Joey's First Bee Sting (according to Joey)

I was walking along with my mom and dad,  and, suddenly, my dad killed the bee.  It still had the stinger.  And, you know  what? Then, I stepped on it. It stinged me. I cried and cried and cried. And, then I felt better when we were in the car. We were at Fiesta Texas in the water park. It was the wave pool. There were a hundred bees there. That's all from Joey

Joey's First Bee Sting! (Ouch!)

We visited the water park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas today.  We always have such a great time there.  Joey especially loves the wave pool - which causes me anxiety.  Joey always runs forward into the waves, and before you know it, he is so deep that the waves are a good 4 to 6 inches over his head - which he seems to find exciting.  I find it difficult for him to catch his breath.  Jose called me a "mother hen" many times, but it's not just me.  When we weren't immediately next to Joey a lady called out to Joey - "Are you OK?" which made me feel better. 

Anyway, there were many bees today at the water park - especially when Joey was eating chocolate "dippin dots" ice cream.  Jose killed one with a shoe, but none of us thought of moving it.  (Why not?)  I did warn Joey not to step on it because the stinger was still in.  When we returned from our last swim, Joey stepped on it.  I will say Jose and I discussed later that Joey handled it pretty well (for Joey).  If you have been around Joey when he is hurt, you know the ear piercing scream.  It lasted about 5 minutes.  Luckily, I had an ice pack in my bag to keep our snacks cool.  Jose offered to carry him, and after awhile he was walking without a problem.

Joey has been excited to tell people about this experience.  He stopped 4 people on the way out of the park, "Excuse me" (two were security guards) to tell them all the details of the even.  He has already told Nana and Papa on the phone, and he has stopped three neighbors.  I'll see if he may tell the story on this blog.  He enjoys sharing his experiences. 

Joey's Idea (Can you guess which child is mine?)

We visited Old Navy briefly today to find new swim trunks for Jose.  While daddy was shopping, Joey had ideas of his own.  (I should say Joey ALWAYS had ideas of his own, however. . . . )  Joey was very interested in the mannequins, maybe it was because they look more "lifelike" than other mannequins or maybe it was because they were more his size.  Anyway, he had some social interactions with them - which I found entertaining, and, then, he wanted his photo taken with them.  I found this photo very funny.  It's just so "Joey." 

He also HAD TO have this funny monkey which he has named "Cutie," but he's sure to tell everyone that the real name (which is on the tag - along with all the other monkeys at the store) is Coconut.  Many of the neighbors have already met "Cutie."  Cutie has also had the pleasure of a tea party at the Soria residence.

This photo again is a true portrait of my Joey.  This sad lip expression has come natural to him - since he has been just a little guy.  I rarely can catch it in a photo, but got really lucky today - by accident, of course.  But it's a treasure! 

Animal World and Snake Farm, Finally!

I have always wanted to go to the place on the access road of I-35 with the bold letters, "SNAKE FARM."  I'm curious - I always say I like to try things, at least once.  Well, I finally recruited Dad and Joey.  (Kathy was wanting to go, but is still recovering from an oral surgery.)

We had a good time.  Pretty interesting.  I'd say they have a good 80 species of snakes.  The workers there make it so kid friendly - especially for my curious little guy who has the endless questions about it all.  They also have a variety of many other animals - peacocks, warthog, various monkeys, zebra, longhorn cattle, a buffalo, macaws, owls. . . and the list goes on.  They also have a petting zoo. 

Joey has always wanted a sling shot.  He got a really cool one today - shaped as a bat - with the wings as the fork.  We also had the expert on slingshots with us - a guy who used to make them out of tree limbs, rubber from tire tubes, and string.  Papa!  He would use it for getting birds as a child.  Joey received some great training, as did I. 

I always say the relationship between children and grandparents is so special.  I'm glad we have these times to spend together.

Joey with one of the larger snakes.

The entertaining monkeys - they would try to catch the food we tosssed to them.  I'm not used to such aggressive (and in turn) funny monkeys.  We really had a good time with them.

This was a display of a variety of animals - baby kangaroos?, a duck, chickens, a turtle. . . . interesting.

Dad and Joey messing with the soundly sleeping pig.  (No animals were hurt in this production.)

Joey was a little intimidated.  He is proud he got his courage up enough to touch two at one time.  I guess I'd be a little more hesitant if the animals were at eye level.

