I Have A 5 Year Old Daughter

How it happened, I do not know. All of the sudden the cute, squirmy, helpless, tiny baby I once cradled in my arms is now a playful and quizzical young girl striving to gain independence and take on responsibilities. The terror toddler who once threw screaming and kicking temper tantrums on the floor in the middle of the library and grocery store while I stood back and pretended I didn't know her has matured into a whimsical, free spirited 5 year old. Esperanza is 5 years old! Cinco Anos! I'm so excited about this age for some reason. It feels like we are embarking on a whole new chapter of adventures and journeys. Her interests and level of curiosity in things are changing. Her comprehension and perspective on the world and her surroundings seem to have skipped several levels over night. I feel like I missed something and have this eagerness to catch up somehow. I feel overwhelmed all of the sudden with the types of things we should be experiencing and learning together. Conversations I should have with her, things I have yet to introduce to her - places, people, things to see and discover. I am reminded that I am responsible for molding this little person, with a clean slate into a big person - a woman filled with and armed with all-the-things-I-am-responsible-for-teaching-her. Whew, welcome to motherhood again. I will slow down, and will continue to enjoy each passing moment as it arrives. I'm reminded more than anything that time passes much too quickly. Anyways, I am overjoyed with a bulging heart full of love for this girl. She amazes me!

As usual, we had a celebration of life for Esperanza, on her birthday this year.

 Nail painting by Aunt Mary

 Face painting (Selena painting skulls on her dads face)

 Whats up with all the skull face paintings?

 Friend Kiera and Esperanza

 Cake time

 Sadee, Kiera and Esperanza

Here's to another fun and fulfilling year with my favorite little girl!

Our Trip To Ohio

In July, we flew out to Ohio. I'm blogging about this in October, finally, but placing it in the correct chronological order within my other blog posts so that it is seen in the July tab. My grandpa, who lives in Ohio, is in his 90's and has had some health setbacks over the past several years. It was important for me to go visit him and spend some time with him while he is still here with us. We were very fortunate that an opportunity came for us to go, and even more fortunate for our family that was willing to let us stay with them. My Aunt and Uncle are always so accommodating to us when we visit. This trip was no exception! Despite the very unusual wet and even treacherous weather Ohio was experiencing at the time, we had a fantastic and relaxing visit. We spent many days lounging around the house and property, visiting with family and enjoying our stay. We spent other days out and about, visiting with friends and family, taking the kids to the zoo or parks and keeping the kids entertained.

Pictures will not be in order of occurrence, but here is a long picture recap of our family vacation with no captions. One day maybe I'll come back and tell short stories to go with pictures.