Cecilia Says

Since I am late to Jen's
7 posts, 7 days linky
I thought it only fair to add a second post today.

So, I went into the 'closet' and to my surprise I found 66 drafts! What?
Yup! 66!  I have been holding on to old, forgotten, and uncompleted thoughts, lots of them.  That's crazy and I totally need an intervention.  (the crown of shame is currently on my head)

Here then is 1 of the 66.
A look at the past.  Mostly made up of Cecilia's remarks and her quirkiness.

Cecilia's says:

"We hit the check pot!"

"Egg Man Adventure" instead of Egmont Overture

Rose: "I don't know what to do. I want to be a mom, but I also want to be a nun."

Cecilia: "Don't worry.  You can get married, have babies, and when your husband dies you can be a nun."

Once when we left home Cecilia was sitting in the back of our van. As we drove off I hear the following from Cecilia, "Momma! Wait for me!"  Everyone in the van turned to her and asked what she was talking about, but she kept on yelling. "Momma, you left me.  Come back! Come back!"

I was confused.  The child was safe and in the van.  But, she kept at it; yelling "Momma come back, come back."  It was down right disturbing.  Then it was hilarious.  As she yelled out "come back, come back" her voice trailed off.  It went from COME BACK to come back.  The kid had me in tears.  

The rest of the drive was uneventful and she herself didn't think anything about little imaginative scenario.  

Disclaimer:  I have NEVER left any of my children behind.  At least not yet ;-)

Over Coffee & Phonics

As a homeschooling family the events and discussions around the table never fail in the area of imaginative and intriguing.  There are vast topics for each child to choose from; especially since the age range in our family is spread across the spectrum, high school to first grade.

So it came to no surprise when Cecilia seriously asked Lucy this morning, "So Lucy, tell me what you think your future children will look like?"  She continued to inquire about 'how many boys she'd like to have verses the girls'. 

Lucy thought for a while, perking up her head from the isosceles and the 30 degree - 60 degree triangles staring at her from the geometry book.  Which, by the way, are just additional ways of finding the lengths of an isosceles triangle, per Lucy. (insert a confused mother's look here with the words "HUH?" over it... that would be me)

But, Lucy answered Cecilia, that she may be called to be a sister and thus, have no children of her own. 

I glanced up from my coffee and history paper I was reviewing from another child, who was patiently waiting for his paper back. 

A sister!  Really!  Cool!  First, I've heard about this new thought to her future.  Sweet!!

Cecilia must have been equally as shocked as I was because her answer was classic, Cecilia. 

"But, Lucy you already are a sister!"

Foolish 15 year old, Cecilia must have thought.  LOL

Lucy went on to tell her she was open to God's calling for her, whatever that would be.  But, that being a sister would mean she would be Jesus' bride forever and thus join an order of religious sisters.  She didn't know yet whether she was called to be one or not, but she was open to it. 

And here is the real kicker!  "So Cecilia, you should also be open to what God calls of you", continues Lucy.

Yes!  The mother in me wanted to yell out.  I didn't of course because I was still deep in the Paleolithic Era in that paper.  Plus, the conversation wasn't with me.  I'm polite that way.

Cecilia has been around many religious sisters, Carmelites of Alhambra mostly.  So she got it.

The conversation ended.  And Cecilia went back to wondering why, oh why, does the TH tickle when you sound it out.

I love the homeschooling table... such fun topics!

Of course, within the hour two of the four were then arguing over the loudness of the piano player and the other was upset that she still had to work on subtraction.  Uh well, the morning was good :-)

Cecilia says

Cleaning out the cobwebs growing on this blog.  It's been ages since I've posted a thing! 

How about we start a mini post on Cecilia!

As we look around the kitchen for ideas on dinner:
Me: Hey kids what do you feel like having for dinner?
Cecilia:  "Oh, I don't know... PIE?"

On one of the many nights that Cecilia refuses to go to bed:
Me: Cecilia, it's getting late... GET TO BED!
Cecilia:  "But, you aren't there."
Me: You have a bed and a sister waiting for you.
Cecilia:  "But, it's not YOU!"

She finally went.  But, didn't get too far.  She was sitting quietly at the bottom of one of the steps leading to the bedrooms.  Sitting there with her head resting on her knees.  She was awake, fully awake.  The Lineman asked her what she was doing.

Quietly. Very quietly.  She says, "just waiting... for you guys."

And so life continues here... busy, fun... busy, surprising.... always blessed!

Cecilia says ...

I thought I'd stop by for a quicky post on Cecilia. 

Our stubborn, lovable, direct, says what's on her mind, 5 year. 

 She is such a hoot!!

1.  We're in the process of packing up our current home and moving.  (More on this later, but the new little girls room was used as an office by the previous owners.

Cecilia:  "I don't wannnna sleep in an office!"
Me:  "It's not going to be an office, it'll be your new bedroom."
Cecilia:  "But there is a desk in there and she called it an office, I don't wannnna sleep in an office!"

