Happy Easter, My Little Bunnies!

Dearest Castillo Children,

Today is Easter and we had such a loverly time doing Easter activities the last two days. I am happily sitting here eating my chocolate bunny while I write to you.

On Monday we did our usual day of cleaning. Annalise had developed a new habit that makes me laugh, even though it really shouldn't. Nora and Annalise both have a problem with telling the other what to do. They'll even threaten to spank the other one. I have to remind them constantly that I am the Mommy and they are not. We have even gotten to the point where I have to put them in time out for being too much of a Mommy to the other sister. Annalise has developed this little grumble for when she is punished for ordering Nora around. She says sorry and serves her time, but then I can hear her mumbling to herself: "I'm Annalise, you listen to me! Say sorry, Mommy." Over and over again. It is hilarious. I should really make her stop but she just makes me laugh. I am ANNALISE. Like, "don't you KNOW who I am?" So I have started repeating it to her and it makes her laugh SO hard. She gets all excited and runs around. Seriously, so cute and funny.

Tuesday we ran errands to the grocery store and a few other places. I kept meaning on getting my guest room organized for my Mom when she stays with the girls in a week, but that is on my new week's To Do List. I am less than a week away from being on a cruise! We booked on Holland America and I know we're most likely going to be the ONLY people in our 30s but I don't care. I just want to take a break with my hubby and enjoy life!

Wednesday was really traumatic for me. I went for my usual walk with the girls in the stroller and the dogs, Tebow and Gatsby. Now, pushing a double stroller while walking two large dogs takes a lot of work. I mean A LOT. Between the cries of the girls and the controlling of the dogs I am usually exhausted by the end. I had decided to stop walking the dogs and leave them to Todd...but then they NEVER got walked. So I tried doing it again. On Wednesday we were out on our usual route and there was a small dog walking on the same side of the street. It was very friendly and Tebow stopped to sniff him. I figured since he was so nice I would let Gatsby say hi too. BIG mistake. Gatsby went after the little dog. He started to bite him on the back and Gatsby full on attacked the nice dog. It was so scary and surreal. I am almost 100% sure if I wasn't there to throw myself on him he would have killed the little dog. It was horrible trying to get the dogs apart, especially since Tebow started to attack too. I can't blame Tebow since he must have thought the dog was a threat if Gatsby was going after it. The owner of a small dog was a sweet older man who didn't speak much English. I tried to exchange phone numbers so I could pay for a Vet visit but neither of us had a cell phone of paper on our walks. I felt HORRIBLE and was ready to murder Gatsby. Literally, I was ready to have him put to sleep. I got home and posted on all the community pages I belong to that I was looking for the owner of a little dog who was attacked by my dog. I way afraid to do that since I thought I would get some really mean responses to how I must be a terrible person to let my dog attack someone else's dog. I actually got a lot of support and encouragement about the problem. We have had Gatsby for 5 months and he has been wonderful with our family, little children and other large dogs. For some reason he saw that little dog and he instincts kicked in and he wanted to kill it. We knew he had a problem with cats when we got him, but really he has a problem with any small animal. A lady who is a professional dog trainer offered to come by and teach  me about dog body language for free. We made plans to get together the following day. I cried THE WHOLE DAY! It was so scary and overwhelming. I was so upset about the other dog and that we might have to put Gatsby to sleep. It was horrible. Nora kept telling people all week that Mommy was sad because of Gatsby.

On Thursday I was so tired because I slept horribly the night before. Man, Gatsby really freaked me out! Nora went to preschool and Annalise and I went Easter shopping. We went to the dollar store and found little Easter hats. Since Annalise LOVES hats I got one for her and Nora. Annalise was charming all the people in the store. After Nora came home and we all ate lunch the dog trainer came by. Her name was Kim and SO reassuring. She said that she saw a lot of hound in Gatsby and that he has a natural drive to hunt small animals. He has a high prey drive but that is what he was breed to do. I expressed a feeling of worry about my girls and she gave me the best advice. She said not to condemn a dog for something that they have never shown any indication of doing. If anything, Gatsby is VERY patient and sweet to the girls. Kim said Gatsby was unsure of himself and that most likely he would need some time to get comfortable. It can take a dog up to a year to finally get comfortable with his surroundings. I felt so much better after talking with her and I plan to walk the dogs at night, without the girls. Less dogs out and less distractions from my kids.

