Happy, Happy Birthday Cuauhtli Dear!

I can't believe he's already 11 years old. Time has gone so quickly! When I first met him, he had just turned 8 years old and had long, shaggy hair. He was a sweetheart then, and now. Albeit a frustrating sweetheart at times. :)

Today we celebrated his 11th birthday. What a day! 

One of my favorite things to do is to decorate the house while the birthday person is at school. So far I've been lucky enough that all of them are in school on their actual birth day. 

 

We had presents, 

plastic bubbles, 

and poppers. Ooooh how we love the poppers here at the Nicholas house. 

 

We had Cheesecake! I let the kids choose their birthday dinner and dessert. Cuauhtli didn't want a cake this year, so he chose homemade cheesecake and pecan pie. He wanted them together, but Cary promptly convinced him that would be quite disgusting. Cary wrote the "Happy Birthday" and the ":)" and Cuauhtli wrote his name. Fabulousness!

This year I wanted to do something a little different, so we led them on a treasure hunt. Cary and I wrote clues out and put them around the house, yard, and cars. Each of the kids were responsible for a clue and piece to the puzzle. They had to work together to figure out the puzzles and to find their loot.

Cuauhtli got the rest of his pressies and the rest of the kidlets got some yummies. They had *so* much fun. All the girls were begging to do "Treasures" for their birthdays! I'm glad that it was a hit! Cuauhtli came up to me after it had settled down a bit and gave me big lovies. He thanked me for making his birthday so fun. That so made all the headaches worthwhile.

I'm grateful for a fun, happy night and some amazing little people. 

Happy Birthday Cuauhtli. I love you much much, my son.

sadly, this is the least goofy pic of us that I could find. :)

A little of this, a lot of that

I was introduced to a new (to me) little blog this week.
The Dating Divas are all about strengthening marriages through one date at a time. They have such fun ideas on how to make your night out (or in) sparkle with your hubs.  I love their crafts, so fun and even *I* can do them. :)

This week they are hosting a WEEK, yes I said a WEEK, of Giveaways. All things that can help us out in the creativity department.

With 5 kidlets, it's sometimes hard to find a night out for just me and Cary. I'm committed to having some sort of date night with him though, I think marriages need that. I love being around him and he can always make me laugh. Although sometimes it is out of sheer exasperation. ;)  And, I can use all the help I can get spicing it up.

Head over and check out the giveaways at The Dating Divas, and see what you might find to tickle your fancy. Or his.

:)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we have a few traditions. I love Christmas Eve, perhaps as much as Christmas Day itself!

We always try to go sledding, if there is any snow around. This year there wasn't, so we hung out and played games together all day. Cary was on vacation and we had no worries. It was fantastic!

We have homemade frito chili pies for dinner, we open one pressie (pajamabamas), and we watch a Christmas movie. We have added a little bit to that in the past couple of years.

Now we have the kids' siblings over for Arroz con Leche and do a fun present exchange with them. We draw names in October or November and they try to keep it secret as to whom they have. key word, try. :) 

I seriously have some of the most beautiful kids. Ever.


Photos of our Christmas Pajamabamas!

I just love all the special time we are able to have with our whanau. That's what makes it all so special.

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!

It was truly one of the best Christmas Days Ever. Hubs surprised me with his thoughtfulness, not only for me but for the kidlets as well.  I usually handle all the gift buying and wrapping, but this year he snuck some surprises in on me. I didn't even know about them  until Christmas morning. Our kids had a great time, even if I did make them wait to open presents until 9am.
For some reason, brainfart, I didn't charge my camera the night before. I KNOW! ridiculous. So, my camera died about 10 minutes into the whole unwrapping extravaganza. So. Bummed.

I think everyone got what they wanted. My poor 12 year old was dying for an xbox game, which I thought I bought. When he opened it, however, it was for the PLAYSTATION. I was determined to right this horrific wrong insert eye roll here.video games are not my fave and order the right game. I hopped online right then and bought the game from Amazon. It arrived on the 28th. He was thrilled. He opened it.
I BOUGHT THE WRONG ONE AGAIN.
Yes, apparently, I have about 2 brain cells left. So, we are taking him to Game Stop and letting him choose two games this week.

After a morning of playing and eating and playing and eating, we went to Mummindad's for more eating and more playing. It was a bit different this year, but I am so grateful for my whanau. I love them dearly and each of them hold a special place in my heart and the heart of my children.

However. We play "lucky dip". This year Mum decided to throw in some boobie prizes. Guess who got them? That's right. My Bug and Cuauhtli. Look at these beauties.

Bug's gnome. She nuzzles him daily. She thinks he is magnificent.

Cuauhtli's Piggie

So, we will be finding new homes for these loverlies. I'm hoping to be able to incorporate the pig with the Gnome. I think it will be beautiful, no?

I hope you all were blessed with your heart desires.
   We were.
Merry Christmas :)