Holiday Fun at School!

Ok, I know I said that yesterday was my last post before Christmas, but Jack was so cute today, that I had to grab my camera and document it.  He had a really fun day at school - he got to wear his PJ's, have a special reading of Polar Express, make lots of Christmas crafts and eat tons of sugar I'm sure.  Before we left for school, I had Jack model his Christmas jammies.  He's quite the little ham.  Enjoy...

No, Mom, I'm not gonna model for you...

Ok, maybe just one picture.  We'll call this my smouldering look...

Hey, I'm really getting into this....

Don't these jammies make my butt look cute...

SO excited to be wearing my Christmas PJ's to school...

My posse in their jams...

The first of many hand-made ornaments I will make for my mom that doesn't match her color-coordinated tree :)

Merry Christmas...again!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It really is true that the Christmas season is so much more magical when seen through the eyes of a child.  Now that we have Jack it's like Christian and I are experiencing the joy and excitement all over again.  Jack's still a little young to understand what it's all about, but at 17 months he definitely enjoys all the festivities surrounding the holiday.  He knows who Baby Jesus and Santa are, he loves looking at all the lights on houses, he constantly plays all of our musical stuffed animals and he's obsessed with singing Frosty The Snowman.  Christian and I had to download the words so that we could actually sing it to him. 

I hate to admit that I went a little overboard on gifts but I just got so excited at the thought of him opening them on Christmas morning.  Well, our Christmas morning will actually be on Thursday since we're leaving for San Diego that afternoon.  But it will be just as special.  Jack's such a fun and animated little guy - I just can't wait to see him go bananas over his new toys!!  We'll be gone until next Monday so this is our last post until after Christmas.  We hope you all have a happy and blessed Christmas.  Until then, here's our holiday checklist so far...

Shop for Christmas Tree and look at 28 before deciding....check!

 Decorate aforementioned tree...check!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…check!

Holiday Pictionary party with friends…check!

Jack’s second visit with Santa wearing quite the dapper outfit….check!

Giving Santa a high-five…check!

Getting a candy cane for being such a good boy, but still unsure about this Santa guy…check!

First visit to the Macy’s Pink Pig, an Atlanta Institution…check!

Riding the Pink Pig, A.K.A. the choo-choo train...check!

Adorable holiday photo opps with daddy…check!

Listening to Mimi and Papa read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…check!

Toddler having a post-sugar cookie meltdown…check!

Said toddler being adorable again…check!

Merry Christmas!!!

Crack for Kids!

I've been waiting for the day when Jack started enjoying television.  Yes, you heard right, I want Jack to watch TV!  Ok, before you judge, hear me out.  I'm not going to let the kid sit in front of the tube all day, but every once in a while it's nice to have 15 minutes here and there to dry my hair, do the dishes or just plain chill out.  We limit him to a few shows a day just so he doesn't damage his brain cells.  But I grew up with TV in my life and I turned out ok, right?  I mean, doesn't every normal 30 something mom TiVo Jersey Shore?!

The watching started slow but it didn't take long before Jack really started getting into particular shows.  Currently he loves Sesame Street because he's obsessed with Elmo and Abby, The Mickey Mouse Club because he loves the Hot Dog Dance at the end, and wait for this one...iCarly.  We watched one episode and he was hooked - and it's not even a cartoon.  He points to the TV and screams, Coli, Coli, Coli (Carly).  He watches with such intensity that I actually believe he knows what's going on.  But it's a clean and funny show (yes, Christian and I like it) so what's the harm. 

I have to admit, when Jack's watching a show on the computer or TV, he's in quite a trance.  I really think Disney puts hidden messages in shows that only kids can see.  And he's always asking to watch TV.  I think we've created a little monster here...but at least he's a quiet little monster for 10 minutes.  Here are a few pics of Jack with his TV buddies...

Giving Thanks!

I was about to blog about the start of our Christmas season and then I realized I never posted my Thanksgiving blogs...gasp!  And I'm one of those girls who doesn't put up a stitch of Christmas decor until AFTER Thanksgiving.  So I must give Turkey Day the respect it deserves and not post holiday picture before it. 

