Turkey Trot

It's Thanksgiving Week and I'm looking forward to hanging out with family and to score some deals this weekend to kickstart my Christmas shopping. I may squeeze in some movie time as well with the hubs ;) 

I began this week by doing some early Turkey Trotting...basically, I exercised. I did the Awesome 80's run in San Francisco. I will take pity on your eyesight and save you the eyesore of my neon outfit. But below is a picture of the ultra-cool medal. It was fun, and though my body is paying for a mere 10k (sorry legs, I haven't run in 3 weeks), I'm glad I did it. Nothing like a little head-fake to convince myself that extra serving on Thanksgiving is "ok."

Micro is off this whole week from preschool (and boy, does he miss his friends and school) and is happily being my helper around the house in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are cleaning up and putting up Christmas decor. I've recruited the munchkins to help me bake tons of goodies in the kitchen. Their little hands are helpful and, when you involve them in making food, they're all too happy to eat it too.

Happy Thanksgiving All!! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday filled with much joy and may your bounty be plentiful. To all those who are not so fortunate, you are in our prayers and thoughts. This season, because Micro is of an age wherein he can understand that there are others out there who are not as blessed as he is, I will be encouraging him to give up some of his toys and do one kind gesture each day to someone. I think it's important to teach our little ones compassion, sacrifice, and the rewards of 'giving.'

I heart Organizing

Finally finished the bookcase in our dining room

Two months ago, I was surfing the web trying to find inspiration for organizing and handling our cumbersome mail situation. We currently use a nice wicker basket below a console table near the front entry to house all that crap we get in our mailbox. I do my best to open, recycle, trash, and organize the mail once I get it. But there are times, I just don't have the patience and enthusiasm (who does! unless it's personal letters) to deal with mail. It's often junk. Mr. Fliz and I have seriously thought about signing up for those services that offer to remove your name from junk mail lists (I'm talking about you mass marketers and advertisers!), but you have to pay a small fee. We have not done it, but if you have, please let me know if it works and what service provider you used. I'm very curious. 

Anyhow, my point is, I came across an AHMAZING blog that I just adorbs!! Oh my gosh, it's so refreshing and inspiring. I Heart Organizing, is full of design and organize ideas that are fairly budget friendly and more importantly, offer practical solutions to everyday messes. It's great inspiration to get our house in order. I am bit put off by how, author, Jen, has her home seem like a model home. To me, too much organization can seem surreal, and not liveable to my expectations. Call me a realist. I have young kids and a mess here and there is expected and welcome at times. But, I can appreciate a beautifully used space with nice decor, and orderly. My favorite part about her aesthetic, is the amount of color she infuses in her design and creativity. I love me color!! Of course, you wouldn't know that if you came to our house and saw our brown sofa, but there are plenty of touches of bright colors around (yellow, blue, and green lamps, multicolored rug, etc). And we're still in the process of painting and organizing the rooms in our place.

Check it out, and if you know of other wonderful home organizing blogs out there, please let me know. I'd love to browse.

Randomness

I'm trying my best to keep up posting. Below are some pics of what's been going on with us in the past month or so.

Seriously cute

Birthday brownie cupcakes...nothing says love, like these do.

The Artemis

Lola and her little buddy

Have you seen a cuter sailor around? I dare you to refute

It's Boots!

Littler Batman

Voter fraud? Ha! Ha! Hope you voted!

Holiday Hullabaloo

So, here we are, November, with Thanksgiving practically breathing down our necks. It's kinda crazy to think of all the things on my "to do" list. Every time this year, I get a little overwhelmed as holidays and birthdays approach. Long gone are the days where my girlfriend and I can make holiday shopping an "event,"which means we plan our shopping excursion by starting off with holiday favorites, such as peppermint mochas in hand as we shop, and ending the day with a nice sit down dinner with drinks.

I also don't have my right hand man to help me out with holiday shopping (though, truth be told, he's not that much help) as he's temporarily out of service til he can fully walk on his right foot. On top of that, we're spending the holidays in the east coast. Last time we were out there we encountered "Snowmageddon." Trapped inside the house for a few days because of the crazy amount of snow that we got overnight. Of course, being out West, I'm always hoping for a "White Christmas," just nothing like last time. But before all that, I plan on taking the kids to our annual trip to Zoo Lights with friends, photos with Santa (please let Micron not freak out this year, just once, ONCE--I'd like a decent photo-I have enough of the crying ones from Micron), Lola insists on taking my babies to the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (read my review here), a trip to visit the Christmas tree in Union Square with the kids (last year was fun, but this year, Micron is mobile--God help me), and of course, muy importante, choosing our Christmas Tree.

Here are a few tips to survive the Holiday Hullabaloo:

1) Mark your calendars. You know that trusty iPhone, Android, HTC, or whatever smartphone you've got, use the apps that allow you to set reminders for important events. Christmas Parties and Jamborees. Oh and Holidays Sales!!! Save money.

2) Lists and Tasks. I love lists, especially when you can cross off a bunch of "to do's" on them. I make lists for all the people I have to give gifts to and my budget for each person.

