails which can move up to 55 yards per hour compared to 23 inches per hour of most other land snails.

• Garden snails evolved from sea snails 600 million years ago.

• The garden snail is cooked and eaten as a delicacy called escargot.

• May 24th is National Escargot Day. (Party, my house!)