Friday, February 16, 2007
More Valentines....
Happy Valentines Day 2007
Here are just a few pictures to see how it all went.....enjoy! (we did!)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
In the midst of my quick stop into Sam's this morning, but who do I see....Gabriela, Isabela & Maya, all in their matching jackets, sitting in the cart while Mommy shops. Smiling faces and greetings of "CC" filled the air and no matter how many times I see those sweet faces, my heart can't help but leap a little and a huge grin cover my face.
Gabriela quickly removed herself from her cart and wanted to get into mine and shop with me. This is often a difficult situation as Maya & Isabela would like to do the same. So Ashley & I will switch carts, to give everyone a chance to be with the other :)
While shopping, Gabriela wanted to know if she could leave with me. Mommy said yes, so we checked out, and left off for more adventures. Gabriela and I had so many great little conversations today, that I thought I would just give you some tidbits.
While at Wal-mart:
{when told that we weren't going to get an icee and popcorn} "But CC, I don't need to eat lunch. I think an Icee and popcorn will do just fine."
{Lunchables and Toys}
"CC, can you buy me a ham and cheese and cracker box {lunchable}?"
"Sure, is this one okay?"
"Yes, CC, but I think I need you get me 4."
"4? Why 4?"
"Well, I got to school for 3 days next week and then one for today...so that would be 4."
"Well, how about just one for today?"
"Ok, CC, that's fine, so how about taking me to the toy section?"
"Sure, Gabriela, but I'm not buying you anything...you have plenty of toys and just got new ones at Christmas."
"Oh I know, but I need to look for my birthday."
"But your birthday is not for a few months."
"Yes, CC, I know...my birthday is in June, but it's never too early to look"
{reading labels and spelling things out}
"M A Y O N N A I S E - what does that spell, CC?"
"Mayonnaise"
"Oh, that's a really big word and you know what? I don't like mayonnaise."
"H E L L M A N S - what does that spell, CC?"
"Hellmans"
"Oh, CC - that's a bad word!"
"No, Gabriela, that's the name of the mayonnaise."
"No, CC, Mommy says that hell [whispered] is a bad word. So don't say that again."
"You're right Gabriela."
"Yes, I know." {smiling :) }
{when looking at movies on DVD}
"CC, I think these cartoons would be great to have at my house."
"I don't think that you'd like those cartoons Gabriela {like Mighty Mouse and original Superman, etc}
"CC, I believe that you would be wrong about that."
"Really, Gabriela?"
"Really, CC"
{thoughts on chewing gum}
"CC, would you like a piece of my gum?"
"No, thank you Gabriela"
"But, CC, I have gum. I HAVE to share."
"Ok, then, I'll have a piece. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now, CC, remember, you need to keep the gum in your mouth, spit it out when you're done. If I see that you swallowed it, that will be your last piece of gum today. Plus, we can only have one piece today because it will be too much sugar for a little person." {and we wonder if children listen to what we say?!}
{on our way down the street}
"Oh, CC....where do you think you're going? We need to go to P E T C O [spelled out] to see the turtles, snakes, rats and birdies.
"Ok, Gabriela - let's go check it out"
{on ordering at Chic-Fil-A}
"CC, remember, I don't do the little chicken. I only do the big chicken. Oh yeah, and a leche [milk] too."
{on returning home}
"CC, this has been a great day. Thank you so much for letting me go with you. I think I did a good job today.
"Yes, Gabriela - you were very good today."
"You know what, CC?"
"What Gabriela?"
"I love you so much."
"I love you so much."
"No, CC, I think I love you more"
"Gabriela, I think I love you the most"
"Well, how about we love each other the same"
"Ok - love you the same"
I love the conversations that I have with Gabriela. She's becoming such a little lady but has quite the timing and sense of humor, with a little bit of sass. My mom says that Gabriela reminds her of "someone" all the time....I wonder who my mom could be thinking of! :)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
My office was closed today due to the ice we had come through the area. I enjoyed part of my day off by stopping by to see the girls. Many of you have asked for video of Isabela & Maya - well I finally got some! I know that I'm biased, but honestly....these really are just too cute for words! Enjoy :)
The videos posted in the reverse order that I wanted....but that's ok!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Say either of these to Gabriela, Isabela & Maya and they're standing at the door, ready to go. But tell them that they're going to go to both places on the same day AND with CC....well, that's a whole new ballgame! Only an aunt would attempt to do this on her own with a 4 1/2 year old and twin 2 1/2 year olds, during Christmas break, no doubt! So, after much talk, Ashley decided she'd go along with us (and I'm glad that she did!)
