And I thought I was done with teething!

Here it is...... My oldest's first loose tooth!  I think I may be more excited then he is.  I keep asking him if I can wiggle it!!! Now what to do about the tooth fairy?

Of course the youngest had to get in on the action!  Not only did he sneak into the picture, but he is chewing on all kinds of things as he is getting some molars!  Always something with two growing boys.  So much fun!

El Salvador: Day 1

So back at the end of April, We had an amazing chance to go to El Salvador with our church through a partnership with Compassion International.  We did this last year and jumped on the chance to do it again because we love our God and greatly respect the work that Compassion is doing in the lives of children.  So let me just tell you about some of the kids and their Compassion projects!

But before we get to far....our first day started at 3 in the morning.  So with little sleep and a little anti -anxiety meds, you can see what happens to the man sitting next to me!  Needless to say, a lot of laughs happened during out week.  We were a team of 11.  Three on the team had never been out of the country before!  We were all excited about what God had planned for out trip!

Compassion Project worship team

Some girls were learning how to do nail and hair.

We arrived in San Salvador, El Salvador by noon.  We stopped for lunch and before going to the hotel, we headed to a Compassion project near San Salvador.  The Pastor spent some time with us telling us about how the church started.  It was started with people who love the Lord and those who love soccer.  Those who loved the Lord started playing soccer and then inviting those who love soccer to church.  The church grew from there.  When they had the opportunity to partner with Compassion to reach the kids in their community, they jumped on it.  The Pastor could not express his gratitude for Compassion and the sponsors of the kids.

We were able to see how the church to teaching these kids to love the Lord, be leaders in their community and learn a trade for sustainability.

Kids learning sewing and knitting

This girl was learning out to prepare food to sell
as a street vendor.

The kids also spend some time in classrooms.  Kids are accepted in to the projected at 4 years old though graduation of High School.  They spend time in their classroom learning about God, the things that are important for their social, emotional and physical health and help with homework when needed.

From a counselors point of view, of the biggest thing that kids get from being a part of these projects (beside learning about God) is love.  The project workers love these kids and care for them in so many ways.  There are times that kid's parents are to overwhelmed and busy trying to provide for their family, they do not always have time to stop, look into their kids eyes and talk with their kids.  Not to say they are bad parents and do not love their kids, but when you are worried about how to feed and shelter your kids, other things get pushed aside.  And that is where the church (with the help of Compassion) can come along side the family and help them provide for the kids and ways that the family may be be able.

So bye the time we made it to our hotel and ate dinner.  We all collapsed in our beds for a good night sleep!

Graduation

A picture I captured as he walked by!
That right here is a classic Alex face

 Tis the season for graduating.  This is always a busy season for our family full of good food and lots of graduation parties.  And this year is a really fun one, for we went to a graduation!  Ohhh what a cute one it was!  Full of future kindergarteners in purple caps!

The great part was watching Alex try to wrap it brain around what it means to graduate from Preschool.  I think in his mind, he would be in preschool forever and he was prefect fine with this idea.

Some facts about Alex from his preschool years:
Favorite color: Red
Favorite Food: Dinosaur chicken nuggets
Favorite thing to do: play hot wheels with Vashawn
Future career: wants to be a car fixer person

If given $100 Alex would "buy a very expensive toy and share it with Eli, Vashawn and Miss Jami!"

Here is what his teacher said about him: 

Alex and Miss Jami

"What can I say about Alex? He is quite possibly the sweetest, kindest, bestest boy in all the land.  He is great at sharing, playing by the rules, a good friend, patient with kids who aren't playing fair or nice and a pretty hard worker.  He is also great at ninja roles and opera style ABS's.  Not all kids were able to master these two vital preschool challenges...so yeah...he is pretty special.  Alex is destined for greatness and will do much for the cause of Christ.  Thank you so much for allowing me to be his teacher this year.  He has been an absolute joy.  Even when he puked on me."
It was great..
.They invited parents to come up and sit with their kids as we spent some time just praying for these guys.  As we send them on to new schools, that they will seek God and love Him with all their hearts.  Thanks Pastor Jim for praying for my boy!

We were excited that Grandparents were able to come into town for this event.  We were missing one grandparent for Gramma Pacheco is in Africa working with Orphan care there.  We are praying for you Gramma! And Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Robinson and Grampa Pacheco for being a big part of my boys lives!!!

Our family May 2011!

Last Day of Preschool

I might be a little weird, but there was no sadness today!  I am very excited about my kid's last day of preschool.  It has been so fun watching him learn this year.  Not only book learning but socially and spiritually.  I think every day he has some spiritually question...sometimes the same questions every day for several weeks!  But hey, I guess I can not expect deep conversations with my 5 year old everyday!  And ohhh the silliness of a 5 year old is crazy.  And I have a feeling it will just get sillier for the next few several years!

 I was an unorganized (as though I am not now, Ha!) mom at the beginning of the school year and did not take a first day of preschool picture, but here is one from his birthday trip to the zoo!  Who know what he is looking!  But he is still cute!

And here he is on his last day of preschool!  I told him to jump for joy.  He is on his way up in this picture and no he tends not to get a lot of air.  But once again....he is still cute!

I am so excited for the summer and all the fun things we get to do!  Trips to the zoo and playground! Playing outside with friends!  Weeks with grandparents!  Moving! It will be good to have both boys home all day with me again!