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!

Blessings

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if I didn't acknowledge what I was thankful for this year. So before I go to bed early to prepare for my 3am wake up call, I want to take the time to note my many blessings.
I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that my mom came to visit this week and helped me wrap all of my Christmas presents. I am thankful that she likes to shop as much as I do and that she has the patience to do it with children. And I am thankful that she was here to celebrate turkey day with me. I am thankful for my husband who works hard and loves me even though I am far from perfect. And I am thankful for my two little nuggets who love me even though I am far from a perfect mother. Besides my wonderful family, I am also thankful for having a roof over my head, a functioning vehicle, food to eat and my health. And my dogs Zeus and Tonka. Love them too.
This year, we spent our 1st Thanksgiving at the fire station. Only having to make one dish meant that I could enjoy my morning, drinking mimosas and watching the parade in my jammies. It was heavenly. Another reason that I so enjoyed the fire station dinner was because I got to try new recipes made by other people! My favorite was White Castle stuffing. Mini cheeseburgers mashed up into stuffing. It was delish!

Playing Catch Up

After a fabulous 2 week vacation, I am playing catch up. Catching up on laundry, opening mail, housecleaning, and my blog! I feel like there is so much to share with everyone!
Prior to leaving on the 25th, Cienna and AJ had the opportunity to try out their Halloween costumes at the neighborhood Harvest Festival. It is a really cute event that the neighborhood association puts on, with little games and prizes for the kids. I was really impressed with the parents this year. It seemed that everyone had a homemade costume, which either means that the economy has finally taken it's toll on Halloween or we have some really creative parents surrounding us!


Cienna Before the Big Event


AJ as a Greaser

The next day we left for Disneyland. Cienna had no clue that we were headed there...until we arrived. It was such a special surprise for her! She was even more surprised when she heard that her Mimi and Papa were joining us the next day. Talk about a happy camper! Since our last visit, she had grown tall enough to ride all sorts of new rides such as Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Soarin' Over California. Her favorite by far was Splash Mountain, although on our very last ride she got so soaking wet that she immediately stood up and yelled "that's it! I am never going on this flippin' ride again!" AJ had a good time too, although he was scared of most of the characters. On some of the rides you could feel his little legs tense up when he was uncomfortable. But all in all, I don't think we scarred him for life or anything! And now for some pictures!


1st Ride of the Day


With Mimi and Papa


Where Does She Learn These Poses?


Splash Mountain!


AJ was Fond of the Petting Zoo


And Not So Fond of Woody


Ending Our Trip With a Trip to Goofy's Kitchen

After 3 days at Disneyland, we were ready to head up to the Bay for Halloween. On our way, we stopped by my grandmother's house in Studio City so she could meet her great-grandchildren for the first time. She was thrilled, and that made me happy.


Great-Grandma Vi

Saturday we did pumpkin carving at Tony's brother's house in the AM and then went to a Halloween party at his house in the PM. Both were fun. I preferred the party though.


Tony Gettin' Down to Business


AJ Gettin' Bored and Giving Me a Heart Attack


Tony and his Prized Pumpkin


Tony and I Dressed as Chris & Wendy 1987 Prom

By the way, that was funny. For those of you who don't know, Tony's oldest brother reunited with his long lost high school love a couple of years ago. I had seen their 1987 prom picture many times in the Mazotti closet...and laughed my ass off! Totally 80's. Pink bow tie and cumberbun to match his dates dress. I always knew who Wendy Walkley was because of the picture but it wasn't until a few years ago that I actually met her. So this year we decided to dress as them for the Halloween party that they were throwing and boy were they surprised! Happily surprised thank God!

Halloween night my mom and Tony's mom went trick-or-treating with the kids. I am sure that Tony would have preferred to be watching the Giant's in the World Series, but he was a good sport and came too. If there is a recession going on in the United States it is definately not effecting Walnut Creek, CA. Cienna raked in the candy!


Cienna and AJ at the 1st Door


More Candy Than a Candy Store

The rest of our trip was relaxing, fun and much needed. Tony and I got to catch up with all of our friends, we spent a night at Artie's (a dive bar that we love!) acting like young, carefree, childless adults, and we celebrated my little brother's 20th birthday the night the Giant's won the World Series. It was a great time to be back in the Bay, with Giant's fever running rampant and everyone in a great party mood.

Part of the trip was bittersweet. It was our last trip staying in Tony's childhood home, as his parents are moving to NM (VERY EXCITING!!) after the 1st of the year. I have so many memories at that house, which include high school and junior college days, a "couple" of parties that his parents may or may not know about (smile), Tony's going away party when he got a scholarship to UNM, our surprise engagement in the backyard and the house that I lived in the 1st year of Cienna's life. Tony says it is just a house...but to me it will always be a very special part of my life that I will look back at with great fondness!