Santa Cookies

Suzanne helped the kids decorate cookies for Santa. We are very lucky to have a wonderful Aunt Suzanne and so is Santa. He's used to getting stale cookies from the back of the cupboard.

Hangin' with Dad

It's a rare occasion when Juan is home and can just relax with the kids. He is a wonderful father and loves his kids so much. I love seeing them together.

More teeth brushing!

Life is always an adventure with a two year old in the house!

Merry Christmas!

We hope this Christmas finds everyone healthy and happy. We love this season and our Savior whose birth we celebrate. Merry Christmas!

Mexican Pickles

So, tonight Juan brought home nachos from Filiberto's. Sofia, of always, has to have some, too. She decided she wanted a "pickle". We told her that it was a Jalepeno and was hot, but she could try it if she wanted to. It wasn't very big - just a slice of one. She put it in her mouth and continued to eat it. She said she liked it, but didn't want more. She did want lots and lots of milk. She's a trooper and probably has the most "Mexican" in her. Later, she put one in front of me and told me to have it. I told her I didn't want one, and she told me they were good. So, I told her to eat it, but she replied that she didn't like it.
Notice her watery eyes!

Hansel and Gretel and Little Miss Sofia

Gingerbread house time! The kids decorated their gingerbread house today! I know I'm such a wonderful mom who dedicates her whole afternoon slaving in the kitchen to make yummy gingerbread. Did you see how perfect the pieces turned out? I'll let you in on the secret - $8 at Target.

Before it was vandalized - they're already sneaking a taste!




During construction.





Sofia doesn't like her hands dirty. I think Daisy's giving her prissy lessons.





The final project! It lasted a whole two hours before it was destroyed by ravenous kids!

Prissy Daisy!

Yes, just as the title suggests, we have a prissy dog and no it is not a poodle. Daisy is a pit bull. I don't know if naming her Daisy made her prissy or if she was just born that way. We will never know. Anyway, she HATES the cold. Pit bulls are known for their smiles. I NEVER saw her smile, until we moved to Mesa from Albuquerque. She was very happy after that. So, the other morning, it was a bit chilly - I say a bit because I'm from Utah and it really doesn't get "cold" in Arizona - and I found Daisy curled up on a small doll blanket of Sofia's.




Now, Daisy has a nice fluffy dog bed with TWO fleece blankets - we know she gets cold. Why would she choose this tiny little blanket? Turns out there was sand in her bed. It's been raining and our ghetto backyard has turned to mud. Princess and the Pea? No, just Prissy Daisy!

Choo, Choo!

For the last few years, Maxx has been begging us to put up the train under the Christmas tree. For some reason or another we haven't gotten around to it. Well, we finally did it! Maxx's excitement came quickly to a close when he found out we didn't have the right size batteries.



Sofia decided that her train needed to be on the tracks, too.

If you're happy and you know it...

Sofia's new toothbrush sings "If you're happy and you know it, brush your teeth!" She LOVES it. She brushed her teeth for like 10 minutes tonight as she drooled all down her shirt. I guess I better remember to brush her teeth before she gets in her PJ's, or we're going to go through alot of laundry.

My Sweet Son

Maxx came home with a letter that he wrote to his parents. Just in case you can't tell what it says - here's the interpretation.
Dear Mom and Dad,
You are the best mom and dad I've ever had. Ever since I was born, I've always loved you. Sometimes I feel mad and bad, terrible, awful and all that stuff. But when I try to cheer Abby, she ignores me. I still try to be her best brother.
Love,
Maxx



Then he drew this picture for me. I love all the details. Notice the clothes lines and the window washer. He even has a guy in a wheelchair and a bus stop. Of course he added lights on top of the skyscrapers - his dad taught him about those.

Bad Parenting

So, this definitely isn't my day for good parenting. First off, I let Abby go to school. I know, I know, she should wait 24 hours from the last time she threw up. BUT she woke up feeling better, ate some applesauce, didn't throw it up, AND she wanted to go to school. How many times does an 11 yr. old WANT to go to school? Hopefully, her teachers will ignore the emails I sent last night saying she wasn't going to be in class.



Next, I blamed Sofia's foul mouth on the kids. Our neighbors really get into the holiday spirit with their outdoor decorations. Lights, metal trees, santas, trains, more lights - you get the picture. Well, Sofia loves the "Christmas" as she calls it. This morning she was asking me about the "Christmas". She was upset that the lights weren't on. I told her that they only come on at night. She said, "Hummph, that's stupid." Now I don't know for sure if she said "that's stupid", but it sure sounded like it. I told Abby that she better watch what she says, because Sofia is picking up "bad" words. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I probably say that more than the kids - well maybe not more than Maxx. Anyway, bad parenting all the way around.



Oh, as I was posting this Sofia was coloring with crayon on my leather chair and dumped Maxx's legos all over the floor. I'm doing my best!

The Craziest Week Continued...

