A family Reunion

Once we arrived in NYC we headed to time sqaure just to soak up the livelihood and energetic feeling New Yorker have. The air had a mix of different ethnic food that made you hungry even if you were not hungry. We were headed to my hometown BROOKLYN... We arrived and the hugs of my parents felt so good and to see their smile was priceless. Amalia well what can I say she is princess that celebrates everything in Life..she applauded, blew kisses and put on that big smile that only she knows how to. My parents did not know how to share Amalia and Ethan they were switching babies like they were playing musical chair. Hugging them and kissing them since it has been a year since we all saw each other. My father had me sit in his lap as If I was the four year old little girl, but now that I am a mother I understand him;  our children will always be our little ones and never to old to sit in our lap. He kept givng me compliment that I looked so beautiful.

Amalia and Grandma (My mother)

A couple of hour later my sister, niece, nephew and brother came by my mothers house and the fun begins. My sister never changes she is the little sister that will always dig in your luggage, closet , drawer just to see what might fit her and try it on and persaude me on why it looks better on her..Lolol...so we did what we always did when we get together get dressed up and strike a pose.....We went to my moms room and put on dads hats.





The Family pictures and my dad funny face.

I was observing every little corner of my house because everyroom has a memory. I just stare and my mind goes back to that time giving me a bittersweet feeling because as much as I love my family, I have one of my own to make memories with. Love you guys and miss you dearly!

Road Trip and Birthday Party Planning Part 2.

The time came for us to take our nice long long long road trip to NYC. I packed my car and off we went..I was so excited because I have not seen my family in a year and planning Amalias birthday party and getting to see so many friends and family I had a ball of excitement in my stomach..I made sure I packed fun activities for the kids... I packed flash cards, coloring book with crayons, books and my Ipad where they can watch movies..and to my surprise my kids rocked..There were so well behaved. I packed food to eat, packed, crackers, cheese, coldcuts, cereals, homemade food that was able to be eaten at room temperature and a cooler full of water, juice and yogurt. We embarked at 12:26 midnight grabbed my thermo of fresh coffee and played some music and off we went. One of the coolest thing about roadtrip is being able to see the sunrise and sunset it something about such setting that makes me feel alive and blessed. Once we arrive North Carolina it is a tradition of ours to have a hearty delicious breakfast at Crack and Barrel..I love there pancakes, I have tried to mimick it and I have failed. I can eat there pancakes all day! Ok, back to the trip.. Amalia liked their grits and Ethan well he had a bit of our breakfast plate, some of pancake, some steak, eggs, hashbrowns and biscuit.. Yummy..

After a delicious breakfast..back to the car to continue our road trip. Seven hours straight of driving we decided to stop at a rest area and sleep for a while because we were all tired.  We did not sleep much it was just an hour to two hours because we just wanted to arrive already...We drove and drove and stopped and rested and drove until we saw the destination sign: Welcome to New York and it felt like we drank 5 cans of Redbull because we were all so energetic and the adrenaline kicked in and I was able to feel the New York Life Style...seeing people with their fashion statement, I can imagine someone selling something in the corner, the cars honking, the lights at nights, I felt ALIVE! We drove through the Holland Tunnel and

                                           
like Emeril Lagasse says "BAM" we are in the heart of NYC...

                         

Road Trip and Planning a Birthday Party Part 1.

I am a bit excited!  My baby girl turned two on August 8, but she woke up with a pink eye and she was not in a festive mood. Instead we will be celebrating her BIG 2 in NYC with family and friends. I have to confess I am bit nervous. I am going to see a high school friend that I have not see since..wait for it......15 years.. "What?" "How can that be?" Well, we were not that close in high school..We took science class together and when I did Guys and Dolls she was taking care of things behind the scene. We grew close when we came across on each other on Face Book. She and I were pregnant and we began chatting on facebook and that is how we grew close. When I told her I was going to NYC to celebrate Amalia's birthday we both started talking about the birthday theme and games to play with the little kids..We even plan the menu......

   Amalia's birthday theme is Butterfly Garden party...I was able to get butterfly wings for some of the little girls from the dollar store and for the boys I made frog sun visors out of foam. I went to party city and bought some garden theme goodies...Let me tell you a little bit about myself. When I plan a dinner event or party event, my minds creates something grand my imagination goes loco..hahaha...and I want to replicate the same vision in reality..but it is hard because I don't have money like that and second because I might not find the exact supply to create such event....but I make the best of it....Back to the party theme.... My mother has a front yard and with good weather, the front yard will be decorated with butterfly, pinwheels, frogs toy...My mother has a closed porch and that will be decorated with hanging tissue pompom that will be made by moi, hanging strings, a hanging butterfly pinata and the buffet table will be decor with pink table cloth holding delicious home made food (I come from Dominican Parents)  such as, Morro de gandules (rice with pigeon peas) pollo al horno (roasted chicken), Lasagna, potato salad, green salad, pernil (pork shoulder), ceviche, white rice, Italian bread homemade dipped garlic sauce for the bread, and Shepard pie( made by my friend), a tray holding carrots, celery, cherry tomato, broccoli with ranch dip, and fruits salad. On the birthday cake table, will be decor with pink ruffle skirt, with white tulle holding butterfly wings, some balloons and on the table will have trays of cookies, wafers, cake pops (will be made by my friend Karen) and the birthday cake will also be created by Karen. Some jars to hold raspberry M&M and yogurt pretzels.. As I write this I get so excited...Now for the guest of honor the birthday girl I decided to be creative..I decided to create a tutu dress with a crochet top, and a beautiful headband that I also hand made using satin fabric, pink lace and marabou feather laid on a stretchy lace.with pink butterfly wings.....In addition Margaret is allowing me to borrow some jars and vase for decoration purpose....I will put up pictures of the event.. If the weather does not cooperate then we will take the party inside...

