Elaina started begging me for a baby brother today:
Elaina: "Mommy, can I please have a baby brother? Please, please, please?"
Me: I just ignored her; so she started to try to get Erin on her side:
Elaina: "Erin, don't you want a baby brother?"
Erin: "No, I want a baby Jesus"
Me: Almost died laughing.
(and no I am not pregnant...)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
California
Elaina, Erin and I were able to visit Mike's family after Christmas for a week. We had such a great time with them! Mike had his prelim exams the second week of January, so felt like he should stay home and study instead. And he passed the test!!
Everyone was able to be there except Mike, Tim (who had to work in Utah that week), and Daniel (who is on his mission). I need to be better at remembering to take pictures! I hardly got any pictures just around the house and with family (I did get lots at Disneyland though!), but we did have a great time, even if I didn't document it with photos very well. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful in-laws and that our kids have so many people on both sides of our family who love them so much.
Elaina, Opa, and Aunt Staci
Erin & Uncle Jonny
I have my own little strategy when I fly with the kids: F-O-O-D! It works great. Whenever they get loud, I bribe them: "If you're quiet, you can have a cracker." Or if Erin wants to escape, and run up and down the aisles: "If you stay in your seat, the pretzels will keep coming." Here's the thing though: kids are smart and over time, they'll get sick of the food you're giving them, so there's an order to the food, and the order is very important: start with the healthy stuff (cut up apples), and gradually work your way up to the junk food: apples...cheese strings...pretzels...animal crackers/goldfish...candy (and a variety of it!). Jelly beans are good because you can give it to them one at a time and so it lasts (and isn't messy!). Chocolate, lolipops, and anything sticky and messy are bad, bad, bad.
This Christmas, Santa left a stocking for the girls in California, and the life-saver gummies were truly a life saver (for me!) on the trip home. I showed the girls how to put them on their fingers, like rings, and it provided a good half hour of entertainment. My other life saver: the portable DVD player: Never fly without one!
Everyone was able to be there except Mike, Tim (who had to work in Utah that week), and Daniel (who is on his mission). I need to be better at remembering to take pictures! I hardly got any pictures just around the house and with family (I did get lots at Disneyland though!), but we did have a great time, even if I didn't document it with photos very well. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful in-laws and that our kids have so many people on both sides of our family who love them so much.
Elaina, Opa, and Aunt Staci
Erin & Uncle JonnyI have my own little strategy when I fly with the kids: F-O-O-D! It works great. Whenever they get loud, I bribe them: "If you're quiet, you can have a cracker." Or if Erin wants to escape, and run up and down the aisles: "If you stay in your seat, the pretzels will keep coming." Here's the thing though: kids are smart and over time, they'll get sick of the food you're giving them, so there's an order to the food, and the order is very important: start with the healthy stuff (cut up apples), and gradually work your way up to the junk food: apples...cheese strings...pretzels...animal crackers/goldfish...candy (and a variety of it!). Jelly beans are good because you can give it to them one at a time and so it lasts (and isn't messy!). Chocolate, lolipops, and anything sticky and messy are bad, bad, bad.
This Christmas, Santa left a stocking for the girls in California, and the life-saver gummies were truly a life saver (for me!) on the trip home. I showed the girls how to put them on their fingers, like rings, and it provided a good half hour of entertainment. My other life saver: the portable DVD player: Never fly without one!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Christmas Traditions
I love love LOVE Christmas. I don't think I can say enough how much I love Christmas, and all that comes with it. Each year is fun for a different reason because as children enter our family and become one year older with each Christmas, it adds something different and special to that year. I love when they are babies and remembering that it is their first Christmas with us. I love the toddler years when they fully enjoy all the energy and excitement surrounding the whole season. I love as they get older and their anticipation of being with family and web-camming with family that isn't with us, the traditions, and all the excitement. I love being able to spend the month teaching them about Jesus Christ and all the symbols of Christmas that remind us of Him.
This year was special for me because I got to be the hostess. I love hosting events! I spent so much time planning menus, treats, decorations, traditions, and activities. Somehow I enjoy all the work that goes into having people over, and so it was so wonderful to have a house full of family. My parents came from Saudi Arabia and my sister, Jen, and her husband, Jared, came from Utah. Here are some of our Christmas traditions that we enjoyed this year.
Christmas Tradition #1: Baking!
Probably one of my favorite traditions :) I actually wish I had more people to feed so that I could have had more variety in my Christmas baking. We ate too much :) but it was yummy and fun to prepare. I started baking before everyone arrived, and as you can see, I even put the guests and kids to work!
Christmas Tradition #2: Advent Calendar
I wish I had a picture, but for some reason we didn't get one this year. I have a beautiful advent calendar that my parents got me last year for Christmas. Each day you add a person or animal to the nativity scene. The kids wake up each morning knowing whose turn it is to open the door and add that day's calendar piece to the nativity, but they both do it together and look forward to it every morning in December.
