Star of the Week

So the first week of school was crazy.  We had, well, the first day of school for both girls, Tessa's birthdya day, Emma's birthday day, plus Arturo's dad here to visit.  Boy was I thrilled to get a note in Emma's backpack informing us that Emma had been selected to be the VERY FIRST Star of the Week in her classroom.  On the Monday after the birthday parties and all that, I was to have Emma finish her Star Poster and bring it into school.  No, not busy at all!

We got it done (this is a task I firmly believe in the kids doing themselves - she chose the pictures and wrote the captions and her likes/dislikes herself) and I think it even came out nice!

It's in the eyes

My dad took control of my camera on the day of the parties, snapping a lot of pictures (many of them great!).  As I was sifting through the pictures on the computer after the party, I came across a whole bunch, just of little Tessa.  They are unconventional - up close views of her eyes and her feet.  I actually love these pictures - they really capture Tessa in a serious, contemplative mood - but those eyes, I love those eyes!  Thanks Dad!!

At the park with Abio

Arturo's dad was able to visit us for a long weekend and he spent a lot of time with the girls.  The weather was really nice, so they spent a lot of time outside!  One day, he took Alexa to the playground... he took lots of pictures of her!

Happy Birthday, Emipileki!

For Emma's 7th Birthday party, we decided to have a Hawaiian Luau, complete with Hula lessons.  (The party day was the same as Tessa's small gathering - so double header!)

Here's Emma, decked out in all her Hawaiian gear.  (I got each guest a hula outfit)

Elo came and danced for the girls.  She did such a wonderful job.  First she did a dance for the girls (who were absolutely transfixed - each one of them had their jaws to the ground) and then she had them stand up and she taught them all how to dance and what the different movements mean.

Then, one outfit change later (!) she brought out a bunch of native Hawaiin instruments, demonstrated them and gave each girl a chance to try out their favorite instrument.  Here's Emipileki with the sticks.

 And Sydney with another one (can't remember name)

I made cupcakes, in the form of a Hula girl.  They came out really cute, I think!

As part of a craft that the girls did at the beginning of the party, they glued little colored shells on top of a carboard jewelry box and got to take that home.

Tessa - 1 year celebration

Rather than a full blow out party for her first birthday, we decided to have just a small gathering to commemorate Tessa's first year.

The sweet tooth runs strong in our family!

Emma's 7th Birthday Day

Is Emma really 7 already?  It's so hard to believe!  On her birthday day, we gave her presents from the family to open.  Here she is with the bag of Smencils and Science Experiments Book that Chowie and Emily got for her.  She loves it!

I made iced sugar cookies for Emma's birthday celebration in school:

Happy First Birthday Tessa!!!

Happy Birthday Tessa!  We can't believe you are actually 1 year old... what a beautiful, happy little girl you are!  We love you!

Here is a picture of Tessa at 1, with a picture from the day of her birth.

She loves it when we sing happy birthday to her, the little ham...

Tessa, as usual, made a mess of dinner.  Usually the outfit she started dinner with is covered with crumbs, smeared fruit, and milk by the end of the meal.  If it is not salvageable, Arturo just takes it off of her.  This is what happened the night of her birthday.  So we just grabbed the kitchen dish towel and wrapped it around her - voila! 

The many faces of Tessa

At 1, Tessa seems so advanced to me.  Perhaps it is because she feels the need to keep up with her two big sisters.  Perhaps it is because all she hears all day long is chatter-chatter-chatter - non stop.  Either way, little T has been walking since she was just over 10 months old.  And talking up a storm!  She is able to make the sign for "more" to tell us when she wants more of something.  And she is definitely tri-lingual! She points and says the word flower in Chinese and uses the word "agua" when she wants something to drink!  She loves to exclaim, "Wow!!!!"  The funniest is when she babbles nonsense but the intonations and inflections she uses makes it sound like she is talking about The. Most. Fascinating. Thing. Ever.

Here she is expressing, "Where'd it go?"  It's so cute when she does this!  Followed by "Uh oh!!!"

First Day of School - 2010