Christmas is my favorite time of year! I hope everyone has taught their Kids what it's all about and it's not Presents.We went to the mall to drop off letters at the Believe mailbox for Santa at Macys,we do it every year with Mimi (Grandma).While i got ready Alex came to the bedroom and followed me to the bathroom asking me how to spell things.She folded her paper in half and told me too stick it on my purse while she got her purse ready.So i did...and while i was drinking my coffee i wanted to read it...

Drawing on their letters.

Sending her Letter to Santa

Alex Helping her Baby Brother put the letter in the mailbox.

I teared up,a 5yr old usually asks for toys and candy for themselves...my daughter thought about others.I asked her...

Me: Alex why did you write this to Santa?
Alex: Mommy i want the kids that have no homes,no food and not even a toy....to have all that stuff,i am lucky to have what i have.

Me: well i think that is VERY sweet and i Hope Santa will bring the Kids in need something for Christmas

Alex: Mommy you have too Believe.

The Mall was HECTIC and people were EVERYWHERE! thank Good I had My Mother in Law with me helping me like always.Alex "needed" these twinkle toe shoes that were no where to be found...and not her size.So we went to the Shoe Dept. on the OTHER side of the mall with no stroller so Mimi held my 36Lbs 2yr old half way though the mall.Found the Shoes went to Jason's Deli too have lunch and went to Hobby Lobby for last minute ornaments and craft stuff.

Made a Basket and filled it full of Goodies for My niece Denise

Came home cleaned got ready for the next Day which meant marinate my turkey so it would go in the oven early the next morning

Marinating

All Done!

My Mami Yola sent me this from Peru to go Over the potatoes "papa a la huancaina"

looks like this...sooo Yummie!

So next day woke up put my food on and the kids LOVED IT! they are good eaters so i am usually not worried about that.We opened presents on Christmas Morning...Daddy was working but the kids were super excited to open presents.

My decorated House

Milk,cookies and a Note for Santa...let's not forget the reindeer need snack,Alex said "i am sure they will eat plenty of Carrots so i am leaving them some celery...it's tasty!"

Santa Left lots of Goodies

Card Holder I made

Up close...nice and simple <3

Mistletoe is always a must!

Morning Smiles!

Alexandra's clothes(some of it)

Alexandra's Toys

Some of the Clothes Joshua Got

Joshua's toys

Alex got a New TV and DVD/VCR for her room <3

Took me about 3hrs to separate plastic, cardboard and paper...cause we recycle :) we had dinner and it was DELISH!

We sure were Blessed to have what we have and get what we get,we have a great family and it's always so great to hang out and just have fun! My resolution for the new year is too not take everything too personal,i am going to let it go and just be glad to have who i have in my life.I know next year will be a better year and we will have a lot more blessings to be thankful for <3

Remember Mary wrapped the 1st Christmas Present...a Precious Gift.

Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust,

Alley

December Blessings,crazy people and potty Training!

So i am all ready to help Santa wrap all the gifts for my babies <3 I need room in my closet! Malls are crazy right now,i don't believe on Christmas shopping in Dec. TOO CRAZY and nasty out there!People we have all year,so do not wait till the last minute.Why go out and get yourself hurt after Thanksgiving on Black Friday???? Jesus Help you people that are crazy and brave enough to do that.I am not that desperate to save money.

I am proud to say that I have fully potty trained my son Joshua who just turned 2yrs on September 30Th. He was showing me signs of readiness ... it wasn't cause i didn't have money for diapers and i was not of those mothers or caretakers that let their babies sit with a gallon full of pee,believe me i am not...he would pee ONCE and he would get changed.I guess that is why it was easy for my kids too get potty trained fast( 2 weeks)He would bring me his diaper and wipes to change him...oh buddy,he was ready!

Potty Training is not easy AT ALL! it is frustrating but you need a lot of patience.If you are going too yell and punish they will never learn.My Little Girl Alexandra also was potty trained at 2 and she did great...of course for 3 days i pulled my hair,cried and almost gave up! but at the end i did it! it took me 2 weeks for her to be COMPLETELY potty trained,not even wet the bed and i wouldn't put pull ups on her.Same with Joshua,no training pants...I will tell you tips and thing I did that made it easy for me on my journey cause i had best of both worlds(girl and a boy to train).

