Mother's Day

Enjoying the hammock at the Lehr's after a yummy brunch.

Graciela getting her nails done. She was on my lap.

Outside of the salon. Showing off her first professinal mani/pedi.



I thought I would choose today to make a comeback on my blog. Now, with facebook, I find that I spend less and less time on what used to be my very cool blog.


We had a very quiet but fun Mother's Day. We started off our day having brunch with the Lehr's ( graciela had her first sleep over there last night). Graciela and I then went to have our nails done ( her first time having her nails done by a "professional"). We then headed over to the theatre to watch Disney's Earth. Graciela does not frequent the movie theatre but I thought this would be a good movie for her to watch since she has such a love for animals. I sure am glad Disney decided to edit out the animals eating their prey. Graciela said she liked the polar bears best. Those cubs were pretty cute. It was a wonderful day with my little cub ( baby cub stayed behind).

GUESS WHO IS BACK???

I am very happy to report that I am returning to the blogging world. After completing 12 units in record speed to Clear my teaching credential, then randomly coming down with Pneumonia (WTH?), I am finally better and ready to join you all once again (I sure have missed you all).

Now, all I need to do is get these report cards done and get my students off to spring break. Then, I will really be ready to blog. So, get ready to hear all about the Rayray Girls spring break adventures, we hope you will join us for a few of them. Hugs!

See you all soon,
The Rayray Girls

Happy Birthday, Graciela

It is hard to believe that 3 years ago today I became a mother. I know that Graciela was chosen especially for us, she is perfect in every way imaginable. See for yourself. I love you, Mija!







Graciela Cielito Lindo Rayray
Born 12/20/2005
5 lbs 14 ounces
20 inches

Today, this little peanut weighed 30 lbs 4 ounces and measured about 38 inches tall. She loves reading, dancing and cuddling with lil' sister Maya.

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY, MAMA!

Dear Mom,
Just wanted to write to let you know how much I miss you and how much I wish you were here. I wish you were here to have seen me get married. I wish you were here to see my beautiful girls grow up. I wish you were here to give me advice, even though you complained that I never listened ( I did sometimes). I wish you were here to help me be a better teacher. I wish you were here to hang with your comadres, I know Nina Janet misses her pistolera. I wish you were here to keep our family together. I wish you were here to help me write some of these f***** research papers, for crying out loud. I wish you were here to talk on the phone with a million times a day like we used to, on my drive home, without fail. I wish you were here so I can sit on your lap. Hard to believe that I did that until I was 27 years old. And although I wanted this to be all about me, I wish you were here to see what a fine man Vinicio has become. I wish you were here for so many reasons, but most of all, I wish you were here to fill the empty hole in my heart. I miss you, I love you, and I hope that one day I can find a way to be me without you. Thinking of you on your special day.

Love,

Pita

Graciela Olivar

November 28th, 1948-July 6th, 2004



Vacation in Zihuatanejo, August 2003

Same vacation, different hair do.

Your last birthday with us, November 28th, 2003.

Just a great picture. Taken before you were sick.

BUILD A..................MERMAID PANDA BEAR???

Nina Lisa sent the girls a very generous gift card to Build A Bear. It was a very uneccesary thank you for borrowing The Rayray Girls Wardrobe for the twins. So, off we went to Build A Bear. I tried to encourage Gracielita to look at all the types of bears and animals they had available. I was very surprised (shocked, even) when she wanted a Panda Bear! Especially since she already has 8? That does not include the panda pillow, step stool and waste paper basket. The girl is obsessed! So, here we go with our 9th Panda Bear. Maya immediately gravitated toward a cute black puppy, "woof, woof", she says. Seeing as though we had a gift card, we went all out! Graciela picked a Little Mermaid outfit for her panda (which is really funny since it come with a red wig) and I even recorded a voice for her panda " Hola, gracielita! Yo soy Zhen-Zhen (her name for her panda, it means "precious" in chinese) y yo te quiero mucho!" Maya's Puppy got a very cute Laker warm up outfit ( I wonder who chose that?) Thank you so much, Nina Lisa and twins, for a very fun morning!

Maya's first kiss to her puppy.

Maya rubs noses with her puppy.

Graciela just decided which bear she wants. Big surprise.

Graciela waiting patiently.

Graciela picking a heart for Zhen-Zhen.

Graciela placing the heart in her bear.

Graciela waiting for her bear.




Yay! Thanks, high five!

MONDAY MEMORY

Graciela and Cole (one of her bff's), at Coles 1st Birthday Party in September 2006.

2+ years later at Connor's (Coles brother) 1st Birthday party. We tried to re-enact the moment but we had a very uncooperative young lady.

Graciela and Cole the next morning at breakfast.


Strolling to the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Thank you Mallinger Family for being such great friends. We love you and can't wait until we see you again!

I have been tagged by my fabulous friend, Kelly, to tell 7 secrets about myself..............hmmmm.

1. I think of my mom every day. And every year I think this is the year I will be ready to disperse her ashes.

2. I miss having big brothers.

3. I am kind of a bad driver. I have been pulled over for speeding (mostly in my younger days), tailgating a highway patrol, reckless driving, failure to stop at a stop sign, not wearing my seatbelt and most recently.............talking on my cell phone!!! Back when I was young and could talk my way out of anything, I had been pulled over 6 times before ever getting my first ticket!!! I thought that was pretty good. These days, I could not talk my way out of a ticket to save my life. For the record, I have become a more responsible driver in my older days.....especially with my kiddos in the car. So, don't be afraid of driving with me.

4. I have an incredible amount of gray hair. Each morning, I tweeze the ones that I find in my part.

5. I am the biggest procrastinator EVER! This usually gets me into trouble. More recently, I have had to appear in traffic court because of my problem and I am currently enrolled in school full time to try and clear my teaching credential by December. Is that already next month? Oops!

6. I am afraid of dogs. And cats. Okay, I don't really like any animals.

7. I LOVE LIPGLOSS. Is that a secret?


I am tagging Teresa, Marissa, and any other friends that have not yet done this!
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