holiday cheer

The tree is decorated, well, the top two-thirds of it. Mila has undressed our fat tree from about 2 feet high and below. Presents have lost their mystique as little hands are fast and furious, pulling the paper, because ripping is soo much fun. Santa, reindeer, Baby Jesus in the manger, lights on rooftops, all are spotted from miles away....oh the joy!

We drove around Druid Hills, Midtown and down Peachtree Street the other night. It was fun to see how much our city has changed while checking out the Christmas lights.  Passing a house with a huge lit Cypress, I wondered out loud..."How did they get those lights on top of that tall tree?" Ava said, "They probably just used a big stack of people."  

Pazh was razzing me the same night. Apparently I am "geriatric qualified" because I like to listen to Christmas music. 

We are enjoying the season so far. I usually go "Martha Stewart on steroids" and that may come in a week or so. Right now, the fire and the tree are luring us to be calm and relaxed.  Aaaahhh.

Love to all my friends, and fam! I have Pink Pig pics and other recents I need to sort through and post...coming soon.

Holiday Shout-out!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I am more than thankful for the undeserved blessings that have showered my family. Mom's spirit and health are strong. My family is clothed, fed, sheltered, healthy, and our hearts are full. God has truly shown us His love and we hope to spread that love to others who are in need of love, care, etc. this season and beyond.

Our family will be up in the mountains for Thanksgiving weekend. We are prepping for some s'mores, big meals, Scrabble, Wii, Wine, Hiking, Sleeping (fingers crossed), time with the children, and more. I am running the Half Marathon in the morning and then we are heading North. Cell phones are iffy up there, so Happy Thanksgiving to all you dear friends and family!!!

A couple notes on the children:

We are not spending a lot this year for gifts, but Pazh did buy our family the Wii game. 

P and I were playing the tennis game with Mila and Ava totally captivated.....especially since we were yelling and goofing like kids ourselves. The announcer declares the score.."DEUCE."  Mila's little legs and arms start to go like a wind-up toy...."Deuce, DEUCE!!" She thought he was saying JUICE!! So funny b/c she says Juice like "Deuce" with a "D," and drinks the stuff all day long!!

 I have gone sooo low as to use Santa as a parenting scapegoat. Ava is reminded quite often, horrible, I know, that Santa is watching everything. Yesterday she added, "God is watching everything also, mama!"...hmmmmm.

We all know Ava is very musical, as most children are.  Her affections for La Musique were confirmed as we strolled Toys R Us and Target for wish list ideas. Looking at the plastic replicas of instuments with raised eyebrows, I asked her what she would like to put on her list. Very straight laced, she said "Mom, I told you already. I want a bass guitar, a tuba, and a trumpet." Certainly, a trip to the toy store would alter her long-standing requests.....Kung Fu Panda! Disney Princesses!? ...nope. Girlfriend wants a tuba.

Little Helper

Ava has become interested in the everyday chores of housekeeping. As she cuts, pastes, paints, draws, I am usually hustling around the kitchen wiping, sweeping, washing dishes, etc. Last night,  I told Ava I was going to vacuum and mop the pool table room. Excited to help, she exclaimed "Can I bring the vacuum to the 'starting line!!!??'"

A few weeks ago, we visited Burt's Pumpkin Farm with the Velez familia. All the children loved the gigantic pumpkins and Mila enjoyed licking the tops where the rain had collected from the previous night---yukk! On the way home, Ava was fervently squirming in her seat. "I have a barn in my pants!" We pulled over to get the 'hay' out. Cute!

time management

As many of you know, my time management skills have never been superior.  I can multi-task with the best intentions to complete each approached task, but am easily derailed with the help of two monkeys. My sweet friend, Amie, a.k.a. super zen mom, has inspired me (unknowingly) to take some uninterrupted time to document, cherish, share, and relay the daily doings of Ava and Mila. Amie has a beautiful page with detailed accounts, photos, etc., of her children. She has inspired me to do the same, as I hope to find focus and time to share our lives with our friends and family. Photos are a plenty and will be posted later. I welcome you to Mila and Ava's site and hope to hear from you soon! 

Love, 

Amanda, la maman des filles Deljou!!!