Friday Tylee, Nora's good friend, came over and played while I cleaned the house. I really love her family. Tylee's mom is my Visiting Teacher and I adore her. I made meatballs for dinner that turned out awesome! I was so excited for them! Todd saw them and wanted to make a sandwich and made some bread. He was so mean! He kept tempting me with the bread, even though I might have either a yeast or gluten allergy. I finally have an appointment on Monday to visit an allergist. I SO hope they can find the problem. I am tired of bloating up 10 pounds for weeks if I eat bread.

Saturday was crazy! First I went to something called Market on the Move. You get 40 pounds of produce for $10. I split it with my friend and I got a TON of zucchini. I believe there will be bread in my future. I then went to get my Bountiful Basket, which is also FULL of produce. I was able to help there even though I was late because the truck was late. I like helping out these co-ops. I eat so much more fruits and veggies because of them. I came home and we went to a little Easter Egg Hunt in our local park that is down the street from us.

 

Daddy made special pancakes while Mommy was gone getting produce.

 

Walking to our park (a lady walked by and told Annalise she liked her hat and Nora yelled: What about mine!

 

Annalise collecting her eggs

 

Nora loved her Princess Easter Basket

 

They both got temporary tattoos. Nora got Snow White and Annalise got a sparkly purple bunny.

 

Annalise and the Easter Bunny!

 

Sisters with the Easter Bunny.

 

 

That night I went out with some women from church that do a Book Club with me and we watched the movie The Host. I had no desire to read the book so I just went to see the movie with them. I just like going to have fun with a bunch of women. They played a trailer at the beginning of the movie for a scary movie and my friend Kathy yelled at the screen not to go into the basement. Classic. We got ice cream at Dairy Queen and talked about the book vs. the movie and just had a great time.

 

 

Sunday was Easter Morning!!! My friend Brooke posted a picture of her son's Chase's grave site and spoke about how Easter has such a deeper meaning for her. It set the mood for my joy this Easter Day. My children, He has Risen! He Lives! I know it. I KNOW it. We hurried to church since the choir was singing today and we REALLY needed to work on the song. I made the mistake of telling Nora about the Easter Bunny on Saturday night and she could not sleep! She kept saying that she couldn't sleep since her dreams hadn't come true yet. She's so cute! The girls got to see their baskets and look at their toys for only a moment before being rushed through breakfast, getting ready and heading off to church.

 

 

Their loot

 

Annalise playing with her new train set

 

Good morning, Peeps!

 

Nora got a Tangled play set.

 

 

The Easter Bunny MAY have gotten a little too excited this year, but in the Bunny's defense, they were garage sale finds and after Christmas clearance. :)

 

At church the choir sounded beautiful. I was so worried but it came together last minute. I attribute it to Faith. Or Theatre Magic. I am just so happy it was so pretty and full of the spirit. I was exhausted from it though and wanted to go home and take a nap. It was also fast Sunday for us and it was nice to reflect on the Savior while fasting on Easter. We came home and I set up the tripod to take a few pictures of us in our Easter Sunday best.

 

 

Yellow is the perfect color for Spring!

 

Annalise waiting for the pictures to be done.

 

Our cute little family

 

This one was a test shot but I loved it. Annalise looks gorgeous and Todd and Nora are having a nice moment. Decided to have fun in photoshop with it.

