Our First Thanksgiving

My parents and brother arrived safely, and with additional food in tow. Mama made her sweet potato casserole, stained-glass salad, and marinated vegetable salad, along with a pumpkin cake.  I was thrilled they were able to spend Thanksgiving with us!  After seeing their rooms, watching a bit of Robin Hood:  Men in Tights (Lizet's favorite), and waiting for Dave to come home from work, we visited about random things; Daddy's work, Eric's work, and Mama constantly working at home.  Xavier was eager to show off his skateboarding abilities while Lizet roller skated.  Once Dave arrived, we left for La Fiesta where Daddy treated all of us.  Lizet was able to introduce them to all her new friends (waiters and hostess).  After returning home, the kids quickly gathered their things to go for a sleepover with Grammy, Gramps, Tío Eric, and Tony (their Maltipoo), at their hotel.  The girls slept with Grammy and Tony, while the men were in the adjoining room. I hope Xavi wasn't too upset that he had already taken a bath that day.  No chance to try out his snorkel equipment in a hotel bathtub.  

Thanksgiving Day for the children included an introduction to the Macy's Day Parade, the National Dog Show, and the Dallas Cowboys. We had Lizet cheering in the end, although she was rooting for the wrong team...  No honey, those are the Saints.  The kids loved everything!  Thankfully, they're not picky eaters.  I made my grandfather's dressing which is basically a list of ingredients and is more of a go-by-what-it-looks-like kind of recipe, green bean casserole, green chile corn, and Dave made the turkey and rolls.  And of course I had to add the canned, jellied cranberry sauce - my favorite! We had pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, and pecan pie with an assortment of sodas and iced tea.  We played Chicken Foot (a domino game) and the kids loved it!  They kept saying, "This is fun!"  After all ten rounds, Angela came out the winner!  Fortunately, none of us needed a nap, so we watched football.  Xavi played video games on his Play Station, Angela watched a movie in her room on a portable DVD player, but Lizet laid on Grammy for about two hours.

They want to go say one last "adios" in the morning before my family departs from the hotel, so off we go in the morning.  Then, we will meet Dad for lunch at Mazzio's.  Lizet is planning to go to work with Dad for a little while.  She even tried on his dress shoes and asked if she could wear them tomorrow.  Dave laughed and said, "Oh, Sweetie, yours are so much prettier."  Her reply, "But, these are work shoes."             

The Great Outdoors

All three kids are enjoying our beautiful weather!  Angela is content walking Fletcher, while Xavier is enjoying his skateboard (with helmet) and Lizet is skating to her heart's content (with helmet AND knee pads).

Xavier LOVES watching Tom and Jerry!  He makes me laugh after Tom gets his tail blown off, or gets trapped in a sardine can, yelling out “Impossible!”

Angela did a wonderful job on her "food day" in her language class by bringing some foods from Germany.  She and her dad made Apfelstrudel and Lebküchen.  They were delicious, made a lot, and her teacher was pleased.  Angela didn't want to take the cookies, though... She really liked them.  But, since they DID make 109, we insisted she take most of them!

Lizet's P.E. teacher informed me that she is the best archer in class. Hmmm... It must be all those days of watching and re-watching Robin Hood:  Men in Tights.  This has become one of her favorite movies. Thanks so much, Mel Brooks.  She even dances along with them!

The other night, all three asked if I would come read the Bible with them.  They love the book of Revelation.  We read a little and they started asking questions about who goes to Heaven.  I told them the only way to get to Heaven is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

After making egg tortillas for their breakfast the other morning, Lizet wrapped her arms around my waist and said in Spanglish:  "You are la mejor madre en el universo, mi favorita madre, I love you."  I guess she really liked her breakfast! 

Saturday night we had dinner at La Fiesta.  A song was playing they all recognized, but they didn't know the name.  Leave it to Lizet to call a waiter over to ask... He told her and they began a conversation.  The next thing we know, we're surrounded by four other waiters being entertained by Lizet!  I don't think we'll worry about her getting dates... Well, actually, we will.  When we were leaving, Lizet informed the waitress that she loves Mexican food so much that we are coming back in January for her birthday lunch and then to Señor Salsa for her birthday dinner. She laughed and said, "Wow!  Competition!"