my most treasured gift

everything tastes better in my new mug from Maya.

weekend in oxnard part 2

 Maya and grampa worked hard  building and decorating this gingerbread train

 here is the final outcome, pretty awesome!

 We went on their 8 passenger Duffy boat at night for the annual holiday boat parade.  Super fun, especially with glowing toys.

This was the float my dad and his team worked on.  It took second place-only  because one of the elves fell off into the water before the parade.

weekend in oxnard

 Maya's first meeting with Santa.

 It was just gorgeous every day! Maya was so happy to spend so much time on the sand.

 The wind picked up enough to fly a kite with uncle Dan.

This may have been Maya's first experience with snow.


Maya and I went to see nana and grampa's beach house for the first time last weekend.  Uncle Dan came too.  We had a great time and were so busy,  these are the highlights.

YWCA winter program

The winter program was awesome! We got to play at school in the dark! Maya was ready with her head to toe pink, including her head lamp.  She was riding bikes and walking the tightrope.  The rest of the time she was "cooking" in the outdoor kitchen.

the little chef

Maya is not a chocolate fan at all.  But I think all that may have changed since she licked the whisk clean of the chocolate frosting she made for her chocolate cakes for her school's winter program last week.  After baking these cakes, I am done with all of my teacher support hours for the year! WOO HOO!

3 year anniversary

December 9 was Luka's 3 year anniversary if coming to the US.  Maya and I got him a bunch of balloons and an ice cream treat to celebrate his big day.
And right at this minute he is in Serbia with his mom! Great news.  He took his last final yesterday and flew out last night.  He has waited so long for this moment, Im so happy for him.  He will be there for 3 cold weeks.

Sunday brunch

Sunday my favorite nor cal family stopped in for a quick brunch on their way back home after spending the weekend in so cal.  It has been a year since we all saw eachother.  Maya had a very hard time sharing sadly, but you would never know by these pictures! Maybe Leo's sweet face is a giveaway?
Maya helped me make waffles, and I also made my first vegan quiche which was delish.

Mia's pirate party

Maya's BFF Mia had her 4th birthday party last weekend, and it was awesome!  Mia didnt want to play  with Maya as usual, so Maya found Nelly and became fast mermaid face friends.

he he he!

School Menorah

I know its a bit late, but check this. The morning kids made this sweet menorah for hanukkah.  I think its baby food jars and found objects like pine cones etc.

Toy Drive

I am trying to get Maya in the spirit of giving, not just the spirit of "can you buy me this?" this holiday season.
Its hard for her because she gets a massive amount of gifts in December, for the holidays and her birthday, and nothing all year. So she equates this time of year with being all about her.
I had her pick out a toy to give a boy from Luka=mickey mouse talking book, and a toy for a girl from her=princess beauty box.  These will go to the Childrens Hospital LA.

Ho Ho Ho

Maya is so interested in all of the holidays, and she has convinced me to decorate for Christmas, so here it is!
I actually like it more than our hanukkah decorations from November!

the little artist

I was at the mechanic the other day, and Maya stayed home with Pedja.  She cried a bit and was missing me, so she painted this beautiful portrait of me.  The hook on the bottom is my chin (i mistook it for my tongue), My lashes look like ive  been using some latisse (i wish!), and the pink circle on my right cheek is a kiss from her.  That made me totally tear up.

Night

Luka just finished reading the haunting book about the Holocaust, "Night", and this was his art project he did.   Dont ask about the face.

Gentle Barn

Yesterday was a great day at the Gentle Barn with our friends Violet and Julian.  Maya got to hug a cow (sorry I couldnt get the cows head in the shot), feed a bunch of horses some carrots, and give a big a nice belly rub.  She also pet sheep, goats and a turkey.  The bonus picture is the sweet cow with a red bow on its head.  We all had a picnic and then the kids played for quite a while, then we headed home. Its 50 miles each way, but so worth it to see these animals that were abused or on their way to slaughter have such a peaceful loving home now.

The Gentle Barn

There's more than just animals at the gentle barn! There's Hello Kitty, a Butterfly and Spiderman too!