Elena's Valentine

Elena's Valentine was her "bonus" Dad, Scott. (He has been for the past eight years.) He is so good to her. He's an AWESOME Dad! He always ensures he makes her feel special (and not just on Valentine's Day). That's his girl!

My Cousin

Today, my beautiful cousin, Amber, (who will turn 27 on Friday) deploys for her second tour in Iraq. She is a 1st Lt. in the Marines. I called her this morning @ 8 A.M. central time, which was 6 A.M. California time. Yeah, I interrupted her beauty sleep. (I'm sure it's probably her last day of peaceful sleep, until she returns.) She said, "Did you forget about the time difference?" I hadn't, but I figured she would be up running around. I didn't keep her long. I just wanted to call her before she left to tell her I was thinking about her and would be praying for her safe return.

I admire her bravery and I'm very proud of her. I hope all of you who read my blog will add her, as well as all the other troops, to your prayer list. They are all sacrificing a great deal for us.

Monkey see, Monkey do

Look at these cute boys looking innocent. That's my shy, reserved baby, and my hyperactive, never meets a stranger, nephew. He was over visiting with his Mom, Jennifer.

Now, look what happens when you allow them to play without supervision. Yep, Allan, you guys are busted!!
















(Note: Allan does own shorts and pants. However, if Dad changes him, the bottoms don't go back on. I'm grateful the diaper gets changed, though.)

Type A

For those of you that know me, you know I'm Type A. (I inherited this characteristic from my mother. Thanks Mom!!) I like things orderly and neat. I'm also, a germaphobe. I have, however, improved greatly from what I used to be. With four children and a husband, it's impossible to maintain my phobia. I decided I needed to let go (a little) for my sanity. (I'm sure me family appreciates it.)

This morning, while I was cleaning house, I asked my two year old, Allan, to take his shoes to his room. It seems this Type A cycle has been passes on to him too. His shoes were in a line. What have I created?

Not only were his shoes in order, but after I finished vaccuming, I went to check on him. He was helping Mommy. He was wiping clean the fridge and the stove.

Someday, he'll make his future wife proud! Sorry, Dayden and Mattie, per Scott, Latina's only.

Papa & Mama

Friday evening, my in-laws came over. They were able to visit with Allan for a short while. (Elena, Ricky and Brandon were gone for the weekend.) It's always a treat to see them, since we only see them a handful of times a year.

Allan loves his Papa. (He loves you too, Mama.) First thing he says is, "Papa, side (outside)." Off they go.

As Papa and Mama were getting ready to leave, Papa teased Allan with leaving with them. He thought Allan wouldn't go. Allan went and put on his water shoes, jacket and got his backpack. He really thought he was going. Maybe, next time?!

Technology

My kids are always listening to their MP4's, watching music videos or movies, and playing video games. (Don't get me wrong. When the weather is nice out, I do force them to go out and play.) When I sent Ricky up to the attic to put away and bring down a few decorative seasonal items, he came down with a toy. Brandon had received this gift for Christmas when he was two. It was still in the attic new in the box. Seven years later, the log set was opened. I was happy to see they could still be entertained by non electronics.

Drive-in

I took my kids and a few of their friends to the drive-in movie theater, on Friday night. My kids enjoyed the movie and I enjoyed the food from the concession stand. Going to the drive in reminds me of the times my parents would take me and my siblings. However, when they took us we watched peliqulas (Spanish movies). I had no idea what the movies where about, but I have great memories of it. The one English movie I do remember seeing was when my Aunt Olivia and Uncle Bill took me in their El Comino to watch Hanky Panky. I don't recall what the movie consisted of, but it sounds like it was probably an R rating.