Naomi's 3rd b-day

My entry about Naomi's b-day has been long over due, so here it goes before another month passes by.

This year she actually knew what was going on, and anticipated her b-day party for months. She even asked for a piñata and was most excited about that. We almost ended up not having a party, but changed my mind just the day before, and even though it was very last minute, like almost everything that I do, it turned out pretty good. I was battling with the idea that now that she is older I do not know if I want to teach her to expect a big party every year, or if I want to keep it more simple and to ourselves, but at the end this was what I decided. Plus the day was gorgeous and we just had to take advantage of that too.

We started the day with a birthday breakfast- whole wheat pancakes topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, and scrambled eggs with ham. I decorated that little foam crown the night before, I'm gonna try to keep it and have the girls wear it every year for their b-day. I think that as they get older it will stay put for longer than a couple of minutes at the time. I took Naomi to the store with me that morning wearing her birthday girl crown, she got a couple "happy b-days" from complete strangers, she would say "thank you" in her sweet little 3 year old voice and then would go on to tell them she was 5, or 7, or 4, but never 3. Oh well, there's always next year.

Tia Areli spent the night with us to help me with the last minute party preparations and crazyness. I can always count on her. I love you sis!

She approves!


Birthday girl princess and daddy.

I wanted the kids to do a craft or something fun to keep them busy, but did not want to spend a lot of money on it. I got these little pumpkins for about $2.5o for a package of 6 and little halloween stickers, I already had the washable finger paints and q-tips to use as paint brushes and had them decorate pumpkins. I thought of it all by myself! I was so proud of me and the kids loved it!

Jocie joining in on the fun.

Yes, we found this available just the day before.

She had always been scared of breaking a piñata, until that day. This is her conquering her fear of piñatas.

Sweet little Jocie is not scared of anything. Bring it on Diego!

Wait a minute. Whose b-day was it? Does this mean they get a free wish? (I love this picture)

*Little Naomi, would you please stop growing and stay my little girl forever and ever?

Bum-bum doing better and the goodness in our youth

Today was a better day for Jocie, which equals to a better day for mommy as well. Her bum-bum, as Naomi calls it, looks a lot better. Her diarrhea is also going away, but I'm not holding my breath hoping that is gone, because it might just be back tomorrow, you never know. She would cry and try to hide from me every time I'd ask her if she was clean or not, she knew what was coming, but we had a lot less episodes today than we did yesterday. I planned our meals around her all day today, trying to help her tummy settle. For breakfast she had toast and bananas, no milk. For lunch we had plain yogurt with honey and bananas, and for dinner we had pasta and mash potatoes, chicken, brussel sprouts and green beans. We stayed away from milk and juice all day long, and gave her plenty of water to drink. I hope she feels better tomorrow.

On another note. Today the Seminary students at Highland High School had their yearly Thanksgiving fruit basket delivery. They made hand made cards and fruit basket for the elderly in each ward and then they deliver them along with a couple of Christmas songs and/or a scripture. I was really surprise and pleased with the youth in our branch, specially the Youngmen. They were very polite and sweet to elderly members that we visited, even hugged and kissed some of them. The last family we visited was that of a 87 year old brother who was a Sargent in Dominican Republic, his native country, and he had lots of stories to tell. The young men and women sat and listen to him very attentively. I thought they were just pretending to pay attention, but to my surprise they were all listening to every detail. I thought we would never get out of there. We finally did and as we left and walked towards the car I heard them all talking about how cool his stories were and going over them again. I was really surprised. I felt a little bad, I guess for under estimating the goodness in our youth. They are good kids. Hats off to them!

The worst mom ever

I felt like a really bad mom all day today, no surprise, there's always a reason to feel this way, if it's not this then is that. Today's reason was Jocie's sore bum. She has had diarreah all day long, and even thought I tried to keep track of it, and change her diaper as soon as possible, somehow it was always too late, and diaper after diaper, it kept getting worse. Her bum was bleeding on that last diaper I changed tonight. GRRRR! How can I have let it get like that! She was also due to have her flu shot boost 4 days ago, but since a week before that her and Naomi had what I thought was the flu (vomiting and diarreah) I thought that it would not be any good taking her back anymore and I would save her from getting pocked again. I guess I was wrong? or what is this she has now? I'm calling the Doctor first thing in the morning. I hope her bum gets better over night.

Got leaves?

I love the trees that sorround our house, even if this is what we get during the fall season, I wouldn't want it anyother way.

This summer I was really sad to see our apple tree go, it was very infested and did not give any good apples, we were only left with the mess of apples sauce all over our backyard. I was very upset at Aaron for cutting it down, but I now see that it was for the best. We still have an apricot tree, so that was my consolation.

And what do we do with all these leaves?Work hard...and then....Play harder!

What did you just say?

