Beginning Ballroom

This is your third summer of dance classes. This time, we're trying out Center Stage in Orem, the breeding ground for some of the dancers on Dancing With the Stars.  Only because, your current dance studio doesn't offer ballroom classes for your age.  It's once a week for one hour. It looked a bit sketchy at first but you're starting to get the hang of it. Of course, there's only once week left.  I'm not sure that we can continue there, as it is too far to drive and quite pricey.  But we'll see.  I think I definitely see you doing ballroom.

Swim Class '13

Second year of summer swim classes with Swim Kids, this time at a residence in Lehi not far from our house.  You really love the classes and you're starting to learn the pillow rest technique, the dolphin kick, and diving.

Second dance competition

Marcelo's second dance competition this year was Dance America in Draper at the Juan Diego High School. They competed the "Shake Your Tail Feather" dance, which we call the "Chicken Little Dance" in the Novice Mini Jazz Class D group. They got first place. They also competed the "Bugle Boy" dance in the Novice Mini Tap group and got first place despite the fact that they were looking sideways at the teacher's prompts the whole time!

We were very proud of Marcelo as he is now getting more solo moments in the routine. For the chicken little dance, he starts off the dance on top of a platform in the middle. For the bugle boy dance, he had to come out by himself and find the middle of the stage, then start on his own with the music. It was so cute. Luckily, this stage was high school size and not as gigantic as the one for Releve competition which was at the Val A. Browning Center.

Also, on this second competition, the teachers decided not to be at the front of the stage prompting them which was a big thing for them to overcome.

First dance competition

At Releve in Ogden, Marcelo's first dance competition with his dance company, the Rubies.

They competed two dances.

The second one had some technical difficulties.

They got a trophey for the first one, Shake Your Tail Feather, which Marcelo was pretty much counting on.

Reading

A book Marcelo decided to attempt on his own.

Puppet Show

Soooooo cute ... to me.

Love notes

Before Quiet Time, Marcelo asked me to write "I love you" on a piece of paper. After Quiet Time, he gave me this note. (The spelling at the bottom is entirely his own. I don't want to correct it because "Fum" is so much cuter than "From" anyway!)

Ray's jealous comment -"Look, he drew you butt's."

The important question

Marcelo has a strong propensity towards fantasy. He is at that age, after all, of magical thinking. But, his thinking up until recently, seems to have been almost entirely of the magical kind. I admit he was probably too young to watch Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at three. He's still suffering from some residual magical thinking that sends him into a panic whenever someone is about to put purple gum in their mouth or any other unfamiliar, brightly colored confection. 

In the past year, we've had two pets pass away. He wasn't terribly close to them due to his allergies which prevented him from petting and playing with them. Nevertheless, I made sure to include the kids in a small burial ceremony on the side yard to see that they understood what had happened and be able to say their goodbyes. This has been his only real experience with death.

It's been a little while since our dog, Dudi passed away from old age, but a couple of weeks ago, while driving Sofia to school, we passed a cemetery, and Marcelo says to me, "Mommy, I don't want to die". A shock of terror struck me at hearing these words outside of myself from a piece of myself. The ultimate existential crisis. I tried to not let myself fall in the pit of hopeless sorrow that would naturally be the given course for an existentialist. So my next thought was to be glad that he had at this young age, recognized that dying sucks and that he was not on board with that. There was some relief in seeing him come to this conclusion. Although, oblivion may be a blessing in disguise, it naturally causes a small degree of worry in me too. Sofia has never expressed any concern about the prospect of dying. Sofia requested that she be buried with blanket and Guy in a grave next to Nike and Dudi. A person in my position has a hard time with this. But this state causes a problem. It is ultimately worse on one's mental health to be as fully aware of death as I am so it's also not a point of view or state of mind, I should say, I would ever want to pass on [inflict] on my own children.

So I told him that it was OK to feel this way and that in fact, it is good to feel this way because it showed that he has a good survival instinct. And that it makes sense for everyone to feel this way, because that makes us cautious about our lives and ensures that we get to live for as long as we can. I thought I did OK with this trial and hadn't caused any undo existential damage to him.

A few weeks later, we drive past another cemetery and he thoughtfully utters the same words to me. More existential angst courses through me. His words have meaning. His words have thoughts. I know that thought won't leave him now. How young was I when I had this thought. I don't know. I think it snuck up on me much later in life. I tried another route which is one that does nothing for me and did not feel as genuine coming out of my mouth as the other discourse about survival. Everything dies. It's the natural course of things. The cycle of life. At least when I grow old and pass on, you, who are a part of me will still be here. You will live on. And when you grow old and it's time for you to pass on, you will have children that will live on.

