Merry Christmas

The last week before our winter break was filled with parties and performances. Carmen had a holiday party in preschool and the kids sang a cute little song about Christmas in the desert! It was very sweet. The kids did a gift exchange and presented each parent with 4 presents all created by the kids. It was very cute and she loved that mommy and daddy were both there and the attention was 100% on her!

 Gianni also sang at a 1st grade performance later in the week. Here he is before the concert with two friends from school. He was very "full of energy" on the stage. He was bouncing all over and had a hard time staying still, but it made for some very funny video!

 Christmas Eve was spent in the usual way, up to Nonna and Papa's house to open just one gift and then off to Aunt Helen's (my grandfather's sister) for the traditional meal. This year I ate so much and her linguine and clams was to die for. Pasta, ham, prime rib, potatoes, salad, and of course shrimp the size of the palm of my hand. Yummy! On days like this I am so glad I am Italian : )

 Christmas day was at our house. Gianni woke up around 6:40am and we let him open his Santa presents. After that we waited.....and waited....and waited for Carmen. Now, those of you that know my daughter well know that she is usually the first person up every morning. She has never slept past 7 or 7:30 and that is sleeping in! Christmas morning.....8:30am! I could not believe it. We almost went in and woke her up. She finally came down very slowly and had this look on her face like "oh...I forgot today is Christmas." We ate breakfast which was egg muffins that had sausage and cheese in them, Greek yogurt with fruit on top, and finally baked french toast. Uncle Justin dined on Gluten Free pancakes!

That's right....my son got a Nook from my parents. I can't believe it! He is so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents. Tonight we bought two more books and played the color combination game. It is a very neat contraption and we are getting great use out of it!

Carmen got Barbies, and Barbie clothes, and a Barbie car, but from Nonna and Papa she received a VTech Innotab which is like a little IPad for kids. She loves it! Actually, as you can tell below, they both loved it.

This week we have enjoyed spending time with Nonna and Papa. Can you believe that we went swimming in December? The water was beautiful just as long as you kept your body underwater.

 Although Abel has been off all week and we have been spending a lot of family time together, one night we went "free of the kids".  I hired a babysitter and my parents and I went on a double date. First it was to dinner at Carrabas and then it was off to "Las Noches de la Luminarios" at the Desert Botanical Garden. Those of you that live in the valley, this is the coolest, most relaxing and romantic event I have been to recently. Basically there are about 8,000 luminaries set up around the gardens and you just sort of walk through and stop along the way as you listen to 10 different musical acts. There are little bars set up as well along with tables and heaters in certain locations. It was so relaxing and fun to spend time with Abel and my parents and not have to worry about cutting food for a little person or taking a little one to the potty! Thanks mom and dad. Christmas has come and gone and spending time with family is the best part.

Baseball Picnic, Santa, Beth's Wedding, and Football

 Wow, sounds like a lot huh! Well it has been. I have never been this busy and run down....but I am doing my best to balance it all. Recently, Abel and I hosted the baseball team potluck. The kids ate and then played at the park. Carmen enjoyed playing with the girls and these three have been our team's cheerleaders all season long. We said goodbye to baseball that Sunday the 11th. On to the next event! The kids went to the holiday night at their school last Friday. They went on bounce houses, played games, decorated cookies, all while daddy was home sick. Everyone in this house has been sick in the last three weeks which slowed us down only slightly : ) Oh, and let's not forget Santa. Carmen was talking the entire time asking for a pink Barbie, a Barbie car, and Barbie clothes.

 This past weekend all of my girl and I from work went to Beth's wedding. Beth is the special ed teacher on our team and we are all so happy for her. Many of us spent the night and we made it a girls night out with no spouses.

 I know so many people that dislike the people that they work with and say that it makes them dislike their job. These girls are the exact opposite. I like my job more because of these ladies. From left to right Holly (History), me (Science), Beth (Resource), Angela (Math), Lora (Language), and Jenni (Reading). I love these ladies and could not do my job without them!

 You thought I said baseball was over. Oh it is! On to football. Gianni is doing a short 8 week season of flag football. He started practices this week. His first game is January 7th.

Well, today is the 21st and I have to work until Friday. Crazy right! What school goes to the 23rd? We do. Oh well. A few more days and then 2 weeks off! Today Carmen had her Christmas party and singing performance. Tomorrow night Gianni is singing. I will try to post those this weekend. Happy Holidays to my friends and family.

Our Crazy Week is Over...for now!

Recently the kids wrote their letters to Santa. Since George flies home to Santa every night they decided to just leave them with George instead of dropping them in the mail. They each asked for toys and told Santa how good they have been. Of course they left out all the parts about the fighting that they do with each other!

