Kiddie Academy Holiday Program

Remember my blog about our crazy monkey at the holiday program. Here is evidence:

In hind sight, I guess it wasn't THAT bad. He still is adorable. So, we'll leave you with this Christmas song and say Merry Christmas to All.

Guess what!

(Cole and Caitlin)

I FOUND MY CAMERA. Actually, Cole found it in his coat pocket.

Hello camera!
Hello pictures from Skate City!

Loves

Sweet Baby Estes. She's already six and half years old. Graying on her face and a lover of belly rubs, we have concluded that she really is half human and half cat, living in a dog body. She sits like a human and lounges on the arm of the sofa chair like a cat. She is soft as silk and loves to be hugged and kissed. And she even likes her playmate Smokey.

This is Smokey. We call him Rita (code word for retarded). He's not really retarded but he is still a puppy and quite honestly, sometimes acts a little slow. But, his spirit is always happy. He likes to follow Mr. W. around and get under his feet and just bug him more often than not. But this big guy thinks he is a lap dog and well, if given the opportunity, will lay on top of you with his face right in yours and fall fast asleep if you so allow him.

Last but definitely not least is trouble. Just look at this picture. It really says it all - aren't those evil eyebrows? This is pretty much what our adorable baby boy turned into. He is 5 going on 20. A rebel, a ruler of his own world, a push-the-limits of every authority figure he knows. He basically lives in some form of being grounded, which quite honestly, I don't think he minds. Who ever stole my baby boy, I want him back. I have no money, but I bake a mean chocolate chip cookie. And how, sweet lilacs, can a demon child like this bring me to tears one minute of testing the limits of my patience and in the next, while he sleeps, bring me to tears again because he is so beauitiful and peaceful and still my baby boy? How, sweet lilacs, is that possible?

Other important news:

• Mr. W. tore out our old 1960's sliding back doors and installed beautiful new french doors yesterday. It looks marvelous. He really is my own Bob Vila.
• I didn't find my camera, but I found almost my identical one (pink and all) for a steal at Mictrocenter.
• We helped Grandma decorate her tree and get her house festive for Thursday.
• We went to see Avatar and it was AWESOME!!!
• Aunt Veronica surprised me at work today with a vanilla tea latte. She made my day.
• Cole is grounded....probably for life.
  

Skate City - Emerald Elementary Night

So, remember how I said I lost my camera. Well, it happened at Skate City and I had taken a

ba-gillion pictures of Cole and all his cute little kindergarten girlfriends, of him skating, and eating. The pit of my stomach aches knowing that I had those pictures and they are now gone. I just want to scream or cry or both...wait...I think I have done both of tonight. It's not just the camera necessarily, although it's not great timing given X-mas and it was a special gift from Mr. W., but it's the pictures that I hate to lose.

Skate City was fun. It reminds me when I was in Elementary school. We use to go to Skate City all the time. Cole loves to dance and the music is perfect for all his groovy moves.

Thanks for skating with me buddy. I had a blast.

Good-bye camera.

Good-bye pictures.

2009 Kiddie Academy Holiday Program

I had some great video footage of Cole performing at his holiday program and I would really have loved to post it here. I would have loved to watch it over and over. BUT, I forgot my camera at Skate City last night and no one turned it in. So, I'm lost. How do people survive without a digital camera. I could have used it on multiple occasions just today, but instead, I'm left with nothing but the memory that will soon fade in my little brain.

So, as for the holiday program I'll have to try to describe it. It was well organized. Each of the different classes went. I'm not sure it's gets any better than seeing those cute little one and two year olds up on stage all dressed up attempting to sing. Next up were the three year olds which was complete and utter chaos. They just ran around the stage, singing whatever they wanted and for four or five whole minutes, it was, in a strange way, entertaining. The fours were next and they did a little skit and all of them behaved perfectly. It was great. Now for Cole's class - the five year olds. They had four songs to sing. Let me back up just a bit and say that Cole's energy level in the month of December tends to go from 150% to 2,000%. It's incredible. So, needless to say, he was so excited for the holiday program and probably nervous at the same time and also being a five year old boy, somewhat of a show off, he was very enthusiastic.

I'm still unsure if I use the word enthusiastic in a good way or a bad way. I will say that as soon as he came on stage, I just knew. Knew that he was wound up, knew that he didn't care that I was giving him the "you better behave look" as I sat on the floor at the front of the stage with my camera. He was doing all sorts of dance moves (that weren't part of the choreography), talking to his neighbor during songs and so it went. And after they left the stage and I returned to my seat where Mr. W. confirmed my feelings. We were very disappointed.

