Nochebuena 2011

 We had a lovely Christmas Eve, Joaquin sang with the kids choir for both services (fortunately right at the beginning, so we could go home after the second performance.)  He actually did a good job the first service (he knew the words and the tune, which is impressive for a little guy), but was a little squirrelly for the second.  However he did enjoy the Advent service and the candlelit rendition of 'Silent Night'.  (Mostly because he got to hold a candle)  Then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's for some food with friends and family.  We attempted to take a sweet picture of Joaquin with Uncle Matty since they were very matchy (quite unintentionally).  Of course Joaquin doesn't take posed pictures anymore, so you're seeing the best of a crazy series of pictures.  However once Uncle Matty started playing some Charlie Brown christmas music, Joaquin was enraptured.  First he danced (surprisingly despite having never seen the movie he does a great Peanuts dance) and then he played along.  It was actually super cute to watch him playing with Uncle Matty, trying to make his hands look like Uncle Matty's.  Maybe he is ready for those piano lessons.

Nieve, nieve, nieve....

December turned out to be a wet month (thank goodness!), at least in the form of snow.  We had several snow storms, although the snow did not stay very well around our house.  Fortunately Grandma and Grandpa's house is right in the snow zone and faces north.  The snow builds up in their yard and stays for awhile.  So we put on Joaquin's snowsuit one evening (a gift from Mi-mo that fortunately went home with us because it won't fit next year and we're not getting up to CS this snow season) and went to play in their yard.  It had to be an evening, cause Mommy's not up for crazy outdoor play currently.  Joaquin, Daddy and Uncle Matty had a good time throwing snowballs at each other and the house before they finally got cold and wet enough to come inside.  We had to warm up a very wet, cold but happy Joaquin.  It takes a lot to make him admit cold.  But bless the snowsuit that let him stay relatively dry and enjoy an snowy night.  And bless a nice daddy and uncle, willing to play in the cold with a crazy little boy.

El Rio de los Luces

As part of our Christmas festivities we went to the 'River of Lights' at the botanical gardens.   It's an Albuquerque tradition that I've never been to, but having a kid means you do all sorts of things.  It was quite crowded so we had to park at the zoo and shuttle over, which I think was a huge part of the fun for Joaquin.  He loves buses.  The light sculptures themselves were quite amazing, and Daniel and I were blown away by the artistry.  However Joaquin was more interested in the plants at the garden and watching sticks float in the pond.  He did enjoy some of the sculptures, especially the ones that moved.  I think his favorite was a cheetah that 'ran' across a wall.  Despite being up way past Joaquin's bedtime, I think Daddy was the one who got cold and tired first.  But it was definitely worth going, and I think we'll make it a family tradition.
 

¡Cinco Años!

Joaquin is five!  Amazing isn't it?  Five seems very old to me.  We had a bug party (of course), with a cake that mommy did her best to decorate buggily, the Cootie game, a bug hunt, a bug story time, some drawing of mythical bugs and a giant star piñata.  Okay so the last part wasn't terribly on theme, but Joaquin picked it out.  It was actually a very traditional Christmas piñata and had a giant storage space for maximum candy spillage!  Also the kids were able to break most of it open, which is a big advantage.  Daniel did get to give it a serious whack to make sure all the corners were emptied out (that's important for his enjoyment of a party), but in general the kiddos were tough!  These little boys are getting bigger for sure!  I feel like people are also really getting to know Joaquin.  He received several lab kits for his birthday (we have been enjoying them immensely) as well as bug themed games and books.  Oh my little scientist you are your own person aren't you!  How can five years seem like forever and yet nothing at the same time?

La Litera

Starting on Eliana's room was more difficult because we had to finish some outstanding projects first.  The biggest was Joaquin's bunk bed.  But I am happy to announce we are finally done!  It looks lovely and Joaquin has discovered the advantage of having the ladder right next to his dresser.  The top is a California twin size to allow for a potentially taller teenage Joaquin to have a loft bed.  But the side rails are pretty high so Mommy doesn't have to worry about rolling movements in the middle of the night!  Joaquin immediately started sleeping on the top bunk (he was very excited) and now picks and chooses depending on how the spirit moves.  He also keeps insisting that Eliana will sleep on the bottom bunk.  After many discussions about this, I think he's aware that her first years will be in the crib, but he still likes to talk about it.  I hope he always wants her around this much.

El Cuarto de Eliana

In the midst of Christmas cheer and excitement we also have to finish Eliana's room!  Johanna came over and helped us paint since Mommy was kicked out due to Eliana's presence in utero.  At first Joaquin hung out with me, but he got excited and eventually went in to help.  His unorthodox attire is due to the fact that it's much easier to clean paint off a little boy than off his clothes.  He actually did a fair amount of painting before we decided he had to go to bed.  I was quite impressed with his industriusness.  So now Eliana can know that even Joaquin was prepping for her arrival.  They didn't get it all done on this occasion, but now her room is a beautiful light yellow and most of the furniture is in.  We are almost ready!

Decorando

Apparently decorating provided Joaquin with some inspirations.  Using his Goobi magnets (pic right) he made a 'spinner'.  At least that's what he called it.  He told me all about how he made a triangle (over quiet time) with a connected handle.  He wanted to hold it up and let it spin.  Unfortunately the triangle was too big and fell apart when he picked it up.  He then experimented and found if he made a triangle out of several smaller triangles it would hold together when picked up.  Then he thought it was cool and made this triangle.  Mommy thought the explanation was the coolest part. :)  This next structure is an 'ornament' and a holder for it.  Also created during quiet time, which is when Joaquin does his best work.  I had to come help him strengthen the stand so it was able to hold up the ornament.  But the idea and the structure was all Joaquin.  His version of Christmas I guess.