Ususally we don't tolerate whinning rants or voices.  But this time around she was so stuck on the new bedroom being an office.  I later asked her what was so wrong about the bedroom.  She told me that an office is for doctors and quiet behavior.  So she had it in her head that her 'new' bedroom was going to have to be an 'quiet' room for the rest of her life.

Cecilia is super dramatic!

2.  Having lunch with Grandpa and Grandma

Cecilia as she chows down her rice and sweet and sour pork:  "Ya know, right about now my acids are working super hard in my stomach. I can almost feel the swishing around in there."

3.  Coming in from playing outside:

Cecilia:  "Momma!  Rose almost push me down and I could have gottan a concussoooon!"

And that is all the time I have for the recent Cecilia outtakes!

In Cecilia's Words...

Big sister had her braces taken off this morning!

When she arrived home, Cecilia was super shocked.

So shocked that she yells out,

"It's like I have a new sister!"

"She'll look different for the rest of MY life!"

"Now, when we play jungles she won't look like a scary lion with sharp teeth!"

"Oh man!"

This was an exciting morning of change for a 5 year old, LOL.

Dreams

Early this morning Cecilia came crawling into my bed.  She does this often so I wasn't too surprised to feel her little body climbing on the bed.  But, she did this for a very different reason.

Cecilia began to stroke my face; not something she's done before.  I opened my eyes and was about to tell her that, 'momma needed more time to sleep', I mean the sun wasn't even up yet.  But her little voice began to tell me of a dream.

A bad dream.

This is her tale:

Cecilia:  "Oh, Momma I had a bbbaad dream.  You were on the roof and there was water everywhere.  Then I saw you fighting with a shark!  I was so scared for you."

Me:  "I was fighting with a shark in the water or on the roof?"

Cecilia:  "No you were on the roof and the shark was fighting you on it."

I started telling her not to worry because sharks can't live above water, we were all safe.  She seems to be fine afterwards, but she was up, so I was up.  I hopped into the shower and it was a few minutes before I heard a knock on the door.  Cecilia was at the door.  She came in and began to ask me a bunch of questions.

Was I okay?
Was there water under the tub?
Where did the water go?
Was the tub protecting me?

Oh poor baby!  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!  She was quite protective of me for the remainder of the day....until I said she couldn't have a piece of chocolate.  Then she just walked away.  I assume she thought I didn't need anymore protection, LOL.

Kid Tales

While putting Princess into bed tonight, she has the bottom bunk bed, I accidently bumped her head against the frame.  Her response was:

"Oh Momma, it's okay I'm hard headed"

Overheard

Right after our bedtime prayers:

Rose:  "Dear God, please give our family another baby.  We really would like a baby brother.  Okay God?  I'll give you ten minutes to think about it."

According to Grandpa, God really listens to our Rose.  She's been asking Him to take care of her Grandpa since he became sick.  And with the great news on Monday...Grandpa has already called his 9th grandchild to thank her for her conversations with God. 

She's told me several times, "Momma, did you know that if you stay really quiet you can hear God?"  This is a friendship and love, that I pray, she'll nurture forever.

Well, why not?

At the dinner table tonight a serious discussion was started by Lucy.  She has been exploring careers in her class with her cousins and was sharing this with her Papi and I.  

Lucy: "I just know what I'd like to do but this would be great too.  But I don't know if it can happen."

Papi:  "Mija, if you want to try something and you think you would like it as a career than go for it."

Lucy: pauses for a bit

(in between bites chimes in her opinion)
Rose:  "Why don't you just be a Jedi?"

By request I used it, something and this as fillers instead of what Lucy was really referring too. 

Looking for a husband...already?

(Princess and I having an afternoon to ourselves)

Princess:  Momma, am I going to be married when I'm all grown up and be an adult?

Me:  Well, maybe...we'll have to wait and see when you grow up.

(Thinks for a bit)
Princess:  Yes, I'm going to be married...but who am I going to marry?  Can I marry Papi?

Me:  No mija, Papi married me a very long time ago.  He's my husband and can't be yours...he is your Papi.

Princess:  Well then who am I going to marry?

(thinks for a bit then says....)

Princess:  I know!  I will marry that boy from church...he's cute and I already see him at church!  I already know him!

(So now I have to add that boy from church to my prayers...a certain 4 year old has him marked for a spouse =) and I have no clue who she is refering too)

Kid Bits

I

Princess:  "Momma when I was a baby, where was I"?

Me:  "In my tummy until you came out".

Princess:  "Oh I was in Mexico".

~ ~ ~ ~

II

The scene:
We had an evening of watching some ice skating competition.  Papi, Princess, and I were in the room. 

Princess:  "Oh when I grow up into an adult can I do that"?

Papi:  "Sure you can"

Princess:  "Can you hold my hand so I don't fall down"?

The smiling, Papi:  "Yes, I'll hold you so you won't fall".

Princess:  "Oh good... and you'll take me"!

Princess:  "Um on second thought I don't need you to take me....can I have a car"?

Papi puts his head down in dismay as he learns how costly our 4 year old is going to be on our wallets.  What four year old asks for a car?  I really wish I had a picture to document the serious look on her face....

Priceless!

