SlyRafa are in a soccer program that teaches fundamentals and a love of the sport. We love watching them run around and work on their skills. Since they will always be the oldest in their class at school because of their birthdate, I intentionally put them in an older soccer class so that they will be on the younger side (in this case, the youngest). I can already see how they are learning to stick with it and try even when the other kids are better than they are. The coach is also doing a magnificent job encouraging them and working with them to improve and giving them confidence.
There is SO much that I want them to learn. But, right now, I'm convinced that the most important things for them to learn are generosity, gratitude, and caring for others. They will have plenty of time to learn letters and numbers, but right now I think it is critical to start inculcating their basic values. So, I beamed bright like the sun during their last scrimmage when a boy, probably twice my kids' size, fell down next to Sylvia and she immediately reached over and helped him up. Forget that the other kids smoke them in soccer skills at this point, this proud mama thinks she was the best player out there that day.
And, major props to the "coach" who noticed what she did and made a point of making a big deal about it to encourage good sportsmanship.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
imagination
This is one to be re enacted as adults...
S enjoyed playing with O and prima N today. In part because they played along with whatever she had been dreaming up. She explained here that they were all patients going to the doctor and that's why they were lying down on the stairs. The doctor was imaginary, and she came up with all kinds of fun imaginary things to do. I love seeing that expression of creativity.
The kids are getting so good at playing with one another. It is a beautiful thing that I also love seeing blossom.
Monday, October 12, 2015
little, polite O
One of O's favorite things to say is: "No sé!" (I don't know!) and he holds his hands upright shrugging his shoulders speaking with his body language as well.
He has also learned when to say please, thank you, and I'm sorry. It's interesting to me how quickly kids can learn the situations when these phrases are appropriate. It also challenges the parents a little. It's easy to say no when he screams "I WANT IT!!!" After doing that 500 times, then stopping and calmly asking in his sweet voice, "Mami, may I please have it?" It's a lot harder to say, "Thank you for asking nicely, but the answer is still, no." I get tempted to reward sweet words.
Just the other day when we were about to cross the street, he said, "Cars?, cars?, no, no." He didn't look up, much less both ways, but he did at least pause and recognize we need to look for cars! I was shocked and pleased. He tends to be much more impulsive than his sibs.
He has also learned the answers to the questions to getting out of timeout. His most recent visit, as soon as I put him there, he said, "Sorry, Mami, I won't do it again." Thanks, buddy, you still get 2 minutes.
His "animales" are his favorite toy. He can play with them for hours. And he mostly lines them up, over and over again. How sweet and civilized.
He fakes us out with his politeness, though, because shortly after he goes back to the offending behavior or turns around and uses the shark to attack all his friends, who end up all over the floor...
So, we have a rowdy third child after all, no matter how much he tries from time to time to make us believe otherwise.
He has also learned when to say please, thank you, and I'm sorry. It's interesting to me how quickly kids can learn the situations when these phrases are appropriate. It also challenges the parents a little. It's easy to say no when he screams "I WANT IT!!!" After doing that 500 times, then stopping and calmly asking in his sweet voice, "Mami, may I please have it?" It's a lot harder to say, "Thank you for asking nicely, but the answer is still, no." I get tempted to reward sweet words.
Just the other day when we were about to cross the street, he said, "Cars?, cars?, no, no." He didn't look up, much less both ways, but he did at least pause and recognize we need to look for cars! I was shocked and pleased. He tends to be much more impulsive than his sibs.
He has also learned the answers to the questions to getting out of timeout. His most recent visit, as soon as I put him there, he said, "Sorry, Mami, I won't do it again." Thanks, buddy, you still get 2 minutes.
His "animales" are his favorite toy. He can play with them for hours. And he mostly lines them up, over and over again. How sweet and civilized.
He fakes us out with his politeness, though, because shortly after he goes back to the offending behavior or turns around and uses the shark to attack all his friends, who end up all over the floor...
So, we have a rowdy third child after all, no matter how much he tries from time to time to make us believe otherwise.
Monday, September 28, 2015
long distance communication
The Vassariños are really into taking pictures these days. We took a bunch of selfies to send to Papi while he's away.
Modern technology is pretty amazing. Half a world away and with a few glitches and connection challenges, we still get to live chat at least once a day.
I love watching the kids hold my phone and tell Papi about their day and hear about what's on their minds. Now that's entertaining. We even put the phone on the floor while we're playing and it somewhat strangely feels like our whole family is together. If only he could do the dishes remotely...
Modern technology is pretty amazing. Half a world away and with a few glitches and connection challenges, we still get to live chat at least once a day.
I love watching the kids hold my phone and tell Papi about their day and hear about what's on their minds. Now that's entertaining. We even put the phone on the floor while we're playing and it somewhat strangely feels like our whole family is together. If only he could do the dishes remotely...
Friday, September 25, 2015
2 years...and then some
I finally got O in for his 2 year checkup. Almost 2 months late. Ah, poor third child...
For whatever reason, I thought he was tall for his age. Turns out, he's average. And I feel like this measurement is more accurate because he's standing instead of the random pen marking. Perhaps R won't end up being heaps shorter than his sibs after all!
O's stats:
H: 35" (55%)
W: 28 lb (44%)
HC: 19" (35%)
And everything checked out healthy. Thank you, God!
more technical difficulties
I didn't realize that all these old posts didn't post. So, they're all just coming in a bunch, now. I'll try to be better about verifying that they go up...
thank god
Vassariños' convo pulling out of the driveway
- ciao, ciao house!
- the house will be sad and will be all alone because our whole family is leaving (for a couple hours, not permanently)
- but, the house will be okay because God will always be with the house
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