The Fabulously Fantastic Five

I have been blessed with some great friends! I am so lucky to have these women in my life. They are a great influence on me and my little family. I love you Niki, Angela, Becky and LeAnn!

saftey first

This is how I find Isabella when I am not paying attention. She is a little monkey! She is also a little biter! Lauren had bite marks on her arm for a few days after Isabella bit her because she had taken something away from her. Crazy kid! Does this start earlier with each child? That is what I am thinking.
She is not even eleven months!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Cesar's work puts on an awesome Christmas party for the kids! This is the best Santa and Mrs. Claus I have ever seen! They come every year, and this year Samuel is convinced that this isn't the really Mr. and Mrs. Claus, because Mrs. Claus is wearing a watch, and the real Mrs. Claus doesn't wear a watch. I told him that she needs to wear a watch in order to keep Santa on time. He still isn't convinced. Samuel asked for "Lego Star Wars video game E for everyone." (we currently don't have any type of gaming system, nor will we for a long time. Never if I have my way.) Lauren asked for a "counting thing". I have since discovered that this is a cash register. And Sweet Baby Bella wasn't too sure about the whole thing. I am sure that she would love her own baby to hold and kiss instead of one of Lauren's. But, that is just a guess. :)

We had a great time decorating cookies, putting together a Christmas count-down chain, making ornaments, and playing games. This tradition marks the beginning of the Christmas season for our family. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Halloween

The scary witch, batman and the little chicken all had a great Halloween. The Batman became Luke Skywalker who then became the Tin Man. But the Witch and the Little Chick stayed the same. We love Halloween! Every year it becomes more
fun as the kids get older.

First Recital

Lauren stated violin lessons 2 months ago from an amazing teacher in our neighborhood. She approached me about 2 years ago asking if she could teach Lauren to play the violin. I feel a bit intimidated because this teacher is so good and I know nothing about the violin. Really, I know nothing! I have to learn to play the violin a bit, and I am so embarrassed that I have to ask the mom next to me which is the E string...I now can remember, the E string is the etty beety string. That is how I remember. :) Lauren has been so excited and she LOVES to play the violin...so far. :) It is so much fun that she likes to practice on her own terms. We often get into heated discussions about how she is supposed to be playing and what Ramona told her in lessons. :) So much fun! We are working on bowing and finger positioning and for her first recital, Lauren played "Pop Goes the Weasel" on her little violin. She did an awesome job! I am so proud of her! She wasn't afraid or nervous or anything! She has been looking forward to playing her little song in front of everyone for the past month. We are working on the beginnings of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and hopefully she will be ready to play some of it for the Christmas Concert.


Due to an unfortunate experimental activity last week, we are having a hard time keeping the violin tuned...so, even though it was tuned about 10 minutes before she played, it was out of tune. Nonetheless, I am so proud of my little violinist! She is very serious about playing and really enjoys it.

Keeping Pace

So, my Sam loves to go running with his dad.
They did the 5k race again this year with Cesar's work.
Sam did a great job!

He was the youngest racer and he was so excited to get a
medal and some prizes! Way to go Sam!

Bath time is so much fun!

My Sweet Baby Bella!