Leotards and gi's

It is 28 degrees outside (and it doesn't feel much warmer inside) yet my girls are dressed in leotards!!! They have worn them all morning!!

They are GIRLS...need I say anything else!??!?!

Silence please...these moves require much concentration!

KARATE...D's dream come true!!

D has wanted to take karate for probably over a year now. We found a place that offers it for FREE and Papi can go so the boys are learning together!

Just last night they boys bought their gi's.

They practice together every night!

D really enjoys it!!

Self defense...even I have learned this sequence of moves! It's so cool!

Pay It Forward

Remember that movie from a long time ago titled, "Pay It Forward"? The idea (if I actually do remember) was to give to others when you are given to instead of paying the person back. Well, my sister is the absolute best at giving to others. We are so often the recipients of this generosity. Our most recent "hand me down" was a trampoline! Yes, you read that right...a TRAMPOLINE!!!

The girls love to be bounced, but it makes mommy feel very motion sick .

Despite D's declaration that the trampoline is the best toy we have, he will still at times forfeit his turn to play soccer.

My soccer champ!

The good things

Today was one of those day where I was able to see "the good things" that were happening. I wanted to document them because so often the "good" gets lost in the "difficult or challenging" parts of the day.

Today though, as I fixed breakfast, my children chose the following activity to occupy themselves...

Indepedent reading...
Each with a blanket and a pile of books.
(Sorry about the aweful lighting...I couldn't get my camara to cooperate and I was fixing breakfast and taking the pics in a bit of a hurry.)

Then while D worked diligently on school...

The girls played very well together

and then independently!

After nap a craft was requested, so I just pulled out whatever was in the closet.

The kids had a blast working on crafts.

E was very concentrated on her glueing.

L displayed her work of art!

Three Peas in a Pod...

...or a BEDROOM!!!

While at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas, the kids all got to sleep in the same room. They loved it so much that they begged us to let them sleep together here at home. So the same day we returned home, we rearranged all the furniture and THIS is the result! They are in heaven!!
An added bonus: a school/play room!! I'm in heaven too. We've done school in my bedroom for as long as I can remember. I finally have my bedroom back.
Another bonus: no toys all over the house. I'm teaching the kids to play in the playroom. Sounds so simple, yet they have always brought their toys to the living room or wherever I might be. Now they have a room designated just for play. They are adjusting so well!!

Merry Christmas!

We have had a fun Christmas!! This morning the big kids got up, but E continued to sleep so we had to wait to open stockings until everyone was up.

E is still a bit sleepy.
However, she was excited to see twistable crayons.

Mommy even got to open a stocking.

Then we all contributed and told the Christmas story together.

Next we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Yet another attempt at a family picture.

D got a soccer goal.

L got playmobile stuff.

E got a baby doll.

Papi got a digital frame for the office and mommy got the camara that took all these pictures!

Happy Birthday!!

Papi is now 36 years old!!!

We celebrated in Austin with the traditional cinnamon rolls.
Gifts....

And cheesecake. Mmmmmm!

Night on the Town

We got to go to DeLaRue's Christmas Party! The last time we went was four years ago when I was pregnant with Lauren...wow! how time flies! We had a great time. Dinner. Casino. Door prizes (we got $50...yahoo!!!)

My VERY handsome husband!
Looking good...oh so good!
Me...not quite so relaxed as my man.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kids!!!