Resizing Kids Pants

I think I just found the answer to all of my prayers! Ok, exaggeration, it's the answer to one of my problems. Luli is the skinniest thing but she's a tall gal, which is tough in the pants department. I do try to stick with adjustable waist band pants but there are times when that's just not an option. I follow this amazing blog Grosgrain which just linked to this 'new to me' website that gives a tutorial on making your own adjustable waistbands. I haven't tried it yet but it looks relatively easy! I have a stack of things I needed to take in for Luli on my sewing table and these are perfect candidates to try this new technique out on! woohoo for answered prayer!

Playdates = Sanity on a rainy day

Actually playdates equal sanity on any day for a stay at home mom. I'm so thrilled with our preschool class set up this year, the moms are really nice and social! Three years we've been at this preschool and this is the FIRST time there has been a playdate/group! Today we were invited, with some other friends to Donovan's house (picture Luli swooning at the idea). Donovan has a lil' brother who is also in Fiona's class. Also at the playgroup were our friends Luca and Kieren who are brothers and in Luli's and Fiona's classes respectively, and our new friend Jack who is in Fiona's class. It was a great time and Miss Tanya even made cinnamon muffins for snack! The group was so sweet and played really nice (yet loud) with all the toys. Miss Tanya also had a craft, necklace making. The kids loved it and Luli and Fiona have worn theirs all day! Miss Tanya's husband was also home and he was so lovely with the kids, helping some kids with craft while the mom's were in the playroom, and chatting with the ladies when we were all together. I love seeing interactive Dads, that's one of the greatest things about raising a family today it is much more a team effort on behalf of Moms and Dads. Dads who make that decision to be an equal member of the team reap so many benefits from special relationships with their kids. I'm so thankful Oscar is a team player, and sometimes carries this team without complaint.

Donovan's picture for Luli

Donovan has reciprocated Luli's picture. The other day he gave her this picture of him and her. I love how bright and cheery both of their drawings are, and I love the sun-like hands. The hair is hilarious, they are both blondies, so he is the short and spiky and she is the wild locks.

Luli and Donovan on a Summer Day

Over the weekend Luli drew this picture for her friend Donovan. These two are so adorable together, he's really the first child Luli has attached onto as her 'friend.' Their teacher said they play together all day, and Donovan will get Luli more snack, help her put her jacket on, hold hands and give lots of hugs. Luli wanted to give Donovan the picture in the morning but I hadn't had a chance to scan it into the computer so I could save it for us. So I assured her I would bring the picture at pick up and she could give it to him. When she did, he said "is this for me?" when Luli told him it was Donovan put his hand on her arm and said so sweetly "i love it so much." When his mom came in he ran over and showed her what Lourdes had given him, she said they could hang it on the wall in his room and he asked if they could hang it over his bed! So cute, I just love watching these two!

Sisters

I had been surprised the girls never tried to sleep in the same bed. I figured eventually they'd start wanting to do that but as the years went by it never seemed to be an interest. That is, until the past couple weeks. Lately we've been finding the girls cuddled up in bed together and they stay that way the whole night. Last night I was sure they'd be sleeping separately. The last thing I heard from their room was Fiona yelling out "I DON'T LIKE YOU WEEGEE" and then Luli came downstairs saying that Fiona came over to her bed and bit her. An hour later we went in to check on them and this is how we found them sleeping! And they are holding hands above Luli's head.

Early Thanksgiving

This past weekend we travelled up to the Catskills to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with the Santiago Family. Oscar's brother, Rafael and his son Lucas were visiting for a few days and we thought we'd take the opportunity to also see him. The last time the girls saw Lucas was two years ago at the family reunion. Lucas is such an amazing young man, he was so wonderful with the girls. I don't know any other eleven year old boys who would play so well with two preschoolers and not once complain. Oscar and Rafael were able to put up solar panels on Abuelita's sanctuary, and the weather was gorgeous for the kids to be outside almost the entire time. I took a ton of pictures and they are also in an album to the left of the blog. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween

Halloween week was a lot of fun for us. The girls decided to be Dora and a Policewoman (and luckily we owned both costumes already!).

Fiona had her Halloween party at school on Wednesday and all the kids dressed up in their costumes for a parade and performed a few songs. Fiona dressed as Dora the Explorer.

Luli had her Halloween party on Friday and dressed as a Policewoman again this year. Whenever she was in costume she said "I am not Lourdes anymore, I am now Officer Santiago." Her class also did a parade and performed some songs. It's amazing how much more interactive the Pre-k class was. It was a lot of fun to watch them and see their adorable costumes.

On Halloween day we carved our pumpkins and got ready for our first trick or treating in the new neighborhood. This year both girls were ready to draw their faces all by themselves, so they worked very hard at creating just the right face. A dry erase marker worked great for them because they were able to wipe off and fix whatever they wanted. Luli decided to create a "spooky" pumpkin and Fiona went for a "happy" pumpkin. (In the picture from left to right, Oscar's pumpkin, Luli's, and Fiona's)

Trick or Treating was a lot of fun in the new neighborhood, it's a nice quiet area so there aren't any strangers wandering the area and there are lots of children. Luli received a UNICEF box from school and the neighbors were very generous. I was very impressed with Luli's willingness to ask for change also. At each door she said "please would you give some change for my UNICEF box, it is to help children around the world." So cute. Both girls had a great time going around to the houses. At home they were very good about Mommy going through their candy and pulling out the things we just couldn't allow them to eat.

We took a lot of pictures, you can visit the Halloween album to the left of the blog.