Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mikie! Keep shining like the little star you are.

Happy 4th Birthday Klaudia Doll!

What a year has it been!  You got potty trained, you started preschool, piano lessons and you basically started to talk.  You're an awesome and very responsible big sister, great and patient playmate and our little perfectionist.   

You absolutely love your school, the kids there and your teachers, Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Peggy.  You enjoy your dance classes.  Going to the park, riding your bike there and playing with your friends is probably your favorite. 

You're still a very picky eater, but at least you eat.  You're still very much into fruit - any kind, and mac and cheese. 

Dora the Explorer is still your hero. 

Happy Birthday our baby goose!

Look At Me!

The other day I was on the phone, and somewhere in the background, I could hear Klaudia calling me.  But it wasn't until she said:  Mommy, look at me! when she finally got my attention.  I noticed her doing the same thing to Maya and Len, and surprisingly it worked every time.  She must have learned this at school, where in order to get their attention, a teacher would ask kids to look into her eyes. 

But the other morning, it sounded a little cuter, when Klaudia found candy wrappers on the table from the night before and asked:  Daddy, what are these?  After getting no response, she firmly asked again:  Daddy, look at me!  What are these?

Our Life in Africa

A few weeks ago we had a tarantula crawling on the side of our house.  Last weekend, there was a bobcat in our backyard.  And this past Friday night when driving home, an owl came out of nowhere hitting the side of our minivan ripping the side mirror off.  Sometimes it feels like we live in Africa. 

Influenced by Dora the Explorer

Trying to get Klaudia excited about her preschool that she starts September 1st, I told her we'd buy her a new backpack just like Dora's. "And a map?" she asked.

Influenced by Curious George

While waiting for his girls to finish their lunch, so that we could go shopping, Len looked through a magazine and noticed: "It looks like George is dating a new girl" (George Clooney that is). Klaudia asked me what daddy said, and when I repeated, she asked: "George the monkey?"

Raising Another Teacher in the Family?

The school has officially started for me and Klaudia.  Yes, we've decided to put Klaudia in school two days a week for 4 hours a day. 

The first day of her school went better than expected.  I anticipated tears, but except for mine, there were none.  Klaudia was simply ready (just like she was ready to move from the crib to the big girls' bed and to be potty trained - no hassle, she just did it).  She had her Dora backpack, her map and off she went. 

Today was her 3rd day of school.  As soon as we got home, she ordered Maya and me to sit on the floor, so she could read us a book.  After she was done, I wondered if it was a good time to introduce her to what I do at work.  So, I said: "Hey babe, you know, when I go to work, I sit just like you now, and I teach, too."  I couldn't wait to see her reaction.  Would she understand it?  Well, she looked at me and said:  "Shhhhhh!  Be quiet, please!"