Michelle Obama!

Not only did we get tickets to the event to see Mrs. Obama on Friday, we got VIP seats!

I got a message on Thursday telling me that the doors would open at 1 pm, and to wear Packer green and gold for the event.  Dad was the lucky ticket-holder number two, so we left home just before noon in our Packer t-shirts, planning to get there by 1.  When we arrived at Alexander Gym, there were lines everywhere.  So many people!  We finally found the end of the line we thought we had to stand in, when a volunteer approached us and asked if we were together as a party of two, and if she could talk to us for a moment.  Turns out, they were looking for Packer-decked people to be on the stage behind Michelle herself!  We were escorted to a much shorter line, where secret servicemen gave us directions.  After getting through security, we were put up on wooden bleachers directly behind where Michelle would be speaking.  Woo Hoo!  We weren't allowed to take pictures during the speeches, but we got to hear Russ Feingold and Michelle Obama, from up close!  It was so exciting!
I'm fired up and ready to go!  Ready to reelect President Obama on November 6th!

FLOTUS!

I've got tickets to see Michelle Obama on Friday afternoon!

The girls and I went to get tickets at 4 o'clock in Appleton.  Naively, I thought I'd be out of there, get groceries and be home in time for dinner.  Ha HA!  The line was much longer than I anticipated, and we waited for two hours before finally making it close enough to see the building front when we were told the tickets were all out.  They took our names and said they'd call if tickets became available.  Because it was already past six by this point, I took the girls to dinner and started heading home.  We were going to make it at just about bedtime.  I got a call while in Greenville saying we had tickets and asking if we could pick them up tonight.  I turned around, trekked both kids back into headquarters, and have my tickets in hand!  My girls are such troopers.  We got home about 9:00, but both of them had been sleeping since we left Appleton (the second time) at 8.  They both popped into bed without a problem.  And now I get to see the first lady!  I have two tickets, and there is a discussion about who my number two is going to be.  Who will win, Mom, Dad, or Sarah?

First Month, Second Year

Amalia is 13 months today!  and all of a sudden she isn't much of a baby anymore - she's a toddler!  Sniff...sniff...

Dearest Mali,

Happy thirteen months, baby girl!  You have always wanted to be big, and little by little you are getting there.  We are so proud.

You are walking.  You started taking your first steps just after your birthday, but just this week, you've been using your feet to get you places.  You have been practicing and practicing, and now prefer walking to crawling.  You can crouch down to pick something up and stand back up by yourself.  If you lose your balance a little bit you can regain your footing without falling.  You always look so proud of yourself whenever you are on your feet.

You are also starting to climb.  You can get into your new wagon, the baby cradle, the chair by the fireplace, your little rocking chair, and the kiddie chairs, and can even get back down all by yourself.  You are attempting higher climbs and are so persistent.

You've been eating lunch at the kids' table; you look so grown-up.  The first time I let you eat there, you had such a surprised and happy look on your face.  You always want your own utensil when we eat and practice using it, though mostly it just bangs against the table.

You are a talker.  Your list of words keeps growing, and I'm not sure I can list them all anymore.  You know what a sheep says, and how to cluck like a chicken.  You search the house calling for grandpa and get so excited whenever he gets home and holds you in his arms.  You always want a bit of whatever anyone is eating, and will ask for it by saying, "Me?"  Sometimes you'll follow that with "Peese?"  or "Dat?"  I think you are trying to say Sofia, though I can't recreate the sound you make.  Sort of sounds like 'sisi', but not quite.

Right now, you are a teething monster.  You wake up many, many times a night.  You are drooly.  Your nose has a constant curtain of boogers.  I can see the swollen gums where your one-year-molars will be, and am begging those little guys to pop out soon.  I need my baby back!

You have a temper!  Still.  and More.  When you don't get your way, you tend to scream.  Then hit.  Then throw your head into the carpet and wail.  It is quite the performance.

My little boogie-baby, I love you so much.  Your giggle is infectious, and the games you play hilarious.  You bring so much joy and love to this family.

