I Believe....

I believe....I am way overdue in writing an entry into this blog.

I believe....I have to make some changes in my life this year so that I can find more time for writing as it is probably one of the things I enjoy doing most, besides spending time with my daughter and husband.  Plus, I find writing so therapeutic.  And in the long run, Kristina will have a memoir of her years growing up.

On that note:

I believe....our daughter is growing up faster than we can keep up with.  Each day, her personality shines and gives me a small glimpse into our future when she is a teenager.

I believe....we will have our hands full.  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last two months have been a blur.  We have celebrated my birthday, Holiday Programs at School,  Christmas, Nana's Birthday, New Year's Eve, Russian Christmas, and Kristina's 7th birthday (yes, the birthday that lasted 3 days...one reason it has been easy to recently give up cake and cupcakes!).

As a mom trying to continue this memoir, I will do my best to make it through the Christmas holidays and then ring in the new year with a new entry.  Time to get that cup of tea and get comfortable, Grammy and Nana ~ you've waited long enough for a few pics of your only granddaughter!

December

A Hip-Hop Birthday!

My birthday was low-key, just as I like it, especially since next year's will be a big one (or big 5-0)!  I shutter at even writing that but I have to start getting used to the idea.

Kristina had a Hip Hop recital on my birthday so I got off early from work in time to see her.  Kristina thinks it's cool that Hip Hop originated in the Bronx....right where her mama was born!



The pics are blurry but take my word for it, this girl and the other kids really have some dope moves!

 

Hanging out with her bud, Avery!



Nana and Grampa made it...and Nana has some moves of her own!

We bad!

Later that evening, Jon, Kristina and I had dinner at my favorite restaurant.  Where else?  Maria's Italian Kitchen!

 

My greatest gift in life.

SNOW!!

Who says California doesn't get much snow?  Our local YMCA shipped in some snow one Saturday afternoon and Kristina had a blast with her friend, Kira.  I'm sure those of you in the MidWest and East would love to ship us some of your snow!



Bundled and ready for the snow!

 

Kira is one month older than Kristina and she towers over Kristina!

Kristina figured it was easier to make snowballs without gloves...atleast for a little while!

This "hill" was about 6 feet high...but still a blast.

Looking for a target...



Snow + sun = slush

Love.

Looks so sweet.....

...but she's the double-fisted snowball slinger!

The girls really got a kick out of hitting their targets - us the parents!

Buddies!

She's grown up so much since the last time she's seen snow...Siberian Snow!

Seeing Santa Claus

Kristina would have nothing to do with Santa the very first year she was home.  She wasn't quite 3 yet but things have changed since.  We went to see Santa at the Northridge Mall again but this time, they wouldn't let me take pictures of Kristina with him (ugh -- and I pre-paid $40 on the Rudolph package!).  Some "policies" really take the joy out of the holiday.  Anyways, here's our little girl growing up with Santa over the years, and then this year's visit.

2010 ~ First Time with Santa

 

2011 ~ Afterwards, he gave her a bell so she could always here it's sound...just like in the movie "Polar Express."

2012 ~ Yup, same 'ol Santa and she has really warmed up to him!

2013 ~ Yay, he's back again!!!  I was starting to think that Santa was getting smaller...but then figured it out.  Kristina is just getting bigger!

And the moments leading up to seeing Santa this year:

 

As we arrived, I suddenly realized my little girl isn't so little anymore!



Kristina becomes the Welcome Wagon to all visitors showing up with pets.  For the second year in a row, we show up on Pet Picture with Santa night...it's a conspiracy.

 

From afar, Santa waved to his fans:  2-legged and 4-legged!

 

Kristina tries desperately to get Santa's attention, to no avail...

 

Holding her letter to Santa, we are next in line.  Someone is sooo excited!

 

Blurry because I am being reprimanded for taking a photo with my camera of Kristina giving her letter to Santa.  Did they take one?  Oh, no....I paid $40 for a "package" of the 3 photos they took....all identical and none while Santa and Kristina chatted.  I'm still bitter. 

 

 

Excited after seeing Santa Claus...and given the "Golden Ticket" to pick up our photo "package".

School Winter Program

 

The following week, Kristina's school had their yearly Holiday Program.  Unfortunately, daddy was out deliverying a million FedEx packages so he was unable to make it (just like the Hip Hop performance).  But Nana and Grampa were there to cheer on our little star along with me.

