Calling all Superheros!

It only took me 2 months to post. BUT, I'm finally uploading the pictures of Gaby's 7th birthday party! Beware this is a picture overload post!!! Don't say I didn't warn you.....


The famous cake I made from scratch!


Whoopie Pies!? Yes, please!!!

My fabulous cousin, Emi showing off her mask and fangs!!!

All the kids signing 'Happy birthday' to Gaby

A hero needs to disguise their identity....

The favor pails I got at Taget filled with candy, books and glow sticks I bought at the Dollar Store....

The kiddies showing off their capes made by my mother in-law

The Aleman's <3

My little spiderman

You might be wondering why is there Lady Liberty on the cake? Well, Gaby loves, LOVES New York so I thought this would be a great touch to her fabulous cake!

the big 7

He 'powed' me so I 'ZAPPED' him ;)

The city skyline made by poppa smurf

Ps. Did Imention I was on an hour of sleep the day of the party? Um...yeah!

Seven Amazing Years

I can't believe it’s been 7 years since Gaby was born!

I still have panic attacks that our little girl is becoming a little, sassy chic. I can only hope and pray that everything Mario and I are doing is to have her become a successful, independent woman. Seeing her mature and change each year baffles me. In my mind she’s still a baby but I know it’s time to face reality. Why does reality have to suck so bad!?

I usually plan the kid’s party on a Sundays, since my mom and uncle work on Saturday. But this year Gaby’s birthday landed on a Saturday and I'm so glad it did! We kept going back and forth with themes, locations and ideas for her party. We checked our local roller skating arena, the ice arena, and nothing. Then the birthday girl’s light bulb went off and a "Super Hero" party was born. I thought it was FA-BU-LOUS! And it screamed her personality to the T; a girly, superhero party.

I started to Google ideas, pictures, games, craft projects, etc. I loved everything I saw and started to save pictures like crazy! Then my light bulb went off and I searched “how to make a cake using fondant”. Hey, why not right? We were making everything else, why not the cake too; the ingredients are cheap, it looked easy and affordable. If our plan didn't work, we would execute Plan B: pick up a cake at Publix and call it a day :)

My DIY ideas were: cake, city skyline, superhero cake, masks, whoopee pies, and expression signs.

Holy. Smokes. MacGyver…what did I get myself into!?!?

The one thing I knew I wanted was superhero capes! What is a superhero with no cape?! We bought 3 different colors of fabric: Purple, Blue and Pink. Each cape was going to have the kids initial with black sparkle felt. My mother in-law made the capes and they turned out so awesome! The kids loved running around in the yard with their cape flowing in the wind.

The next project was the city skyline. I started collecting boxes at work and broke them down. Mario then spray painted them black and painted little yellow windows on them. I then had Gaby cut out preprinted clouds and a moon to put on the wall. She loved helping out, so this was a great project for her and Alex to do together. We also had “Ker-plop”, “POW”, “ZOOM”, etc. signs cutouts for the wall. These turned out great for the cake table and for the kids too.

My final and crazy projects were the desserts! This was the end of me….but I MADE them ALL! And I will say, they turned out amazingly delicious! The cake was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever baked and it literally took 3 ½ days to make. I was literally down to the wire finishing the cake. I made a two tiers chocolate and funfetti cake with marshmallow fondant. I’ve never made any sort of cake- but I was so happy with the way it turned out. Will I do it again? HELL YEAH! I loved every second of it- I cried, I laughed, I got upset but the finish product was my greatest accomplishment. That was just the cake; I also made whoopee pies with cream cheese frosting and individual fruit shortcake dessert for the adults.

I have to say the party was a success- the kids, adults and especially Gaby had a fantastic time. Would I change something about the party? Yes, I would have taken Friday & Monday off! PS. Did I mention I had lost my voice the day before the party!? Yes, I was voiceless and unable to chat away with the guests. It was not cute and everyone took full advantage of it! ;)

Where's the pause button??

Anyone….anyone…..Bueller…..

I can’t believe in a couple of weeks our first born will be 7. Where has the time gone, it was just yesterday we were changing her diapers and here we are about to celebrate her 7th birthday party.

