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.
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