Field Tripping

Another Valentine's Day has come and gone...this one spent mourning our beloved Zeus. In case anyone is wondering I have finally stopped crying and have gotten to a place where I can talk (and think)about him without becoming a total basket case. Cienna celebrated with a fun filled day at school, including a special note from mom & dad.



The weekend after Valentine's Day we had a house guest. Tony and I both met Danny in the 6th grade. He tells a very funny story how when he came half way through the 6th grade year from Texas, he had a crush on me. Another classmate of ours asked him if he was looking at me in class and he said yes...only to then be told that I was "bad news" because I was Tony Mazotti's girlfriend. I think what he meant to say was that Tony Mazotti was bad news! Funny that we can all talk and laugh about things like that now. We played Ghettopoly (yes that is a real game!) and dominoes for much of the weekend and talked about the good ol' days. It was a lot of fun!

Danny and "Bad News"

Today I escorted Cienna's class on their 1st field trip of the school year. We went to none other than Albuquerque Fire Station #3! After a quick tour of the station and then an adorable talk about fire safety, Tony showed the kids his bunker gear and they all got to sit on the fire truck. It was so much fun and I think that everyone had a great time!

Question & Answer Period


Firefighter Tony Showing His Fire Outfit


Learning "Stop, Drop & Roll"


Giving Tony a Big Thank You Hug

With another field trip planned for next week, it sure does make me happy that I am able to stay at home with my kids. Each and every year, life gets a little more interesting (and crazy!)

Zeus

Dear Zeus,

I remember the day that we picked you up from the Denver airport. It was September 25, 2002 and your dad and I drove 7 hours in a rented van, spent the night in the shabbiest hotel that money could buy and waited countless hours the next day for your little crate to arrive from South Africa. After freeing you from customs, we loaded you up and started the drive back to ABQ. We were in love. You were perfect in every way, although we thought that you were a little too skinny so we nicknamed you "Ribsy."

September 25, 2002

On the drive home, we stopped at a gas station so that you could use the "facilities." After making it abundantly clear that you were not the type of dog to pee or poop in a concrete parking lot you jumped back in the van, onto the passengers seat and proceeded to take a dump right there. All I can say is thank God it was a rental car!
Throughout the years you have given us so much joy and companionship. Our motto was if we couldn't do it with you we wouldn't do it at all! You were the absolute light of our life and we wanted to share it with the world!


Merry Christmas 2003

You taught us what having kids would be like before we ever had them. I realized pretty quickly that when Tony and I did have kids he would not be the one to wake up with them. In fact, not only did you ALWAYS come to my side of the bed at night to let you out, but after a while you would even trick me into getting up, start sleep walking to the back door, only to realize that you were not behind me and instead had jumped into my side of the bed!
You also taught us that kids can have a mischievous side (but you still love them anyway.) Like the time that you flooded the house after playing tug-o-war with the garden hose. And when the workers came to repair the damage they were terrified of you after you stuck your head through the hole in the wall for the pellet stove pipe and growled at them. Or maybe it was the fact that you were running around the yard swinging the propane tank from your mouth that scared them?
Speaking of scared, don't think that just because they were strangers that that's why they were scared of you! I remember the time that dad was on a hunting trip and you sat and growled at me for like 20 minutes. So what if you were only 12 weeks old and weighed all of 35lbs? I was scared to move! When I put you in your crate you started whimpering and wining so of course I let you out and do you remember what you did? You started eating staples that dad left on the garage floor and growled at me more, only this time with staples hanging out of your mouth! I was terrified of you and crying and calling Tony and do you know what he told me? "He is a puppy! Put him on his back and pin his arms back and tell him who is boss!" And that is exactly what I did. I was never scared of you again from that day forward.


How Could Anyone Be Scared Of This Guy?

Remember our hunting trip? When we put you in our friend's camper and I guess you got scared or must have heard something and decided to shred the entire camper and jump 8ft to the ground? Of course our friend thought a bear had attacked his truck and demanded to know who was going to pay for the damage...and all I cared about was that you were safe. In fact, you hadn't even left the camp site. You were cowarding in front of the truck hoping not to be in trouble. Having you safe was well worth the $700 bill.