Joey enjoying the llama.

Joey focusing on the tips on how to use a slingshot.

The fabulous demonstration - I was well entertained.  By the way the bandage on the speakers hand is from an alligator bite!  This guy is the real thing.

Joey's 3rd attempt at holding a python.  He was finally ready.

Joey's sling shot - Isn't it cool?  I didn't even see this one when he was choosing.  I love it!

At the restaurant, after lunch - enjoying the foyer with the round painted ceiling.  Dad getting a laugh out of giving Joey antlers.

Thought I should add a photo of me, too, since I was there.

The "What's that?" and "Why?" Stages Return!

Joey has always been a curious child.  I have always been "gung-ho" on answering all his questions - to assist him in figuring out this big world.  I am not the mom that says, "Just because" or "I don't know" and I have to say the effort is exhausting.  But, I believe the benefits far exceed the effort.  Anyway, as stated in the title, the endless questions have reappeared.  Now, when he was one year old, the "what's that?" was for interesting items - maybe a toy, a special colored item, a moving item, etc.  Now the "what's that" is pretty much everything he doesn't know the purpose of.  The other day he found the tool box with all of the odds and ends.  Boy, that was a good 10 minute challenge for me! 

The wonderful thing is - he wants to know - he is so driven to figure out this world - and loves it.  One of my favorite qualities of him is when I teach him something new - he laughs - out of joy!  Even when I taught him to say "Excuse me" for burping - he was so intrigued that he was supposed to say something just for manners sake.  Joey laughs all the time - he brings many smiles to many people.

The why questions are more difficult, because he's getting quite high level these days.  He has some good questions - I have to look many of the answers up.  Gotta love the curious child, but it is much effort to keep him entertained. 

Joey's Grammar and Mispronunciations

I realize I am Joey's mom, and, in that role, I am the main educator.  However, I find myself hesitating with some of Joey's grammatical errors and mispronunciations.  I realize they are short lived - and they remind me of his age and innocence.  Some of my favorites are "gooder" (better), "made up it" (made it up), "losed" (lost).  I know the list goes on - I will have to write them down as I hear them.  I find myself not always correcting him as a way to preserve this precious time in his life.  Just like he doesn't have his "l," "v," or "th" sound yet.  My favorites are, "I wub you" and "yiddle" (little).  Although the mispronunciation occasionally causes confusion, Joey's language is strong enough that he can usually find another way to say it or he can actually define the word for me.

Birthday Parties - The Social Life of Preschoolers

Joey and Zack climbing the wall to get to the slide.

Joey enjoying the "boxing" section.  Luckily, all the boys in this area were pretty tough.

Cecilia, the birthday boy's mommy.

Frances, Ruben, and me - another one of Joey's special friend's Mom (and the younger brother).

Zack (the birthday boy), Joey and me

The entertainment!

Birthday parties and playdates!  It's so fun to watch your child interact with other children.  We went to a birthday party of one of Joey's special friends this weekend.  He had a great time - it was an inflatable adventure.  Joey had a wonderful time - two more of his friends from school were there, too.

Joey's Cousin

Joey is the only child and the only grandchild, and, oh, how he has longed for a cousin!  He met one of Jose's cousins from Houston earlier this year, and his amazement was uncontainable.  His eyes grew big, he requested a picture with him, and he had questions to ask.  (Now, this cousin was in his mid-teens, but it was a cousin.)  When we would see friends or family, he would ask me to show them the picture of him and his cousin. 

This week Jose's cousin Alejandra from Mexico City is in town.  We have gotten together a few times, and Joey has gotten to visit with another cousin, Bruno.  Bruno is 11 years old and has been wonderful with Joey - from sharing his iphone games to playing a shark in the water.  Too bad Bruno lives so far - he would make a good role model for Joey.  Here's some photos.



