Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

We went to the zoo today. We are squeezing in as much family fun time as possible before Ed goes back to work on the 7th.

After a long line to feed the giraffes, baby girl decided she would let Daddy feed them and hide behind Mommy while Mommy took pictures.

A random woman was looking for someone to ride the seesaw with and no one in her family would, so Leah volunteered, my sweet child!

Young Artist

Young at Art Museum

Happy 24th Birthday, Mimi

My "middle child' turned 24 today. Not sure how that happened and its hard for me not to call her "the baby". We literally called her that till Leah came home. Yes, she was 19 at the time but was our youngest for a long time. For a long time we thought she always would be. It was a nice day. We took her shopping and then family came over to sing happy birthday, eat cake and enjoy some of Ed's famed barbeque.

Christmas Morning 2012

As we know, Leah is still a little afraid of Santa. Last night as we were getting ready she told me to ask him to leave her things outside. She did not want him in her house! When she woke up I asked her if she thought Santa had been here already and she said no, but ran to the living room anyway and started jumping when she saw the gifts and was excited. She knew immediately what gifts Santa brought as they were not there when she went to sleep last night.

The first thing she opened was Bouncy the Dog. She opened her eyes wide and said "I needed this!" Suddenly she climbed over everything and went for the big boxes first. She opened a tiny corner of one box and froze just staring at it. She looked up at me and almost speechless, she whispers, "a helicopter. WHAT?!" Then the Disney Princesses. YES, ALL OF THEM in Barbie size! What was Santa thinking? Highlights include Justin Beiber doll, which she broke out into song right after she kissed the box, Lord help us she is only 5 years old! A furby, a VReader, doll carrier, lalaloopsy dolls, a Dora mermaid that actually jumps in the water and swims. A larger size Merida doll. Those were the things played with before 9 am.

As we were opening gifts, big brother came home from work. Poor thing worked midnight to 8 am.

We made him open gifts immediately but was in no mood for pictures. He them immediately went to bed.

Eventually, big sister rolled out of bed and joined the party.

Santa Picture Success!!!!

We did it! Well, Mimi did it. I hurt my back a week and a half before Christmas and spent a few days where I couldn't get out of bed. But I was determined to get a picture with Santa no matter what it took. Mimi picked Leah up from school early on the last day before Christmas vacation and took her to the mall. It was a struggle with lots of bribing, tears, coaxing, nerves, etc, but Warrior Mimi made it happen. Even if in the end she ended up in the picture. I won because its what I wanted but she had no intention of being in the picture initially. She quickly realized it was not going to happen any other way, so I got a beautiful Santa picture of both my girls!

American G***rl Bistro Christmas Brunch

We paid yet another visit to the American G*rl Store the Saturday before Christmas. I had actually made the reservation for this the day before the store even opened. We were supposed to go with my friend Mary and her two daughters, but both girls ended up with strep. We missed them but had a great time. Leah chose Ivy to take along as Ivy didn't have a holiday dress and needed to get her hair done. After brunch we walked around the store and shopped a bit while we waited for Ivy's hair appointment. It was in the 40's that morning so it really felt like Christmas was nearing. It didn't last, the high for the day was 60's.

Kindergarten Christmas Program 2012

The program was adorable! Leah's class sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rap. I will try to upload the video later

Madeline's Christmas

Leah and Mommy had a wonderful day. We went to lunch at the French Bakery on Main Street and then headed to the Broward Center to see Madeline's Christmas. The musical play was wonderful and we enjoyed it. Leah's face was glued to the stage and she loved dancing along with the little girls. Leah chose to take Ivy, one of her American Girl dolls along.

November Ended

November came to an end with my aunt getting out of the hospital. We discovered she has, according to the doctors "an insignificant mass" in her brain. This was causing some swelling and pressure that was causing the seizures. They sent her an anti-inflammatory and anti seizure meds, observed her for a few more days and sent her home. She is doing great and appears back to her normal. As soon as she was out of the woods and home we headed to Disney to film the Christmas parade. You can watch our studio kids on Christmas morning on ABC from Walt Disney World. Pictures coming soon. Right before my aunt got sick we did manage to celebrate Thanksgiving and go to the Miracle on 134 Street parade in The Falls. Leah had a good time, as immediately after the parade we paid a visit to the American Girl store.

Some of Leah's art work from the season

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

One of two trees is up.

Elf on the Shelf Won't Stay on the Shelf!

Our Elf arrived the Friday after Thanksgiving. Leah named him Kenneth. This year our elf has been a little naughty. Last year and the year before re rally just flew around the house and we always found him in odd places. But this year he keeps getting into stuff.

My Tia in the Hospital

My great-aunt Isis is in the hospital. We've been here since 9 am. She keeps having seizures. Three so far today. Its almost 6 pm and they still don't know why. Every test has come back normal. Well, as normal as an 83 year old with advanced stage Alzheimer's can be. She is very healthy and no other illness. We are all praying very hard and I know all my prayer warriors out there are too. She has been admitted until a neuro comes to see her and they can figure out what is causing the seizures. She is on anti seizure meds now so I don't think she will have another tonight. Ed is coming to relieve me for a little bitt so I can deal with the little one and as soon as I have her home and in bed I will be back. On a happy note, I did manage to get one of our trees up last night and will post pictures soon. Please keep my aunt in your prayers. Specifically that they find the cause of the seizures tonight and that she can go home tomorrow. The elderly and hospitals is not a good mix. They need the visits to be brief. I have seen first hand what lengthy hospital stays does to them and how they regress.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours. We have lots to be thankful for....

Finally an Update

Shortly after school started we had a minor storm. Hurricane Isaac came through with some winds and rain, but mostly nothing! However, we were the only ones with a little damage to one of our trees....

Then Danny's and my birthday snuck up on us. Danny could not get the days off from work but celebrated with friends and Ed and Michelle decided to take me to my favorite place on earth. YES! DISNEY! We stayed at the new Cars suites at the Art of Animation Resort. Its awesome. We hope to come back when the Little Mermaid suites are done.

Next, Disney came to us. Leah's sister and godmother took her to Disney on Ice at the Arena. Robin from Red Thread stitches made this adorable Minnie dress for us.

Then we all got sick. The nasty flu, one by one......

As October rolled around, school activities have been in full swing. We first completed our first Kindergarten school project. It was part of the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. The children were to chose a country (of parent's heritage, if applicable),create a poster and a doll and dress in a traditional costume. We chose a traditional dance costume.

Next came Spirit Week. This was lots of fun A Blast from the Past...

Nerd Day...

Mix Match Day.....

The the American Girl Store had their "Grand Opening" across town. Well we decided to go to the "Soft Opening" the day before instead. I heard there would be lines to get in and only 100 people in at a time and many not being able to get in at all. So when we heard there was a soft opening the day before that was not going to be advertised, it was a no brainer. So I picked Leah up from school and we drove down there. I don't know which one of us was more excited.....

We had a snack at the Corner Bakery because the AG Bistro was not due to open til the Grand Opening. We did make reservations for a future date with Mimi.

Then we started tennis lessons. She loves it and is doing great.

Next we had Storybook Character dress up day at school. You had to dress up and read the story to your classmates.

Then school pictures came in. LOVE them.

Next came Halloween stuff, we baked, went to the Pumpkin Patch, well to 2 of them, although I don't have many pictures because my camera was lost at the second one. Leah was a gypsy for Halloween and went trick or treating around the neighborhood. She really enjoyed it this year. I think we all did.