Gluten Free...

We are not a gluten free household but Marc's boss Michael is living the gluten free way.  Normally that wouldn't have any impact on my household but it was Michael's birthday and Marc wanted me to bake him some treats.  I researched for several hours and found 4 awesomely yummy treats!  It only took 2 hours in the kitchen to bake everything I wanted.  Good news is Michael LOVED them. Not so great news...he wants more...like yesterday.

Toilet Baby...

Yes, this is just gross.  But if you've had kids you can't help but laugh after you get past the fact that she's sitting inside the toilet.  Lately we are trying to keep all doors ESPECIALLY bathroom doors closed but every so often one of the 4 children which use the bathroom throughout the day leave the door open.  Maia is so quiet and sneaky that before we even realize the door is open, she's already splashing around.  

Taylor Swift Concert...

Tonight Marc managed to get two tickets to the sold out Taylor Swift concert.  The owners of Party City (Marc's bosses) have quite the list of connections.  One of their connections is Wells Fargo.  Turns out Wells Fargo owns a suite at Jobing.com Arena where the concert was being held. Party City gives Wells Fargo so much business that all the owners of Party City have to do is ask and the tickets are theirs!  Marc expressed interest in the tickets and they gave them to us!  What kind and generous people Marc has found himself working for.

Liliana and I left for the concert excited for a fun night out.  The tickets came with a parking pass and separate entrance for suite ticket holders.  Dinner, snacks, and beverages were served and we had zero crowds to contend with.  There were a total of 12 people in our suite.  Everyone was very nice and friendly.  Liliana was so excited to not only see Taylor Swift but to see Joel Crouse, who opened for Taylor. The concert was great.  It didn't end until 10:45 making it a very late night out.  I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time with Liliana and more than grateful for Marc's boss for giving us the tickets.

Schools Out For Summer...

So you'll often find us at Papa's pool this summer!

Happy Birthday With Creepers...

Since the last day of school, was the same day as Dillon's 9th birthday, we had a small cupcake dessert after dinner with Papa and then had a family get together over the weekend.  For the weekend party, he requested a castle cake with angry birds.

Dillon's birthday snack request for school... creepers from Minecraft.  For those that aren't up on their video games... Minecraft is a game where you build houses and castles and whatever else you would like.  Creepers can come and damage things and the game is pretty much endless fun for most boys Dillon's age.  My simple way to execute these mean snacks... rice krispie treats, edible green spray paint and black sugar sheets. 

For the family party, he was spoiled with this really neat looking Angry Bird Cake!  Man does his mom rock or what?!

True...

It's Starting...

Liliana comes home from school and says "Mom, I think Ryan Hines likes me. He's mean to me but then always wants to be near me.  I have proof he likes me.  Here's the evidence."

 

So I ask her if he wrote the above in everyone's yearbook and she said he wanted to write his name and sexy beast but didn't want to get her in trouble.  I then asked if she thinks he's cute.

She replied " No he has Beiber hair."

Ava jumps in and say "Hey don't make fun of Beiber"

Then she goes on to say "Mommy Ryan loves me, but not Liliana's Ryan.  Ryan Silveira."

I asked how she knew and before answering she giggled.  She showed me. Picture he made her which read "I Love You" at the top and it was suppose to be her and him under a rainbow blowing kisses to each other.  She then said "He wrote the 3 love words at the top and even drew us kissing in the air!"

Oh no it's really starting!  And we have 2 more girls not far behind these 2!  Yikes!

Why...

Why does baby Maia want to be so big?  Climbing out of the playpen at just 13 months of age is not ok!

Suessical The Musical...

I know this isn't the best picture, but I did record almost all of the 1 Hour and 30 minute performance.  Liliana expressed interest in the 6th grade play Suessical The Musical.  She tried out for Mrs. Mayor and GOT THE PART!  She stayed late afterschool 2 days a week before for almost 2 months.  She was one of the few that memorized all her lines.  She did an awesome job!  Aside from doing such a great job she had a BLAST!

Kisses For Brother...

She is always kissing him!  I'm not allowed to even hug him but Maia can suck on his cheek with baby slobber and all is good in Dillon world?!

Tiny 13 Months...

Buried in the couch pillows, this is a perfect picture to show how tiny Maia still is!

Lunch With Liliana...

Today, we brought Liliana her birthday lunch despite being a day late.  She was excited for the little kids to eat with her and they were equally excited!

Trouble Seeker...

Stuck...