 

We dyed some eggs and then had some friends over for dinner. We also make Resurrection Rolls, where you have rolls and place a marshmallow in the middle of them. You talk about the white marshmallow and how it is like Christ when he did, pure and white. You then have them spread butter on the marshmallow and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar. This was for the anointing and the spices the used on the Savior's body. You then wrap up the marshmallow and seal it up - like Christ in the tomb. You bake them and, if you did them right, there is a little pocket when you open them up and it's an empty tomb. Only a few of them actually turned out though... :)

 

 

Dying eggs

 

The finished eggs before we made Deviled Eggs!

 

 

We had such a beautiful Easter Sunday. Thank you my beautiful girls for being with me and your Dad for such a lovely day.

 

 

 

With All My Love,

 

Your Mother



Spring Break! Or...just another week.

Dear Castillo Children,

Hello, my lovelies! This last week was Spring Break! Which really doesn't change our routine except Nora didn't have preschool. We thought it was better to take the same breaks as the school since some of the parents have kids in school. I thought it would be fun to try and do some different activities.

On Monday we did our usual thing of laundry, cleaning the house and generally preparing for the week. Nora and Annalise are great helpers in doing dishes and cleaning the floors. I can't wait until they are old enough to actually do the work without me helping them. But I am grateful for this time when they want me to be with them and experience everything.

Tuesday we did something called Red Nose Day, which is something they do in England. My friend who is a photographer does silly pictures for $5 dollars to help raise money for Children's Charities.

 

The girls saw people at the pool and BEGGED to go swimming. We went back after lunch and invited my friend Melanie and her kids. It was fun to swim but Nora forgot almost all of her swim lessons from the year before. Melanie is the one that taught her last year so she worked with her a little. It was nice to get in the water but a lot of stress. Annalise and Nora both fell in at one time while I wasn't near them. It'll be nice to swim without fear of death.

However, we made plans to do something fun with my friend Kathy and her kids on Wednesday. Kathy has a season pass to the Pima Air and Space Museum and had offered to take us sometime. We met up at Burger King for lunch. The kids (my girls and her two boys) got crowns that they wore almost the whole time. I was super impressed with the soda machine in the Burger King! It was AWESOME! It was only one spout but it gave all flavors. And each different soda could have different flavors added to it. I got a strawberry Sprite. Awesome.

We then headed to the museum and the kids were so cute.

 

Going in the museum.

 

 

There were large hangers with all different kinds of planes in it.

 

 

Annalise flying a little plane.

 

 

Nora and her friend Dryden.

 

 

Posing with a missile from Raytheon where all their daddies work.

 

 

I love Nora's pose in this picture.

 

 

Pretending to be Astronaunts

 

 

 

 

All the kiddos!

 

 

On Thursday we invited Melanie and her kids again to go with us up to Madera Canyon for a picknick. I did a poor job of leading her there, I got off the ramp from the freeway but Melanie didn't quite make it. Oops! But once we got up to the canyon we ate lunch and the kids loved playing on all the rocks. We explored the creek and climbed on big rocks. Melanie's kids are older and they were so fun to explore with and explain things to. Like why we don't drink random water or what to do when we see a snake. Bryson, her 4 or 5 year old, told me that I was very smart. I sure hope so. :) They were so fun to play with!

 



 

 

My pretty Annalise

 

 

Nora and Annalise with their friend Tylee

 

 

 

Exploring a big rock with the older Nielson Children

 

 

Nora, Charity and Tylee

 

 

Nora found a plastic bag that she loved and put random berries in it. (I made sure she didn't eat any berries though!) She also found a big piece of chewed up gum and refused to get rid of it. She loved it so much. Kids are so gross.

 

 

On Friday we decided to plant our garden! We planted herbs, veggies and sun flowers. I thought the sun flowers would be fun for the girls to plant and watch grow.



 

 

Handsome Hubby!

 

 

Planting herbs with Daddy.

 

 

Annalise planting chocolate mint. I smells just like chocolate mint! It's amazing!

 

 

The girls got watering cans and gardening gloves so they can help out.