It was the kind of disappoint that stayed with me until mid-way through the next day. The kind that had us meet him outside the auditorium and tell him we were leaving early. The kind that had us saying, "We expected your best and we didn't see it tonight and we're disappointed in your behavior." As a team, Mr. W. and I handled it very well. It was a tough situation. I mean, he is only five and I as laid down to bed that night I asked Chris, "We're we too hard on him?"

To the core of soul disappointment lingered for almost another 24 hours. I can still taste it if I think hard enough.

I know we will see it again, hopefully not for another 10 years or so. It was hard. It made me think of times when I disappointed my mom. Now I truly knows what it feels like....and it stinks. Even so, the video was cute and in hindsight he was still singing and doing all the choreography...but still.

2004-2009 Christmas Photos

2004 - Cole's First Christmas

2005

2006
2007 2008
2009

Santa's Letter

This pretty much sums it up:

Gilpin Cty Fair: Annual Tradition

Well, we didn't miss it again this year. 5 years running and Rachel, Sierra, me and Cole made our way to the Gilpin Cty Holiday Fair. We missed the face painter this year but they got temporary tattoos instead. It's always a blast to make the ceramic hand prints, decorate the cookie (and eat it of course) and sit on Santa's lap. We love this tradition and hope it continues for years to come.

Future Baker

Cole has been talking about making gingerbread cookies for weeks. So I brought some overpriced pans that I will only use once a year and we put our aprons on to bake us up some gin-gees. They may look delicious but in the end, they went right in the trash. So sad.

Thanksgiving Pics

Shame on me for waiting nearly three weeks to post these fun pictures from our Thanksgiving day with both sets of Pope's. Enjoy the day in photos....

SELF PORTRAITS

ACTION SHOTS

Story Time

Last weekend Cole and I went to Barnes and Noble to listen to Principal Leatherman do storytime. Emerald Elementary was having a fundraiser and we took part. First reading, then crafts.

Deep Thoughts: Venting

I’d like to write about venting. I think venting is, at a reasonable level, a healthy activity. In essence, just the mere ability to talk about things and get them off your chest can make you feel better. I vent about all sorts of things – Cole, work, family, and yes even my husband. And while I may have pet peeves about each of these things or issues, it doesn’t mean I don't love Cole or that I'm going to quit my job, or divorce my husband.

It just means that temporiraly I am conflicted or just plain aggrevated. That’s the beauty of family and friends. The ability to share, in some cases, negative thoughts or feelings and have it be ok. Because that’s the way it should work.

But, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that. Sometimes, because your family or friend loves you and wants to protect you - even though that’s not what you need, you just needed an unconditional ear – they take what you say and use it against you in a way. Maybe you vent about a friend to a family member and then that family member treats the friend you were venting about like an enemy. Your family member shouldn’t be judging your friend just because you were venting about them or because you are having a personal conflict with them.

It’s hurtful and wrong. And it betrays a level of trust in confiding in that person because of how the person or other people they told acted in return. So when someone vents to you, it’s for your ear, not your advice or judgement. Be careful how you use information that people are confiding in you. It's a personal responsibility and an unspoken oath you take as a friend.

To lighten this heavy post up a bit, here's a shout out to Rachel, who has NEVER, in our 10 years of friendship, used anything I've said against me or anyone else. It's a mark of a true friend. I love you girl.

--lighter post next time I promise, just had to get this off my chest.

Happy 36th Birthday Brother!

We celebrated Derrick's birthday yesterday (it actually fell on Thanksgiving) but Veronica put together a great party on Friday to celebrate his birth. There are a few things I know about my brother - I know we are quite different and I know that he knows everything about every sport and every person who plays sports. You see, it's his photographic memory. He just can't help but remember every stat from every game. And this gift helped in college too I might add. Jealous? OK, maybe just alittle bit. There are photos of the two us, one taken at Cole's 4th Birthday party at Chuckie Cheese, one taken on the day he proposed to Veronica, ones when we were little, that I absolutely adore. It's good to have a brother and it's great to be able to celebrate his life.

Imperfection is Perfection

Occasionally I get in a rut about perfection. Perfection with myself, my husband, my son, my house. It ends up creating a whole bunch of useless frustration because the perfection I seek often times, isn't realistic. So today, I give thanks to the non-perfection. To rest and be satisfied and truly grateful for who I am, who Chris is, who Cole is, and for our wonderful house.

