The Mouses

We've been horrified because we had a family of mice in our backyard that found a way into our house. It's been awful getting rid of them, but I think we finally have. Cross my fingers!

But the cute part of this story is that when Gabby found out, she was thrilled. She tells us several times a day now not to hurt her mouses. "The mouses are my friends," she tells us. That utterly grosses me out, to be honest, and we are hurting (read: KILLING) "her mouses". But this little girl just loves animals and I wanted to remember this in years to come.

Deck the Halls

I know it isn't original but I absolutely love the day after Thanksgiving festivities. I'm one of those crazy people that braves the "Black Friday" crowds. This year, since Walmart's sales started at 10 PM on Thursday, I got there about 9. I couldn't get a shopping cart but I got the main things I wanted for my kids and saved about 50% on the main items. To me it was worth braving the crowds. And I have to say that my experience has always been fairly positive. Most people are actually fairly polite. The employees were polite and helpful. It was so crowded that it was hard to maneuver, but people were saying "pardon me" and apologizing if they did bump into you. No one was fighting, screaming or anything else. And I was out of the store by 10:45. Not bad. No actual shopping occurred on Black Friday this year! :)



But my favorite part of the day after Thanksgiving is getting out the Christmas decorations and "decking the halls". I turned on Christmas music and pulled out all of our boxes and the girls and I had a great time decorating. We have 2 trees. The one upstairs is color coordinated and while Alfredo lets the girls decorate, he'll go back over it at the end and make sure that the decorations are spread out evenly. (Although he won't have to do much of that this year. Michelle was overseeing the decorating and kept instructing Gabby where to put her ornaments and moving them when she thought it was necessary. She has a pretty good eye for detail.)





The tree downstairs is a hodge podge of ornaments that we've been given and the kids have made. There is no real rhyme or reason to that tree and I don't let Alfredo move those decorations around... it is the kids tree. We put up the garland and the advent with scriptures about the Savior. We put lights in the front window and on Saturday, Alfredo got the lights up on the outside of the house. I just love the decorations, the music, the parties and festivities, the gifts, the stories and everything about the Christmas season. Well, okay...there is one thing I don't like...the cold weather! :) But I can't complain (yet) this year, because we had a quite comfortable Thanksgiving.





I should mention that we got a late start on decorating on Friday, so we decorated upstairs on Friday and decorated downstairs on Saturday morning. But in some ways that was even better...it spread out the joy of decorating over two days.

I love this little nativity scene. It is one of four nativities that I have. My mom gave me a beautiful one that we keep upstairs. Then my mom gave my kids one that they can play with... they love it. The pieces aren't breakable and they enjoy moving the pieces around. We have one set that is ornaments that we hang on the tree downstairs. This little one is one I bought and I like it because it is so small. It fits into this little red box with a green ribbon...it looks like a little Christmas gift. And then you open it up and it is truly the greatest gift of Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Beach

Oops! We spent 4 days in California, with 3 of them at Disneyland. Then the week after we returned home, the girls had a dance concert and Michelle had a violin concert. We had Halloween festivities. I had too many things to blog about and not nearly enough time. I just realized that I neglected to blog about our trip to the beach on Saturday.

On Friday night, we moved from a hotel a couple of blocks from Disneyland to a Hilton in Ontario. It was less money and a nicer hotel. On Saturday morning, we headed to the beach. It was windy and a little chilly, so the girls spent most of the time playing in the sand. Gabby loved watching a man throw a frisbee out into the water for his dog to go and catch. I love the beach...but wish we could sometimes manage to go on a warm day so it would be more enjoyable in the water. :)






That afternoon, we went to a good friend of Alfredo's home for a barbecue. Israel and his family were so hospitable and kind and the girls had a great time playing with their kids. It was a nice relaxing way to end our trip after the business of Disneyland.

Giving Thanks, Part 2

After reading more about the First Thanksgiving, I am again thankful to live in this day and age. Did you know that along with corn and other vegetables and turkey, they ate deer, clams, and long, slimy eels at the First Thanksgiving. Now doesn't that just whet your appetite? I'd much rather stick with our turkey/ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, rolls and pumpkin (or in my case pecan) pie.

