Thoughts of a mommy of three!

Bye!!!

2010-01-12T21:52:00.000-08:00

Hi!

I decided to take the plunge and go to wordpress. So please follow this link and subscribe, and comment and do all the wonderful things you guys do... but over there! Thoughts of a Mommy

See ya there!! (:

How do you sleep?

2010-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

I saw this funny commercial about NyQuil, and it got me thinking, "How do you sleep"

Like this?

or.... like this?

just wondering????

Review- Nokia 7705 Twist™

2010-01-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

I was given the opportunity to do a product review for the Nokia Twist cell phone from Verizon Wireless.

When I first opened the package, the first think that came to my mind was "Oh, this is cute" It's small, compact, trendy, and unique!

It kind of copies the look of a Blackberry, but it's different in many ways. I got stopped twice by people asking about the phone. Here are some deets! ( yes, I said deets!)

Nokia 7705 Twist’s unique swivel design turns heads. When closed, the elegant, minimalist surface showcases a large screen and smooth buttons with tactile feedback, anchored by a Contact Light ring in the lower right corner that lights up to let you know when someone is trying to contact you. The phone swivels open, snapping with a click, to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and even a handy built–in mirror on the back. The phone also features dedicated buttons for the music player, a 3.0 megapixel camera with flash, HTML Browser, VZ Navigator^sm and Mobile Web. You can even change the back cover to suit your style.

Unique Swivel Design with QWERTY Keyboard
Contact Light Ring for contact & event notification
Bluetooth®* Stereo Support
Removable Memory
3.0 Megapixel Camera
Visual Voice Mail
V CAST Music with Rhapsody® (Subscription, Wireless and PC Downloads) – Learn More
V CAST Videos – Learn More

My opinions:

I actually liked the phone. My son loved it even more. He asked if he can take it to school a couple of times. I answered with a big, fat NO! It young looking, hip and like I said, trendy. It's easy to use, and very compact. The volume is great (better than any phone I've heard). It was perfect when I used the GPS app on it. The screen is a pretty good size, too. And, for all the ladies out there, behind the screen is a.... built in MIRROR! How cool is that?

Having said that, it's compared to other phones, it's small. When it's closed it's the size of a compact, or a wallet. This was an issue for me. Usually I place my phone inside my purse, and being a mom, my purse is packed. Trying to find it was bit of a challenge. Also, the two touch pads on there are Uber sensative. Those are pretty mush my cons.

Overall I enjoyed the phone very much. I would recommend it for "Tweens" or Teenagers... since they would be more inclined to get a cell that is hip and cool!

The Nokia Twist is available for $99.00 after a mail-in rebate with a 2 year customer agreement.

Thank you Verizon Wireless for the wonderful opportunity to test and review such a great cell phone!

** Verizon Wireless sent me a Nokia Twist to test for a couple of weeks. It was sent back. These opinions and pensamientos are my own**

Christmas to a 4 year old.....

2010-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

Now that all the rush of the holidays is over I can now sit back and relax, and think about the great memories we made. Some particular memories... I wish to forget!

Trying to explain the holidays to a VERY curious 4 year old is tough work. He had a question for EVERYTHING! Nothing I said satisfied his thoughts/comments/questions.

Coming home from Thanksgiving Dinner:

Jonah to Sarai~ "Tomorrow is Cwismas, Sawai"

Me~ " No it's not.... Who told you that? Jeremiah, stop lying to him!"

Jeremiah~" I didn't say anything!"

Jonah~ " Mommy, you said Cwismas was after Thanksgiving"

Me~ "Oh.... Yeah it is, but it's in December, about a month from now"

Jonah~ "ugh.... Sawai, tomorrow is not cwismas"

Sarai~ "ok"

The very next day while listening to Christmas Music...

Radio~ "So lets give thanks to the Lord above, cuz Santa Claus comes tonight"

Jonah~"See Mom! Today is CWISMAS!"

Me~ (very softly) "Oh Jesus, Lord God Almighty, give me the knowledge that only you can give to teach this child that you gave me that your birthday is on the 24th of December. Amen" "It's just a Christmas song Jonah, so that you can learn it and sing it on Christmas at Auntie Jenny's house"

Jonah~ "But the man said that Santa is coming tonight."