So, Abby came home from school sick. She had been at the nurses office several times today. Well, it seems she has Suzanne's stomach flu. Hopefully, it didn't come from the mice we found living in their pantry the morning we came home, AND hopefully no one else gets it. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Craziest Week of the Year!

So we decided to go to Utah for Thanksgiving. Little did we know it would be the craziest Thanksgiving weekend we've ever had. Here's a picture of Sofia getting ready to go to the cold country. Too bad it didn't snow.



Sofia pulling faces with the pilgrims.



All the family gathered at Jim and Shelley's for dinner. Juan and Jorge pulled up just as we were getting ready to bless the food. Juan had two sites to finish before he could meet us in Utah. He had gone to Gallup Sunday night. After sitting around all day Monday waiting on people, he decided to come home and get his site in Phoenix done. Well, the kids and I left a day early (Tues.) to beat the storm. Juan's truck broke down. So instead of driving to Utah on Wednesday, he was working. Thus the story behind his late arrival.




Maxx and Tia gave us a recital. Maxx played his recital piece, William Tell. Tia played Silent Night.




The food was all very yummy. Lukas decided that his pie needed a bit of salt.




The kids all ran outside (in the dark and cold) and played. Sofia was so tired, she fell asleep eating her pie.



That night Sofia was up throwing up. I guess the pie didn't agree with her. Maybe it needed some salt.

Friday night we took the kids to see Madagascar 2. It was Sofia's first official movie. (The unofficial first one she cried and slept in the hallway) Here she is looking overly excited for the movie to start.



On Saturday as we were getting ready to go to Rachel and Jake's wedding reception (the real reason we went to Utah in the first place - of course I took no photos) we discovered Maxx had Lice. Suzanne's worst nightmare. After trying to shampoo, gel, comb all those nasty creatures out of his hair, we decided to shave it. We spent all of Sunday and part of Monday cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, etc. It wasn't the holiest of sabbath days.



After the reception, we went to Temple Square to see the lights. Juan was unimpressed that they didn't have lights on the big trees like they used to. He told Mom that he was planning on becoming a member until he saw that.





Oh, did I mention Abby had a fever and was all achey?



Sunday morning (Grandma's Birthday), Mom woke up sick with a cold - maybe from sharing her blanket with Abby the night before) and she had lost her wedding ring. Luckily, we found her ring, but unfortunately she still has her cold.



So, we finally made it home on Tuesday. I locked Maxx out of his room and cleaned what I could that night. Even though Maxx got lice in Utah, my house is going to be scrubbed down. Wednesday morning as I was cleaning Maxx's bed, I stepped off his ladder onto a toy and pulled a muscle or something in my foot. So, even as I write this, his room is not completely sterilized. Which is also the reason I have time to write this. It's getting better, but I'm still limping around and can't put full pressure on it. I am getting laundry and such done - just at a snails pace.

Oh, I just got a call from Mom....Suzanne has the stomach flu and feels awful. I guess it's not over, yet!

Me, too!

While I was taking the picture of Maxx in his Pakistan clothes.  Sofia said, "Me. too!"  So, here they are.

We are all children of God

Today Maxx's primary class was in charge of Sharing Time.  They taught that all children from around the world were children of God.  The teacher had them dress up in clothing from other countries.  Maxx informed me of this an hour before church.  Luckily, Aunt Suzanne had provided him with  clothes from Pakistan.  It gave me a good excuse to finally - only a year after receiving them - put the elastic in his pants.  I think he represented Pakistan quite well.  What do you think, Shobi?

Christmas Tag

I think Suzanne tagged me, because she's been complaining that I haven't posted since Halloween. Well, here it goes....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Some of each

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real - except for last year when we forgot to get our tree cutting permit      until it was to late. Christmas trees from lots in Arizona become fire traps quickly, so we caved in and bought an artificial one.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Whenever we have time - no set date.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually around New Years

5. Do you like eggnog?
Not at all

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Probably Barbies

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Juan - he buys everything he needs or wants so I'm left with nothing to give.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My kids - they're always telling me what they "need"

9. Do you have a Nativity set?
Yes, my sister LeAnn made it. It's placed on our mantle.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I'm suppose to send cards?......maybe they'll get mailed this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Well, Christmas isn't really about getting gifts, so I don't think it ever mattered to me if I got something I didn't like.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Christmas Story and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (the original Dr. Seuss one, of course)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I shop throughout the year but most of it is done in Nov/Dec

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Chex Mix - I know its silly since you can buy it at the store anytime - but I like Chex Mix at Christmas time.

16. Lights on the tree?
Of course I have lights on my tree - candles are way too dangerous.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - At least for the moment....I'm sure I can come up with more.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Staying home this year - stay home most years - but have traveled in the past

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
I think so

20. Angel on the tree-top or a star?
Usually a star unless the tree we get is too big or not strong enough to hold the star we have - then a bow

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We open PJ's Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Greed and impatience

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Red, of course. The kids decorate the tree so anything and everything is on it.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?
Not really, as long as its yummy

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
A day off - I say that for every holiday, birthday, etc. - someday it will happen :)

What's my name?

