Abuelo's Little Girl

A Sad Sunday!!

Tears were flowing yesterday as we said goodbye to Abuelo and Abuela after a fun 2 1/2 month visit. Abuela is a very sensitive woman who cares very deeply about her family and Abuelo is a very serious and stern man whose heart was melted by Mari and Xavier. They both fell in love with Mari and Xavier and were heartbroken to say goodbye to them.

Thanks Abuela!!

I have taken full advantage in watching my Abuela in the kitchen while she has been visiting us for the past 3 months from Mexico and I have finally mastered how to make homemade tortilla's!!!

I was so surprised to see my tortilla's start to bubble up just like Abuela's that I screamed with joy and hurried to get the camera so I could show you this:

Finally after looking like I poured a bag of flour on me, here is the end result:

They turned out great and tasted even better especially "con queso y creama" (with cheese and cream)!!!!

She Is Growing Up Too Fast!

While getting ready to go visit Juan's grandparents this morning Mari asked to wear her jewelry. I pulled out her necklace from Abuelo Amado and her bracelet from Tio Gaby. Then she proceeded to ask for earrings. I explained to her that I had no earrings because her ears were not pieced. She then said "I want to get my ears pierced today!" Juan almost fell over with excitement. In his culture it is normal for girls to have their ears pierced when they are babies; but I felt it was unfair to do it until she asked for them to be done.

So today was the day my baby girl had her ears pierced. We walked up to the counter at the Piercing Pagoda and she picked out the earrings she wanted and then sat completely still while they pierced her ears. I was so proud how brave she was - she looked so grown up and did an amazing job and her ears are sparkling!

The Next "Handy Manny"

Xavier got some belated birthday presents when we went to Pennsylvania last weekend. Here he is showing off his cool talking tool belt that his cousin Luke got him!

Election Day!

Happy 31st Birthday Juan!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday with many more to come! I had a birthday party for him on Saturday that turned out great. Here a couple of pictures from his party!

Look What My Sister Did To Me

For the past couple of weeks Xavier has been taking his clothes and diaper off on his own. Well yesterday Mari decided to put her underwear on him - backwards and this was the end result. Xavier didn't mind it at all until we tried to take them off of him!!!!!

Mari's Halloween Parade

This morning was the Halloween Parade at Mari's preschool and the paparazzi (aka - mommy and daddy) was out in full force . Some kids loved the attention, some walked with their heads down and some cried the entire parade. Nonetheless all the kids looked adorable! Here is a video of Mari's class.

A Picture is Worth A Thousands Words!

I was uploading my pictures yesterday and came across this "classic" picture that I thought I would share!

Halloween at Silver Diner

Last night we went to Silver Diner for their Halloween Costume Party! The kids had a great time dressing up. Mari went as batman and Xavier as a monkey. We met up with Deb and Krista (Tinkerbell who decided to paint her face like Spiderman): and Lee, Ali and Quinn (Fireman):
Mari got her face painted like Spiderman and Xavier got his face painted like a monkey.

The Flu Shot Adventure!

Saturday we ventured out to get our flu shot as a family. Juan is deathly afraid of needles, so getting him to agree to get the flu shot was like pulling teeth. We arrived at the Dr's. office and the nurse advised us that the kids needed to be seen by the Dr. before they were able to get their shots. So, I volunteered Juan to go get his shot while I waited for the kids to see the Dr. and if he got back before we saw the Dr. that I would go and get my shot and he could wait to see the Dr. Well, by the time Juan was done getting his shot, we were with the Dr. The Dr. asked us if any of us had a sore throat, runny nose or fever? I said yes, we all have a runny nose (including Juan). The Dr. immediately said that we could NOT get our shots today and to follow-up in 1 week with our primary Dr.

I could not contain my laughter because after all the hype about getting the flu shot, the only one who got it was the biggest chicken of us all!

On a side note - it has been over 48 hours since Juan got his shot and he refuses to take the bandaid off and said his arm hurts!!!!

Burrrrrr It's Cold

With temperatures dropping into the low 40's I had to finally break down and turn the heat on. I am sure my kids appreciated sleeping in a warm room!

"Rawding" or "Roman"????

After eating lunch today Mari went to the bathroom and called my name in a panic! I hurried to the bathroom to find Mari giggling and gleaming from ear to ear while staring at what she had left in the potty! She said "Momma look how long it is - it looks like a tail!" As I was flushing the toilet she said "go get your camera and take a picture of it"!

So my question is: Do you think she got this from the "Rawding" side or the "Roman" side?

Feliz Cumpleaños Abuela!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday - Te Amo!

Pumpkin "Playground" Patch

Since the weather was perfect yesterday we decided to go to Burke Nursery to the Pumpkin "Playground" Patch. Mari and Xavier loved going down the slides on pieces of carpet, visiting the animals, digging in the sand for "treasures", going on a pony ride, getting their faces painted and taking a hay ride. Juan was a little hesitant on them digging in the sand because he didn't want them to get dirty! I told him that is why we have a washing machine.

We each got to pick a pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch to bring home. Mari brought them inside the house last night because she didn't want the squirrels to get them (she is so dramatic). However, one bit the dust because Xavier decided to play soccer with it!

Visit to the Firehouse

Yesterday we went to the firehouse in celebration of "Fire Prevention Week". Mari and Xavier had a blast. Xavier touched every truck he could and he LOVED the rescue dogs. However, neither one of them were too keen with "Sparky" the blow up dog!

I will take care of you Momma

Mari was watching TV this morning before we left for school and there were 3 kids playing "doctor". After it was over, Mari and I had the following conversation:

Mari: Momma I am going to be a Dr. when I grow up.

Me: Great - you will be able to take care of me when I get older

Mari: I don't want you to get older - ever!

