More Christmas fun

Wow, this has been one busy week. I'm so exhausted! I went to bed last night at 8pm, but was awakened by the horrible storm blowing everything around last night. This week I did preschool, which pretty much consumes all my time; preparing for it, doing it, and cleaning up after it. We made stockings, wreaths, nativity puppets, gingerbread houses and did our regular stuff-letters and numbers. Marco enjoys having it here, but I have to to referee sometimes between him and the girls. They don't want him to play with them and he gets upset. Poor Marco. Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it or should I send him to a real preschool. We're saving money and gas this way I guess. He still doesn't know his letters and sounds, but he does really well with projects and he can write his name!

I still haven't done my Christmas cards or made any goodies to give away, but I'll get to it this week. Lucia's out of school, so no driving back and forth or doing homework. I did get out the packages yesterday-thanks to Brandon who came over and helped me with a project that would have NEVER been done without him. Then, he watched the kids while I tredged out into the rain to the post office.

Julio and I discussed not exchanging gifts this year, but of course, he went out and bought me something. So I will have to go buy him something now too! And I thought I was done Christmas shopping!

We are hosting the family here at our house Christmas morning to open presents and have breakfast. I'm not sure what else we'll do that day. I'm excited, but will be depressed when it's over-I always am. Hopefully Tami and Dan can beat the storms and drive back and cheer us up from our post-holiday blues. Only one more week!! Still so much to do. We have no holiday plans tonight. I guess we'll just stay home and relax.







Have a great week everyone!

Lights!

Monday night we headed to Dovewood Court to see the lights. We were able to take a train around the first time, and then walked though so we could see everything up close. It's a yearly tradition of ours and the kids love it. Only one more week until Christmas!! I can't believe how fast it's coming!

Santa Sightings

Last week I took the kids to the mall to get their pictures taken. Lucia and Marco were all smiles, but Sylvia was not cooperative at all. We did manage to get a few good ones though. After we were done, we walked down to see Santa. We didn't have time to sit on his lap, but the kids went over and said hi-none of them hid behind my leg or cried! It's the first time EVER! (The Santa at our mall is in my parents' ward). We were in a hurry to get to the church for the Santa meet and greet they were doing there. Since the ward is doing an adult's only dinner this year, they hosted Santa and the kids as a consolation prize. Julio was the one who took them, I was exhausted from trying to get Sylvie to pose and smile for the camera. So, apparently, at the church, they got to sit on Santa's lap and take a picture. Sylvie seemed pretty indifferent to Santa. She sat on his lap, but wouldn't talk to him or smile. Hey, at least she didn't scream and try to get away! It is Marco's first year sitting on his lap without crying. Lucia asked me that night how Santa could be in two places at once and why they didn't look alike? Well, I explained to her, Santa is in the North Pole. He only comes out on Christmas Eve because he's too busy getting all the toys ready. Otherwise, he sends his helpers to the malls and churches to meet with the children and that they would pass on any messages from her to Santa. I actually told her that it was her friend's grandpa dressed up as Santa at the mall. She thought that was funny. But she accepted that explanation without any qualms. Good thinking huh?

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Sylvie (with chocolate ice cream all over her face), Lucia and Marco getting ready to decorate the tree.

Happy Holidays! The season is here. Good thing Christmas is in the winter because it brightens up the gloominess all around us. We started our countdown to Christmas yesterday by getting out our chocolate advent calendars (Marco already ate most of the chocolates out of his) and going to get our tree. Lucia and Marco were especially well behaved yesterday so we could go get the tree and decorate it last night. It was freezing outside as we looked through the fake trees at Wal Mart. I don't remember winter being this cold last year! They got to bed a little bit later than usual and had a hard time getting up this morning. But, isn't that what the season is all about? Being together and carrying on traditions with your family? Sylvie has been undecorating the tree all day and I've been hanging them back on the tree-above her little reach. We have lots of things scheduled, but will try to have the quiet moments together at home as well. May you all enjoy the holidays!

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.