Good Friends are Never Forgotten

Last night I made a long overdue phone call. It was to my old L&D unit in Florida. I worked there for four years before moving to Texas.
I thought they had forgotten all about me, but as soon as I said "hey, it's Sonia" they knew exactly who I was and were so happy to hear from me. I chatted with Brenda, Donna, and Liz. It was so good to hear their voices again and catch up. They were hoping I wouldn't like Texas so much and move back. For a long time I didn't like Texas. I was lonely and had to make all new friends and start a whole new life. Within the last year Texas finally felt like home and I don't know if I'll ever move back. I do miss the ocean, Disney World, Publix, friends, and my family. Both families-my relatives and my girls in L&D. I miss Brenda's baking, Liz's stories, pokeno, girls nights, and just being in the company of some of the greatest people in the world. WRMC ladies, you guys are awsome and I miss you all very much.

In the Halloween Spirit

This past weekend was packed full of Halloween fun.
It all started on Saturday, following soccer games during the day we came home took naps and went costume shopping. The girls decided to recycle costumes, so they will be High School Musical characters! Two weeks ago we were in search of a white power ranger costume, but since that is a retired power ranger, we couldn't find it so Ethan settled for a blue one. Ofcourse on our wal-mart costume shopping for me, we found a white one. There was only one left and it was in his size, aghhh. So I had to get it.

Anyway, after trying on a several costumes myself, I decided to go with a pirate wench costume borrowed from my sister. Who would have thought that the hosts of the Halloween party that I went to were pirates! I met up with some friends to carpool to the party and two of them were also pirate wenches, so we fit right in. So about this party...first of all it was hosted at a doctors house who went all out in decorations. They converted there 5,000+ square foot suburban home into a haunted mansion. the foyer, which was as big as my family room, greeted you with fog, black lights, and skeletons. the kitchen and breakfast room housed monsters and halloween themed food. Bats and spiders climed the walls and I just loved the severed head hanging from the kitchen chandelier with red punch fountain underneath, it looked like you were drinking the blood dripping from the hanging head. The costues were amazing; popeye & olive oil, bert & ernie, and michael phelps were amongst some of the greatest costumes. It was a great night. Lisa, Sharon, Tracy, and Bobbi thanks for such a fun filled night. You really bring out the party girl in me, i luv ya for that. We have many many many funny stories of that night out. Can't wait til doctor G's Christmas party, I'm sure it will be a blast too. See you at work my crazy crew, together we make our long shifts fly by.

We went to a Halloween carnival Sunday night where the kids enjoyed a large bouse house slide, pumpkin bowling, petting zoo, haunted maze, face painting, hay rides and a dance off. Black and Red spiderman were there and Ethan was amazed, he thought they were the real ones, and we all know his fascination with spiderman. He was happy to meet up with Griffin from his class who was dressed as the incredible hulk. Together they had a great time.

My Treasures

Playing outside
Face it, kids need to be outdoors. They need the fresh air and the sun shining on their faces.
Some of our favorite family times happen on our street. It’s nice to be able to pull out our lawn chairs and watch the kids play. I can still remember taking off Ethan’s training wheels, he was so determined he learned to ride without help that same day. Our new swing set has been such a blessing. It has brought the laughter and friendships into our back yard. I just love it.

Family Time
No matter how busy your week is, make the time to connect with your family. I keep myself pretty busy, When I am not in class or on the hospital floor, my thoughts are with the fam. Nothing makes me happier than hanging out with Mike and the kids in our pj's putting together a 1000+ piece puzzle or watching a movie. Although I have not given into moon sand and projects with glitter, making crafts is huge in our house. the kids get their creative side from me. They also love to help me in the kitchen; they make great potato mashers, cake mixers, and table setters.
Our families live so far away that keeping in touch is of great importance to us all. The kids talk to their grandparents on a regular basis, not because I make them but because they want to. They make gifts and care packages for Nanny & Papi and love receiving them from both Nanny and Grandma Barb.

Friendship
Everyone needs a friend, someone you can trust, laugh with, talk to, vent to, and cry with. I teach my kids the importance of treating people the way they want to be treated, to be the kind of person that makes people happy to be around. I have learned that it is possible for just one person to change your life, whether it be good or bad, everyone brings a life lesson with them. I have met some wonderful people in my life and I feel truly blessed.

