No you didn't!

I came home from the gym yesterday to this little number. In the past, I've given Alfonso a hard time about his choice of outfits for Mia. I think he just opens the drawer, closes his eyes and grabs.

He was pretty surprised when I kept her in the outfit even when we ventured out. He took her in a department store alone, and said more than a few ladies commented on her cuteness. That's strange because when I carried her around I just got funny looks. What a double standard, eh?!

Our first (and late) Christmas as a family of four

One very good reason to use a tripod, and another to show the power abused.

I still can't figure out how in the world little Mia managed to make the same face in both pictures. Apparently she didn't get the "Funny Face" memo.

Christmas, our second stop

Can't pass up a firehouse Christmas dinner!

Christmas with the parents

Alfonso had to work his first Christmas since he started with the department, so just the three of us went to my parent's place. This year's theme included an 'Ugly Sweater Contest'. Apparently the theme is pretty popular and after a semi-exhausting, last-minute search, I just made our sweaters. I glued candy canes to mine and spelled "Merry Christmas". Believe it or not, not a single candy cane was harmed as I managed to spell the phrase without any breaks (unless you consider hot glue harmful). Spencer had his shirt decorated with Christmas tree marshmallows just as he requested. By the end of the day, only a third of remained. I think eating the marshmallows was in the plan from the very beginning, wouldn't you say?! I found an ugly enough sweater for Mia at the thrift store, but everyone thought it was cute. My Grandma was voted the winner. She had her very tacky sweater handmade by a friend. It included half a table runner, lots of bows and too many jingle bells. She deserved the win.

This Christmas was so different than the last. I enjoy Christmas, but last year we were separated from Mia. We had returned from our visit with her a few days before Christmas and I was down. I have a new appreciation for Christmas this year.

Happy birthday Jesus!

Now it's really official!

Our early birthday celebration yesterday led to some confusion. Spencer wanted some extra confirmation this morning that now he was really four. No pretending pal, you're four!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese with some friends and had the whole place practically to ourselves. Spencer had a blast spending his tokens. I might have spent a few myself (that bowling game a little addictive). The picture above shows just how he decided to spend his birthday money from Grandma.

Now it is time to write that annual birthday letter. Throughout the year I write down a few events or funnies from the month and and use the list to jog my memory as I write the letter. I'm sure it is something that will be cherished in the future.

What a day!

Our BIG little guy turns four tomorrow. Daddy's got to work on his official birthday, so we've made today Spencer's birthday "celebration". He jumped at the chance to have his birthday last two days. Who wouldn't?! Today he ruled the roost. Tomorrow will be the same. The day after that, Mommy's sure to be insane.

Spencer LOVES to go to the movies. Alfonso thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Spencer to get his wish and this momma a date. Spencer told me he was taking me to the movies and in the same sentence, insisted "you drive, okay mom?". He's no dare devil! Really, I found it cute as lifted my date to the counter to order our tickets. He had a hard time figuring out how he'd pay for the tickets, drinks, and popcorn with one bill (it was a twenty). This is tough stuff to explain!

After we came home and ate some of our gingerbread house (another wish granted), we went to his school for his Christmas play. We didn't invite anyone else as we thought it just might encourage his stage fright. He cut out a bit early on his drummer boy performance, but he warned us ahead of time that he was only going to drum for "one minute". We were certainly proud of his performance because we knew he stretched himself.

This photo editing "adventure" went much more smoothly than my last. This picture is one of a gazillion (slight exaggeration) we took while in Guatemala.

My After and Before picture

The results I achieved after an hour of pressing and unpressing buttons on Photoshop:

Before spending an hour of my life pressing and unpressing buttons on Photoshop:


I'm very much a novice as I'm just beginning to wade my way through the six inch manual. There's a lot to learn, but I'm looking forward to the adventure. Many thanks to my dear hubby!

Night out on the town,

but it isn't what you think. After dinner, I packed the kiddos in the car and headed out to look for (any) lit homes. We found more than a few, and some even impressed me. We drove around the neighborhood for about 45 minutes (sorry Fonz...this killed my m.p.g. average), just until the popcorn ran out and the whining started. Mia was in awe; I've never heard the word "Wow" more in my life!

Tonight I reminisced a bit about my Christmas light outings. One outing in particular came to mind. I'm not sure how old I was, just that I was with two of my favorite people: Grandma and Grandpa Simon. I remember taking extra care as I buckled the two elf dolls alongside me. Not one lit display comes to mind now, just the time spent together.

Our tree is decorated (and thanks to Mia, decorated and decorated again)! Our house smells like pine! I love it!

I can't believe I was able to snap a picture of the kids together, looking at the camera AND smiling. It may seem like no big deal to some, but you try it. I'll bet you'll be sweating before you get a picture to meet all three criteria.

Wake me up...I must be dreaming!

Today, Alfonso needed to use the computer and he found Spencer occupying the office chair. When Alfonso asked what he was doing he simply replied, "I'm paying bills real quick". I wish! This little mime act is proof I do more than sit on the couch and eat Bonbons! (My accuser: you know WHO you are!)

And while I am on the topic of language, little Mia's vocabulary now regularly includes the word "Mama". Whether the word comes in a moment of pure happiness or sounding a bit like a whine, I can honestly say each time my heart just melts. She's just precious!

He's only three

We decided some time ago to forgo the whole Santa Claus business. I'm not telling you this is what you should do, but we felt it was the best choice for our family. Afterall, I did the whole Santa thing when I was little and I turned out (fairly) normal.

We naively believed we could skirt the topic of S.C. for at least another year. Big mistake! When Spencer returned from a visit with his grandma, she said he wanted to write a letter to Santa Claus to request some toy he just had to have (in case you're wondering, it was a $50 Robosapien). So, Alfonso and I have this 'deer in the headlights' look plastered on both our mugs. Like it or not, the time had come.

Alfonso sat Spencer down and told him the news. Santa Claus isn't real. He's just part of a story people share at Christmastime. And because Alfonso felt he owed it to the kid, he told him a long and far too advanced history of the "real" S.C. (he'd watched something on the History Channel). The tears immediately began to flow. I tried my very best to make out what our little man was trying to squeeze out between the sobs. You see, Spencer wasn't crying because of the news of Santa, he just thought he'd never get the (darn) Robosapien.

So now Spencer has his Robosapien; an early present from his grandma. We've coached Spencer a bunch about not breaking the news of Santa to all his buddies. With the big guy in the red suit due to arrive at his preschool next week, this discussion was a must. I'd keep him out of school that day simply out of fear of what he'd say, but his birthday will be celebrated at school that day. We'll just have to take our chances. If you're an adult you're fair game. My stepmom asked me why Spencer told her that Santa Claus was a dead pope. Lovely!

Geez, Fonz. Keep it simple. The kid's only three :)