In 12 hours

Today was the final day to put the house back to normal. All decorations put away. Christmas tree down. Ornaments in their safe places.

I rearranged the furniture, vacuumed, laundry done.

I did leave a small decoration of winter wonderland on my front porch....snowflakes galore.

I still need to work on thank-you's. Kids backpacks need to be cleaned out. Lunch boxes ready. Water bottles washed. Clothes laid out.

I will be waking up for my first day back to work. Ugghh. I so love to be home. I love to have my kids home. But it makes me lazy, it makes them lazy.

Welcome 2010.

Vicious Cycle

I love being off work. I love spending the day at home, doing odds and ends, puttering around the house. No shower, no make-up, sweats.

I've been off now since December 22...each day staying up a little later, waking up a little later.

A vicious cycle began December 22.

Last night lights went off at 3am.

Lilia woke me up at 10:30am this morning! I can't believe she slept in that late TOO!

I told myself I had to be in bed by 11pm tonight, so that I could be up early.

Here I sit.

Night.

Happy Holidays

It's been nearly 2 "wake ups" since Christmas morning. It was another great year. The kids got everything they had hoped for...and then some. The day zoomed by, we didn't make it over to papa and Lita's until after 3:00. It was great to have a full house, lots of food, fun and memories. I am truly blessed to have such amazing family in my life.

Today I spent the day going through gifts, putting things away, laundry and cleaning out closets (an annual "day after" tradition). I love getting rid of the old and making room for the new.

Right now, I'm sitting on the couch, 3 of my four are asleep on the couches around me. Sofia and I are watching Taylor Swift on SNL. More memories......

Night.

It's Over

That would be the weekend.

I had a busy weekend. Vegging on Friday night (I really should have been more productive). Sofia and I watched a movie together, nothing else.

Saturday we were out of the house by 10am, looking for the most *perfect* Christmas tree. We headed to a new farm, up in the hills, close to Green River CC. They had a nice selection of trees for a decent price. My justification for the purchase was to stimulate the local farmer. B would scold me if she knew how much I paid for a tree. But I did some research, buying fresh is still better for the environment, and good for our local economy.

I was a MAD women trying to get that tree up before my candle party. I pretty much worked on it until nearly 6pm. Thank God Sylvia and my mom came over early. With great direction, they made the food and dessert! I had a nice group of ladies over. It was fun, but I was beat!

Today Sofia had a game in the morning. It was FREEZING, I mean, really freezing.

The tree is as done as it can be at this point. This year's tree is quite large, so I'm short on ornaments...I need more. But don't tell B.

Full House

I have a full house tonight. My four, Rhea and Mateo. I love having my nieces and nephews here. Missing is the other three.

We went to Tiffany and James house tonight to celebrate birthdays -- James 30th and Brittney's 18th. Good food, good family & friends and karaoke. The kids had a blast singing. I think Santa needs to bring them one. We'll see what I can arrange.

Tomorrow we're heading to watch New Moon with the girls!

So much to do before Thanksgiving..................

Out of the mouth of a babe

Lilia is fresh out of the bath.

While I get her dressed, I tell her she needs some Vicks on. She is sick, has a cold, but hasn't complained that her nose is red raw.

So her response, "I don't want that spicy stuff (Vicks), I want the soft stuff (Neosporin)." Okay, I agree. The soft stuff goes on the raw nose and the spicy stuff went on her chest.

Then she says, "you know sometimes girls dress like boys and boys dress like girls". "Really? I didn't know." Where does this come from?

Then she raves how she LOVES Michael Jackson. She's been on the MJ fix since school started. I think her best friend is schooling her on the MJ, because it isn't a topic of conversation, at all, in this house.

Another Bootiful Day

Halloween was a success. Lots and lots of food, family and friends. We missed not having Oscar and Ruben's family, but I get, that will happen, maybe even more so as kids grow.