So, most of you who read this blog know that Juan calls me wife. I'm sure people think it's a sexist remark, and that I'm so totally antifeminist to allow it. But anyone who knows Juan knows that this is the ultimate term of endearment. I love being his wife and am very proud to be called his wife. Anyway on to my story. Last week...I can't even remember what we were doing... Sofia started calling me Kristy - which is my name, but not to my kiddos. She said it with a smile, so I think she was just trying to show me how smart she is. Today, when I put her in her carseat she called me wife. I said, "What?" I couldn't believe she picked up on that. Juan isn't home enough for her to hear it much. She answered, "Wife." Then I asked her what my name was and she replied (with that same smart grin) "Wife, Kristy, Mama." So, now I know my name...or should I say names.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great time trick or treating.  Abby's friend Chrissy came along as Mother Nature.  This year Abby was a "girl" grim reaper.  Maxx was a Chinese stick figure (waaaay different than his regular stick figure costume of last year).  Sofia was a Diva - by choice - because that's how she was acting.  All day she wanted to put her lady bug costume on and go trick or treating.  Well, when it was time to go she said, "No wear it!"  And so Diva it was.  She looked very cute and got extra candy because of it.  We wish we were closer to family, so they could enjoy her first "real" Halloween.  Also, so maybe it would feel like fall instead of summer (90 degrees here).

Medusa

The school had their annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  Abby and Maxx won first place in the Most Original category for their Medusa Pumpkin!

War Zone

Every Thursday morning our stake has an institute class for the women.  They also provide a nursery.  Today it was a war zone in the nursery (at least for Sofia).  I've never had my kids receive war wounds in nursery - they were more apt to inflict pain.  After class I walked down the hall to the nursery room hearing a child crying.  Of course being the sensitive mom I am - ha! - I didn't recognize Sofia's cries.  I go in and look all around for my beautiful, sweet girl.  It only took a few seconds for me to realize that the child screaming in the volunteering mom's arms was that same beautiful, sweet girl.  Somehow, playtime had turned into fight-time.   I'm not sure what Sofia did to provoke violence - the other mom claims Sofia's innocence - but it'd have to be a serious breach on the other girl's emotions.  She broke skin!  These are teeth marks! And to top it all off another little girl pulled Sofia's hair.  I guess emotions run high in that little room. 

Party Time!

Sofia invited me to a party today.  She was very excited and kept coming to get me.  I was trying to mop the floors, but she is an impatient one.  It is fun to see how much she is learning.  She made me sit down and say a prayer.  Then she offered me all kinds of food and drinks.  She was quite the little hostess.

Tagged!

I guess I've been tagged. I didn't know you did that by Blog. I suppose I have a lot to learn about the blogging world.

Anyways...

8 Favorite T.V. Shows

1. The Office

2. House

3. Law and Order

4. How I met your Mother

The above are netflixed - hopefully it counts if you watch it on DVD

5. Sesame Street - Sorry, had to add kid flicks - ran out of adult TV that I watch

6. Curious George

7. Clifford

8. The Heffalump Movie - if I can call that a TV show - Its on more than the rest

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Gecko Grill

2. Cafe Rio

3. Manuel's

4. Mi Amigos

If you can't tell, I really like Mexican food.

5. Bombay House - If I'm ever in Utah.

6. Olive Garden - Juan's favorite that we frequent

7. Quiznos - Does fast food count?

8. Filibertos - Since fast food will have to count and it is Mexican.

8 Things that Happened Yesterday

1. Got a yucky cold

2. Took a nap - never happens!

3. Went to Karate

4. Made Dinner - Spaghetti

5. Read lots of books to Little Miss Sofia

6. Was informed that the princess castle on the back of Sofia's pull-ups is actually Fia's Temple

7. Scooped poop - Daisy's - luckily not Sofia's 

8. Took a shower - sorry not a productive day - see #1

8 Things I am looking forward to

1. My cold going away

2. Getting caught up with TOWERWORKS books

3. A day off - someone told me once that Mom's get those on occasion - I'm still waiting

4. Italy

5. The day my kids learn to be self-sufficient - If I'm still alive

6. Halloween

7. A beautiful back yard - instead of the Ghetto one we have going right now

8. Hug and Kiss from my man when he gets home

Now I get to tag you - anyone - it doesn't matter who - even if you don't have a blog, you probably have email!

Have fun! 

Sleeping Turtle

So, last night the kids played hard outside.  Maxx was the last to shower.  The girls had gone to bed, and I realized it was really quiet, and Maxx hadn't said goodnight yet.  Well, we found him wrapped in his robe in "child pose" in his room.  It took a bit to get him to wake up and get ready for bed.  

Look at all my teeth!

Sofia has decided face pulling is a fun hobby.  I can't believe how much she looks like Abby.  If I was more computer savvy, I would show you pics of Abby when she was little.  Maybe another time.