Lately things are probably crazy for every busy family. This week and the last two or three have been filled with crazy activities, commitments, and of course the normal work schedule. As stressed out as I was, this weekend I learned that sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and just go along for the ride. Sometimes the ride is bumpy.....and it ends in removing my daughter from a baseball game because of a rotten attitude and sometimes it is smooth sailing like our baseball party picnic this afternoon. What is important is the time we spend together and as I look at the pictures I love that we are a family that does pretty much everything together.

No matter what the event is....it usually ends in this last picture on the right.

We bring pj's every place we go!

Carmen and I spent some fun time together on her first school field trip. We took the school bus to a dinner theater to have lunch and see a performance of The Nutcracker.  She had a great time and Papa came along as well. She took her picture with her favorite actor who was a doll that came to life. She called her the "Barbie".

 This week we had Gianni's final baseball game of the season. The boys played so well. I had to take the little one to the car for some quiet time and then we also had to head over early to her dance recital so I missed a lot of the game including.......a home run hit by my boy Gianni!!!!! Baseball is over and we had our final team picnic today at our house. We are sad to leave such a wonderful team but are going to take a break before we start City of Goodyear Little League in the spring. Gianni will be starting a small 8 week season of flag football next week in the mean time.

On to the big performance! So Gianni and Jonah had to show up straight from the game to the recital. Carmen and Sophia looked so cute together. They love to be on stage!

Hard to get clear pictures in there but this was right as the curtain opened! Look how happy she is to be out there in the front row!

The Dance Video

 http://youtu.be/wfBT7fRCEqU

 

Daddy Daughter Dance

http://youtu.be/VNRyMf2jReI

 

Coming Back on Stage at the End

http://youtu.be/1BEd3KZqIJ8

Thanksgiving - The Elf on the Shelf

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends. Oh my gosh my stomach is so full. Next Thanksgiving I promise to post all of the dishes I make that "don't have recipes". My stuffing is soooo yummy with carrots, onion, apples, celery, Italian Sausage, and rosemary bread cubes! The candied sweet potatoes were also a hit. Both the stuffing and the sweet potatoes are renditions of my grandmothers old recipes and I don't follow a recipe. Next year I will post them a few weeks in advance in case people want to use them. I was a little to busy to take pictures but just take my word for it....it was GOOD!. This year we brined the turkey for the first time and followed Alton's recipe from the Food Network. He is the guy that hosts Good Eats and the Iron Chef America. We were a little surprised by the cooking process. Everyone cooks their turkey for so long and it often comes out dry. Ours went in at 500 degrees for 30 minutes and spent another 1 or 1 1/2 hours at 350 and it was done. We let it sit for one full hour and crossed our fingers when we cut into it. WOW...the juiciest turkey ever. This year I also attempted my own Cream Cheese Pie Crust and Pumpkin Pie. It was so ugly....but it was so moist and creamy. Much much better than a pie from the store. My husband is a pumpkin pie fanatic...and he said it was the best ever! After dinner we headed to the movies with Nonna and Papa to see Happy Feet 2. The place was empty so it was a perfect day to catch a movie.

 While at Nonna's house the kids were given The Elf on a Shelf. This thing is the best Thanksgiving gift ever. Basically, you open the box and read a book about this elf that reports to Santa every night while the kids sleep. Once you open the package and pick a spot in your house the magic begins. He watches all day and can even see what the kids are doing when they are in the car, at school, and at the park. Every night he waits for everyone to go to sleep and then he awakes to fly quickly back to Santa to report the naughty and nice things that he saw. To prove that he has left and returned, when you wake up in the morning he will be hiding in a new spot in the house and the kids must find him. There is only one rule. The kids may not touch the elf or his magic will disappear. The elf needs to be taken out of the box, named, and then you never touch him again. On Christmas morning he will go back to Santa so on Christmas Eve we will have to say goodbye but now that "George" is our elf he will return every Thanksgiving and stay with us through Christmas. The kids came home with "George" tonight and had me read the book again. Gianni keeps checking on him and tells me that he is opening his eyes slightly and turning his body while we are out of the room. It is so cute. Thanks Nonna for Elf on the Shelf and for coming to visit us. We have missed you and we are glad that you are here for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Feast and Kidstock

 Abel went to school on Thursday to have a Thanksgiving Feast with the kids. They dined on turkey, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberries, milk and cookies. Sophia Pearson joined Carmen and Gianni, and I hear that Sydney and her Grandma were there although Abel did not get a picture. Carmen has been wearing her turkey hat all over the house lately and is having a blast making Thanksgiving themed crafts at school.

