put on your cape

Put on Your Cape, It's Time to Save the World from Jenny Shih on Vimeo.

creativity

A few weeks ago before school started Simone called me at work to complain that she was bored. I simply responded "Honey, you do know that only boring people get bored." She was quiet then said "Oh, ok mami, bye."

I must confess I was surprised by her lack of words at my statement and was happy by what I saw when I got home. She has a ton of things to make crafts with and her creativity has sparked. This statement has resulted in some happy outcomes.

Such as:
A Rockin' Water Bottle I take to the gym everyday

Or the makings of an American Girl Doll movie (Simone as Creative Director and Talent Voice; Jimmy as Cinematographer). Will share more on this when it's complete. For those wondering, this scene is at the girls hotel room.

fifth grade

So it’s been 2 weeks since my Simone started 5^th grade – meaning last first day of elementary school, impending teenage-hood, middle school and high school right around the corner; boyfriends, puberty, hormones…need I say more?. Let me just say that it’s taken me this long to get over the SHOCK of this milestone. I feel the same as when I was pregnant, as in "Seriously?? mom’s go through this all the time and I didn’t know? Kids grow up? They become independent? They can make their bed and get to the bus stop on their own?  In the evenings they chill out on their beds listening to music while they write on their journals? They don’t wear kids’ sizes forever?"

I’m feeling a sense of relief mixed with a WHOLE LOT of mourning of sorts…not because I’m not in love and completely proud of this amazing person my daughter is growing into but more because I don’t know where time went between this first day of school:

And this very last one…

ten years

My Dearest Simone,

I'm not really sure what it is about this birthday that fills me with nostalgia...maybe it's going into the 2 digits that brings you closer to teenage years or it's the fact that with you going to college in 8 years maybe I've already lived with you more than half of our time together. Maybe it's because my baby is growing up and although our story feels long and adventurous, it also feels like it was 2 minutes ago that I gave birth to you.

Today I want to ask you to never forget how amazing are!  During the teenage years that fill us with self doubt, remember that you are wonderfully perfectly imperfect which makes you unique and interesting. Remember that perfection is quite boring and impossible, so worrying about it, is a waste of time. Remember that we are all different and we should accept and rejoice in our differences. Accept others as they are and respect them. Let LOVE always be the guiding light for your actions and decisions. Love for yourself, love for life, love for others, love for nature, love for God.

So on this day; the 10th anniversary of the Magical Day that you came to this Earth to begin your lesson of life; I want to wish upon you, a life full of blessings, a life filled with joy, laughter, adventures, love, prosperity, sunshine, strength and bravery. Bravery to live life just as you want, pursue your dreams, fight for your ideals, love wholeheartedly and spread your wings for ever more.

Thank you for choosing me as your mom...you have been the sweetest and greatest gift in my life.

Te amo,

Mama

Lecciones de una manana de Mayo - un ano despues...

1. Ya tengo toda la practica del mundo con las faldas angostas. Hasta puedo caminar/trotar a la estacion de metro sin problema.

2. Te verde: me tomo 3-4 tazas al dia pero la tacita de cafe mananera no falla.

3. Esta tarde vamos a nuestro viaje anual a los Outerbanks donde todo te verde y agua se cambia por melon con vino.

4. Aquel que el melon con vino me hace recordar, ya llego de nuevo a casa.

5. Y me ha ensenado el amor es muy bonito despues de 6 anos...

6. Desafortunadamente la confusion con las tarjetas de metro y oficina solo se soluciona con esos collares que utilizan las viejitas que trabajan en los museos o los empleados federales- o simplemente es un sintoma de mi ADD no diagnosticado.

7. La mejor manera de conseguir un mejor trabajo es ir a la entrevista con tan solo la espectativa de tener una conversacion interesante y no importarte el resultado.

8. Estoy feliz con mi nuevo trabajo.

9. Y con nuestro proximo viaje a Bogota

10. Y con el viaje a la playa en unas cuantas horas....

lecciones de una manana de mayo

1. Es necesario caminar y moverse bastante en las faldas angostas antes de comprarlas.
2. Estar presente en el momento puede prevenir el tratar de salir de la estacion del metro con la tarjeta de acceso de la oficina.
3. La proxima vez no debo mostrarles la tarjeta a las personas que estan detras mio y decirles que la estacion de acceso no esta funcionando.
4. El te verde me despierta mas que una taza de café.
5. Pero el melon con vino me hace mas feliz.
6. Tengo que comprar melon y vino para el fin de semana.
7. El melon con vino me hace extranar mas a alguien….

my words 5 years ago...

This past year I have lived out of a suitcase, only with my art supplies, my beads to make jewelry, my clothes, 3 books and my AMAZING 3 year old daughter. This all really fits in 2 suitcases...and it has made me realize how simple our lives can really be.

There is so much weight to carry around with all these "things" that we are supposed to need. Less is more as they say...more space to breath, more to appreciate in life, more space to live, so much more FREEDOM!

It's a good thing to remind myself once in a while.