Family Work Day

Just a typical Saturday at the Soto house:

Daddy keeping our technological assets in tip top shape, doing some repair & upgrade to Spicy's computer and including a lot of teaching along the way. I'm proud to brag that our 3 year old now has power supply, motherboard, and hard drive as part of her ongoing vocabulary. It really is amazing to see her interest and patience (which is a rarity) in these types of things...

As for me, it felt as though I hardly left the kitchen today. Just when I was finished cleaning up dishes from breakfast, it was time to prepare lunch! Often times I do feel like I work in a restaurant as a waitress taking orders, a bus girl transporting dishes to and fro and a chef whipping up healthy meals and snacks but when I gaze upon my 3 jewels, it's hard to complain (or at least, out loud, hee hee)

Besides, I get plenty of lovin' fun to mix it up

 I am so thankful for my family and the traditions we are building!

6 3/4 month Flashback

Sorry, I can't help it. I think it's so fun to compare the babes at the same age to look for resemblance (or lack there of), especially in the same outfits!!! It's curious how the clothing that I put on Genevieve really takes me back to when Alizea was the same age.  A bit of deja vu, as I reminisce and simultaneously create new memories with our second blessing. 

Here's Spicy about a week shy of 7 months:

And Sweet about a week shy of 7 months:

          Spicy (looking very sweet)...                            And Sweet (looking almost Spicy)...

 

Current Similarities:

- Nice round shapely heads (so round that there was no way G's noggin would fit into the beanie)

-chin and jaw line seem to be similar although it's tough to tell with those full cheeks

- eyebrows

- dark dark brown eyes

-Happy, smiley, joyful babes

Differences:

-The obvious pigment coloration and hair color and length.

-A had her ears pierced (which reminds me to get on the ball if I'm going to do it at all)

-cooperation with pictures (I have so many more pictures of Sweet staring at the camera lens whereas Spicy is hardly ever looking which reminds me of how active she was, starting at such a young age!)

-They both have beautiful curly long lashes but G's are a tad longer
-Pacifier vs thumb: A has always had (& we're still in the weaning process at 3) a strong attachment to the "chupees/baca" whereas it never stayed in G's mouth more than a few seconds. She's the thumb sucker although only for a little bit to fall asleep.

Summertime Fun (A week's recap)

I'm back! In the past week we were:

-Away from home for a big slumber party providing the challenge opportunity of sleeping in tight quarters (by the way, it was much smoother than I anticipated giving me much hope and excitement for a future combined room for these 2):

-Getting spoiled with plenty of love, attention and yummy food offered by the hands of Great Grandma, Ita:

-Loving our Sunday tradition of  family snuggles in bed, a big brunch (homemade blueberry waffles) and lots of togetherness & daddy time:

-Enjoying the gift of a super special auntie Carol (aka Sister Rosario Therese) in her rare opportunity to share herself in a more intimate way (& another special auntie, not pictured, visiting from Spain):

-Celebrating being female (to include all of our varying moods):

-Taking time out for mommy to get in shape with friends:

-Soaking up the sunshine and having a blast with a new birthday gift:

-Relaxing watching sister having a blast with her new water/sand table:

-So exhausted from water play that we couldn't stay awake for 5 minutes while mommy put Sweets down and brought me some dry clothes:

-Relishing in Summertime and the beautiful pool at Mimi and Bapa's:

-Receiving free swim instructions from Mimi ...

...And reaping the benefits of a Grandma who is so incredibly fun:

-Having special time with my firstborn:

-Working on those teeth: 

 -Working on those tans:

(Obviously Spicy inherited Daddy's great tanning skin)

And finally...

-Taking family jogs thanks to a great internet deal acquiring this:

(eliminating my last excuse as to why I can't shed those final few lbs)

 Happy Summer!