Me~ "Yes, he will come on Christmas at night and leave presents"

Jonah~ "oh"

Now, we celebrate Christmas on the 24th, and we open presents at mid-night. I have never spoken to my kids about Santa. They have never asked about him, all they know is that he starts to show up at Christmas time. We do not believe in Santa, or that he's the one that brings the gifts, we do not take pics at the mall, or the whole cookie and milk thing. We've just said it's Jesus' birthday and we go with the Familia and eat, play games, and open presents.

Christmas and Sarai's Birthday:

Yup, My baby girl was born on Christmas eve. To make things worse for the 4yo., she gets MEGA amounts of gifts.

Me to Sarai~ "It's almost Sarai's birthday!!"

Jonah~" What, but MOMMY, WHAT HAPPENED TO CWISMAS?"

Me~(in my mind) "Oh no. Here we go again" Getting to Jonah's eye level. "Your sister was born on Christmas, so we celebrate her birthday party at Christmas time"

Jonah~ " That's not fair, she's getting more presents"

Me~ " Yes, but it's her birthday, when it's your birthday, she doesn't get gifts!"

Jonah~ "I just want Cwismas to come, it's never coming"

Me~ (thinking in my mind, yeah kid, Christmas will NEVER come... what a Grinch!) "It will, we have to be a good boy in order for it to come."

By now, Jonah's face shows true devastation and disappointment!

One whole month is an eternity for a anxious 4 year old to wait for Cwismas! It's even worse for the parent who has to put up with all of this!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

A new has come! I thank God for everything he has done for me last year. He has been good to my family and I.

I have made new friends and was taken to place I'd never thought of going.

I hope and pray that this year will be even better, to all of you who read this. I truly can not wait to see what 2010 has in store for all of us!!!

Happy New Year!!

Growin up Latina- Part 2

2009-12-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

I was going to post this last week for Latism, but it was Christmas. So today , there will be a Fundraising Twitter party on twitter tonight at 8(est), what better time for this post, along with pachanga, jugetes, fiesta, y risas! Nos vemos!!

Growing up Latina.... Is my way of life. If you haven't read part one check it our here.

For part 2, I will focus on dichos.

Sure there are many site our there that posts all sorts of dichos, but every Latino household have their share of dichos. I will share mine. Sale Vale???

I'm sure you've all heard this one. (Remember, these all came from my mom, and also please excuse my grammar errors) (:

"Pero puedes matar dos pajaros con una piedra"

"Es mejor tener pajaro en la mano, y no ver 100 volando"

Yeah, I know madre, but I want to do it my way. Right, cuz my way IS the right way!

When you don't want to eat:

"Lo que no quiere ni pedro ni juan, aqui estan que a todo come, Senor Capitan"

"Hoy hay quein te de y quein de ruege, Manana, no va aver quien te de, mucho menos quien te ruege"

Si, pero I think 4 Tamales and a bowl of Menudo are more than enough, que no?

When in my younger years, and some random guy me hechaba ojo, or they would call her "suegra"

"Estas pulgas, no brincan en tu tapete"

Yeah... I don't know what to say about that!

Another great post on dichos comes from Carrie from Tiki Tiki....

So, I'll leave y'all with my personal favorite dicho. One that gets me every time my mother tells me it....

"Bueno pues, tambien te gusta el pedo, y el olor de los calzones"

Just typing it up makes me **roll my eyes**

What are some of your favorite Dichos?

Our trip to Disney on Ice

2009-12-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday we went to the Honda Center to see Disney on Ice. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

Here is Sarai meeting two of the Disney Princesses and then, we waited for the fun to begin...

I had a great time. The kids had a great time! My cousins had a great time. It was funnnnnnnnnn all around!

If you think your kids won't sit for the whole show, believe me they will! We had a 15 month old, a 4 and 2 year old. I didn't hear a peep from any of them the whole time. You still have time to catch this fun, entertaining show. Click here Ticketmaster for a cool discount!

