Through The Eyes of a (Almost) 4 Year Old

We wrapped up a fantastic Christmas morning around 9am. After months and months of anticipation by Cienna (and myself too!) Santa finally came through. For better or for worse. I only have a few pictures of the festivities to share but I do have something that I think would be much more entertaining. The top 5 funny things said by Cienna during Christmas week.

5. As I was watching the Nutcracker on PBS, she said "Mom! I remember this! I remember that mean rat!" Knowing that she probably wouldn't remember what it was called I asked "Oh yea? What is this called?" and she said "The Fudrucker!" Uh...do you mean "The Nutcracker?" "Oh yes! The Nutcracker!"
4. While role playing as a ballerina who's entire family had gone to heaven (VERY active imagination), she requested that I ask her if she would like to be part of my family. When she accepted my invitation, she told me that she wanted to read me her Christmas list. "Two Pillow Pets, one for me and one for my brother who died. Oh...never mind, I guess I only need one Pillow Pet now."
3. When opening her Sketchers Twinkle Toes from Granny she shouted "that's what I'm talkin' about!"
2. After coming back from shopping with dad, she walked in the front door and told me that she couldn't tell me where they had gone to get me presents because it was a secret. So when Tony left the room I asked her "did you go to Target?" and she said "no, I can't tell you!" So I asked her if she went to Starbucks and she said "no!" and I asked if she went to Wal-Mart and she said "no, but keep guessing!" When I told her that I couldn't think of anywhere else she smiled and said "we went to L-I-L-L-Y B-A-R-R-A-C-K! But don't tell dad I told you!"
1. After a really rough Christmas Eve, I used every empty threat in the world. Santa is watching...Santa is going to give you one less present every time you are mean to mom...I even told her that I was cancelling Christmas. Finally she told me "please don't cancel Christmas! I will spank myself and put myself on time out!"

I only wish I could capture the facial expressions that went with all of these comments. A truly hilarious week!

And now for some pictures.....


The X-Mas Card Tree (Keep Em' Coming!)


The Real X-Mas Tree


Santa Brought a Pillow Pet and a Refrigerator for Cienna...She Didn't Notice the Refrigerator for at Least 5 Minutes Because She Was Sooooooooo Into The Pillow Pet!


AJ's New Recliner


"The Look" That We Strive To Duplicate Every Christmas Morning


I Opened This One First....


Only To Be Floored By a Tony Mazotti Custom Designed Bracelet!

As Christmas Day comes to a close, I sit here waiting for my in-law's plane to land and eagerly await our green chile stew for dinner...courtesy of my very kind neighbors. After reflecting back on these last few weeks, I can't help but realize that that I am surrounded by the best friends and family that a girl could ask for. For those of you that do not live close, please know that we think of you often and treasure our relationships with you! I am truly blessed on this blessed day. Merry Christmas!

Memories (and Mishaps)

This last week has certainly captured the essence of the Mazotti family. Hence the name of our blog, "Memories and Mishaps." We have had lots of fun creating holiday memories which included baking reindeer cookies for Cienna's class, dressing up as a "Who" from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and creating a gingerbread house masterpiece (at least in the eyes of a 3 year old!)




We have been creating holiday memories in other ways as well. Almost every evening we have had friends over for dinner. Jarrod & Danyette, who Tony played football with and now lives in Houston, came over with their adorable daughter Victoria. Cienna and she had a blast playing while we had a great dinner and snuck in a few games of spades. And even though T and I got KILLED in the card game, it was great to see them and catch up!

Cienna & Victoria Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas"


Jarrod, Danyette & Tony

Last night we went to see the "Bugg Lights" for the 1st time. While the display is rather small, we had the opportunity to finally get a picture of Santa with both of the kids. Although Cienna is only 3, I think that she is already jaded when it comes to Santa Claus. First, she was less than thrilled to sit on his lap (see below picture.) Second, as we walked away, she said "Mom, that Santa does not look similar to the Santa we saw on the Polar Express." And so began the talk about Santa's helpers and how they report back to the real Santa, blah, blah, blah. I thought I had at least another year or two before I would have to start these talks!