TuTu Cute

For the past week I have been working on tutu's for my girls. I went out and bought some tulle and I'm hooked. These precious little tutu's are so cute. I am working on my third one now and I am teaching the girls to make one themselves, they want to make matching ones for their American Girl dolls! How cute.
Instructions:
Tulle: 2-4 yards total. You can use one solid color or a combination of colors.
Elastic: ½-inch wide for babies and toddlers/1-inch wide for older children. You will need a piece long enough to go around the waist of your child.
Step 1: Lay tulle out across a large flat surface with fold toward you. Cut 3-inch wide strips using all of the tulle. You can use a cutting board and rotary blade or just cut with scissors. It is not important that the strips be perfectly straight or exactly 3 inches wide.
Step 2: Wrap elastic around child’s waist and cut where edges just meet. Overlap elastic 1-inch over the other side and staple together along both edges. Make sure staples are running up and down, not from side to side. You can also hand stitch the elastic together or sew on a sewing machine.
Step 3: Open a strip of tulle and place the center over the back of the elastic. Pull tulle around to the front and tie snuggly. Repeat with all tulle pieces.
Step 4: Once all pieces are securely tied on you can spread them out more evenly and you are ready to set back and watch your little one dance up a storm!

Trick & Treat with Stamp'in Up

I found this great Halloween Decoration idea at http://www.hostessblog.com/
TRICK OR TREAT ENSEMBLEMaterials List: Stampin Up Stamps
Batty for You stamp set
Tasty Sweets stamp set
Batty Stampin’ Around jumbo wheel
Kiwi Kiss card stock
Whisper White card stock
Ghostly Greetings Designer Series paper
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
VersaMark pad
Black Stampin’ Emboss powder
Basic Black 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Bowl
Chocolate treats
Pumpkins
StickInstructions:Pumpkins
1. Apply Chills & Thrills Rub-Ons to pumpkins.
Treat Bowl
1. Adhere Ghostly Greetings paper around brim of bowl.
2. Adhere Ghostly Greetings paper around individual chocolates. Tie Basic Black ribbon around a couple of chocolates.
3. Stamp several images in VersaMark ink on Whisper White card stock. Cover images using Black Stampin’ Emboss powder, and heat set. Cut out images, and adhere a few to individual chocolates using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
4. To create treat bowl sign, stamp yum image in VersaMark ink around Kiwi Kiss card stock. Cover images using Black Stampin’ Emboss powder, and heat set. Tie Basic Black ribbon around card stock. Distress edges, and adhere to a stick.
5. Stamp greeting in Pumpkin Pie ink on Whisper White card stock, and cut out. Adhere to sign using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
6. Stamp spider image in VersaMark ink on Whisper White card stock. Cover image using Black Stampin’ Emboss powder, and heat set. Cut out image, and adhere to sign using Stampin’ Dimensionals.Tip: To make your Trick or Treat sign straight, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the individual letters.

so girlie

The girls enjoyed getting all dressed up today.

They never get to put on my makeup, so they

were thrilled when I told them that they could.

There they were sorting through my stockpile of makeup, asking each other for makeup advice.

My bathroom was left with different styling products on the counter, hair curler, hair dryer, hair accessories, and makeup everywhere!

I can just imagine their teenage years, when this becomes a daily routine!!!

Ahhh, girls!

For Sydney

Sydney, my first born. She’s going to be ten this years old this year, I can't believe it.

She’s growing into a beautiful younglady…although she is entering into the most awkward time in her life. Her and I struggle with her hair on a daily basis and I give her a hard time for that. She asks me to put it in a pony tail everyday just not to deal with it, but I think she is more beautiful with it down. Her body is changing a lot and she is concerned with her body image and new curves, but hopefully with some encouragement she’ll come out of this with a healthy sense of her own beauty.
She will go far in life. She’s amazingly smart and very considerate. She is constantly surprising me with her wit and questions. She tries really hard to please everyone, always putting others first. She's starting to realize that some people can never be pleased. Shes growing up, taking life's lessons and learning how to deal with them.
She was my test baby. The one who I raised by the book. Although she didn't sleep through the night, she was well behaved, learned colors, reading, and writing very early. She did everything just right and she still does. She was always my little helper when I brought home her little sister and little brother. She is very responsible but I have to remind her that every now and then it is OK to break the rules.
She is my best friend. When her feelings get hurt, so do mine. When she is mad at her friend, so am I. When she is happy, I am too. I know the day is coming when she will no longer want me around, not even to have lunch with her at school or just give her a ride. So I will take these days and treasure them. When she tells me a new joke I’ll try a little harder to laugh. I’ll sneak in more hugs and tell her I love her more often.

