making memories with Mijo

Mijo and I did some exploring this summer...

At the pumpkin farm he was interested in the train

and decided on riding in the caboose.

But then he thought the engineer's position looked more profitable.

He inquired about the position and was hired on the spot.

Look at him with his hands on his hips, trying to look all in charge, while the real engineer gives instruction to the passengers!

But there were no trains at the horse farm...

And as long as it was a horse he could ride,

he'd wear that yucky-hated-helmet all day long!

Ever wondered how a 3 year old conveys love?

"You like that horse," I asked Mijo?

"She's my daughter," he responded.

This year Mijo begins the adventure of making school memories!

Is he that old already?

This business of growing-up sure is tiring!

Special Delivery!

Doesn't it just make you want to send him something?

Mijo turns 3!

Look who turned 3 yesterday!

I wonder if Mary enjoyed little Jesus as much as I enjoy this little "Cristián" …

Doubt it! ;-]

"I'm a TIGER"

Mijo visiting Aunt Trish at work:

"I'm a TIGER," says Mijo!

[Don't even TH!NK about

calling him T!gger!]

And he makes the cutest little tiger sounds, complete with paw swipe! :)

Weekend delights for young and "not so young" too!

I spent a wonderful weekend with Mijo and Mom.

We took a little ride on Sunday and stopped to greet some of Mijo's favorite animals along the way.

Mom shows us how to say hello in horse language. Mijo tries to clear the fence.

Anticipating his hello ...

Time to go ...

Mijo's response,

"I wanna stay here, Weewa."

So did I!

Home Again

A journal entry from June 4, 2009:

You have grown so much, Mijo, but you're still my little peanut. I love your waddly walk and fascination of all things new; your nose-scrunching smile and courageous abandon to push the limit - even if it is your own. And your love of song and musical instruments makes my soul soar. To end the day rocking you to sleep in my arms ~ or was it me in your arms? Either way was pure Sacrament; a Sacred moment for which I am deeply grateful. Tomorrow, Mijo, when I venture to visit your Grandpa, I will remember this night, these moments, and take virtual refuge in your arms. I will invite Grandpa to join us this time.

Mijo, flowers and Life!

Yesterday Mijo turned 2 years old!!!

And I received these from a special group of friends!!

Today I am feeling alive with Life!

I hope you are also!

the good ... the bad ... and the ugly!

The GOOD:

Taking my little nephew,

Mijo,

to play in McDonald's Playland ...

watching him concentrate

on the computer screen in front of him

as he tries to figure out

why the bike he sits on

isn't actually moving.

The BAD:

Being told that my

grandson

is darling.

My GRANDSON?

The UGLY:

Doing the math

in my head

and realizing I really

COULD

BE

HIS GRANDMOTHER!!!

Yeah,

well ...

we're never going back

to THAT McDonalds

again.

one year later ...

it is difficult to believe it's been a year since last i wrote

and yet much has happened in the moments in between ...

what i am doing in this moment ...

making one of my family's FAVORITE holiday foods! we call it canasta mix and it would put Chex Mix out of commission.

putting something together for our family gift-swap on

Christmas eve ...

LOVING this little Jesus-Child ...

MISSING greatly the earthly presence of this dear angel ...

(8/1/1927 - 6/15/2009)

Presenting this year's Baby Jesus ...

In my elementary teaching days, this time of year would be spent putting the final touches on the Christmas Play. Students from kindergarten through grade 8 would sing and tell and act out the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. When the time came for the baby to be born, Mary ~ played by an eighth grade girl ~ would be handed a real baby from behind. The role of Baby Jesus was sometimes played by a boy and sometimes played by a girl; it all depended on which student had the youngest brother or sister at the time!

I think Mijo would make a marvelous Baby Jesus this year:

Mijo

Here's what's decorating the screen

of my computer lately!

Can Mijo come out to play?

"Mijo, guess who's coming to get you tomorrow?"

"Your Aunt!"

"No, not that one ~ your FAVORITE one."

"Yeah, that one, Aunt Sarah!"