Top Ten for 2014!

I know I haven't blogged in a year and my girls are not happy about it! I promise to do better in 2015, but we couldn't not post our top ten from this year! 2014 has been an outstanding year!!!! Filled with so many memories that we will forever cherish in our hearts, but we know 2015 will be just as fabulous if not more!!!! These are in no particular order and we decided on them as a family this evening as we were enjoying our great meal of homemade pizzas and champagne.

 1 Royalty Dance Academy has become our second home. All three girls were involved with dance this year! Weegie was dance captain and even went to two competions with here team and they placed in both! She graduated from dance and now helps out whenever she can. Speedy joined Teen Jazz and really did well in it and was in her first recital.  Squiggler moved up from Combo classes to Pre-Everything. She does Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet. She loves it and is always practicing. She did 4 different dances in this year's recital.

2.  Speedy Cheetah lands the lead in the school musical as a freshman! Speedy was cast as the lead in her school's production of Into the Woods.  She played the Witch, same role as Meryl and earned the final bow. She was so awesome and a star has been born! Well we always knew she was a star, but now the rest of the world knows it too!

3. Weegie graduated from high school!!! AAAAH! Where has the time gone? It was just yesterday that I dropped her off a nursery school and she cried! Her first teacher was Miss Agnes and she was so patient with our little Weegie. Now she's all grown up and graduated with Honors. We are so proud of her and she was happy to get out of that place! LOL!

 

4. Squiggler graduated pre-school!  I absolutely loved her teacher, Miss Irene! Best pre-school teacher ever!!!! She is awesome, caring, kind, patient and just an overall outstanding person. Squiggler really learned a lot and came out of there ready for Kindergarten!

5.  The Adventures of Speedy Cheetah and Daddy in the Big Apple! Speedy did not want a quincenera. Instead she chose to take a trip to New York. For Spring break her daddy and her got on a plane and traveled across the country for 5 days. They stayed with the most wonderful friends and sight seeded around town. They became real experts at getting around on public transportation and were able to see 1 off broadway show and 2 broadway shows. It was all that she hoped for and more. She is ready to go back and live there.  I don't know how I feel about that. :(

 6. Speedy Cheetah met her favorite broadway star, Jeremy Jordan!!!! I asked Speedy if she wanted to take a friend or two out to dinner on her birthday and she asked for this instead. Jeremy Jordan came to LA to give a performance at dinner show type place. We found out about it through her amazing drama teacher, who also happens to be good friends with him. After the show, he got Speedy and some other drama kids backstage so that they could meet their idol. I think it was a night that she will always remember!!!!

 Honorable Mention: Disneyland!

 7. Make Up School! Weegie started her path onto her career. Her love of make up has only intensified and she has learned some amazing things!  She is doing well and earned an A her first quarter. She loves it and we couldn't be happier for her!!!!!

 8. Weegie got her license! Since she had to get to school we also got her a car to go with the license.  She has to drive 30 minutes to and from school and take a big old make up case with her. She is also able to help her dad and I out from time to time. She is very happy with her BAE!

 9. Squiggler started Kindergarten! Our baby girl is now in school all day now. She loves it and has learned so much. She goes to a great school, with a great teacher and great friends. We couldn't be happier for her.

10. Us! My honey said to put us down as one of the ten because we are able to make it happen. We joined a gym, went on lots of dates, get to spend time together and work hard to make it all fall into place.  We have had a great year and couldn't have asked for more. Thank you God for all our blessings! We hope 2015 is an even better, more loving, joyous with continued blessings!!

Happy New Year!