 

 

They loved helping out...but then they wanted the plants to grow RIGHT then. The check everyday to see if they grew more.

 

 

 

On Saturday we finished planting the garden and that night I went out bowling with some friends with church.

 



 

The gals after bowling.

 

 

Bowling was fun and I am VERY aware now how HORRIBLE I am at it. I want to try again but I think I might need the bumpers.

 

 

Sunday was a calm and simple day. I didn't blog on Sunday like I usually do since I went to see my friend and check in on her after she had surgery. Then took care of my friend Cindy's cat while she was got of town. Nora loved the kitty but I think she might be allergic. :( I hope not since I really want a kitty someday!

 

 

Well, it was a fun and busy week! Thank you for all the love you give me. Your Dad and I did book a cruise this last week too! I are doing an 8 day Mexican cruise! I am SO excited. I love you dearly but I SO need a break! At least Grandma will come and spend time in our home.

 

 

With All My Love,

 

Your Mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up a Creek, No Paddle Required

Dear Castillo Children,

Hello, my lovelies! Let jump right into our week!

On Monday we did our usual house cleaning, laundry, dishes, putting aways all the stuff I was too lazy to put away the night before. (I mean, NO! I was NEVER lazy. You grew up in a spotless house.) Nora and Annalise like to help with the dishes the most. And what I mean by "help" is that they play in the water while Mommy actually does the dishes. I like the company though and as long as they keep the water in the sink I'm happy. I've tried having them take turns sweeping the floor, too. Meaning, they push stuff around with a broom, but they like it and I figure it helps feel apart of the chores. I'm thinking about adding mopping in next, since that is the chore I hate THE most. I'll clean bathrooms, no problem. Loads of laundry, not a big deal. Mopping those floors is exhausting! Ugh!
Family Home Evening consisted of watching Wreck It Ralph and then dancing around afterwards. I think the girls got a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cupcake also. Our FHEs are pretty laid back.

 

That's a laundry basket on Daddy's head, in case you're wondering.

 

 

Daddy as a horse is a long standing Castillo tradition in our house.

 

Tuesday we had another field tip for Nora's Preschool. We went up to Madera Canyon for the morning. They were learning about setting goals and the letter T, so we went one some trails and made a goal to hike. It was so cute to watch them. Nora was the only girl that day, the other one was sick, but she kept up with all the boys. Annalise was also there and tried to keep up but she just couldn't run as fast. But she is fearless! More than willing to climb rocks and jump off of things. I took a ton of pictures in the canyon so you'll have to look at a bunch of them. :)

 

They got little treasure maps (more like scavenger hunt lists) to find treasure.

 

 

They were more interested in climbing rocks.

 

 

And exploring the trees,

 

 

And, of course, running as fast as they could.

 

 

After their search we ate lunch with friends and everyone left to return home. I had bought an annul pass that day and wanted to stay for a little longer. The girls and I went for a short hike and found a creek to play in. I took a ton of pictures again, so please, bear with me and my picture love. :)

 

 

Big sticks are just awesome when you're 3. Or 31. :)

 

 

Nora was excited to see a waterfall, if you can call it that. She talks about them a lot for some reason.

 

 

Annalise kept saying she was fishing.

 

 



Nora found this leaf that she loved.

 (she loved it so much that it was just dust by the time we got home.)

 

 

They loved playing in the water.

 

 

This is my favorite from the day, but at the time I was SO mad at Nora.

(Daddy thinks we'll have to recreate this one when they are older.)

 

 

So many picture! This is like 1/16 of what I took!

 

 

Just ignore their dirty faces... I should have cleaned them up better.

 

 

For sure my favorite of just Nora. She's so pretty when she smiles naturally. Geesh, why can't she do this all the time...on command...for several shots in a row?! Oh, wait, cause she's 3.

