Snow Much Fun

Yesterday, we headed up to Oak Glen to play in the snow. For Camila and Kaleb it was their first experience with snow.


Larissa was the first of my kids to brave the sled. She loved it (even if it doesn't look like it)! Can you tell she takes playing seriously?


The sled looked too dangerous to Kaitlyn, so she stuck to snowball fights. Look at that mega snowball she made. They were all like that.


Brenna also tried out sledding, and liked it. In fact, she went down all by herself while everyone was eating donuts and drinking hot chocolate. No one noticed her struggling to bring herself and the saucer up the hill. She eventually made it up, but poor girl! I felt bad when she walked up to us sad and exhausted. I had been doing head counts, but I wasn't paying attention to actual activity. Luckily, kids are resilient.


Everyone went home happy. Yea!

Mommies, Inc.

Last month, I thought about creating a site where my creative friends and I could showcase the crafts we sell. The thinking being, that, if we all post our items on the blog, plus a link to the mommies inc blog on our own blogs, that's some good networking. This month, I actually did it. So, if you'd like to post your wares, let me know and I'll add you as an author. If I don't know you, or if you aren't referred by someone I know, then I won't feel comfortable adding you. The blog can be accessed through the link at the right or go to www.sewsoftblankets.blogspot.com

The girls wanted to give me something good for my birthday--jewelry. I took them to JCPenney and let them choose from among the boxed sets. That way, they could put the lid on their presents of choice, so I wouldn't see them until the right time. Matching their personalities, Kaitlyn bought me a butterfly pendant, Brenna chose a large, bright, bold teal piece, and Larissa chose an abstract, large love key chain. Since Kaleb didn't get to pick anything out for me, he showed me a new trick instead.


He climbed the stairs! Time to get the gates out.





As a gift to myself, I decided to take up Disney on their free ticket offer. Tori and Holly both have annual passes, so we headed down there after work. We ate at the Blue Bayou, and rode a couple rides. It was great not having to worry about keeping track of a little one. And at the end of the night, when I went to get my annual pass (my mil Rose upgraded the ticket for me as my present), we were even made honorary citizens of Disneyland! (sort of)

Latest Happenings

Larissa's bed time prayer:
"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for myself..."


Camila arrived from Brazil


The girls were flower girls in Uncle Seamus' wedding


Kaleb's First Christmas


It's Christmas!

The coveted tool set. Oh Yea!



Santa delivered! No coal/letters in their stockings this year. (Last year, instead of presents, Santa left letters telling them they needed to do better this year. Looks like they listened to the jolly fellow.)

Boutique

The association I live in was hosting a Santa and shopping event, and being inspired by other mommy friends who sell their creations, I decided to sign up. I have never sold my crafts, and have never even been to a boutique, so I was a bit nervous (very, actually). Luckily, Lindsey and Megan agreed to accompany me on Saturday and sale their wares as well. They were my "security blanket" and my intro into craft fairs. It was definitely a learning experience. I feel like I could do it on my own now. But why, when having friends along is so much better.

Living in Loma Linda, I learned from and was impressed with the ways so many stay at home moms found to bring in a little extra income using the skills, hobbies and talents they had. Thanks for the lessons, ladies.

Batissa

Larissa loves superheros. Her favorite is spiderman (and knows he is really Peter Parker--heard her telling a boy that the other day), but batman is good too. This past week I needed to go to Walmart, so I asked her to find something to wear. She insisted on wearing her christmas dress. "Yea!" I'm thinking, " she wants to wear a dress." Then she puts on her brown tennies and her batman mask. I let her know the pieces don't go together--she doesn't care. So we headed out, and she walked around Walmart wearing her christmas dress, batman mask, and tennis shoes. It was so Larissa! And I love her for being her. (I left my phone at home, so no pic. but I used another photo I had available.)

Wyatt's Birthday Party

My friend, Laurali, had a party for her son's birthday at the Irvine Park Railroad. It was a lot of fun. Being Christmas time, there were booths set up with activities, lights on the trees, and a train ride to see Santa himself. My girls did amazingly well waiting in line both for the train, and to visit with Santa. It helped that Sandy and her son Paul were along to distract them. I had a hard time keeping Kaleb away from the Candy Canes. And, yes, these masterful pictures were taken with my ever available camera phone.

It would make a fun family outing. You can check it out at www.irvineparkrr.com