We traveled to Chicago for Thanksgiving to spend time with The David's.  Besides the terribly frigid weather we had a warm and lovely holiday.  Of course we spent the weekend stuffing our faces with yummy food and just relaxing which was awesome.  We did venture out one day to the DuPage Children's Museum with the whole gang.  Aunt Dani even came in from the city to play with us. It's a great little museum and so much fun for the kids.  Jack was in heaven with all the musical instruments, blocks, bubbles and lights.

We stayed with Melanie, David and their 3 kiddos...Sami, Carson and Sophia.  Jack had an absolute blast with his cousins and they were so great with him.  The minute we got to the house he busted in and started playing with them - it was adorable.  Our kid is definitely not shy.  Jack also got some QT with his Gigi and Papa when Christian and I went out one night.  He even caught a Brown's game with his daddy, Carson and Papa.  The first of many I'm sure!  We also got to see Great Grandma Lucy who came in from Ohio - that was quite a treat because we don't see her very often!

We missed seeing Aunt Mandi and Mike who stayed in New York for the weekend.  But it was great to spend time with everyone else.  Jack already misses his cousins - he always goes to their pictures and yells out their names.  Hopefully we can see everyone again soon.  Until then, here are some fun pictures to remember our trip. 



Missing the Beach Life...

When our gorgeous weather lingered into late fall, I hung onto hope that winter would never rear its ugly head. But alas, my dream was shattered when we returned from Thanksgiving in freezing Chicago to a very cold, rainy and windy Atlanta.  I'm definitely not a cold weather girl and this big chill is making me long for my days in sunny California.  I loved living in Huntington Beach....long runs along the boardwalk, summer days that never end, sipping cocktails on a patio along Main Street or catching the amazing sunsets only the west coast can offer.  Something about the beach just makes me breath easier. 

My ultimate desire is to live at the beach again.  But until I become a millionaire I'll have to settle for the occasional visit.  Whenever we go to Cali to visit family we always try to hit the beach.  Lucky for me my sister lives in La Jolla.  On our last trip we spent a day in nearby Del Mar just grabbing a coffee, walking around and letting the kids play.  It was one of those days when you just feel so blessed to be able to share this special time with your family.  I captured a lot of beautiful pictures of the day.... but my favorites are these of my boys just enjoying each other and the fresh sea air. These photos just make me smile...how could they not.

Amelie Faith Varela!

Jack's newest cousin arrived on October 19....Amelie Faith Varela!  (Obviously this blog is 6 weeks overdue but we all know I'm a tad behind on the blogging so we'll just let this one slide).  I don't remember the exact stats but she was a big girl - about 9 1/2 lbs and 21 inches I believe.  We made the trip to Cali to see her a few weeks ago.  She's just a precious little butterball with tons of hair.  And, man, can the girl eat!  She put Jack to shame.  She loves to be held which was just fine with her Auntie Jill.  I was a total baby hog and held her so much even Jack got jealous!  Maybe I need to have another baby so Jack will want me more than his daddy. 

Jen & Obed had everyone over including Grammy Delora and the kids so all the Sandoval kids were there.  We missed Mel & Tyler though!  It was a treat to be with all of my siblings and I realized this little baby was surrounded by so much love. Here are a few pics of our sweet little Amelie with her new family!

The gang – Papa Joey, Uncle Christian, Grammy Delora, Big Sis Marseille, Mimi and Aunt Donna holding the little butterball.  Jess and Donna will be having a baby boy named Charles next May and we’re so thrilled!

The proud grandma’s…Mimi and Grammy.  Whatever happened to calling your grandma, grandma?!

Me and Amelie.  I just want to smush her!!  But I really can’t say that word now because the Jersey Shore has ruined it for all of America.  So I’ll just say squeeze from now on. 

We attempted to get an adorable picture of all three cousins – you know, the kind you show at their wedding.  But alas, Jack was there and wanted nothing to do with it.  We caught one decent one before he decided he wanted to throw Amelie on the floor.