Maybe, he is to be the most like me. I don't know if I should be happy or sad.

Christmas dance recital '11

Yeah baby!

Happy Birthday #4

This year, your birthday was nice and laid back.  I apologize that I failed to get the "golf tent" table-top game that you so adamantly requested from me and everyone at Walgreens every coupon Sunday shopping day.  Maybe it was some passive aggressiveness on my part.  But I almost had to be medicated from the effects of your "golf tent" obsession.  When I finally succumbed to buying it.  I couldnt' find the catalog picture that you had circled, starred, highlighted and written "M's" all over on representing your name.  I couldn't find it at the local stores. I did find it online but it was too late.  I tried to make up for it by getting you the item of your second obsession, a miniature pool table. (And also a ridiculously expensive inflatable ball you could crawl inside of and roll around in like a gerbil.  Uh, it was the day before.  I thought throwing money at the problem, might help).

Anyway, I have nothing but bad things to say about your last year.  Like a chihuahua puppy after it's first year, you've gone from super-cute, cuddly, easy-going, calm, and sweeter than anything to an aggressive, rude, barking maniac.  You have slammed the door in my face during nap time refusing to have a story read to you on more than one occasion.  Yes, I know, only evil moms do this. Sometimes, I still see the old Marcelo and it keeps me going, but mostly I still mourn for him.  My scientific hypothesis is that you have too much testosterone and not enough meat and height in that little body of yours.  Your motor is running a bit too hot.

Your current loves are GOLFING, wanting to be a PROFESSIONAL GOLFER, and going to a real GOLF COURSE.  I could probably end the post here.  This seems to be all that brings meaning to your life at the moment.  I get the feeling you would run over your own mother to attain these things.  You also love all outdoor sports and games in general.  You can be a bit of a TV and pbs.org freak if allowed.  Not too interested in learning to read anymore as you have quickly discovered that it may require some degree of sustained effort.

You have reverted to sleeping on the floor next to your door much as you did for almost a year until you got quite sick and your frail condition did not allow you to get out of bed after being tucked in.  But something sparked the floor-camping again and there seems to be no remedy in sight. There are times, you play with your little brother or show interest or concern for him but most of the time, you regard him as some vile insect put here to make your life miserable.  You don't want him in your room or touching any of your belongings.  If I didn't fear for his safety (or maybe yours, I'm not sure which) I would remedy this problem by making you both share a room.  Maybe later.  Your favorite playmate is Sofia although you still get in plenty of tiffs with her too.

This fall, you will be participating in a pilot state-funded, online preschool program created by Waterford called UPSTART.  You were very friendly with the staff during our appointment for parent training and your baseline evaluation.  You didn't even let me start explaining where I would be when you just ran off with the tester.  You were excited to start the program at home and so politely told me, what a wonderful surprise I had set up for you when you came down for breakfast, and saw "Rusty & Rosie" all set up on the laptop for you.  This lasted exactly three days.  The fifth day, you flat out refused to do it and I lost.  Not even Sofia, with the head of a Neanderthal, have I lost a battle like this to!

You continued your dance classes through the summer and will continue as long as you have interest.  You're not as much eager to please anymore as you are eager to do whatever you want during class though.  I think you just want to bust out with some dance music and the jazz/ballet moves are just not cutting it anymore.  Patience young Skywalker.

Despite all this, we still love you so much ... especially when you are sleeping.

Ready for Preschool

Since starting to homeschool Sofia, people have been asking me if I'm schoolin Marcelo too or they might just assume I'm trying to turn him into a super genious.  But actually, I decided not to do any organized schoolin with him until he was four. I figured I would start preschool activities with him then and wait until he was five to start reading instruction.  Unfortunately, my plans have been foiled.  He has recently demonstrated quite a bit of interest in preschool activities (well mostly just wanting to use the scissors) and since I gave him a schultute with a big "P" for preschool when Sofia graduated Kindergarten and moved on to first grade, I guess I had to make good on it.

One of the ways Marcelo has proved his readiness for preschool is suddenly becoming interested and capable of completing puzzles.  Just a few months ago, it was hard to get him interested in the large cardboard puzzles with a few pieces, now he's doing these little 25-piece puzzles and some giant floor puzzles as well as the wooden puzzle sets I got him for Christmas.  Recently, he even helped Sofia with the 100-piece Noah's Ark puzzle.

