Winter Wonderfest

On Sunday, we took the girls to Navy Pier to go see Santa Claus and to go to the Winter Wonderfest they have each year. This was the first time Eva and Sofia were excited to see Santa Claus. There were NO tears, just smiles and hugs for Santa. They made sure to let him know what they want for Christmas. Eva wants Baby All Gone and Sofia wants Dance Star Mickey.

After our happy Santa visit, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at the festival. We ALL had a great time! What a fun place! They even have an indoor ice rink!

I would recommend it to anyone with kids.

Dance Show

This past Saturday, the girls had their very first dance show. They are in a tap and ballet class on Tuesday afternoons. They knew their "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" routine backwards and forwards. And could sing it, loudly and proudly. So what happened on Saturday?! Chaos!! When we got to the theater, we found a stageful of crying little girls, which caused Eva to start crying, which caused Sofia to start crying. When the teacher finally convinced all of them to go backstage, we thought that maybe things would get better. Maybe not. When it was time for the girls performance, four out of the five girls came out crying on stage. BUT to Eva and Sofia's credit, the show went on. They asked me and the other moms to come sit at the egde of the stage. And with that, they all calmed down, and did their dance. No singing, just dancing. Rick, me, their Nona and Nono are all very proud of them for sticking it out, even though they were scared.

"YAY EVA!!!" "YAY SOFIA!!!"

Christmas Activities

The girls have really been having a great time this year with all the Christmas activities, and traditions that come along with the season. This year they really get it. They fully understand the whole idea of Santa Claus (even though they often forget not to be naughty!!) They love Christmas carols, and know almost all of them. And they know about the very first Christmas, the birth of baby Jesus. Here are some pictures of them enjoying the Christmas season.

Decorating the tree

Decorating ginderbread houses at Tia Lindsay's house

At their preschool Christmas party

Our Annual Christmas Party

This was the 6th year we celebrated Christmas with our friends and family.Rick with Oliver, and Lincoln in the background
Erica and Rick

Vanessa, Lindsay, and Adriana

Christina and Bobby

Laura, Xavier, and Carlos

Jane, Rick, Jose, and Kevin

"OPA!!!"

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus

Last month we took the girls to the circus for the first time. They loved it.

Especially the elephants!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This year was a rather small and quiet Thanksgiving. Why? you ask. My sister Vanessa was not able to come out from Maryland. She had to unfortunately work on Friday. We all missed her very much, but are happy that she will be here next weekend!!

Besides that, dinner, as usual, was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!

And any time we spend as a family is wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Brookfield Zoo

Today, the girls and I went to Brookfield Zoo. It had probably been over 20 years since I had been there, and of course, the first time for the girls. It is a spacious and very friendly place. And as they said to me in the car on the way home,

"Mama, we had great fun today!"