So i went online and i saw where Dr.Phil had on his web site potty train in less than 1 day...i was like "NO WAY!"...i was WRONG! it took my child exactly 3 days and he was potty trained...i was amazed!!!

I liked his Tip about using underwear and not a pull ups because they are really like diapers,so i bought Gerber training underwear during the day i would give him his sippy cup and every 10-15 mins take him to the potty(even if he did not go) we sat there at least he tried and when it was time for bed no liquids 1 hr prior and i would make him wear waterproof underwear and make sure that you waterproof your bed,cause pee on a mattress will never come out and it smells!

Stickers for rewards,Doll that wets to demonstrate(this one is a Baby Alive)

a Potty Book they have many for a boy or a girl.

Alexandra has TONS of dolls but only 4 that wet and of those 4 one is a boy and has well,boy parts...yes i know...so i used him to demonstrate to Josh that there was nothing to it....and he used him for 2 days and he went on his own.

Alex's old Potty

Joshua's Potty,this potty is great for boys

because the front of it is high enough :)

And this is Our Sticker Chart,he gets 2 for pee and 3 for poop

This is his 2nd sheet

The poop part scared him a little,but then i talked to him and told him it was OK gave him toys,crayons,coloring books...anything too keep him entertained...walked away for 5 mins and he liked his privacy :) every time he went we made a big deal,a "party" we celebrated whether it was a lot or a lil bit.

When he woke up from a nap or woke up in the mornings i would immediately take him to the potty,he wasn't in the greatest mood,but he peed a ton! so i got to say it was stressful,i wanted to give up and it is very time consuming.Many of you also teach your boys too pee standing,i didn't,not yet...I think he is a bit young as soon as i am ready to teach him for preschool that will happen and my method so he can "shoot" in will be cheerios LOL.

Do not give up,if you start do not stop and confuse your child. Hope these tips can help a little.Feel free to ask questions,i will try to answer as best as i could :)

These are things that worked for me with both of my kids,i am not a professional just a mommy that went though it all!

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year....Let's teach our kids what Christmas is about...and i do not mean presents.

Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust~

Alley

Thankful

We are just days away from Turkey day,i am not calling it thanksgiving day because really we should give thanks to the Lord for our blessings and our days EVERYDAY.
Turkey is in the fridge just waiting to be prepared...this is the 1st year i will be cooking in our home and i am excited,but nervous.My critics are always humble but i want them to be ecstatic!

We went to Compare Foods and found Peruvian Products!



I made Arroz con Pollo(cilantro chicken and rice) that night and had some Inka Cola,Alex begged to wear my wedding heels and play in them...why not? I am not materialistic and i loved watching her walk and Dance with her little brother.



We then took the Christmas tree which i was begged to have out since the beginning of November,by my little Princess...





I have been potty training Joshua for about a week now and let me tell you for a 2yr old he is SMART,we have had few accidents and many people were not on my side when i said i was DONE with diapers! some said he was much too young and others thought he is way too big for diapers.I agree with both sides he is 2yrs old and he should not be in diapers cause i would have too buy a size 6 when he is 3yrs and his long legs are as long as my arms(well almost) he is still a baby,but i refuse too change him when he himself brings me some baby wipes and a diaper knowing he has pooped in it.
I potty trained Alex in 2 weeks,i mean completely potty trained she would not even pee herself at night,EVER!She was 2yrs old also.

"My Lil Situation"

I tried to use the one day method that Dr.Phil uses and it helped A LOT....now there must be tons of patience though out this process cause if you do not have it,you will not be successful.Believe me this is the most stressful part of my life so far.My kids are amazing blessings,but sometimes i have too separate myself from the chaos and just BREATHE! thank God i have my mother in law too keep me sane <3 love Her <3
and of course if i ever need a break,i have my wonderful hubby!



I think i have covered everything that has gone on this week...if i missed anything i will try to Blog it in another Day.

Remember when you are with your together with your families these holidays to thank them for being part of your life,for being there when it matters the most though the bad and good because that's what families are all about.Don't fret in the past,move on with life and live to the fullest!forgive and forget...live,love,laugh!

Hope everyone has a delicious turkey day!!!But most importantly a Blessed one!


Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust <3
Alley

Halloween has come and Gone....so happy it's almost Christmas season! I love putting up my Tree and taking pics of the kids all dressed up.