Karina, Alejandra, and Jose




Joey and Bruno



Joey and Bruno in the pool

My Joey and me

Tia Karina in the pool with our "husky" Joey

My Challenging Child

Yes, some of you may think the title is a bit negative, but I am a realist (or try to be).  Anyone who has spent extended time with Joey knows of his challenges.  Not to say that my child is not kind-hearted, thoughful, loving, affectionate, joyful, and warm.  He is all of the wonderful things, too.  Joey has never been a boring child, nor a laid-back child.  I find him intriguing and, honestly, entertaining.  But, I also find him challenging, more than the typical child.  A friend who experiences some of these "behaviors" said, "I may be delusional, but I think all four-year-olds have these behaviors - their moms just do not share it."  I responded with, "Sorry, I think you are delusional."  I won't go into the more extreme behaviors (because they are so infrequent).  But, I am tired of others telling me that he's just a boy. 

A cute story of an everyday statement Joey may say was just the other night.  I told him it was time to go to bed (after the "15 minutes until bedtime. . . 10 minutes then it's time to go to sleep. . . .5 minutes blah, blah, blah).  When the time came, "OK, it's time to go to bed,"  Joey responded, "No, Mommy.  I'm going to give you two choices.  One, I can watch TV, or Two, I can play on the computer.  Those are your two choices.  Which one do you want?"  Yes, this is my everyday life.  Full of surprises.  No doubt, I love the challenge, but it is tiring.  I have read about many strategies in books/magazines that work well for a little while, but then he finds a way to use them on me.  I use the strategies used by the teachers at my job.  I have even watched videos and taken a parenting class.  I am currently reading a book with some new strategies that I think will be successful - it focuses on emotional intelligence.  I will keep you updates at my trials/successes. 

I know these strong-willed, good-negotiater, high drive qualities my little one possesses will make him successful in the world.  However, I am the one who feels responsible for channeling them in the right direction. 

Joey's Candy

 

I had to post this for memory's sake.  Joey received "Body Part Gummies" from my dad for Halloween.  He thought they were all cool, but I was especially disgusted by the "teeth gummy."  So, since he knows this and he is a boy, he chooses this one first and always makes sure that I see it.  I had to get a picture - they just look too realistic.  He's a true boy - no doubt.  Gotta love him!

Texas Day Trip

Joey, Kathy, Dad, and I took a day trip to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (Safari - Texas Style).  I have lived in San Antonio 15 years and hadn't been so it was about time.  It was pricey to get in, but it was worth a one time trip.  Dad was the driver and the "spotter."  He has many years of hunting in his past, and he could spot the animals before any of us.  Some animals didn't need to be found; they come right up to your car and try to take the food from your lap.  It was an adventure and a lot of laughs.  As I get older, I am also appreciating nature more. 

The pictures don't share all the fun we had, but we were limited to the car so the angles weren't the best.  They also had a petting zoo (or better called a baby goat zoo).  Joey was so upset because he thought the goat ate a piece of his shirt (see photo), but it was only the cut on the side of his polo style shirt. 

 

Joey's First Blog Post

"Mommy, you're my favorite mom.  Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shake my bootie.  Oh yeah!  I like to play tag with my Dad and my Mom.  I like to play, but I hate sleeping.  Mommy is my favorite buddy.  I like to go on the Wii and sword fight and box.  I like to dance alot.  I got different dances.  I even have a robot one.  That's all about my mom and me and my dad."

Our 12th Anniversary Celebration

Jose and I celebrated our 12th anniversary a few days late, but it was worth it.  We had the day to ourselves and spent some quality time together doing things we love.  Fine dining, the art museum with the Dali Lama exhibit, and dessert at a cafe on the Riverwalk.  The 12 years have "flown by," OR it has been a long 12 years - depending on which parts you look at.  However, it keeps getting better, and that's a great sign!  I love you, Jose!



My Birthday/Father's Day!
June 2011



So, here we go!

In lieu of a babybook, I am hoping to catch some of the special times in this blog.  This will be one way to archive my sweet memories (and maybe include some of the challenges) of our journey.  Joey is now 4 - soon to be 5 in 3 months.  Wow!  How fast it's gone!  I try to stop along the way to appreciate my beautiful child and the amazing person he is becoming. 

I have kept a journal of special times and memories, but I can keyboard much faster than I write.  And, maybe I can stay on top of (or, at least, on the coat tails of) the technology world. 

Joey has been the best gift I have ever received.  He has also been my greatest challenge.  I find myself analyzing so many details of everyday life.  (Maybe this is all typical of motherhood.)  Through this, I have grown personally, spiritually, and professionally.  I love my Joey - he keeps me on my toes, and he keeps us all entertained.  He has a vibrant spirit and a joy for life.