He's been crazy about cutting with scissors, so naturally I had to give him his own pair of scissors as part of his schultute goodies. Better that than to find him trying to cut with the giant and very pointy kitchen scissors.  He's actually pretty good with them.  (I think his fine motor skills might be a bit more refined than Sofia's).

I had been letting him doodle in Sofia's old preschool activities book, then I told him he could get his own if he was able to follow instructions about what to do on the pages and not scribble. He wasn't too keen on the whole doing what someone tells you thing for the first three times.  After getting the scribbling out of his system, I got him his very own preschool activities book which has it's very own place in our Staples Office Apprentice (mammoth paper holder that Ray got me for my birthday).  He's very proud of this.

And just to reaffirm that I'm not the only one with rules on this planet, I enrolled him at Little Scholar's Preschool a couple of blocks away from our house, twice a week.  They're not as militant as Challenger but I think he'll do fine there and I'm not as focused on their academics since I plan to cover that at home later.  I do wish they'd make their book bags a little smaller though.  What's up with that.  I do have a small problem with a school that doesn't understand proportions. Oh well.

Christmas '10

Marcelo was very excited about Christmas and Santa Claus this year. When the day finally came, he didn't look like he was quite ready to wake up yet, but you know Sofia, she had to wake him up not a second later than the allowed agreed upon time in the morning.

After, he found the Skittles in his stocking, he was all good. Santa could have just stopped there.

Sleeping Habits

This is how Marcelo slept a couple months ago. Now, he has added the crib size duvet, the rocking chair pillow, blanky, monkey, and monster. I have to push him with the door just to get in the room and deposit him back in the bed.

Almost a knock out

Marcelo had his first major (or minor depending on one's perspective) accident. Despite the fact that I spend much of my energy each day telling both Sofia and especially Marcelo to sit "properly" on their chairs and to "not mess around" on the chairs, etc., etc., the poor little guy fell off the kitchen stool when he slipped off the seat as he was getting off. He (I think) hit his mouth on the granite counter top, cutting his bottom lip and smashing his right front tooth up into his gums.

Before

There was an immediate scream and crying, lots of bleeding, and much relaxation exercising on my part. I took him to the after hours pediatric office just to make sure nothing worse had happened than what I could see. Then I had to call his pediatric dentist at 9'o clock at night and schedule an appointment for him. Luckily, his dentist agreed to come in the next day even though he doesn't have hours on Friday.

1 Day After

After taking x-rays and a careful examination, it looks like the trauma to his teeth was -according to the dentist, the best case scenario if you're going to smash your teeth in any way. His baby tooth should move back into place within a few months, may be discolored, but wasn't broken and the root did not appear to puncture the permanent tooth which is sitting above it.

Poor little Marcelo, I felt so, so bad for him as I can empathize with his teeth smashing experience in the first degree.

Post party melt down

Marcelo had such a great time at his much anticipated third birthday. The third birthday must really be when they get that it's all about their special day. I remember Sofia was the same way.

Every time we talked about preparations for his birthday, he thought it was happening that day and was extremely disappointed when I had to tell him "two more weeks", "a few more days", "three more days", etc. It was so cute, when I was making his cake two days before the party, he was so excited, he kept asking me if so-and-so would come and I'd say - "yes, they're coming". And if this other person was coming. "Yes, they're coming". And after a little while, he asked me, "will they be here soon?"

On party day, Marcelo behaved really well. There were no meltdowns or fights over his new toys. He truly had a great time. He went to bed tired but highly satisfied and content.

The next morning, he awoke early to play with his new toys, giving each one the attention they deserved. He played enthusiastically with Sofia and then on his own until lunch time. After lunch, we went to his weekly dance class (the third one) and I was surprised that he was apprehensive about going in. Maybe it was because Sofia didn't come along this time, or simply because he had had such a big day the prior day with no nap for a few days in a row and having just recovered from a cold. Anyway, I hoped it wasn't going to come to a severe refusal to participate like something I might be more accustomed to expect from Sofia. But I wasn't sure if I should nudge him along after he told me, "Mommy, I just want to go home", in a sweet, tired, and quiet voice.

Just then I noticed another child not wanting to go in. She got picked up by the teacher and set in the circle on the floor. I pointed her out to Marcelo - "See, she doesn't feel that great about participating today either. Maybe you can go sit with her". After a couple of seconds, he suddenly turned around and went running in. Funny how someone else's misery can serve to give you a boost of moral, I guess.

He did great in his class. I could see he was trying hard and even loosening up and goofing around in front of the mirror a little bit.

