::Christmas Recap:: 2014

Christmas has always started with faith and traditions for me. These days those beliefs remain, we try every year to make it more and more about our children and what we want them to gain from this season. Faith, family and togetherness.  We worry less about what's in it for us or what others except and more about what our kids will learn from it all... We love sharing with them and our family.

And, as the years go by we enjoy it more and more by creating our own family memories and traditions that we hope will allow our children to gain appreciation, faith and love for our culture and traditions.  

Here is our Christmas recap in pictures: 

::Pinterest Sunday:: TOP 5 PINTREST BOARDS

When I think of 2015 I can think of 5 things that I want to improve on in the new year. This year I worked a lot on inner peace, self-acceptance and being inspired. All of that grew and developed in ways beyond my expectations. In part because of my beautiful blogging family who constantly showed me love and inspired me. As well as for my own little family who have supported me no matter what! 

Life this year has proven that I don't have to be in the perfect place to have a good life and be happy. 

So, in 2015 I want to work on my self as far as: the way I look {clothes and appearance wise, not so much weight but everything else. I do plan on being healthy.} , being organized at home, my home office space, cooking, and a green thumb! Yes, I want to be a better gardener! Only because of Ted Talks and this inspiring story of the Gangster Gardener! ::watch it HERE::

Follow along on my Pinterest Boards, which will also get a little makeover this year into a more organized realm of ideas! 

Follow Connie Gomez's board The Look. on Pinterest.

Follow Connie Gomez's board MI CASA on Pinterest.

Follow Connie Gomez's board Office Space on Pinterest.

Follow Connie Gomez's board Yumma! on Pinterest.

Follow Connie Gomez's board Garden Desires on Pinterest.

::Picture Me Saturday:: Christmas Edition

This week was my son and daughter's Christmas Program at school. We had so much fun! My son was Joseph and we are always so proud of how he is not shy and owns his part. He remembers his lines and the teachers always love his personality and attitude towards it all. My daughter danced with her ballet class but I only took video which I want to learn editing for before I post them. 

Sharing a few of our pictures from that day... 

#ad :: Elf on the Shelf :: Discovering Traditions

::Momma Disclosure:: {This is not a compensated campaign. I received an Elf on the Shelf courtesy of creator Carol Aebersold and MSL Group. The statements below are both my true and honest opinion.}

PARA INFORMACION EN ESPAÑOL SOBRE LA TRADICION DE ELF ON THE SELF VEA ::AQUI::

I never know when to introduce certain tradition to my children, they are fairly young still and well I don't ever know if they will fully appreciate them. But, this past weekend I decided to join in on the Christmas Elf on the Shelf fun since I had been gifted the cute little Elf earlier this year. I also had the opportunity to interview the creator which was a very neat experience. 

I put my box filled with goodies on the table and of course immediately sparked attention in my kids. When I opened it, the tradition was immediately born. A magical experience if you will. My son was intrigued. He asked so many questions, "will she come alive?" , "does she move?", "are you sure?". I started to unpack and explain. 

They started to fall in love with the idea of having an actual "SANTA SPY!" in their home!  

They quickly started talking to her and my daughter of course loved that she was a girl. We jumped into bed and read the book. We then started thinking of a name but needed some help from Daddy. He suggested Wendi, my kids automatically thought of Peter Pan's Wendy since she flies! I decided to spell it Wendi with an "i" to be unique. Ha. 

We read the book 3 times, Camila wanted to be sure of what was going to happen and my Santi wanted to be reminded of how and when she would come and go to the North Pole. 

Afterward we decided that the best place for her to start her new stay in our home was  on our Christmas tree... we shall see what adventures she has for the next week leading up to Christmas when she has to go back to Santa in the North Pole. 

I loved the book, this was all new to me but it's such a sweet idea and my kids are excited to see where Wendi will venture to each day! 

The best part was chatting with   when she was here earlier this year presenting her newest addition to Elf on Shelf now a Birthday tradition! She is really an inspiration to writers and Mom-entrepreneurs everywhere. Her and her daughter were persistent and had faith in their brand. All of which I love. 

Here is a summary of my 
Interview with the creator of Elf on the Shelf:

Where did the idea come from? Carol Aebersold had an elf named Fisbee when she was a young girl which she then used to help her children celebrate their Holiday season. In 2004,one of  her daughters suggested that they write a book about the tradition. Her story becomes one of persistence and never giving up. She was rejected 9 times before her book was self-published. Carol stated that we should:

"Keep chasing our dreams. Because if we don't, we may miss many great opportunities." 

Her passion for this tradition now translates into thousands of book sales, education initiatives  to help teachers with lesson plans & creative activities for students and now book signing tours. She came to Houston this year to share with with us her newest sequel which is the Elf on the Shelf a Birthday tradition which I cannot wait to open in March for Cami's 4th Birthday! It's a special permission that Santa has given his scout elf for 24 hours to help share in the child's birthday.  

She mentioned that one of the biggest boosts that the book received was in 2007. Unplanned, actress Jennifer Garner was photographed with an Elf on the Shelf, the rest is history! Her story really gives me hope. She stated that we should't assume that things will be easy  or that they will go a certain way, because nothing is set in stone! 