Jessica

I want to take a moment to recognize a special friend. So today I will write about Jessica W. We met a little over a year ago. The W family lives right across the street. I noticed they had a son who looked to be Ethan's age. For Ethan's sake I was determined to meet them. I think our last minute decision to have dinner at Peter Piper Pizza must have been fate. I looked over saw our neighbors having dinner and I wanted to meet them. Although I though they didn’t want to be bothered, I made myself do it. I went over and just said a quick hello and invited them to join us on the next time they see us hanging out on the street, and they did. Our families bonded instantly and Ethan made a new best friend. Although my initial goal was to gain a friend for Ethan, I gained a whole lot more.So about Jessica...she is a great mom and a great friend, she has a heart of gold and a beautiful smile. My girls just love her. They occasionally talk her ear off to and from school and she takes the time to actually listen to them. We see eye to eye on a lot of things. I always look forward spending time with her. She is the kind of person that everyone needs in their lives, you know the one you can really trust, enjoy their company, and who makes you laugh. Those friends are hard to find. I love that she lets me spoil her boys, especially her new little one J. I've met a lot of wonderful people in Texas, but for Jessica I am truly thankful.

Home Cooked Doesn't Come in a Box

I so need a mom visit. Sometimes I wonder if I am forgetting all the lessons taught to me. McDonald's used to be a rare treat and Red Lobster was only for special occasions but lately both of those are weekly dinner options. Seems like with all the running around that I do, I have the hardest time putting a home cooked meal on the table, or at least that is what I tell myself. On my last grocery trip I thought I would pick up pot pies for a busy night's dinner. They are kind of considered homemade, don't you think? I mean they have a chicken, vegetables, and gravy in a flaky crust and are usually cooked in the oven. Isn't that close to homemade?

Anyway, I think I have forgotten all my cooking skills or have just gotten lazy. Really, how do you mess up pasta three times in a row and burn pot pies. Yes, a frozen pot pie was my lunch of choice yesterday and I somehow messed that up too. Of course I waited until I was starving to cook it so instead of thirty minutes in the oven I opted for the microwave version. I popped it in while I finished up some chores. At first the house smelled of warm golden crust and chicken gravy, and it made my stomach growl with hunger. Then suddenly a smoky smell took over. As I walked towards the kitchen I saw smoke coming out of every angle of the microwave. The kitchen was a huge cloud of smoke while small flames in the microwave engulfed my lunch. I quickly opened as many windows as fast as I could and then opened the microwave to remove the sad little pie. Yep, definitely not going to eat that. My pot pie had a small hole where smoke was still escaping from under the blackened crust. I put the pot pie outside to keep the smoke out, and just laughed.

I'll take this as my lesson learned :)

We Got Boo'ed

It started with a light knock on our front door. When the kids opened the door, smiles went round "Daddy we got boo'ed!" They screamed with excitement.
My kids know all about booing, as a family we tend to make it a big deal. We start planning as soon as we see Halloween decorations and candy in the stores. As a family we searched for baskets, candy, and special items.
Halloween is such a fun time, I still remember all my friends/family memories. I'm trying to give my kids those memories as well.
Current family activities: scary movie weekends, planning a pumpkin carving party, and spending time with friends.
When I see my kids laughing, enjoying their family and being a GOOD friend, I know I have done a good job at raising my little goblins.

My Little Pumpkin

Ethan had his school Fall festivities on Wednesday. He was so excited that he was going to pick a pumpkin to bring home. He played toss the hula around the pumpkin, an obstacle course with jump the haystack and finally a pick your pumpkin out of the patch game. All the kids stood in a large circle and one at a time had to run around the circle and then as fast as they can pick a pumpkin and get back in the circle. Of course, Ethan was the second to last to go. He had already shown me the pumpkin he wanted, so with every kid that picked a pumpkin he eagerly watched hoping they wouldn't pick his. When it was finally Ethan's turn to choose, he ran as fast as he could to grab it. He was so happy that his pumpkin was still left. He grabbed it up and hugged it tight, he was so happy. When all the kids lined up their pumpkins in the hallway, there his was the smallest of them all, that is the one he wanted. He said to me that he wanted the baby pumpkin, it was so cute.

Black Playdough

When I signed up for the month of October, to donate balck playdough to Ethan's class I didn't know I would have to make it!It's okay, I like homemade stuff right? It should be fun, so we are going to make this a Sunday afternoon family project.

Here is the recipe:1/2 cup Salt1 cup flour1 cup water (colored)1 Tbsp. vegetable oil2 tsp. cream of tarterDoubled:1 cup salt2 cups flour1 1/2 cups water2 Tbsp. vegetable oil4 tsp. cream of tarterMix a few drops of food coloring into water. Combine all ingrdients in a pan. Stir constantly over medium heat until it forms a ball. Knead until smooth.

