Skills!

This is Kat showing off for the camera. I probably should have picked a cleaner spot in my house to film... oh well. Enjoy!

Plus, just because it is such a great memory (I would say it is a great picture, but my photo skills leave a lot to be desired), Abuelita came to visit the other day and brought a new book. All the little ones piled in close to listen. They were all so attentive, a new book PLUS Abuelita, and you can't go wrong..

Cornicopia of events

I have not posted for awhile, but I have a great excuse. For the last 3 months I have had this parasite! It doesn't like when I walk. It doesn't like when I sleep, and it especially doesn't like when I eat anything. But don't worry too much, November 24th the parasite should be out. So while I have been trying to survive these last three months a LOT has happened. First, Ali finally filled up her piggy bank, and as a result, she got a new bike.

This is her emptying he bank. She was quite proud of how much she had saved.

Daddy helped put the bike together while she impatiently waited. She did pause in her pacing to take a picture of how happy she was.

Once it was all put together, Ali went out for a ride. She loves her bike!

This next picture is not super easy to understand, but anyone who has parked at a theme park would understand my excitement. We went to Disneyland, and parked right in front of the elevators. Our parking spot was right next to the handicap parking, and it was on a day that the park was packed, which made the victory all that much more sweet.

Next, I put both Kat and Dez in an art class. They LOVE it. How could they not? All they do all class is paint, mold and color! Here both of them are working on their masterpieces.

They are masters at clay.

Here are some of Kat's artwork pieces. We hang them on the refrigerator and she is so proud of her talents.

For those millions of my blog followers, here is the update everyone has been waiting for, my avocado plant!

Plus we took a trip to the store and picked up some more plants to add to my already enormous tomato plant. We have cucumbers, flowers, and...

Strawberries!

A visit from friends

This week I was super excited to get to see my friend Megan from Boston. She and I used to go swimming with our little ones. We started swimming together when Ali was about 3 months old, and her son about 9 months old. When she moved away from Boston I was super sad because, lets face it, she is awesome! Luckily, this week she got to visit me, and I think in honor of our swimming, (and maybe because I live right by the beach) we went to the beach. Ali was a bit shy around Ezra, and it made me sad that she didn't remember them. It was a beautiful day, and I think we had loads of fun.

Only crazy thing is I didn't get an actual picture of Megan, just her cute kids. Well, I did get a corner of her face. And this is her new little girl who is so full of energy!

Oh, and there is her back! Here is Ezra, it is amazing how fast they grow up. Next to him is Travis, his little brother.

Here are my girls, and Dez, making sand castles.

Lastly, this doesn't have to do with Megan, but for Ali's birthday we bought a water table for the girls and Dez to play with once it gets hot. Well it has gotten warm outside, so the girls had tons of fun playing, but I am not sure they get the point of the water table. Maybe we should have gotten a pool instead.

Little girl to Big girl

What does a little girl need to grow up to be a big girl? This post will give 3 of the many things needed for Ali to go from little girl to big girl.

#1 She needs to get a manicure. Preferably one with pink flowers.

#2 She need to get a pedicure. It is not necessary to actually reach the water :)

It is not necessary, but it is extremely pleasant to do this specific task with Abuelita, Tita, AND Tia Gaby (plus Mommy of course)

#3 She needs to learn to braid. I know some people may call this very un-feminist, but every girl needs to learn to braid to become a big girl, and this week, with Rapunzel Barbie's help, Ali learned to braid. She did this braid all by herself!

In conclusion, Ali still has lots more steps that she needs to take to become a big girl, but she can now cross the first three off her list.

Alicia is 5! Happy Birthday Ali!

Ali turned 5 March 2nd! This year we celebrated 2 ways. On Ali's actual birthday we went to Disneyland and let her open some of the presents that she got in the mail.

Jim sent her a package packed full of fun things. I had never seen one of these books, but they are really cool. You color it with water, and then it dries and you can recolor it again and agian. Ali loved it. He also got her this t-shirt with guitar/musical gear on it and Ali wears it and says she is a guitarist. I wish just wearing a t-shirt would give us the skills.

My brother Lutie, and SiL Falina got Ali loads of Tangled gear. Can you tell they want a girl? Tower, barbies and a BIG doll. She is really in heaven.

Nope, that isn't a new sister, it is a life-sized Rapunzel doll! Ali carries it around and dances with it and hugs it, and calls it her little sister. If I had known she would have stopped asking for a brother if she got this doll, then I would have gotten it for her myself a long while ago.

On Saturday we had a birthday party at AdventurePlex, an indoor playground near us. Ali and her friends had lots of fun.

It has a ball pit, which is always a winner.

Ali, Kelly, and Kailey. Three amigas.

We were lucky to have BOTH Abuelita and Tita come up to the party. Especially Abuelita, since it was her birthday the day before. Happy Birthday Abuelita!

Valentine and a party

5 reasons why my Valentine is the best one out there.
#5. He can sleep anywhere anytime (even while standing up during a surgery holding some guys guts open). Don't ask me why I love that about him, because it is a skill that rarely, if ever, benefits me, but I really do love it.
#4. Despite the fact that he hates most kids, he LOVES ours and is literally the best dad out there.
#3. Even though we agreed (mutually) that we would never buy each other Valentine's gifts, EVERY year for the last 8 years he has bought me a box of chocolates, while I hold to the agreement.
#2. When he gets home before 5, he always cooks dinner. This may not seem like too much, but he even cooks for me if he has just finished a 30 hour shift. Plus he is a really good cook.
AND THE # 1 REASON...
Whenever he walks into a room he makes me smile. No matter what.

And now for the party, which has nothing to do with Valentine's Day.
Trevor turned 6!!!! Happy birthday!!! (For those who are on the other side of the family, Trevor is my brother Lutie's son.)

It was loads of fun. Balloon animals.

Limbo. Yes he is definitely cheating, but hey it is his birthday.

And cake! Followed by lots of fun and games.

Kicks and punches

Ali started Karate last week. She is so girly when she does her karate that I try not to laugh the whole time. Plus you can see she is doing exactly what the teacher is telling her.

Look at those pointed toes! Maybe Ballet would have been a better choice. Nick wanted her in Karate to help counter all the girlish activities. Do you think it is helping?