I wish I had a picture, but for some reason we didn't get one this year. I have a beautiful advent calendar that my parents got me last year for Christmas. Each day you add a person or animal to the nativity scene. The kids wake up each morning knowing whose turn it is to open the door and add that day's calendar piece to the nativity, but they both do it together and look forward to it every morning in December.
Christmas Tradition #3: Gingerbread House
One of these years I'm going to get courageous and make my own gingerbread for the house. This year we purchased one. It's still just as fun to decorate! And yes, I let the kids eat the candy after Christmas - when it was several days old (and yes, you can think I'm a horrible Mom for doing so!)
Tradition #4: Making Almond Rocha (yes more food!)
My Grandma (Dad's Mom) made it each year. My Dad learned from her, and has been teaching me how to perfect it each year. I have a long way to go before I can make a perfect batch on my own, but with my Dad's expertise (learned from his Mom), we can make some great almond rocha!
**In case you're wondering, there are a few technical secrets to this recipe (my Dad gives a great science lesson when explaining the process!): Once the mixture starts boiling, you have you let the water evaporate. Once it evaporates, it will start to smoke. How do you know if there's still water in there? You hold your glasses over the pot. If your glasses steam up, there's still water. If you don't have glasses, well you're out of luck. You "just know" when it's time. At this point, add vanilla and keep stirring for a bit. How long? "You just know." There's a window of only 2-3 seconds and if you take the pot off the heat too early, it will be too soft (I can get into the scientific process of dissolving the sugar crystals, but I'll spare you). If you leave it on too long, well, you burn it. "You'll just know." Hence....it will take me a while to get this recipe down! :)**
My Grandma (Dad's Mom) made it each year. My Dad learned from her, and has been teaching me how to perfect it each year. I have a long way to go before I can make a perfect batch on my own, but with my Dad's expertise (learned from his Mom), we can make some great almond rocha!
**In case you're wondering, there are a few technical secrets to this recipe (my Dad gives a great science lesson when explaining the process!): Once the mixture starts boiling, you have you let the water evaporate. Once it evaporates, it will start to smoke. How do you know if there's still water in there? You hold your glasses over the pot. If your glasses steam up, there's still water. If you don't have glasses, well you're out of luck. You "just know" when it's time. At this point, add vanilla and keep stirring for a bit. How long? "You just know." There's a window of only 2-3 seconds and if you take the pot off the heat too early, it will be too soft (I can get into the scientific process of dissolving the sugar crystals, but I'll spare you). If you leave it on too long, well, you burn it. "You'll just know." Hence....it will take me a while to get this recipe down! :)**
Christmas Tradition #4: Tracking Santa online on Christmas Eve
Every few minutes the Norad Tracks Santa website lets you know where Santa is and where he's been. I seriously think the girls went over to the computer every 5 minutes throughout Christmas Eve Day to check how close Santa was to our house. Christmas Eve became one big geography lesson as the kids also wanted to know more about other places in the world that Santa was visiting.
Every few minutes the Norad Tracks Santa website lets you know where Santa is and where he's been. I seriously think the girls went over to the computer every 5 minutes throughout Christmas Eve Day to check how close Santa was to our house. Christmas Eve became one big geography lesson as the kids also wanted to know more about other places in the world that Santa was visiting.
Christmas Tradition #5: Decorating Sugar Cookies on Christmas Eve
...for Santa, of course!
...for Santa, of course!
Christmas Tradition #6: Christmas Eve Gift
When I was younger, there was always a present from my Nana under the tree to open on Christmas Eve - pajamas! The girls were excited for their special Christmas Eve gift from her this year.
When I was younger, there was always a present from my Nana under the tree to open on Christmas Eve - pajamas! The girls were excited for their special Christmas Eve gift from her this year.
This is one that we are carrying down from my childhood. My Mom got a book for Christmas when she was 3 years old about "Davey," the innkeepers son, who was told to clean the stable. She read it to us each us each year, and a few years ago each of my sisters and my brother and I receieved a copy of the book, so that we can continue to read it to our own families. This year we got to have my Mom do the reading :)
Christmas Tradition #8: Reading in (and acting out) Luke 2 & Singing Christmas songs
Christmas Tradition #9: Setting out treats for Santa & his reindeer
cookies, goodies & milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer, as well as a note....and discovering his reply to the note and crumbs in the morning. And by the way, read about our little experience we had with Santa in the grocery store a few days before Christmas. It was one of the most magical Christmas moments! I'll remember it for the rest of my life. It was so special.
(putting together Santa's plate of goodies)
(finding his note and half-eaten carrots, and cookies, and the empty glass of milk in the morning. This means that Santa really did come!!!!)
Christmas Tradition #10: Christmas Meals
Oh look, we're back to food again! We had turkey with all the sides for Christmas Dinner. I also made quiche for Christmas Eve breakfast, monkey bread for Christmas Day breakfast, and lots of appetizers and snacks for dinner on Christmas Eve. And I have to add that I love the way my kitchen smells after cooking all that yummy food. Tradition is always that the men get to carve the turkey. Here they are, hard at work!
