"The Wall"

This post is really just for Sergio to see the wall...because he is away on a trip and this is a way that I can show him things.

We have this HUGE wall in our house that is bare and it really needed something but we didn't want to spend a lot of money on something because we are only going to be in this house for 2 years, so i found this vinyl wall art on Etsy.com for only $30 and the metal stars I found on clearance at Michaels for $6 each (not sure if I like the stars yet).  So now our wall is not so bare!  YEAH!

Let me know if you like it Sergio, of course the kids had to get in on the shot...(it looks crooked in the picture but it is not!)

1st Day of School!

Today was Emma's 1st real official day of school since she was home schooled for her kindergarten year.

This morning was interesting to say the least.  We were on schedule at home, early in fact.  School starts at 8:00 am and is literally less than 5 mins away from our house.  We arrived at the school 20 mins early and it was crazy. All along the road were parked cars, people walking everywhere, we had to park along side the highway on the grass and had to walk about 10-15 mins to get into the school.  It was crazy.  In 1st Grade alone there are 10 classrooms, which is definetly something I am not used to.

We finally made it into the school and she was a little nervous I could tell but excited at the same time.  We all kissed and hugged her goodbye and she was busy working.  I did get a little teary eyed but tried hard not to let Emma see I didn't want her to get upset, but it was very hard leaving her and I missed her the moment I left!

Then comes picking her, at her school there is one path to pick up in the car you drive up to the curb of the school and the teacher releases her to me.  I thought I am going to be early so I am first in line, so I get to the school at 1:40, school lets out at 2:00pm.  As I am pulling up I see the huge line already, ugh!! This is terrible she is going to be waiting for me, etc, etc....Well at around 2:25 I finally get to the front of the school to pick her up!  That is crazy!! Poor thing was waiting for me along with many other kids, so tomorrow I am going to try to go a little bit earlier.  I guess that is what happens at big schools!

Emma told me about her day, of course I wanted to know everything.  As soon as she got home she said, "it feels good to be home, I was sitting all day"  She said she had fun, but didn't like the lunch it was too spicy for her, they had chicken sandwiches and fries, so she was very hungry! And another thing she didn't like was all the boys in her class, she sits at a table with all boys and she said she didn't like waiting for me at the end of the day.  But she came home with homework,  which she finished right away. Overall I think she had a good day, it is just going to take some getting used to.  Here are some pictures of her first day!

BUBBLES!!!

I came across this blog
 http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-project-make-giant-bubbles.html
and really wanted to try this, I thought the kids would love it.  I really thought that it wouldn't work, at least
not for me!  But it did and it was super simple to make and the kids had a huge blast with it, even Sergio got in on the fun!

It was a great Sunday, spent together as a family.

-Darcy

Happy 6th Birthday Emma!!!

July 31, 2004, today is Emma's 6th birthday!!! I cannot believe she is 6 years old already, time has flew but we have done A LOT in 6 yrs.  We have moved 3 times and lived in a different country.  Now my baby is grown and since she was homeschooled for her kindergarten year, this will be her first year in a real school, my baby is all grown up!! We started her birthday celebration yesterday, every year I take whose ever birthday it is shopping, but since we had in laws in town we all went shopping and Abby and Noah gave Emma a birthday card full of money for her spend on her shopping spree.  She was sooo happy because that is what she wanted.  So we had a fun filled day of shopping a great outlet mall!! We even made a trip to Build A Bear where all the kids got their bear.  Then we ended the day at Cheesecake Factory where the waiters sang Happy Birthday to Emma. Today on her birthday we are taking Emma to Key Largo in hopes to do a little snorkeling and a little birthday cake afterwards.  Here are some things about Emma:

*mommy's little helper, always
*is a clean freak!  Won't touch bathroom doors in public places with her hands
*is a health freak!
*LOVES the beach!
*always helps Abby get buckled in the car
*every night asks to go to bed
*Loves I Carly
*no longer likes toys, but now likes clothes, shoes, hair things, makeup, etc...she is grown up
*mom still has to say that I will give her a hug and kiss before I go to bed, every night or she cannot go to sleep
*wishes her hair was straight
*LOVES the sun!!!
*loves to teach her brother and sister how to write, how to read (but they usually don't listen)
*her first tooth is loose, not gone yet but loose and she is so excited, she says it is loose because she eats healthy!!!
*now that she is 6, she thinks she is taller, heavier, stronger, and that she can do anything because she is "6"

Anybody that knows Emma, knows she is sweetest, kindest, happiest big girl in the whole world!!! We love you Emma.   Happy Birthday!!!!

