... up up and away!!!

Mia started walking yesterday (Sunday, April 20th)! The best part is that we were all in the family room to witness it... even Pappi Dale! She's been taking a few steps here & there... but today it was significant... about 10 steps! She'd fall down and clap for herself because we were all so excited and cheering her on! It was GREAT! Here is the video clip taken on the day Mia started walking... If you look in Mia's hands... she's holding large MINTS in each palm! This trick always helped our kids walk, thinking they were holding on to something! We're such a loud family - so you may want to turn down the volume on your speakers....

... the GIFT of GIVING ...

On Friday Morning - Daniella was recognized at her school's morning news as the TOP fund-raiser in the entire school for JUMP ROPE 4 HEART! Collecting over $1600 - WOW! Ryan was the TOP fundraiser last schoolyear... and now DANI! Thank you to all our wonderful FAMILY & FRIENDS who took the time to donate and give to a GREAT cause! Thank you for helping me teach our kids the GIFT of GIVING!

Here are the top fundraisers in their class - Kindergarten - 5th grade!

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT DONATED!
AndrewLucy Chung (VA), Arlene Ardon (WA), Arloa Dolphin (SC), BenMelba Bunag (TX), BettyNoel Frias (CAN), KurtBritta Rinehard (VA), CesarFe Galace (CA), CharlieKim Nahm (CA), Cheryl Atiga-Brown (CA), CindyEd Sanchez (SC), Dale Linhoff (NC), Delia Nunez (SC), Dora Taitague-Baker (Barbados), JakeEvelyn Schultz (CA), Frances Mantanona (Guam), MontyGigi Jacobs (MD), HansLily Diehl (CA), HectorVictoria Torres (SC), EricHelen Zeeb (CA), IsraelRosella Castro (MD), Jan Hayward (SC), JoseJocelyn Masauding (FL), Karen McDaniel (SC), Kathryn Richburg (SC), Kathy McKay (SC), Landon Kite, LarryEvelyn Brzozowski (PA), Linda Alinsod (MD), LindaBarry Shultz (PA), Lois Codington (NC), LornaNelson Decena (BC), Lucretia Tucker (DE), Macy Sarno (WV), Nida Torre (SC), Paul Bell, PhuongJonathan White (NC), RDMargaret Gallant (NC), Rhona Magpayo (MD), RodColleen Krueger (FL), Romelda Anderson (CA), Rose Miranda (MD), RuthDanny Ranchez (CA), EdSusan Pan (FL), TimDarcy Boykin (SC), WillieGel Tortal (CAN), YvonneArden Brion (OH)

4th & 5th Grade TALENT SHOW

Fort Dorchester Elementary School's 4th Annual Talent Show

Morgan was 1 out of 4 boys that were in the talent show this year with all these girls! There was singing (a lot of singing), piano (Mo), cup stacking, a gymnastic demonstration, dance, electric guitar & skits. The kids did a GREAT job!

MY BOYS... Mo, Ry & "Pappi Dale"

Talent Show Emcee's... Mr. Tucker (4th grade teacher) & Ms. Walker (Art teacher)

Mo's friend since 2nd grade - KELLY COUSINS singing

1st grade teachers lip sync'd "It's Raining Men"
Administration/Office Staff "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Morgan's video clip of his performance... he played the first part of his Sonata I by Mozart. During rehearsal the teachers asked if he knew another song to play... and Morgan decided to also play, "You're The Only One" - a song that I played growing up and one that I've memorized... he watched me play it and picked it up on his own with his own style.

I had to get Mia at the Talent Show... as you can see she also enjoyed herself! Our girl has some rhythm!!! FEEL IT, girl! FEEL IT!

It was a FUN FUN night at a FINE FINE school! Great job, Mo! Way to share your talents!
**kids photo taken with our friend - Sarah Reilly

Celebrating Morgan's 10th Birthday...

CAROLINA ICE PALACE is where we celebrated Morgan's 10th Birthday with 20 of his friends & siblings! It was a lot of fun for everyone! Ice skating, pizza, cookie cake with trick candles (hee hee), cupcakes & ice cream... and a few tokens to play in the arcade!!!

Back row: Rachel, Tucker, Angel, Kelly, Allison, Daniella, Jenna

Middle: Sarah, Gage, Eli, Jacob, MORGAN, Jeff

Front: Bruno, Josh, Ben, Andrew, Mia, Ryan, Holly, JR & Rocco

It was such a nice group of kids... all so well mannered and well behaved! Thanks to my mom's who helped out to make the day that much more smooth and fun (Thanks Lillian, Jennifer, Luz & Amy)... good parents = good kids.

It's hard to believe our son is turning a two-digit number! (April 24th) This year we have seen so much change and growth. Even friends and neighbors have commented on how much Mo's changing & growing! I've tried squishing him at night... but he continues to grow!!! Why do they have to grow so fast? WHY?!?

Morgan got some great gifts... STAR WARS TRILOGY DVD's, Whoonu game, glow in the dark basketball, red M&M soccer ball, cards & CA$H... and about 4 different nerf guns! After the party... the nerf gear was distributed and the battle began! Nerf darts were flyin' everywhere! It was an end to a very fun day!

check out Morgan's flyin' nerf dart in mid-air... pretty cool action shot!