During this Thanksgiving season, I have done some reflecting on what I am grateful for.
First, I'm grateful for great teachers for my children. Both Michelle and Ella have written multiple lists of what they are grateful for...at school, at church, and then on their own at home. I am grateful for teachers who help me teach my children... I'm sure that at school it was in a more secular way, but I'm still glad that along with the turkey crafts there were lists made of what they are thankful for. It obviously sank in, since they have both made additional lists here at home.



This is a list Michelle made at school: "I am thankful for my mom, my dad, and my food, my clock, my close (clothes), my house, my cusins, my grama.

Ella made this cute turkey in Spanish class. It says, "Estoy agradecida por... mi familia (I am thankful for my family), mis mascotas (my mascots...she thought it meant pets and maybe it can?), la escuela (the school), mi casa (my house), and mis juguetes (my toys).

This morning before church, Michelle asked if she could use a piece of scrapbooking paper. I came upstairs a few minutes later to see her writing/drawing a list of what she is thankful for. It says, "How much I am thankful: I am thankful for the Earth (then she drew a cute Earth with all the continents labeled), shoes for your feet, socks to keep our feet warm, and for teachers to teach. I am thankful for everything.

I, too, am grateful for shoes and socks...my feet are constantly cold and I can only imagine how miserable winter would be without warm shoes and socks.

I'm thankful for my family. Being a parent is often more challenging than I expected, but I love it. I love my husband and children. I am thankful for the ways that I am growing as I try to become a better wife and mother. My family teaches me the most important lessons. I also love my extended family and I'm so grateful for their love and examples.

I'm thankful that I have a job that I love and that I feel is important and worthwhile.

I'm thankful for good books to read. I learn a lot from reading and it is my main way to relax and take a break.

I'm thankful for chocolate. I know that seems like a superficial thing, but I seriously love chocolate and I'm thankful that I can indulge in a little bit most every day.

I'm thankful to live now and in this country. I enjoy reading historical fiction and learning about different events and time periods. However, I don't think there is any time period in the past that I would want to live in. There are many people and groups that I admire and that I would love to meet after I die, but I appreciate electricity, indoor plumbing, appliances, cars, computers, carpet (or other flooring), heating/cooling systems, and so many other modern day conveniences. I'm also incredibly thankful to live in a country where I can worship as I please, where I have the right to work in a job of my choosing, live in a home of my choosing, marry who I choose, have the number of children I choose, speak up about what I believe, vote and have many other rights that aren't rights for many people (especially women) in other countries.

There are so many other things that I am thankful for. This list could go on forever. But above all, I am thankful for my Savior. I love Him and worship Him and I'm grateful for His example, His love, His Atonement, and I'm grateful that He succors me. I can never say enough about how thankful I am for the Savior and for His death and resurrection. I am thankful for the scriptures and prophets that teach me about Him and help me to follow Him.

I want to end by sharing 3 quotes that I've been thinking about. First, in a talk in sacrament meeting last week, the speaker shared a thought that I've heard before but have really tried to take to heart this week. "What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for last night?" Wow! I know there would be times when if that really were what happened, I would wake up with very little. I'm trying to express my gratitude more completely.

Another quote, which is a quote I'm sure I've shared before, comes from a children's book by Douglas Wood called The Secret of Saying Thanks. In this book, one line says, "We do not give thanks because we are happy. We are happy because we give thanks." The more I reflect on this and practice this, the more I recognize the wisdom in this quote.

