Frosty....

Is that you Frosty?????

Gingerbread House

It has always been a family tradition to complete a gingerbread house the day after Thanksgiving. We were not so successful last year but, this year we did it. Target had these premade and already put together houses so I bought one immediately. It was just perfect for the two of us. It even came with premade frosting and candy! I put the candy and frosting out and we were ready to go. She was so serious and loved every moment of it! She did not figure out you could eat the candy until papa walked by and started stealing the candy. Then it was all over! As you can see in the pictures below. So much fun!!!!

The starting house!

Carefully working!

Still focusing.....

Opps...she just saw papa eat some candy so she decided to try it out also.

The finished product....

Christopher Pop-In-Kins

Who Is This You Ask?

Meet Christopher Pop-In-Kins

Here's the story...... About 6 years ago a parent at my school told me about this elf that you move around your house at Christmas time. She brought him in and told me the whole story. I loved the whole idea of it so I bought 4 sets. Well, I gave three away and for some reason, I've always had an extra one and have not been willing to give it away. Thank goodness because I can't wait to do it this year with Dawson! The last set is officially mine! Here's how the story goes....

Christopher worked for Santa in the North Pole making toys, but wanted a little more in his life. Soooooo, he talked to Santa about it and told him he really wanted to spend time with real girls and boys and help them with the long wait between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So Santa said he could go spend time with all the boys and girls under one condition: the kids must never touch him. For if they did, he would lose his magic and have to return to the North Pole to get it back. So Santa granted Christopher to be the very first Children's Elf!

Christopher Pop-In-Kins has been around for 24 years. Each year at Thanksgiving, parents read the first book explaining how he comes to see the kids and moves around your house each day. The fun part is trying to find him each morning. Then, on Christmas Eve, there is another book that sends Christopher back home to the North Pole. Santa needs his help delivering toys! I can't wait to see how this Christmas wait goes with Dawson....I will keep you posted.

On another note, the picture below is the newly created Christopher. When I bought mine six years ago, an older couple was creating him at home and mail ordering. The couple passed away about 2 years ago and the family members decided to mass manufacture him along with one of his books. Here is a picture of the new Christopher sold everywhere, including Amazon. I kind of like my "vintage" one but, he's pretty cute too!

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving today. I bet no one can guess what I am most thankful for....

Here she is munching on some celery.

Our first Thanksgiving dinner was held at a local bed and breakfast. It's an old house, with so much character, turned in to a bed and breakfast about 20 years ago. They made a fabulous meal and everyone was happy with the idea of NO CLEAN-UP!

At the end of our first dinner, I caught Tommy teaching Dawson how to play blackjack. She was very interested in what was going on! After the intense card game, we headed off to my brother's house for Thanksgiving dinner #2! Uggg, I am sooo full!

Home 18 Months

Happy 18 Months!

A year and a half ago, I was in Guatemala meeting my little girl for the first time. I can't believe she has been home so long and has grown and learned so much in such a short time. Often times, she blows my mind with what she knows. I just can't believe her language development! It's hard to believe that she did not know or hear any English for the first 11 months of her life. Now, she can tell me just about anything. So much has happened, changed and developed in these past 18 months. I'm loving every minute of it!

Dawson was picking little red berries off the bushes. She asked if she could have just a "little" bite. I convinced her to throw it to the birds instead!

Still picking and exploring!

I found these cute shoes at Nordstrom's rack last weekend! What a fun place to shop!

Santa Has Arrived

Yes, it's true....Santa arrived at the mall last night.

Yes, it's too early to see him. Yes, it's too early to talk about him. Yes, it's too early to decorate. NO, WE DID NOT SIT ON HIS LAP OR EVEN GO NEAR HIM (as I suspected). We headed out to the mall last night to join in the arrival of Santa. He was brought to the mall in a firetruck and greeted by a chorus of holiday singers. Dawson was interested in the sirens of the firetruck but, not interested in getting close or seeing much of Santa. This is not any different from last year. Basically, we enjoyed the music and observed all the happenings around us. I can't believe it's almost Christmas time!

She started to run towards me when she heard the firetruck sirens coming. I did not bring my big camera so it was hard to capture her in action. That's the biggest benefit of my other camera! These kids move too fast these days!

After our mall outing we headed back home to celebrate Helo's 25th birthday. Helo is a grad student and soccer coach that lives with us. She is from Brazil and has been here a few times within the last few years. Dawson loves having her around for two reasons.....she plays the guitar and sings in Spanish and she chases her around the house. We really love having Helo at our house!

Imagination

Thought I would share a little bit about our walk today. Each day I spend with Dawson, she just amazes me with her language development and her imagination. Here's how our walk went this afternoon......

Dawson - "Mommy, mommy I see monkey in the tree."

Me - "Where do you see that?"

Dawson - "In tree over there. I go get it down."

Me - "OK." (not knowing where this conversation was going)

Dawson - (looking up into the tree) "Come here monkey, I need you." "I got you monkey."

She proceeds to reach up, grab an imaginary monkey and carry him over to me.

"See mommy, you hold him."

Me - "OK, I will hold him"

Dawson - "I go get another monkey up in the tree. I want two." (proceeds to walk towards me) "Mommy, I put the monkeys in my pockets now. Please give me monkey back."

Me - "OK, here is the monkey." She then puts one monkey in each pocket and we continue

walking around the neighborhood.

It was just such a funny conversation when I wasn't expecting anything at all! I love this girl!

I didn't take many pictures today since we were just enjoying our walk. We did pick up a lot of sticks on our walk and were having fun hitting the trees. I'm surprised a monkey didn't fall on our heads!

Gymnastics Finale

We have been taking classes the past 6 weeks at a new gymnastics place since our local Little Gym has closed. It's was not the same but, it was fun seeing Lynn and Grace each week. I also love doing things together with Dawson. It's only a matter of time when the mom and me events are over! I have not been overly thrilled with the class so I decided to leave my camera at home. Thank goodness Lynn brought hers and got a few great shots!

Dawson was running down the airtrack and jumped off the end. Great shot Lynn...midair!

Climbing and hiding in the circle mat.

Doing the "FLAMINGO" walking down the beam. My girl just LOVES the beam.

(and she has an amazing sense of balance)

Trick or Treat 2009

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, better know to us in the U.S. as All Saint's Day is celebrated November 1st in Guatemala. The celebration is much different is Guatemala than here in the U.S. The tradition is for families to honor the dead by going to the cemeteries and preparing special foods. The most popular dish is known as Fiambre, which is only made and eaten once a year as a traditional dish of Day of the Dead. It is served cold and consists of a mix of cheese, meat, eggs and vegetables cured in vinegar. Some recipes call for as many as 50 different ingredients.

Traditional Fiambre

Often times families spend all day eating, drinking and flying kites at the cemetery. In Santiago Sacatepequez, the largest and most well-known kite festival is held. Thousands of kites are flown by families, locals and religious groups to honor the dead. The elaborate kites span several feet and are constructed almost entirely of bamboo and tissue paper.

I did not take any of these pictures but, pulled them off various websites. One of my favorite websites is www.antiguadailyphoto.com It really gives one a sense of what is going on in Guatemala on a daily basis and does it with pictures too!