Gaby is turning into such a young, crazy, boy-ish young lady. She loves to search for insects; lady bugs, butterflies, lizards, centipedes just to name a few! I think I’ve mentioned this before but Gaby is a girly tomboy, if that makes any sense at ALL. She loves her makeup and nail polish but give her a baseball, basketball, or bugs and she’ll love it just the same.

I love to plan birthday parties for the kids, I love the searching online for ideas, the do it yourself projects, and finally seeing it all come together. Well this year is nothing less than a huge DIY project and I’m super nervous- freaking out actually about how everything is going to turn out. I have to confess that this is by far the hardest one we’ve had to plan. I guess the older they get the more creative they want their parties to be….”Um hello when did you get a mind of your own?” But nonetheless we/ I’m super excited to bake, cut, snip, glue, paint, etc.

You may be asking yourself what are they going to bake, cut, snip, glue and paint!? Well, this year Gaby’s theme will be “Girly Superhero”. Yes, our girly tomboy loved the idea of battling those villains pink & purple style! So I started looking for ideas and spent a whole weekend saving pictures and watch tutorials on Youtube. I became (in my eyes) an expert in planning this party from scratch! (literally) I want to spending as little money as possible and so doing every detail which help the bank and the personal touches!

So far these have been the ideas I have gathered from my one too many Google searches:


A double tier cake with the bottom layer having the city skyline



Mario and I are making signs and a city skyline that will work for our "photo wall"




To set the mood of the party the invites:



Cupcakes


Color Scheme

Every Superhero needs a cape!

I've been taking pictures of all the things we've done so far. Can't wait to see the final product!

Easter Part II

A friend of ours started her own photography company (SeLaRom Photography) and back in April she asked us to help her build her portfolio by taking Spring/ Easter pictures of the kids.

How could we decline!? We headed back to Matheson Hammocks Park (where we took our maternity pictures for Alex) and I couldn't believe how much time has passed!

The pictures turned out great, not only is Zulaima a great photographer but the kids were such great models! Here are a few...











I want to enlarge the first picture- where Alex is giving Gaby a kiss! It's so tender and it shows the true love they both have for each other. Enjoy and remember to check out SeLaRom Photography when you can!!

A little update...

So many things have happened since I started this blog back in 2007. I started blogging about our planning our wedding, family trips, being bless with becoming parents again, to the birth of Alejandro.

Apparently, after giving birth to Alejandro- life didn't allow me to blog anymore.... life became a little too hectic. Honestly, the last thing I wanted to do after a long day with BOTH kids was...well...blog. I knew deep down I wanted to keep our 'Crazy World' alive in blog world. So here I am another year later giving it another try.

You can say many things have happened since I last blogged- Mario and I have realized we are one set of cool ass parents! We've been blessed with two crazy, well behaved kids (sometimes)... who at times make me count to 10, while tapping my forehead and taking deep breaths. But counting or not we wouldn't change it for the world.

Gaby "The Diva" is finally in kindergarten! I still can't believe it myself. She's learning how to read, write sentences, American history, etc. It just amazes me how much she has learned since the school year started in August. She did her first Science project in January- which if I may say so myself, turned out fabulously! Although she's only 6, her mind is all about fashion, music and the latest "in" thing. Mario and I allow her to dress how ever she wants- even if that means purple polka dots with green stripes. She's a great kid and has no shame in her game!



Alejandro just turned 2 and what a talker he is! He (like his sister) love to talk. His vocabulary has blossomed in the past 2 months. It's funny when people ask "What did he say?" and Gaby, Mario and I can translate with ease. Mario decided to start potty training him this weekend but for now all Alex does is clean his pp and his back (yes, you read correctly- his back). I'm just crossing my fingers that his aim is on point ;) Alex, just like Gaby love music. He loves all kinds of music- but his favorite artist is none other than the King of Pop... Micheal Jackson!



There are so many other things that I think and believe we've been blessed with that keeps our marriage alive and going. Mario and I have been together since 98' and we know each other way too to think otherwise. We know we can count on each other for anything and I can tell him the craziest thing that this brain of mine comes up with...and what will Mario do? Give me this look and say "Aye babe". And for that "aye babe" I know he loves me no matter what! As I type this- i just look at him (playing 'Angry Birds') and believe I'm the luckiest girl in the planet... why? Because I have that crazy man next to me and to me that is the best feeling ever- being loved by your love. Cheesy much.. TOTALLY!