The final quote was one I heard while doing a lot of baking today. I was listening to Sounds of the Sabbath on the radio. The announcer read Doctrine and Covenants 59, verse 7: "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." The announcer then went on to point out that this says all things...it doesn't just say good things. We are told to give thanks for all things...including the hard things, the trials and disappointments and hardships. These things are given to us to give us strength, to help us develop faith, and to prove us. I can't honestly say that I am very good at giving thanks for my trials. There are times when I am not certain that I am strong enough to bear them. But certainly, I see that they are teaching me things that I may not have learned otherwise...such as not to judge others, to be patient, to have faith, to focus my efforts on what I can control. And most especially to turn to to my Heavenly Father for help. So I am going to try to remember to give thanks in all things. For in that same chapter, (D & C 59) verse 21 says, "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."

Fun Date Night

Alfredo and I had a fun date night last Saturday, thanks to my dad. My dad had season tickets to the BYU football games. He offered to give us his tickets to the last home game and to watch the girls for us. He bought them pizza and tacos which they were thrilled about, and they got to watch several fun movies like Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure.

Alfredo and I got dinner at Costa Vida and then saw a movie together. Then we headed to the BYU football game. It was Alfredo's first BYU football game... and the first I'd been to since I was in college there... about 15 years ago. BYU was playing New Mexico State and BYU did great. It was so fun to be surrounded by BYU fans and to sing the fight song and remember some of the great times I had at BYU so many years ago. It was quite cold though and the game didn't start until 8:15 so we only stayed through the half time show and then left so that our kids wouldn't be up all night long. (Surprisingly, both Michelle and Ella had fallen asleep at my dad's. But Gabby was still wide awake.) It was a lot of fun!!

Recipes

I've just found a new recipe that we've really enjoyed. We've eaten this for breakfast a couple of times now and love it (although it would make a good side for lunch or dinner as well.)
I found this recipe in the December/January issue of Parenting The School Years. The recipe is from Lisa Atwood. Thank you! It is delicious!!!!

Potato Latkes
Peel 2 russet potatoes and grate or shred. Grate or shred 1/2 onion. Roll up the potato-onion mixture in double layer of paper towels and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and onion with 2 eggs lightly beaten and 1/3 cup bread crumbs, 1 Tbsp. scallions (or green onions), 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir together.

Then heat on medium heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a frying pan or we like a tad bit of butter on the bottom of a skillet. Place balls of the mixture in the pan and flatten. Cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes, until brown. Place on a paper towel to drain. The recipe recommends serving with applesauce or sour cream. We like them with ketchup or honey mustard.

This probably only makes enough to feed 3 people if using as a meal, so I double the recipe.

Also, we've tried a few modifications. First, I have a yummy Indian seasoning that is a tiny bit sweet and spicy and I like to add that to the mixture before cooking. In the magazine they recommend substituting half of a potato with zucchini and adding 1 peeled carrot. I haven't tried the zucchini, but we have added squash and carrots. Also, Alfredo had me add tilapia (cut into tiny pieces) one time and shrimp (cut into tiny pieces) one time. We only added the tilapia or shrimp to part of the mixture but it was quite good. And this is a great way to get your kids to eat vegetables for breakfast!!! (Ironically, I should add that Gabby does NOT like these...which is funny because she loves vegetables. But she refuses to even try these. Maybe it's because she is 3?!)

Inspiration

Had the neatest experience in the car on the way to the girls' school the other morning. For some reason, I was contemplating the trials that my sweet little Ella has experienced in her life. When I was about 6 months pregnant with her, Alfredo and I were in a car accident. We were okay, but as a precaution, since I have the Rh factor and some of her blood had mixed in my bloodstream, I spent a night at the hospital. Then at four months old, we found out she had a hole in her heart. She had many chest x-rays, echocardiograms, EKGs and at 19 months old, she had open heart surgery. Her speedy recovery was such a blessing. Then a month later, she got Influenza B and RSV and was hospitalized for 3 days. At about 2 1/2, she rolled off the bed in the middle of the night and broke her clavicle. Ella is also my kiddo who seems to always have cavities despite the fact that I'm quite conscientious about her teeth brushing. She is also a tender-hearted little girl who is quite sensitive to stimuli. She gets easily upset and hurt.

