Music Together

Sofia and I have been attending Music Together classes since she was 14-months old and we lived in Salt Lake City. Portland has a huge program and shortly after we moved here we signed up for winter classes and haven't stopped attending since. Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them. The classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning.

Our family highly recommends this program to anyone with young children. It's proven to be a wonderful bonding experience for Sofia and I and has largely contributed to her musical development. We've made delightful friends in class and Sofia always looks forward to attending. Here are some pictures from this year's class in Portland, Oregon:

Rhythm sticks are always a highlight. Sofia received some for Christmas two years ago and hasn't stopped playing with them especially when the music is on in her room.

Group dance and sing-a-long with Sofia's teacher, David, children, Luna and Lily, and Lily's mom, Elizabeth.

Playing the bell and learning what the "D" note sounds like.


Which instrument should I pick?

The drums, but of course!!

Mami and me having fun at Music Together. Check it out everybody!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sofia!

Sofia turned 3 and we celebrated with a Dora la Exploradora fiesta on Saturday, June 16, 2007. Here are some of the killer highlights...

Make a wish Sofia!

Chocolate Cake is YUMMY!

Back in the old days we all played the game, "Pin the tale on the donkey." Well fast forward about 20 years and you've got "Pin the bracelet on Dora's wrist!" This pic is Sofia's second time pinning the bracelet. The first time she took off the towel so she could SEE to put it right onto Dora's wrist. Silly Sof.

Chelsea Paniagua attempts to pin the bracelet on while her little brothers, Stefano and Fabricio, watch. Way to go Chelsea!

When it was all said and done everyone was pretty much equal distance from Dora's wrist. Of course, Sofia's first attempt is right on the wrist. We called it a 7-way tie and everyone won! A variety of bubbles and stickers were awarded to the kids.

Bubbles are just plain fun. No matter how old you are they rock! Notice the Cinderella heels Sofia is sporting...they're her favorite!

Big Bro Bub, Sissy Maria, and fam. What a handsome family. Love you guys!

Cousin Allison. I like to call this the "whatever picture."

Family and friends good times! I just love Sid's red hair!!!

Thanks to everyone who came and all of the long distance friends and family who sent their best wishes for Sofia's birthday and the fun gifts. Despite her age, I don't believe Sofia will forget her special day. It was a BLAST!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sofia! I love you so much!!!! Love, Mami

Staley's visit the Oregon Coast and Aquarium

One of our favorite places to visit as a family is the Oregon Coast. The weekend of Sofia's 3rd birthday (June 9-10th) we traveled to gorgeous Newport, OR, for a fun-filled visit with our wonderful friends from Utah, the Lane-Reed family. The first day included rainy--misty weather quite typical for Oregon and a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We spent the evening cooking an awesome mexican dinner and playing the movie version of the game, Scene It. Let's just say I didn't have a chance at winning that game! The second day brought a 180 degree change in weather complete with warm temperatures, sunshine, mostly clear skies, playing in the sand, and running away from the waves as they crashed the shore.

The star attracation at the Oregon Coast Aquarium right now is the Claws exhibit. Claws explores the adaptations and remarkable diversity of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, isopods and copepods. This picture is of a strikingly peculiar Japanese snow crab.

Get a load of this bad boy! We couldn't stop staring at it as it moved it's countless arms. Simply amazing.
From left to right Diana Lane Reed (in the hat), Sofia, and I touch the live starfish.
Sofia has been learning a lot about sharks, fish, and other curious ocean creatures lately. We loved being able to show her the real deal as it sealed her knowledge of these amazing creatures.
Nemo lives at the Oregon Coast Aquarium! The minute Sofia laid eyes on him she shouted, "Mami, look, It's Nemo!"

Beautiful.


Good old fashioned family fun. Sofia loved running up to the water just before it crashed into the shore and then running away as the water chased us. We also had sand fights throwing sand all over each other. Sofia won by a landslide!

Thanks again Lane-Reed family for an unforgettable weekend. To all of you out there who have never been to the Oregon Coast or haven't visited it for years, it's time. Make a trip there this summer while it's somewhat warm!!!

¡Bienvenidos!

…to our family blog! This has been a long time coming and it is finally up and running. We are so excited to share with you the “goings on” in our family all thanks to the world wide web. We'll share stories and pictures that don’t always get shared because of time, chaos, and distance. As a bonus I’ll be able to say, “Yes, I keep a journal” something I’ve never been able to truly say …thank you blogspot!

So enjoy, post comments, and check us out every now and then.

Hasta Pronto,

Stormy