Holiday Traditions

Look at me... two posts in one day! I told ya I had a lot to catch up on! So one reason why I really liked Richardson when I was interviewing for a teaching job up here in the Dallas area was bc I just got this good ole small town feel when I visited the district. Being from a small town, I felt that by working for a district like RISD would help me adjust to living in Big D. I was right. It was one of the best decisions I've made. Now Sophia is a student at a RISD school and many of the places that we go to are in the Richardson city limits. This year, we started a, what I hope to be, tradition that brings back so many small town memories for me. Sophia was in her very first holiday parade this year with her dance company. The city of Richardson holds a holiday parade and I was so excited when I found out that Sophia would have the chance to participate. I LOVED being in parades as a child.... Kyle had the Fair on the Square and Buda has (still) Budafest. I mean, nothing brings a community together like a parade!! So I signed her up. She had no idea, really, what she was going to do, but I think that my excitement caught up with her. Ramon decided that his little girl was not going to walk by herself so he signed up to walk along with her. AWWW... he's such an awesome daddy! So that left me and the boys to stake out a spot along the street to watch her. We found a great place towards the end of the parade route and had to wait a good while for the parade to start and then make its way to where we were. It was cool to see all the businesses get involved, all the girl/boy scout troops being represented and of course, the bands!! Oooo- how my Diego moved to the drum line! And my sweet Carlos could only keep his eyes open for the first part of it... even with the bands playing, horns honking and people yelling out "Merry Christmas!", he managed to take a nap! Then came the moment when I knew my princess would be coming- Ramon sent me a text and told me to look out for truck pulling a roller-blading elf. Sophia's face when she saw us cheering her on was priceless! And then as they passed us, Diego realized that he was missing out on the fun and yelled,"PAPI!!!" and ran out to join the parade. Too funny! This parade might not have been on any tv channel but it really put me in the holiday spirit and was a great way to kick off the holiday season. I hope that we participate again is some way next year and in the years to come.

Such a slacker

I am totally dropping the ball on this blogging business. Ugh! I'm so disappointed in myself bc I really want this to be a way for me to record the everyday stories of my children. There are so many small details of our daily life that I find so fascinating, so hilarious, so meaningful but I never, NEVER remember to sit down at the end of the day to blog about them. So what have we missed since my last blog? Oh, just Thanksgiving, Carlos turning six months, Sophia's sixth birthday, Diego's Christmas program, Christmas, New Year's. I will do a better job. I will do a better job. I will do a better job.

Let me see what I can go back and remember....

Thankgiving was yummy. We went to Kyle to spend it with my side of the family. My cousins threw a surprise party for my uncle's 70th birthday that same weekend and all of us were WAY excited bc it was a 50's themed party and we all had to dress up. It was neat feeling all the excitement from my mom and my aunts as they planned the party. We busted out the poodle skirts, leather jackets and rolled up jeans. My sweet dad dressed up as Elvis (granted, he wore a classic 70's Elvis outfit, but we got the point!) and he looked so cute. He's such a good sport. My mom and dad were responsible for bringing my Uncle Benny in and he was so surprised. Oh, and we danced and danced and danced. It is a rare event to have Diego get worn out but we did it. Around 10:30, he stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me and said, "I want to go to sleep." For those of you who know my little Diego well- you know that he just KEEPS. ON. GOING. Here are some pics of the party.

Mmmm- Fall

It's that time of year again. Time to step out of the house in the morning- oh, around 7:30 in the morning and take a deep breath. Do you smell it? Fresh, cool, fall. The smell of the morning on an October morning takes me back to Friday mornings in high school- getting ready for the weekly pep rally. It smells of warm sweaters. Football games. School backpacks. Wet leaves. Halloween candy. Homecoming mums. State Fair. Turkey. I love fall. Period.

Here are a couple of shots of kiddos this fall. Halloween has turned into Sophia's favorite holiday. She decided to be Daphne from Scooby Doo but then changed her mind and wanted to be a mermaid. My Diegito was very firm from the very beginning that he wanted to be Spiderman. I had a hard time deciding what to dress up Carlos. He ended up being a pumpkin bc that's just a classic first costume and well, let's face it, he's round like a pumpkin.

Happy Birthday, Diego!

Celebrating the big number 3!

