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! ;)

Bunnies, eggs and chocolate OH MY!!!

Easter has been welcomed in our home once again! This year I decided to host an egg hunt/ egg decorating get together at our house.

Before we got to the festivities- we went to church! The last time we went was literally a year ago (last Easter- to be exact). I hang my head in shame with the thought alone! Since Mario works on weekends he can't join us. So I gathered up the troops and to Easter service we went. There was no stopping us now- well....except the traffic!

Last week all the statues in the church were covered in purple draping, which Gaby then asked why.... and since I didn't want to give her no answer, I said "ummmm...". It's the best I could do!

Well this weekend they were uncovered and the Holy Cross was bordered with beautiful flowers. All white Roses, Lily's, Orchids, Baby Breaths. It was gorgeous! Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought it because everyone was taking pictures of the cross. I semi heard the word of Christ, but I was able to catch the priests jokes ;) He was saying how he wrote a letter to us all saying "I'll see you in Christmas and New Year!"

He was right, we were THAT family. That family who went to church LAST Easter and didn't go back until this Easter. We skipped Christmas and New Year- which makes it even worse. Although this was my second time taking both kids alone- overall they did a decent job. All Alex wanted to do was take out the offering envelopes and putting them back into the book holder. At the end he was just tired- but we made it! Gaby was great though, she kept asking if the service was done...I said to her "Gaby, we JUST sat down. The service hasn't even started!" All I can think about was me at her age asking my mother the same exact thing. Only difference is I would get the "EYES" from my mother- while Gaby actually gets an answer.

After the service, I wanted the kids to take a picture in front of Cross and so we did!

Easter 2011

We left church and headed home to get ready for our guests. I cleaned the floors one last time and got the festivities started! (I won’t mention that I cleaned the house for 4 hours on Saturday and another 30 minutes on Sunday!) This year I wanted to do the Rice Krispy Eggs and have the kids decorate them. And can I say they turned out so freaking cute! Everyone had such a great time decorating their eggs with chocolate, Gummy Bears, Marsh mellows, M&M’s, crushed Oreos and peanuts! It was truly a big hit with the little ones and the adults. It was super easy to make too. Here’s the recipe I used, the only thing I changed was using an entire bag of mini marsh mellows! Apparently, 6 cups wasn’t enough in my Betty Crocker book ;)

Here are some pictures of our decorating party and everyone’s Easter Eggs:

Gummy Bears, Oreos and Marshmellows OH MY!

Gaby, Genesis and Alex decorating

Alex decorating his delish egg!

Our very own Picasso's

from top center (clockwise): Clau, Sofia, Misha, Sandra, Jorge, Gaby, Genesis, Alex and Emi
The finished products!

I sneaked out of the house while everyone was decorating their eggs- this Easter Bunny had to set up the hunt!! One would think “Oh its just spreading out eggs, how hard can that be!?” Its tough- you don’t want to have all the eggs close to each other or too spread out then there are areas with dog shit! It’s some seriously major planning! Finally, the bunny was ready!

Just as the hunt started, someone who shall remind nameless (OREO) dashed out the door and I was left taking 2 pictures before I had to chase his ass down! I was SO upset- but I couldn’t let that ruin the egg hunt. I was able to take pictures AFTER the fact….booo Oreo!

I think I spent so much time setting up that in a blink of an eye and a chase of a dog- all the eggs were GONE! Geese people- enjoyyyyyyyy the hunt, soak it all in, right? Who am I kidding….

The boys grabbing the eggs!
Emi & Mischa grabbing the ones I put on the stairs

Clau enjoying the hunt too!

Gaby & Genesis

After the very quick egg hunt we all headed back inside and enjoyed the Wii for the rest of the afternoon.




All in all it was by far a fabulous Easter for us and for our family! We did miss Mario- but Gaby made him a Rice Krispy Egg and hopefully he enjoyed eating it! If not- I will enjoy it for him! ;)

So from us to yours, we hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend as much as we enjoyed ours!

Our Baby Shower!