Who I Am Makes A Difference...

A friend passed this video along and I thought I'd post it and share... it's a very powerful reminder to let others, especially the ones we love... know how much they do mean to us! Cathy, thanks for sharing this with me. From one mom to another... I appreciate YOU! -Dot

the Price is RIGHT!

Ryan has been patiently waiting for his own set of golf clubs since starting GOLF CLASS with Morgan. They've been having to share clubs. Well, I finally found a set worth buying! The price was JUST right... and I just couldn't pass it up! I LOVE A GOOD DEAL! Ooooh and the smile on Ryan's face when he got home today was absolutely PRICELESS! He said it felt like Christmas all over again! Let's hope he sticks with it...

5 kids...

My friend Amy asked if we can watch Tucker for the weekend while she & her hubby are away on business. So instead of four kids... we now have FIVE! Tucker is such a fun friend for our kids... he has 2 younger sisters and he plays so nicely with everyone! We are so glad that you can be part of the Ramirez Family for a few days!

Tucker & Morgan met as PEN PALS... this is Morgan's 1st ever Pen Pal! I still remember writing to my Pen Pal that I would get out of the GUIDE from Church. In fact, I also met my Pen Pal in college after so many years! I wrote to her because her name was also Dorothy! Anyway... Tucker was moving into the area and I guess it eased his transition here knowing he already had a friend in Morgan! We are so blessed to know Tucker's family - they're just awesome!!!!!

Of course, Daddy Dale had to give Tucker the RAMIREZ hair spike before heading out to church... lookin' good Tucker!

Daddy & his little girl

Busy Friday!

FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL at Azalea Park in Summerville, SC

This morning, Sarah Pirt, Mia & I decided to spend the morning wandering around all the many booths set up for the annual FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL in Summerville, SC! It's a huge event every year... and I can't believe that this is my very FIRST time to attend! Mia had so much fun waving "Hi" to anyone who would acknowledge her... and swaying side to side whenever she heard music playing.

More than 250 artists and crafters from all over the country display their works. Each day during the 3-day event there is live entertainment, a Children's Jubilee, and a tennis tournament to enjoy. Additionally, fabulous festival foods are prepared to tempt your taste buds and to give you a "taste" of Summerville and the Lowcountry area of South Carolina.

Thanks for spending your morning with us, Sarah!

Swimming "Strokes" w/ Ms. Phoebe

Dani, Ryan & Morgan started their Swim Classes today... Ms. Phoebe is teaching them the basics in stroke technique. Our Pediatrician recommended the kids get on the swim team due to the fact that most swimmers are in GREAT shape! The kids enjoyed it...

... finally JUDO class is right after their swimming...

If we're not in JUDO, we're swimming or taking golf classes or doing gymnastics or playing piano or violin... catch us catch us if you can...

"ALL DONE"

So little Mia had her 1 year check up the other day and Dr. Lane was so impressed with her language development and communication skills. I told him that I've been "signing" the basics like please, thank you, all done, more, sleepy, milk, Mommy & Daddy... knowing one day she would eventually pick it up... just like her older siblings. She also LOVES LOVES LOVES her Blues Clues Sign Video and Baby Mozart Signs DVD... both of these capture her full attention!

Well... for the first time - she decided to "sign" for Dr. Lane and I was blown away. He got down to her level and started talking to her and asking her to do some of her signs like "more" and "please" and "thank you"... AND SHE DID IT! Up until now she would only do the signs for me... and now she's signing for others. It was GREAT to see!

On this clip I didn't realize it until I watched it later... but when she "signs ALL DONE"... I can hear her also say "ALL DONE". You'll also see some of "Mia-tude" in this clip, too...



Climbing stairs

Cruising along anything she can hold on to...

Giggling & playing with the BIG GIRLS
Dani . Sarah . Mia . Madison


Reading...

Signing "Thank You" (it's like blowing a kiss)

Mia signs for her brothers & sister for the first time! Watch as she gets frustrated with them because she was signing for more - but no one was "listening" to her. She's watching Ryan eat the goldfish that SHE WANTS!

... water babies

The water baby class at our gym is a nice small group of Mia & two boys - Landon (4mo) & Drayden (7mo). Ms. Ruth Ann Wiley is a certified Water Baby Instructor and has told us the ultimate goal after 4 weeks (8 classes) - For our babies to be relaxed enough in the water... FALL IN from the edge of the pool, and instinctly roll over on their backs and float... reach for the side of the pool and climb out! WOW...

Mia's like, "Say what? What you talkin' 'bout Ms. Wiley?
You want me to do WHAT?"

** teaching Mia how to BLOW OUT & not inhale water!
She's still learning & watching!

It's so cute, every time I flip her on her back she's signing to me
"ALL DONE" and obviously wants me to turn her over...

Mia holding on to the edge

Landon says to Mia, "Girl, what are we doin' here?"

MY 4 WATER BABIES!



Mia's CHEERING section!

In this video clip - Mia is being "dunked" and then "flipped" on her back. The crying in the clip is NOT her! The only time she cried in class is when we played, "pass the baby"... she didn't like being away from Mommy!