And how could I forget the 1st time that you got out of the yard? We actually didn't have a clue, and stayed out until 1am having a grand ol' time. When we pulled up to the house it was storming like crazy and the gate was flapping in the wind. We were shocked and thought "oh my God! You got out!" But as we pulled into the driveway there you were...sitting on the front porch, in the pouring rain, just waiting for us to get home. Apparently the neighbors had seen you out for hours, just roaming the front yard but you were a little too intimidating to approach. Little did they know that all they had to do was put you in the backyard with their dog and you would have been happy as a clam.


Strutting Your Stuff

In 2005 you became a brother. Tonka Maria was introduced into your life and from that day forward we could never be sure if you were happy about this or just plain pissed. Either way, you took it in stride and you were a great big brother. You played with her, wrestled, allowed her to chew on your ears and tug at the loose skin on your neck. Your patience was truly impressive.


But every once in a while you let her know who was boss. That was what was great about you Zeus. You were always the biggest dog on the block but you were a gentle giant. And you never had to prove a thing.


I guess that I could go on and on and on about all of the great memories that you have left us with. They will continue to play on in my head like a highlight reel...one after another after another. We could not have asked for a better, kinder, more loyal, handsome or loving dog in the entire world. Thank you for being part of our family for the last 8 1/2 years. Thank you for still loving us even when life and kids and jobs and responsibilities got in the way at times. Thank you for teaching us what true love truly is. Even though it hurts for us to say goodbye to you we know that you are in a better place and that we will see you again...and daddy will say "What's up the Moosers, up, up!" and pat his chest and I will say "Zeuser Moose, give me a kiss!"







R.I.P. 7.7.02 - 2.10.11

In-Laws, Icicles and Other Odds and Ends

A little over a week ago the unspeakable happened...my in-laws made the move from gorgeous and sunny Walnut Creek, CA to dusty and rustic Bernalillo, NM. It is still hard to believe that they are really here! Just 10 years ago we were all sitting in Walnut Creek sending out game film to potential recruiters and we made the comment that we could never move to Albuquerque...none of us knew how to spell it! And now here we all are, residing in the Land of Enchantment. What a difference a decade makes!
Tony drove back to CA to help the folks pack up all of their worldly possessions and then a caravan ensued...with his mom and dad, grandmother and middle brother. After two days and lots of bathroom breaks they crossed into NM and then the real fun began! We had lots of dinners at our house and celebrated both Cienna's and Mimi's b-days. Finally my dreams have (almost)come true. Now if we could just convince my mom to move here too!


918 Evening Primrose


Many Mazottis

It was a not-so-perfect week to move as Mimi does not like the cold...and I think that today is one of the coldest days that I have ever spent in ABQ. It reminds me more of the weather at Wolf Creek than NM. Lots of snow and ice and WIND...burrrrrr!


Beautiful Icicles

We have been on round the clock watch with Zeus recently. His breathing is getting more rapid, his appetite is barely there and overall we can tell that he is struggling. We went to get a second opinion regarding his health this week and the news was good but not great. The good news is that a) we did not have to put him down and b) there is a possibility that he has a fungus growing inside of his lungs that he would have contracted 4 years ago when we lived in Texas. The reason that it is good news is because it is treatable...expensive, but treatable. The bad news is that the only other thing that it can be is either heart disease or lymphoma cancer...neither of which would be good. So we had some more blood work done and will know more as of Friday (hopefully.) We are constantly watching his breathing and the color of his gums to make sure that he is getting enough oxygen. And basically I am crying every day at the thought of losing him.


My 1st Born Zeus - 2002

In more upbeat news, AJ got his cast off! He actually giggled as they took an electric saw and removed the cast...the vibration either tickled or he really enjoyed wearing the ear protection. It took him a little over a day to figure out that he could bend his leg again and a week later he still moves a little like Frankenstein. But boy is he enjoying his baths again!
Cienna has been enjoying having her grandparents close, practicing her singing, song writing and guitar playing and overall been a very good girl. And this makes me very happy....


The Future Taylor Swift?

We are (hopefully) heading up to the cabin this weekend if the weather permits. It has been too long and I am really looking forward to a lazy Superbowl Sunday!

