half gone

February is almost gone and I have many photos of it.  That way I can see that the days actually took place because as I sit here and try to think of half of the things we have done, I can't.

The fog came to visit us for a day.  The city felt dreamy.  We couldn't just enjoy it from our house.  We had to go out to explore and view it from different places.  Jeremiah picked the perfect place, Papago Park's hole in the rock.  We wish it would come back for another visit.

Paloma's birthday jumpy castle stuck around for a few extra days.  The kids had so much fun, including Mavis, whom we taught how to slide down.  The day after, Angus and Paloma walked outside ready to jump, but it was gone.  A sad moment, for a few seconds, then they played something else.  

She got this preschool activity book for her birthday.  She is learnding her letters, shapes and colors.

Paloma and I have been having one too many lunches at Rolberto's.  They all love the taquitos, guacamole on the side.  Not helping my figure at all.  Oh, well!  A girls got to eat.  If taquitos are on the menu, then that is what we shall eat!

February brought a bunch of cousin visits.  We have been lucky to see them all.  

Angy ready for school.  It makes me so happy that he loves it.  He is learning so much.  He reads, writes, knows addition.  He's my smart mango.

Miah took a quick trip to San Francisco.  He left Wednesday and surprised me on Valentine's Day.  He loves getting on the road.

We spent time at Patricia's house and my parents house while the Mr. was in California.  Not as exciting as his outing, but fun nonetheless.  

These photos end on February 15th.  Half of the month has passed us but the days were not wasted.  We have been cruising in our blazer, top off, wind in our hair and eyes, sky above and scenery all around.  

Paloma / 4 years old

Dear Paloma,

Today you turned four year's old and I just can't believe it.  I keep looking back at photos of you when you were just a baby.  How I miss holding you.  I miss seeing your chubby cheeks and cute little two-toothed smile.  But all those memories of you as a sweet babe are safely stored in my mind and in my memory cards.  Right now I am also loving my big girl. 

You are such a smart girl, very observant and caring.  Also very tough.  No one can push you around.   Let anyone try and they can expect a sharp little punch in the gut.  You are quick.

In the morning, you awake with your brothers. Even though you aren't ready to start the day, you do and off we go on car trips that I just know you are fed up with.  I am sorry. It is our life right now.  

I'm sorry that you have a space cadet for a mom.  Sometimes I'm not as patient as I should be. 

When you are giving me a hard time over clothes, it drives me nuts.  What's the deal?  You used to let me put all kinds of different clothes on you, now not so much.  

You like pretty things.  You have lip gloss and nail polish and apply it, calling them your "stylish things". 

I hear your little voice in the backseat of the car and think you are the sweetest girl I will ever encounter in my life.  Your speech is so good.  You ask so many questions.  You are not lazy, except when I ask you to clean your room.  

On your birthday I saw you having the best time with your cousins.  After everyone had left you continued to play, happily.  

You are my beautiful girl, inside and out, and words can't express how much love I have for you.

Love,

Mama

Animal farm

Jan. 22nd / thursday

Feeling a little on the low side. Don't know what is the matter with me.  I hate these feelings of feeling out of place. Not quite right.  Ugh I'll just keep thinking happy thoughts. 

horshoe bound

Jeremiah loaded us up into the pumpkin and surprised us with a trip to the lake.  

But first we stopped by the verde river near the dam, where we spotted a few people fishing. The weather was overcast, with sprinkles of water here and there.  Jeremiah and Jonas created a makeshift fishing pole out of a stick and some old left behind fishing string.  They were given corn from the men that were fishing out there.  They tried but didn't catch anything.

Then as beautiful as it was, something had to happen to make us remember that we are on this ride with  unpredictable situations.  Loma let me know too late she had to pee and had an accident.  And then she had to poop.  So we had to figure what Paloma was to wear.  We did. And then Angus didn't want to be cold, because it started raining, so he wanted in the blazer.  Neither did Mavis, she wanted in, too.  I was sitting in the blazer with two wild children, who were turning our vehicle into a jungle jim, and one restless dog.  I looked out at my other two looking so peacefully in their quiet fishing moment.

We made it to horseshoe lake, but when we found it, there wasn't much lake to look at.  It was practically empty except for a bit of water  down below.  We walked down the long, old boat ramp that was once under the water.  The kids loved it.  They love exploring and running around, throwing rocks and pieces of earth they find on the ground.  

They absolutely love posing for pictures.  (not!)

Then we spotted the most perfect camping spot after driving around on our way out of there.  

It did not feel like we were in AZ.  It reminded Jeremiah and I of our camp-outs in Arkansas.

We will most definitely be back to this spot.  

It was so pretty and green, with big trees and a little creek that runs below.  

On our way home, we had a beautiful sunset to guide us back.  The picture could not capture its beauty.  For eyes only, I guess. Some things you just have to view in person to enjoy.

9 years old / jonas encarnacion armenta

Dear Jonas,

You turned nine almost a month ago.  I always write a letter on all of your birthdays on the day but i guess i was being a bum and kept putting it off until later.  On your birthday, there were so many people here.    It was a kid party, with about 20 boys and girls running around our backyard.  Friends and family, all here to wish you a happy year.

I can't believe it has been nine years since I had you.  That is a lot of years ago that I became a mama.  When you were born, we didn't know what you were going to be.  When they said you were a boy, it just felt like, of course and when we named you, dad and I looked at each-other and said "Jonas," because we already knew who you were going to be.

My sweet and hard headed jonas, oh how i love you my son.  This year is going to be so great for you. You are a third grader and already proving how smart you are.  You are going to be in the spelling bee because you are a great speller.  And if you don't win the third grade spelling bee, that is okay, because you have already surpassed your daddy and i in the smarts department.  I only wished i could have been bright enough to be a part of something like that as a kid.

You are acquiring your own style.  That is beginning to become important to you.  I try to encourage you to dress exactly how you want to dress, whether friends disapprove of or make fun of your choices.  Not that that has happened, but I just want you to stay strong in your choices.

You love spending time with your friends.  Always planning your next sleep-over or friend visit.  Your brother often feels left out.  He's the little one that looks up to you and wants to be your best friend.  He doesn't understand that it is because you are older.  Please be kind to his feelings, as he loves you so much.

Cooking is still your utmost favorite hobby.  You are getting really good at it.  Oftentimes cooking us dinner and desserts.  Sometimes you have recipes in your head that are made up.  You make them and sometimes they turn out and sometimes they don't, but that is part of the whole creative process.  Learning, succeeding, failing - a true chef in the making.

You come up with things to do every weekend, afternoons.  Always doing, thinking, creating.  That is my Jonas.  The little boy that has had a mind full of ideas, since, forever and always, and so forth.  The little boy that throws birthday parties for a chicken, that has yard sales and bake sales, that gives everyone the silliest of nicknames.

We are all proud of the boy you are.

Love you,
Mom