Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3
African proverb: Ora na azu nwa "It takes a village to raise a child" and it does. As a mom to five I have many moms in my village that help me more then they know. I love these ladies who live in my village, who love me and my children and have blessed many of our days. Happy Mother's Day to each one of you. As we grow roots here we hope to have many more moms join our village because without you we would live on a crowded island.
Emma's 2nd grade class had Field Day at school. Emma came in 1st for the 100 dash and 4th for the 50 dash! Her class participated in a relay race and water relay. Great Job!
Tyrene and I with my girls Kelli and Emma.
As the 2009-2010 school year comes to an end the kids have been learning to write letters. In 1st grade letters where written to their teacher and friends. Kelli wrote about thanking her teacher for all she has learned, Sal wrote about how much he will miss his teacher because we are going to a new school. Vinny as been writing many letters to his teacher as well...... His assignment was to write to her why they should have ice cream, he wrote:
Dear Ms. S
You shouldn't give us ice cream. We will bounce off the walls. You will waste all your money.
From Vinny
A school first, all my Manatees received awards for the 3rd nine weeks on the same day! 
Sal received two awards; 100 book challenge and Sunshine Math.
Kelli received two awards; Perfect Attendance and 100 book challenge.
Emma received Outstanding Effort! She has come a long way from the first nine weeks!
Vinny received two awards; Sunshine Math and Principle's Honor Roll. WTG all A's again this nine weeks.
Both Vinny and Sal's classes had a lot of students
receiving awards. Great job everybody!
The Fab Five with their Florida cousins!
Growing Up Garcia gave us their baseball tickets to enjoy an afternoon game with Mommy's Joy and Daily Dose of Dunlap.
The girls watched the whole game together, stopping briefly to chat with Lola and Tati!
The boys on the other hand had to act out plays, toss around hats and gloves, eat everything in sight and just be boys! Just another great Florida day.
Emma wanted to submit a book for Young Authors Week...
written and illustrated by Emma!
Once upon a time I lived in China. I was born there. Five years ago a couple came to China, I did not know that they had come to take me home to Idaho and be a family because I did not speak English! I showed them all kinds of flowers. The white ones were my favorite. They showed me airplanes. We took a big plane to the US. After the plane stopped we drove to my new house. My parents showed me all the rooms. I now had to brothers. After a few years I was told I was not in the right family and a new couple was coming to get me. I had to pack all my things and say goodbye. My old mom hugged me and gave me a folder of memories. I went with Nicole and Ed to fly all the way to Florida! I came to another new house and met Nana my new mommy's mom. Now I had three brothers, one sister and a cat named Jacomo. Life with my new family is good because they help me learn right and wrong. I can be a big sister to Kelli. I teach her math and money and read together. I like that I can be helpful. I try to be a good sister and friend. My new family is the best one of all, because I have lots of family to help me do the right thing and grow up to be a big girl. I want my new family to love me their new daughter Emma.
This year we celebrated 12 years of marriage. Since Ed was out of town he sent an edible arrangements which was yummy!
Betty Crocker?
For Tyrene and Jason's Easter Sunday meal Nick's Nest was asked to bring dessert. Who knew I could bake? Not me! But two Cinnabon crumbcakes and a jellybean cake later everyone couldn't believe what I made.
Bring Your Own Basket.....
Tyrene and Jason hosted Easter Sunday complete with Egg Hunt. Vinny and Baxter continued to hunt for missing eggs while Sal, Kelli, Emma and Nick checked out their goodies in their new Easter Animals. Sal loved his monkey basket, Kelli and Emma had matching pink and purple bunnies and Nick was in love with his duck chick!
Emma's 2nd grade class had Field Day at school. Emma came in 1st for the 100 dash and 4th for the 50 dash! Her class participated in a relay race and water relay. Great Job!
The girls watched the whole game together, stopping briefly to chat with Lola and Tati!
The boys on the other hand had to act out plays, toss around hats and gloves, eat everything in sight and just be boys! Just another great Florida day.
Betty Crocker?
For Tyrene and Jason's Easter Sunday meal Nick's Nest was asked to bring dessert. Who knew I could bake? Not me! But two Cinnabon crumbcakes and a jellybean cake later everyone couldn't believe what I made.
