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