The other night, I got myself all worked up because I was stressing about the imperfections of our house: the cracks, the creaks, the oldness, the unpainted this and the unfixed that, the half finished projects, etc. But as I laid in bed analyzing my crazy behavior, I found peace in those exact things. Our house isn't perfect and there will ALWAYs be lots of things to fix and refinish, but it is our home. It's where we spend a majority of our time - where we play games, have dinner parties, watch movies. It's our sanctuary. Be grateful and thankful.

So, I sit here at the bar, smelling the aroma of fresh baked cranberry-pear pie, I AM grateful and thankful for soooo many things. And my blessings outweigh any imperfections this life has to offer me.

New Friends

Murphy is this adorable, absolutely beautiful fiesty little girl who lives in Solvang, CA. She is the girl version of Cole. They finally met this weekend because Murphy was in Colorado for a dance festival.

Later in the day I said, "Isn't Murphy pretty?" Cole responded, "She's more like hot!"

We think they should get married and have three little babies that are gorgeous and fiesty just like them.

Same Old Same Old

Some recent happenings:

Math Night at Emerald - SUPER FUN

First Report Card - AWESOME

Praticing Counting, Spelling, Reading - BABY GENIUS

Cole is getting so smart. He loves Kindergarten, his teachers, his friends. He is one HAPPY little man.

I will say though, that he has required lots of patience these days. Sassy pants. I have absolutely no idea where he gets it from....ha.

Nothing too exiting to report - except we're excited for Grandma Carol, Grandpa Jack, and Aunt Emma's visit next week.

Dragon Dash 2009

Fitness is really important in the Velez household and racing is how we motivate to stay fit and meet goals. So, it's an important day to document that Friday, November 6 was Cole's first race. It's an annual celebration at Emerald Elementary and it was precious. He had his own bib, he had his running shoes on, oranges and water at the end. The whole school participated, even all the teachers. The Kindergarten classes went all the way around the school. Police closed off all the streets and the kids race, Bolder Boulder style from start to finish with water stations along the couse.

Great job baby! You did so awesome!

Indiana?

Saturday:

"I want to go to Indiana," Cole told me.

"Why Indiana?" I asked.

"Because Mrs. Stephens wife lives there," he said. (doesn't make much sense but ok)

"OK," I said.

Sunday:

"I really want to go to Indiana," he told me again.

"OK," I said

"Do you know why they call it Indiana?" he inquired, prepared to tell me.

"Why?"

"Because that's where all the Indians live."

What's what

What is 3 and 2?

What is five zero zero?

What does "stashed" mean?

What is 4 and 7?

32

500

to put away; to hid something

47

Don't you just love Kindergartens? I do, especially my little Monkey. And according to the Chinese Zodiac, he really is a monkey. Described perfectly: You are very intelligent and are able to influence people. An enthusiastic achiever, you are easily discouraged and confused. Avoid Tigers. Seek a Dragon or a Rat...or a Rabbit (since that's my chinese Zodiac, I thought it would be safe to add). Mr. W is a Monkey too.

I wonder what happens when you realize your baby isn't a baby anymore? Cole is still my baby, he always will be. But lately, he just seems so grown up. He doesn't pronounce Yellow, LELLOW. He doesn't say Haer for Halo. He knows how to spell simple words and do simple math. He can write sentences all by himself. He is self sufficient with getting ready. He knows how to operate the remote for the TV/DVD and fast forwards as he sees fit to the parts he likes most. I think we still have awhile for him to be baby, but not much longer. Oh, those soft cheeks, the snuggles and cuddles he still lets me do. How I love to lay in bed with him and touch his soft skin. When will he not want me to do that anymore? I hope no time soon.

It's funny when I use to hear parents say that "it goes by so fast." It's so true. There are times I want my little baby back and other times that I'm ready for him to be 10. But there is nothing quite like loving these moments right now.

Happy Halloween

You just never know what Cole will be for Halloween, given that he has like 6 costumes that he wear randomly throughout the year. His official costume this year was a Zombie Convict. His mask was pretty scary too. We celebrated at Kiddie Academy's Fall Festival Friday night. There were games in different rooms, all his teachers dressed up, there was a chili cook-off. It was tons of fun.

For official treat-or-treating, he was Spiderman. He met his friend Eric for a little party and then it was neighborhood friends who gathered to go treat-or-treating together. The pumpkin fairy will visit tonight and exchange all his candy for a sweet little toy....think Astro Boy this year. Meanwhile, Dad and I already got dibs on the candy we wanted (tootsie rolls - it's my version of crack).

Happy Halloween to all!