Just don't want to lose this one

I helped her with the spelling (even though she forgot a letter or two... takes after me), but she figured out what to say.
Pretty cute- pretty cool. I'm sure the reply is posted on here somewhere (scroll through the achieves).

Other than that- The girls are great! Bella has been enjoying some summer activities, and is loving her enrichment classes at St. Francis with Mrs. Wargo and Mrs. Vitali.
Vivi is excited for her swim lessons towards the end of summer and is getting ready to go back to 3 days a week at SWCC for preschool:)

All is good...


Here's Bella's first written letter to Santa (from12/2008)

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION???

Kindergarten Graduation, huh?

REALLY???
Really.

So after kids finish a year of playing with blocks and coloring, we need to have a "Cap and Gown" ceremony for them?

Really.

Well, that's what I thought at the beginning of Bella's school year. I was actually kinda secretly mad about it.

"Oh great- I'm gonna have to go and waste my time celebrating a minor milestone in my child's life just because some yahoo decided we should."

Then the school year began.

Bella was one of the youngest to enter kindergarten, and boy did it show. She was wonderfully polite, quite eager, and very smart for an almost 5 year old (yeah.. she technically started kindergarten at age 4), she just wasn't developmentaly up to the speed of her classmates.

Although preschool introduced writing letters that year prior, she really had just been introduced to the process. But, her kindergarten class began learning how to write each letter of the alphabet properly (upper and lowercase) while also practicing the sound they make. Their homework (yes homework: 3-6 pages per night) had them practicing their numbers, finding words that started with the the sound of whatever letter they were working on that week, and learning to cut paper with surgeon like precision, (ok.. a little exaggerated, but it sure seemed that way at first). They also worked on listening skills and learned how to stay in control and in their seats when told. I'm sure they also played with crayons and paste, ran on the playground, etc. etc., but they did A LOT more work than I could have ever imagined.

Concerned that the class might be too advanced for Bella, we did some research, asked our friend Dr. Dousette, and met with Bella's teacher, Mrs. Wargo. They reminded us she was almost the youngest in her class and assured us that Bella was going to click in, and just work a little harder with her a long the way. and to just give it time.

I began doing flash cards of sight words, and made up letter and sound flash cards, too. We would practice on STARFALL.com nightly and I'd draw pictures to have her color and cut out gluing to other papers to make fields of flowers, all just to try and help things along. Plus, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Lynn continued to guide her with her homework and helped instill the right kind of approach needed to excel in that department.

Then, in what seemed like over nght, it happened: she popped through into the next level of development.

And in true Bella fashion, better than anyone else her age (even better than some of the older students.)

You see- Bella is VERY intelligent.

Besides having her wonderful disposition, her beauty and her miles of charm, she is SO very smart.

I was so proud of all the hard work she put in, and it blew me away to see all the efforts pay off.

So, when we came around to her kindergarten graduation actually happening, I had to cave.

She DID accomplish a pretty hard task, and put in great efforts to reach this goal.

So yes, on the day of her ceremony, I stood there on the sidelines, taking picture after picture.

Being as proud as I could possibly be of my graduating kindergartener.

Way to go, Bella! I'm so proud of you and I'm certain this is just one of the thousands of times I'll be saying that.

Hi girls, it's me, Mama...

First off, let me start by apologizing because I don't post on here nearly as much as I should. Papa is so good about keeping up with this -- I'm going to try and be better and make more attempts to blog on here.

It's about 10:00 in the evening and you are both fast asleep. It was sort of a rough night for you both... you were doing your nightly routine of taking a bath together, and then you got into yet ANOTHER fight. This by far has been the most challenging aspect of raising the two of you. I tell everyone that you girls are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Right before bath, you both were playing so beautifully and sharing your toys and having no problems. 10 minutes later you get into the bath and it's WWIII. I had had it. The fighting has been an ongoing issue with you two. I was tired of constantly stopping the arguing and feeling like I had to yell at you both to get it to stop.

I told you both very calmly (which I think unnerved the hell out of you both, since I tend to yell when it gets that crazy) - 'Ok, it's obvious you both are done with bath time. Since you can't play nicely, it's time for bed.' I proceeded to take you both out, skipping books and went right to dressing you in pajamas and tucking you in. The crying that came from your bedrooms was unreal! You both went from being angry, to pleading that I change my mind, and then being overly apologetic to me.

But here's the beautiful part of this story (trust me, there is one): you both started calling out to each other from your beds and apologizing to one another. "Bella, I'm so sorry, I don't want to fight!" "Vivi, I'm sorry, please forgive me!"

I sat back in the living room and couldn't believe what I was hearing. There are so many times that I look at the two of you and think that I am probably the proudest parent in the world, but this one really took me being proud of you both to a whole new level. It was like my little 5 & 3 year old FINALLY got it -- I don't like the two of you fighting because you both love eachother and you should be eachother's best friends. It was like all the lessons of 'Stop that, that's your sister!' or 'Be nice, she's your sister!' or 'Don't pinch her, she's your sister!', finally came together. I was so proud of you both because you realized that when the two of you fight, you're really only hurting yourselves because you two are one half of the other.

So of course, I did what any mother would do, which was run right back to each of your bedrooms, give you lots of hugs and kisses, and telling you both that I was proud of you for apologizing. You each made promises that you would try your hardest to not fight anymore and then gave each other big hugs.

