Winter 2014

 Lolo bought the kids this little Spiderman table and two chairs for their bedroom. We decided to take it with us in the van while we ate dinner at Sonic Burger and the kids dined inside the van in style, complete with a movie from the dashboard.  

 Our family activity level has been good, and we have added hikes and nature walks to our routines.  It is so fun to watch the kids explore.  

 We collect sticks, rocks, feathers, pinecones, and such, while we hike on the Fullerton trails.  Valentina makes friends with all of the horses, rabbits, squirrels, and geckos that she spots.

 Valentina wearing her new favorite jacket from abuelo, abuela y sus tias in Mexico.  She is taking gymnastics at the YMCA and she is so talented and happy to be active and limber.  We love to watch her shine.  Daddy and Lolo take her to some learning classes at the library and she always comes home with something beautiful and creative.  

Salvatore learned to tie his shoes and ride a bike (without training wheels) in one day.  He now pedals and speeds around with ease and loves to go fast. Valentina loves to keep up with him on her trike or scooter and we have lots of fun making up games on our rides.  We all took a long bike ride through Clark Park the other day and we look forward to many more.  

Soccer starts again next week and we are looking forward to another fun season.  School is going well for Salvatore, I'm barely keeping my head above water, and life just keeps throwing us one big curveball after another, but we work to work it out.  

Brian and Alicia are making wedding plans and we are planning our trip to Mexico to celebrate!

I am looking forward to Ash Wednesday, as I have much to work on this Lenten season, and I am reminded each day that while I am not always adjusting well to change or aging, I am extremely fortunate TO BE changing and aging.  

What have YOU done this winter and what are YOU looking forward to next?

Happy New Year 2014

Welcome, 2014, I am happy to see you...

while 2013 had some shining moments, it was overall not my favorite year, so good riddance.

I am hoping that 2014 brings some much needed love, peace and patience within me that I can extend to my family and friends.

Happy New Year!

Feliz Navidad from the Licona Kids

Feliz Navidad is Salvatore's favorite Christmas song this year!

Breakfast with Santa at the YMCA

We took the kids to our new favorite family place, the YMCA, and with a few wrapped toys for donation, we got to meet and eat with Santa.  Pictures were free. No lines.  We ate stacks of pancakes, fruit, granola bars, juice and water.  Kids were so excited.  We stayed on and let them participate in their classes while we worked out, then we finished with an hour in their heated pool.  

I remember taking gymnastics classes at this same YMCA when I was young and we first moved to Fullerton.  Going back as an adult was memorable and I fully support any organization that puts family and health care first.  

Salvatore is 6

Salvatore turned 6 on Saturday and we have been blessed.  

 Here he is with his classmates, pretending to be soccer champions and holding up the trophy ball.  

 Salvatore got to wear his present, this Mexico uniform, to his party on Sunday.  6 for turning 6!

 We had a soccer party for him and we got to play soccer in the arena for 2 hours.

 Salvatore and Molly, after receiving awards at school.

 The soccer arena at the YMCA where we had his soccer party.  His team joined us and we had a great time.

We wish you the best of everything as you turn 6, my son.  We love you very much!

P.S. We love you

 With so much to be thankful for, we spent five days in Palm Springs with family, enjoying early celebrations with lots of food, shopping and hanging out.

Salvatore in front of his namesake store.

 After an amazing Mexican Buffet at Casino Morongo.

 Our own Thanksgiving meal before the real one.

 Kids playing in the park.

 Lots of shopping before the major crowds.  We also visited the Palm Springs Aquatic Center and will definitely go back when it warms up.

What is your favorite thing to do in Palm Springs?

Nutshells

Licona life and Licona time spent...

 At the beach. An amusing pelican from Huntington Beach Pier.  He would walk around the pier and try to blend right in with the crowds. It literally looked like he thought he was one of the people!

 At school. Sal is joining clubs, making friends, and continuing to enjoy his first exposure to school.

 With family.  We watched our Godson, Fernando, this 3 day weekend and his energy and love added much to our own. We have so much fun when we are all together.

 On the pier.  Fernando took our picture while waiting to eat at Ruby's on the pier.  Soccer took us back down to San Juan Capistrano and we first went to Dana Point and walked all along the jetty and collected tons of beach rocks and shells. Driving up PCH, we got hungry and David suggested this place.  Yum!

 Learning. My son is now writing sentences with joy and he reads or tries to read everything.  Valentina also loves to pen her ideas down and has scribbled on everything we own.  Sal was never interested in writing before school, so we dodged that phase of scribbles with him. Not Val. She loves to express herself that way, and while it is all just scribbles and lines, she shows great fine motor skills with her precision in her drawings.

 On Halloween. Valentina was a princess and Salvatore was a knight.  They had a blast again both collecting candy and passing it out at home.  

Loving little moments. Like when you spot TWO rainbows (look closely) the moment your grandparents arrive to say hello.