“Today I’m going to school and this is my first time. I’m so excited. Soooo i’m going to run along”.

Yup, that was Pook’s attitude for her very first full day at school. We told her that she could tell Ashley to call us at anytime if she wanted to come home…she didn’t. She hung out the whole day (9:00am-2:30pm). I packed her lunch and put a little surprise heart note inside and Ashley said Sophie was so excited and proud- sweet thing.

Her first day of school was Friday fun day so the kids did a little learning, then had a DJ come in to teach them how to DJ, then they hiked up small hill to go swimming at an ocean view hotel, then back down for some lunch followed by making banana ice cream splits, a little chalk coloring outside and just some good ole fun! Pooks came home so tired she passed out at 5pm for an hour and half. What an amazing first day of school for our amazing little peanut.

She is so super lucky, again just feeling so grateful for this opportunity. Speaking of grateful, when we pulled up to drop her off a little girl named Gaia was making her gratitude list and the number 5 thing she was grateful for was SOPHIE! She wrote that she was thankful to have Sophie come to school. Ugh, what a cool little crew she gets to hang with. It is such a positive environment full of love. Her teacher had chill music playing in the background during the day. The kids get to lounge on couches and look at the ocean while learning. Their outdoor time is not limited to a 1/2 hour of recess. Ooooh it is just fantastic!

As tired as Pooks was she did not hesitate for a minute when I asked if she wanted to go again. She said YES! She is super excited to go for the full day this Thursday and learn all about crystals from an energy healer in town. She is going to go for her private lesson with Ashley up at the school on Sunday and then Ashley is going to come her for another private on Monday. Then we are going to try the full day again on Thursday. If that goes well we will give her the option of full or half day friday, and if that goes well we will see about adjusting the schedule with Ashley and figuring out how many days works for everyone. Super thankful that her teacher is so flexible and even more so that she encourages it. Anyway, enough gushing for the moment, here are some pics from Pooks big day! I will take more pics of the school on sunday when i drop her off at her private lesson. I didnt want to embarrass her by taking a bunch of pics while all the kids were there ;).

Heading off to school!!

Walking into school for first time :). Officially called “THE NOMADIC DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL OF AWESOMENESS”. Which is of course…awesome!

My attempt to sneak some pics on my phone

Again, I’ll take more pics on sunday with detail photos of all their amazing projects, etc. So while this was a huge day for Sophie, we can’t forget the equally huge milestone for Sabsy. This was the first time she was away from her sissy for more than and hour and a half. We made sure to spoil her and take her on her own little adventure. We went to the bakery and got her a special smoothie and chocolate croissant, then rode to the beach and went swimming, saw some lizards, stopped to try and pet a horse, came home played some blocks, read some books, and then before we knew it we were off to get her big sissy! She was a champ all day and unfortunately for us…didn’t even nap. Luckily, she was in a great mood and it was really fun to watch her in the little spotlight for an afternoon. Still she was so happy and excited to get to pick up her sissy and wanted to play with her as soon as we walked in the door.

and this was 5pm…fun filled day 🙂

Oh my goodness, how blessed are we?! I just can’t even believe how beautifully this has turned out. I am so, so, so very thankful!!!

I was chatting with a few moms in town and kept hearing great things about a teacher named Ashley from Canada. She has started a little group in town for kids whose parents were looking for something a little different than what is offered here. She teaches through doing rather than just showing. She gets the children involved in activities working together, puts a strong focus on art and allowing the kids to learn in a way that is interesting to them individually. Ugh, just everything about her and this concept is exactly what we were looking for!

Anyway, after hearing all about it, I contacted her when we got back from NY and we set up a time to all meet. Sophie was super stoked!

I went to Ashely’s FB page to see if I could find out more about her, and her old students from Canada had left a bunch of messages on her wall saying how they miss her and she was their favorite teacher, etc. Parents wrote this on her wall as well. Always a good sign!

Ashley came about 2 weeks ago to meet us and little Pooks and we all clicked straight away. That nervous feeling I thought I would have when Pooks started school was non existent. That nervous feeling Pooks thought she would have when starting school was no where to be found as well. It all felt right!

Since our first meeting, Ashely has come and taught Pookie twice, and we have taken Pooks up to her school to hang once too. This week Pooks is going to try her first full day up at the school and meet all the kiddos for the first time. She is excited, we are thankful!

The group is small and intimate, which is exactly where she functions best. Ashley starts each day off with the kids listing out 5 things they are thankful for…we try do this at night with our kiddos too, which just further illustrates how much we are all on the same page.

She is private tutoring Pooks twice a week. We started off once, and Pookie loved it so much the first week that we have already upped it to twice a week. By the second time Ashley came, Pookie was already putting on lip gloss for her big learning date and running downstairs all on her own to greet “her” teacher. It is truly magnificent! What a lucky girl, and what lucky parents.

