Stella, Chloe & Claire's Program

Stella, Chloe & Claire attend our church's pre-school. Stella goes 2X a week & Chloe & Claire go 1X, and last week was the end of the year program. Everyone brings a finger food to share, the program starts at 7, and we get to celebrate a year of pictures, fun & knowledge. All good stuff, but I admit that it somewhat stresses me out. There was a great slideshow and 2 classes who presented songs & Bible verses before Stella appeared with her class. Abigail & Jillian did a pretty good job of sitting nicely beside me, and were excited to see Stella. I could see Stella scanning the crowd for us. She spotted Papi who was in the front taking pictures, and then she spotted us waving at her. She smiled that Stella coy/shy smile, slightly raised her hand for a wave, and proceeded to play with & eat her dress. What is it with the Paulino girls eating dresses at school programs? Maybe I need to stick with pant outfits. Especially since Stella was practically eaten alive by mosquitoes & her legs now look like she's recovering from chicken pox (or chicken pops as Abi says). So as the rest of her class sings and recites Bible stories Stella stands there yanking her dress up to her mouth. If that isn't bad enough I notice that her pamper has started to fall off. Yep, the right side had become unattached & there was LOTS of skin showing. Nothing X-rated, but I was beginning to wonder if I should crawl down to the front & beg her to keep her dress in the normal position. Luckily her class finished, and they swept her up & fixed her pamper. So apparently I was NOT the only one to notice. Lovely. Of course Stella didn't care, and she received a shiny bright orange bouncy ball as a farewell present. Oh yeah - a bouncy ball for a 3 year old who still needs to sit through the rest of the program. The ball only escaped 4 times - I was surprised. Stella - done & seated. Now onto Chloe & Claire.

The curtain was closed as their class was being assembled, and you could hear one child crying . . . loudly. Yep, it was Claire. I knew it was her & as the curtains parted she was wailing & slightly squirmy in the arms of a volunteer. They played a few songs, and the kids danced. Actually everyone danced except for Claire who did NOT care, and Chloe just stood there. Chloe was immobile. I'm not sure if she was in shock, bored, or scared but she did not move an inch. No complaints since she was not crying or nude.

Needless to say when the program ended, we headed for the car. Food? Highly overrated. Ok, we did get a few to go plates b/c the cookies did look good, but decided not to stay.

I will say that I was impressed, as always with the Children's Center Pre-school. They do a wonderful job of teaching and loving on these little ones, and more importantly do so in a way that God is glorified. These precious ones are learning how much God loves them, that they can be friends with Jesus, and are being taught to have scripture in their heads & hearts. Girls you are blessed to be able to go there & be loved on with Jesus' love.

Stella turns Three

Stella you are 3. You've practiced very hard to coordinate your three fingers to let people know your age. It would be nice if you could say you were three, but you really are not talking too much. OK, I take that back - you talk ALL of the time, but I believe you are speaking a language I do not know. Seems like Chloe & Claire understand you perfectly, but mommy . . . well I'm having a hard time.

Stella, you are . . . rough. I'm not sure how else to say it. You love to jump on ANYTHING - your sisters, parents, Guira, furniture, beds, trampoline, dressers, - ok, I could continue. You love to play rough, and assume do does everyone else. That sometimes gets you into a bit of trouble. You go to the Children's Center 2X a week, and one day I asked your teacher, Ms. Shirley how you were. She responded, 'Well, Stella needed quite a bit of redirection today.' Welcome to life with Stella. You also LOVE to sing. You are almost always singing a song while in the car. It's fun! You are fun! Happy Birthday sweet one!

Abi's Solo

Abi singing at Camp Wallaballa

Abi waiting to perform her solo alongside Julia.

Abi after the show with her proud sister, Jillian.

Camp Wallaballa came to our church, and Abi sang a solo. Once I got over the cheesy title - it was a blast. Abi, you did an AMAZING job. The play was about the Promises of God. Knowing them, having them play an active role in our lives, and trusting God to keep them. You sang a part of the song, Standing on the Promises. I really am so impressed with you. You seem to have so much fun, know exactly what you need to do, and you deliver in an unforgettable way! I have to hand it to our church. We really have a top notch choir department. What a blessing for me as a mother to be able to drop you girls off for choir, pick you back up in about an hour, and know that you are having fun, learning music, and glorifying God.

Not that I don't want to be a helpful involved mom, but I really am thankful for this program - who knows if our church didn't have anything I may have felt compelled to 'help' out. This would have been . . . bad - bordering on tragic. Especially if I would have to tote Stella, Chloe & Claire - all of whom are 2 years old now. But, I am going down a road I do NOT need to go. FUMC has an amazing group of folks who are not only extremely talented, but give generously of their time to these kids. I am grateful.

Jillian, you were great tonight as well. You were so supportive of Abi, and did not fuss about sitting with me instead of being on stage singing. You are a great sister. You did ask if Stella, Chloe & Claire could come watch the play as well (they were in the nursery). After thinking a whole mili-second, I said maybe in a few years they would be able to sit for an hour and watch Camp Wallaballa. Until then - the nursery sounds GREAT!

Happy Birthday Abigail

You are 7 years old! Happy Birthday! Abigail, what I love most about you is your sweet, sensitive heart. You have set an amazing example to your younger sisters about sharing, helping, and you LOVE being a part of a bigger family. You are a true blessing. Abigail, you love to read. In fact your teacher says that she catches you hiding your books & reading during your math lesson. Yes, you are my daughter!! You read to your sisters, and you will sit and read your children's Bible every night. I am in awe of your tender spirit towards God. You have asked Jesus to be the leader of your life, and have the Holy Spirit inside of your heart. Abigail, you truly shine, and I am SO proud to be your mom.

You are extremely snugly, and you frequently find me out - just to be near/with me. I LOVE it, and it is my prayer that our relationship is always close like this. I am so humbled that God has entrusted you to Papi and me. We pray often that God will help us guide you as you begin discern the plan God has for you, and grow into the amazing woman He has created you to be! Happy Birthday!!

You always loved fruit!

From the beginning, you and Jillian were best friends!

You are an AMAZING big sister.

This birthday we got to celebrate with Papi's family! Tio Charlie made your cake (yummy).

Our Dublin family came over on Sunday to celebrate again! The Brandon's are a true blessing to us! And they LOVE you!

Alexis can be found with one or both of the twins - almost always!