Fourth Stop: Momo and Grandpa's

Christmas in my family is packed full of tradition. On Christmas eve we always eat dinner by candle light. Sometimes it's chili and others it's clam chowder and even others its corn chowder. A tradition I started was letting Stinky open one present and it is pajamas for her to wear. I plan on continuing this tradition with all my children. The pajamas will be matching until they can't stand it anymore. After she opened her present she sat on Grandpa's lap for two Christmas stories. The fist story is always The Night Before Christmas and the second is the real Christmas story. The reason we all celebrate Christmas; the birth of Christ. Her excitement was mounting as she new tomorrow was going to be an exciting day. After her bath she slipped into her new pajamas and off to bed she went, looking so forward to what was in store the next day.

Third Stop: Still in the LA Area but This Time On My Dad's Side

I wasn't able to get any pictures of our time spent with the other side of my family. My DH and most of my family had to leave early heading home for jobs and such. It was just my dad, Stinky and myself. My dad has a huge family and amongst the chaos, present opening and I believe there was a huge nerf gun fight I just wasn't able to take any pictures.

Stinky enjoyed the gifts she received, but I think her favorite part of the day was aiding my dad in the nerf fight. She loved collecting all the little bullets for him and then helping shoot them at people. Unfortunately this was the third party of a weekend the included a lot of long hours in the car, late nights, lots of sweets and excitement. All these added together equals a very tired and overstimulated two year. After many melt downs it was time for us to retreat back to the hotel room for some down time. It's nice to cuddle up with Stinky when she is really tired. I take all the love I can get.

Second Stop: Rancho Cucamonga or LA Area

She never does this; lucky Auntie.

Again Hot, Hot, Hot! That didn't stop Stinky in her round two of present opening nor Daddy in his weight gaining progress. With plenty of food and lots of presents we spent time at the other great aunts house on my mother's side. Stinky received her first doll and couldn't be more ready to take care of her new baby.

First Stop: San Clemente

The beginnings of the toycapade through California; who said said Christmas is only one day.

Stinky with her cousin and great grandpa.

Four Generations of Girls

Our first stop on our trek across California was San Clemente, where Stinky's Great Grandpa lives. Coming from weather that was barely hitting 50 degrees we stepped right into summer. Over looking in the ocean we were at about 75 degrees and sunny. It was a nice change, but our main reason for being here was our time spent with the family. This was a special year for us in San Clemente because Stinky's great aunt had just had brain surgery and in less then 3 days was out of the hospital. She was recovering at Great Grandpa's house so we were all so thankful to spend time with her.

Stinky begun the festivities with her first round of opening presents along with Daddy's first round of gaining those extra pounds.

A Little More Pregnant, A Little More Tired, but We Survived the Holidays

Taking a cold train trip around the park to view all the pretty lights.
Our Holiday's started right after the nap that came right after the second birthday party for Stinky. With three weeks of festivities at home, including a trip to the ER, stitches in my palm, baking one handed, wrapping and packing we begun a 2 week trip across California extremely tired. It has taken me over a month to settle back into life making sure all it unpacked, organized and ready to start the journey towards preparation of new baby.

Although it is a bit late I hope to spend some time blogging about our trip. It was Stinky's third Christmas, but her first Christmas of awareness. Awareness of Santa and the goodies he brings, awareness of the Christmas tree, the candy she could overly indulge in and of all the love and attention she received as we party hopped our way through California and even to some parts of Nevada. As Stinky would say, "Stand back" and enjoy our trip with us.

Happy Birthday Stinky!

It is hard to believe that she is 2 years old today. I am sure every parent says that every year their child grows another year older. Life moves so fast when given the opportunity to watch your baby grow and develop. I have never been so excited in my life to wake up every morning just to see this beautiful smile as she is ready to begin her day of adventures and learning. I have loved every minute of her existence. With a little tear saying good bye to the first two years, I look forward to every minute with her that is to come before the ending of year 3. So to that I say Happy Birthday Stinky! I love you very much.

Entertainment

Being a preschool teacher for 10 years it was hard to justify ever paying somebody to come in and entertain the children through music activities. So I did it myself. From a pattern I created "The Little Old Women Who Swallowed a Fly". The children were able to stick the different animals into the Lady's mouth. That was exciting for some of them. We sang a few songs, used musical instruments and at the very end danced to one of Stinky's favorites: "Who Let the Dogs Out". For some reason I was a little more nervous leading a group in front of my peers then I had ever been working in different classrooms with different adults watching all the time. It turned out ok and I think the children really enjoyed it.