I was reflecting on this as I was driving the girls to school. For only being six years old, she has already had some pretty difficult trials. Some how, as I was thinking about this, I was reminded of Joseph Smith and the trials he had beginning at a young age. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by the spirit telling me that Ella, too, has a strong spirit and an important mission on this Earth. She is strong enough to endure difficult trials and remain faithful, if we as her parents do our best to teach her the gospel and instill in her a love for the Savior. She does have such a sweet love for the Savior already and each day she prays to know and remember that He loves us. The spirit was so strong that I began to cry as it testified to me of this truth.

It was such a powerful moment because while I dearly love Ella, I often feel that I am not well suited as her mother. At six years old, she still has more meltdowns than her 3 year old sibling. That really worries me at times, and frustrates me at times. I recognize that this aspect of her personality is both a blessing and a trial because the same part of her that leads her to melt down and overreact easily also leads her to be very aware of other people's feelings and to be very compassionate and caring. But it can be exhausting and makes me feel at times like I'm failing as a mother. But as the spirit washed over me, it was confirmed to me again that it is not my job to try to change or rid her of this part of her personality but help guide her so that she can learn to control it. If I can be more effective at building her confidence and at really establishing a "house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (D & C 88:118) then Ella will be able to fulfill her divine mission here on Earth and we will be an eternal family in the eternities.

Interestingly, as I was flipping to the Doctrine and Covenants to make sure I typed that verse correctly, my scriptures fell open to Moses 3. Moses 3 talks about how Satan "sought to destroy the agency of man...to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will" (verses 3 and 4). At the bottom of this chapter I have written, "If you help break a baby chick out of its shell, it will die. Satan would remove our shell and make us go back to God, but without our strength. Christ leaves our shell and helps us gain the strength we need to break our shell and return to God." This just really seemed to fit with my thoughts about Ella...she needs to continue to overcome trials to become strong to fulfill her mission.

Giving Thanks

Today my kids had a couple of friends over playing. At one point, Ella and her friend were drawing pictures. Then Ella decided they should write what they were thankful for. Ella started making her list, stopping several times to help her friend (who is in kindergarten) write/spell the things she was thankful for. It made my heart happy to see Ella counting her blessings, completely on her own, not with any prodding from me. And to see her helping her friend to write. I love that girl.

Just now, as I'm typing this, I heard her friend say to her, "You are my best friend forever. You were my first friend and you are my bestest, bestest friend in the whole wide world."

Disney on Ice

On Saturday, November 12, we took the kids to Disney on Ice. We went with friends, Leo and Annette and their kids as well as Justin and Heather and their kids. We met Justin and Heather at the Gateway first and had lunch together. It was a cold, snowy day.
I brought my camera, but when I pulled it out to turn it on, I realized that the last time I used it, I had accidentally left it on and the batteries were completely dead. So alas, no pictures. Alfredo tried to take a few with his cell phone, but they turned out terribly.

The girls loved Disney on Ice. It was the first time we've ever gone. And since we had just been to Disneyland, it seemed especially fun. The girls loved the princesses such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Aladdin. Aladdin was Michelle's favorite. I really liked the Lion King...I liked the costumes and I've always loved the movie The Lion King and really enjoyed seeing the highlights performed by skaters. (Someday I would love to see the Broadway version of The Lion King). I have always loved figure skating...and then to see favorite Disney shoes acted out while skating...such a happy thing. It makes me feel a little like a kid again...in awe and wonder about how talented the performers are and full of hope and happiness.

Ella loved seeing the Incredibles. Gabby's favorite was Peter Pan, specifically Tinker Bell.

Gabby must have been tired, because right after the intermission, she curled up in my arms and fell asleep and missed the whole second half...which is when all the princesses came. But she still enjoyed the first half.

It was so much fun! Thank you Alfredo for organizing this fun outing and for talking friends into going with us.