Well 2013 is here and we had a nice New Year Eve where my honey cooked dinner, we stayed up watching movies and the ball drop! Squiggler fell asleep at 11:40 so she didn't make it to see the New Year! Today we had a nice day at home watching movies again, eating menudo for breakfast and a great ham dinner. It was a great ending, great beginning to 2013! Loved it! This is a little questionnaire I borrowed from Sophia Corbridge that she does every year. I did it 3 years ago, but hadn't done it since then. It was interesting to see what had stayed the same and what had changed!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? Took my daughter to see 4 musicals in downtown Los Angeles and took my other daughter to two concerts by myself! I'm kind of a scaredy cat and don't like to go places by myself  (especially in the dark) but I did it and had a lot of fun too!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I actually don't make resolutions, but I do try to have a good life and be a good person, but that is a given not a resolution.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No one in my family, but my hairdresser had a baby boy in October and she named him Lennon.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No one close to me, but family of some of my friends.
5. What countries did you visit? Canada! First time I have ever been out of the country! In May my daughter, Speedy and I went to Canada with her singing group. It was a great trip!
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Spend time with my best friend or at least plan to spend time with each other.  I feel bad that we live so close to each other and rarely spend time together. I know she is really busy, but I want to make it a point to try to get together monthly. We have been BFF's since we were 8!
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Two dates come to mind. The first is November 6th, Election night! I my goodness! Never has an election had such a big impact on me! The second is December 14, 2012. The day of the Sandy Hook School shootings. It was a sad day in America and as a teacher it will forever be etched in my brain.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being a mom to 3 beautiful girls that are completely different. I love my girls so much and I am so happy of the relationships we have developed! I hope we are always close and they can always feel that they can come to me. My second was the letter I received from Mrs. Drew at the end of the school year! I will cherish that letter forever and always strive to be that teacher for my students,
9. What was your biggest failure? Not being organized! I have always have had problems with this, but I need to just get it together already! 
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No! Thank you God!
11. What was the best thing you bought? I bought a purple coat last January and I love it! Best purchase I have made in a long time and great price!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My girls earn this honor again! Weegie is just such a great girl and I am so proud of her work  in our church, the great friend she is to her friends and that she would protect her little sisters from anything.  Speedy for her hard work and dedication in school, in her singing and the great big sister she is to Squiggler and the relationship she has with Weegie. Squiggler is doing so well and is such a great listener at pre-school and in dance class! She loves her little sisters and is so friendly to everyone!
13. Where did most of your money go? To my girls! Between school and lessons they require a good amount of money, but I know it is all worth it!
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting my donorschoose projects funded and being able to give my students access to technology!
15. What song will always remind you of 2012? Gangham Style! That guy is all over the place and it is a crack up to see my student's dancing to that song.
16. What do you wish you'd done more of? Remembering to keep God first and to say my daily rosary completely.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending time on the computer. LOL! I get so many great ideas from Pinterest that I don't even have time to use them all!
18. How did you spend Christmas? With my beautiful family! We had a wonderful morning and then went to my brother in laws and had a wonderful rest of the day there.  Christmas this year was just wonderful and no drama! Loved it!
19. Did you fall in love in 2012? Yes with my wonderful hubby, my beautiful daughters and my awesome class of Kindergarteners.
20. What was your favorite TV program? Say Yes to the Dress and Gray’s Anantomy. (This has not changed in 3 years!) I also like Once Upon A Time and Private Practice. (Benjamin Bratt is my eye candy!)
21. What was the best book you read this year? I really like The Next Best Thing. I'm not sure why, but I wanted it to go on and not end.
22. What was your greatest musical discovery? I learned to really love Pitbull.
23. What did you want and get for Christmas? I got the prettiest necklace from my girls! I love it!
24. What was your favorite film of this year? Argo. I loved it and thought Ben Affleck was very good in it. (I don't see many movies actually.)
25. What did you do on your birthday? I was sick with a terrible cold, my cousin Joe was in the hospital having emergency surgery for a brain tumor and so it wasn't quiet what I had hoped for. My wish came true and my cousin came through the surgery and is doing well. His tumor is cancerous and he will have to go through chemo, but he is doing very well! Praise God!
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Nothing really! I have a great life and it is so full of Blessings! My honey would like it if we won the lotto, but I remind him we are so very rich already!
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? I have no fashion concepts! I wear what it easy and comfortable because I teach Kindergarten. I like to dress up 3 times a week and always wear jeans on Friday with my Kindergarten shirt!
28. What kept you sane? My Faith!
29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ellen De Generes. She is still my favorite celebrity and I wish I had time to watch her show. I fancy Benjamin Bratt! (Swoon!)
30. What political issue stirred you the most? Proposition 30 and 32! We won, we won! My honey and I went to sleep not knowing the outcome and when we woke up we were worried to check. I saw the results and wanted to cry! I think I did!
31. Who did you miss? My cousin Chris.  I saw him once in July, but I haven't seen or heard from him since then even though other family members have. 
32. Who was the best new person (people) you met? I love having lunch daily with my friends Jen and Martha. This is the first year we have had lunch together and so we are really getting to know one another. They are awesome ladies!
33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012: Count your Blessings daily! Always try to see the bright side of things and remember there is nothing that you and God can't handle together!
34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Shine bright, tonight, you and I, we're beautiful like diamond in the sky! (That's Squiggler's song!) My personal pick is Oh How He Loves Us. (Weegie sings this everynight during her prayers.)