Went Christmas shopping yesterday with the hubby and my munchkin...some stuff is just over priced,but it happens every year.Had Yummy Chipotles and had a visit from Mom,Sis and baby girl <3we are doing it again today.Not the shopping and all that good eating just visit time <3

I was reading news on yahoo and all i see is all this gossip on Kim K. getting a divorce just after 72 days and how shes making money off the wedding but she claims it isn't true.SERIOULY?!??! people i LOVE the Kardashians,i am a fan....i truly am.BUT come on! you know she had too make money off the wedding...releasing pictures, watching the wedding, ratings....come on now.I know she said she was donating the wedding gifts to the Make a Wish Foundation, and that's great...but she did make a LOT of money whether shes getting a divorce or not,shes making money.I feel so bad for him and her,but how sad is it too actually admit that i knew this was going to happen,everyone said "let's see how long this lasts" and believe me i am not here too judge anyone or talk crap,i am just saying.I have been married for almost 7yrs and we have had bad days and good days,life is a roller coaster....when you get married i think you do it for ever.I do not believe in a divorce,work with it...cause if you can not then DON'T make a commitment that's going to be a life timecommitment, cause that's what marriage is! specially if you have kids...how do you think that will affect them??? wow people are ignorant sometimes.Kim and Kris are people too i know they are famous but they are people with feelings,LEAVE IT ALONE! i read her blog,i do feel bad for her but her fans are saying "omg it affected us too" OH COME ON seriously come on....it's not you she was married too...she did not marry her fans it's between her and Kris,not even her family...KRIS AND KIM! wow!!! ok i am done ranting.

I gotta Pick up baby girl from the bus stop.Have a Blessed Day <3

Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust <3

Alley

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Yesterday I woke up to a cold rainy day...and again i felt like sleeping in all day...but mommy duty called.

Did ALL of my laundry and ironed school and work uniforms.Made some dinner and made a boxed upside down cake,i am up for anything easy now a days...and i gotta say it was DELICIOUS and super easy!

Alex had a 3 day weekend,so i am ready for her to go back to school am I a bad mom for wanting her too go back too school? lol i just need a break sometimes.Joshua is the definition of a boy,he is mischievous "heavy Duty" as my Dad called my little brothers cause they were the same! you know the more i see my kids the more they remind me of myself and Jon says the same thing.

Made Alex's headband for her costume and made a plain basket fun for her Bathroom.

So Today is Sunday and it is chilly but i just feel lazy...Hubby is working and i am about too get up and just clean...what else,right? Tomorrow there's a full agenda from waking up early and taking Alex to school,car maintenance, Military IDs updated to Trick or treating at the church.I am tired just thinking about it.Poor Jon (my Hubby) has no days off,always working hard for everything we have.

So i am off too clean,fix dinner,do some HW and spend some time with my babies.Have a blessed Sunday!

Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust~

Alley

My life today....

Got up pretty late today cause there was no school...YEA! I have cleaned and cooked...Kids are taken care off. This cold weather makes you want too stay in bed all day,but i have a full time Job and my OCD of having everything clean doesn't help.

Can't complain on my life, Hubby is great to us...my kids are healthy.Alexandra started kindergarten and she just amazes me everyday,she can memorize anything in a day or less.We had a Parent/Teacher conference last week and she is above average,she counts in Spanish from 1 to 20 and we have a lot of words memorized,so that we can be on our journey of learning how too read.

Joshua is growing up like crazy and piking up on anything Alex does...his speech is getting better sometimes i worry,but i also forget he is just a baby.As for me...i am great! had my wisdom teeth pulled out about a month ago and i have had an awesome recovery, my dentist in Sanford is AMAZING! i love him, how many people like going to the dentist? i was one of those people that was not a fan,but after Dr.Brooks and Dr.Dunston Pediatric Dentist AWESOME!!!

I have a baby Niece Denise Jakalyn born on September 7th,I love her just as much as she was mine.

We have always been blessed with healthy kids and thank the Lord EVERYDAY for all the blessing in our lives.Remember that anything in you do in this life you will pay whether is good or bad.It's sad too say that some people preach but they don't do it....and that's not me.I am off to watch Winnie the Pooh with the babys <3

Love,Trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust-

Alley