12 Years Old...

12 years have come and gone in the blink of an eye.  Our little 5lb 13oz teeny tiny baby is now 5ft 1inch tall "almost" teenager!  This year she has grown so much and not just physically.  She has busted out of her shy shell and become a very interactive student.  She continues to excel in school maintaining straight A's this year. She joined several after school activities.  The two biggest activities being the 6th grade dance performance and playing Mrs. Mayor in Seussical the Musical.  Her ability to juggle her school work and maintain perfect grades is something to celebrate.

When trying to figure out what to give her for her birthday, a commercial came on the television for an upcoming Big Time Rush concert.  Last year, I took her to their concert and although she was thrilled to see her favorite band, she was upset we didn't have closer seats.

I decided to look up the ticket prices and quickly realized the best deal was the VIP package which includes an on site host, early entrance, back stage/sound stage tour, refreshments before concert, commemorative laminate, specially designed tshirts, gift bag, a seat in first 20 rows, and photo op with the band.  

The details of the package can change depending on the night.  For that reason I didn't tell Liliana she would be meeting and taking a photo with them...so if we get to meet them, that will just make her night that much better!
I was very anxious to give her the present we got her, but first we enjoyed a dinner and dessert with Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Jarrod before it was time for presents.

What a shocked reaction from Liliana when she realized what her present was.  Needless to say she is very excited for June to come.  

I can't believe our little baby is 12!  Happy Birthday Liliana!

For the family party she requested Big Time Rush... Cookies!  She's not much for cake or cupcakes!  I know shocking after seeing that she had pie on her actual birthday!!

Mother's Day 2013...

Along with some homemade gifts made by the kids and Marc cooking all the meals for the day... Maia and Dillon assisted in keeping my house and van sparkly clean!  They did a great job!  I definitely felt the love!

First Communion and Confirmation...

Dillon made his First Communion and Confirmation today!  The morning was rushed, the RE directors wanted us at the church 2 hours before Mass would begin.  They offered picture packages which could be taken before or after the ceremonies.  I figured after Mass was over (2 hours long), Dillon would be ready to go home so we hopped in line as soon as we got to church.  I'm glad we did because things were moving very slowly.  The Mass was lovely.  The way they had the children enter into the church was beautiful.  Dillon participated singing, praying, doing all the "required" motions throughout the mass.  He made us so proud.  After Mass was over, we had a small celebration at our house for the family.  Given that Dillon cooperated for pictures before Mass, we were only able to snap a few pictures after we arrived back home before he ditched the dressy clothes for shorts and a t-shirt. 

6th Grade Party...

Liliana's 6th grade teacher organized a pot luck picnic at a local park.  In addition to the party she had an award ceremony. She took the time to write an entire page about each of her 31 students.  Each student received 3 awards based on their performance this school year.  It was so sweet hearing her passionately read each students award descriptions.  She has been an awesome teacher to have teach one of my children.  If she could be cloned...I would want one of her for each of my children!

Kisses...

Kisses for Uncle Jarrod and Daddy

World Fair...

Liliana has been working on her "World Fair" project for a couple months now.  She was able to pick the Philippines as her country.  Given Liliana's grandmother lived in the Philippines until she was in her late teens, Liliana was confident any knowledge, memories, or items still in her possession would give her that little extra to make her collection of information and items stand out.  She is most excited to share a Filipino treat with her class when she presents next week.  Today was just the display for the school.  Parents and other visitors were welcome into the gym and to walk the entire room where all 6th graders were dressed and ready to inform anyone interested in their country.  Liliana did a GREAT job.  So good that she finished her entire project a week early!

Post Surgery And Stitches Removed...

Well as you can see the stitches are out and we are 16 days post surgery. It's healing and the doctor said it looks good. Hard to believe THIS is good?! I can't bend it very well but hopefully as I try to exercise it, I can get more flexibility from it. As for what's next...I still need to wait for the tissue sample to grow and see how my finger heals.

Catching A Ride...

Part Baby/Part Monkey...

This itty baby 1 year old baby is confused. We think she believes she's part monkey! Always climbing on something!!
After seeing the KMart commercial (which has a baby monkey in it), he asked us if he could have a baby monkey. Seeing that monkeys are illegal we told him no but to be happy he has a baby sister that acts just like a baby monkey. He wasn't content with our answer. I wonder how many more days he will ask us for one?

Peter Piper Pizza Fun...

Bubble Fun...

Green Eyes...

Maia's baby blue eyes are finally changing to a nice green color!  While playing peek a boo, I snapped a couple pictures and when uploading them on the computer I realized they show how bright green they are turning.