Jillian's Christmas Program

Jillian's school had their annual Christmas Program. It is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing that they do at her school.  The teachers work all month to teach the kids all the songs and dance moves.  And wouldn't you know it, our kid is a H-A-M!

Jillian asked to wear her favorite dress, her golden dress from her 3rd birthday.  She looked so pretty!

This year, her class performed with the older kids too, so Jillian and Jackson's class sang their songs together.  And thank goodness for that because Julian had to be in Houston for school work, but the Malnars got the performance on video so that Julian (and all our family) can see it.

She did so good, singing all of the lyrics and doing all the dance moves.

After it was over, we took a quick family photo.

And here are the stars of the show, Jillian, Jackson, and Andrew.

She looks like such a little grown up in this picture *tear*

I can't wait for the Christmas program again next year to see Jillian perform again...and because I think a certain little boy named Alex will get to be in the program, too.  I can't wait!!!  

O Christmas Tree

The house transformation for Christmas has begun.  We are slowly but surely making our way through all the rooms in the house to get them all decked out for the Christmas season.  Over the past 2 nights, we worked to put up the kids' Christmas trees.

Julian and Jillian put up her tree last night, and I can tell that it really brightens her day.  

Jillian and her Christmas tree - Christmas  2014

Where did the time go?!

Jillian and her Christmas tree 2011, 2012, 2013

As for Bubsy, we got him a tree last year, but never really found the right ornaments to deck out his tree.  But trusty Target came through again and we found these adorable woodland creatures that were perfect for him.

And I don't know if Jillian was more excited to put up her tree or to help put up his.  

Once I assembled the tree, I put the first ornament on.  Alex is a fast learner and he got right to work on adding the rest of them on.  

Jillian had already spent the night giving names to all of the animals.  So Alex would put one on, and Jillian would go rearrange it... "Alex, Robbie the Reindeer wants to be next to Ballie the Bear."

What resulted was a cute little tree for Alex's room.  Once we put everything on, I figured out that there are still more trimming that we can add to his tree, but all in good time.

How I love thee, O Christmas Tree,

And the little people you belong to!

Eat, Drink, and Be Scary

Last weekend, we had the Annual Halloween Party with our friends at our house.  It was the first of the Halloween festivities this season, which means that it was the first time Jillian and Alex got to wear their costumes.  

We have been asking Jillian since August what she wanted to be for Halloween this year.  She came up with a lot of ideas, and she was originally determined for her to be Minnie Mouse and Alex to be Mickey Mouse again.  I knew it was going to take a great costume idea to stray her away from using the same idea as last year.  

It was a no-brainer when I thought that she could be Queen Elsa and Bubs could be Olaf from Frozen.  As soon as I mentioned this to her as an option, she could think of nothing else!  

 

I knew there were going to be a million other little Elsas out there on Halloween...surely none would be as beautiful as mine!  

And our Olaf was the cutest little snowman around!  

Some people are worth melting for, and he definitely melted my heart!

As I was getting ready to host this year's Halloween party, I turned to trusty Pinterest for some party ideas.  And of course I found tons.  I made mummy hot dogs, ghost bananas, orange pumpkins, and monster yogurts (not pictured).  And of course no party is complete without cupcakes and goodie bags.  The other families brought lots of treats to add to the party fare too!

Everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed each other's company.  We stopped to snap a few family shots.

The Skows

The Malnars

The kids ate a lot of sweets and needed to burn off some sugar energy.  Jillian ran around serenading everyone to "Let it Go."

And we played a mummy game where the daddies mummified their kids, then they had to dance the monster mash, and hug their "mummies."  It was great fun for all most!

Elsa and Buzz ended the night with a dance.  The kids have been coming home telling us that they practiced their wedding dance at school.  They were excited to show us their moves, complete with a dip.  

It was a festive good time and we can't wait to host the Halloween party next year!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the whole world!  You make us laugh and smile all day, every day.  You are always ready to play with us, tickle us, and throw us up in the air.  

You always stand behind us and support us, whether that's holding us up as we learn to walk or supporting us by working so hard everyday.  We know we can always count on you!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  We hope you know today and always how much you mean to us!

Love, Alex and Jillian

Why isn't Easter my favorite holiday?!

When I think back on all the great holidays, I definitely think that Easter should fall much higher on my list.  I mean, think about it...the weather is perfect, there is a little bit of gift giving, lots of candy, and an egg-stra special reason to celebrate (He is Risen!). 

And this Easter was another one for the record books as it was amazing! And this year, we had another special reason to celebrate the day as it was our son's first Easter. 

I have thanked God everyday since our son was born for Him giving us our very own son, along with giving us His only son.

Our egg-star special day started with morning cuddles in bed and opening Easter baskets. Jillian and Alex both got their own baskets and one combined basket with toys for both to share. 

After baskets, my special little chef put on her cooking gear to help me make French toast for the family. But our little bunny boy didn't make it through breakfast as he was still battling his ear infections, and so we opted to miss church and put him down for a long morning nap.

After nap, we got ready and headed out to lunch. Isn't my husband so handsome with his little mini me, Alex?!

Actually, this handsome man gave me 2 beautiful little bunny babies! Thanks, babe!

We took an afternoon walk and came back to cascarones in our yard! Jillian was eager to put on her running shoes to run around and put the eggs in the basket. Bubsy helped too!

This year, Jillian was super excited to crack the cascarones on her baby brother's head. We told her she had to be gentle so she would crack them in her hand and then sprinkle it on his head.

He was so fascinated by the confetti and he cracked a few eggs in his hands just to see the stuff fall out.

We ended the night by grilling out and enjoying the rest of our perfect Easter Sunday. 

I think it's official. Easter is my new favorite holiday!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!

Happy Easter, everyone!

We went to breakfast with the Easter Bunny a few weekends ago to get in the Easter spirit.  

Daddy was with us, but had to go to work before we took this photo

It was a fundraiser put on by some dear friends and we were all so happy to hop on over to enjoy this great time.  I think we had the cutest little bunny and chick along to celebrate!

A Cute Bunny with her Handsome Daddy

 Jillian had a great time, fishing for Easter eggs...

...and decorating bunny ears...

...that her little brother wore...

...while she decorated something egg-stra special!

It was just the fun we needed to prep for the Easter fun that was in store for us on Easter Sunday!

Merry Christmas Alex and Jillian!

Twas the night before Christmas and in the Acosta casa

Princess Jilly set out cookies for Santa made by her and mama

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there

St. Nicolas did come and he left quite the loot

For that pretty princess and her baby brother, so cute!

First up was cute Alex, awake before dawn

We took him out first so he didn't have to wait on

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

We soaked in these precious moments with our son

After all, it was Christmas, his very first one!

But alas arose Jilly with such a clatter

As soon as we went in her room, she started to chatter

The first words out of her mouth, "did Santa come?!"

Wondering about gifts, "did he bring me some?!"

Sure enough, she came out and found all the gifts from her letter

And the look on her face, it couldn't get any better!

She got a little red trike and Minnie Mouse helmet

And to take care of Minnie, a baby care set

And for her baby brother she said, "Here Bubs, one for you.

I hope Santa brought you stuff from your letter, too!"

For over 2 hours, we watched them open presents that brought smiles to their faces

And silently I thanked God for all His good graces

It was the best way to spend Christmas with our babies we adore

A nice, quiet Christmas for our little family of four!

It was the merriest of Christmases, such a happy day!

All we did the rest of the day was sit around and play!

Hope yours was as great and filled with delight

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!