Not By The (Non-existent) Hair of My Chinny Chin Chin

Christian and Auntie's First Date

Auntie Liz arrived today to take Christian on their "first date" together ... a day of fun together without Mommy and Papa. 

The original plan was for them to go see Madagascar III, but I wasn't too sure how he'd do without us.  So, their first stop was lunch at McDonald's.

Christian did just fine, and even ate his lunch without much prompting from Auntie!

He was still excited for the movie, so ... to the movies they went!

All week, he was very excited tthat he'd be getting popcorn!



He sat though the whole movie just fine!  Though Auntie said he started to get a bit resltess towards the end - but hey, he's four.  What kid isn't restless after sitting down for a couple of hours? :)

One last stop:  Cold Stone Creamery!

Auntie Liz has invited Christian on another date to see Ice Age 4 when it comes out next month.   Either that, or according to Christian, Auntie will be taking him to the aquarium.

I am just so proud of our little guy!  Though he sulked a bit as he headed to the car and left me in the house, after they left, he had a great time ... without his Mommy and Papa!    Our thanks to Auntie Liz for taking Christian out and about to some of his favorite places!

Christian's First Otter Pop

Believe it or not, Christian has never eaten an Otter Pop during his 4.5 years of life.  We still try to avoid giving him sugar (if you've been around him lately, you know he doesn't need the extra energy boost that sugar provides).

I still might have tried to get through one more summer without introducing him to the cold delight of Otter Pops.  However, I noticed that one of the treats at the upcoming Vacation Bible School is Otter Pops.  Christian is very particular about what he eats, and I didn't want him to decline an Otter Pop simply because he's unfamiliar with it.  I didn't want him to be the only kiddo not eating one.



He's not too sure he likes it ... yet ...

He likes it!  He likes it!

... down to the very last drop.

Muffin Monday - June 4, 2012

Today Jonathan loaded up the kiddos and took them to the mall and to Christina's favorite store, Cabela's.

In fact, it was Scarlett's very first visit to Cabela's!

Another Pic in the School Newsletter

Christian's picture was featured in the Goddard School Newsletter for June!

Ms. Mandee and Ms. Alicia both told me me he LOVES to play with shaving cream.  Could it be shaving cream that gets us through this long, hot summer we're faced with?   I'd better stock up!

(click to enlarge photo)

Our Little Tumbler

Earlier this year, we enrolled Christian in "Tumble Tots" - a weekly tumbling class - at his school.  Christian never talks to us about his tumbling class, even though I know he has a blast.  His teacher tells me he gets so excited when the coach comes to pick him up.   


I e-mailed the coach to see how Christian is doing and here's his reply:

Christian has been doing a fantastic job in tumbling and I'm surprised he isn't talking with you about it or showing you his moves. He is one of the most engaged students in the activities and he remembers
the names of the various skills each week. 

 He does an excellent somersault so he should be able to show you that. As far as the handsprings go, he has been doing them but it is a fairly new element and is difficult to show without the proper support equipment. Backbends will be starting this next week so we will see how he does with those. 

Again because of his excitement and engagement level I feel that he is very interested in the tumbling and I hope in the future he is able to take it home to show you.

Awwww ... I'm just so proud of Christian ... and curious as to why he's not telling us anything.  Though, he typically doesn't talk much about his day for some reason.

I wish I could see him in action in class.  But, I know if he were to see me, he'd just want to come sit with me.  And there's no way I can be sneaky about it because his friends will be sure to tell "Christian, your mom's here!!"

I've asked the coach for a list of moves Christian can show us.  Hopefully if we ask him to show us something specific, he will.  

Next up ... starting June 10th, Christian will be taking swimming lessons.  I've told him he'll be learning to swim like a shark, and so far he's very interested! :)

Then ... later in the month, Christian will be attending Vacation Bible School at our new church.  And this time, I will be dropping him off ... not staying with him as I did last year at a friend's church.

I love that Christian is now at an age where we can take him to do these things ... and encourage him to be independent.

Sweet Babies

Summer ... and so it begins ...

The long Phoenix summer has begun.

Christian is now old enough to voice his opinion on the heat.  He somehow feels it in his nose.  We'll walk outside and get blasted with the heat and say, "Mommy, my nose is hot!"

