When all is right in the world.

I know I've been lamenting the fact that I've been so busy lately. But this Christmas Break stuff, with no schedule is pure bliss right now. I'm sleeping in a little, getting my house cleaned at my leasure, my kids are playing and taking hour long baths. It's amazing! And the one thing I miss most is not having time for art projects anymore, so we decided to bust out the paints again yesterday. We made snowmen after the book Snowmen at Night. I was actually enjoying the moment and was present with the girls, which is hard to come by these days. Miguel said he's glad I do that and I enjoy it so much, because it's not his thing. One day I'll get him to join us, but for now, I'm glad he entertained Max for us.

 And here is the final product!

Don't they look amazing?! I'm so happy with how they turned out.

My kids really are great artists!

It goes:

Julianne, Sophia

Mommy, Gabriela

 Onto other randomness, here's Sophia baking a bazillion cupcakes for the neighbors. I'm a little remorseful that they didn't go as far as I would have hoped, so if you are a neighbor,  and you're reading this, and you didn't get any....we are so sorry! I'll come up with a better plan next year so that I can get something to everyone I know. But we still love you! and they weren't anything special.

 Here is Julianne after her preschool Christmas party. She's just the cutest little elf and she adores that elf hat.  That's also the nice little gift she gave her Mommy and Papi! Have I said how much I love Patchwork Preschool. I've got a link on the side if you're interested.

 And lastely, Max has mastered the art of hand balancing. He's gearing up for the big talent show. (Wishing that picture wasn't so dark)

Early Morning Reading

Since we've been struggling getting all of our homework done in the afternoon and since a particular someone doesn't like to be rushed when woken up in the morning, we've decided she should wake up at 6:30 am to do her reading and it seems like she attracted a following. This is what I found yesterday morning.

Thoughts as of late.

Right now in my life, I am finding that I am very limited in what I can do and fit into my life. I have such high hopes and dreams and I like to set crazy, just out of my reach, dreams or goals and go after them. But right now, I am so swamped in just the survival things of life, like cooking, laundry, homework, piano practice, diapers, baths, dishes, that I find there is little time for anything anymore. I feel like I'm dropping balls all over the place. I just can't seem to fit in Gabriela's piano practice, because I need to sit with her to keep her on task, but finding that time amidst all of the other craziness around here is hard to find. I get so embarassed when I take her to her lessons and I have to tell the teacher we only practiced three times that week or she doesn't know the pieces very well. I would love to give Gabriela more ownership of it, but she is 6 years old. When I ask her if she wants to quit, she says no, but she whines about practicing. I don't know what to do.

My health has been a major struggle these last couple of months, where I dive into colds, which develop into bouts of asthma and I'm on an inhaler every couple of hours and am exhausted. I can't muster the energy to get all the housework done and all of the other responsibilities I have. I have to accept that it's ok if the dishes sit in the sink for the day, or that I don't have anything prepared for dinner. I'm just wearing down and at times feel like the real me has been shelved for a time. In the shower I dream about doing art again, or doing art projects with my kids, or sitting down and playing games with my kids, but I feel like I'm caught up in the tornado of life and I'm just blown from one moment to the next. I'm more like a fire fighter putting out fires or I'm playing defense on the football field. But I would much rather be on the offense. I want to feel like I'm in control and I determine the outcome, but when you experience health issues, that's always not the case. I want my A game back. I want to see progress each day. And I feel guilty that my husband  and kids see me struggle.

I know this too shall pass. It's only a season. And I'll endure it, and hopefully endure it well.

I guess I'll go finish those dishes, and get those 5 loads of laundry going, and go get my kids out of the tub, dressed, fed, and off to preschool. And I guess I'd better hurry up.

Fun Photos of Max after bath

It's that time of year!

(Sorry for being M.I.A. here on the blog. Just can't find the time to do it anymore. My life is crazy, busy and some things have to go. But that being said, I do still like to do it. )

This year I was in charge of the ward Christmas party and I went with the theme of Christmas Around the World. I worked with some amazing women who helped me pull all of it together. It turned out to be a great night and I was happy with it.

Santa came to visit and I think these pics turned out so darn cute. My mother shipped us these adorable dresses just in time for them to wear. They could be my favorites so far. And that baby boy...I just want to eat him up!

 Doesn't he look dapper?

 (o.k. so maybe dad rolled his pants up too much and his shoes don't match, but blame that on Miguel)

Our party was complete with a hayride, writing Christmas cards to missionaries, and making gingerbread houses. I think all the kids had a good time.

 I had my niece and nephews last night and they were a big help with the girls while I was running around and serving the food.