Fun day

"Today was a fun day!" Those were Stella's words as I started the car. We were about to head back home from the playground after a very long day. Several hours of our day were spent in that same car, driving around Manhattan, helping daddy out with work. Afterwards, we had a late lunch at an Italian restaurant where the girls ended up with pasta everywhere. I actually didn't mind the mess. In fact, I enjoyed watching them slurp spaghetti and untangle the long strings with their hands. They were so happy I could not help but watch and let them be. 

And so we went to the park. The idea was that I would have them accompany me while I played with my camera and the light, try to get as I could from the evening sun. Yeah.. that lasted about five minutes when I had to change plans and take them to the playground because my littlest was not in the mood for photos and the oldest wanted to be over with it as soon as possible. 

I managed to take a few pictures:

While at the playground, my little one yelled several times: "I'm brave", as she insisted on climbing a latter on her own. She refused to be held and so I stood behind her, every single time, ready in case she needed me. It's amazing how much she's grown, changed and learned in the past six months. Watching her, I was one proud mama.

If motherhood has taught me anything, it is that you can never really plan things. I mean, you can try (and you should otherwise there's no way of getting things done) but it's easier to expect them to change and just go with it. Sometimes it turns out for the best.

23/52

Week 23: Dinosaur Playground.

"Portraits of my children once a week, every week, in 2014."

Feeling Festive

It seems like these days (or rather weeks) have flown by. I've been busy at home with the girls, a few guests here and there and Christmas decorating. Yes, my mind is in Christmas mode and it's the first time that I've started celebrating this early. I say celebrating because decorating, buying or making ornaments, seeking out lights that have been hidden for a year is, in my book, a way of celebrating; especially when you can share with your kids your love for this holiday and have them be a part of it. On the other hand, Thanksgiving is approaching and although dinner will be our home this year, I haven't started planning and honestly, I'm not really feeling it. Though I don't have a dinner menu, this morning I was singing along to Christmas station on Pandora and lit up our Christmas village. Oh, my priorities...

Our tree is up, to much of the excitement of my daughters. I tried to make of the decorating something special with them by having them help me put up decorations and actually making some. I would like for them to be excited each year as winter approaches, to see Christmas not only for the gifts but for the chance to share and be around family; or better yet, I'd like the tree decorating to become a family tradition, something we do together (if only I can get my husband to join us too). Perhaps I ask for too much but, when I think of my childhood, some of my best memories are those of family gatherings (brothers, cousins, uncles/aunts...) not only on Christmas Eve but also on Thanksgiving and New Year's. The holidays felt special and there was always a tree. I'd like something similar for my girls. 

This year will be particularly special because it will be one of the very few times that my entire family  is together; not only will my parents be present but also my first nephew, who will be born at the beginning of december. Anyway, I've been in a very good mood this week, enjoying the Christmas cheer that is slowly taking over the city (I find New York to be at its best during this season). Here a few recent pics:

Week recap: Pumpkins, Costumes and Coffee

It's 2:00, I'm on my third coffee. Lucia sleeps while Stella makes pizza out of play-doh. Ariel just called and will not be joining us for our early dinner. No cooking: my day just got better. I'll just heat up some leftovers for me and the girls.  I now have some time for myself and can't make  up my mind what to do with it. So I write and edit photos. Shows what my priorities are and how I lack organization. 

Here's what we've been up to this past week:

1. I was able to get over my bad feelings/thoughts and focus on my family and home. Daddy and the girls have been recovering from their colds.

2.  Stella picked out her costume. I was not feeling the princess thing but she insisted and picked out a very pink dress. I would've preferred something with wings and colors. She also picked out a fancy purple mask for me. I'm looking forward to Halloween though I'm not sure what to expect since I don't have much of a plan. There will be a party at day care but Stella refuses to go. She's going through an attachment phase and does not want to be anywhere without me (that's a topic for another post) so I'm not sure she'll make it to the party. I'd like to take them trick-or-treating but we're new to our neighborhood and I'm not sure if kids come out at all. We'll have to wait and see.

Feeling better and playing outdoors. Making pizza. Looking at mommy's baby pictures. Trying on mommy's mask.

3. On Saturday morning my husband surprised me with flowers and coffee. He laughed as my first reaction was to grab the coffee (give me coffee and I'm happy). That evening, we invited a few friends for dinner as we watched the World Series. My husbands favorite team is playing and we've been following them all week.

4. We went to the Fall Festival at the Queens County Farm on Sunday. The place was so crowded that I don't think I'll ever return (to the festival, not the farm). What usually is a peaceful and fun place was a complete nightmare. We walked straight to the pumpkin field and ignored the tents, characters and games. The girls played with dirt and were happy; that was good enough for me. As a bonus, I have some awesome pictures of them:

A lovely morning

Last week I took the girls to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, our second visit this summer. We went for  a picnic and to enjoy the great weather. They had a great time and, though I ended up exhausted, I was happy to see them enjoying themselves and was pleased to have created another great memory for them... and if that fails, at least we have photos. 

Earings

Yesterday my girls finally got their ears pierced (thanks to my mom for insisting and being quite annoying about it). Stella was a trooper. She cried right after the first ear and was scared about the second one but she stood still and let it happen. She is now proudly showing off her purple earrings which she picked on her own. Lucía was not as easy. The moment the woman approached her, she freaked out and cried the whole time. But it's done and over with and my girls look so darn cute.