"I know these toys!'

That's what Joslin excitedly shouted (many times) when I got her water toys out of the garage. It was like she was seeing a long lost friend again. I was amazed that she remembered them. She hasn't seen any of them since last summer, which was half of her life ago.

Summer Lovin'

This must be the official kick off of summer for the Alvarez family. I remember last year eating junk food (cheetos are a must) by/in the pool the first weekend of summer. There is just something about sitting outside for hours that is totally relaxing to me. I can't wait for the rest of the summer. This year we even remembered to charge the air pump ahead of time, which makes blowing up the pool MUCH easier! I couldn't believe it was full in less than a minute. Last year we spent 30 minutes with a hand pump before giving up and waiting the 24 hrs for the pump to charge.

This morning...

Even purse puppies have to go potty sometime!

My Loves

Last Day

My mom and Haley brought Joslin to help with field day on the last day of school. I don't know who was more excited her or the kids! I think Joslin's favorite part was the yearbook singing. She looked like such a natural, we might have a movie star on our hands. :)

Easter Eggstravaganza

Fashion Show

As I was doing a little spring closet cleaning, Jose and Joslin decided that a fashion show was in order. My favorite part is not the hats, but the personality that is captured.

Breckenridge or bust!

This trip was pretty much a bust. Jose and I were so excited to finally take our first vacation EVER (we never even took a honeymoon). We planned to go snowboarding in Breckenridge over Spring Break. I was so stinking excited just to go somewhere. We pulled into town and were amazed by the atmosphere. What a cool place! That's about where the good times ended. We both ended up so sick that we couldn't even enjoy it. Jose had altitude sickness and I had what I know now was morning sickness (not just in the morning though). We made it up the lift a total of two times. Walking back down one of those two. We finally decided to throw in the towel and head home to our baby girl. I have never been so excited to be back in Kansas! I came very close to buying a ridiculously overpriced ($12.95) I heart Kansas mug.

Walking the town

Our hotel...we watch a lot of Law and Order reruns inside this place.

So happy to be heading home :)

Spring Fever

A warm day in February...

Jose got me a mini camcorder for Christmas. Its fun to just take a short video here or there. I would expect more videos to come. It's SO easy.

Baking up some Love

And more snow...

We drove all around Newton looking for the perfect place to sled, and ended up just a half a block from our house on a man made "mountain" (Joslin's word) of snow. And yes her glasses are on upside down. That is how she ALWAYS wears them.

Good times!

Clutter

I often feel that the world is working against me when it comes to organization. I am constantly trying to find a balance that will work for both me and those around me. At school I think hard coming up with workable strategies to organize 4th graders and all of the "stuff" that we use on a day to day basis. At home Jose and I are polar opposites. At times it is really frustrating, but I am trying to let it go and be at peace with my messy life. Sometimes I do better at that than others.

The other day Joslin and I created a craft drawer just for us. Her little shoe boxes worked great for holding all of the items that we use when we have the urge to create. It reminded me of "The Bernstein Bears Messy Room" that I use to love to read when I was little. They had boxes in their closet that were all labeled and a peg board to hang things. A perfect place for everything. I always wanted to go get boxes and get to organizing after I read it. I have to admit that looking at the new drawer makes me feel a little giddy inside.

STRIIIIIIIIIIKE!

Spending time with my girls always warms my soul. I love the feeling when we are all together. So natural and so full!

Poor Baby!

Joslin came down with her first real sickness the other day. She threw up 5 times in the first 2 hours that she was awake. Blah! She was a trooper though. She didn't seemed to mind as long as she got to drink pop (diluted 7-up) with a crazy straw. The next morning when she was completely well, she told me "Mama, I'm sick...Pop please" in the most pitiful voice she could manage.

Another Year

We started our New Year's Eve festivities at Rosalia and Luis's house. Joslin got to play with her cousin Kinley who is just 6 months older. She lives in Oklahoma now so they don't get to see each other as much as I would like. The enjoyed the playroom...and their matching flashlights. Thank goodness Abue had two. And yes, that is what's in their mouths.
Joslin stayed the night at Abues, and Jose and I headed to a party at his brother's. I have not been to a party in years! Holy Cow...even though I definitely was not the oldest there, I felt like the fifty year-old at the party. Most of the people were from Kylie's class, but some were even younger. When one girl walked in, I recognized her right away as the little 7 or 8 year old that I use to babysit for. When I realized that she had to be at least 21 now, it really sunk in that I am old. It was fun though to go out and remember what it was like when I was younger.