Today was a busy day as usual. Carmen had dance at 9am. Her dance for her recital is coming along so nicely and she is always singing the song. Then it was off to Gianni's 10:30 baseball game. The boys played great as usual. Then it was off to lunch where she ran into some Goodyear Fireman. They were so nice to her. They got down at her level and talked to her, they took her out to the truck and gave her a personal tour. These 4 guys made Carmen their world for ten minutes. They thought it was adorable that such a little thing wants to be a firefighter. They even invited us to the firestation...but we had to decline (which was hard for me to do..hehe) because we were off to KIDSTOCK (a music festival for kids!) They had live bands, bouce houses, free activities, all kinds of kid friendly vendors, face painting, and animals. The kids loved it and we were so greatful that Mr. Pearson was able to get us free tickets! Thanks Ted! Gianni, Jonah, Carmen and Sophia had a fun filled day at the festival.

At one point there was a booth that had snakes for the kids to touch. Gianni was so brave. Carmen said, "ewww mommy gross! I want to bounce!" and she ran away.  

Carmen and Abel headed off for Daddy Daughter Dance Practice while Gianni and I headed home. Cleaned the house tonight and now I am pooped! Got to get some rest because Carmen and I are making sauce and Gnocchi tomorrow!

Happy Halloween

Fall is in full swing. Gianni was hard at work last week helping daddy scalp the lawn to plant the winter grass! What a good helper! This past weekend we hit the Pumpkin Patch for some Halloween Fun. The kids had a great time in the corn maze, bounce house, train ride, and of course the petting zoo. Our weekends have been so busy and I am really looking forward to November. Other than dance and baseball our schedules are much more open.

 On Sunday we carved our pumpkins. Abel wanted fancy designs again this year. This time we had a third child! We were watching my friend Jennifer's little one Audrey all weekend. She loved her little pumpkin! 

 Poor Gianni didn't go to school today but I did let him go out and Trick or Treat. Probably shouldn't have because when he got back his temp was 101.5. He was asleep by 7:20 so I am hoping he will be feeling better in the morning. Carmen was Minnie Mouse of course and Gianni Darth Vader.

Happy Halloween

Go Gianni and Happy Birthday Carmen

 After Carmen's 9am dance class, Gianni had his first baseball game of the season today. The entire team played great. It was very obvious that the practices paid off. They did a great job fielding the ball but the star of the show was their hitting! Wow, the all hit great! We have ourselves a nice little team. We can't wait for Papa to be here to cheer Gianni on at his games.

Gianni's Hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvEh7AGvCg

 After the game it was home for a quick shower, some lunch, and we loaded the car up for Carmen's party. The party was perfect! Carmen, Gianni, and 15 of their closest friends had a blast! Carmen invited school friends which was new for me and her special friends "ALEX". They all got a little hyper from all of the M&M's but at least they were able to work off some energy in the gym. The adults munched on veggies and dip, fruit, cheese, chips, and Peanut Butter M&M's while the kids played, opened presents and then finally the cake! The entire party was Micky Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Her cake was filled with bananas and vanilla pudding. It was so yummy!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t930wph0vhE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhouvw3A8Nc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLJezNqj_EQ

Singing Happy Birthday - I had to stop the video to prepare for the "blowing out the candles" picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1_oNV2vfA

After dance class, a baseball game, and a birthday party.....she was wiped out! Literally! Happy Birthday Carmen. We all love you.

End of Our Break and Our Little Princess

This week we ended our fall break with a short outing to Friendship Park to play and feed the ducks. The kids enjoyed throwing food out to the ducks. Gianni of course was being a boy and was aiming right for the ducks. It's funny....I remember wanting two boys and I am so glad that I have one of each now! Gianni was "boy" in true form this week. He pulled what I am going to call "an Uncle Justin". He went to the bathroom before we left the house and proceeded to leave the bathroom sink on while we were gone. Not sure how much my water bill is going to be. We were gone for over 4 hours. If it had flooded I am not sure what I would have done with him.

 We also headed up to Nonna and Papa's house to go swimming for probably the last time this season. It is in the low 100's but it is supposed to drop. They wanted to show off their skills for Nonna and Papa.

Swimming Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkSsTN52Ge0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDUpLSDilxU

 Carmen and I got our hair done this week. This is just to give you an idea of how long it was because we actually took off over 2 inches so add that in in your mind to this picture.

 Oh my little Carmen! 4 years ago I was packing my bags for the hospital. She was a planned c-section so I remember this night perfectly. I packed 1/2 of what I packed for Gianni and insisted on packing no pink what so ever. I told people I was prepared and calm when I really wasn't. I probably didn't fool anyone. We were all pretty shocked when they told us that she was 8lbs 12oz! I thought, wow, no way. So glad she came the way she did...and a week early : )    4 years later, she is opposite of what I ever thought I would have in a girl....and I LOVE HER! She is super girly, loves pink and princesses, and she is always wearing jewelry! Total opposite of me but people tell me that's what I get for hating pink so much. We are preparing for her big day tomorrow. As stated before, I believe in doing birthdays BIG! She is super excited for tomorrow!