We went to the park at around noon today. The cold weather kind of scared me off and has kept me in the house for the past couple of weeks. The cold mornings just set my mood for the day, even though it does get warmer later in the day. Today we just had to get out. I got lunch ready to go, put on some sweaters and jackets and headed out to the park. Jocie is so independent now a days, I had to split from Naomi at times just to go follow her. Big sister is now interacting with other kids and doing pretty much her own thing at the park, of course I always keep a vigilant eye over her and make sure she was always within sight.

Well, Jocie just kept wanting to wander farther and farther away from the play area where Naomi was, and we needed to go back and stay closer to big sister. I had to call on Jocie to stop going the direction she was heading and when she turned around to look at me I asked asked her if she wanted to go find Naomi with me, this is what came out o her mouth, a very clear and distinctive "NO". First she shook her head and then she said the word "NO" My jaw literally dropped, while I gasped in disbelief. "What did you just say?" I guess this is just the beginning, the first of many, many, many more "NOs" to come.

Morale of the story "Don't ask!"

My first recording

There will be a Spanish Christmas program at the Tabernacle on December 5 and 6. This is a annual event since 6 years ago, when I was part of the choir performing then at the Conference Center. This year again, I will be part of the Choir. This time it will be a little bit different. It will be like a repertoire of all the different Latin American Christmas Carols and folkloric dances. We have been practicing since October and I am really excited. There is particular song I am most excited and nervous about "A la media noche" a Puerto Rican popular Christmas song, it is very fast and there will be dancers dancing a Cuban guaracha to this song which we will sing acapella! YIKES! A small group will be singing this song. Last night we met to rehearse the song and record it for the dancers, I guess they have been practicing to a music track and they want to start rehearsing to the actual voices singing it to have a better feel of what is going to be like. So we went to this recording studio at one of the directors house, everyone kept scooting their selves to the back of the room so they wouldn't be in front of the mic, it was funny. Afterwards I realized that I have recorded my first song! ....with a whole bunch of other people, but still, it is something that I had never done before, and it was kind of cool.

If you are interested in going to this event, let me know. There is limited admission, but I can try to get you some tickets. Mark your calendars! It will be fun! and if you are not familiar with how latinos celebrate their Christmas's this will give you a pretty good idea. We are full of festivity and fun!

Busy-busy

This past couple of weeks have been busy! I spent most of last week cleaning out our basement. My sister Areli and my tia Chave were a lot of help, I don't know what I would have done without them! Thanks!

You might wonder why I cleaned out our basement? Well Aaron and I made the decision to rent it out. We had rented it before about 2 years ago. We really didn't make much use of it, other than pretty much a play area for the girls. We wanted to move Naomi downstairs so that each of the girls would have their own room, even painted the room, but never made the move, it was just to hard to have her be so far away from us at night. The apartment downstairs has it's own kitchen, living room, bathroom and 2 bedrooms. We need the extra cash right now so renting it made sense. Then on Saturday I spent the day having a yard sale to get rid of some of the stuff we no longer have room for. The day turned out to be pretty nice and sunny, and I made about $160 bucks. It felt pretty good contributing with the making of the moneys around here, even if it was just $160. Aaron spent the day cleaning out the garage that very much needed it. I have been running stuff to the DI all of last week and part of this week. I still have lots of stuff I need to get rid of I don't see the end to it. I'm trying to clean out our closets to have a little bit of extra room and have been thinking of ways to keep stuff organized in small areas. The girls room looks pretty good, I am almost done with it, next room after that will be our bedroom, YIKES! Wish me luck!

Little witch's dance

There was music playing at one of the stores we went into, enough to make her want to dance, add a mirror and this is what you get.

Halloween day.

The actual day of Halloween we went to my mom's work in the morning. The girls went around the lunch room where people were getting candy out of the vending machines just to give to them. Then we went around the offices and got lots of good candies and compliments, everyone thought they were cute. I have been going to my mom's work ever since Naomi first Halloween, I think we are the only ones who ever come trick or treating there. My mom loves it and of course the girls are always happy to see buelita Martha. Then we went to Aaron's work and again were the only trick or treaters there. After that we headed home for a nap to recharge and be ready for later on that night.

At night we went to the gateway mall with cousin Alex and Evelin.

The mall was surprisingly not very busy. There were other kids there but not as I imagined, which was good, it made it more pleasant for everyone there. Here's little Jocie admiring the water show. She was a little scared of the water shooting up so she made sure to stay really close to me. This was the only picture I could take because she did not stay on the floor for very long before wanting for me to carry her and not put her down. She did so good trick or treating. She had enough practice before hand that she was an expert by then. She would take her little candies and put them into her little bag, she knew exactly what to do, sometimes she would even say thank you.

Loaded up on sugar and ready to go home.