We had Diego's party at my parents house in Kyle this year. Their place is perfect for a party because there is so much room for the kids to run around and play. Diego picked out his cake back in July when he was staying with my parents and he picked out a fire truck themed cake, so that's what we went with. I found the cutest plates and pinate at Party city and my parents spent all of August and the first part of September getting the house ready for the party. They were so excited and wanted it to be perfect for him. My dad found a horse trainer to get the horse ready for giving the kids rides, he cleaned and painted the playhouse and my mom just went all out on the food planning.

On the way to Kyle, I was crossing my fingers and toes, hoping that it wouldn't rain. For some reason it ALWAYS rains during the middle of September in Kyle. Sure enough, once we hit Georgetown, dark clouds rolled in and it rained all evening Friday. Ugh! But we woke up to bright skies (but lots of humidity) on Saturday and I just prayed that the rain would wait until AFTER the party. Once 11:00 rolled around, the fun started complete with a hay ride, playing in the playhouse and surprise visit from the Kyle Fire Department!!! It was so awesome to see the huge fire truck in my parent's driveway.

We had a blast with the pinata. My Sophia was the one who broke the pinate... I was so proud of her! She told me later, "Mommy, I really wanted that candy. That's why I broke it!" That's my sugar monkey!

At the end of a very looong party, the clouds came in and it started to rain. How thankful we were that God heard my prayers and held the rain until the last guest left. The kids came in, took a bath and just relaxed. Sweet Carlos passed out! It was his first family function at the Tobias ranch and he was passed from aunt to aunt like a little football. To say he was exhausted is an understatement! We had a blast celebrating my little fireman. I hope he knows just how much I love celebrating his special day!

Our Brentfield Bobcat

Look out, world, we have a Kindergarten Queen in the house! Our baby girl started Kindergarten on August 23 and she has been loving it! I've been so excited about this milestone for a long time... I know that it's a big step in her life. Elementary school is such a special time for her to make some great memories. So this summer, whenever we would go out and about, I made it a point to drive by the school so that she could start becoming attached to it. Leading up to THE BIG DAY, I really wasn't nervous about letting her go. I mean, she's been in school for two years already at Canyon Creek and was used to long days at school. I would drop her off at 7:15 and not pick her up until 5:00. She was well prepared for kinder, socially and academically. Meet the Teacher Night went well. Sophia was a little shy meeting her teacher but was really interested in the classroom and wanted to explore all the shelves and cubbies. The night before the first day of school, I read The Kissing Hand to her. If you don't know this book, it's about a little racoon on his first day of school. He is nervous about going so his mom kisses the palm of his hand so that he can carry her kiss and her love with him all day long. As I packed her lunch, I started to get emotional. I wondered how it came to be that I already have a kindergartener. How did she grow up so fast? I think because she is my first born, I have constantly looked forward to each milestone with her- soon she'll be sitting up- soon she'll be walking- soon she will speak a complete sentence and then all of a sudden, here is this long legged school girl picking out her first day of school outfit and placing it next to her pink princess backpack. Makes me wish I treasured the present instead of looking towards the future because they really do grow up so fast.

The next morning, I woke up extra early to make her cinnamon rolls. She got dressed in her favorite dress, we took our time with her hair and just enjoyed the morning together. I had the camera ready at the table to take plenty of pictures. Walking into her school, I could tell that she was nervous. So was I. But I knew that I had to mask my feelings so that she could see that everything was gonna be alright. We found her seat and I got her started with her morning work. Ramon and I kissed her goodbye and walked out the door. No hanging around the room for us! I know from experience that it's just best to do a quick goodbye! But in the car, on the way home, the tears flowed. My baby girl is in elementary school! I promise to slow down and treasure every moment with her, Diego and Carlos. I will remember that these are the best times RIGHT NOW, so that I'm not so sad when they are over.

Three Months

Oh, sweet Carlos, how time flies when you're having fun. You are such joy in my life. Already three months old today! I can't call you a newborn anymore- especially since you fill out size 6 months pajamas! Whew- I have to STUFF you into those! Ha! There are so many things I want to write about as I think about these past 3 months. Here are just a few of my favorite things about you:

1. Your hair- everywhere we go, people mention how much hair you have. It sticks up in the back and I love to nuzzle my nose into it when you sit on my lap.