Leaving for school all ready for the Holiday "Winter Program"

There she is!  Easy to find...

Ready to sing her heart out.

Always smilin' for the camera

We got this Princess Scarf and Hat in Disney World in 2008, right after meeting her for the first time.

Posing after the perfomance.

Christmas Tree Shopping and the First Ornament is Donned

This year, we went shopping for a tree earlier in the hopes that it would be decorated well before Christmas.  Well, life kinda got in the way but we finally did decorate it a week later...

And so the search begins....

...Jon breaks out the Swiss Army Knife and opens tree.after.tree.after.tree...

Since Jasmine and her dad were there, Jon lost his partner in crime looking for the "perfect" tree.

Ha!  Since Kristina was too "busy" to pose with dad, Arsenio from Home Depot filled the void!

Kristina and "baby" (also dressed in the same nightie) are ready to put our traditional first ornament on the tree:  Russian "Mariana."

If she could put it up higher, she would!

Mariana graces our tree for her 6th Christmas.

 

It's really starting to look like Christmas!

Time to put "baby" to bed.  Such a sweet mama.

If only everyone could see Christmas through the eyes of children.

Christmas Eve

Unfortunately, Jon had to work late on Christmas Eve, just like he did throughout the entire holiday season.  FedEx got hit hard with an incredible volume of freight and the bad weather made deadlines fall hard on those who had to get the goods from point A to B.  I took Kristina and Jasmine to church (Jasmine's daddy also works for FedEx and her mom is a nurse who was working Christmas Eve).  Nana and Grampa were there and it was really nice to see them.  The girls were good but found it hard to contain their excitement with the tons of other kids at mass.

Kristina and Jasmine checking out Baby Jesus in the Manger.

 

Gaby, Kristina and Jasmine met up after mass.

Kristina "hearts" Santa Claus.

Snacks are ready for Santa and his reindeer, located on the table with Kristina's Russian Christmas Tree.

Peace out, folks - this girl is going to bed!

Christmas Day

Just like previous years, Kristina slept with us the night before Christmas.  Although she normally sleeps in her own bed, this has become a wonderful way to start the day (plus, we know these days are numbered since she's getting older by the minute...).  Kristina woke up around 9:30am (a true Cassidy-Deary), and talked to us for about 15 minutes before bolting out to see if Santa had been here.  (It was during our talk that she told us that for sure she heard reindeer hooves on the roof last night but fell back asleep for fear Santa would know she was awake.)  ;)

There is so much joy in seeing a child who truly...believes.

The stockings were full...well, atleast Kristina's was!!!

Santa was here...

...and he ate some cookies!!

NOTE:  Kristina was quick to notice that Santa not only drank the milk but he left the mug rinsed out in the sink.  D'oh!!!

 

Excited to see gifts under the tree with "Kristina" written on the tags!

Seriously?  Even Santa has Matryoshka wrapping paper!!

Kristina and daddy opening up a gift.

Hmmm, this one is from Grammy and Poppy...

 

...new boots!!!

 

Grampa made each of us a mirror and stand...by hand!!!

When Kristina opened up these new pairs of shoes, she exclaimed,

"This is the best Christmas EVER!"



She almost passed out from shock after opening up her very own Easy Bake Oven!

Just opened home made cookies from Grammy!  Yum!

And last, but not least, the one ultimate gift she requested from Santa:  Kitty Cat with fluffy toy.  Life is good.  :)

Gaby stopped by for a few minutes!

Gaby, Andrea and Kristina - the gift of friendship is priceless!

 

And Off to Grandmother's House We Go!

Kristina adores Michelle, Bryce's girlfriend.

Michelle has been the only one to get Kristina to try sushi!

Jon and cousin, Alex (15)

Kristina and cousin, Griffin (19)

Christmas hugs from Nana...

...and Grampa!

Another awesome dinner compliments of Nana Claus.

Deary Family, Christmas 2013

 

And even tho' other children at school have begun to talk about the existence or non-existence of Santa Claus, it's so awesome to see that...

 

Kristina still believes!

 

 

Written by Kristina all by herself:

 

Dear Santa Claus  I will

like a cat with a blanky and a fuzzy

thing toy and a feed bowl and I will

like a dog.  and a lof of diferint colored tap.

and a Monster high kit.  And I will

like a new dress with sparkls and pink

and blue prple sparkls.  And a new pair of

pink boots.  Love, Kristina DeAnn Deary

I Love You, Santa Claus.

And a Hello Kitty