After this we went home and went trick or treating around our block. We even had time to come home and have the girls hand out some candy. They were really cute and even more excited to be given out candy than to receive it. Naomi would answer the door and say "Oh you want candy? Here's one for you and one for you"

I let them eat their little hearts content with candy that day, and then gave them a good teethbrushing before going to bed. After that I put all the candy away and out of sight. It will be our bribe candy.

We had a good Halloween, so good I have decided that this is my favorite holiday from now on. How did yours go?

Here's us!

I did not want to wear a costume but then Aaron dissapeared for a good hour after arriving at my parents ward halloween party. He then showed up with this costumes and practically forced me to put it on. Oh well, it was halloween right?

Halloween Fun.

Halloween started a couple of weeks early for us. The girls ended up wearing their costumes 4 different times! First to the Gardner village, then to the Zoo, my parents ward halloween party (our branch did not have one) and Halloween day! We got good use out of those costumes.

The Zoo was crazy packed! It seemed like the whole town was there. People had to park all the way down as far as East High School, that's how crowded it was. We were lucky to find a spot right accross the street from the Zoo. To top it off, people were standing in ridiculosly long lines to get their candy. We tried standing in line a couple of times and then accidentally figured out a faster way to get our candy after Naomi just walked up straight to the girl handing out the candy, and who can deny candy to a sweet little thing like my daughter? even if she did not stand in line. From there on we stayed back and just let her walk up on her own to get her candi. Oops!

It was a fun day, our friends the Collins came too and we had a good time.

My little butterfly.

Batman and a cute little fairy. She was supposed to be a princess, but lost her crown before we even got out of the house, add some wings and voila!

Tired little ones with daddy.

With the elephants and mami.

The wolf getting ready to go on a run

Today was a really good day, the girls and I found some good ways to keep us from not going out of our minds trapped here in the house, with it being cold outside. We played with bubbles, danced, sang, made a little house out of blankets and chairs, built block towers, they shared their snacks with the baby dolls, had a tea party under the little house that we built, played hide and seek and "jugaremos en el bosque mientras el lobo no esta- we will play in the forest while the wolf is gone" This last one is Naomi's favorite game. We sing this little song and then we ask the wolf what he is doing. The wolf in response says that he's waking up, then we sing again and ask again what he is doing, next time he'll say something like "I'm getting dressed" and so on until he is finally ready to come get you and chases after you, and when he gets you, you are in for a tickle attack. Well, Naomi and I took turns being the wolf. When her turn came and I asked what the wolf was doing she said "Me estoy bañando- I am taking a shower" then "Me estoy poniendo mis pantalones- I am putting my pants on" the third time was just funny, she said " Me estoy poniendo mis zapatos para ir a correr- I am putting on my shoes to go running" and of course I had to laugh. That little girl is just funny.

What do you in the house during this cold winter days?

Going Private

I've been thinking of going private with our blog. I watched the news the other night where they talked about the dangers of blogging for everyone to see. I initially thought about it when I started the blog, but then convinced myself that people would have to know the link to our blog to get to it and that only those who I'd told about it would know how to get to it. Well I guess with some of the new gadgets blogger has added that is not the case now. I will be doing this during the next few days. Please email me your email address and I will add you to our list so you will be able to see our blog. Hope to hear from you all!

I've been tagged

I was tagged by Karly, my sister in law's sister. So here we go...

I: voted for the first time ever this year!
I am: a runner, a rookie but still a runner
I think: Oprah is the bomb.com
I know: the Church is true
I want: more time with my hubby
I have: the cutest babies ever!
I dislike: tobbacco smoke. YUCK!
I miss: my brothers in Texas
I fear: the economy right now
I feel: tired. It's been a long day!
I hear: nothing, everyone is asleep.
I smell: nothing
I crave: chocolate chip pumpkin cookies
I cry: during general conference
I usually: wake up at 7 am
I search: for the girl's ositos all the time!
I wonder: how some women do it!? Keep a house tidy and pretty all the time, do their hair and make up, cook fancy dinners every night, exercise, are creative and crafty, etc, etc...
I regret: Not finishing College
I love: My little family
I care: about recycling
I always: make sure the doors are locked before going to bed
I am not: a good piano player
I remember: all of my siblings b-days, all 7 of them!
I believe: in God
I sing: I am a Child of God to the girls at nap time and bed time
I don't always: clean my house
I argue: over many things!
I write: down notes during conference
I win: never, I never win!
I lose: my debit card all the time
I wish: I was more organized and crafty
I listen: to my babies talk in the mornings before I get up to get them
I can usually be found: at home
I am scared: of natural disasters
I forget: everything, really. I have the worst memory ever! I think I get it from my mom.
I am happy: when I have a productive day

I I I I I I tag Kelli, Alisa and Areli