Love, MOM

Noah's New Haircut!!!

It is tradition in our house to have Sergio's dad give the kids their first haircut, since he is a barber.  Emma got her first haircut at Sergio's dad's barber shop in Canutillo, TX. Abby got her first haircut in our house in Orlando, FL when Sergio's parents came to visit.  But since we were in Germany for Noah's first two yrs we had to get it cut elsewhere.  Since Sergio's parents are now here visiting us in FL we knew Noah had to get his haircut.  We LOVE it!!! Sergio's dad who is a professional barber HATES it!!!  We will leave it for the week and before they leave he will give Noah a "proper" haircut!! LOL!!

I know I am biased because I am his mom but he is just so freakin adorable!!!

-Darcy

Happy Birthday Sergio!

July 21st was Sergio's 32nd Birthday but if any of you know Sergio's schedule lately it would be no surprise to learn that he was out of town, so when he returned this past Monday night we celebrated his birthday with him. He was very tired asn he just flew in from Alaska as you can see if the picture, but the kids had a blast with it.  I even made him a hawkeye cake, yes I made it, I am pretty proud of myself I think it looks good!!

Happy Birthday Sergio!!! We love you!!

-Darcy

Girls Night!!!

While I was in Iowa, my sister Debbie decided to plan a girls night, and all my sisters were there.  First we started the day at her house, relaxing and swimming in the pool, then we headed to a bra party, were we all got fitted for bras, next stop was pedicures, then dinner.  After dinner we went for drinks to a Piano bar, we had a great time with many many laughs and memories.  Here are some pictures of the night.

All my sister and my niece Nicole, from Left, Dee, Debbie, Dana, Nicole, Donita, Dannette, Diana and Me!!  

Nicole and Dee getting fitted for their bras.

Pedicures!!

Diana, Debbie, Donita, Dee and Nicole.

My sister Dana, I have no idea what she is doing!!! LOL!!

My sister Donita at the piano bar in Des Moines, IA.

My sister Debbie, who was the life of the party!

It was a great night, and now them I am back in the states, hopefully we can do it more often. Thanks for setting it up Deb.

-Darcy

More pictures from Iowa

Well we are no longer in Iowa, but I have a ton of pictures so I am doing another post about our time there.

 Having Fun in the Bathtub!

Abby's Turn!

My cute little Nephew, we went to watch him play T-ball!

Noah with his Uncle Daniel mowing the grass at the farm.

The kids playing on their favorite toy at the farm, the merry go round.

Putting on makeup at the farm, with all the cousins.

Roasting Marshmellows, Emma, Abby and Noah did not like them.

Cousin Tori, Emma, Cousin Natalie, Noah and Abby.

More pictures to come...

Fun on the Farm!!!

We have been at the farm in Lake City, IA for a little over 3 weeks now and we have been non stop...the kids are having a great time catching up with the whole family and getting to know everyone again.  Emma even asked me the other day if we had any cousins in FL because she is having so much fun.  Here are some pictures of our first week here.

abby with her cousin Natalie in Ankeny, IA

emma driving around her cousin brody and noah

noah playing with his new best friend carlos!

Darcy and her adorable little great niece Chloe

noah having some fun at the lake city pool

noah and abby picking some of aunt dee's strawberries...I think Noah was eating them as fast as they could pick them

more fun at the pool

one of the kids favorite things to do...riding the 4-wheeler with daddy

a very tired little boy, just crashed on the floor...to much playing!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer...I hope to have more postings soon, as we have been doing a lot!!

-Darcy

Sergio, my awesome husband, got us a house in Miami! I Love him so very much!

Click on the title of this post to see more pics!!!

There are many challenges with being in the military (lots of hours, time away from loved ones and in this case our 5th move in 10 years. However, we would not be where we are today without the loving support of a wonderful wife and very understanding kids. Hope you guys like the house! Love, Dad!

Side View of HouseFront View of House

Backyard