There are so many times as a mom, and a parent in general that we doubt ourselves. We are our toughest critics, (never mind all the other outside sources that try to instill doubt, whether intentional or not). Pooks and sweet Sabs, if you read this as a mom please take away this…always, always trust yourself. Every child is different and no one will know your child as well as you. You both are the most well rounded, mindful, loving, happy, kind, intelligent girls i know. Other parents are always commenting how adorable, sweet and friendly you are not only to other children but also to each other. We have followed your guide and it has worked brilliantly for us. Never be afraid to pave your own path in life. Even if it is different from most that you know, it is yours.

The family unit we have created is so strong and magnificent. I really am so thankful each day for the life we get to live and for the adventure we are able to provide for you two. You have a kick ass dada who works magic to be able to provide the way he does while living in paradise. Continue to let your curiosity run wild, your mind run free, and your heart love fully.

I am so excited for this learning journey for my lil Pooks. The confidence she has at only 5 years of age is incredible. I will update as the journey continues. Friday is her first day to go and meet the whole crew. She is excited to bring a little backpack and lunch. She told me she is going to bring a toy to show everyone. I asked her what she was most excited about for her first day of school and she said “art and friendship”. Bless her sweet little genuine heart.

Here are some pics from her tutoring time. When we got home the other day we heard her belting out a song about the days of the week with Ashley. xoxoxo

It was Momma’s day in CR! We took a long quad ride. Lost a shoe along the way, back tracked and found it. Arrived at a beautiful beach. Ran around, played in the sand, played in the river, picked mangoes, stopped to see horses, cows and birds along the way. It was another perfect day. Counting my blessing…1, 2 and 3 below…love this crew!

Sabsy!!!! In the past two weeks we have had a few days of chilling with you solo. Instead of soaking in all the attention you spend most of the time repeating “Where Sissy? Want sissy?”, this is usually once you have finished your ice cream cone. I think you are getting a bit more used to it now, though the other day when we had to leave sissy you were grabbing her hand saying “lets go sissy. Come sissy” and didn’t want to leave without her. Pooks said, “Sabsssss, i have to learn. I’ll be done soon.” and explained it to you like I explain to her when I go to workout. It was super cute….just like you two. Super cute! Here are some pics from the other day while sissy was busy getting her learning on with Ashley.

Pooks was so excited when art class started again two weeks ago. Her little buddies are in France until October and I told her they wouldn’t be there but she was not deterred at all. She said she’ll just make some more friends, and that she did! When we went to pick her up after the first class she was running around chasing a little boy named Luca who she apparently befriended right away when she arrived at class. She is such a rock star!! Here are some pics from the last two classes that her teacher took. Last class she made a Mother’s day present for me b/c it was Mother’s day in CR this weekend. She was so, so, sooooo excited to have a surprise for me and kept it secret for one full day. It was a beautiful flower cut out she painted with Mama on it and her name. She also painted a sweet little card. I am the lucky one.

OOOOh my little firecracker…my sweet, daring, stubborn, hilarious, outgoing, fearless, punk-ass, Tica-americana firecracker. FELIZ CUMPLE MI AMOR! Dos anos?!? Como es esto posible?!!

I am so blessed to be given the gift of being your mother. You are simply incredible. While I may not have as many posts detailing your milestones as I did with Sophie, know that I am living each milestone with you everyday and thoroughly enjoying watching you grow (though wouldn’t mind slowing it all down a bit).

You are loved by so many around you and you bring love wherever you go. Your smile lights up the world. Your laugh can set it on fire. You are truly a magical, glowing bundle of happiness with just the right touch of spunk and straight up sass.

At the wee age of 2, you can play countless jokes on all of us, put on a serious game face, count higher than 10, pick out colors, speak so many words and phrases that it would be impossible to list (impossible b/c I have about 15 minutes until you wake up), eat enough assortment of food to keep things easy, make all your pee pees on the potty, wear big girl underwear (or free booty most of the day), pick out your own clothes, shoes and hair accessories (this gets quite annoying each morning but I’m proud of your little opinion nonetheless), play numerous games with your sissy, paint and color everywhere except on paper, snuggle with nearly every animal you meet (even little stinky charles), say hello, thank you and bye in two languages, wave to everyone you see, and have a bold opinion on everything you do. You also love to practice the art of diversion when it comes to apologizing or being asked to do something you don’t want to do. For example, the conversations usually go something like this:

Momma or dada: Sabs say sorry to sissy

Sabs: bird

Momma or dada: say sorry to sissy

Sabs: want buba

Momma or dada: say sorry to sissy

Sabs: wanna show, wanna come, wanna see

Momma or dada: Say sorry to sissy

Sabs: dog

Momma or dada: Come on we’re going in time out

Sabs: You so mean (being dragged into time out)

Momma or dada: Ok are you ready to say sorry to sissy

Sabs: owwwww (nothing hurts)

Momma or dada: Sabs last time, say sorry to sissy

Sabs: hands sissy a toy

Momma or dada: No Sabs, you need to say sorry.