 

 



 

Wednesday... we played? I have no clue. I think I need take pictures of everything just so I can remember! I did get a package in the mail. A very special package. See, Todd has always said that I could paint or re stain the kitchen cabinets, essentially, over his dead body. BUT there was a deal for a paint/re stain system from Home Depot for half the regular price. He told me about the sale and let me buy them! AHH! I may have a pretty new kitchen in a matter of months! (It'll take time for us to actually do the project. Buying stuff for projects is always the easiest part of doing home improvement I've decided.) The boxes because the girls favorite toy for the week.

 



 

Their "cars" and house and, and, and...

 

 

I let them color all over the boxes, which made me the coolest Mom ever! (for that moment)

 

Thursday Nora had preschool again I tried really hard to get some things organized...but that takes time and effort. I'm getting close to cleaning out the guest room, putting away all the baby stuff in the attic and getting all the "extra" junk out of the house. I would have ever thought we could gather so much STUFF in the almost 5 years we have lived here! I just want to give it all away sometime...but you're dad would freak out! He's a little bit of a hoarder... ;)

 

 

Friday I had my friend Nicole over to try to make cheese with me. It failed miserably. We heated the milk too high and then it never set. Cheese making is not a very forgiving process. But I will not give up! I will take you down cheese making process! I'm not sure how, but it WILL happen. I was reflecting how happy I am that I don't expect everything I do to be a success the first time. That would be a lot of pressure and I think I would never try anything. I'm grateful to Todd who taught me that failing is the worst thing, giving up is. Also on Friday our friends the Workmans needed help in their backyard. I went over and helped them smooth out dirt for their backyard. They were laying sod and I told them that if they waited until that night when Todd got off of work then he would help them. They were a day behind since their dirt came a day later than they were told. I'm glad I could "help" them, even though my helping is like 1/4 of the help your dad gives. We also went to my friend Cindy's house that night for dinner and to see her before she left for another trip. My girls just love her and call her Aunt Cindy. It was a crazy day!

 

Saturday your dad spent the morning helping to lay sod and we cleaned the house. When he got home we went to Lowe's and Home Depot to get some plants to plant! We got a bunch of herbs, basil (sweet and cinnamon), cilantro (my favorite!) and chocolate mint (it's a mint plant that also smells like CHOCOLATE! It's amazing!) We also got a bunch of seeds and dirt. Nora couldn't wait to plant but we have to finish getting the beds ready. She asks us continually about planting. We went that night to Sam's Club since we got a really cheap membership there. Todd has been against the big members stores but I think Sam's Club won him over. Their meats and cheeses are cheaper. And I really want to use them to help with our year supply of food storage (my family goal for the year)

 

 

Today at church was this really great story. Our high councilman shared a story from a missionary that reported to them when he returned home. He served in this really poor town in Mexico. They town was so poor that didn't have refrigerators. The town had pulled their resources together to buy 3 fridges that were used by the whole town. The missionaries were teaching a fisherman in the town. He invited the elders to come and look at his catch. The made took them to community fridges and showed them a jar of shrimp and a few small fish. Not a lot by any standard. The missionaries prayed about what principle to teach this man and the newer of the two missionaries said they needed to teach him about tithing. The other missionary thought that was a crazy idea since this man and his family had so very little. They decided to do it and when they finished explaining tithing the man looked them in the eyes and asked them if paying tithing would really bless his family. The elders responded that it would. That Sunday the man took his pennies with him to church and had to elders help him fill in his tithing slip since he couldn't read or write. Later that week the elders visited the man again and he asked them if they wanted to see his catch. The elders were nervous and followed him to the community fridges. This time the man had a whole self to himself. There were now 7 jars of shrimp and several large fishes. The man told them that because of this his family would not go hungry that night. I loved this story. LOVED it. Especially that there were 7 jars in the fridge. What blessings!

 

Today we also had choir and invited friends over for dinner. And now I'm blogging. :) But it is late and I am really sleepy, so off to bed I go. I love you my dears and I get to see you in the morning, so I'm a very lucky person indeed.

 

 

All My Love,

 

 

Your Mother