12/13/12

Since she has been having a hard time at school the last 2 weeks, Maya and I talked about it yesterday, and we made a plan for today as her teacher suggested. I would sit in the mom area for a few minutes. Then I would giver her the 5 minute warning that I was leaving, and then she and I would do something special together. When the 5 minutes was up, she would walk me to the gate and I would go. She asked me to come back before the goodbye song and I agreed. The first thing she did when she woke up today was say " I dont want you to leave me at school" and burst into tears. It went on like this all day until school. SHe would be fine for a few minutes, then would say the same thing and cry. So we followed the plan, and she still cried on and off for me, but as long as she had a project to focus on, she would stop crying and be ok for a bit. She wrote me another letter today, and was working on a sticker project when I returned. I will also be adding a second job 4 nights a week starting Monday (Im returning to my old stomping grounds All Star Travel where I worked until the day before I went into labor). She will be with Pedja during that time. This is alot for her at once, and we are trying to be as compassionate and empathetic as possible. But shes very brave and Im very proud of her.

December 6

The photo reads "I want mommy. I ate all my lunch. Im sad. I cant wait to see you at the good-bye song. Im gonna give a big hug and big kiss to you. I want you. I love you. Maya" Last Thursday was mayas hardest day at school so far. She cried ALOT. To the point where they almost called me to come back. But she was a trooper. Her teachers gave her lots of support, and teacher Gordon helped her write this letter to me.

1 woman band

Today was a mellow day at school. There were only 5 kids, and when I came back, 2 of them were asleep on teachers. Since they were asleep there was no "goodbye song" like there usually is. Maya decided that wasnt ok, and took matters into her own hands. She took out the parachute and sat on it all by herself, and picked up an instrument (a mini piano I think) and sang it herself. It was so frickin' cute. To backtrack a bit, I left about 20 minutes after arriving and with her in tears clinging to me and trying to hug me through the fence once I closed the gate. I kept in touch with the only other mom that stays (Bela's mom) via text. She said after about 5 minutes Maya was done crying, but would start up again every once in a while but was working through it. Before I left I told Maya I would be back BEFORE the goodbye song, whereas Im usually there AFTER. And I kept my word. I came back at 1 and class is over at 130. When I got there she just looked up at me from her intense lego project, gave me a passing hello and kept working.

sunday funday

Today was Mia's 3rd birthday party at an indoor play place called "under the sea" Maya was asking if A)there would be sand there and B)she would be getting wet and C)why I wasnt putting sunscreen on her. She decided on a red bindi for the occasion. Thats Mia and her mom Michelle. The birthday girl got the special Pirate hat and chair to eat in (it was a Dora/Pirate theme) The bee tattoo Maya got on her hand.

Sunday part II

After the festivities, Maya and I went to work. I was screaching with joy when I walked in and saw her name on the bottom of the board! I dont want to sound cliche, but we never win anything! So what happened was we won a $15 TJ's gift card!! You are eligible to put your name in a box for a weekly drawing for said gift card if you bring your own bags when you shop. Now Im there about 3 times a week and have been for a year and half literally. I knew at some point I was bound to win, and today was the day! A few months back I had a dream Maya won, so I started writing her name on the paper instead of mine. Sad that i dream about winning TJ's gift cards, I know.

seal beach visit

The Sosa/Mirrione clan was down for a winter visit, so Maya and I went to see them on Saturday. The kids got along so well, and as Maya noted in the car she didnt push anyone or pull any hair. She was very proud of herself. So was I. She also noted that she said sorry to Leo after kicking him. I guess thats a step in the right direction.

writing

This was Mayas "homework". Luka shouldnt be the only one having fun right? The YWCA is all playtime, so i try and work with her at home a bit. This was tracing our initials with a bonus "O" for good measure.

good morning

she works hard for her money

Just another day at the office with her favorite girl Janel.

Anarchy girl!

Maya is just as obsessed with sons of anarchy as I am. She was also just as upset that the season is over as I was. Every time we see a motorcycle she says "theres an anarchy guy!" And when we are dressed in black she says "your and anarchy girl mommy!" or "Im an anarchy girl!"