Just wait, young lad.  Soon, every ounce of your being will be hot ... for four long, long months. 

Los Luceros Return to the 505

The last time we Luceros visited New Mexico was May 2009 for Carrie's wedding.  Back then, we were the Luceros Four (including Bella, of course).  We are now the Luceros Five (still including Bella, of course). :)

The drive is long with two young children, but went remarkably well.  The backseat is a bit tight with two car seats, but I was able to squish myself in between the two seats and soothe Scarlett when she got upset.  I'd still prefer a larger SUV, though (hint-hint, Honey ...).

We spent our first night with our beloved Auntie Bol and Uncle Mr. Ashe.  We arrived later than we expected, and they very graciously treated us to a wonderful, home cooked meal  for dinner - and for breakfast the next day.  Christian had a great time running around with Auntie and Uncle ... I wish we could have stayed longer.  (I somehow didn't get pictures of our visit ... bad, bad Jennifer).

Saturday morning, we paid a visit to the adorable Fernandez Family.  We hasn't seen Tesa since she was about Scarlett's age ... and she is just the most precious little girl.  I almost had to take both Joaquin and Tesa home with us - they are just so precious!

And once again, we were treated to a wonderful meal ... and great conversation!  I've missed my sweet friend, Kristy!

Kristy, Tesa and Scarlett

Christian and Scarlett.

He was in HEAVEN to be playing with all these new toys!

Joaquin and Scarlett

Auntie Kristy and Christian

Next, we headed to Carrie's graduation party up in the mountains.  She graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education.  I'm just so proud of her!

We're so acclimated to the hot temps of Phoenix that we found the mountain air to be really chilly ... but I LOVED IT!  It was nice to be in "real mountains" (versus the desert mountains a block away from our house).  The air smelled amazing!

Scarlett with Auntie Amy and Lil' Joshua

Scarlett and Madison

Christian preferred to stay away from the crowd of strangers.

Scarlett and Auntie Carrie

Papa and Christian looking for new adventures.

Scarlett and Grandma Debba

The cool mountain air was a bit much for our little boy from Phoenix. :)

After the graduation party, we headed to out hotel in Albuquerque to meet up with Granny, Grandpa and Uncle Eldon.  It was the first time Uncle Eldon met our Miss Scarlett.

Gettin' some "Granny Love"

"Oh, so THIS is my Uncle Eldon!"

Two very tired kiddlets!

My beloved Sandia Mountains

We splurged a little and got a two-suite hotel room.  Christian is very loud these days and there is no way we would have been able to have two sleeping children in a conventional one-room hotel room.  And the arrangement worked out perfectly.  Christian in one room sleeping with one parent, Scarlett in the other room sleeping with the other parent ... and a nice living room/kitchenette set up in between so we could all visit.

Alas, on Monday - after a much-too-short weekend - it was time to hit the highway again.  But first, we stopped off at my office to visit.

The Grand Canyon State 

(and I've STILL never seen the Grand Canyon!!)

Scarlett had enough of her Papa's love.

Christian and one of his many Happy Meal toys.  

He loves them for the day and then is done ... couldn't care less.

So there you have it ... we did it: we survived a long road trip with an energetic four year old little boy and a four month old baby princessa.   I hope it is not another three years before we return to the Land of Enchantment ... but you never know what the future holds.  I couldn't have imagined that we'd go three years without going back to the place I grew up ... but that is exactly what happened.  

Christian's First Concert

Tonight Christian's school had their first-ever "Spring Concert."  Each class sang a song or two.

We weren't sure how Christian would do when he walked out with his class to find an entire lawn full of people eagerly waiting.  Thankfully, the school's owner stayed with Christian.  They all know him so well there, and do everthing they can to help ease his anxiety - and I'm always grateful to them for that.

 

As you'll see in the video, Christian didn't sing a whole lot.   And when he was able to come find us in the crowd, he climbed into my lap, put his head into my shirt and cried for a few moments. My poor, sweet little guy ... he was a bit overwhelmed!

Christian's frame of reference for a "concert" comes from a DVD called "Mater's Tall Tales." One of the segments is called, "Heavy Metal Mater," and Mater is the lead singer in a band, and during his song, he gets lifted high above the crowd at a concert. So, Papa obliged Christian's expectations and lifted him high in the sky.