Birthdays, Baptism, Bunnies OH MY!

Since Mr. A arrived he has had quit a social life!

My niece Genesis turned 7 years old back in February. It's soo crazy to think I changed her nasty diapers and now she is turning into a young women. I get all emotional every time I see her do something so lady like. I will admit I will pee my pants when she starts to wear training bras!

Here are some pictures of her fabulous day!

Opening her gifts
Her grandmother gave her $200 (Can she be my grandmother too?)
I guess the first $200 weren't enough- she got another $200 FROM THE SAME GRANDMOTHER!!!
Showing off the shoes my uncle gave her (they were 2 sizes tooo BIG)
Alejandro was partied OUT

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First let me say, I'm not big on religion. I like to call us Catholics with a hint of spice. I don't go to church every Sunday and I don't go on the "special" days either. I do speak to Gaby about God, heaven, angels, etc. I was dragged to go to church every Sunday, every retreat, every church event when I was younger. I had no choice. My mom on the other hand is one step away from becoming a nun. (No Lie) I don't want to push it so much on the kids that they become like me, not wanting to go. When we have gone, they both behave fabulously.

Well my mom while I was STILL pregnant with Alejandro nominated herself as the Godmother. This annoyed me to tremendous level. How do you NOMINATE yourself? Um Hello??? Well- I had to drop the big NO on her. My mom has this very strong character about herself and it's not good when your daughter has the same character as well.

Mario and I originally wanted our best friends to be the God parents. I gave the news to my best friend first and she was all about it, until a week after and then she backed out. So I didn't want to pick whoever from this very important role in our sons life. We asked Mario's sister; Cynthia and she was beyond trilled to step up to the plate. Mike was on board all along. Mike has been Mario's best friend since they were in high school and all around a great guy to have around!

On March 29th, 2009 Alejandro was baptized in a private ceremony in Saint Timothy Catholic Church. It was a great feeling having our family and friends there to share this special day with the 4 of us. It's not common to find Mario in a church, but he was glad to have this moment with the special people in our lives.

Of course pictures!!!

The Father Blessing the Holly Water

Alejandro being blessed by the Holy Water
Blessings for ME! (I need them)
Mario needs more though....
The Godparents- Cynthia and Mike
Group Pictures (Mario's favorite Part!)
With the Godparents and the Priest
(please take a look at Gaby!!!- She's jumping off the ALTER)
The Alemans
My Family
Some of our friends

After the ceremony we all headed back to my moms house for some food, drinks and CAKE!

:::the 4 of us decided to go back home to change our SHOES!:::


The "Baby" on top has been used in all our kids baptisms. I believe it's 7 or 8 years old.
My mom decided that ONE cake wasn't enough
My cousin, Karen, gave birth to Serenity a week after I had Alejandro. They were both partied OUT.
Can you tell who likes taking pictures?
My little man
Alejandro and his Godparents

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East Sunday we spent with family. We first headed to my moms house for an egg hunt. My sister, who bless her soul, decided to make the hunt a little toooo complicated. Well this just ruined Gaby's morning! We had brunch and enjoyed the kids searching for their baskets and eggs outside. I will mention it was HOT! In the middle of our egg hunt Padrino Mike came to drop off some more goodies for the kids. Alejandro got his very own personalized basket and Gaby enjoyed all the treats in hers! Oh how I love all the holidays that include candy! After brunch we headed up to my mother in-laws house where we spent the rest of the day watching the kids running around and eating candy! Alejandro was (as always) pooped out!

It took Genesis about half a second to find her basket

Jorge took about 7 minutes
Gaby took about 10 minutes, since the basket was BEHIND the coloring board!
Coloring books, pony tails, chocolates, and GUM!
Outside searching for eggs- which took about 30 to 45 minutes to find. We gave up after that!

During our egg hunt, Padrino Mike and Giselle arrived to bring the kids some Easter Goodies!
Mike is a Gator fan hence the Orange and Blue.... he loves to mess with me!
Alejandro's First Piggy Bank


and some onesis

The loves of my life!

I thank my lucky stars above for sending me great kids!