November 29

It was a rainy day Thursday so the kids were inside, which is different for Maya. It is a small space divided into 2 rooms. There really wasnt any place for me to sit like when the kids are outside, so I tried to leave straight away and that didnt go over so well. I then said I would leave in 15 minutes, and the teachers had me sit in 1 of the rooms with her and kinda hang out. Other kids found their way in and by the time my 15 minutes were up 3 teachers were in there too. She cried a little when I left but started pushing someone away (she is doing that alot now), and I left. I was gone longer than I have ever been - 1 hr 35 minutes, and when I came back she came running over and gave me a big hug. Teacher Barbara said she cried on and off the whole day, but was able to self soothe, continue playing and felt supported by 2 teachers. She said that Maya did great and its nothing to worry about. Im very proud of my brave girl.

Hopscotch

This is Mayas new favorite past time

Thanksgiving part II

Our menu: First course- Garlic stuffed olives, Sourdough Baguette with goat cheese, fig spread and artichoke mushroom spread. Salad course- Red leaf lettuce, cucumbers, herbed croutons. Main course - Tofurky with cranberry sauce for me/ Grilled Salmon for everyone else, Shredded sauteed brussel sprouts with Lemon zest Dessert- Vegan pumpkin pie with coconut whipped cream It was all so yummy. Everything was cleaned up by 630pm too! Pedjas boss generously gifted the tofurky to us, so this was a super easy menu. Side note** My dear friend Katie got engaged that morning. Hip hip Hooray!

Thanksgiving part I

After breakfast, the girls headed to the park. It was empty and wonderful. No lines, no fighting just peace and quiet.

Pedja made 2 types of Phyllo dough for lunch. The long sticks are egg and cheese, and the squares are mushroom leek. Amazing. I made coconut rice pudding in the slow cooker for dessert. After that food coma was over we pulled out the big guns for dinner, which you will see in my next post. Sadly this is the only human picture I took that day. Every other photo was of food.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

We went to our 3rd YGG concert Friday, and this year was by far the best for Maya. The first year she was 11 months, and had NO idea wtf was going on. Last year she was scared and cried alot. This year she was dancing from the second I let her out of her car seat in the parking lot, until the show ended. She had the biggest smile on her face and kept asking "are they here?" over and over. She couldnt believe it. The day before she lined them all up in their own color coordinating cups, and the day of, Of course she picked out a special outfit just for the show: Boots, turquoise sparkly tights, pink tie-dye hello kitty dress and almost too small YGG shirt.

the usual

Well Maya is Ms Independent these days. Shes fine when I leave her at school, and was fine when I left her for a few minutes with her dad, and goes out in the jogging stroller weekly now with no fuss. I will be eternally grateful to the YWCA for helping us with this separation. I feel like I can breathe again.

no biggie

I am thrilled to report yet again I "went to the bathroom" for an hour today. She was totally fine! I may try to leave a bit earlier next week, or just keep it at an hour for a couple of weeks. I really dont want to push my luck. YAY Maya!!

hip hip hooray!

I dont have any photos from school today because....... drum roll please..... Maya stayed with her teachers while I "went to the bathroom" for 50 minutes!!!!!!! I did return after 30 minutes, but she was in the cow shed (where they have all the fun dress up stuff) with her friends and 2 teachers, and the other teachers and 1 mom said "leave! shes fine!" So I did. I initially left after the kids had lunch, when teacher Kathy was reading her a story about trucks, and I returned after the goodbye song. I think I could have stayed away longer, but school was over. I am BEYOND proud of Maya and she is SOOOO proud of herself too.

tracing

Maya came up with this idea to trace things today. This was her first one. An Apple

jogging with daddy

So I have been trying to get Maya to do stuff with Pedja without me, just the 2 of them. She has not been interested in the least, but Ive really been trying. Last week after a few tears, he got her in the jogging stroller, and she came back asleep. (YAY!) Yesterday without any tears, she got in again, and this time she came back with these beautiful flowers for me.

the pregnant mermaid

Maya asked me if she had milk, and I explained only mommies with babies have milk. She promptly got her baby and put it under her shirt so she was pregnant and could have milk. She added the hello kitty purse, flower ring, and turquoise goggles because after all ladies, pregnancy is no excuse to slack when it comes to looking fab.