The view from a child

There have been several reactions to the news of our pregnancy.  We've had the raised eyebrows of surprise, the hysterical cheers of joy from the grandparents, the teary-eyed-hugged-filled happiness from siblings and friends.  And then we have these:

After we announced the news to the two youngest:

Rose:  "What, really...no really, momma is going to lay a baby...really she's going to lay a baby...oh yes, yes, yes!!!"

(I don't know if she considers me equal to a chicken or that I've just made a goal)

Princess:  (hands in two small fists clutched to her chin) "Oh yes, oh yes....I'm gonna be a big sistah"

Later in the car, after we picked up the older two:

Rose to Max:  (in a small whisper sitting in the very back of the van) "You know what....Momma is going to have a baby..."

Max:  "What really?" (still in a whisper....though Papi and I can hear the whole conversation) "Momma, you're going to have a baby?"

I nod yes

Max: (hands in prayer) "Oh please, please let this be a boy!"

Lucy: (as cool as a 13 year old can be, smiling from ear to ear, offers me a two thumbs up then adds) "Congratulations"

I did get a huge hug once we were home and a "I love you guys" from her...

Then the next day I had a early appointment to the doctor's office, totally unrelated to the new baby though.  But Rose was right on it and asked:

"Momma is it time?  Are you bringing the baby home now?"

Oh dear she has a long long while before this baby makes it home...poor thing, she'll need to learn patience.



Lost in Translation

 =

Last week a couple of families, us included, got together for dinner and a Flamenco show at El Cid.   A friend found a good deal using Groupon.com.   El Cid is located in the middle of the Silverlake area in Los Angeles.  Blocks away from where I use to live...back in the day.

Anyway, the restaurant has an old spanish feel to it.  Brick walls, balconies overhead with iron gates give an authentic feel to the place.  Really, a cool place for dinner (and the food, though not gourmet, is pretty good).  I suggest the Halibut.

We took our older 3 kids, thinking they would enjoy the dancing while they ate.  As a bonus we were seated at the center table, right in front of the stage...awesome table.  The youngest girls sat closest to the stage and Max was right there with them. 

Our meals were ordered and the show began.  The girls were captivated by the dancers and the live singing.  Max, on the other hand looked mostly confused and well...half asleep.  I was a bit surprised that he wasn't more into it.  There was a live guitarist, percussionist (which he plays for kadima), singer and two dancers literally feet away from him.  But, he hardly had a reaction.

What gives...I thought?

After the show, Max looked up at Papi and asked most seriously....

"So, when does the flamingo show start"?

I guess I should have been clearer that we were going to a flaMENCO show and not a flaMINGO one.  Ah well...it was a good evening with or without birds.

A conversation with logical kids

Princess:  Momma the sky is blue, right?
Me:  Yes, the sky is blue
Princess:  See, (Rose) I told ya the sky is blue!
Rose:  No it isn't, it just looks blue to us because of all that stuff in the atmosphere.  It makes the sky look blue but, it really isn't.
Princess:  Momma! The sky just looks blue because it has stuff in it!

I stand corrected

Princess:  Momma I'm allergic to snakes and bears.
Me:  Oh really, why?
Princess:  Cuz' snakes and bears eat meat...and I'm made of meat...so I can't be around them...they are dangerous biters.

Overheard

This morning is near perfect.  Overcast and cool. 

I was sitting at the table with my cup of joe, kuddos to all those, that are not drinking this brown and creamy beverage.  Anyhow, my kiddos were beginning their crawl out of their beds when...

Me:  Good morning Princess!
P:  Good morning momma...(looking outside)....awww it's time...I wanna see the world!

And off she went, just like that, out the door to begin her adventures of the day.  Exploring all there is to find, touch, jump on, smooch, in her world of the backyard.

Overheard

Rose and Princess having a conversation:
P: "you know I'm going to be married to D"
R: "you can't marry D he is your cousin"
P:  "then who am I going to marry"
R:  "don't worry, he'll be a stranger to you, and then when you marry him you'll just get use to him being around"

Princess over the word Pocahontas:
"Oh I just love Pocamontes...she is so so beautiful...so so cute...yes I like that Poca...Poca...Pocasontes"

I found Princess in the kitchen right b4 lunch with two pieces of sandwich bread, a butter knife (plastic and kid friendly), and the jelly jar.
Me:  "what are you doing Princess (yes I used her right name)"
P:  "oh I'm making my sister a lunch."  "You know she just loves her sandwich and I'm going to give it to her"
She then gets down from the stool...walks over to me by the sink:
P:  "exooze me momma I need a plate"
With a plate in hand carrying a very nicely made jelly sandwich she rushes off to find sister (Rose).
P:  "Oh Rose (used her real name), I have your lunch for you...where are you sister here is your lunch...it's your favorite...jelly and bread"

Rose ate this sandwich made with love by her little sister and perhaps her biggest fan...it was so cute!

Words of a Three Year Old ~

We were debating on what to eat for lunch...it had to be quick and easy

Me:  O.K guys what does everyone want?

Little Red:  I wanna burrinos and quesarinas.

Me:  What do you want?

Little Red:  Momma, I said I wanna surrios and quesarias