July July July!!

Since summer school ended the last week of June, we have been on the go ever since.  Our family quickly changed from summer school mode to "get ready to leave the country" mode in a matter of days.  Somehow we found a way to enjoy a relaxing fourth of July here at home and shoot a few fireworks of our own, but the thought of leaving town on our vacation weighed heavily on our minds that first week of July...SO EXCITED!!  We finally got on a plane on the morning of July 7th and off to Puerto Rico it was.  I could hardly contain my excitement, so it was a good thing Elena kept both Juan and I distracted much of the time.  Elena was an awesome traveler, just like she was on our long car ride to Florida last summer!  On the plane ride to San Juan, she slept a lot.  That was so helpful.  Once we got to San Juan, Elena was just so excited to go swimming...that was all she wanted to do!  Swim and play on the playground...can't say I blame her, it's all I wanted to do too!!  The beaches were stunning and the weather was perfect the whole time...just the way I like it...HOT!!  Perfect pool weather...I will say, though, when we went into San Juan one day to visit El Morro and see some sights, it could have been a little cooler, but thank God for the wind...that's why some of the pictures you'll see have me looking just rediculous...hair everywhere!!  After visiting San Juan for a few days, we took a ride to our next destination, Cabo Rojo...another stunning beach area, but more local...we went to this part of Puerto Rico to visit some of Juan's extended family.  It was a beautiful time.  We got to see where his dad grew up and see more sights of the country...the mountains, hills, and beaches are just so beautiful no matter where you are in the country. Juan, Elena, and I stayed in Puerto Rico for the week...it was just enough time for us with the baby.  We made our way back to the states on Saturday the 13th and finally got back to Columbia on the 14th.  We have been adjusting to life back here at home for the last few days...laundry, groceries, and getting Elena on a schedule again has been taking up a lot of time...and of course, catching up on some TV missed ;)  Below are LOTS of photos from the month...it's been incredible!  Hoping for a relaxing couple of weeks at home now before the hustle and bustle of a new school year rolls around!!

Fourth of July Fun!!

Here, let me help you with the grill.

Sweet girl

Little fireworks after a bath

In my new big girl carseat!

Fun in Puerto Rico...

El Morro

DELICIOUS!!

Mofongo...LOVED IT!!

View from the car

Muah!

 View from Juan's dad's childhood home

 Trying a headband

 Right before we left to come home!! Boo...

Elena likes to read!!

This video wouldn't upload to my earlier post, so hoping this works!!

19 Months Old!

Is it me or is it rediculous that the title of this blog is 19 months...I mean, seriously, since when did our baby get to be 19 months?  Before we know it, I'll be writing this blog and the title will be 19 YEARS...don't even get me started on that.  Anyway, summer vacation is finally here for us!  Elena will be home with mom and dad for a little over a month now and we couldn't be more excited to not have to be at school everyday for awhile.  Summer school was great and all, but I'm officially ready to be a little more lazy.  Mornings in pajamas until 10am or later sounds just perfect to me.  Some Sesame Street, puzzles, walks, and of course books are on the agenda for the upcoming days.  June seriously flew by and while I don't like wishing time away, it is a relief to be done with June and onto the wonderfulness that is SUMMER.  My most favorite time of year.  Although, it seems a little odd that we've had our windows open all day today getting the cool fresh air flowing through the house...it was only in the 70s today!!  Beautiful, though.  Enjoy the photos below...June was a relatively normal month without any major hiccups, which is just fine in our books!!

Elena had a great time at Messy Night put on by Parents As Teachers at the beginning of June!

 Flashing the crowd.

 Grandma love.

 She put on daddy's sock and helped do dishes.

 Swiffering

 Abuela love.

 She got a Cars cupcake from her friend at daycare for his birthday...mmmmm

 Ugh, not now, please.

I've got some serious business to attend to, thanks.

 

Summer School: 1 Week Down!

So, Juan and I officially have one week down of summer school and 3 more to go...I'm not complaining one bit because this first week FLEW by.  I am really enjoying what I'm doing this summer...It's great to have something productive getting me out of the house for awhile everyday but getting me home early enough to have some extra time with baby girl or do some things around the house before going to pick her up from the babysitter around 4:30.  I have a feeling that just like every other summer, this one is going to fly by.  I will be tutoring some kids during July, so that is really exciting because I always enjoy getting out to teach for a few hours here and there during the month.  Many of the kids I see only during the summer months, so it is a real fun gig to have each year.
Before summer school started, Elena and I attended the annual Harry Potter Carnival at Hickman High School where Juan works and was a big part of the carnival.  Elena and I walked around while Juan worked.  We had so much fun.  Elena even got her face painted (see pics below)
Other than summer school starting, we have kept the same schedule as always...Elena has turned 18 months and is growing like a weed.  She is talking more and more and Juan and I can't get enough of her.  She has learned to say "butt" which is probably the funniest thing she's said so far...she laughs and says it every time I change her diaper or get her out of the tub to dry her off...I'm hoping to get it on video one of these days.  Last night, while we were playing, Elena pointed to her eyes and my eyes and said "eyes".  I was so proud of her.  Juan came rushing into the room as I was praising her and she showed him her eyes too.  Elena is also holding our hands to bring us together to play where she chooses or to get what she wants. Elena has been spending some more time lately in time out too.  She has been pushing her limits to see if Juan and I will follow through with a time out after telling her to stop whatever it is she is doing that's not safe and then she cries her eyes out every time she has to stand or sit in time out for a minute.  Sometimes it is really hard not to laugh while she's there (I know, horrible, right?!), but she is just such the drama queen.  After her minute, she gives us a kiss and melts into our arms...she's just so sorry, right?!  I mean, seriously, we are just so in love with this girl.  Life is good...

 Our little Harry Potter!