Baby Girl

Our baby girl, better known as Cienna Elise, turned 4 years old today and boy was it crazy (fun.) Let me start by saying that I tried many, many times today to transport myself back 4 years to remember what it was like to become a mom for the 1st time. While my heart was bursting with emotion, the one thing that I kept remembering was the fact that 4 years ago I was laying in a hospital bed, having someone wait on me hand and foot and each and every time I wanted to go to sleep I simply pressed my "magic" button better known as liquid pain killers. It was heaven. They would bring Cienna in and we would nuzzle and I would inspect her and take in every bit of this new little person with the most gorgeous lips and then I would take a nap. The best. My life is a little different today. But it is great all the same. Just a little less inspecting and almost no resting!
The birthday celebration really started last night when we let Cienna pick ANY restaurant in Albuquerque that she wanted to go to. Her 1st choice was Mariscos Altamar, our favorite Mexican restaurant. But then doubt set in...She insisted that she must pick a restaurant that they would sing "Happy Birthday" to her. So after careful, careful consideration she stuck with her 1st choice, but only after we told her if they didn't sing to her we would take her out for ice cream too. Not only did she get sung "Happy Birthday" to, but some other VERY LONG song in Spanish. It was practically uncomfortable. The guy with the guitar was at our table for like 5 minutes straight. Cienna loved it (especially the sombrero) and so did AJ. But mom and dad were over it!


Then came the real birthday celebration. Cienna and 13 of her closest tiny friends saw magic tricks, received balloon art and got their faces painted by Huggs the Clown. After dining on chicken nuggets, lil' smokies, cheetos and fruit salad we wrapped up the party with presents and a cupcake cake. I for one am going to change things up a bit next year. I am going to have the cake at the beginning of the party instead of the end. Cienna was bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day and I am pretty sure she would have crashed and burned if I had fueled her with sugar at the start of the party!


The Birthday Girl


The Kiddos Feeling Huggs the Clown Out


It Took Lots of Tries (And I Think A Little Spit) To Get the Candles Out

I used the party as an excuse to get out my hot glue gun and put some of the gems that Tony got from a hauling job to good use. Cienna got a princess party hat and all of the guests received custom headbands. I am no longer responding to Alexis anymore. You can call me Martha Stewart (as long as it only involves using a glue gun.)



So another birthday has come and gone. Today she is 4. Tomorrow, 14. And by next Saturday she is going to be my age. It sure does fly. But we are loving every moment with our growing gal!

Resolutions

At the beginning of each new year I can't help but wonder what the next 365 days have in store for me and my family. In 2010 we experienced many wonderful things:
-Cienna starting pre-school
-Our 1st time in Cancun, Mexico
-A New (Yet Unrevealed) Business Partnership
-My Mom Getting Hired In A Full Time Teaching Position
-Acquiring A New Piece Of Property
-Another Fun Trip To Disneyland

And we experienced some challenges:
-Our Car Being Stolen
-Tony Being Injured By A Piece Of Hydraulic Equipment
-AJ Breaking His Leg
-My Gallbladder Being Removed

All in all, I would say that the good outweighed the bad once again. We are looking forward to many good things in 2011. To start, Tony's parents are moving to New Mexico in just 2 weeks! This is something that we have been praying for for years and we are excited to have some of our immediate family close by. Now we just need to work on the rest of them! We have a trip to Las Vegas planned in March, Cabo San Lucas in June, and some renovations to our cabin that should start taking place this month. Very exciting times.

I only made 2 resolutions this year....one of which I have already broken but I have not given up. My 1st resolution was to finally stop swearing like a sailor. I know that many of you will miss this part of Alexis, but it is a necessary change. I am sure that Cienna's use of "flippin" is going to evolve into "f*ckin" pretty soon so this is of utmost importance. However, this is also the resolution that I have already broken. Old habits do die hard. But I am going to keep trying.
My 2nd resolution is to lose 15lbs by the end of the year and keep it off! After the gallbladder incident I lost almost 30lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight and of course I loved it! However, I have slowly gained back about 15 of those pounds and I would like to lose them once again. For good. Again, another work in progress...but I am determined to make some changes in 2011.

Lately I have struggled with coping with everyday stress. I realize that many things that stress me out I bring on myself. And I also realize that many things that I stress about are not life threatening things. I guess that sometimes I lose focus on what is really important in life. I need to not sweat the small stuff. All in all life is really good! (Now if I could just keep repeating that to myself over and over and over and over again!)

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011. We all deserve the best in life and I just want to be there to celebrate with you all!

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!