Happy Birthday Day

Saturday was my birthday. My wonderful husband with the help of his sisters got me some really cute boots for my birthday! I was so excited! My sister had some skinny jeans that she gave me too!

Sophie loves birthdays and probably sang happy birthday to me at least 100 times. I loved it. She would randomly say "Mom! It's your happy birthday day! Can I sing happy birthday?!"

Chad's work had a Christmas party at El Molinitas so we all got ready to go...

It was a lot of fun and girls were great even though it was way past their bedtime. That was a nice birthday present! And they all embarrassed me and sang me happy birthday and I got some yummy flan. Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!

Christmas Wreath

I finally finished my Christmas wreath!

I found the tutorial for the fluffy rosette wreath Here.
I love how it turned out! And my mother in law let me borrow her Go Cutting machine so the circles were a breeze to cut!!

On another note I am so glad it finally feels like winter and its not a million degrees outside! Although it is pretty cold and Karl has found a new spot in the house to keep warm..

Although I'm sure he will probably rethink his spot since he gets so much attention there.

Build a Bear Birthday

Grandma and Grandpa Clayton took Lydia to Build a Bear for her birthday. It isn't until the 14th but they will be going out of town. Lydia LOVES stuffed animals. She was so excited to get to pick one out..

She found the one she wanted right away and was ready to leave before it was even stuffed..

But we did get her to stand and wait in line...

She picked out her heart and put it in her bear...

She loves her Lovey Bear thanks grandma and grandpa!

Moms Birthday Surprise!

Six months ago my father in law asked us to throw a surprise party for my wonderful mother in law. I was so excited but nervous because I had never done something this big before that I was completely in charge of. There hasn't been quite as many blog posts lately because well everything we have done has involved this party! So Wednesday was finally the big day! All of her kids were able to come which was awesome!

Seriously they saved me from a nervous breakdown and we were able to get everything done hours before the party. Thanks Aimee, Kimberly, Seth, and my Love you guys are the best! Grandma and Grandpa Clayton even came down for the occasion!

Aimee came up with the theme Breakfast at Tiffany's.....

My sister Sarah came and helped us make the tissue pom pom balls that I think really tied everything together.

Kimberly put together the music video of all the grandkids for mom that turned out better than I could ever imagine and she made some amazing jewelry for the guests to "Frost" themselves!

And Jeanette's dad made these cute boxes for us that we filled with chocolate to look like Tiffany jewelry boxes...

Happy 50th Birthday Mom we love you!

Christmas is in the Garage!

So the night after thanksgiving Sophie came to me all excited. "Mom can we put up Christmas? Its in the garage!!" She has been waiting all year for Christmas. She was in tears as I took the Christmas tree last year and put it in the garage. But now she is one happy girl.

Sophie just loved putting all of the ornaments on the tree. Lydia was much more interested in taking off the ornaments and trying to put them on as necklaces or eating them...

Sophie loved putting all the decorations out and was wondering why there wasn't more. She set up her nativity all by herself...

I thought it was so cute how she placed everyone....

I am sure this is how it really was. All of them circled around in awe at Baby Jesus who would atone for all of our sins. Instead of the usual half circle. I think this is my favorite nativity this year.

Allergies and Dilemas

Sophie as had dry skin and eczema since they day she was born. She has also had and grown out of several food allergies. It was a lot of testing foods, breaking out in hives, itching, and crying. We took her to a allergist when she was just over a year old so we could know exactly what she was allergic to so we didn't have to put her through that anymore. But come to find out it would take a lot of blood draws since they can not do skin scratch tests until age 3.

Her skin is always dry but she goes through spurts of being just dry to dry with red itchy eczema rashes everywhere. So her pediatrician was concerned that something she was eating was causing it. So off to the allergyist we went. I was so worried it was going to be all dairy. She LOVES cheese I would feel so bad telling her she cant have it anymore. Come to find out she has grown out of her food allergys! but since she hasnt had milk she is now lactose intolerant. But she could still eat cheese and yogurt since it doesnt bother her.
But then came the bad news that i wasnt even worried about because i thought for sure that wasnt it..... she is allergic too....

Lydia!!!!

No really she is very allergic to the cat among other things like mesquite trees and tumbleweeds. Hmmm i think we need to get out of the desert....
So this has been my dilema. I jumped back and forth between keeping him because I have had him for 11 years and he is like family. And giving him away. But who wants an 11 year old cat? So after nightmares of giving him away and Sophie hysterically crying because Karl is gone and researching cat dander. I finally have decided my answer. There is no point in getting rid of him now because his dander can stay in the carpeting for several years and we only plan on being in this house until Chad is done with school.
So Karl is getting lots of regular baths, I am going to be vaccuuming....a lot, and Sophie's room is off limits for Karl.
But once we move I am going to have to cross that bridge and find Karl a new home. It just isnt fair to Sophie to itch like that. I do not want to bring his dander into a new house.
The allergyst also gave me some tips to help kepp her moisture barrier in her skin. Although it is a little hard restricting her to only 10 to 20 minutes baths, making her wear damp pjs for at least an hour before bed, and putting lotion on her before and after damp pjs. It has been so worth it. She has baby soft skin and that has NEVER happened. And she is one happy girl because she doesnt itch as much!

Kids Say the Funniest Things

Sophie has been saying some really funny things lately and I decided I should start writing them down.

The other day I was in the kitchen and she walks in and says:
"Mom whats your problem?"
"I don't have a problem. Whats YOUR problem?"
"I don't have a problem!"
Then she happily prances out of the kitchen.

Chad was playing with her and she says:
"Daddy we need to talk about something" (this what we say to her when we after she comes out of a time out)
"Oh what do we need to talk about Sophie?"
"Barbies"

Yesterday she was talking on her toy phone like always and says:
"Hello Prince? Where you at?....Oh your at the castle?.....But Princess Sophie is at home! I am waiting for you!....You have to hurry before Strawberry Shortcake kisses you!"

These are their new christmas dresses! Thanks Grandma Clayton!

Lydia has gotten pretty silly too...

We were playing cards with Grandma Clayton and she looked at the cards and then looked at me shook her finger at me and said "uh uh"
"That's right Lydia uh uh don't touch"
She then proceeded to smile and touch the cards. I have a feeling shes going to be trouble.

Her favorite thing to do is give hi fives. Shes pretty proud of herself...