Halloween part II

The evening ended with this yummy Lasagna and a little trick or treating with the ladybug. She gave all the candy to us since she doesnt eat it, and kept the pretzels and raisins. Luka was a coach but as usual wouldnt let me

take a pic. He was allowed to eat all the candy he wanted that night and then I donated the rest.

Halloween part I

The night before, I did my oh so fab nails with my most favorite Sally Hansen stickers in festive spider webs. First thing Maya said when she woke up was "mommy i love your nails!" We then made halloween pancakes using cookie cutters as molds. Pedja worked the night shift, so we helped him get into costume as Jack Sparrow- eyeliner and all. He ended up winning the contest at work. The prize? $100! BOOM!!

my little lady

Maya was so happy with her fully accessorized and self chosen outfit today.

Black converse, black skinny jeans, heart and stripe shirt, hello kitty purse, 2 braids, 1 clip and a headband.

goopy fun

I know all I seem to write about is school, but its big stuff around here. Today they filled the water table with cornstarch goop. They put in a ton of toys and small pumpkins from the pumpkin patch they started at school. Maya was in it pretty much the whole time. Except for a quick break to play with some magnetic cool lego type thingys. She started out dressed in an actual dress, but by the end was in her big girl underware and a tank top. Oh, a note on big girl underware. Maya has been starting to toilet train herself. She asks to go pee on her little toilet all the time now. Today she had a dry diaper from the time we got home from school until she went to bed.

#651

As in this is my 651st blog entry! YAY! I cant get the spacing right, so this post looks like one big run on sentence, but its not. I apologize in advance, especially to my 6th grade english teacher. Anywhoooo. More Halloween Parade fun. Maya has "big-girl" receptors I swear. Wherever we are she finds a big girl (like a 5 year old) and latches right on. Today she found Chole who was so sweet. They played together the whole time. Their conversations were making me and Chloe's mom melt. Chloe: whats your name? Maya : Maya, whats your name? Chloe : Chloe Maya : its nice to meet you Chloe! (thank you yo gabba gabba for that one!) Maya: I like your hair clips! Chloe : thank you I like your braids. Maya : thank you Chloe kept yelling to her mom " mom this is my friend Maya. Shes playing with me!" So onto the festivities. They had a lady making balloon animals, which is HEAVEN for my daughter, and I know Im going to hell for it mother earth, Im sorry. Maya chose that cute turtle. They had a tattoo table - Maya chose a festive pumpkin. There was an obstacle course, raffle (we didnt win), a face painter that Maya avoided like the plague, and a little photo booth thingy. It was super cute and totally age appropriate. I ran into a couple of moms from mommy and me that I hadnt seen in a while which was nice too. Oh and in case youre wondering I did not dress up.

Halloween Parade

Maya the ladybug with Teacher Barbara the butterfly (she is the director of the program, not really outside too much). Teacher Monica the pumpkin (Maya loves saying "teacher Monica is a mommy!") And Teacher Gordon as himself

Preschool

Maya had another super fun day at school last Thursday. Here she is attacking I mean hugging her favorite girl Edith for a post lunch photo. Maya started lunch at a different table, but soon enough realized Edith wasnt there and promptly picked up her lunch box, and moved to sit next to her. She is also modeling (and when I say modeling i mean MODELING people.. Tyra who??) teacher Gordon's 2nd place medal in a trail run he did last weekend to raise money for the school. He let all the kids try it on. Teacher Gordon is trying to raise enough to put a roof on a little outdoor area so the kids have an outside option on rainy days. I also photographed her relocation of both cash registers to a more user friendly hay bale location.

the artist at work

These are the latest installments of Maya's photos on my phone.  Thats Luka's new pair of super -awesome -we -support- you- Lance Armstrong- Livestrong -Nike's  and her organization of her letters.  She always tells her subjects - even if they are inanimate - to say cheeeeeessssseeeeee.