Math Award

Noa received a math award at school. She loves math and is always asking/answering oral math problems!

Her first grade teacher is Senora Padron and Noa loves her!

Art Class

Attending a painting class today at Painting With A Twist in Camarillo. It's a California Christmas painting.  Kids are supposed to be 9 years old and up but we'll see how it goes...

http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/camarillo/

Noa had fun and did a great job! Looking forward to another class! 

Don't make your child hug anyone!

I recently had a conversation with someone about this very topic. We had opposing views but I wonder if the conversation would have been different if they had kids, not to mention a girl.  Forcing my child to hug someone goes against everything I'm trying to teach her about her body, not to mention it's just creepy.  The following article was in the news today:

(CNN)At a time when issues of sexual harassment and consent are in the news, and with the holidays just around the corner, the Girl Scouts have released a recommendation about how parents can help young girls handle affection.

A "Reminder" post on the GSUSA website tells parents, "She doesn't owe anyone a hug. Not even at the holidays."

The "hugs" here are obviously of a non-sexual nature: Doting aunts and grandparents who are inclined to big embraces and cheek pinches at holiday gatherings.

However, the GSUSA's post says this could set the stage for unexpected emotional consequences.

"Think of it this way, telling your child that she owes someone a hug either just because she hasn't seen this person in a while or because they gave her a gift can set the stage for her questioning whether she 'owes' another person any type of physical affection when they've bought her dinner or done something else seemingly nice for her later in life," the piece reads.

It also offers insight from Girl Scouts' developmental psychologist Dr. Andrea Bastiani Archibald, who says letting girls decide when and how to show affection, even to family members, can help with "setting physical boundaries and expecting them to be respected" even as they get older.

While some people waved away concern on social media or accused the Girl Scouts of blowing an innocent family interaction out of proportion, others pointed out that this has long been a (very controversial) topic in parenting circles.

After CNN's Katia Hetter wrote an article advocating for such a practice in 2015, readers responded with various opinions. Some shared difficult stories from their childhood that they carried with them well into their adult years.

"I raised my children this way over 20 years ago. Why did we do this? Because I had been a victim of sexual abuse by a family 'friend' for many years as a child. I did not want my children to think they had to hug or touch others unless the contact was wanted," one reader wrote.

Others didn't understand the big deal, and argued that family obligation sometimes means doing uncomfortable things.

"You're damn right you're going to hug the woman who gave your mother/father life so you could have life," another reader wrote.

The Girl Scouts have a history of taking on polarizing subjects regarding girls, women and gender identity. Over the past few years, parishes and religious groups have made public splits with the organization because of the GSUSA's "secular" interests.

First Grade - Fall Conference

I met with Noa's teacher, Mrs. Padron, for her fall conference. Noa is doing great in her first grade, dual language class.

With the day 90% in Spanish, it is very challenging, so her liking her teacher has really helped.

Of course, we had to celebrate a job well-done with an LOL ball!

I'm proud of you, baby! I love you so much!

Halloween 2017

For the second year in a row, a costume didn't exist for what Noa wanted to be. This year she wanted to be a poop emoji so we created it ourselves!

We had a good time making it and people gave her compliments all night! 

This was also the first year that Noa has asked to carve a pumpkin... so fun! 

Conversations about dads.

Noa and I went to the mall on Saturday. We went to Build-A-Bear and had lunch. It was her first time, that she remembers, going to Build-A-Bear. She bought a character from Pokemon, with a shirt, glasses, and shoes. Unlike her mom, Noa loves to shop!!

During lunch, the following conversation took place:

Noa: How did you make me with no dad?

Mom: I went to a special doctor to help               make you. I'm sorry you don't have a dad, does that make you sad?

Noa: Yeah, does it make you sad?

Mom: I'm sad when you are sad.

Noa: Well, at least I have you.

Mom: You can always talk to Mom if you are sad.

I knew these conversations would take place and I'm glad they do, I'm also glad I did my homework in how to respond.

Cousin Gilla

Hanging out with Cousin Gilla before she moves to Texas - building a fort and watching a movie!

Solar Eclipse

Noa and I took time off of school and drove to Oregon to see the solar eclipse.  To experience totality you had to be within a certain band, and that band happened to be right near Cheryl... I just couldn't resist such a once in a lifetime experience, and to experience it with Cheryl and her family... well, let's just say it was a no-brainer!  We packed our bags and drove for four days!

The the moon crossed the sun at about 10:00 a.m. and the sky went from light to dark (stars and all) for about two minutes... it was an amazing experience that we will never forget.

Even better than the eclipse was the time I spent getting to know Noa. She is a great traveler, she's smart, responsible, funny and thoughtful. We laughed, talked, got truckers to honk their horns, and even got one too charge our phone!

We were in Fred Meyer and Noa loves to shop, she has a  sense of fashion. She picked out a heart necklace for each of us to wear half... so sweet.

I love you Noa! I hope you keep a sense of adventure and a love for travel.

100th Day of Kinder

Noa worked hard on her 100th day project... a collage of 100 different animals! The 100th Day of School is a big deal in kindergarten!

Father's Day 2017

Noa's class made a Father's Day craft of a bowtie wrapped around a Hershey bar. She painted mine pink then asked if she could eat the Hershey bar?! Lol

We were driving in the car and she said, "Two reasons I'm glad I don't have a dad. One they would kiss you goodnight, and two, they would tell me what to do!"

Mother's Day!

I had the best Mother's Day! Noa told me she wanted to give me all of her for Mother's Day ... what else could I ask for?!

She made a pop-up card at school, with a personalized envelope, and a Mother's Day poem with her picture and handprint! The poem is all in Spanish but I'm sure it's super sweet! 

We had a girls day and went on a hike and saw the movie, Born In China!

6 Year Old Molars

While flossing Noa's teeth, I noticed her 6 year old molars have erupted! She was so excited to get her first tooth, well at least the first tooth she's been aware of!

Spring Break 2017 - Las Vegas!

Spent spring break in Vegas ... Noa loves to swim and watch magic shows on Fremont St.  She wanted to zipline this year, but last year, after getting all suited up, she chickened out.  I told her she could try again but if she chickened out this time, she would have to pay me back with money from the pig - she agreed.  We bought tickets, got suited up and she did it!!! We had a blast!!

Valentine's Day!

Noa is hard at work making Valentines for her class. She's filling each bag with a KitKat and m&m's. 

Homework Time!

First day back from winter vacation! Sitting at the table working on addition facts!  A thank you to Jeff for the art set!

Happy New Year ~ 2017!!

Celebrating New Years Day in Colorado!  Our first time Colorado, and Noa's first time to the snow!  In Winter Park, two miles above sea level and 27°!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2017!