Me: I explained that everyone gets older - it is part of life.

Mari (after thinking for a minute): Well I will take care of you and hold
you in my arms. No one will ever hurt you!

I love my baby girl!!!

2190 Days Ago Today....

Juan and I got married! I remember the first time I met him like it was yesterday. Happy Anniversary - Te Amo Mi Amor!

Mari Roman

Mari has been practicing writing her name and is doing pretty well at it.

Diaper Basketball

Yeah you read that right - Diaper Basketball! Last night I asked Xavier to put his dirty diaper in the trash. However he quickly told me "NO" since he was in the middle of having a melt down because I would not let him wear the motorcycle shirt that he had worn all day to bed. In an attempt to distract him, his genius daddy decided to teach him how to throw the dirty diaper from the hallway to the trash can in the bathroom! Well Xavier loved this game and continued to play for about 15 minutes without making one basket! I can hardly wait until he decides to try this with a poopy diaper!

Diaper Basketball did make him forgot about the dirty motorcycle shirt; however he did find a clean motorcycle shirt which he wore to bed and is wearing today to school because he refused to take it off!

Here We Go Steelers!!!

Mari and Xavier wore their Steeler jerseys to school today in honor of the Steelers playing the Ravens tonight.

GO STEELERS!

Build-A-Bear

WOW was this place overwhelming! Mari and Xavier went there yesterday to celebrate their cousin Isabel's 9th birthday! I could not get over all of the STUFF they had. Mari had a good time picking out clothes for her "monkey"; however, Xavier could of cared less and was happy pulling all the clothes off the shelf!

First off they get you by making you choose from over 25+ animals to make. This process took us a good 20 minutes. Mari decided on a Monkey and Xavier decided on all the animals, but narrowed it down to an elephant.

Once you have picked out an animal you pick a sound and special heart and then you stuff it. Before stuffing you have to kiss the heart and close your eyes and make a wish and put the heart inside your animal. Once it is stuffed the staff asks you to jump up and down, turn around, and then hug your animal. Here are pictures of them hugging their animals:

Mari and her Monkey

Xavier with his Elephant

Now it was time to pick out what your animal would wear. They had everything from, Halloween costumes, princess costumes, sport themed costumes and vast assortment of boys and girls clothes. You name it they had it. However, you could not just stop at the clothes, you needed a hat, shoes, glasses, purse, cell phone, wands, swords, etc. It was unbelievable.

After about 1 1/2 hours looking for that magical outfit and $80.00 later, here are the end results:

Mari, Xavier, Isabel and Aranza

It was a lot of fun, but hopefully Mari won't want to go back anytime soon!

Disney on Ice

Mari and I went to see Disney on Ice last night with her friend Krista and her mother Debbie. It was a memorable night and we had a lot of fun. Mari LOVED the show and was dancing and clapping all night.

The Master of Ceremonies were Micky and Minnie Mouse along with Donald Duck and Goofy. We saw - "The Cars", "The Little Mermaid", "The Lion King" and "The Fairies". Before the show they had a "Princess Pre-Show" where they displayed all the princesses gowns and accessories. Mari was in heaven!!

After the show I asked Mari "what was you favorite part of the show?" and she replied "all of it!"

It was also great to spend time alone with Mari by herself! We need to do this more often.

Another Mommy Moment

I must need a nap, or better yet maybe I should start my day over and get out on the other side of the bed. After dropping Mari off at preschool I went to the parking lot and got in the van, sat in the seat and attempted to start the van. However there was 1 small problem - it was NOT my van!

Xavier's 2nd Birthday Party

Dahlia and Zaida had a 2nd birthday party for Xavier at "La Escuelita Family Daycare". The theme was cars and trucks. All of his buddies were in attendance - Naomi, Quinn, Collin, Jake, Katie, Truman, Thatcher, and Kayla. Mari even skipped preschool so she could celebrate his day with him.

In staying with the theme of the party I made a "Dump Truck Cake" that all the kids loved. It even came equipped with its own serving spoon - a shovel!

The kids all sang Happy Birthday to Xavier and waited patiently to dig in the "dirt" (aka - cake). Xavier huffed and he puffed and finally he was able to blow the candle out with a little help from his sister.

It was evident that none of the kids would be eating lunch or taking a nap because they all enjoyed the cake so much they asked for another plate full. It was also evident by Xavier's face that the cake was yummy.

Fun was had by all and Xavier got a lot of cool gifts including cars, a sound cube puzzle, Elmo music maker and a football.

Once we got home the party continued as family called and friend and neighbors stopped by and said Happy Birthday and brought more gifts including Handy Manny and his Tools, Shoot and Score Soccer Net and and Elmo CD player! Mommy and Daddy got him his very own scooter and helmet and Mari got him an Elmo's Piano Book!

Xavier's had a great 2nd Birthday which is evident by his big smile!

My Baby is 2!!

Two years ago today I was at work getting ready to go to my 37 week OB appointment. Much to my surprise that would be my last appointment while pregnant. You were was ready to make your way into the world; as I was admitted to the L&D and schedule for a c-section later that day due to pre-eclampsia.

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating your 1st birthday. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. So let's try to enjoy each and every moment, because no matter what comes our way or no matter what stage of life we are in, we're gonna miss it.

I just want to say "Happy Birthday Little Man". I LOVE YOU!

"My Heart is Laughing"

Mari and I were laying on the bed Saturday night reading books and being silly. Mari started laughing so hard she was crying and then Mari said to me "Mommy you make me laugh so hard my heart is laughing". I adore my little princess!

OMG - That was easy

I have finally entered into the great world of blogging in about 30 seconds flat! I have no writing experience; but I thought it would be neat to have a place to jot down my everyday experiences so I could someday share this with my children and my family could join in our daily adventures! Sit back and enjoy!