LEGO and toys.

This year has been a banner year for Matthews getting Lego's. He has gotten and bought many sets of them for him self. I was not allowed to have them my self. I will tell you I have enjoyed playing with them my self. Its OK to play with toys and enjoy them. I liked putting together spin art and also making the metal dump truck with you.  My word of advise is to stay young on the inside.  Enjoy what you are playing - don't fake it - kids can tell. Thats the key to having fun with kids. Just find what you like doing together.   There are certain thing that I don't like playing - things with too many lights or sounds (thats usually after work though) , but Lego's and art things I have fun with.  I just learned about the LEGO store and how they sell them in bulk. I am looking forward to putting together sets but more excited to just have fun with your imagination and having fun.  Some parents need to always have structured play time with specific things to do. Kids just need  kid time. Remember when playing its about their time not yours.  I wish I had more time to just play. Sundays go buy too quick to do everything and play....

As always ,

With Love,

 Dad

Christmas gifts

Christmas ..... what to say about Christmas. The best gifts mom and I ever got from you two were the hand made ornaments. The photo frames and tin nutcrackers we put on the tree. These things I knew you made with your hands at school mean so much to me and mom. Its a snapshot of you at Christmas. Everything else is just stuff you bought. Not that I don't appreciate it but its the things you put your hand on are the best!

   I always loved getting up and turing on the coffee and watching your faces as you opened your gifts.  It did not matter how tired I was or how early it is but your faces were what kept be going.  The noise didn't matter the cleaning of wrapping paper didn't matter. All that mattered was your smiles and that you were happy.

     We didn't have much but we always made sure you had a little here and there. Something small but nice to open.   You don't have to go over the top and give crazy toys. Give your kids love and your time. These are things that matter. I wish I wish I could have more time to spend with you too, but you have to work when you can.   Sit and play with your kids, Lego's, cards, checkers, chess and just watch TV together. Its nice for both of you....... I'll remember my time with you 1000 longer than what toy I gave you. I hope you remember this as well ..

Merry Christmas and please remember that I love you both.

 

With Love,

Dad.

Turkey flautas

Post thanksgiving leftovers. While I do enjoy the traditional Turkey sammich afterwards or a simple turkey Cheddar biscuit I love turkey flautas. They are not hard to make and you boys have always loved them. One of the first years mom and I were married we went downstate and make thanksgiving at Papa's house. The next day I made these and he loved them Your Nana not so much but so what? You boys loved them... My mother taught me how to make them. I wish there were more things that I can give you from your grandmother , but I guess that recipes of her great food are the best things I can give you. The smells and tastes of great foods can keep memories forever.

 

 

... Here y a go ...

 

You will need:

Cooked turkey

corn tortillas one or two packages

corn or veggie oil

wooden toothpicks

2 frying pans

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shred the cooked  turkey (yes you can use cooked chicken too)
in a frying pan pan a touch of tomato sauce
salt
pepper
a dash of cumin
a dash of hot sauce
** all this is optional and to your taste
warm it all in the pan just enough to lightly moisten the turkey and to add flavor - if your serving w/ salsa - skip it.

Microwave the corn tortillas *** important!!!!!

- if you don't the tortilla will crack and spill turkey in to the oil
now fill and roll the tortillas - don't over fill !!!!!
secure with one or two toothpicks

 

make them before you start frying or have some one else making while you fry them.

in a large pan heat corn oil
now fry till crispy shell - golden brown
the oil does not need to cover - just enough to roll them in
only fry up to 3 three at a time so the oil does not cool to fast and make the tortilla gummy

drain on a plate w/ paper napkins

serve w/ salsa
guac
sour cream and a dash of salt

cut limes

refried beans or anyting else you want to put with this
and beers

 

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Remember boys , I love you like nothing you can imagine and I hope this reminds you of your grandmother.

 

With Love,

Dad.

DO NOT FORGET TO REMOVE TOOTHPICK BEFORE EATING!!!!!!! 

 - it may sound silly you you can bite in to it if you are not thinking.

Halloween 2011

Halloween.  I love the Holiday. In since you boys were born I have always taken off of work early for two reasons; First to help you get dresses and walk with you in your costume , Secondly to give away candy to kids.  For the last 10 years I have always walked with you two, holding bags when they got too heave , carrying you on my shoulders when you got tired and always protecting you. I loved it.

     This year I have to say I was saddened... it was the first year that you two walked alone (with out me). I was hoping that you would walk with friends, but who knows where they went. You two walked for about two hours and collected a bunch of loot.  I have to say I was nervous and scared, but I realized you two were growing up.  I'm proud of you for going and behaving but also being responsible kids. I love you and I hope that some day you two will watch your own kids walk on their own on Halloween. It's both sad and a good feeling.

 

Remember - Flashlights, glow sticks and cell phones.... Be polite and say Thank you.

 

As always

With Love, Dad.

 

Just causes

Last weekend we (me,your brother  , mom and you) went to a 5k  Breast Cancer walk to raise money for Cancer research.  It was in the rain and cold in the morning but cleared up. I have to say I'm so proud of all of you. Never be ashamed to do the right thing. To stand up for a cause and to help a person who needs it. - I have picked to do the cancer walks because my mom ( your grandmother) has had breast cancer, your nanna (moms mom) and several of my friends mothers have had it. EVERY ONE has a mom , some have sisters and aunts, some have girlfriends and wives but every one has a Mom.... I hope I really do hope that you follow me in doing this walk supporting things like this.... Thank you for helping me and helping others.

Future geek

Its funny on what you try to guide your kids in to . You want them to be their own person but you would like them to enjoy some things you like too. By them selves they have found they love fishing, star wars, riding bikes,Nerf guns ,Nascar and football (Matthew loves the Broncos). I wanted to geek out with me and watch Dr who - They weren't into it, and that's OK too. However because netflix suggested Primeval they are huge fans. It took them a little bit to adjust to an English accent from a Chicago/Midwest/Spanish accent but they love the show.... Its fun to be a geek in what ever you want. From cards to trains to dinosaurs to what ever... enjoy it.

Expect more kids...

Well I wanted to take you and your brother and do some late evening/ night fishing. I was hoping to catch some big carp and maybe a catfish or two. I was ready with bread bait and chicken livers. I also decided to bring a small grill so we could make a small bon fire and make Smores.  When I got home you two asked if Andrew and his brother could go.  I got there and we added aAndrews baby brother + another 2 kids from the neighborhood... All in all We got there and I was watching 7 kids.  I didn't get a chance to fish my self , but watching all of you and making smores in to the night was just great as well.... When you have your own kids always expect more kids at any given moment ..... its fun that way too...

1st Bass

One word of advise is to stay excited for your kids. Watch the world through their eyes and the world stays young.  Here's what I mean.... I have been taking you boys fishing for some time - 3 years or so. before that I have only fished once or twice in my life. I stopped and learned how to tie knots and set worms and even how to cast. I studied different hooks and lures for you guys. All this so I could show you two how to fish.  I was excited at your first blue gill and small bull head. Even when I saw your monster Carp I was excited for you. Now this is the first Largemouth Bass you caught. Not only did I watch your line and fish I watched your face and listened to your voice... You were so excited and proud. You deserved to be.... Stay excited from the first thing you do to the last. Boys I will always be proud of you as long as you give it your best. 

 

With love , dad.