Hurry, you have until January 10! Did I mention it was FUN???

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

To all of you.... Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad!!!!

Growing up Latina-Part1

2009-12-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

Growing up Latina has it's perks! Really.... it truly does. We have culture like no other! Things like Piñatas , Quinceañeras, novelas, carne azada's are the norm from infancy! One thing I can never get used to are the "remedios".

My mom, who hails from Durango, Mexico has an unusual obsession with.... aspirin/anacin!

For any little thing... "Tomate unas Anacines"

A headache-Anacin
A cold-Anacin
A rash-Anacin
"Woman stuff"-Anacin

See what I mean? I keep telling her, every time she offers me the dreaded white pills, that they don't solve everything! "Yo siempre he tomado estas pastillas, y nunca me ha pasado nada"

Try arguing with that! I totally beg to differ! My dad was a firm believer of 7up.

A headache-7up
A cold-7up
A rash-7up
"Woman stuff"-7up

One Christmas season he made Menudo. If you have never cooked Menudo in your house, consider yourself lucky!. The smell is HORRIFIC! I got so sick.... nauseated. Next thing I knew, I had a can of 7up in my hand. It cures the incurable!

Same thing with Vapo-ru! Right?

A headache-Vapo-ru
A cold-Vapo-ru
A rash-Vapo-ru
"Woman stuff"-Vapo-ru

And to add insult to injury.... my husband LOVES this stuff. He has his little frasco under the pillow.

It never ends....

Cooking with Fresh and Easy, Latina style!

2009-12-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

I think any Latino will tell you that eating is synonymous with Christmas. It goes hand in hand. Like ketchup on fries, Hot chocolate with Whipped cream and more importantly, like rice and beans.

Last week I went to a Fresh and Easy event. It was a fun night celebrating Latino culture with food.....of course!

We had the wonderful pleasure of tasting the delicious food of Chef Cynthia Perez!

Watcha la....This is her in action!

Comida, Amigas, y Vino.... ¿Qué más quieres de la vida?, ¿no? It was a great night. We had the chance to cook with her at our stations....

We tried recipes like Guacamole casero con Chiles Poblanos y Camarones asados. YUM!

We also made Toston de Jamon con maple y queso Brie, Mini quesadillas, Ensalada de chorizo con aderezo de cilantro, y Tamales de maiz dulce con romero y ajo asado!

(**some photos courtesy of Fresh & Easy**)

I have copies of all the recipe's mentioned. In English and Spanish. Did I mention the Amigas there?

(From Left to right) Sandrini, Aracely and new to the blogging world, Heidi. Some of the wonderful ladies who hosted the night Maria y Allison.

(**some photos courtesy of Fresh & Easy**)

A special thank you for Chef Cindy, who totally made my day, when I introduced myself as the blogger who submitted the recipe, Tacos Pobres, for Fiestas Patrias.

She said my tacos were a HUGE success! (awwww, shucks) Tacos Pobres, is an absolute favorite here in my home. Gracias a todas who made this night very memorable! Remember, if you want any of the recipes mentioned above, leave a comment and I'll gladly give it to you!!!

HYATT REGENCY HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT & SPA SEASON OF WISHES

2009-12-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is celebrating this holiday season helping wishes come true with Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Seasons of Wishes campaign. As part of Hyatt's ongoing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, guests who book the Season of Wishes promotion December 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010 will have 15 percent of the Hyatt daily rate donated to the Foundation. Included in the promotion, guests will also receive free full American breakfast for two per day. These contributions will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its worldwide efforts to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Since Hyatt’s relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation began in May 2006, Hyatt properties have had the opportunity to grant many creative and unique wishes worldwide. Thirteen-year-old wish child Carli fulfilled her dream of being a lifeguard for a day when the staff at Hyatt Regency Maui arranged for her to be “on duty” at the hotel’s lush pools, set on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Armed with her whistle and sunblock, she kept a watchful eye to ensure the safety of the swimmers at the pool. While in Maui, she and her family also enjoyed a submarine tour, attended a luau, and went horseback riding at a nearby ranch.

