life according to the diaz's: October 2014

Well, I said it back in August that I probably wouldn't be back on here for a few months, and boy did I call it! It's almost been two months since I've made time to sit down and write again about the Diaz Family. Last time I was here, school was about to start and we had just gotten back from a beautiful roadtrip vacation to Florida! Now I sit here with the windows open, listening to the rain and thunder outside and the cool breeze flowing in the window. I couldn't imagine a better afternoon for today. Elena is taking her usual afternoon nap, giving me some extra "mommy time" to blog and get some photos ordered online for Elena's baby albums. It seems I keep falling behind on those also...where is the time going?!
Speaking of time going by so fast, our baby girl is going to be turning 3 at the end of November...that will be here before we know it. She has requested a Daniel Tiger birthday this year, so looking for some birthday items that fit her request are on the agenda this afternoon as well. I'll need to start with her usual celebratory outfit to go with her tutu that she wears on her birthday every year. I'm curious as to what's out there...probably more than I can imagine...
Elena is just growing up WAY TOO FAST. She is not a baby anymore...she is this beautiful little toddler with real feelings who knows real things now. Juan and I talk to her like a regular human being and she has great conversations with us when she's in the mood. There is nothing you can get past that girl if she's paying attention. She is a little sponge. She holds onto our words and actions and doesn't let us forget!
She continues to enjoy spending time with her friends at daycare and her days at home during the weeks with her grandmas. We are so blessed to be able to share Elena with friends and family during the week. She truly gets the best of both worlds. Obviously, she gets spoiled by her grandmas, but who doesn't?! Elena enjoys going to Hy-Vee and Marshalls when my mom is in town to watch her and Elena knows the minute she opens up the door for her Abuela, she's going to have a new outfit to try on!!
Elena is getting better about eating, we just have to eat when she's super hungry. She is loving peanuts, squeeze fruits, shredded cheese triangles, milk (of course), water, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes with syrup, biscuits, fruit snacks, tortillas, sour cream and onion pringles, peanut butter sandwiches (in the shape of an Elmo face), mac n cheese, spaghetti with sauce (YEAH!!), fries, hamburgers (usually), pizza, and of course the beloved donut. I'm sure there are many others I'm not thinking of, but this is her typical diet on most days...choose some of these foods and you're good to go.
Besides our girl, Juan and I have started another school year and we're already in October. Juan is beginning his 4th year and I'm beginning my 12th year. I cannot believe it. Crazy! School keeps us both very busy, but it's work we both love and for that we are blessed. We get to spend our days with lots of kids that need us and it feels good to help. I don't think we could imagine doing anything else for a job. I sometimes still think to myself when I'm at school, "I can't believe I get paid to do this."
So, here we go into a busy fall season of cool weather, crock pots, pumpkin patches, and hooded sweatshirts...I don't usually say this about cooler weather, but I am SO ready for a nice little change for awhile. Happy Fall Everyone!