Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving morning and I'm sitting here watching the Macy's Parade with the kids. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. At least it used to be. I've been reminiscing about the Thanksgivings we used to have at Grandma Cole's house. It was her FAVORITE holiday! Grandma loved to do all the cooking, except the turkey. She didn't like turkey. So she'd make candied yams, creamed onions, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pues, green beans. Yum! Aunt Alice brought the turkey and my Mom would make the rolls. The men would watch the football game and yell at the tv. We'd eat, visit, and then we'd go to the Santa Monica Pier to walk around. The weather was always great and so was the food and company. Thanksgivings just haven't been the same since Grandma passed away 8 years ago. We are making new memories and traditions now with our new little families. But, I will always miss Thanksgiving at Grandma Cole's.

On another note, it's always good to reflect on the present. I have many things to be thankful for. My wonderful husband who works so hard to support us and who helps out as much as he can at home. My three healthy, beautiful children. Lucia is so kind to her brother and sister and is willing to help me when I ask her to. Marco with all his energy and hugs. Sylvie the sweet but very mischievious one. My parents and siblings. Our home, working vehicles. The gospel, opportunities to serve. Friends-those who make an effort even when I don't. Life! It's good.

Turkeys everywhere!

Pin-the-tail on the turkey poster for preschool.

The view from our living room window. Too bad we can't bag one of those turkeys for Thanksgiving!

Lucia's turkey creation-too bad you can't see it very well.

Marco decorating Pilgrim and turkey cookies during preschool.

We've been getting ready for Thanksgiving around here. This week, we did preschool at our house and did lots of fun Thanksgiving activities. We made turkeys from our hand and foot prints, made Indian headbands, Pilgrim puppets, decorated turkey and Pilgrim cookies, and played pin-the-tail on the turkey.

It has been a very stressful few weeks. Julio is very stressed with work and has been really grumpy. This doesn't go over well with an emotional pregnant woman. Lucia has not been her usual sweet self either-she's been defiant, whiny and argumentative. What's going on? Last night Julio and I had a talk about it and decided to count our blessings-literally. We each said things we were thankful for until we felt better. We have so much! We really have no reason to be unhappy. Julio's job might be hard right now, but it provides well for our family. I keep saying, it will get better. I guess with all the stress in the house, it's rubbed off on Lucia too. I need to be more positive with her and not so demanding. This coming week should be a week to relax and reflect on the many blessings that we have and appreciate each other more. I really love Thanksgiving because it's all about family, food and being thankful. Here's to a better week and a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The mischieviousness of a two year-old

Sylvie is what we call in Spanish a "traviesa". She just can't seem to help herself, and she's so cute and sweet, we can't get mad at her either. Most of the day, I try to rest. This is when she takes advantage and gets into trouble. Here are some examples:

She got a purple marker and scribbled all over the floor, walls, coffee table, couch and herself. Luckily, it was washable.

She got into my make-up and opened the eye shadow and smeared it all over her face and clothes.

She went out in the backyard to play and found a mud puddle (it hasn't rained in over a week) and got wet and muddy from head to toe.

She went into my bathroom and unwrapped all the panty liners, took off the backing and stuck them to the wall.

She dumped a box of crackers out on the living room floor.

She is always pushing a chair over to the kitchen counter and climbing up and getting into stuff-anything-the spices, knives, food.

She'll scale the wall bookshelf and pull out a bunch of books.

Then, when I find the aftermath of these travesuras, I'll say, "Sylvie-that's naughty!" and she says in her sweet little voice, "Sorry, Mom, sorry!" and gives me a big hug. Then my heart melts.