36th birthday and 9th Anniversary

I had my 36th birthday on March 30th, 2015. 
I am feeling pretty old now.  I am getting more and more white hair, more wrinkles on my face, and it's not so easy keeping my weight where I want it anymore.  I have to work harder to take care of my body, but I know it is worth it.

Cesar and I went on the weekend for my birthday, we also got to go out earlier in the week for our 9th anniversary.  My friend Mindi offered to babysit while Cesar and I went out to eat- she even gave us a coupon for the restaurant! It was very nice of her!  We went to La Sandia a Mexican food restaurant in the neighborhood.   When we got to the restaurant Cesar noticed his wallet was missing.  We went back home to look for it, but didn't find it.  We were so worried.  He actually had a lot of cash and checks in there that he hasn't taken to the bank yet.  After we picked up the kids, Diego went to the bathroom and came out with the wallet!  I guess Cesar had left it in there as soon as he got home from work that day.  We were so relieved!

Diego turns 5!

Diego is now 5. 

 we had strawberry dessert at my parent's

 I brought snack for Diego's class. We had strawberries and something else- we can't remember!  We sang to him and they ate.

 We ate at Mici's - an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.  They give the kids some dough for them to make something and then they bake it. 

 Diego made a hand- with Cesar's help.

We had a Poke-mon friend party.  The kids had fun.  We played with water guns and silly string.  Also, we had a scavenger hunt.

Eli's first lost tooth

Eli lost his first tooth at school on Feb. 17th, 2015.  His teacher gave him a little container to put it in to bring it home.  His big tooth had already grown in behind the baby tooth!  I was surprised to see that.  The dentist said it's pretty common though.  The tooth fairy left him 4 quarters.

Ruby is Two!

Ruby turned 2 on Sunday- Feb. 1st.  We decided not to have a party, but to just celebrate as a family.  Saturday we went to the mall and walked around.  Ruby liked seeing all the people and things.  We all had a good time in the Lego Store.  We ate dinner in the food court and then walked across the street to Jumpstreet- and indoor jump place.  All the kids got to jump for an hour and really wear themselves out.  There were jump houses and a big trampoline.

 
On Sunday we went to church and then to my parent's house for family dinner.  It was also the Super Bowl so it was a kind of a football party.  Cesar made Ruby's butterfly cake and it was good.  We all sang to her and she seemed a little concerned when everyone was looking and singing at her.  We got her a doll house and rocking horse and my parent's bought her dolls for the house.

Delane

I have been busy being a homemaker and mother!  It is hard work to keep everything at home going.  Food takes up a lot of my time- making menus, grocery lists, going shopping, preparing food, and cleaning it up.  It is never ending and sometimes I wish we could just go a day, or even a meal, without eating! 
I usually do all the laundry on Mondays, but sometimes finish it up on Tuesdays.  Laundry is not so bad for me and sometimes I actually look forward to it.  I also like vacuuming the carpet and do that once a week too.
I am not so good at cleaning the bathrooms or kitchen on a regular basis.  Those are not my favorite things to do!  I have been very tempted to hire a house cleaner, but just haven't yet.  As soon as Cesar starts making more money and I can justify the expense I will definitely get a maid! 
I would like to give the kids more chores to do around the house.  It seems like I never stick to it and then their chores just fade away.  I guess it usually is easier to do it myself, but I know I need to give them the responsibility and satisfaction of doing their own jobs.  Currently, the boys have been unloading the dishwasher for me on the days Eli doesn't have school.  It does help and they do complain, but I think it will get easier if I just stick to it!

I am so happy to be a stay at home mom.  It's nice to be involved with my kid's lives in a way that I know I couldn't be if I had to work. 
My kids have been fighting a lot lately and I'm trying to work on solutions to make them stop!  It's a definite challenge!

I love when I get time away from my kids!  I feel free and good.  Sometimes I drop them off at my friend's house for a couple of hours and get to have some alone time.  Lately, my time has been spent shopping or running errands, but I like it best when I take time to go to lunch by myself or go to the library or book store.  The couple of hours really do rejuvenate me and I need that!

I take care of Bennett, my neighbor all day Thursdays while his mom works.  I get $10/ hour, so usually $90-100 a week.  I like the extra money and the kids like to play with Bennett, so it is really worth it.  Bennett is Ruby's age.

My calling is the Primary secretary.  I like that job.

Cesar- 2015

Cesar has been very busy working with Steve at Newman Architecture.  He is now Steve's partner!  I'm proud of him and feel so blessed because of his job!  He has been working hard on several projects, but mainly a hotel in Boulder and one in Breckenridge.  He has pulled several all nighters and just works and works until he finishes.  I know I couldn't work that long and hard.  One week he spent all Friday night working, then all Sunday night, and then all Tuesday night working!  And he worked plenty during the days too!
We have been reading about how important sleep is and I hope it sinks in for his sake! 

Cesar is a good dad, and I know he wished he had more time to spend with the kids.  He has been helping Eli with his Spanish homework whenever he is home in time to do it.  That really helps me out because then I don't have to spend so much time on homework- I think I hate it more than Eli does!

Cesar's calling is Stake Sunday School President.  He has done a couple of trainings for the wards and meets with his presidency from time to time. 

He still does several home inspections during the month- usually in the evenings after work or on Saturdays.  He gets $175 per inspection, so it's pretty good money for only 2 hours of work.  It is a great secondary income for us.

Christmas 2014

We had a great Christmas season filled with old and new traditions and fun.

 We had a big empty wall upstairs, so I taped up a Christmas tree.  I liked the way it turned out.  The boys cut out ornaments for it.

The Denver temple

 We always have a lot of fun going to see Santa and his workshop at Bass Pro Shop.

Gifts for the boy's teachers