Congrats Steve-o!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steveo makes me so proud, he created his first water color painting, I promptly framed it and have it displayed in the living room.

He also got student of the month AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY STEVEO, making his mama proud everyday!!!!! This is the email I got this morning.

Dear Stephanie

Congratulations!

Stephen has been selected to receive a student of the month certificate for the month of February.  We would love to have you join us on Friday, February 25^th at 8:40 in the Multipurpose Room.

Sincerely,

Ms. Sitko

Now its Nicks turn to shine, he is working harder on his grades, fits right in his high school, helps Steveo with his math homework and he has already received a medal in ROTC. He is slowly learning self discipline and I am so proud of him. I had such a hard time in high school and he just eased right in and is thriving. He knows so much about computers and he amazes me with all he has learned in his tech class.

Today I am so proud of my boys and just love them to pieces and want to encourage them to keep moving forward and doing well.

Chaperoning Steveos class at The Living Desert

My mini me

this girl was so cute, all the butterflies loved her.

I had such a good time today.  I rode the bus with Steveos class, had my own group named the Tarantulas, which consisted of 10 well behaved beautiful kiddies.  We had a wonderful guide and learned lots of new things. They have added so much this year, I remember all the field trips I took there when I was little and it was BORING!!!!! So I am pleased to see that they have more than just snakes and rats that I could see any day if I were to walk 5 minutes in any given direction since we live in a desert. I cant wait to chaperone the next field trip to the LA childrens museum.

Dear Nick and Steveo

Please lay off the Axe. Remember a little goes a long way. Im not even sure how you guys accumulated so many bottles of the stuff, but I am temporarily banning it from you.
Trust me. You will thank me later.
Love,
Mom

Goodbye 2010

Again, the year flew by, my boys are growing up so fast. Nick has a deep manly voice and is taller than me. ( a lot taller than me) He is now a freshman in high school, and has a little teensy bit of facial hair, he says its "the Mexican" in him. He is growing  into a man right before my eyes. He is in ROTC and wants to go into the air force. No matter what he does, I will support him. I love him and cherish the conversations we have on our car rides to Loma Linda, or to school. Every time I see him, I am proud. He is such a cool kid and he makes me laugh. He knows everything about computers and his knowledge on most subjects have far surpassed mine. One day, if he reads this, I want him to know how much he means to me. Nick your dad would be as proud of you as I am. I love him more than anything.

Steveo, poor thing started a new and improved school, took a bus for the first time, and made more friends. He shows compassion for anyone that appears down or upset. He has this special gift of being able to read people and has just the rights words to make people feel at ease around him. He is a wise old soul in a 9 year old body. He gets good grades, surprises me with artwork, makes me snacks, and always wants to help anyway he can. He is the sweetest boy, that warms my heart daily. With his sensitive nature he has a tendency to get his feelings hurt. I just keep reassuring him that it gets easier as you get older. I want him to remain sweet and not let any negativity harden him. I feel protective of both my boys but especially worry about Steveo these days. He is perfect and generous and I am so proud to be his mom. I love my Steveo with all my heart.

I promise to never take my sons for granted!!!!

The lights at the Living Desert

Cutest hummingbird ever.

Looks like the camel is posing.

It was neat to bundle up to go out for a change. Such a rare thing down here.  Tonight along with Aunt Christina, Aunt Susan, Alex, Grandma, and Tom, we all hung out at the Living Desert and enjoyed the lights. Nick was not happy that he didnt get to see animals, but he still had fun. I sure hope Steveo enjoyed the smelly camel ride. It was bumpy, but hearing him laugh made me laugh.

Deep roots

Tom and (oops forgot) but look how cute Bellula is.

Steveo with Aunt Lucielle from Texas.

Nick, Mom, Steveo

Wela!!!!!!!!! (we couldnt say abuela when we were little so she is Wela)

Aunt Marcella, Aunt Lucielle, Dad.

Nick and Tom.

Steveo looking at our huge family.

Nick and Wela.

We all went to a family reunion on my dads side of the family. So I guess I come from a big family. Unlike some of the others, we came unprepared. We didn't bring pictures, or scrap books, so if and when we all get together  again, we will have all that and more.

halloween

Aunt Christina and the ninja

Steveo and Jordan

Light show

Ninja and Frida

Its hard to get into Halloween when it falls on a Sunday. This year Steveo got a lot of candy from his Halloween party at school, and the Halloweems party at Justin and Cassies house, and then more candy trick or treating in our neighborhood. We call him "Sugar-boy" when he is under the influence of candy.

Scoliosis part 3, getting the brace made.

Scary Ortho room at Loma Linda Hospital



Nick got to pick out what design he wants on it. He chose Camouflage.



He made sure Nick knew the "saw" doesn't cut skin, only hard surfaces.

Cutting through the cast of his back.



The saw was loud and Steveo enjoyed watching Nick squirm.

His mold is finished. It will be ready in 2 weeks.

Bro's

Lately they have been getting along like 2 peas in a pod. It kinda scares me.

We can all exhale finally

The first day of school is always chaotic, and full of anxiety. The difference this time is, when I walk or drive to close to Nick and his high school, he gets embarrassed. So he is independent until he needs a PB&J or new shoes or new clothes. It really doesn't matter, I am just happy to have a conversation with him, even if its a 2 minute one. So today we finally went to Loma Linda to see the orthopedic specialist for his back. The curve is 28% and he needs a brace. This is much better than surgery and very necessary since he still has a whole lot of growing to do. Nick agrees with the Ortho Doc and knew 10 mts ago that this would probably be the outcome. Next step is waiting for the insurance to authorize his brace fitting, hopefully this will take less than 10 mts. He is also happy that he can still be in ROTC and will not have any limitations in that regard. He loves school, and seems to be adjusting well.

No problem getting him to do homework, yay.

Playing with my camera as we wait for Steveo.

Steveo started a new school and gets to ride the bus with all his neighborhood friends. Its the same school Nick went to in 5th grade. He loves it, loves his teacher, (now) hates riding the bus, has lots of friends and comes home with a smile on his face most of the time. Between my mom and I, we try to make sure he doesn't have to ride the filthy, hot, always late bus. I went to his back to school night and met and loved his teacher. I hope to volunteer and keep an eye on him. So now we are at the beginning of week 3 and completely adjusted.

WWE Summerslam

Shamus

Hornswoggle, Steveo, Me, Jillian the diva

Nick got in the ring.

Steveos turn.

Steveo and Tom try out the new WWE 2011 game

Hornswoggle again

Aside from the sunburns, it was actually really fun. This was a dream come true for Steveo, and Nick seemed to enjoy it to.

My 5 favorite Steveo quotes

1. Mom, can we go to 7/11 for dinner?

2. Maybe one day I can work at "Your name here" they seem to be everywhere, what do they sell?

3. Mom, you need to shift your anger to your artwork, work it out with the paint mom.

4. When I grow up, Im going to be a writer or actor or artist or wrestler or chef or musician or doctor.

5. Hey, Ive got an idea, instead of going to the beach today, lets just go to Ireland.

Steveo when you read this, I just want you to know, I love you so much and had such a good week exploring the beach, second hand shops, parks, eating ice cream, and going to China town together. I hope you will always be my little traveling buddy.