Lily | Amy Medina

Grace is 12 and Lily is 9

On March 3, 2018

I am waaay behind on these pictures, but considering both girls’ parties were late, and we managed to celebrate four birthdays for four kids in four months, I’m still pretty proud of us.

Grace had her party at the HOPAC pool with her class, and since her Daddy is the game-planner-extraordinaire, it was fabulous fun. Belly flop contests, floating watermelon races, and Shital’s red chicken for everyone.

Lily said she wanted a “movie party,” to which we said a whole-hearted AMEN….because what else is easier than a movie party?

Grace Went to Amani and Lily Turned Eight

By Amy Medina

On February 17, 2017

In Other

Last week was pretty exciting around here.

First, our wonderful, long-time friends drove in for the week. Imani and her mom stayed with us, and Caleb joined Grace’s fifth grade class on their epic 4-day trip to the Amani Rainforest. This trip is highly anticipated by every HOPAC student, and is often mentioned by seniors as their favorite HOPAC memory.

I had the privilege of taking the first HOPAC elementary class to Amani way back in 2003. Gil and I later chaperoned a few other times. In fact, one year baby Grace went along!

2007

Gil got to chaperone this year, while I held down the fort at home. But it was so special to hear Grace’s stories and see the pictures of places I had been with my class so many years before.

Chameleon hunting at night

Tea plantation

Tea factory

Gil and Grace came home just in time for Lily’s eighth birthday. My little introvert does better in small groups, so she had just a few friends over. They made Valentines, played Twister, and had ice cream sundaes.

I keep telling my children to stop growing, but they just doesn’t listen. I guess we better work harder on obedience.

My Crazy, Wonderful, Beautiful Family

By Amy Medina

On December 27, 2016

In Other

Medina Family 2016

Grace: Almost 11

Josiah: 9

Lily: 7

Johnny: 5

(Gil: 39, Amy: 40, Bibi & Babu: 66….but who’s counting?)

(Just so you know, this photoshoot was interrupted by someone getting disciplined, and the best smiles happened because somebody tooted. Just keepin’ it real.)

Lily is Seven

By Amy Medina

On February 14, 2016

In Other

Friday was Character Day at HOPAC, and Lily wanted to go as Disgust. Her Daddy dressed her up, her principal snapped this picture, and I found myself a bit afraid of when she becomes a teenager. She does that face a little too well.

Now she is seven. And though she just saw her big sister have a giant, blow-out, crazy loud birthday party with all of the girls in her class, just a few weeks ago, Lily said she just wanted to celebrate at Water World. Inwardly breathing a sigh of relief, I told her that would mean she would only get to invite three friends. That was okay with my Lily. My little introvert sometimes has a hard time managing even three friends at a time.

This was Lily when she became mine at age two. I still mourn what I missed with her; sometimes I feel like we are still making up for lost time. But she has come so far and grown so much. She was only five pounds at birth, but she’s already taller than her older brother, and it’s just a matter of time before she passes up her older sister as well. She loves school and she writes notes on everything; she loves babies and she loves helping. Her gap-toothed, first grade smile can light up a room.

Happy Birthday, Lily Bug.

My Favorite Kids, August ’till December

By Amy Medina

On December 13, 2015

In Other

The emphasis around here lately has been on Johnny….but here’s a look into my other sweethearts’ lives.

First Day of School

My first grader is lucky enough to have her brother’s teacher from last year

Josiah’s 2nd grade teacher

Grace’s 4th Grade Teacher (and soccer coach!)

Pamoja Week (like Spirit Week) Photo credit: Rebecca Laarman

Math Detectives for Math Week. We actually bought the hats from someone who was selling them on the side of the road. Because, apparently, these are the kind of hats Math Detectives wear. Now you know.