Oh look, we're back to food again! We had turkey with all the sides for Christmas Dinner. I also made quiche for Christmas Eve breakfast, monkey bread for Christmas Day breakfast, and lots of appetizers and snacks for dinner on Christmas Eve. And I have to add that I love the way my kitchen smells after cooking all that yummy food. Tradition is always that the men get to carve the turkey. Here they are, hard at work!
(New!) Tradition #11: A beautiful Christmas table. I'm excited about this one because my parents gave me an absolutely beautiful Syrian Lace tablecloth and matching napkins. I just need more fancy occasions so that I can use it more often. It's not an every day table cloth, but I will use it for special occasions the rest of my life. It is gorgeous. I also got brand new dishes and serving dishes, which I love and now my every day table looks great too! The table looked beautiful (aside from the mis-matched chairs):
Tradition #12: Opening Presents, Playing games, and being together Christmas Day:
I love this picture of Mike and the girls looking up the chimney to see if Santa is coming down yet!
Elaina cuddling with her Daddy
Elaina playing with her new toys with Uncle Jared
Erin, trying on her stocking! She's such a goofball!Santa at HEB
A couple days before Christmas my Mom and I took the kids to the grocery store to get everything we needed for Christmas dinner, and guess who we saw there!?! Yep, Santa was in town, buying his groceries! Who knew he shopped at the HEB in Bryan, Texas? We ran into him near the bakery. He didn't have his red suit on; he wore jeans and a long sleeved shirt, and he wore his Santa suspenders and his red hat. There is no doubt about it though - that was definitely Santa. He had a bushy white beard, white hair, a round belly, and a twinkle in his eye that left no doubt that this was the real Santa.
So, just as we were passing by the bakery, we stopped and pointed him out to the kids. Elaina stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him. She wasn't sure what to make of Santa shopping at HEB without his read suit on. I can only imagine the millions of questions running through her mind. She just kept staring at him. Erin wasn't too surprised about Santa walking through her grocery store, but she doesn't yet understand how far Texas is from the North Pole! This was a big deal! Elaina was in awe; Erin was just thrilled.
Santa acted perfectly (of course!). As Elaina just stood in awe, staring at Santa Claus, he stared right back at her. And then he winked at her. He twitched his nose. They both stared at each other for several seconds, neither one saying a word. Then in a quiet voice, she asked: "are you Santa?" He twitched his nose and winked at her.
He asked her to leave out 9 carrots - the small ones - on Christmas Eve. And he asked for cookies - 2 cookies - for himself. And a glass of milk. Elaina made sure to tell Santa that she was on the "nice list." He asked about Erin, and Elaina assured him that Erin was on the nice list too. Erin concurred.
This was one of the greatest Christmas moments and I will always remember it. I hope the kids always remember running into Santa and visiting with him in the bakery section of the local grocery store.
So, just as we were passing by the bakery, we stopped and pointed him out to the kids. Elaina stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him. She wasn't sure what to make of Santa shopping at HEB without his read suit on. I can only imagine the millions of questions running through her mind. She just kept staring at him. Erin wasn't too surprised about Santa walking through her grocery store, but she doesn't yet understand how far Texas is from the North Pole! This was a big deal! Elaina was in awe; Erin was just thrilled.
Santa acted perfectly (of course!). As Elaina just stood in awe, staring at Santa Claus, he stared right back at her. And then he winked at her. He twitched his nose. They both stared at each other for several seconds, neither one saying a word. Then in a quiet voice, she asked: "are you Santa?" He twitched his nose and winked at her.
He asked her to leave out 9 carrots - the small ones - on Christmas Eve. And he asked for cookies - 2 cookies - for himself. And a glass of milk. Elaina made sure to tell Santa that she was on the "nice list." He asked about Erin, and Elaina assured him that Erin was on the nice list too. Erin concurred.
This was one of the greatest Christmas moments and I will always remember it. I hope the kids always remember running into Santa and visiting with him in the bakery section of the local grocery store.
December with my parents
Monte Monte Caballo (a tradition that started when I was young). I can't believe my Dad still has the energy/strength for this. I'm not calling him old, I just don't think I would even have the strength or energy to do this as many times as he does over and over again. The kids don't ever let him stop!
Big kids hogging the little kid games
Christmas crafts @ preschool. Erin was really excited to be apart of our preschool's Christmas party!
Elaina doing crafts at preschool
Dancing at Chuck-E-Cheese. I think my parents got roped into a tradition that now they can't get out of! The girls seem to expect Chuck-E-Cheese every time they're in town!
Erin riding the carousel
Elaina is so curious about other parts of the world (go figure, she has that Ames gene in her!). How can she not be? She has family members in a million different locations!
The girls and my parents in their new Christmas dresses
Too cute!
Ok, my Mom really needs to stop being the photographer because she's in hardly any of the pictures! She did come back in January and I tried to be photographer so that she could be in more of the pictures. She really was here...she was just the one behind the camera!
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