“It is Hyatt’s history and spirit of community service that will allow the Seasons of Wishes campaign with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make a difference in the lives of so many children,” said Cheryl Phelps, general manager of the resort. “We look forward to welcoming all of our guests this holiday season, and thank them for being part of this wonderful relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

For reservations and full terms and conditions, please visit www.hyattwish.com.

It's stories like these that really warm my heart and spirit during the holidays...

L.A. Auto Show

2009-12-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we had the great privilege of getting invited to the L.A. Auto Show. This was my first time EVER, going there. Just driving there was a fun adventure. Moving to the OC has really pulled me away of all things LAC (??) LOL...

When got off the 10 fwy. and saw the Staples Center, Jeremiah's jaw dropped and he was in AWE at the sight. Inside the Convention Center....my jaw dropped. This place is HUGE!

We were taken on a tour of the place and let me start by saying that the smell of new cars is almost intoxicating....

As soon as I turned on my camera, the kids found their favorite.... That's right... It's BumbleBee

The car even have the Transformers mask on the console!

On the door frame

See, the boys were in heaven!!

What was new this time was the Kid's Fun Zone. This was the end of the tour, for us at least! Once the kids got in there, there really was no turning back!

They had Jumpers, Bubbles, Race track, Video Games, and booths for the kids to play in. If you go this weekend, I recommend this be the LAST you do. There is so much for the kids to play with, they won't want to leave.

(see the massive bubble Jonah's doing)

All in all, I had a great time with my kids. Jeremiah had fun getting inside the cars. If you have never been there, YOU SHOULD GO!

The Auto Show will go on through this weekend. All the info you need can be found here.

Kid's Fun Zone will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 8pm.

Got Milk? Lattes

2009-12-08T17:06:00.000-08:00

I've had an amazing past week, that I don't even know where to begin....

On Tuesday, to kick off the holiday season, I was invited to another Got Milk? event. This time they featured Lattes. I'm not a huge fan of lattes, but by the end of the night, I was downing them like crazy. We had the pleasure of tasting Lattes made by non other than Award-Winning Barista champion Heather Perry.

Restaurant, Le Pain Quotdien in West Hollywood, hosted the event. It's a cute restaurant that has warm comfy feeling to it.

We started out with some yummy treats.

My first Latte of the night. This is a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It was tasty!

One of the best parts of the event, (besides the lattes) was that I got to bring the kids. They had a great time. Jeremiah made 2 Christmas Cards.

Jonah and Sarai had their face painted.

They had Hot or Cold Chocolate drinks for the little ones.

Heather made a assortment of Lattes like Peppermint Mocha Martini and Egg Nog Latte.

My favorite latte was the Tres Leches Latte. I know.. I'm biased...

It was SO good It tasted like a cup of warm milk on a cold night. I can't wait to make this drink, now that the cold season is here.

Another reason why this was such a GREAT event, was that I got to meet THE famous group of Latina Bloggers.

(in order Lto R: Silvia-Mama Latina Tips, Sandra-Soy Fashionista, Dariela-Nuestra vida con Adrian, Marta-My Big Fat Cuban Family, Ana-Spanglish Baby, Me and Marcela-Eight year olds and Babies)

It's such an honor to be included in this prestigious group. If you haven't been to their sites, I strongly suggest you do! But, finish here first... (O:

For more info visit Got Milk?

I have the recipes for all the lattes mentioned above. Just leave a comment, and I will gladly give you the Recipe.

Holiday Playdate: Help A Mother Out

2009-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hey!!! Whatcha guys doing on the 13th? Nothing you say??? Bueno pues, let me tell you about something wonderful that will be happening on that Sunday.

Holiday Playdate

December 13, 2009

3-6 PM

Treehouse Social Club

426 S Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048-3908

Admission: at least one pack of disposable diapers, any size

RSVP to kim@helpamotherout.org / 818-317-5507

What a great way to help other moms out and have a great day with your kids! Check out this website: Help a Mother Out

Storybook Workshop for the Wii™

2009-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Entertainment Title That Enables Families to Interact With Popular Fairy Tales and Fables From Around the World is Now Available

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. today announced that Storybook Workshop for the Wii™, an exciting new initiative in their family-friendly games catalogue to reach pre-school children, is now available in North America. Storybook Workshop immerses kids and their parents in 16 classic children's fairy tales and fables and many other exciting features.