3) For some people, having to deal with family during this time of year can be a nuisance. I say, break out the holiday movies--you know, the ones that make you feel all good, warm, and gooey inside. Or the ones that crack you up so bad, that hanging out with your family seems like Pleasantville.

4) Treat yourself to sweets. In moderation. OR NOT! 

5) Don't be a Scrooge during the holidays. There's enough distress and heartache around the world that a polite smile to a stranger or helping out someone unselfishly can make it a bit better. Give to a cause or donate your time, toys, and cheer.

6) Revel in the chaos of it all. Laugh when you want to cry because you have to stand in that line one more time because you forgot to buy so-and-so that gift, and the price just can't be beat. 

7) Wear Christmas socks (my in-laws got me into them). Seriously. It'll make you giggle. And if you're like me, a bit embarrassed to wear them out for show, I rock mine with tall boots or at home with cozy pj's.

8) Enjoy early-morning walks. Bundle up and enjoy your parks, even if you're freezing. Fresh air solves most of life's problems ;)

9) Bake bread. Have you ever walked into a home that has bread baking in the oven. It smells like Christmas. 

10) Use your fireplace accordingly and appropriately. If you have little ones, ensure safety precautions first. We used ours last year quite a bit and it saves on heating bills. 

Priceless Reactions

At Rockwall Winery celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday

We celebrated Micro's 4th birthday party with a small party (though it felt bigger than it was) at our humble abode. I made some lasagnas, lemonade, decorated, and played games. We did surprise the kids with a balloon entertainer who came to showcase some mad balloon-making skills. James, you rock!

But the best surprise, had to be my in-laws coming in after Hurricane Sandy and surprising Micro on the day of his actual birthday (right after preschool let out!). When I became a parent, I had all these visions of how I was going to be a mother and how I couldn't wait to celebrate all the little special moments that come with raising kids. Micro's surprise reaction to seeing his grandparents from the east coast probably tops the list so far of awesomeness. Mr. Fliz and I had known for some time that they were planning a special trip out for Micro's birthday. The hubs and I debated whether we should tell the kids or not, or let them both be surprised. In the end, just as we had rationalized to ourselves about not finding out the sex of either of our kids because there are too few surprises in life, we opted for the surprise reaction. And peeps, let me tell you, it was worth it. 

Standing in our living room with the blinds slightly open, my back facing the windows and front door, as I spoke to Micro about his day of fun at preschool celebrating with birthday brownie cupcakes I made, he looked away from me for a split second, screeched like a piggy and said, "I saw Ninny and Papa!!!!" I followed by saying, "That's impossible, they're not here, they live so far away, it can't be." Micro was so insistent, he began jumping up and down and gunning for the front door, all the while, screaming, "Ninny and Papa are here!!!" His enthusiasm seriously melted this mama's heart. He opened the door much to his surprise and welcomed his grandparents with open arms. 

It's these rare moments, when I begin to realize just how mature my little boy is becoming. He understood that Ninny & Papa live far away and that somehow, this moment he was experiencing, was truly something magical and memorable. It was what Mr. Fliz and I had hoped he would feel. This was "our present" as parents, seeing and sharing these moments with our kids. I can only imagine what a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth would do to him. Still, it might not top the surprise visit. To M&D, thanks for coming out and sharing this special occasion with Micro, for all the love and support you give to Mr. Fliz and I, and for being such sports when it comes to this Mom's neurotic-ness (is that even a real word?) about party planning and prepping! See you all soon!

Party prepping

Batman meet Micro

No party is complete unless cake is served

Four years old the wiser

Dearest Micro,

For some reason today when I look at you, the soft round edges of your face are becoming more angular, your hands are not as pudgy as they were before, I don't see too many baby hairs, and the chubbiness in your cheeks are beginning to slowly disappear. When did you go from being a toddler to being a little big boy? Does time really move that fast? Have I been so caught up with the little nuances of everyday life, that your seemingly baby features are now maturing to more angular ones?

I can't ever explain to you how much you've changed my life. I never would have imagined my conversations would revolve around how many poopy diapers I changed that day (and what kind), that the milestone which warms my heart the most to date for me as a mom, was hearing you say "Mama" for the first time, and realizing what real sacrifice and unconditional love is. 

You, my beautiful little boy, is growing up too quickly. Our conversations have gone from mumbled baby talk to lengthy conversations about dinosaurs, preschool activities and friends, and why eating candy/chocolate does not equate to having had a legitimate meal. I love that curious and imaginative mind of yours. Everyday, at least 2-3x a day, you surprise me with your candor. Watching you help your sister take her shoes off, wash her hands (often without me asking), and teach her things you learned in preschool, do amazing things to Mama's heart. When I tell you that you're my buddy, I mean that through and through. I'll always be here for you, no matter where you are and how far. 

I hope you'll always continue to share with me your dreams, big or small. I know at some point there will come a time when you won't come running to me with open arms and give me one of your "super hugs," the goodbye kisses before entering preschool will disappear, and you'll want to close the door to your room more often. I can wait for those days. 

There are no words that could do justice to how Daddy and I feel about you. Just know that with each passing moment, we love you more. Even the really hard moments. Really.

Happy four years around the sun my precious Micro! May today bring with it plenty of magical and memorable moments for you. Daddy, Kaia, and I love you so much.