Night at the museum

Thursday night Chevron sponsored an event at the Petroleum Museum. They sponsor an event six times a year, every other month.  We were so excited to finally make it to an event and we were not disappointed!  The theme for this event was Space Escape.  On top of the regular museum attractions there were 20 special stations that went with the events theme.  My favorite exhibit was the inflatable planetarium dome brought from the Lubbock's Science Spectrum.  Inside was a type of projector that transmitted on the inflatable dome.  We were able to see the Lubbock night sky constellation.  Other exhibits that were a hit with the kids included the balloon rockets, crater replicas, creating a telescope with a constellations, and creating there own planets.   Beckett was a bit fussy in his stroller but there were so many people and way to many things for him to get into to let him out of his stroller.   We had so much fun and stayed for the entire time, we definitely made some memories.  I also forgot to bring my camera and took these pictures with my phone.

Play dates

This week Beckett and I had a few friends over for playdates.  My friend Dana who I met while living in Hobbs came into Midland with her son for a visit while her husband was in town for some training.  Beckett and her son S are 4 months apart and have been buddies since Beckett's birth.  I use to walk 5 days a week with Dana and her son when we lived in Hobbs.  I've been missing my friends in Hobbs lately.  Especially since I missed a bridal shower for one of our friends this past weekend.  It was nice to catch up and chat, but two hours was not enough time to!!!!  On the bright side I have an orthodontic apt next week and we will visit again.

Yesterday we had another playdate at our house.  My friend Sandee who I've know since I was 10 was in town visiting her family.  Another mutual friend of ours thought it would be fun if we all got together for a playdate with our sons at my house.  Our son's are pretty close in age ranging from 22 months, 17 months, and 15 months.  It was a totally successful playdate!  The boys got along great and played in the play room together for an hour and a half and us mommies got some time to chat too!

I cant believe my Beckett boy is old enough for playdates, what happened to my newborn who would sleep the day away? 

Tis the season

I cant believe a week has passed since I last blogged!  We have been very busy in the Sanchez household.  The "ice storm" kept us in doors but Monday rolled around and we were back in reality.  I love the Christmas season even though things are very busy and its super easy to get caught in the hustle bustle.  There are many things I love about Christmas: music, movies, parties, presents, food, and most of all celebrating the Savors birth.  For one I am a natural giver,  I love gifting to others and giving my time.  Sometimes I over do it, but I just cant say no!  I am guilty of getting caught in the Christmas hustle and bustle this week.  I have a lot of Christmas oriented things I am in charge of and I have once again over extended myself.  I try everyday to sit back and take in a moment.  Allison and I have been watching Christmas movies this week.  When she gets home from school her and I sit on the couch and watch 30 minutes of a show.  So far we've watched the Muppets Christmas, Nation Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and Jack frost.  We finally put up our Christmas lights and racked up all the leaves!  Beckett is very interested in the Christmas tree this year, he doesn't go crazy but every once in a while he brings me ornaments off the tree!  Cooper is very excited and anxious for Christmas.  He literally had a mini break down earlier this week.  I wrapped all the presents while they were at school and he wanted to open just one right then.  When I told him he had to wait 16 days he begged me to open just one early!  We have a crazy weekend full of Christmas type events.  I promising myself to take it slow and to enjoy the season because in less then two weeks it will be gone.  

The week happenings

Random things from this week!!



*Beckett was sick earlier this week a trip to the doctor,  Motrin/antibiotics, lots of snuggles/naps.  I think he is finally better!  He literally wouldn't eat, or sleep for four days!  I was a walking zombie!

*Being the room mom of Allison's class is causing me to be over stressed lately!  With Allison's teachers birthday this week and the Christmas party coming up.  I've been thankful for Pinterest and the ideas it gave me to plan these two events.  I cant leave out how helpful my sister Courtney was to me too, she's the Pinterest queen!

*Back in October I received a calling in the Primary (my church's children's program) as the secretary.  I am not the most computer literate person but I sure am learning.  Making templates, newsletters, quarterly reports, year history, and planning Christmas gifts has made me a very busy lady!

*As a family we made a 25 day commitment to learn/study the Savor's birth this month.  We have been filling up our giving tree with stars.  Each night we have a new lesson and we choose some personal gift we want to give to others and write it on a star.

*One of the things I planned to give, was more one on one time with each of my kiddos.  Mainly the older kids, Beckett has mommy time everyday.

*I was playing an elaborate army battle game with Cooper when he told me "Mom I love you to Tokyo and back and to Tokyo and back again!"

*Allison and I had an impromptu date Wednesday.  She had told me about crazy sock day at school and was begging to go buy some socks.  I deiced to make it more special.  We first went to Starbucks and sat inside and chat with our frappuccino's.  We then went to the mall and looked at Claire's and Justice.  At both places the socks were outrageously priced but we had a fun time looking at things.  Allison is know requesting certain things from those stores for Christmas.  We ended our time at JC Penny and found two perfect pairs of crazy socks. 

*With the cooler weather and when Beckett was under the weather I was forced to pull out the treadmill to get my daily 3 miles in.  For some reason all of my kids think the treadmill is an awesome toy!  They literally all fight for it, even Beckett!  Drives me bananas! 