Violin Concert

(My goal is to finally catch up completely on blogging during this wonderful, long Thanksgiving weekend!) Michelle had a Violin Chamber Concert on Thursday, November 3 at Day Murray Music. Linda Montgomery is her amazing teacher and the concert was amazing. Michelle played Fanfare by Laurence Lyon, Pachelbel's Canon, Indian Drums by Lyon, Mozart's Sonata, London Towne by Lyon, and Orange Blossom Special by Rouse. Other songs were played by some of the more advanced students, including both Spring Music and Winter by Vivaldi. It was a wonderful concert.

I know that practicing violin daily is not always easy for Michelle. Learning in two languages at school, then staying in the afterschool program, practicing piano and violin, and completing homework and reading mean that she does not get as much play time as she would like. She was nervous for this concert...it was hard work to have all five songs memorized and polished. But she did a wonderful job and was so proud of her accomplishment. And Aunt Suzy was here staying with us and was able to attend the concert with us so that made it more special. Good job Michelle!

El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Dance

A friend talked Michelle and Ella into joining their school's Ballet Folklorico group this year. (I had tried to convince them and they said no, but once Zoe asked them to join, they signed right up.) They practice right after school on Wednesdays and will have several performances this year. (This is perfect for me because they would love to dance at a nearby dance school, but I just can't add one more thing to my already busy life.) The group is much bigger this year than it was when Michelle was in first grade.

The Day Riverside Library had an event for El Dia de los Muertos on Tuesday, November 1. El Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday (although it is celebrated in other countries as well) that takes place on November 1 and 2...same days as the Catholic All Saints Day and All Souls Day. It is a day to remember your loved ones who have died. They visit cemetaries and they make altars to remember their deceased loved ones. They often cook the favorite foods of the deceased.

So the Ballet Folklorico performed at Day Riverside Library.
The first grade group performed first.




Then the beginners (grades 2 and up) performed next. They did the Old Man Dance.



Finally the advanced group performed.

School Spirit Week

October 31 - November 4 was school spirit week for my kids. (I'm still playing catch up, but getting closer!)

Monday they could wear Halloween colors. They both wore Halloween shirts.

Tuesday was Mismatch Day.




Wednesday was Crazy Hair Day. Even Gabby decided to participate in this one by spraying her hair purple. :)




(And I don't know why they have weird smirks in several pictures... They seem to like to make silly or grumpy faces when they are having their pictures taken.
Thursday was Culture Day where you dress up in something from your culture. Ella wore a dress from El Salvador. Michelle decided not to participate.

Friday was "Teachers Wear Uniform. Kids have Free Choice Day." They thought it was fun that the teachers all had to wear uniform since usually the kids have to but teachers can wear "regular" clothes.

Halloween festivities

Our Primary had a fun activity on Saturday (October 29) that Michelle went to. Ella woke up feeling all better, but as she had vomited on Friday night, I made her stay home as a precaution.

On Saturday evening, we carved pumpkins. My sister stayed with us for several weeks while she was looking for a place to move into up here (Hooray! Soon she will live less than an hour's drive away!) so she participated in the pumpkin carving. My daughters thought it was hilarious that they put two of the pumpkins together and made them look like they were kissing.







On Sunday, we painted faces (just for fun.....after church of course.) Michelle painted Gabby's face and Aunt Suzy painted Michelle's face and Ella's face.





We also made caramel apples.



On Halloween, our dear friend/babysitter made us dinner and then the girls and I went trick--or--treating with her family and another friend. It was fun for the kids to trick-or-treat with friends. It was so nice for me to not have to cook after working all day. And I love Halloween. I loved seeing my Sunbeams dressed up in their costumes (I saw 3 of the 4 while we were trick-or-treating.) I love seeing so many neighbors and ward members either out with their kids or as we go to their homes. I have a sweet tooth, so of course I love raiding my kids' candy bags as well. I love stopping by Laurel's house for hot chocolate and scones. Michelle is always thrilled to go to the Gustafson's and go through their spook alley which is an annual tradition. It's fun that the young men in the neighborhood have a fun way to spend their Halloween and many of the kids love it...and for those who don't, the Gustafsons also have cotton candy. What a great neighborhood I live in!! And this year, the weather was nice so it was even pleasant to be out walking around. It was a great night!