I can explain...

Hello my dear friends!  How are you doing?  I've missed you but I can explain!  Remember the last time I blogged Emma on the floor yes, she still does that and much more!  I have been super busy chasing after her. In a few words she has been practicing for the terrible two's for a while now! 

aww...(insert a tired face here.  A super duper tired face).

We have had to do many life hacks lately.  Like this small tree for example it was my idea to have a small tree so that she had a harder time reaching the ornaments and less chance of toppling it over.  The ornaments are all over the house anyways.
We still have to keep and eye on her all the time because she loves the "lights".

Besides that everybody else has been busy with their activities and what do you know? 

is the end of the year now!

I have been thinking about the future of this little blog of mine and to be honest I don't know...

Well see where next year takes us.

For now I'd like to wish you and all of your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year lots of love and health to you all!

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Oh, Christmas tree

The first Christmas tree that I remember when I was a child (probably six or seven) was a white fake little tree. I remember my brother picked it and at first we were not too fond of it.  I guess we wanted a green one but we got to love it and had it for years. We decorated  it with what you now would call blue Christmas balls  made out of thread in royal blue color.  A few years later the thread of the balls was coming undone but we still loved the little tree. It was really gorgeous! 

Then later still at my parent's house we started buying the real thing the fresh cut Christmas trees a 6-7 footer. It's a lovely tradition and we do it here at mi casa year after year even if the kids knock it down.

I know everybody loves the long lasting pleasing aroma of a fresh cut Christmas tree, the decorating part, the excitement and joyous feeling, the lights, the holiday decor, the holly-jolly spirit  but unfortunately here in my house, most people don't help with the cleanup or watering so the tree stays alive longer. I am not trying to be a Grinch I am just being honest here.  I've tried time after time to convince my family to buy a fake Christmas tree but they don't agree with me.  We would save money reusing it and it would make my job easier when it comes the the daily cleanup of the pine needles falling. 
The only thing they would miss is the aroma.

Here are a few fake trees that I found along the way looking for ideas.

Recycled cardboard Christmas tree

Decal Christmas tree

How bout some pallet trees?  You know I love pallets :)

A twig tree

This year for monetary and budget reasons we decided to skip the tree surprisingly the kids were fine with the decision I thought they would not like it .

We also decorated around the house and brought out our little Nativity Scene. 

 After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.

As for the fake trees my favorite one is the cardboard tree,
I don't know if I can convince the family one day.

Which one of those fakes trees would you prefer if any?

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{this moment}

A Friday ritual inspired by  Soulemama

In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

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Christmas decorating

We did it!  we were able to buy the tree and deck it out. Of course you always  come home and realize that it is not the most perfect tree.  Just like last year I laid low and let the kids do their decorating while listening to Christmas music.  Xavi and Sophia managed to knock the tree down and the carpet got soaked in water :/ and they almost did it again.  We used the same ornaments we used last year plus other ones we had from previous years.  I really don't mind because it's all worth it when you hear the kids saying that this is the most beautiful tree in the whole wide world!

We also got out little Nativity scene out, because after all 

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

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Busy Weekend

Hello my dear friends!  I'd like to share my weekend with you this time, a very busy indeed.  Starting the month of December on Saturday Christmas Season is on!  I know that right after Halloween the halls in the stores are being packed with Christmas stuff  (for me November is Thanksgiving and December is Christmas)  It is less stressful for me that way.

We  managed to get the kids up early to go to the Christmas Hemet parade.  Getting the kids up early and ready to go out on a weekend is a task in itself.  We took some chairs, managed to find a parking space and found a decent spot to watch the parade. These are some of my favorites shots.  I warn you...PICTURE OVERLOAD!  But then again what is a blog with out pictures right?

Xavi's Tae Kwon Do class was in the parade, but he didn't want to be in it!  He was very proud and excited when he saw his class though.  It was a very colorful parade, lots of bands, businesses, organizations it made me feel like I wanted to be right in there!  Walking among them! The morning was cloudy but then it cleared up and the sun was  right in our faces...that's when people started getting uncomfortable (by  people I mean my family)  We sat through the parade for two hours, and then decided to walk on the park where they had ( to be honest I was a bit disappointed  we did not see the whole parade) a Christmas in the Park event, they had food, arts and crafts, games vendors and lots of other things.  When  we came out of the park the parade was barely finishing and then getting out of the parking lot was another task :/

It was a whole lot of fun to start off Christmas Season!  I will come back tomorrow to let you know how we ended our Saturday.

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Tis the Season...etsy finds

Tis the Season

Handmade polymer clay pears

Allow me to elaborate on the topic a bit more:

Season to wear warm hats

Elf gnome beanie

Season to put up a Christmas tree

Primitive Christmas Tree

Season to deck the halls

Vintage style Christmas sign

Season for Christmas lights to shine

Primitive Christmas Lights

Season to wrap Christmas presents

Vintage mini ornaments

Season to plan and prepare a Christmas Dinner

Christmas plate

 Season to make choices

Kitchen signs DINNER CHOICES

I promise I will not stress out!

I will not stress out Art Print

I really really want to keep my promise :/

Anybody with me?  Any hands up?

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Ghost of Christmas past

Personally I believe that one of the best presents
a parent can receive are school pictures!

Yeah you know those school pictures that they themselves hand paint or decorate and then wrap in pretty paper and lovely bows.  I love looking back at them and see how much my kids have grown.

This is Valeria my stepdaughter in kindergarten.  

She is now in the 10th grade!

This is my little Sophia in kindergarten.

This is Sophia back the second grade. She is in the fourth grade now!

 This was taken at our house about three years ago if I recall correctly. Not a school picture but I take it out every year! 

And here is my little Xavi 1 1/2 yrs old 

sitting next to Santa at Target.

I love looking back at the Ghost of Christmas past :)

My wish came true last Friday on the last day of School.  

Xavi brought home his Kindergarten picture.

See what I mean we can have fun for many years to come looking at this face!

Do you love or hate the ghost of Christmas past??

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