*Richard and I stayed up tell midnight a few nights ago snuggled up on the couch watching two of our DVR recordings.  Some times our schedules are so packed staying up a little to late is fun and necessary! 

 *We decorated the house last weekend and Ive been putting finishing touches around the house.  I added a few more ornaments and a new bow on the tree.  I bought a huge poinsettia, my mom use to always buy those around Christmas time and for me its just not Christmas unless I have a poinsettia!  Richard also bought me an early present, a Nativity picture for the mantel.  I had been eyeing this picture at Kirkland's for weeks, bought couldn't justify buying it!

*Today was a snow day at school for the kids.  To top off the perfect snow day Richard was off this weekend.  We had so many plans this weekend, but the icy weather has made us take it slow and spend time in doors.  We have filled our time with baking and decorating Christmas cookies, board games, playing on the Wii and Xbox, playing in the snow, listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, sleeping in and taking naps, eating junk food, and just being lazy!

Day 6

Thanksgiving! My sister Heather and her family drove into Fort Worth the day before to be with all of us for Thanksgiving.  It felt nice to have half of our family together.  Although I could definitely feel the absence of my other sisters, especially Courtney!  Courtney and I are the cooks!  My mom cooks the turkey and ham, but Courtney and I make all the sides, casseroles, and pies!  I will be honest and admit I had to call her a few times for the recipes and to help me when I made a big boo boo on one of the pies!  My sister Jamie was missed but her little doggies where with us representing the Alcocer Family.  We even got to Skype them from Kazakhstan!  My mom, sister, and I pulled the meal all together and we ate some delicious food!  I really wanted a group picture of all the kids but I guess Marcus and Beckett thought it would be funny to have completely opposite nap schedules!  I did manage to grab a picture right before we ate minus Beckett.  Richard also took a nice picture with me, my mom, and sister.  We didn't stay long after lunch and were on the road back to Midland since Richard had to work the next morning!  It was a silent ride back, everyone slept pretty much the whole time.  I really enjoyed our trip to Fort Worth and the special time we got to spend with my mom.  Now that we live farther away from each other, we actually have to make plans to see and spend time with each other.  I am so thankful for my family, they are a tremendous blessing to me and children. 

Day 5

We took Allison to the Galleria twice to shop and visit the American Girl Doll Store.  We went the first time before the Hockey game, but we didn't allocate our selves enough time there.  So we decided to go back the next day and set up an hair appointment for her doll and brunch at the Bistro there.  Allison was hyped about going, she had been saving for nearly three months to buy her own doll Sage, the doll of the year.  Of course we had to chip in a little she was just 30 dollars short, those dolls aren't cheap!  The doll of the year goes into retirement on December 4th, and we got there just in time because there were only 4 dolls left!  The first day we went we stood in line most of the time just to buy the doll, the place was packed!  The second time we went it was much more smooth and not as busy.  Also it was just us girls and this time my mom went with us.  Richard took the boys into the Galleria to play at the playground.  First up we dropped Allison's doll aka Allison off to get her hair done, which she desperately needed.  We also received instructions on how to fix her hair, hopefully this time it doesn't get out of control!  Then we stopped for brunch at the Bistro.  It was beautifully decorated and designed to be doll friendly.  Allison's doll Sage was with us for brunch and had her own seat and tea set.  Allison of course had fun looking around the entire store at all the accessories and has a new wish list!  I cant forget to mention that even the bathrooms are doll friendly.  The whole time we were there Allison had a smile from ear to ear and a twinkle in her eye.   

After a full day!  Richard and I went to a late movie to see Catching Fire from the Hunger Games Series.  So thankful my mom was able to watch all three kids so we could go to the movies, it was such a good movie!!

Day 4

We purchased combo tickets to Lego Land and the Sea Life Aquarium.  We headed back to the Grapevine Mills Mall to visit the aquarium.  This time Grandma stayed at home because the lawn care service and the garage repairman were stopping by.  I was surprised how much fun the kids had there. We got there at busy time apparently because we were jam packed into each room with people, once they staff announced they were feeding the sting rays we decided to go on ahead of the group to get away from the crowd.  That idea paid off and we walked through the whole aquarium by our selves!  Cooper is fascinated with sharks lately and even bought a huge book about the different types of sharks at his school book fair a few weeks ago.  There were two exhibits on sharks and Cooper was thrilled!  We read tons of facts and saw a ton of sharks, we even dared to walk the shark plank!  An area that has glass on the ground so you can see sharks!  Beckett was fascinated and laid on the ground for awhile just staring!  Allison enjoyed the trivia game the aquarium offered to answer specific questions at each exhibit.  At the end of the aquarium there was a large indoor playground, petting sea animals area, and 3D discovery short films.  The aquarium was a success all three kids enjoyed it!

Later that night we went to the Dallas Stars vs the Anaheim Ducks hockey game.  My mom stayed with Beckett and we took the big kids to the game.  Going to the game was one of my favorite things we did on this visit to my moms.  We are a fan of both teams and didn't care who won.  In fact I wore the Dallas Stars jersey to the game and Richard wore his Ducks jersey.  We loaded up on a bunch of junk food and never left our seats because it was a wicked awesome game.  The Stars made 3 goals in 53 seconds!  The game ended and the Stars won 6-3!  Cooper has been begging to go back, he had a blast dancing to music and rooting for his team the Stars!