Happy New Year!

Well it's 2012 already! A whole year just zoomed by. 2011 was filled with changes in our family. Some good, some ok and some not too great. I'm hoping this year will be a year a bit less stressed for our family.

Last year I actually opened a business and only started advertising it by the end of summer. I almost doubled my clientele and yet I am still able to work part time and be with my children. Years ago I thought they would be ok without me being at home after school at a certain age but I was wrong. They still needed their momma. lol You learn as you get older.

I'm hoping this year will be a good one not only for our family but also my business. How was your 2011? Pretty good or kinda stressful? What are your wishes for 2012?

A Bientot!

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!

From my family to yours!

A Bientot!

Teacher's Christmas Gift.

This year I decided to bake something for my children's teachers. I made some chocolate chips cookies and some chocolate crinkle cookies.

I used an empty and clean Pringles can and wrapped it with scrapbook paper. Quick, easy and inexpensive. I saw it on Pinterest (who hasn't spent hours of just pinning?!) and decided that's what I'll be doing for Christmas.

Hope this might give you and idea if you are running out of time.

A Bientot!

Santa!

Hello??? Anyone there? lol Life has been quite hectic this year for me. I don't want to give up my blog but trying to find the time to post anything new is not as easy as it used to.

Yesterday I decided to see Santa. I wasn't sure if I would be able to if I waited too close to Christmas Day. The kids were happy to oblige my request and off we went to see Santa! I am so happy it's been the same Santa for at least 4 or 5 years. My daughter is 8 1/2 and smart. As long as it's the same one, she believes he is Santa.  My son asked for a DSi game (we don't have a DS anymore since he broke mine) and my daughter a trampoline. Ahuh. Good thing they have a longer Santa list at home. lol

Have you gone to see Santa yet? What are they asking Santa for this year?

A Bientot!

Happy Halloween!

A Bientot!

My little man.

Last Sunday, my son turned 6. Why are the years going by so quickly?! I remember being pregnant with him, having him at the hospital, bringing him home and buddling him up  at one week old for Halloween. My daughter LOVED her baby brother. Would put stickers on him, color him with washable markers and always ask me to take a photo of her with him. Nowadays, she either loves him or dislikes him. lol

This year there was no party but a small get together at Chuckey Cheese. He was happy to be there with his friends and seeing his Grandpa & his girlfriend (don't want to mention her name for her privacy). We ate the pizza (....no coment...) and played the games. The kids had a good time and Grandpa & his girlfriend enjoyed the game Deal or No Deal.

We came home and had his birthday cake. My son wanted a Super Mario Mushroom cake. I didn't want to buy another pan for baking so the base of the cake is not cake. I didn't use to cover the cake but to make the white round spots. He wanted chocolate and he got it.  It was a great day spent with family and friends.

Now he's 6. In first grade. OMG, they're growing way too fast for me! sniff.

A Bientot!

Pumpkin Patch

Halloween is soon coming upon us and that means pumpkins are needed. A few weeks ago, we all went to the pumpkin patch near our home with my father-in-law and his girlfriend. Davis Ranch in Sloughhouse always have a Festival in October. There's vendors, food, bouncy house, pony rides and free hayrides. Perfect for an inexpensive family outing.

We looked at all the vendots and purchased a few items since I knew I was going to buy a lot of pumkins. lol We had lunch there and it was yummy! My son would eat any thing that we offered to him. The child likes to eat and yet stays so slim! Wished I had his metabolism. lol

We went ahead and took a hayride to the pumpkin patch to choose out pumpkins. I think we bought 6 or 7 pumpkins and it cost us about $16. Not bad I think.

This weekend I will be carving some of those pumpkins while keeping 2 or 3 unscathed for Thanksgiving. We also went home with corn and some kettle pop corn given by my FIL and his girlfriend. That was my second time eating it and it's pretty good! I never bought some because my first one was gross. Maybe it was a bad batch? Anyway, I'll buy some from now on whenever I see it.

For those who celebrate Halloween, do you have your pumpkins ready? I wished I could carve mine now but it will get disgusting after 2 days in our weather.

A Bientot!

October.

I can't believe it's October already. Soon the year will be over and another year will start. Today I hung up my Halloween advent calendar. The kids were excited to see it this morning. They each got an organic lollipops as their first treat to be eaten after lunch. lol

The weather is finally getting cool here in Nor Cal. We've been having some really hot weather and I couldn't wait for some real Fall weather. Soon I'll be wearing my sweaters and boots. Can't wait! Also getting my Pumpkin Spice Latte is a bonus that comes with Fall.

Are you ready for Fall or has Fall arrived at your place already?

A Bientot!

First day of school 2011.

This past Monday, my children started school. I still can't believe I have a third grader AND a first grader. No more babies, toddlers or preschool. That's it! Now I have somewhat big kids. I shudder to think of when I'll say I have middle and high schoolers! I better stock up on Kleenex! lol

As per tradition, I took photos on their first day. Looking back of when my daughter started kindergarden and how she looks now, makes me sad. She's growing up to be a beautiful young lady. sniff.

Here's my daughter all ready for third grade. She doesn't want bangs anymore and now wants her hair to stay long.  She's also very happy since I painted her nails and toes in bubble gun pink.

 Thinking of how she thinks the day will be for her.

 God, she's looking like a young girl.

Here's my son. This one has no worries. All ready to be a "man" and start first grade. All smiles. Real smiles. Dear Lord child, can you at least pretend you need me just a tiny bit??? lol

 First grade baby!

 Thumbs up for starting first grade!

I then wanted a photo with both of them. My daughter was feeling cheeky and kept trying to make her little brother look funny. Ahhh siblings!

Then it was off to school! Everyone is good spirits and I was feeling very proud that I didn't shed a tear for my son.  I saw children crying and even parents crying. It's a hard thing to let go of your small children especially if this is your first one. It's like we lose a bit of them by letting go.

Mom! Stop snapping photos of us! lol

My daughter's teacher. She is new to the school and I noticed pregant too. lol I see another teacher coming into my daughter life in a few months.

 My son's teacher. She's the young lady in purple. Hmm does that make me old calling her a "young lady"? lol

 Waiting in line.

 Ok mom. Enough!

 Crazy mom taking a photo thru the window.

Ninja mom also went and snapped a photo of my daughter without her knowing. She's at the right side, first one.

And when I had to pick them up, still all smiles. My daughter said her math problems were easy and my son said he finished all his work. Uhuh. Lets hope it continues throughout the year.

Have your children started school? Is it your first one or are you a veteran mom?

A Bientot!

Teachers Survival Kits.

Tomorrow my children will be starting school. Already??? Yup, already! My son will start first grade while my daughter will be in third. This year will be a new beginning for my son since he will be in school all day instead of half days. On the plus side, I won't be walking back and forth 6 times a day to school! lol

As usual, I prepared a Teacher Survival Kit for each child's teacher. I put in the usual items inside but also found some Wisps so in case Teacher forgot to brush their teeth in the morning rush, they can quickly do a teeth cleaning.

California is struggling with insufficiant funds for school and I know the teachers are also feeling the pinch.  What better way to show appreciation to your children's teacher with a gift that might come in handy?!  New routines to be made, morning rushes, ect. This kit could help them out in a pinch if needed.

Have you guys began making yours? What do you put in yours?

A bientot!