Tis The Season (For Horrible Santa Pictures)

The above picture is a great segway into the mishaps of the last week. As you may have noticed AJ had a cast on his leg. Now if you have a Facebook page you already know all about the leg incident. But for those of you who don't...here is the Cliff's Notes. Sunday morning while I was cooking breakfast Cienna and AJ were playing in her room. I remember hearing the laughter...and thinking to myself "this is the best! They are playing together and not running around in the kitchen while I am trying to cook!" About a minute later I heard AJ start to cry. This is not out of the ordinary, so I didn't think much of it. Until Cienna came in the kitchen and said "Mom, I think AJ is hurt." This IS out of the ordinary. So I went in and gathered him up and he appeared to be fine. We played on Cienna's bed for a while and then I put him down for his nap. An hour and a half later when he woke up I put him down on the ground fully expecting him to stand up and walk away and instead he kinda wined and struggled to get to his feet. He would just lay there. When I walked out of the room he managed to pull himself to his feet only to stand like a flamingo. He couldn't put any weight on his right leg. So I poked and prodded him, rotated his hips and pushed and pulled and I couldn't find anything that was making him cry or causing him pain. So I would again put him down and he would stand like a flamingo. At that point I decided that I should take him to Urgent Care. I asked Cienna what happened and she said that she was carrying him and trying to put him on the bed and she dropped him. A complete and total Mazotti mishap!
To make a long story short (I know! I told you I was giving you the Cliff's Notes!) AJ is in a full leg cast for the next 4 weeks. He broke his tibia bone just below his knee. He loves the cast! He can bang it against all sorts of things and it makes REALLY cool noises. And his favorite thing to do is kick Mom as hard and as crazy as he can so that he can hear me say "Ouch!" Gets a giggle every time!



Christmas Eve will be spent baking cookies for Santa, making luminarias to line the outside of our house and eating tamales at the neighbor's. After all, it's not a New Mexican Christmas without luminarias and tamales! Tis the season to be fat and happy!

The Holiday Sprit

Last week, after another bout of the flu hit our home, we headed up to the cabin to enjoy all that Colorado in the wintertime has to offer. The beginning of December is a perfect time to go because there is some snow, but not a ton of snow. In other words, I can enjoy the holiday feeling without being miserable!
Friday we (when I say we I mean Tony) decided that Cienna should take her first skiing lesson. I jumped on Wolf Creek's website and saw that 4-year-olds could partake in group lessons for a half day, and if the teacher thought they could manage it they would be allowed to stay for the full day for a little more money. We got everyone bundled up and headed to the slopes. On our way there we prepared Cienna for the fact that even though she was only 3 still, today she would be 4 if anyone asked. Great parenting, I know.
As we watched from the Wolf Pup cabin, Cienna hammed it up on the slopes. By lunch time she was already on the chair lift, making sure that everyone knew that she was having the time of her life. By the end of the day she knew every employee at Wolf Creek's name, giving them high fives and big smiles. I would say that her first day skiing was a success!





This is the look of a VERY proud father


AJ's Entertainment While He Waited For Sister

The following day we headed into Durango, CO with one of Tony's co-workers and his wife and son. We spent the day doing a little shopping, having a great lunch and then getting on the Durango / Silverton train for the Polar Express. It was a magical experience for the kids!


At The Train Station


The Palmer Family


View From The Station


That Is AJ's Look Of Sheer Terror As The Train Went By


Cienna Meeting "Santa"

Sunday we all hopped in the truck and made our annual drive through the Colorado forest to find our Christmas tree. Those of you who have never searched for a Christmas tree in the wilderness probably think that it is a simple task. Turns out that most trees you see while driving in Tahoe or Colorado are actually 2 or 3 trees growing together to make a perfect looking tree. To find 1 tree by itself that is decent is no walk in the park. But after about an hour and a half of driving and hiking and searching I spotted The Mazotti Family Christmas tree 2010. Then I sent Tony to do the hard work!





After the tree hunt, it was time for some FUN! We got out the sleds and let everyone play in the snow. AJ perfected his army crawl, Tonka discovered the joy of burying your head in the soft powder and Cienna participated in a snowball fight. A fabulous way to end the day.










Weekends like this make me so happy that I let Tony talk me into our cozy little cabin. The memories just keep stacking up!


Happy Holidays!