After dance, we went to Target. As we were leaving, Sofia asked if we could go to Trafalga. We were considering the idea and thinking if we should pick up some pizza from Target's Pizza Hut but decided on Costco pizza instead. Suddenly, Marcelo decided he had to have pizza from Target (which he cannot eat anyway due to allergies) and started throwing a mild fit. By the time we got to the parking lot, I had to pick him up and he started pinching/squashing my face in protest. I guess all the activity and partying finally caught up to him. We decided against Trafalga and went home to eat dinner.

At home, I was still giving him a chance to come around and apologize for his behaviour which he usually does quite quickly on his own. Didn't look like it was going to happen this time. I thought to myself, "I guess he really is three", and had some disturbing flashbacks of Sofia's third year. "Surely it won't be as bad as that" - I comforted myself.

Then when Ray failed to fill his sippy cup with milk, Marcelo turned around, pulled his pants down and MOONED HIM!

What?!
Where did this come from?
OK, I acknowledge he may have learned some "adult words" from me and certainly some undesirable behaviors from Sofia and Ray, but mooning. Where did that come from?!
How did he determine that his butt would serve as a great offense to someone? Especially since he doesn't much know the difference between running around butt naked and running around with clothes on.

I don't know what is brewing in Ray's genetic code, (I know it's not me, seeing as my genetic code is extremely weak and I spent my youth in a virtual coma according to all reports and the overwhelming consensus that I was the epitome of the well behaved child), but I tell you there's some kind of craziness that gets set off at age three.

3rd Birthday

After weeks of many, many questions: "Mommy, when is my birthday?", "Mommy, is my birthday today?", "Mommy is so-and-so coming to my birthday?", "Mommy, am I gonna have cake at my birthday?", "Mommy, can we have my birthday at Chuckie Cheese?"  --"No", the day finally arrived.

I couldn't find my cupcake book, so I had to roll up my sleeves to churn out a proper cake; a little out of practice as I haven't made one in over a year.  It was an homage to "Super Why", one of Marcelo's favorite educational PBS shows (I love DVR).  I also attempted some sugar cookies, an unknown treat at our house.  I made "special" allergy cookies for Marcelo with the yellow icing which he absolutely loved.

Marcelo entertains the ladies.  He's a natural.

The kids kept themselves entertained with the handed-down but new-to-us plasma cars and other wheeled, motorized and non-motorized vehicles.  The older kids also kept busy playing soccer and everyone enjoyed themselves in the back yard.

(This is mostly a picture of my cute wrapping paper)

This is mostly a picture of my great bargain find of Morgan & Milo shoes at the nursery (like plant nursery) for $5.00!  Yeah.

Although, Marcelo started showing subtle signs of wear during the overwhelming present opening.  He was truly interested in each present he received.  The karaoke machine from Tia Marcela was quite the hit.

The obligatory pose with the parents. Trust me, you'll appreciate this somehow when you're older.  I'm pretty sure you will.  I think.

Your party invitations were in the theme of a library book, using a page from one of your favorite books, The Octonauts, as that is what Super Why is all about. Inside I put a little blurb about your goings-on this past year and an old school library card pocket with a removable card with your name and party details.

-- oo --

I can't remember who all the presents where from as someone was doing a terrible job of keeping track of this but here are some of the things you received:
Levis, Gymboree space & rockets undees - mommy
Two board puzzles, foam bath letters, sidewalk chalk - mommy
Two board books "Who Am I" and "What Do I Eat" - mommy
Extended pieces to Ikea train set - mommy
ABC Book and $50 Visa - Abuelos
Karaoke machine - Tia Marcela
Set of Nursery Rhyme books - []
Tool Set, set of Disney coloring media and US Bond - [Omi and Grandpa]
Toy Story Dinosaur - Aunt Sandi
Lego Duplo Set - Rick, Cheryl, Matt, Jason
Wood magnetic alphabet letters, wood learning clock with shapes - Finleys
Kids Telescope - Tio Pedro
??? - Autumn


Hopefully I'll figure out the rest and fill in.

Marcelo survives first bee sting

Due to Marcelo's allergies, I've been dreading the moment when the first bee sting would happen. I prepare for it in my mind sometimes, reminding myself to have the Epipen ready. I just assumed that he would likely have a reaction.

Well, today it happened. Sofia came running in from the back yard telling me Marcelo had been stung by a bee. I ran out to meet him, scanning his body for some big swollen ball somewhere. Much to my relief, he got stung on the hand, probably trying to swat the bee away. Aside from a few minutes of crying, he had no reaction at all. I gave him some just-in-case Benadryl and treated the three puncture marks with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar topped by a band-aid and some of Sofia's handy medical tape for good measure.