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.