Long Over Due

Last month some family came from up north and I could not be more excited...Just the thought of my children having fun with their cousins, aunts and uncle made me all giddy inside..it meant making memories. It was their first time in Florida and they had in mind the theme parks and beach they wanted to attend. The weather cooperated...the weather promised a nice week of high 90'S..woohooo!!!  The first day they came early..I made a delicious breakfast of eggs, turkey bacon, fruit, waffle topped with powdered sugars, coffee and orange juice....after breakfast a quick tour of Downtown Disney and Orlando...we then ate dinner at Buffalo Wings....and once we came home we play WII and dance our way to sleep...Woke up early the next day..tune in the weather channel and a promising of high 95 we headed the Aquatica the water park theme....Eat breakfast...packed coolers...put a TON of sunscreen on...put on our bathing suits and out the door...We arrived at ten in the morning and the place was packed....once we all went and found the perfect spot to drop off all of our belonging...the kids dodged to the water and the adult follow.....had a great time and we did not leave until the park closed at seven o'clock the kids were all tired but you can tell they had an awesome time...The next day it was a  trip to Lego Land...Such a beautiful colorful park...do not know who had more fun the kids or the adults, the night ended with a nice meal at Olive Garden..... The next day was beach day....they headed to Clear Water beach and  I stood home with the princess since I was not feeling well at all.....but managed to cook a nice home made meal since I have been wanting to cook for my guest.... The next day agenda Sea World...Ethan's favorite place....He was told that morning we were going to Sea World, he looked for his shamu the whale plush toy and out the door we went.......It was a great week....the next day they were headed back up north...as we departed we hugged each other with tears in our eyes......and we thank each other for everything....I wished them a safe blessed trip and until next time.....

The above picture...Grand Central New York...a little bit of home in the state of Florida..made out of Lego's.

Cappuccino for children

This morning I was drinking my delicious warm cup of coffee when I heard on the Doctor show that in Australia, coffee shops serve cappuccino for children calling it "Babyccino." This trend has been going on for over a decade and now this trend is in New York. Coffee shops in Brooklyn such as in Park Slope and Fort Green have barista serving this "Babyccino" for a price of two dollars. Babycinno is described as a cappuccino beverage featuring a shot of decaf espresso topped with steamed milk and froth, while others use it to describe steamed milk with foam on top and a touch of cinnamon. Now, when I was small my grandmother once in a while would give me coffee diluted in water with crackers as a "snack." It is common in the Latin culture to give a taste of coffee to children; but not to the point of going to a coffee shop with your toddler and ask for a Babyccino. 

Now tell me, would you order a Babyccino for your toddler? Why?

Let's get physical..physical.....

The other day I had to drive in the rainy weather to see an orthopedic for Amalia. Amalia's ankle bows slightly and in order to improve this "pronation" an orthopedic shoe inserts will help her correct the bow of the ankle when she begins to stand.  All the clinics that I have attended in Florida always have a corner or a room full of toys.

Thirty minute in the waiting area and we were called in. The specialist sat her on a red cushion seat and measure her cute pudgy feet. He advice that she will be getting the Chipmunk shoe insert but she needs to wear high top sneakers ( boooo) but its ok..she is still cute no matter what she wears. We left the clinic and headed home on a rainy day.

                                                          

The Chipmunk shoe insert

    Before we headed home I had to do some food shopping so we did a quick stop at Publix..and look who graduated to the front of the shopping cart. Yes..I was sooo happy, because when I go food shopping with them,  Amalia is inside her baby car seat inside the shopping cart while Ethan sits in the front. I even picked up her hair...she looks such like a young lady..

                                

            Amalia was getting ready for her therapy session on the following day.

                                       
                                 Let's get physical!!!!

                                                                                              

                                                                  
                                             
                                                                                                
                                                                               

Life is like a cup of coffee....

This morning I received a beautiful text message from a dear friend of mine who I hold dear to my heart. She mention how she thought of me when she saw an inspirational video on You Tube called..Life is like a cup of coffee, hence the title has the word "coffee"...yummmm.. I saw it and had to share it with you all....So, get your favorite mug fill it with your coffee flavor of choice and enjoy this video.

Have a blessed day!