October in pictures

I love taking pictures of my kids. I take so many of them, but most of the time they sit in my memory card or computer. Getting them printed and organized unto albums should be the way to go, but just the thought of it gets overwhelming. This blog has been somewhat of a way to try to keep them organized and for me to show to family and friends near and far. So here are some of the pictures I took this month, before they keep piling up in my memory card and it gets to be too many that my computer will take forever to even begin to read them and I get frustrated, give up and walk away. Phew! That was a mouth full. Enjoy!

 Autum Leaves

Soccer

The season just ended. She had a lot of fun playing and meeting new friends. This was the team's first season together so they spent most the time getting to know each other and learning the game, positions etc. I think they have great potential and will get better and better with the seasons coming up.

 My Fall baby
She is 8! and I can hardly believe it. We love this precious little girl. She makes me strive to be a better person, a better parent. She is beautiful and I love her.

Can't get any sweeter than her.

The girls were off school on fall break so we went to have lunch with Aaron on one of those days. He's been so busy that it feels like we go days at a time without seeing him. On our way back we stopped at Thanksgiving point. They kids had full tummies and were on a good mood, good enough to let me take their pictures! Even posed on demand for a few shots...then they were gone to play pretend and see the horsies. I think I got some good shots.

 Handsome boy.

 SPOOKY!

BOO!


The End

Fiesta del Dia de los Muertos

The girls are enrolled in a Dual- Immersion program at School that not only focuses on biliteracy but also on being bicultural. Classes are made up by 50% English speaking students  and 50% Spanish speaking students, which is so important to have a real Dual Immersion experience. The students teach each other, not only the language, but their  different culture, even other than just Hispanic cultures.

I feel my kids have always had a really good sense of who they are and very appreciative of their Mexican roots on my side, being part of this program at school has added a deeper sense of it for them. For example: Naomi once came home asking, or more like demanding an explanation of why some of her friends have two last names and she only has one!? Or another time she came to tell me that one of her friends told her she was not a real Mexican because her dad is Anglo. She was very upset about that one - being the girl that grew up telling people that she was from Mexico and she spoke Spanish when introducing her self to strangers- "Right, mom...I AM MEXICAN?" I am so happy it hasn't been the other way around and she did not come home upset about being called "Mexican" like the kids I went to School with in Texas did. They'd get so offended and upset if someone called them "Mexican" or if someone assumed they spoke Spanish, which a lot of them did, or at least understood, but did not want to admit to it as if it was a sign of inferiority.  Anyway, I think you can tell that we love our school and the Dual Immersion program.  In the past couple of years the parents have made a really big effort to promote cultural events for the kids and their families. One of the main events of the year is the Dia de Muertos Fiesta. It's an exciting event that includes a display of Colorful Nichos and Altares, dance, crafts, and yummy food.

                                     

Mi Catrinita

                                      

  Mi Calaverita

Sugar Skull decorating

 Catrina Face Painting

Jojo's Class Altar for Family Members.

 Naomi's class Altar

 for Elvis Presley.

Altar for Cesar Chavez

 Altar For Albert Einstein

 Nichos

 To Family

 Marriet Tubman

 Dedicated to the guy who created Sesame Street

 Dancers

 El Baile de los Viejitos

 Cesar Chavez' Altar

 Dedicated to Family members

 Danza Azteca

Frida Khalo's Altar

These are some of the altars and some of the activities taken place at tonight's Dia de los Muertos festivity. It was a very exciting night for both children and adults. Can't wait til next year's!