Sabs: Look sissy (points at something irrelevant)

Momma or dada: Sabs she doesnt want a toy, she wants you to say sorry

Sabs: Look sissy (pointing at same irrelevant object)

Momma or dada: ok we’re going in time out again

Sabs: nooo (being dragged into time out again)

Momma or dada: Are you ready to say sorry to sissy

Sabs: (crickets)

Momma or dada: (open the door from time out and point to sissy) Say sorry Savannah (usually we have escalated into Savannah by this point)

Sabs: (15 minutes later) I sorry.

Repeat in another hour.

So yes, you are the most stubborn little acorn i have ever met, but oooh you have such a charisma about it that it is really difficult to stay serious and keep our composure during these lessons. This will both get you far, and drive people mad throughout your life. I think you get it from your dada, he thinks you get it from your momma. Sophie has it too but uses it differently. Actually as I’m writing it, i think i’ve realized, you display your stubbornness in the same way I do, and Sophie displays it more like Dada. She is more hmm, how do you put it…crafty about her stubbornness. She will get what she wants and not waver but be patient about it, you and I let it out right then and there with the big fat No. So maybe Dada is right, though clearly it isn’t black and white. Anyway, I digress and will have this debate with Dada later as I seem to be having a revelation of sorts. Back to the birthday girl.

You are putting so many sentences together now that each day we find new phrases you have learned. Your favorites usually start with I WANT. I want that one, i want up, i want buba, i want shoe, i want dress, etc. You also say the sweetest little I love you, and blow the most beautiful little kisses. You give super tight hugs and love to snuggle.

You adore your sissy like no other. The bond you two have is magical and it fills my heart each day. Yes you argue, mainly b/c you are a little bull, though I’ve caught sissy instigating in the recent days (i think she has finally started to pay you back now that you are getting bigger and can take it). Again, you are straight out aggressive, and she comes around the back door hovering her hand over a toy of yours while no one is looking, or dangling something of yours in the distance just to get a rise out of you. That’s what sissies are for. In the same hand, the minute Pooks goes to art class you start with Where sissy, want sissy, where sissy, want sissy, and the minute you go for a nap, Pooks can’t wait til you wake up to play. You two are partners in crime and I only hope you continue to be throughout life. Everyone comments on the love you have for one another. You are constantly hugging, holding hands, watching out for each other, playing together, calling for one another, helping one another, etc. It is truly beautiful.

Well, I have gotten more time out of you this morning than I had intended. You are still sleeping and I’m def running on borrowed time so I’ll be wrapping this up. This is the first time in maybe a month that i have been able to drink a full cup of coffee before you greet me in the morning. Ah, here you are, im psychic! Ok 1/2 hour later, you are eating a chocolate chip cookie Dada baked last night (nutritious morning snack) and watching your favorite nursery rhymes. Which brings me to note that you love singing, dancing, babies, animals, painting, helping me bake, sitting on all counter tops, climbing, oh and how can i forget…going weeeeee (down slides at the playground). When you get excited you pant like a doggie. Oh and you absolutely love horses, which you call HORSEY!! You will also hold frogs and lizards…something that freaks your sissy out so you will run around holding a bob and chasing her. Dada taught you that and is always the one to hand you bob.

Your favorite songs are Wheels on the bus, Family fingers, Johnny Johnny yes papa, basically anything CHU CHU tv related on the ipad. You love Shrek. You are currently sitting next to me singing Mary had a little lamb. Now it is done and you yelled BRAVO. Oooooh i love you. Now you just said I want pee pee. You little potty training pro. You decided you were going to potty train and we have been following your lead. You pretty much got this thing down.

One last thing to note…you only want to wear clothes with cats on them or clothes that are 3 sizes too big (b/c they are your sissies). I bought you the same dresses as her thinking you would wear those b/c they are the same, but you still want to wear hers. Good thing you live in a place where you can run naked most of the day or you would drive me wild.

Anyway, there is it, your 2 year round up. I keep thinking of all these things to note but this post would just get ridiculously long (if it isnt already). Happy Birthday my precious peanut. We love you more than you can ever imagine and will continue spending the rest of our days trying to show this to you. Shine bright, continue being you and carrying that loving joy everywhere you go. Thank you for being my daughter. XOXOXOXO