Through the use of the included USB microphone, you can read along, record and play back readings of your favorite stories, including the most beloved tales from Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Aesop and around the world. Storybook Workshop's unique microphone functionality will even magically change your voice to sound like the characters in the stories, including fairies, giants and robots! Continue the fun with your children in a lively sing-along room where nursery rhymes come to life right in front your children's eyes, and watch as they learn rhythm, language, numbers and shapes in the exciting Play & Learn mode. Your kids can track their progress by using a virtual sticker pad, which will get pre-schoolers excited and motivated to continue to read and complete the stories.

In addition to all the wonderful reading attractions with Storybook Workshop, kids are able to create memories and tap into their creativity simply by using the sound of their voice and "painting" colorful masterpieces that they are able to display on their own personal virtual easel. With all this and more, Storybook Workshop will transform family story time into a wonderfully memorable, fun and enriching experience with your pre-schooler.

"As a parent, I know how hard it is to find fun and engaging activities to share with your kids," said Shinji Hirano, Executive Vice President for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "With 16 bedtime story classics, voice-changing functionality, and the ability to bring your custom Mii avatar into the stories, Storybook Workshop provides kids with a unmatchable reading and learning experience that the whole family can enjoy together."

Featuring a number of popular fairy tales, fables and songs including;

Little Red Riding Hood

The Ugly Duckling

Town Musicians of Bremen

The Golden Goose

The Happy Prince

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Row Row Row Your Boat

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Great gift for the preschooler in your life!!!

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa

2009-12-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

On Friday, November 20 I had the wonderful privilege of joining a great group of OC bloggers for a cooking demo with Chef Priscilla Willis. We were invited to go to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

I was in awe, of the beauty of this hotel. It is absolutely breathtaking. I arrived a little early and I got a chance to walk around the resort.

You're going to have to excuse my pictures. I forgot my camera, so I had to take pictures with my cell phone.

Ugh.. these pictures really don't give the resort justice...

The sun was setting and I was starting miss my hubby! ha ha... It's just gorgeous, and the whole romantic atmosphere will put anyone in a romantic mood. My cousin who visited the hotel a while back said she had her Cinderella moment here, and I don't doubt it at all.... ok.. to the cooking demo...

Like I said before, we were there for a cooking demo of Sous Chef Priscilla Willis. She holds this award winning title with the restaurant "The Californian" located inside the resort. Chef Priscilla's love affair with health based cooking was rooted in her own battle to gain control of her health.. This is very evident in her cooking. We started the evening with some non-alcholic drinks. This a cranberry spritzer...

Chef Priscilla, then showed us how to make Nori Wraps. These were amazingly light with a crunch! They had Firm Tofu, carrots, cucumber, avocado, and mango! YUM!!

Next, she took us to the heart of the restaurant: The kitchen! Being a stay at home mom, who does all the cooking, I couldn't help but be fascinated by a professional kitchen! ( I know, total geek!) Chef Priscilla demonstrated how she cooked this:

This is Poached Salmon with Soba Noodles and Vegetables in an Asian-Scented broth. Those of you who know me, know that I DO NOT eat seafood. I ate the noodles, and drank the broth. I didn't taste the Salmon, at all. This was sooooooo good. It almost tasted like PHO. Of course with ever meal, there was dessert!

You guys will never guess the ingredients! This is Fresh Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and Sorbet. Yup, you read right. Balsamic Vinegar!!! At first, I was a little taken back by the taste of the vinegar and the sweetness of the sorbet and the strawberries. It does grow on you though, and I ended up scraping the strawberries to make sure they had vinegar on them!!! HA!

Like I mention at the beginning of the post, I enjoyed my time there with some fabulous OC bloggers. I had the pleasure of meeting Rockin Mama, OC Mom's Activities, and Double the Adventure. Also, last but not least I would like to thank Aracely of Daytripping Mom for inviting me!!! Gracias Chica!!!