Here are a few pics of our adventures...first let me take you to Shipley Donuts, where Isabela & Maya get their own bag of donut holes & Gabriela has graduated up to the "big" donut.




(just a side note for those out there wondering....we did run some errands between visits to Shipleys and Chuck E Cheese!)
The girls first visit to the new Willowbrook Chuck E Cheese...where EVERYONE decided to take their kids that day! Gabriela enjoyed air hockey with Mommy and skeeball with CC (actually I think CC might have enjoyed skee-ball even more than Gabriela!) Isabela loved riding the rides....Maya, not so much! They had a better time pulling off everyone else's tickets and looking for lost ones on the floor. Then the great joy came when it was time to leave, cash in the tickets and watch them "decide" what they would get for their hard-earned tickets! 3 rings and 3 smarties candies later, we left with smiles on our faces for a fun day had by all.
We all went back to their house, where they got ready to go and spend the night with Nana & Dandy! (Sorry Mom & Dad ~ the girls were all hyped up on sugar and fun & didn't get their naps in...have fun!)
For some reason I'm having trouble loading pics from Chuck E Cheese....will try again soon but in the meantime, here's at least one that I got to load.
I've been a little slack in the past month or so on postings...I really must do better. I know that I've now forgotten so many great stories to document...maybe I can recall some and come back to it.
But one quick story to share.
Gabriela, Isabela & Maya have all been sick with the past few weeks, as have me and Michael. Because of this, I realized the other day that I hadn't seen the girls ALL YEAR (yes, I know it's only the 13th day of the year, but still!). Anyway, I was finally able to go over and see the girls last night.
I was greeted with SCREAMS of CC! CC! CC!...instead of the statement....um...CC....you're here again?! (oh but I know that they love me). They were all so happy to see me - and I of them.
Isabela was just chatting away - and I could understand most of what she was saying. I thought to myself - wow! alot can change in just 3 weeks when you're 2 1/2 years old.
Gabriela came up to me and here's how the conversation went:
G: "CC, how come you haven't been over here in soooooo long to see me?"
C: "Well, you and the girls have been sick. CC's been sick and so has Uncle."
G: "Oh...well...I would have just blown you a beso or given you a beso on the cheek. I didn't have to give you a beso on the mouth!"
Ah....it really was that simple....to a 4 year old anyway.
I promise to be better about sharing stories and pictures of all the little ones in my life this year! Stay tuned for more entertainment :)
~ CC
Friday, December 29, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
On Saturday, I picked up Gabriela so that we could go shopping together. It's always fun to have her along for the ride. She's quite entertaining.
All of the girls have been fighting with their allergies, colds, infections and such...so when I arrived, Gabriela quickly told me the following:
"CC, I need for you to wait a minute for me to do a breathing treatment. Well, it will be longer than a minute. I'm not sure how long it will take, but it will take a while but not too long, but longer. OK?"
Laughingly I said - "that's fine, Gabriela, I can wait."
She proceeded to describe what was about to happen so that I wouldn't be scared (even though I've seen her plenty of times get a breathing treatment). She just wanted me to know that she was ok, it didn't hurt and that I shouldn't be scared by the mask. (cute). Once the treatment was completed, we were on our way.
We get in the car, where we start our typical routine...."CC, can I have a piece of gum please?" "CC, can you put on Alcohol please?" "CC, louder....louder." (Okay, just for those who don't know or who are wondering about the Alcohol...it's a country song by Brad Paisley and Gabriela loves it) "CC, can I put the window down to feel the air in my hair and face?" "CC, can I get an icee when we get to Target?" "CC....CC....CC"...I think you get the picture :)
Gabriela was looking around the back and found Michael's portable CD player. She quickly asked me to remove the Brad Paisley CD so that she could listen to it all by herself. She put on those headphones and I've never laughed so hard in my life. She was singing at the top of her lungs...all congested....and TRYING her best to say all of the words correctly. I couldn't hear the music but of course, I knew what song she was singing and that was when I wished I had a video camera or at least a tape recorder to record her singing. It was just priceless.
We visited Target, Ross, Kohls, Petco (we HAD to go and see all the animals), then off to lunch at the "hotdog place" (aka James Coney Island). We sat down and were discussing her recent visit to Santa. The girls had just had their picture taken with Santa and here's a little of what transpired in our conversation.
CC: Gabriela, did you tell Santa what you wanted for Christmas?
G: Yes, I told him I wanted a baby doll.
CC: A baby doll? What kind?
G: It doesn't matter really. Because, CC...you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!
CC: (completely thrown off by the comment and laughing hysterically, I asked)...where did you learn that?
