We love our pets!

I cannot say how much we love our pets! They love us too, I think ;) We have 2 chihuahuas named Penn and Teller. They are brothers and we have had them for a little over 2 years. These fur babies have completed our family and although they shed, bark and hog the bed, we can't imagine life without them. There really is nothing like a pet to teach your kids responsibility and gentleness. Our girls are responsible for feeding and putting the boys outside. They also walk, play with, and cuddle with them. Just look at them, do they not look content and comfy being our babies?



Here is a little video of the boys doing the only trick they know... cha cha! Enjoy!

Much ado reviews Spinbrush My Way!

Each package comes with more than 140 (water-safe!) stickers, including:

• Letters (pink and purple: for spelling out their name or nickname!)
• Adorable animals (puppies, bunnies, ladybugs and birds)
• Fun phrases (Girls rule, XOXOXO, Glam Girl)
• Cute rainbows, flowers, peace signs and hearts (who doesn't love those?)
• And for your little princess-- or rock star-- there are themed stickers as well!

It's been proven that kids brush 38 percent longer with a battery-operated Arm & Hammer Spinbrush for Kids toothbrush. Plus, with a $6.99 price tag and a jeweled purple on and off switch, you can't lose!


Several weeks ago I received a Spinbrush My way in the mail. I decided to give it to Maia for her birthday so Micaylah wouldn't feel left out that she didn't get one. She LOVED it. It was the first present that she "played" with. She immediately used the entire sheet of animal stickers, added her name, and rushed to the bathroom to brush her teeth! I love that she was able to personalize it her way. The spelling of her name is uncommon and we will probably never find pencils, note pads, etc. with her name on them, so she loved that we all knew that this was Maia's toothbrush.

My only complaint about this toothbrush was the battery was dying right out of the box and replacing it was a chore. The screw head is so tiny I had to use a eye glass repair screwdriver to change the battery. But once it was changed my girl was happy as a clam brushing her teeth.

Unfortunately, the Spinbrush My Way is only available for girls right now. However, if you have a little girl, she would love this toothbrush. If you cannot find the Spinbrush My Way at any of your local retailers, never fear! It is available for purchase online at their website www.spinbrush.com for $9.99. There is also a downloadable $2.00 off coupon. I was able to download and print the coupon to purchase one for Micaylah with no problems.

* The Arm & Hammer Spinbrush My Way was sent to me free for review. I was not paid to review this product.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it...

My Aunts and nephews arrived July 7th and left July 14th. After 10 long years, it was great spending time with them again. Maia immediately took to Auntie Rosine and didn't leave her side the whole week.
July 7th was Russell's 8th birthday so I had the cake waiting for him even before he arrived :)
Russell enjoying his first smore, ever. He loved them, ate 2 and still wanted more.
Jojo really, really enjoying his smore.
On Saturday the 10th I threw both of my July babies a joint bday party. Here's my birthday girl spending that money in her head. We went to Target later that day and she spent that money like it was burning a hole in her pocket.
Russell enjoyed his first birthday party.( It was his first party ever)
The kids, Kaylah 10, Jojo 9, Russell 8 and Maia 7.
Keep away boys vs. girls
The birthday cakes!
Another day we had a water balloon fight. I filled 100 water balloons and just let the kids go crazy!

These pictures are from the day they left. I took them before we all started crying. Auntie Rosine with my girls
Me and Auntie Rosine.
Me and Auntie Leo
Me, Auntie Rosine, Auntie Leo and Mom
The kids enjoying my fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn. ( I asked Russ if he liked mashed potatoes and he said " Oh yes, I had them at a restaurant before".)
These kids are definitely related!
Russ and Maia enjoying some watermelon. That poor watermelon didn't stand a chance. It was gone in 2 hours!
And finally me with the boys, Jojo and Russ. I love these kids to death, they were so sweet and helpful while they were here. We miss them all so much!


I feel like a terrible blogger! It's been weeks but I'm here now so that's got to count for something right?? My family really enjoyed my family's visit. It was a short week, but we are so grateful for the time we were able to spend together. My Aunties have not changed one bit. Can you believe they are both in their 60's? They cooked and we ate, I cooked and we ate. A lot of their visit included the kids playing and the grown ups sitting around the dining room table eating, talking and laughing. We were all sad to say good bye, but we have plans to meet up in California summer 2015 to take the kids to Disneyland. 5 years seems like a long time, but we are hoping it goes by swiftly.

It's been a whirlwind of a week!

