January 9, 2014

Christmas Rewind : Gatherings

First we had our Piraino Christmas Gathering at Mom and Dad's house! So much fun but I fell down on my Historian job and only got a few (not wonderful) pictures below. It was the first time a lot of them had met the Twins!
 
We had a Girls' Tea Party at Mrs. Toher's house! Isabella had the best time and I loved chatting with the Moms. Aren't these girls the cutest!
 
 
Friday (last day of school before the break) we were all dressed and ready for the fun Christmas parties!
 
 
I was lucky enough to be able to help at both Isabella and Vincent's class parties!





 
 
Of course we had a coloring, Pajamas and Hot Cocoa night - One of my very favorites!
The Monday morning of break, we had some girlfriends over for Breakfast and Hot Cocoa. The girls played a game, did a book exchange with used books and just had a blast.
 
 
Coming up...Christmas Eve & Christmas pictures!


January 2, 2014

10 things to give up...

My friend Amanda posted this article to Facebook. I loved it the moment I read it and could relate/agree with every one. These are 10 things to give up in the New Year in exchange for Happiness. I will strive for these; certainly I will fail at times but being positive is a habit and the more you try, the easier it becomes. Being positive will also lead to overall being a happier person. Hopefully sharing this article can help you in some way too...

I’m told happiness is a choice.

Unfortunately we complicate our lives to the point of being unable to recognize happiness when it appears before our eyes.

So how to clear the slate? Here are 10 things you’ll need to give up in exchange for your happiness.

1.  Give up caring what other people think of you. I know it seems counter intuitive as we humans are primal pack animals that don’t want to be cast from the village, but spending time worrying what others think, is a waste of energy. You’ll never please everyone and it’s none of your business what others think of you.

2. Give up trying to please everyone.  Unless you’re living life to the beat of your own drum, your tribe won’t be able to find you. Be the best version of you you can be, and you’ll naturally attract in the people that are supposed to surround you.

3. Give up participating in gossip. 100 percent of the time, those sharing gossip with you will gossip about you. Believing gossip is like gambling everything on a horse sight unseen. It’s naive.

4. Quit worrying. Where thoughts go, energy flows. Worry is investing time and energy in something you don’t want to have happen. Learn to let go and trust.

5. Let go of insecurityWhen we take ourselves too seriously, we think everyone else does too. There is one version of you on the planet. Be it, own it and quit worrying about it. No one really cares or watches you that closely.

6. Stop taking everything personally. Truth is, most people are too consumed with their own life to really consider what you’re doing. As my first boss said so well: “The world doesn’t revolve around you. Most people’s reactions have nothing to do with you, so let it go.”

7. Give up the past. We’ve all been hurt, we all had parents that made mistakes and we’ve all been through hell. You didn’t listen to your parents when you were younger, so why are you still listening to their voices in your head now? Every experience in life has taught you something or made you stronger.

8. Give up spending money on what you don’t need in effort to buy happiness. Living simply allows the space for life to flow. We complicate our lives by spending too much money and filling our home with “things.” Less is truly more.

9. Give up anger. Anger burns a hole in the hand of the person still holding on to it. Move it out once and for all.

10. Give up control. Control is an illusion.  We live in an out of control world.  Learn to embrace the new and welcome change; otherwise you’ll grow old through your own rigidity. Learn to let go.

December 31, 2013

So looking forward to 2014!

May God bless you all!  2014... Bring it On!

 
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December 27, 2013

Christmas!

Christmas was F-U-N and exhausting! These pictures speak a thousand words. I will catch up soon with Vacation pictures, Christmas parties, Christmas Eve and Day, etc. It has been a great season but I am excited for the next week off school and the New Year.

 
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December 14, 2013

Naughty or Nice....

You decide which one is Naughty and which one is Nice!


Christmas Photos 2013


Christmas pictures turned out awfully cute this year! I think they both look adorable and very grown up. 
You wouldn't know Isabella's dress is actually purple. These are from the JCP website - my collage is on the way which has all of these pictures except the bottom right of Vincent (forgot to put that one in). 

December 13, 2013

2013 School Photos

I love these two. Vincent with his cheesy smile and Isabella said, "Mom, I didn't smile very well." I said, "Bella, it is still so so cute!" I love her big green eyes and sweet dimples. 




Sometimes...

the world slows down, the kids stop bickering and I feel like the most blessed Mommy ever.


O Christmas Tree

Last Saturday we had a party at our house with some college friends. It was awesome! First thing in the morning we went to pick out our Christmas tree. We made it just in time before the down poor of rain. It didn't take me long to decorate because we got a smaller size tree this year. I know, smaller to me. 
 I made these cute little centerpieces with some greens from the tree lot and sparkly pinecones.
And below is a beautiful wreath I made!! 


I just love Christmas and entertaining. Looking forward to two parties this weekend - seeing my Piraino family and all you girlfriends on Sunday!!

Jedi Vincent

Our Vincent boy had the best Birthday ever! He specifically asked for a Lego Star Wars party and that is what he got. No one would know Mommy threw the party together after getting home from Vacation - it turned out so cute. There was a special surprise and the Master Jedi and Darth Vader came to battle. They put on a small fight, taught the kids how to be a Jedi, did some games and tattoos. It was worth every cent to see how happy Vincent was. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated! Our boy is so very blessed and we are looking forward to what age 5 has in store for us!