I know you've heard me talk about my kids, especially the little ones. But, I thought I'd write today about my big girl, Amanda. This morning as I was driving and thinking about Amanda, it suddenly hit me that I can't believe she's gonna be fifteen this year. That's just crazy! Where has time gone? Where did my precocious little girl who loved books and reading (well, she still does) and sitting on her Mommy's lap go?
Being Cuban, our girls usually celebrate their fifteenth birthday with a huge hoopla, comparable to a Bar Mitzvah or a wedding. It's the acknowledgement that our daughter is transforming from being a little girl into a young lady. ::sniff::
This celebration is called Quinces. The "Quinceañera", in this case Amanda, traditionally wears a ball gown (similar to what Cinderella wore when she danced with the prince) and chooses special friends to dance a choreographed dance alongside her. These "dancers" are called her Court of Honor. The Court of Honor also wears gowns and tuxedos. The choreographed dances always begins with the Quinceañera dancing a waltz with her father, proceeded by traditional Cuban dances. This takes months of weekly rehearsals.
The Quinces celebration is a very special part of our heritage and a tradition that I have thought about over and over throughout the years from the time Amanda was born. I can't believe the time has finally arrived. Of course, it arrived when the economy is at it's worst and I have procrastinated with now only 6 months left to plan everything, including finding a venue, gowns, photographer, music, food, invitations, and so on. But, God is always good and I know when the day arrives it will be perfect, as is my girl.
Below are some pictures I took this past weekend. I begged asked Amanda to be my guinea pig so I could practice my photography. She grudgingly whole-heartily agreed! Actually, we had lots of fun being silly and spending one-on-one daughter and Mom time, that I have missed so much!
Amanda, I love you as much as the whole wide world...and back again!
25 comments :
I can see why you are misty eyed over this. She is drop dead gorgeous! If you aren't already, I'm positive you are going to have to beat the boys back.
What a doll.
I'm sure her Quinces will be amazing. And you will make it work. The good news (is this really good news?)is that the economy is bad for everyone, so maybe you can book the venue, caterer, etc for cheaper!
Have a great day.
sherri
Oh Sherri! Thank goodness she hasn't had a boyfriend yet. All her friends do, but she's really in school and church, and although very social, she knows Mama is not quite ready for those boys yet! :)
YOUR DAUGHTER IS SO BEAUTIFUL...YOU MUST BE SO PROUD OF HER. MY HUSBAND IS HISPANIC, SO I HAVE BEEN TO MANY OF THESE CELEBRATIONS. SINCE WE ARE TWO DIFFRENT CULTURES I HAVE WONDERED IF MY OWN DAUGHTER WILL HAVE ONE THESE CELEBRATIONS WHEN SHE TURNS FIFTEEN. I GUESS WE WILL WAIT AND SEE. I AM FAIRLY NEW TO YOUR BLOG SO IF YOU DON'T MIND CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PICTURES IN HEADER? I SEE YOUR DAUGHER AND YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.
WOW, how time has truly flown by ...and quickly! Amanda has truly turned into such a beautiful young lady, I mean was always beautiful but wow she's all grown up now!
Vero
Ohilda! She is stunning! I know you are so proud! I can't wait to see pics from her Quinces!
Love you,
Monica
ps-We are co-sponsoring Baby Tim, too! He is so precious! I want them all!!! :)
WOW, I love the first and third pic. She Looks like a good subject to be a guinea pig! She has beatiful eyes and a georgous smile! I love how you hold on to both traditions. This is something we have had to sort through in our family too! I'll be interrest to see what happens as my 9 year old daughter nears her Quince Años.
Hey guys - well I missed a day - so first a comment on yesterday - great story and one that I may borrow from time to time!
Onto today - it seems that your camera skills have - in fact - improved...even if you aren't shooting a Nikon! However your subject - at the risk of sounding like a 'dirty old man' - it's tough to make a bad shot with a beauty like that! But Amanda hasn't been blogging much!
Hugs to you guys - and you can tell Amanda that I'm proud of her too!
aus and co.
What a beautiful daughter you have!
BTW, I have "steal" the wonderful quote you have on the side of your blog about men having to seek God to find their woman.
I love Quinceañeras...they are so fun. I look forward to the pics of that in 6 months.
Amanda is beautiful!!! What a wonderful subject you had and you took some absolutely gorgeous pics, Ohilda!!! What a proud mama you are and should be.
xoxo, Veronica in CA
Ohilda, your daughter is absolutely GORGEOUS!!
She sounds like a true beauty inside & out & for that you should be so proud...I'm sure you are!
I'm wondering how my daughter is 4 already...I can't possibly imagine 15, but I better get ready as it seems it's right around the corner!
You are so richly blessed with a wonderful family!
Stunnig! I think that celebration sounds amazing! How Fun!
What a fun birthday this will be. Oh my she is gorgeous. You better keep the boys away:)
Ohilda,
she is ridiculously BEAUTIFUL!! I hadnt noticed she turned from girl into a lady. Im sure you are very proud!
Carol
Ohilda, Amanda is BEAUTIFUL, just like her Mom! I can't wait to see the pictures of her Quinces...what a wonderful tradition! Don't you worry. It will turn out to be perfect!
Your photography skills are reaching "pro", O'. I bet there was a lot of giggling between you and your precious girl during the photo shoot. :) What fun!
Hugs,
Ame
Oh my...(now Amanda...I just KNOW you are going to read these comments!) Amanda is GORGEOUS!
I love this Cuban tradition! CANNOT wait to see all the fun and partying!
I do believe that when I first starting reading your blog, Ohilda, that Amanda was a very LITTLE girl! NOT any more!!!!
Oh my gosh ladies, beautiful pictures and a beautiful girl! :)
Ohilda,
She is such a beautiful girl!! You did a great job capturing her beauty. The background looks great, too.
I can't wait to see pictures of her MAJOR party!! WOW! I have never heard of such a thing, but I can't wait for you to document it. That will be so amazing. And lots and lots of planning, I'm sure!
Wow!! She's gorgeous! And I don't think you need much practice for picture taking - looks like you're a pro!!
yea i see what you mean you did do good. hopefully ours come out as good. ok so it will be posted on the save the date but i need your opinion first, since you are the website expert of the family. lol. here is our wedding website let me know if i need to change anything : http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/GloriaValdivia&ArmandoCarrillo
What a wonderous way to celebrate the life of such a beautiful girl! You are blessed, my friend!
You are in such. major. trouble. And I think you know what I mean. (wink)
Ohilda, she is absolutely stunning. I know she is every bit as pretty on the inside, too. I look forward to sharing your family's special day and of hearing how God blessed your family once more.
oh my gosh - gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
model and photography both!
but especially model, Amanda.
I think of you all the time, O. Carli has been watching her DVD you made over and over and over.....
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox,B
I love seeing pictures of your family Ohilda. The picture of her on her stomach is just breathtaking. Her facial features are so beautiful! They do grow up too fast.....
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!
:-)
-Nicole
beautiful!!!!!!!
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