In a fit of anguish we decided that this year everyone would get something, but we made a point to make the gifts more sentimental than material. We went to Sears and took several photos in the studio, bough a few frames and got to work. See everyone in my side of the family always complains about the fact that they don’t have enough pictures of Quincy or enough pictures of us. Turns out that everyone loved their gifts, there were tears of joy in people’s faces and that made it all better. I love the fact that we were still able to give everyone something although small, it was very valuable to them.

On the other hand, although we were tight for money we made sure that this didn’t affect our baby. All the money we saved with the pictures we used to buy him all sorts of toys, books and movies. He had such a blast, everyone else in the family did the same. Our Christmas Tree was filled with gifts for the kids from top to bottom and all around, everyone delivered and that was an awesome feeling, because no matter how tough the times get, the children should never be made aware of this.

On the night before Christmas Santa came to visit us, he spoke to each kid and gave them all toys. The joy and emotion in the kids face was priceless. None of them had ever seen Santa Clause and having him there to feel and touch was an amazing experience that I am sure will last for many years to come.

That night after the kids went to bed wed set out to pull out all the gifts and arrange them around the Christmas tree so that in the morning they would wake up and be marveled.

The next morning when the kids woke up they were ecstatic, Quincy ran over to his brand new toy box and giggled like a school boy. They spent the major part of the morning opening presents and after they were done we headed out to Granny’s house  (Annie’s Grandma). We spent some time with her, took her gifts and I sang some Christmas Carlos with my guitar.

At 6 pm the family got together in our house to enjoy dinner and share with each-other, it was an enjoyable Christmas with a few kinks but we didn’t let anything ruing it for us. I love Christmas and can’t wait for next year.

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The first time we went Quincy was 1 year old and just sat around and fell asleep on my head while walking

it was an enjoyable trip for Annie and I but it felt  like Quincy was bored and didn’t really understand what was happening

We took him there several more times since with a similar result, sometimes he enjoyed himself for a while, but for the most part he would cry and act annoyed.

Yesterday when we awoke the day was gorgeous and the temperature was just right, so we decided to give it another try. We got up, got dressed and headed out to the Zoo; the whole time Quincy was screaming, so excited about our trip. He would said “I wan go the zoo!!!!!!” .

This came as a surprise for us since he never cared about it before. We got there sat him on the stroller and started our long walk around. I expected him to get annoyed or cry as soon as he got bored, but to my surprise he was very attentive, even asked to be taken out of the stroller so that he could see better and literally spent the whole trip on my shoulders.

We saw the Elephants, Zebras and Giraffes; Quincy knew all the names and pointed them out, he would call out “Hewo Elephant” or “I wove you Giraffe!”  It was a very exciting trip and it showed me just how much out baby has learned over the last year.

He now talks a lot, his vocabulary has expanded exponentially and has even learned to conjugate verbs and use tenses correctly. He is growing so fast! It is hard for me to fathom that only a year ago he couldn’t talk or communicate with us, and now he is at the Zoo calling out animals and having “adult” conversations with us. I look forward to taking him to the Zoo more often  and I hope that he continues developing the interest he showed for the animals and for learning.

It's too bad Jose lost...

Well, today I finally beat my husband in his Cuban version of rummy.  Yes, it looks like I’m the winner by 340 points.  Finally he decided to stop cheating and play fairly.  Of course, after I serenated him with my rendition of “I am the champion,” I proudly opened the front door and announced “ATTENTION NEIGHBORHOOD, I HAVE BEAT HIM TODAY AND I AM THE WINNER.”

Yes, I know it is quite the shocker that I would be such a sore winner but you have to understand how many times I have played this game and came in dead last.  Therefore today I will rub it in for this one last time before we go to bed.  Buuuuuut, I am thankful for such a wonderful husband because no one else would put up with this crap…lol.  I love you, dear.

Today was nice.  Jose taught me how to build a computer (Kathy’s to be specific…it’s coming, girl!).  Quincy used the potty, we had a lovely Panera breakfast in our pajamas, I won the game and basically nothing else was significant because I am not going to allow the bad things to be just that.  I’m looking forward to a great day tomorrow with Melissa, some laundry and more potty-training.  Goodnight.