G: Well, CC, last week (it's always last week to Gabriela, even though it might have happened yesterday or last year), our teacher was giving us lollipops and one of my friends asked for a green one. My teacher said - you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.
PRICELESS! It obviously stuck with her. I love that teacher - I will keep this saying in my vault for future use.
*Here is Gabriela sharing her story again with me and Nana.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Gabriela and I took in another great movie last week, Open Season. We have developed our own little movie outing routine. First we must go and look at all the posters of all the movies that are currently playing and discuss each one. Then I give Gabriela the money to pay the lady for the tickets (although she will not request the tickets). Her little hand just shows up under the slot to provide the money. Any change is then expected to be saved until we get back home to put in her piggy bank. Then we stand in line to get the kids pack of popcorn, drink and candy in a cute (but overly priced) box. Gabriela informs me that she would like to have water and lots of butter on the popcorn, please. We get into the theater, find our seats, get situated (which takes much longer than you'd think) and sit there and WAIT...and wait...and then watch commericals from television to which Gabriela says - "CC, why are they showing commericals from tv...this is the movies?" (smart girl). "Let's get the movie started...I can see these at home!" (ha!).
Open Season is very cute and quite funny. Gabriela was cracking up the whole time - which in turn, tickled me. She has great timing and understanding of humor! Her funniest moment of the movie (in Gabriela's words) - When the big bear jumps up, shakes his booty and then gets in the back of the car!. Very funny indeed.
I love the movie tradition that Gabriela and I have started. I hope to do the same with Isabela & Maya...however, we may have to wait a little bit longer to embark on that journey.
Thanks Gabriela for the fun memories. CC loves you.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Here's a sampling of a conversation I had with Gabriela last Saturday.
Gabriela: Hello?
CC: Hi Gabriela!
G: Hi CC. Whatcha doing?
CC: Not much. Just watching tv. Whatcha doing?
G: Just hanging out.
CC: Oh, ok. Listen, I wanted to know if you wanted to go shopping with me and then go to lunch?
G: OH YES! Sure! I'm ready right now. Come on over.
CC: Wait, wait...it'll be in a little bit.
G: Um, CC...when is a little bit?
CC: (laughing) In about an hour. Is that ok?
G: Sure, sure, CC. I'll see you in a little bit.
Upon arriving to pick up Gabriela, I was greeted with 3 little faces pressed against the front door and sounds of "CC! CC! CC!" beckoned me from the other side. I love how they greet me!
Gabriela quickly explained to Isabela and Maya, that she would be going with CC and that the girls would be staying behind with Mommy. That did not go over well. Isabela (who is talking more than Maya) quickly responded: "Me, Shaka (aka Maya) and Wabiela...CC...car...bye bye Mommy!" (said at least 3 times!) I was cracking up! Isabela & Maya were just begging to go with us. Gabriela told the girls that when they got older they could have a special day with CC, but that was not today! ha!
Gabriela asked where we were going to go and I mentioned Target. She said - well we have to go to Walmart first - that's the way we always do it - so Walmart it was. She wanted to go and see the fish. They don't have much of a selection there. However, there was a shelf full of beta fish and she was quite intrigued. So, of course....she asked if she could have one and being the best Aunt that I am, I had to induldge. She picked out a beautiful blue male beta fish and talked to him throughout the store. At one point, she said, "CC...this is very serious." Not know where she was going with this, I let her continue. "What in the world are we going to name him?" I laughed and said, well....what about Oscar? She said..."well that's a good name but I think I'm going to go with Madagascar!" And so Madagascar it is. On the way home, she informed me that she and Madagascar were going to take a little rest and to wake them when we got home!
She was sooo excited to show Mommy, Papi, Isabela and Maya her new little friend. She ran into the house, and surprised everyone with Madagascar. I'm sure that Ash and Ed appreciated it as well :) One of the joys of being the Aunt :)
I check in with Gabriela every day to see how Madagascar is doing and she always tells me - "He's doing really good CC. He's still alive and swimming!" I only hope he continues to do that!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Saturday, September 2, 2006
Tia Marisol and Jorge finally got married today. Gabriela was the prettiest flower girl ever. She walked down the aisle with her cousin, Ryan, the ring bearer. They were too cute, although Gabriela wore the funniest "scared" smile I've ever seen.
Isabela & Maya were suppose to walk behind Marisol and carry her train, but they opted to just have them walk in with Ashley & Ed...probably a good idea.
Their dresses were just beautiful. The looked like miniature wedding dresses, with the bussel and all!
Here are just a few snapshots from the wedding...more to come for sure!
"No, CC...I don't want to take my picture!"

"Ok...CC...I'll look your way"

"Mas...mas...mas....."
The girls enjoying eating ice!