Rainy Day

It took all of me to get out of bed this morning. The rain makes me want to stay in my PJ's and craft all day. Instead I had to get up and go to class. My hair got frizzy because of the rain, so those fifteen minutes with the straightening iron were completely a waste. My newly cleaned shoes had mud on them and my pressed scrubs were damp. I was miserable, I wanted so bad to just skip class and enjoy the rainy day at home.
By noon, when class was over the rain had stopped. I was glad at that point because I had some errands to run before time to pick up Ethan. I got groceries and did some laundry. When it was time for the girls to come home, the weather was great. I pulled out some crafts for us to do but instead the kids all ran outside to play on the swing set, they played out there for three hours!!!
I stayed in, watching them through the window and worked on Naty's pink tutu. Maybe it'll rain again tomorrow when I have nothing going on so I can enjoy it.

Just Fabulous

Our weekend was fabulous! It started on Friday evening with the girls theatre practice, they are doing a High School Musical play, and have a combination of scripts, dancing, and singing. I happened to get back before class let out and decided to listen at the door. I got there just as it was time for Sydney to sing. My eyes filled with tears as I heard my sweetie sing out loud with all her heart, I didn't know she could sing so well. She is always too embarrassed to sing or dance in front of people so I am happy to see that she is breaking out of that.

Here the girls are being handed their scripts!

After theatre practice we headed to the movies for the opening night of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, what a cute movie. There were nineteen in our group, wow, and we all had a great time.


Saturday....soccer games followed by more working on our swing set. While the guys worked, the kids played and Liza, Jessica, and I relaxed and chatted inside. We ordered pizza and the kids had theirs outside on a large blanket, thank goodness for our great weather. The night ended with the guys watching ultimate fighting and Ethan passing out in the recliner.

Sunday, was great. I slept in until after 10 am. As I walked out of my room, I called for Mike and the kids but got no answer. I walked past the living room windows, to see three happy children playing on their almost finished swing set. I was so happy. This is exactly what I wanted, a nice place for the kids to play.

While the men finished the play set, Liza and I went shopping, without the kids! Liza is having a Fancy Nancy birthday party for Nyomi soon so we had some serious girly shopping to do. We spent most of our time shopping for tutus, boas, and tiaras. We shopped for five hours, and made good progress.

I am making the girls tutu's out of tulle, a remake of something we saw on the Internet, I can't wait to see them finished!! I will post pictures when they are done.


After all the shopping, Jessica and I headed to Liza's where we made trial Fancy Nancy cupcakes for the party and Liza made her famous Carmel popcorn in pink.
This was a great friends weekend.

My Walk Downtown

The girls have theatre class on Fridays in downtown McKinney. I was so bummed because I wasn't sure what I was going to do downtown by myself. This was their second class and since the parents were instructed not to stay and 'watch'. I was okay with that because my girls are a bit on the shy side and would probably be more nervous with me there.
As I walked out of the theatre, I looked around and realized that I was surrounded by some of the most unique shops ever. I could smell the family cooking's of Spoons. Oktoberfest was last weekend so the square was decorated with pumpkins, hay, and scarecrows. The breeze was perfect, just enough to keep my air back. The air had a crisp cool fall feel. Ahhh, it was so nice.







I was going to surprise the kids with a special treat form Mom & Popcorn, and since they carry 42 Flavors of Gourmet Popcorn, Homemade Fudge, Nostalgic Candy & Bottled Sodas finding a gift for the kiddos would be easy, but they were closed so I was bummed. This cute little popcorn shop carries all those old candies, like cigarette gum. Get this: the candy cigarettes are called just like dads...yeah that's the influence I want, NOT.

I found myself next door at Posey Lane, where I browsed their awesome paper craft section, they make everything from personalized invitations to custom bags and goodies. I bought Naty a tulle skirt for a Fancy Nancy party we have coming up. This store was so girly and crafty....so me.
Heading back to the theatre, I stumbled past a little store that caught my attention. Outside were two big rocking chairs, a scarecrow surrounded by pumpkins and in the store window was Halloween decor with a twist of country. the name of the store was The Picket Fence, I love it so I found myself inside browsing through home accents that I was convincing myself I couldn't be without, but I was good...I bought nothing.

Further down the street was this little girly Tea House, called girly girl, made of sugar an spice. So. stinking. cute! Note to self: make lunch date with Syd and Nat at the tea house.

When I looked at the time, it was time to go get my girls from practice and head to the movies to meet the rest of the gang.

I could have strolled down those old streets all night long.