BEN'S FIRST BEADS

Benjamin earned his first set of color beads on December 2, 2008. This is his first year in Cub Scouts so he is in the Tiger Den. After completing tasks he earns beads until he earns enough to get his Bobcat Badge. After the family dinner, is den performed "If You are a Tiger and You Know It" for us...it was too cute.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Christmas 2008 was amazing! This year we decided to teach the boys about advent since 2 out of 4 are old enough to understand what it means. We didn't do the traditional advent calendar, but we already have it ready for next year...75% off at Target on December 26th. Anyway, so we lit a candle once a week and on that day we spent the whole night doing whatever the boys wanted to do...color, bake a cake, build city's out of video tapes...it was really fun.

We spent Christmas Eve with my mom since it is her Birthday and she does the traditional "acostamiento" of the Baby Jesus. Our boys tried to stay up as late as they could, but they didn't make it to midnight. I exchanged gifts with my sister's and niece and nephews and then headed home.

Christmas morning, the boy's must have heard Santa, because they woke us up at the crack of dawn. They were really good, though, and didn't open any gifts until both Agustin and I came down. This year Santa decided not to wrap any of the gifts and just laid them out in front of the tree. We were really proud to see the boys pick two of their favorite toys and be content with them. It really made us feel like they understood the real meaning of Christmas. After opening gifts we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at Benjamin's insistance. And then, it was off to Agustin's mom's house to celebrate my sister in law's birthday.

Overall, it was a pretty relaxed Christmas until 8 p.m. when we got home and realized that my father in law had set off our alarm and the police attempted to contact us several times. Both of us forgot our phones and so when we got home my sister freaked us out by saying that someone broke into our house. Of course, minutes later we found out that it was actually my father in law who decided to just go back home without telling anyone that he had set off the alarm. The police came back an hour later and put as at ease by informing us that we would not get a citation this time...yes, my father in law had to give back our house key.

New Year's Eve

After speaking to a few friends with kids who weren't able to get a sitter, we decided to host a kid-friendly New Year's Eve gathering. Our original plans were to go to a party at a friend's house, but we really didn't want to leave the boys. The evening turned out to be really fun with a house filled with friends and family. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate such a special day with us. We had a full house at midnight and a free fireworks show thanks to our neighbors.

Dad 'N Lad Weekend

My baby loading BB's into his gun

My boys after shooting some guns

Benjamin and Agustin went camping together for the first time last weekend. It was extra special, because it was Benjamin's first time camping and it was his first big Cub Scout event. Benjamin joined the Cub Scouts this year as a Tiger Cub. He absolutely loves it. I think it is because he gets to have special dad and son time without the other little ones around AND he gets to do real boys stuff...like not worrying about hygiene for a whole weekend at camp.

I was a little worried about how "my baby" would tolerate last weekend's chilly weather so I might have exaggerated on the packing, but his dad says he was a real trooper. Of course, he was the first one out on Saturday night after a long day. My baby was so tired he fell asleep on a log...unfortunately, dad didn't jump at the photo op (gotta do more training) so I didn't get to actually see him.

His favorite part was the BB Guns because of the "fire power" and his least favorite was the cave, because it was way too dark. Agustin's favorite was the pirate ship and his least favorite was the hard ground....I told him to take a cot or padding, but no, "he was gonna rough it." A pad is definitely on the shopping list for the next camping trip.

All in all it was a great weekend and they can't wait to do it all over again in the Spring.

My baby heading out camping with his dad!

HALLOWEEN FUN

After reading my friend Monica's wonderful blog, I decided to make one for my family to keep my friends and family posted on my families updates.

Well, today is halloween and that is a very FUN day at our house. Benjamin has a festival at school so I will be heading out there to help in the Fabulous Food Court serving food with an igredient that I don't allow my children to eat at home....SUGAR!!!! Benjamin is dressed as a ninja because he decided that being a Power Ranger was "not cool" for a 1st grader. This made me a little sad because I remember when he wanted to do nothing else but run around in his superhero costumes...it seems much too early for him to be saying it is "not cool." But, I am hoping that he'll change his mind tonight when we go trick or treating as a family. I have a feeling Power Rangers will all of a sudden be cool around his little brothers.

Daniel is thrilled about being Buzz Lightyear, Samuel truly believes he is Batman and David, well, he just wants the candy. So the plan is to start trick or treating at 5 p.m. around our neighborhood with my friend Adriana's son River. After about four houses the boys are thrilled to have five pieces of candy within reach so they are ready to go back home and enjoy. We are gonna head back and make "ghost" cupcakes and candy apples.

Can't wait for tonight!