Happy 4th Of July 2012

Here's little Miss Squiggler in her Patriotic outfit. She took off the bow and kicked off her shoes and wouldn't stand nicely so I could get a good shot of her! This was the best I could do, but it still shows off her wild personality. We spent a nice day at home. My honey grilled outside. We made potato salad and Weegie baked up a storm. She made brownies using diet coke, they were yummy, cupcakes and banana ice cream that is very good! We went outside and watched the neighbors shoot off fireworks and Squiggler loved it. She is not afraid of anything, which scares the beejeebers out of her dad and I. Weegie has summer school tomorrow so we didn't want to stay out to late and I think that is why we ended up staying home. We were invited to a new place, because my aunt and uncle weren't feeling up to partying. It was still a nice 4th!

Mommy/Daughter Date Part 2

Yesterday was Christmas at our house again because Speedy Cheetah got her big present! We went to see Wicked!!! It was her first time see a "big" play at the Pantages theater her in LA. It was just the two of us and my first time driving to LA by myself at night! To say the least, I was nervous and did research on all the available options. We could have taken the Red Line down there since it is right across the street from the Pantages, but I didn't want to be waiting around for a subway with my beautiful 12 year old daughter.We decided to drive and I prebought our parking pass to a lot that was right across the street from the theater. This proved to be a really smart move because by buying ahead of time we got premium parking!!!! We arrived about 6:00 and went down to Hollywood and Highland to eat dinner. It was a nice walk, but a little scary. Thank goodness there was a lot of tourist around. We had a nice dinner at CPK and then were able to walk back at a nice pace to enjoy our time together.

We got back at 7:30 on the dot and decided to go in and find our seats. The Pantages is on a small incline and we were in the Orchestra Center, but towards the back on the hill. We were able to see everything very clearly! The above photo is Speedy with the actress that plays Glinda. We then went to look at souvenirs since it was part of her Christmas present. I told her she could have anything she wanted. It took her a long time to decide. My Speedy is not like most kids, she really takes her time and puts a lot of thought into what she wants. She finally decided on a flying stuffed monkey and a poster. The kind girl at the souvenir stand mentioned to us that maybe we could have it signed after the show. She told us where to go and I had no idea that in her smart little brain, my daughter had already been planning this. LOL!

The above picture is with the actress that plays NesaRose. We settled in our seats and the show began! It was absolutely amazing!! I had seen it before about 4 years ago, but it was as good if not better then I remember!! My Speedy loved it and was just captivated the whole time! She took it all in and I could see her up there someday!

At intermission she made me laugh because she darted to the ladies room and made it there before the mad rush. I stayed behind and bought a Wicked cup for soda. I didn't want to drink the soda, but I did want the cup! It's so cute!! I'm going to take it to work! We found each other again and went back to enjoy the second half. The above picture is with the actor that played Fireyo.

After the play she asked if we could find the stage door and we did. There was only a few people ahead of us. I told Speedy had I known we might come to the stage door then I would have brought a Sharpie. She said not to worry that she had one in her purse!!! I couldn't believe how smart my girl is. She told me that she had secretly hoped that we could get the cast's autographs. I think this is because her Music teacher gave her a special gift of a Playbill signed by the cast of Sister Act from New York. We were able to get all the main characters to sign her Playbill and poster. Everyone was so nice and even took pictures with her. Speedy says it was the best night of her life! I love to see my children so happy! We are already planning to try to see another play sometime this year. The above picture is with the actress that played Elphaba. When we were done we didn't have to deal with traffic and were able to get on the freeway with no traffic at midnight and we were home in less then 20 minutes!!!! I said a special prayer last night because everything turned out so wonderful and I got to share such a special moment with my baby! Thank you God!