What a great event this was! We threw our little man a shower for everyone to enjoy and boy did we have fun! We had great company, fabulous food, funny games, and tons of memories for our little man.

Our theme was "Oh Boy" with blue's, green's and ivory. Simple and perfect :)

Saturday morning my trooper (Gaby) and I woke up super early and attacked all the stops we had for the day. The florist, food, prep the flowers, BJ's, Bakery, Party City, Payless, and finally head back home for some baking and a cooking lesson!

The night before the shower I couldn't sleep thinking of all the things that had to be done that morning. Of course Mario thought we had "PLENTY" of time to decorate and get ready....UM NOT!

The day was a little gray- which scared me but thank god the day turned out just great! The guests started to arrive and I was still a mess ;) I finished just in time to get to my moms house plaster make- up on- get Gaby ready and look fabulous for our family and friends.

I was so touched by all the gifts we received for our little man and loved every moment of our shower...

I leave you with some pictures!

The yummy cake!

Michelle, Me, Elaine and Nina

With my BFF- Kristen

My Fabulous Aunt and cousins- Emi, Tia Sophia and Clau

My coworkers- Joselyn, Me, Michelle, Mady with Mr. Wilson and Sophie

The Candy buffet- used as favors

Cup cakes- Made by Elaine

The food


Play the "not so hard" games! ;)

Playing the Price is Right- but we were shocked how much this 7 inch flat screen monitor cost! $$$

Mouse won "The Price is right"



Opening Gifts

The some of the gang!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

I love love love the begining of the holidays! It all starts with of course Halloween followed by THANKSGIVING! This year we were the happy ones to be hosting. My mother in-law made the fabulous turkey, stuffing, and my special craving this pregnancy arroz con leche!

My sister in-law then made a potato salad with some deviled eggs (I believe they are called). The poor deviled eggs were simply GONE by the time I got to see the "plate", or should I say what was left of them. I made scalloped potatoes, mash potatoes, cranberry applesauce and I bought some cupcakes from Publix. My aunt in-law made sweet potatoes, crab salad and brought the bread rolls. My mom made the rice & salad. Everything was gone!

We also celebrated my newphews 3rd birthday and sang him a little tune....

Everyone had a great time, I stuffed my face and felt horrible after! But I'm pregnant and I need to feed this man! Mr. A was in a food coma for about 24 hours! He didn't move until the following night! Poor little man :)

Friday the 5 (Mr. A and Oreo included) woke up and headed for the Mall. Of course Dolphin Mall! The crowed wasn't too bad as I expected. We had a movie, MORE food and game day! We saw Twilight (oh soo yummy good!) and then walked around searching for some sales and didn't find anything we "needed". Then we went to the movies again (yes, we are movie buffers) and saw the James Bond Movie. Gaby apprently liked Twilight instead she keeps asking why James bit Bella's arm. I also got the 3rd book of the series and I'm so excited! I think Mario is a little instrested in the book- but he won't read it (I think it's a "man" thing). He's too funny!

I leave you of course with some pictures of Thanksgiving!



The eggs that I never saw!

The table set up for dinner!
and now the food!
The crab salad Salad
Sweet Potatoes
Mash Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
White Rice with Noodles
The turkey!
Potato Salad
Stuffing (which we still have left over!)
My mom and Mother In-law
Then it was time for a prayer- Thank god no one fainted. My mom officially wins an award for the "Longest Prayer" EVERRRRRR. **note to self- don't allow my mom to say prayer**
After a long prayer we finally got to EAT!

Happy Birthday Jorge!

The Arroz con Leche I salavate over! Daniel and Gaby stuffing their faces with cupcakes. Luckily I'm the official photographer, so you can't see me stuffing my face too with a cuppie ;) There were 6 cupcakes- 4 for the kids and 2 for me! hehe :)

A Family Portrait- I love my Kodak!
Sandra, Albert, Genesis, Gaby, Jorge, Mario, Daniel, Cynthia, Nunu, Tia Esperansa, Dona Rosa, Me- Mr. A, Rossy and my mom. (Oreo was hiding under the table)