The Big Fat Christmas Post

December was crazy town in the Rodriguez house. I was considering committing myself to the local mental institution, claiming a mild case of holiday insanity.
Dave always jokes (sarcastically)..."Michelle, Christmas comes at the same time every year!" and I reply with "yes, I know this, but it really creeped up on me this time." Seriously though, this year it really did. Between traveling,Christmas parties, trying to finish my homemade gifts...which resulted in a mad dash to the store on the 23rd to "buy some crap." (which I hate), and trying to make magic, and keep up with elves,

and advent activities


...it was a little stressful. I'm usually more prepared, but 2011 was the fly by the seat of our pants Christmas. I realized at the end of it all that we were together. That's all that mattered. It may not have been the perfect holiday in my mind, but my girls had no idea. To them it was still magical, and memorable.



They had no idea I was sleeping in a straight jacket at night.

I've always said I wanted my children to grow up with childhoods that were rich in tradition. I want them to remember racing to the sparkly stockings every morning to see what sweet Christmas surprise was tucked inside.



Or that Mom painted our toes in Rudolph red and shimmery green every year.



I hope they continue the "baking cookie, and wrapping treats for our neighbors" tradition.
We play some Christmas music, and have a trash the kitchen...no holds barred, spilled flour,crack your own eggs, and lick the beater...happy bake day.



This year we chose orange cranberry chews, and s'more kits.



I couldn't keep her away from the. cookies.





Despite the stress of December, Christmas eve was full of magic, big fat jolly men with bags full of gifts, hungry flying reindeer, and twinkly lights. It was perfect.













I was up late setting everything up, and admiring the gorgeousness that is a tree with beautifully wrapped presents stacked underneath.


Not to mention Santa brought a special gift this year...I had to babysit until the wee hours of the morning.

I completely forgot that having a puppy was like having a baby. Nor did I anticipate how hard it was going to be to keep her quiet until the big reveal.

They were up at the crack of dawn...if you know my kids you know that's so not like them. Dave tapped me on the shoulder, and frantically exclaimed "they're up they're up!" Which meant we had to mad dash the puppy who was sleeping soundly between us, back to her special basket. It was a special moment I'm sure they won't forget.




Meet Miss Chloe.


Pretty cute eh?
Alyssa is already saying she's going to ask Santa for a horse next year...NOT! We've had the "he has to ask us first" talk, and there will be zero horses in our future. Already having the next Christmas talk. yikes!

The stockings are packed, and lights are down. My house isn't nearly as "twinkly", and I too have already started the proverbial "I'm going to start now for next Christmas." We all know it probably won't happen. That is part of the fun right?
Right now I'm just going to enjoy remembering this Christmas. I'll think about that one in November.

The Toothfairy Club

The anatomy of losing your first tooth:

Thirty

I'm thirty today...a very delighted thirty!
I'm excited to see what the next decade holds for this precious life of mine. I did a lot of living in my twenties. It was the decade I became a wife, a mother, (three times over) The decade I learned a lot about myself, and became comfortable with who I was, and what I wanted. As sad as I am to pack it up, I'm anxious (in a good way) to see what kind of woman I become exploring my three-oh's. Before I say good bye...I'd love to reflect. What did I learn in my twenties?

*Marriage is hard. It's harder to stay through the rough times, and leaving is easy. The choice to stay makes you just as strong of a woman as leaving does, but the rewards are great. My Dad once told me something that will stick with me forever..."You always leave thinking the grass is greener on the other side. You get to the other side and it's not until then that you realize you had it best right where you were."

*Motherhood is what I was meant to do. It makes me feel beautiful, important, "successful", special.

*I love a good red lipstick, heels, a pretty scarf, and a sweet smelling perfume.

*I care that people think I'm a good person, but I don't care what people think about: what I wear or where I shop, the way I mother, my life decisions, my faith,the kind of car I drive or how I decorate my house.

*I believe in being faithful not religious.

*My love language is the gift of service.

*Family is important to me, and I envy a family that still makes time for each other on a weekly basis when they have families of their own.

*You can't expect someone else to make you happy. Your own happiness lies within yourself. I choose happy!

*I am, have always been, and will always be a performer.

*I'd rather have a few really good friends than a bunch of superficial relationships. By really good friends I don't mean ones that I see every morning for coffee, or that call me every evening to chat about their day. They are the ones that are there...like high school ended 11 years ago, and we are still part of each others lives there. Or the girls that love your kids like they are their own, and call you up once a month to say "hey, lets have a girls night!"...there. I love my gal pals like family, and I couldn't imagine a life without them.

*I can't pay full price for anything...and the more I fall in love with "the treasure store" aka (the thrift store) the less I want to shop in an actual store. When you can get Bcbg,Michael Kors,Ann Taylor,and White House Black Market goodies for the price of a pair of socks at walmart...why not!?

