Read to the bottom for an opportunity to HEAR Mia!

Here is a rare opportunity (said tongue in cheek) to hear Mia. This all started today as I took my wife and kids to Central Park here in our small NC town. Though it is small, they have a great train and several kids rides (Check it out!). the temperature was in the low 70's and it was partly cloudy. The outdoors were screaming for us to come and play.

We did the train, the really cool carousel, monster trucks, boats, and then the airplanes. As we left, Mia looks at her mom and says "Aww Momma we had such a fun time at the park today." Without fail Mia says that playing on the playground with her Mommy was the best part of the day. So as we get in the car, Mia looks past me as I'm buckling her in. Her mouth drops with faux amazement.

"Daddy!" she says "Look, it's an American flag!"

OK so that might not be much for some of you but I was so proud. For a little one who just turned 3 and has spent the majority of her life in Guatemala, I thought it was pretty good. We have Mia enrolled in a half day K3 class at the school where I teach. She has long since learned letters and numbers from her Mom. She has even learned quite a bit of Spanish thanks to the help of some videos and awesome members of our local Hispanic community. She is now learning to write letters, numbers, and obviously learning a lot of other things.

"Daddy!" she said again "Watch as I say the pledge-allegiance." She then launched into a perfect recitation of the pledge of allegiance. I hadn't heard her do this before so I called my mom and everyone of course as a proud dad should. Kristina too looked in amazement as she had helped her through parts of it before but never by herself had she said it to us. Mia smiled knowingly that she had accomplished something pretty cool.

On the way home, she kept saying the pledge over and over. When we stopped at our local "Spanish Store" as Mia calls it (Panaderia El Dorado).

"Hola Senorita" the store owner says to Mia as they exchange their familiar greetings. Immediately Mia walks over and recites the pledge to him. I watched with great contentment as Mia is so immersed in her culture. She will grow up a true American with a great understanding of her birth country's heritage. The owner smiled at Mia and asked her what treat she would like.

"Empanada con pina, por favor"

OK so here is the treat for you today. Mia has said the pledge so much that I digitized it and have it here for you to hear! Click on the following link to hear Mia say the Pledge of Allegiance. Have an awesome weekend!

Mia's Pledge of Allegiance