These days Elf on the Shelf is committed to giving back and when you purchase Elf on the Shelf a Birthday Tradition you will help a child receive clean water, $1 of each book sale is donated to Charity Water. This is so important to me, as I want to teach my children about the importance of giving back to our communities and the world around us. 

::Top 5:: Types of Gifts for Momma's #holidays2014

When I think about gifting to other Momma’s I think about things I would love to receive for myself here are my top 5 types of gifts for Momma’s:

1-Personalized gifts:

My friend Tracey from TeeWii recently launched a new shop Plush Design LA  

Their current feature is the Adventurer Set and the Adventur-ish case. 

The GLAMP pillowcase is $12 and the Mr. Outdoors/Mrs. Adventure set is $20.

Website: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlushDesignLA

Social Media: 

https://www.facebook.com/plushdesignla

https://twitter.com/plushdesignla

http://instagram.com/plushdesignla/

I recently purchased a personalized item from Designed to Shine and I am so in love with the shop!

                                           {Picture from Designed to Shine Facebook page} 

Etsy Shop: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignedToShineAcc

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/DesignedToShineAcc?ref=br_tf

2-Gift cards:

Sometimes people think it's not enough to just give a gift card but trust me as a Momma on a budget this is always welcome by me! Either to my favorite stores like Old Navy and Target or  ANY food place or coffee shop like Starbucks or Panera Bread.

3- A gift basket:

Another great personalized item are gift baskets. Super easy to create or you can also buy them already filled with great goodies! I know places like Kroger and Walmart have some pretty afforable ones! So many different gift baskets with tons of goodies; cookies, coffee, treats; anything fun and yummy is always great during the holiday's. 

4-Holiday Cash:

Who doesn't need some extra money especially after the Holiday’s! I would say that to me it’s the thought that counts, $10-25. Depending on whom the person is; I would gift a close Momma friend between $20-25 & a co-worker Momma friend between $10-20. I think it's a great gift! 

5-Self Love:

Anything that involves some me time is great like a massage or spa day ! Or maybe a gift card to her favorite nail shop or hairdresser, that way the Momma can have some alone time and de-stress from all the Holiday hustle and bustle! 

::TOP 5 HOLIDAY DRINKS:: #mexicanmomma

When I think of Christmas I think of warm memories and hot homemade chocolate and so many others! 

The kids and I  created our top 5 favorite Christmas drink list, these are listed in no particular order: 

1) Traditional American Hot Chocolate- My kids have newly discovered this with the tiny marshmallows! We love! 

2) Chai Tea Latte-I always love the cold because I can head to Starbucks for my favorite drink. I love the warm spice with milk and extra whip cream. You can also replicate at home. I have and it's so good too. 

3) Warm Apple Cider with red hots- A few years ago we discovered a live nativity scene at a church near our home and after each act they would serve the BEST warm apple cider with red hots in it, we were hooked. It's a Holiday favorite in our home. 

4) Chocolate Abuelita- My Momma has always made us chocolate Abuelita and of course it's a must in our home!! The warm comfort that reminds me of my childhood. Always an amazing feeling! 

5) Champurrado- ::not in picture:: When I was pregnant with my son I was in love with warm Champurrado from a local snack stand outside of a Fiesta here in town and at a restaurant called Gorditas Aguascalientes. I would make my Momma take me after work to get a cup almost everday, even if it was hot outside! Haha. 

What are some of your favorite Holiday drinks?

#ad ::Fiesta Mart Meet & Greet with Houston Texans DeAndre Hopkins:: #procterandgamble

::Momma Disclosure:: {This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Procter & Gamble and Fiesta Mart Inc. I received the gifts mentioned below both for myself and 1 winning reader. The statements below are both my true and honest opinion.}

Are you looking to have a fun and affordable Sunday game-day tailgate party or viewing party for the next Texans game?

Well it can be, thanks to Procter & Gamble and Fiesta Mart, Inc; who have partnered up and want to make your next NFL tailgate party a complete success! You can not only enjoy great deals and some freebies but also meet and greet some of Houston's finest NFL players!  Our local Fiesta Mart offers great deals on brands that you know and will surely love. Don't wait, you can join us tomorrow for some great deals and start planning your next tailgate or viewing party! 

Join us at the event, where you will be able to meet and greet with DeAndre Hopkins, take pictures with  him and get his autograph. Also, you can take advantage of the great one-day-only offer; Buy $25 in P&G products and receive a FREE Houston Texans beanie hat! 

Fiesta Mart will also be giving away free eye black stickers that feature the logo of your favorite Houston home town team! They are super cute! My kids loved them!! 

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Meet & Greet with Brian Cushing! It was great! The fans were so excited from the youngest NFL fan to some very excited gentlemen and ladies!

 Brian Cushing with his beautiful wife Megan! 

Then come back to Momma of Dos Blog for a chance to enter to win a prize pack for you to enjoy more of the great products P & G has to offer! 

Prize pack includes the following:

• $20 gift card to Fiesta Mart
• Bounty Single Roll Paper Towel
• Secret Deodorant
• Old Spice Deodorant
• Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pens