*Speaking of clothes...I'd rather have a pared down closet of a few pieces I love than a closet full of a bunch of junk I never wear.

*I'm not into collecting "stuff".

*I have to sleep on the left side of my bed. Preferably with 3 or more pillows...one between my legs, one behind my back and two under my head. That's a lot of pillows!

*I'm a dog person.

*3 girls completed my fairytale family.

*On the topic of raising children...I believe the cheesier the better.

*I hate to be wrong.

*I'm non-confrontational, and I'm ok with that.

*I have a hard time saying no to people. I've learned just recently that my time is limited...I can't do everything for everyone. I'm not super-mom or super-woman, even if I pretend to be. That said...more than likely if you ask me to hem your pants, or melt your crayons into cute shapes for your classroom, or sew your child's costume even if mine aren't done I will probably say yes.

*I couldn't live without Google.

*I like a good old fashioned vanilla ice cream...no frills

*I truly hate to shave my legs more than I have to, and thankfully my husband still finds me sexy 11 years later.

*I need my Mom and sister in my life...everyday!

*I suck at keeping up with my social networking commitments. I forget to text back, email back, message back, call back,but I'm trying to get better.

*I'm a handmade gift giver. Not because I'm cheap, but because I find it hard to show someone how you feel about them, or that you put any special thought into a gift when you buy it from a store.

*I love any excuse for a party. Especially one that involves hanging bunting.

*I learned that God knew what he was doing when he paired me with David. Despite the very ups and very downs, we complete each other. Yes, he makes me crazy, but we have finally figured out how to be in each others lives, how to be friends, and how to enjoy each others company.

More than anything I've learned that everyday is a gift. I open that shiny box with satin ribbon every morning excited about the possibilities. Life truly is what you make it, and even if I don't succeed everyday at making it special, or fun, or exceptional...the beauty of life is you get a new gift every morning.

I hope you have learned to enjoy your gifts too...

Happy thirty to me :)

Concrete jungle where dreams are made...

I was gifted the most beautiful surprise for my thirtieth birthday.





I had been saying since my 29th that all I wanted for my big three oh was to go to New York. No party, no presents...just to experience all that the Big Apple had to offer a girl beginning her fourth decade of life.

In November there was no evidence of a trip in the works, and the hubby was trying his best to prepare me for the possibility that it just might not happen. I thought...ok, maybe we can save up enough to go in February. It will be equally as magical, and amazing.

All the while my sweet sister had worked her tail off, reserving, scouring the internet for the best deal, collecting from all the special people in my life to make it happen. I found out 2 weeks before the trip that I was going. Just me and my sister. For three days...sans kiddos. Can you say ECSTATIC!



It truly was all I thought it was going to be. Hustle and bustle, full of life, people, history, and noise. It was definitely not a relaxing vacation. It was a busy,crazy, phenomenal couple of days. We did every possible tourist attraction we could fit in a 36 hour period. We walked until we had cramps in our legs, and blisters on our feet. We didn't even figure out the subway (well, do you ever really "figure out" the subway) until the second day we were there.









Did I mention my sweet sister is 8 months preggo?



I don't know if she will ever go on another vacation with me. I'm a full experience kind of gal. When I go on vacation I fit it all in. Every ounce of a new exciting place that I can possibly fit into the allotted time. I eat the food, take the cheesy pictures...I do that thing everyone tells you "you have to do." I'm that vacationer, but it was fun, and the beautifully pregnant sister did good.




The world trade center memorial.



Top of the empire state building













Isn't it weird how you go on a wonderful vacation such as this one...you get back, and life resumes as if you never left. If there weren't pictures to prove you were there, it would be as if it were all a dream. Thankfully...I have pictures. It wasn't a dream.






Thank you all you wonderful people in my life that made this birthday the best this thirty year old girl ever had. I love you!

The Sassy Sleepover

I'm late...I know.
Alyssa had her sassy sleepover last month, and I wanted to share the pics and details from the party. It turned out great. It was a small crowd of girly girls, and I got to make it extra special and personalized for them.








A chick flick bar with movies, popcorn, and candy...and the sign on the front door.







Part of their party favor were these sleep masks that were super easy to make. Also some pink zebra sugar cookies for the dessert table.








The zebra mani, and face masks with cucumbers.








In the morning I had a breakfast bar set up for the girls with cereal, milk, orange juice, fruit and cinnamon rolls. I wish I had a picture of the whole table but, they came out dark. Thanks to my sweet hubby who has given me an early Christmas present, you will no longer be subjected to my horrible cell phone photography. YEAH!!!








I love how sweet the whole thing turned out. Small parties are definitely less stressful.






I'm playing catch up, but I promise there will be more regular postings this month. I have a lot to share, big surprises, trips, christmas frenzy... it will be good.