2011's Top Ten

Well now that 2011 is coming to an end and it's time to talk about our Top 10 items for the year! These are in no particular order, but if you ask Weegie she will tell you that her's is number one! LOL! That crazy Weegie!

My honey and I have celebrated 15 years of marriage! That is a wonderful and amazing thing! I always prayed for such a wonderful man and God gave me this great guy! God is good all the time and really listens to our prayers!

Speedy Cheetah made the Musical Production group at her school! It was a big honor, her first choice and she is loving it! She is doing outstanding and has found another outlet for her creative side. This is a big thing because she does so well academically and needed to be challenged in another way!

Weegie doing well in 10th grade and going to her first big dance! Homecoming! Her team won, she danced the night away and had a great time! She is becoming such a wonderful young lady and we are so proud of her. She loves going to church and serving her community!

Seeing my cousin RockBottom after 3 years! This guy here means so much to me and to have lost him for a short while was just devastating! I pray that he comes home soon and realizes how loved he is by all of us! He is also such a wonderful guy, but for some reason has decided to distance himself from our familia for a while. It was great to see him twice this year and I hope he keeps coming around!

Squiggler growing so much this year! She got on rides all by herself at our annual fiesta, she can float in the pool and can kind of swim on her own. Talking and singing up a storm! She brings such joy to our life!

Speedy Cheetah performing in public with her singing group and getting her first solo! She knocks it out of the park each time she performs and is an excellent singer!! There is nothing this girl can't do!!!

Squiggler started dance lessons! She is taking tap/ballet once a week and she loves it. She is the youngest in the class and you can tell! Her teacher has a lot of patience with her! Thank goodness!

Weegie turned 15 and had her Quinceanera! It was her special day and she thanks us constantly for the day she was a true princess! She says it was the best day of her life and that it was perfect! That makes me so happy! She is such a beautiful girl inside and out!

Our trip to Disneyland. My girls and I went by ourselves and we had such a great time! I love being at Disney. It doesn't matter how many rides I get on, but I just love being there! It really is such a special place and I loved sharing it with my girls! Squiggler really loved it and remembers her trip!

My favorite aunt and uncle celebrating 40 years of marriage! They have had their ups and downs, but true love always prevails! They met when they were 13 and got married at 20. They both retired this year and are still in love even after spending all day together these last couple of months! They taught me what it takes to have a wonderful family and I am constantly learning from them! Here's to 40 more!

I told my honey I would mention some honorable mentions, but didn't have pictures to go with these...his health is better and he had his surgery! He is always feeling so much better! Weegie becoming quiet the baker and baking up a storm this holiday season! Both girls doing well academically and on their state test scores! My honey's school going up 82 points on their API and hitting over 800! My donorschoose project getting fully funded! What a great year it has been! We are so blessed and look forward to a wonderful 2012 also filled with the love of God and more blessings!

A Visit with Santa

Today, just because the timing was perfect! No lines, she was willing and the setting was one of the prettiest I had ever seen! She asked him for a bike. I'm sure he is going to do his best to bring her one!

Happy Birthday to Me 2010!

Well another birthday is here and I enjoyed my day at the Happiest Place on Earth. My mom had one two tickets in a raffle and we decided to go on my birthday. Weegie and Squiggler went with us too. We go there bright and early, but it was already packed!!! We got into the park at 9am and found out that they closed the park at 10am! Wow! So glad we weren't late!

The Squiggler did not like the characters this year except for Mickey Mouse. She liked him and kept waving at him during the parade and when he marched with the band in front of the castle. This year we got on Small World and Dumbo. She loved both of them, but she loved the Small World ride the most. She kept waving at the dolls and clapping her hands. When we got off the ride she wanted to buy this small boat filled with people so we did to remeber this trip with her.

She got plum tuckered out around 3pm and so she took a nap in her stroller. It got really cold after 4pm so I wrapped her in my mom's jacket. She slept for a good hour. During that time I just walked around while my mom and Weegie got on rides. This year we were able to see both parades, that Squiggler enjoyed, and the snow fall. I didn't see that last year and it was absolutely beautiful. My mom and Weegie ran into Squiggler's boyfriend at Autopia! I couldn't believe it!! All the people there and we ran into somebody we knew. Squiggler didn't see him or she would have wanted to go with him. Just kidding!