Craft Happy

I have recently realized (or been reminded, I can't remember if this is a new discovery or not) that a tendency, and often a weakness of mine is to treat my SAHM job as a free pass to gallivant out and about like a free bird ignoring any need for structure, routine or consistency. I'm not sure when I became so spontaneous but I really enjoy taking the girls out (be it the beach, mass & the park, Mimi's house or a series of errands) and returning just in time to whip something up for dinner minutes before daddy walks in the door from work. I think a large part is due to the fact that I did just that for a whole year, when daddy was oversees and I was a single mommy. I think another factor is that both girls are so flexible and easy to handle on the go. They have no problems or issues getting their necessary naps in the car, stroller, or on a blanket on the floor! I think yet another reason (this is where the weakness part comes in) is that sometimes I run away from my responsibilities and duties as a SAHM (that is, laundry, house cleaning, cooking, teaching & providing the structure the kids really count on). Anyway, I'm realizing more and more that there are wonderful perks to staying put.  Opportunities for:
-creating
-tickling and cuddling and rolling on the floor
-discovering and putting to use toys and supplies I never knew we owned
-longer naps
-overlapping naps which means well-rested, happy kids and quiet, down time for myself
-prayer, reading, blogging time
and well, less distractions from the outside world means we're forced to focus more on each other, interacting, using our imaginations and really getting to know my daughters on deeper levels. Besides, I have always loved crafts and baking which is not achievable if you're not home! 

Meet Mimi & Bapa:

(Other than curling the "hair" and making the bow and a few ideas about where to put some of the parts, Alizea made these completely solo!)

Funny story to go with this.... a few hours after making these, I saw her nearly gagging as she stuck out her tongue which was blue...When I saw the crafts just below her sticky fingers, I realized what had happened and after some questioning she admitted to plucking off & consuming the M&M eyes as well as the raisin eyelashes nearly gagging on the glue. Hey, at least she didn't enjoy the taste of the adhesive, right?)

(Another funny story, this time embarrassing mommy... I was so proud of myself for including Spicy in my baking activities and remembering she had a mitt she could use to help pull out the baked goods. As we both removed the hot dish from the oven she made a face of surprise and discomfort (as if it were too hot) but I shrugged it off, thinking she was being the animated, imaginative "drama queen" she is. Well, a few hours later, I looked down and saw this

In case you can't read it, it says "WARNING: Do not use this oven mitt to handle hot items. This oven mitt is a toy and is intended for pretend play only." Nice, momma, real nice!

Some other projects I've been working on:

This wall  has been bare for about 5 years (the same amount of time we've lived in this house). I finally settled on something I love and the best part is I was able to make it: it's a recycled frame with a coat of chalkboard paint and a hand-written verse that God gave me when I was feeling discouraged which I am now constantly reminded of when I walk past or through the room. 

 

And all of these were made with an 1/8 of a yard of fabric (less than $2!) 

 

The framed little mirror is on its 3rd color; the pail used to be neon green, a find in my garage sweep, and I had JUST enough fabric to make the matching toothbrush holder, woohoo!)

 But even better than all of this crafting is the carefree timelessness these 2 are sharing:

3 Cheers for 3 Years!

ONE...................                   TWO.................                                 

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Alizea Ann!

Wow! I don't even know where to begin...There is something different & very special about this year's birthday! Perhaps, it's because on your 1st birthday, daddy was away so mommy wasn't completely focused on your milestone. I threw a huge party for you but selfishly because I needed the support, the distraction and the positive boost to carry me through such a tough time. On your 2nd birthday I was pregnant with constant reminders that you were about to be a big sister but this year, you are most definitely the sole focus and all I can think about is how my baby and even toddler is gone!

Oh, you are such a joy!!!!! You are a complete pleasure and challenge wrapped in to one beautiful gift. You keep daddy and I constantly on our toes, never allowing us to get comfortable in our parenting vocation & confronting us continually with our weaknesses and flaws (namely patience and temperance). 

*    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *    *    *   *   *   *   *   *   *    *    *   *   *   *    *    *    *    *   *   *   *   *    *

-You are one energetic, spunky and feisty gal yet at the same time, lovable, compassionate, and very aware and keen to the feelings of those around you.

-You are bursting with love and joy for life which is evident in the way you greet new friends with tender hugs and squeeze your baby sis until she looks like she is going to pop!

-You thirst for learning new things and pick up on new concepts (quite abstract, mind you) and vocabulary very quickly!

-You love anything "techy" (daddy's genes for sure!) as you can (if allowed) sit at the computer for nearly 2 hours surfing through different games, listening to stories and working the mouse like a pro, not to mention our iphones better than your average adult.