2. Your smile- it lights up the room and lights up my heart. You're such a smiley baby and it makes me happy to know that your world is a happy one.

3. The way you suck your two middle fingers to fall asleep. This is something that you've learned in the past two weeks and it is ADORABLE! You hunt for your fingers when your are sleepy and once they are in your mouth, it looks like you are doing the Hook 'Em sign. You usually have your left hand in your mouth while you pull your hair with your right hand- what's THAT all about? I don't know but you sure are a cutie when you do it!

4. Your rolls. On your arms, legs, tummy, under your chin. You are my chunkiest baby so far and it makes me feel good knowing that I'm doing a great job nourishing you and keeping you healthy.

5. The way you scrunch up your legs when I lift you out of your car seat or swing. Only newborns do that.

6. The smell of your baby skin. Before AND after a bath.

7. How you let your big sister and brother love on you. They aren't the most gentle, especially Diego, and they don't quite understand the idea of "personal space" when it comes to loving on you. But you let them kiss you, hug you, snuggle with you and hold you. What a wonderful attitude you have!

8. The sound of your voice during our conversations. Your "oohs" and "aaahs" sound so sweet to my ears. I wonder what you're trying to say to me- you're such a chatty little thing. And when I'm holding you and you start talking to me, I love feeling the vibration of your voice on my hand that is supporting your back. When we talk for too long, you always get the hiccups.

9. How you laugh when Daddy gives you kisses on your chubby cheeks. He loves you so...

10. I love counting your eyelashes as you sleep in my arms.

11. The color of your hair- brown with honey colored highlights. I wonder if it will stay that way?

12. The way your tighten your hands around my finger- such a strong boy! I'll always keep you safe, little man, and will always be there to hold your hand when you need it.

13. You snort. Did you know that? Whenever you start breathing too fast or crying, you start snorting. It's so funny!

14. I love to hold you. Some might say that I hold you too much, but you'll only be this little once in your lifetime, and let's face it, you're my last baby, so why can't I hold you as much as I want? I love the way your body molds to mine. I tried to explain it to Daddy the other day but my arms feel so empty and my heart physically aches when you've been out of my arms for too long. You were asleep in you swing and it was time for me to go to bed. I had to pick you up, which resulted in you waking up (everyone knows not to wake a sleeping baby), but I just needed to feel you in my arms before I went to sleep. It's like my arms want to memorize what it feels like to hold you as a little one because they know that this precious time goes too quickly and before we know it- you'll be a big boy and won't fit in my arms anymore.

I am so thankful for you, sweet Carlitos, and I treasure each and everyday with you. Happy three month birthday!

Love,

Mommy

Siblings- the best and the worst of it

I really lucked out on the sibling front. My brothers are 8 and 10 years older than I am and are awesome! As a child, I never had to deal with the bickering and fighting the comes along with having a sibling close in age. Because they are so much older than I am, they just took care of me- they taught me how to do things, spent time with me and so on. Not to say that I didn't get on their nerves or anything, but I had it pretty sweet. Fast forward to the present where I have Sophia and Diego who are 2 years and 9 months apart. I am really having to adjust to how quickly things can go from the two of them playing sweetly together to it all falling apart with the two of them throwing knuckle sandwiches at each other. They so love each other but man, when they get on each other's nerves-- it's like World War III in the living room. Ramon assures me that it's normal- his sisters and brother are all one year apart. I guess me not being able to keep them entertained as well as I would like to bc I have to take care of Carlos and not having the opportunity to take them outside to burn energy probably has something to do with it. But I want to write down that happened the other day. Sophia was playing with a toy that makes music. She was playing all by herself for about 10 minutes and then Diego came along. He apparently didn't like the songs that were playing so he turned the toy off. She turned it on. He turned it back off. On. Off. On. Off. Finally she yells at him, "DIEGO- STOP IT! YOU'RE BEING SELFISH!!" He looks at her and pipes back," I NOT A FISH!!! I A BIG BOY!!!!" Oh- I couldn't help but crack up laughing. Sophia just looked at him and walked away. She had no comeback! I know that these little fights (and some of the big ones) are just a part of growing up. I just hope that they grow up knowing that they can depend on one another, through good times and bad. I hope they cheer each other on- like my brothers did for me. I hope they learn that it's okay to have different opinions, to agree to disagree and to love each other endlessly.