I'm going to make this short because I'll do a more thorough update after the Aunties leave and post pics from the entire visit then. They arrived last Wednesday, which was also Russell's birthday. We of course had cake and ice cream and I cooked at home thinking they were probably tired of fast food by now. We have just been enjoying their company. I seriously have the cutest nephews. Jojo is my kind of kid. He's funny, loves to be helpful, and gets along with the girls very well. Russell is shy but loves attention. He's very sweet and can't get enough of the dogs and the girls' XBOX.

Saturday we had a joint birthday party for Maia and Russell, the had a blast and received great gifts and money that immediately started burning a hole in their pocket. Today I took mom, the aunts and all of the kids to the mall for some shopping. The kids enjoyed watching the figure skaters practice, while the aunts enjoyed the 80% off sale at JC Penny. The boys are spending the night tonight so the Aunts can do some packing and get a good nights rest. Tomorrow we will be going to the post office and then to Midland for some Chuck E Cheese. The kids are looking forward to it. We might also do some shopping at the midland mall, it's so much better than the one here in Odessa.

I hope everyone has had a restful weekend. I better go, I hear all 4 kids fighting and I think now is a good time to tuck them in for the night :) Good night.

Shhh it's a surprise.

Look at what came via the UPS guy today? The folks at Arm & Hammer Spinbrush MyWay sent this to me for a review. My plan is it give it to Maia on Thursday for her birthday. I know she'll love it. I can't wait to give it to her and see how her little mind decides to customize it. Be sure to check back!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband, Michael. I appreciate everything you are and strive to be. I could not have hand picked a better man to have a family with. We love you so much.

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there! This is your special day and I hope you are enjoying it. I cooked all day yesterday and the better part of my morning for the dads in my life. Most importantly my sweet husband. I cooked several Mexican dishes, Menudo, chili verde, and enchiladas. I also made all of the fixings, beans, rice, guacamole, and salsa. I was a cooking machine. Luckily Mike's parents and grandparents come over to indulge with us. My mother in law brought a yummy ice cream cake for desert. We had such a nice day just hanging out with them eating and watching movies.

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend and I wish all of the dads out there a happy Father's day! And though I have been without a dad for 19 years, I still think of and honor him on this special day. I love and miss you everyday Daddy!

Surprise!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post! Things have been hectic with mom and trying to get the house in order before my aunts arrive from Guam for a visit. For starters I promised a surprise and for those of you not on Facebook here you go! Maia and I cut and donated our hair to Locks of Love. I had made a deal with a coworker to cut our hair for LOL as soon as summer vacation began. When i told Maia what I was doing she immediately wanted in. HEre are a few pictures. Above is a picture of Maia holding her two 13 inch braids. I love her haircut, but most importantly I'm very proud of my selfless girl. A woman at the beauty shop nearly cried when she heard we were cutting Maia's hair. She begged me not to do it, and do you kno what my 6 yr old said? Let me break it down for you:

Random Lady: Your hair is beautiful, are you getting a trim?
Maia: No, I'm cutting it all off for Locks of Love.
RL: Oh no, please don't it's so beautiful and shiny. Please don't do it.
Maia: My pretty hair will make a pretty wig for a little girl with no hair at all. My hair will grow again.

What's not to be proud of?

Here's a picture of me with my long hair.
And here I am sans the 11 inches the hair dresser cut off!
And finally our hair all clean, braided and ready to send to LOL. Maia's Braids are the ones at the top of the photo. If you're interested in donating your hair to Locks of Love it really is a worthy cause. Here are a few requirements for donating hair. Hair must be clean and dry before sending it to LOL. Ponytail or braid must be 10 inches or longer. All hair types and colors are acceptable. No over processed hair that has been bleached or damaged by other chemicals. Also If you tell your stylist that you are cutting your hair for LOL, they will usually offer you a discount on your haircut, mine did :)



Besides cutting off all of out hair, things have been pretty quiet around our house. Mom has been ill off and on, in need of blood transfusions and lots of rest. I promise that I am taking awesome care of her.



Maia is so pumped for cheerleading! SHe can't wait to get her uniform so that she can try it on and parade all over the house wearing it. She is going to be the cutest Mini Peppette ever!

I guess that is it, the rest of us have been pretty boring the past few weeks. KB passed 4th grade and was promoted to 5th. Mike is always at wok, and when he's home he is playing Super Street Fighter 4 or Modern Warfare 2. And I, am just trying to enjoy my summer vacation and keep my kids from killing each other. I hope all of you are enjoying the warm weather, cold pools and airconditioning this insanely hot summer. Avoid the heat and I will be back soon.