Loveyouforeverandalways,





Mama

Big Girls!

Big week for the Parra girls!  Sofia is continuing to improve her reading skills, and Amalia is continuing to improve her walking skills!  Mama is so proud.

Here is big girl Sofia reading a story the other night before bed.  She has never seen this book before, and really enjoyed its story.

Here is fully-fledged toddler Amalia walking!  She's still a bit tipsy, but is starting to prefer it as a method to get around, and is so obviously proud of herself.  

As my sister just posted (Johanna), the days are long but the years are short.  How very true.  I'm really not sure how I have one daughter who can read, and a second one who can walk.  

First steps!

Just a quick post to remind myself that Amalia started walking this week!  September 12, Julio, Sofia, Sarah and Grandma were in the living room, and Sofia and I were cuddling in the chair by the window while Amalia stood by the coffee table.  She let go of the table and turned toward us, and instead of dropping to crawl as she normally does, she took two steps to reach us!  We all cheered and clapped and she took steps between Julio and me, and Mom and Julio several times before tiring and refusing to do it.  The last two days, she has tried a few times, but mostly decides it is too hard and gives up and crawls.  True walking is coming soon, I know it!  She is so funny - her little top half goes so much faster than her feet and she really has to concentrate to balance.  Usually, she doesn't concentrate and tips right over because she is in such a hurry to get to where she's going.

The Big K

Today my biggest baby started kindergarten.  I'm not sure why it is such a bigger deal than 4K, since last year was technically the start of her school career, but it just feels bigger.  I think it feels bigger to Sofia, too.  She is in the big elementary school which houses all the kids through fourth grade.  She eats in a big cafeteria.  The playground isn't fenced in.  There are six kindergarten rooms.  She has to find her bus out of a big line of yellow school busses (eventually - we brought her and picked her up today, and will probably do so tomorrow as well).

Sofia woke up very excited.  I had to wake her up to get ready in time, but she was cheerful and cooperative and got her clothes on without trouble.  She actually ate breakfast and was ready to take First Day of School pictures with time to spare.

Sofia bounded outside talking about playing with Sofia D on the playground at recess and telling me that she didn't want to sleep at rest time.  I assured her that was okay.

The whole family piled into the car; an extra-special thing because Daddy actually had today off.  We made it to the school in plenty of time, waved at the crossing guard who wished Sofia a happy first day of school, and headed to the classroom.  Sofia started to get a bit quieter at this point.  She took off her backpack, removed her rest towel (a Hello Kitty find that she is extremely excited about) and attempted to hang it in her cubby.

Couldn't reach.  Daddy tried to help her, but she wanted to do it herself.  She found a way.

 Then, it was time to head to the classroom.

Somebody's a bit nervous.

Yet still excited!  Because Kindergarten!  Yippee!  We discovered that even at 7:45 kids are supposed to wait in the gym until they are dismissed to their classrooms.  There were tons of kids, all lined up in rows by grade.  The kids in the first line looked a tad concerned.  By the time we got to her classroom, Sofia decided that she would rather just go home.  When Mrs. Yaeger asked the kids to find a seat, she grabbed my leg and burst into tears.  "I want to go home with Mommy and Daddy!"

I wanted to scoop her up in my arms, tell her it was okay and that I'd take her home and she'd never have to do anything scary ever again.  But I didn't.  I gave her a hug and a kiss and walked as fast as I could out of the door.
I worried about her all day.  The phone rang at about 10 am, and I was sure it was the school calling to say that she hadn't stopped crying and they needed me.  It wasn't.
I knew she would be fine.  I knew as soon as we left that she would go with the flow and be just fine.  It didn't help my heart.  3 o'clock couldn't come fast enough.
We went to pick her up, my little nugget.  She burst through the door, smile on her face.  She said she had a good day.  We went to Dairy Queen to celebrate.  I had to pry a bit, but got her to tell me a little bit about her day.
She went to sleep singing a little ditty about school.  I think it will all be alright.

ps.  She fell asleep at rest time.