Weegie bought a cute headband, Squiggler got the boat and a stuffed Mickey. I got a shirt and so did my mom. We stayed until about 8pm, but by then I was tired!! I didn't sleep well the night before and had been up since 2:30 in the morning!

We went into California Adventures for a little while, but we didn't stay long. I had the girls take a picture in the O for our last name. Of course we couldn't get the Squiggler to look. I had another wonderful birthday and so many of my friends and family called or texted me to wish me a wonderful day. It was!!!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry CHRISTmas everyone! May today find you with more Blessings then you could have possibley hoped for!

My Wish List!

Okay now remember this is for fun only and if money was no object! These things would be on my Christmas wish list. The first thing on my wishlist would be a new Coach purse! I don't know if I would really buy a pink one, but I would definately buy a Coach purse. My current purse is about 4 years old and even though that doesn't seem to old, it's starting to look a little shabby. I did almost get one about 2 weeks ago at Macy's because it was a great deal, but then I didn't. Oh well, someday I will.

I've always wanted a purple coat. My best friend has a short one and I love it! I don't know what length I would get, but it would definately be purple! I love this color and it was the favorite color of my grandpa and grandma too.

I'm not sure why I would want an ipad, but it's on my list. I think it would be fun to have. I don't even have an ipod touch because we have 3 older ipods and they work just fine. But like I said if Santa was bringing it, I wouldn't turn it away!

I would so love to have some Chanel sunglasses. I love sunglasses and wear them all the time. I have two pair of perfectly good Coach sunglasses, black and brown. The price of real Chanel sunglasses is more then the price I paid for the other two together. I think Chanel makes the most beautiful sunglasses in the world!

A Target giftcard for $500 would be on my wishlist too. That way I could take my girls to Target and buy them some toys! By toys I mean whatever electronic device they are craving right now and I'm not even sure they are craving any. I tried to see if there was, but they didn't give any hints as to something they would like. I think they might like some Wii games or something like that, but I don't even know. My girls are low maintenance in some things, but high maintenance in others.

Now this is my wishlist and I kept everything under $500 dollars. If Santa came to me tomorrow and said you could have a new car, I would want a Toyota Sequoia or a Chevy Acadia in white!!! LOL! That was kind of fun considering I never know what I want for Christmas and always ask for gift cards so that I can buy a new outfit for myself. What's on your wishlist?

Vacation at Last!

I've been meaning to post for the past two days because I am finally on Winter break, but I've been so tired that I have been going to sleep so early. I had planned to post everyday in December, but then life got in the way. (Mainly work!) The last two weeks have just been craziness and now for the next three weeks I just get to enjoy my family! We had report cards due, 2 days were I didn't go to work, parent conferences, Christmas gifts, Winter program and 4 days of shortend days at school. It was intense! The pictures in this post are from Squiggler's 2 year old photo shoot. Like always she had three clothing changes and even though it was really hard to get these shots, I love them all!

All of us are on break now and we just get to enjoy the next 3 weeks together! It has been raining for the last 3 days and today we finally went to the mall so that I could pick up these pictures!! It was crazy!! We luckily got a good parking spot, and JCP's wasn't crowded so I was able to return something and get my pictures with ease. I have to still do some Christmas shopping and head to some malls that I don't normally go to, but they have the stores that I need. This week I also have a date with my honey planned, getting pedicures, a baking party, a nativity play, Christmas eve mass, a family party, and then Christmas. My birthday is the following week and then breakfast with my besties as well as my mom making my favorite meal and New Years Eve. The third week we might actually have time to breath before going back to work. I don't mind it, but I feel like we haven't gotten to enjoy the season. I've been listening to my Christmas cd's every chance I get, but except for my tree all of my other Christmas decorations didn't make it down this year. (My honey, wouldn't bring them down. He just has no idea sometimes and can be kind of a Scrooge, but I still love him. )

Hopefully we can still find the true meaning of Christmas in all of this. I love all the picturs of my Squiggler, but the above one is my favorite! She is displaying the little attitude she has with her hands on her hips. I love it!!! Today the girls were playing the Wii and she wanted to join. She is so funny. It's late so I am going to go to sleep now, but will post more this week I promise. I think tomorrow will be my wish list if money was no object. That should be fun!!!