-You are also very artistic and love to paint and draw (& you still love the water!)
-You apply and put to practical use, everything you learn from others (example: saying "abre" from Dora the Explorer when you want to open anything, or get out of daddy's knee traps)

-You are independent and very stubborn determined and strong-willed yet you love to be smothered in cuddles and snuggles especially when you are tired.

-You are animated and keep us smiling and laughing

In the recent months, you have learned:

-how to be gentle with baby G

-how to tell when it's "wake up time" in the morning (when it's light out) and have decided 9 hours is long enough to sleep which means we are back to a good 2-3 hour nap during the day

-shapes to include parallelogram, pentagon, hexagon, octagon (forcing mommy to re-learn them).

-numbers through 20 (through 10 in spanish) and by 10's to 100

-simple addition and subtraction

-sorting by likeness (heavy vs light things, vehicles vs foods, etc)

-to phonetically spell out simple words (word recognition via phonics)

 - how to say "thank you" as we continue to get stopped all the time as you get complimented on how beautiful you are, how unique your hair is and how smart you are!and perhaps the one that impresses me the most is:

-to potty train yourself, night-time included! (realizing and communicating, without any prompting, the need to go, keeping your track record of accidents a 'perfect ten", and that's not 10 accidents!)

*    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *    *    *   *   *   *   *   *   *    *    *   *   *   *    *    *    *    *   *   *   *   *    *

Now, on to how we spent your special day....It actually began last Friday when Daddy wanted to spend some special time with you so he took the day off & took you to the Discovery Science Center where you explored dinosaur bones and danced like a rock star! Then, Saturday morning AunTita surprised us bringing Bapa to tears and you to squeals and shouts which lasted all weekend long! Gift opening, swimming, watching a softball game, playing at the park and lots of love from Ita, Ito, Aunt Yoli, Mimi, Bapa and your aunties wiped you out!

Today, consisted of enjoying some of your favorite treats. You helped me make your special pancake breakfast...

Then, by request, you ate enjoying your favorite show these days (Little Einstein), while mommy hopped on the computer to start your blog post, knowing it would be an extensive one. As I stared at the blank screen wondering how to make today extra special for you, I received this message from Grandma Emde (via Aunt Sherry): 

I hope my son daughter looks back upon today

And sees a parent who had time to play
Whether the work was done. or it was not.
Who realized chores are sometimes best forgot.
There will be years for cleaning house and cooking,
But little boys girls grow up when we're not looking.

                                 -Earl Paffrath

And with that, a tradition was born. I resolved within myself that no matter how financially blessed we are (or lacking), more than big "to do's" I wanted my children to have a deep and lasting memory of their birthdays as a day filled with special, quality time spent with their momma.  That birthdays would mean to them that they are so worth me dropping everything, looking deep in their eyes to listen to whatever is on their mind, giving my time and myself to them, making them feel as the important, beautiful gifts from God that they are. That even in our home, we could laugh and create special moments! A heavenly inspiration, no doubt (Thank you, Grandma).

I whispered a prayer for the opportunity to have special time with you, giving you my undivided attention...and no joke, minutes later, Sweet G was down for an extra long morning nap, allowing us to play and play and play some more in your room (pretending flutes were otoscopes, and yes, you know what that means, and flags were "winder uppers" and candles were binoculars, sharing much laughter and kisses!) 
Then, during the tail end of G's 2nd nap, we got dressed together for our special night out, painting nails and sprucing our hair! It is precious to see you take an interest more & more in all things "girly". Those dimples on your knuckles are what's left of any trace of 'baby' Are you kidding me? I just love them!!!!!!

And to your favorite restaurant we went... not to forget, en route, your favorite spectacle these days, your amazement and wonder for ...mannequins! What a blast it was to see you absolutely enthralled tonight by the surrounding sights and sounds!

 

I can't say enough how much of a joy it is to see you appreciate and relish in every second of 

 life...

 

Thank you for that gift....

You teach me every day how to live the way we ought...

What a perfect gift from your Aunties...a camera of your own! (& one that actually takes down-loadable, digital no kidding shots! amazing!) And Auntie Neenee put together a "dress up trunk" filled with all kinds of creative play goodies any girl can appreciate:

 You loved it!

What a fun fun day! 

How we love you Spicy A! 
Daddy & I pray you continue to grow in intellect but more importantly in wisdom and virtue and that we guide you according to God's perfect will for your life!