Merry Thanksgiving.... ummm... Happy Christmas... errr... I mean Happy Thanksgiving!!

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We went home as a family for the first time since we have moved. I can hardly believe that we have been here for four months already (I had to count again to make sure!) Anyways, we were very lucky to see both of our families and a couple of friends. Marisol got to see her cousins and a couple of old boyfriends :-)












Hanging out with my cool older cousins.

Marisol also had her first "Christmas morning" on Thanksgiving day. My parents gave her the "Big" gifts that would be too difficult to take to Florida (where we will be meeting them 2 days after Christmas).

Riding my new talking pony!

I love to sit in things and get covered up!


I love my new mega blocks! Note: It is just like Christmas morning because Mommy is in her PJs!

Hanging out with the Mays. We ate tons of good food!

Chillin' with my Rochester boyfriends, Robbie and Bennett.... Can't wait to see more at Christmas time (Dommy and Sammy!)

It was a long car ride but I was a trooper. Good thing I brought my sunglasses - I hate it when then sut gets in my eyes.

I was so tired after that long weekend... this book was also a good sunshade while I took a snooze :-)

Book Reviews

I recently read this book ("Pushed" by Jennifer Block) and it was very interesting. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in childbirth at all. The author basically gives us a view into childbirth across America. Some of the stories in here are pretty unbelievable. I knew that I was lucky to have such a good birth experience, but I don't think that I realized exactly how lucky. (Thank you Evelyn for recommending it to me!)

I also just read a book called "Unconditional Parenting" by Alfie Kohn that I found very interesting too. He makes a case not only against all forms of punishment (including "time-outs) but also against rewards (including praise). He cites studies that show that these methods are basically not effective and even worse that they can be harmful. You may be wondering what to do in place of these things -- and even the author doesn't just give you an easy answer. His main idea is to use "love and reason" with our children. A little tough when you are dealing with a screaming toddler or an irrational preschooler I'm sure... but I think in the end it may pay off. It may sound a little crazy but read it for yourself -- a lot of it makes a lot of sense!

That's all for now from your friendly "Bookworm". :-)

Trick or Treat!

Little Cow Marisol and Little Leapard Nils

Halloween was so much fun! Marisol wore her costume all day long. She was a cow and Nils was a leopard (or cheetah, you can pick your large feline of choice).

Who knew that cows and leapards got along so well?

I'm a pink cow running around on two feet!

In the morning we had Spanish class with Nils and in the afternoon we went to a neighborhood party at a playground. It was so fun to see all of the kids dressed up. And it was sponsored by a local grocery store and starbucks so there was lots of yummy food!

Moooo! Cheese pizza!

Halloween is so great! When else do get to see a cow, a fireman, and a skeleton at the playground??

We love Halloween! (Can you hear us screeching?)

In the evening Mike, Marisol and I went around to some of the condos in our building. It was a lot of fun. But the funniest part was that 4 or 5 people put candy out on chairs or on the floor with signs that said "Help yourself!" Those people obviously don't have the Halloween spirit! But Mike and I enjoyed it for the candy.... which is all gone now! We are looking forward to many more fun Trick or Treating outings in the years to come.

Daddy (tries to) teach(es) <<-- (you choose!)

Marisol how not to be greedy... even when the neighbors aren't there to see us!

Why do I get cheese and tomatoes when mommy and daddy get that fun looking stuff in the shiny wrappers??