As everyone in the world knows, we got the girls a trampoline for Christmas. Well that was a whole four days ago, and that is a whole four days of either jumping, or talking about jumping from both, Paetin and Cameryn. It is so fun that they love it so much! And I won't deny that it is definitely a work out to keep them entertained! (; Camy is finally comfortable jumping on her feet while other people jump around her, and she also has no problem just hanging out in the center letting everyone, and anyone bounce her to their hearts content. Paetin on the other hand, took a few days coaching to be okay with the aspect of letting others bounce her. Something about being out of control. I have NO idea where she'd get that from. (;
We were up super late on Christmas Eve playing "Santa" and of course baking like a magic elf! Edward and I didn't get to bed until after 2:00 A.M. so when our alarm went of at 6:15, we were definitely wondering if the cherry rolls on Christmas morning were truly worth it! LoL.. but who were we kidding? Of course they were! (; We got our dill bread made, an two pies baked the night before, so all we had to do was get our sweet dough put together, wait for it to rise and bake just a little more before the girls woke up. Who knew that the earliest one would be Paetin after 8:15!! LOL!! Our tradition at our house is that we allow the girls to open ONE gift on Christmas Eve, our Chrismas Jammies. Then you can wake up whenever you want, and you can open your stockings as you please, but we won't open any presents until after our breakfast, which won't happen until everyone is up, and well, when we get around to it. Just to be clear, our breakfast is usually around 9-9:30 on Christmas morning. So what is only an hour to us, is an eternity to a little person anxious to get ripping! (;
For Christmas Eve, we headed up to my brother Danny's place. He was supposed to have a bunch of people over for dinner and caroling. Let me just say, I think it was a trick! Our family, and Janel's brother Bryan were the only ones. Though I won't lie, it was a lot fun, and way less hectic this way! (; The girls had so much fun seeing the boys, and really, since we moved to Laveen last year, we don't see as much of my brother's family as I would like. Hopefully we'll be better about that. (;
Paetin had her very first Christmas Program last night. Man was it cute!!! It was compiled of the First Graders singing two song, the Kindergartners singing three, and then for the finale, they sang two together.<3 Earlier in the day I was fortunate enough to catch the last two songs as they performed them for the other students at the school, and it actually brought tears to my eyes. Not to mention sad things, but given the recent shooting in Connecticut, seeing that many five to seven year-old kids come together to spread Christmas joy was a little overwhelming. My heart goes out to those family and friends who will not be able to join, or see their little ones perform their Christmas songs this season. ): Sorry to damper the post, but it truly was my thoughts and feelings at the time.<3 Merry Christmas, and though it won't be the same for you, may it be filled with love.
Who knew that even gingerbread houses made with milk cartons and graham crackers could be as messy and unpredictable as an actual gingerbread houses? Not that I would trade, I'm all over the graham cracker versions, I think real ones are the most evil things about Christmas!! (; I was lucky enough to be able to volunteer and help out in Miss Zakarian's class on Tuesday, and help the kids make their houses! They had so much fun, and for a bunch of five and six year-old kids, man were they creative!!
Last night, I hosted my very first cookie and soup party! That's right, cookies AND soup! Cause really, is there anything better than those together only ten days before Christmas? What's that? There is? Oh yeah, if you add a hot chocolate and hot cider bar! Guess what?! We did! (; LoL. I was so nervous about this, since I haven't really had more than a handful of people over to the house.. and this was a whole group at once! All of the sudden all of the imperfections and insecurities that I could possibly have about my house, started to happen in full force. All I can say is, my poor dear husband.<3 I will state my personal opinion; I think the evening was quite a success, especially for my first get together that didn't involve my parents!
Well.. for a week now, we have had a GIANT hole in our backyard. Many people who have stopped by our place this week, have been super impressed. I mean, we got 90% of it dug in the first day.. . why do you think they're impressed? Well.. the answer is, we live in Arizona, and dirt here sucks! And that is even if you can actually bring yourself to call it dirt. It's more like clay meets rock from hell and made a baby. Try digging that! (; To be honest, everyone is just impressed that we didn't have to rent a jack hammer. Cause we have "nice" dirt.. please use that term loosely, I know I do!
Last year my nephews got a little buddy in the beginning of December. He was an elf, and he lived on a shelf. In fact, the actually named him, "Buddy". (; I know this is a timeless tradition that goes way back.. but needless to say, it's a tradition that is back in full heat this season! Paetin LOVED Buddy, and wanted her own elf desperately. I had such a hard time spending $30 on a stuffed elf and a book, and then getting a skirt if we got a little lady, that even though I wanted to fun of one, I was going to pass it up this year. That is, until, Barnes&Noble hosted little lady elves for $13.49 and free shipping! Heck, even with a $6.00 skirt, that is a lot cheaper! So, I caved, and she was to our house in three short days!
Dec. 1st, 2012 our neighborhood block watch hosted a "Winter Wonderland" at the park behind our house. The talk of the week was the 20 TONS of snow that they were to have! Oh man, we were so excited! I mean . . Santa, SNOW, and hot cocoa sounded just about right to get us into the Holiday Spirit. (: Let's be honest, Arizona isn't exactly known for it's overabundance of Christmas "demeanor". (;
November 30th.. oh what a day!! My "old man" turned TWENTY-EIGHT that day!! (: I can't really tell you the last time that Eddy or I celebrated our birthdays.. but I was so thrilled that we got to celebrate his this year! Even with it being right after a festive Thanksgiving, and just before an expensive month of Christmas! My parents were in town, and luckily, they were even able to go out WITH us, instead of babysitting for us. (; My brother, Janel and our new little nephew Eric joined us as well. It was a lovely evening, indeed! <3
I know that even as an outgoing person, I, personally, always get so nervous and tend to choke up when it comes to public speaking. I mean, they say it was next to death on people's "want to do" lists?? Well.. Miss Paetin had NO problem speaking at her first public event, in front of a few HUNDRED people!
I know this may seem silly. But to Eddy and Paetin, yesterday, December 4, 2012, was a special day. That day marked three years since Eddy chose to be Paetin's daddy forever. That day in Washington, changed bother theirs, and my life forever. We became a full, legal family.<3
He had to work yesterday, and I was literally gone ALL day, so he had the babies until he went to work, but he stopped by her school, and gave her a rose to show her it was something special to him. When I picked her up, she was SO proud of her rose that Daddy sent to her in class! <3 I couldn't be more happy for her and him both. They love each other so much, and over the last three years (and even before then) they have helped each other morph and grow into who they are today. I can't wait to see the journey they'll have together from here out. (: Paetin is so lucky to have Eddy, as am I. And he is lucky to have her. Their relationship was something chosen, and honestly, their love for each other melts my heart everyday.
Dec. 1st, 2012 our neighborhood block watch hosted a "Winter Wonderland" at the park behind our house. The talk of the week was the 20 TONS of snow that they were to have! Oh man, we were so excited! I mean . . Santa, SNOW, and hot cocoa sounded just about right to get us into the Holiday Spirit. (: Let's be honest, Arizona isn't exactly known for it's overabundance of Christmas "demeanor". (;
I know that even as an outgoing person, I, personally, always get so nervous and tend to choke up when it comes to public speaking. I mean, they say it was next to death on people's "want to do" lists?? Well.. Miss Paetin had NO problem speaking at her first public event, in front of a few HUNDRED people!