So for now, there is peace in the Moncrief house... let's hope that the lessons learned tonight make it past breakfast tomorrow.

I love you both so much and goodnight, sleep tight, to my sweet little girls,

Mama

Prouder than hell

Although this blog entry is mostly to cover Bella getting her Orange Belt, I really want to share about how proud I am of her over all.

Like most kids going through the terrible 2's/3's, Bella was quite a handful. Tantrums, frustrations, and an overall sense of entitlement seemed to be what she was all about. I had many talks with Lynn sharing my fears of Bella for her "teen years" if we didn't do something about it now. We tried a few tricks here and there to motivate her away from the "Dark Side" but I truly was afraid we were just headed for a long struggle.

Then all of a sudden, one day I turned around and noticed something was different.

Bella was no longer a little toddler that needed to be dealt with on a constant basis, she had changed. She had become this little girl with control, and politeness, possessing a kindness I had only dreamed my girls would same day possess.

This entry is really for me to let everyone know just how proud and impressed I am with her. She tries so hard to be good and I think her true nature is really shining through.

So Bella, hopefully some day when you're down or upset, feeling unsure of yourself, or just need to hear how I really feel, you'll see this blog and it can help pick you up. You are wonderfully smart, kind hearted, good natured, funny, creative, talented and one of the most beautiful little girls I've ever met. Your inner being strives to make those around you enjoy life by the light you spread on all of us. Genevieve is so lucky that she has you as her Ate (Big sister for those non Filipinos out there) and I know l she'll continue on her path of growing and hit her own stride when it's time. With you as her role model, there's no doubt she'll reach any dream she chases.

Maybe Grace, Martin or Lynn will add a comment about how they've seen you grow and what they think of you on here, too. I know they are just as impressed as I am.

Vivi- I also wanted to take a quick moment to write something about you.

1st of all, its Sunday morning, and I'm able to write this because Lynn is still sleeping and Bella is watching Phineas and Ferb. Where's Vivi? Well, she's in her little kitchen right now. She just came out here and asked if I wanted her to "Took" for me. (quick note... Vivi is still struggling with the "c" sound.. she she really wanted to "Cook for me"). For the next ten minutes she clanked around, mixed things in her bowl, and cooked items in her little fake microwave. Minutes later, sportin' her apron, she arrived with a plate full of different plastic food, and a cup of "toffee". I took a few bites, and sipped the too hot coffee ( oh yeah, she blew on that to make it cooler for me first.) She did all this while ALSO putting her baby to sleep out here on the futon (covered by a blanket and all.) It's this part of Vivi's personality that let's me know she's headed down the right path herself. She's going through her own stage of "the 3's" but I know in the end, she too will be that little girl we are all so impressed with.

So Vivi- in case you are ever in need of some encouragement, or are not sure how we feel, hopefully you'll find some comfort in these words. You are quick witted, with a sharp sense of humor that's evident already. You're smile is infectious, and you too are one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen. Bella has a lot to learn from you as you have no fear in trying new things and meeting new people. You have the same desire to spread your light on everyone around you, and you do it in a big-brassy way. I'm very proud of the little girl you're turning out to be, too.

Ok

Enough of that sappy stuff...

Onto the main point of this blog (wow, I went off on a tangent... me, of all people, couldn't stay focused...hmmm, go figure)

YAY FOR BELLA!!!!

Bella has been studying KENPO for a short time now and has picked it up very fast. For this latest test (White, Yellow now Orange), she had to show her discipline as well as her ability to do a few of the key "basic" skills. Kicks , punches, blocks, combinations, as well as being able to stand at attention were all things she needed to demonstrate. PLUS, remembering her 3 rules... 1) Hands up - 2) Get Low, bend those knees - and 3) WARRIOR FACE!!

Ok, I know she's MY daughter, but she was THE BEST in her class. (maybe even better than some of the kids in the levels above her.) She was so focused, always the quickest to do what she was told, and yelled her KEEEYAA's (the kids respond with "DICE!") louder than anyone. Made us all very proud.

I have no idea how long she'll pursue this art, but I do know it's helped her with self discipline and taught her that she's in control of her body.

Congratulations Bella- we're so proud of you:)

Big Bear before Vieves was born

This video was just found on one of my HD's. The best part is approximately half way through. You see, Bella was HOOKED on The Wiggles.. yes.. THE WIGGLES, but it was a great introduction to having her love to sing and dance- so PROPS to them. ANyway.. I was able to capture her singing a song and it's so cute being able to witness her mess-ups. I had a little fun adding in her actual words, so- keep in eye out for it. If you watch this for anything, at least look for that part, it's cute.

Vivi was in Lynn's tummy, and we were anxiously awaiting her arrival:)

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A MEMORABLE TRIP!

Bella's loose tooth and Vivi's cute dialogue

check it- sorry it's been a while



oter will be up here shortly:)

Santa's letter arrives

Bella and Vivi wrote their letter to Santa last night, and sure enough- that little bird flew it's wings off to get it to Santa just in time. They'll wake tomorrow morning to see his reply-(see below)
I'll try and catch it on video if possible, then post it here.
Merry Christmas everyone:)



Oh yeah- and for those that didn't get one of these- here's our Christmas card for this year!