To close this off I would like to show you what I learned and did the day after this event:

BAM!!!!

I made the soup, but with pollo! It came out awesome!!! Watch out Chef Pricsilla!!! (just kidding). A special thank you to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

and Chef Priscilla for a wonderful evening.

If any of you would like the recipes, I will gladly share them with you. Just leave a comment.

A Muppet greeting....

2009-11-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

You guys have got to see this. This was sent to me by a good friend, to wish me a happy birthday today. So, in turn I would like to share it with you...

It had me rolling on the floor laughing my head off. If you're my age, then I'm sure you grew up watching the Muppet Show every Saturday Morning. They have all the classic characters. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

From my family to yours....

May the good Lord bless you and your family on this Thanksgiving day.

Tis the season for Tamales

2009-11-22T17:49:00.000-08:00

Yup it is. If you are Latino, then you know that once Thanksgiving hits, the Tamale fever begins. Now, if your family is OLD SCHOOL, and you do your tamales at home. Great! Send me some!!! lol. If your family has turned into Coconuts (refer to the quizes on Facebook to see what I'm talking about) and you buy your tamales at the same place or person for as long as you can remember, then now is the time to spill the frijoles!!!

I have been buying my tamales at this one hole in the wall place in East L.A. for as long I have been married. Lolita's on Whittier blvd. They are truly the best place. I have also tried and liked Liliana's on Brooklyn. Alright, alright.... Cesar Chavez..... One thing that has sucked throught the years are the prices. Every year, I get shocked at how high they get. Ay dios mío!!!

But, they are OH SO YUMMY!

Here is where you come in. Where do you get your tamales? Whether you make them with your familia, or get if from your mom's comadre, or from la Señora que vive en la esquina. I want to know what you guys get/eat/devour. They don't have to be Mexican tamales. I've tried the Salvadoreños and Guatemaltecos. It doesn't even have to be local. If you lived in East L.A. and moved away, were you able to find a good place to get tamales? Tamales are best anytime of the year, but I can not imagine Christmas time with out them!!!

Tamales rojos o verdes, de elotes, dulces, de res o de puerco? Pollo, rajas con queso,the list goes on and on....

Humberto the Bookworm Hamster- a book reveiw

2009-11-21T11:09:00.000-08:00

I was given the wonderful opportunity to review a book, MY FIRST, and boy what an awesome choice!!!

This book is about a very stubborn Hamsters who only wants to read books. Friend after friend came by to see if he wanted to play, but Humberto was always into his books. Then a devastating storm swept through the woods where they all lived. Humberto and all the animals of the woods worked together to overcome the devastating storm through....BOOKS!

Humberto the Bookworm Hamster is a wonderful book. It tells a heartwarming story of the love of books. The illustration are so amazing and colorful. My kids loved it! Thank you Mayra, for the privilege of reviewing a fantastic book that encourages reading.

MEET THE AUTHOR
Multi-genre author and professional reviewer Mayra Calvani
loves writing for children and adults. She’s a regular contributor
to Blogcritics Magazine, Suite101 and the Latino Books Examiner
for Examiner.com. She’s the author of the picture books, The
Magic Violin, Crash! and Chocalin! (Spanish Edition Crash) also
published by Guardian Angel Publishing, and a member of The
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.

Visit Mayra at:
www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com
www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
Mayra loves hearing from readers. You may contact her at
mayra.calvani@gmail.com

MEET THE ARTIST

Kit Grady is a children’s book illustrator and sometimes writer from
Asheville, North Carolina. After studying art at Virginia Commonwealth
University, she developed a keen interest in children’s picture books.
She strives for a palette of bright colors and wondrous characters and
creatures.
Visit Kit at www.kitgrady.com
to see more of her art and illustrated books

Blessings...

2009-11-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

I have been so blessed through this blog, that every morning, I can't wait to see what's in my inbox. I love seeing how my kids are being blessed through it, too! In my last post, I blogged about an event we went to. Jeremiah had a blast there!

Here are some of the awesome events that I have been invited to recently:

We were invited to meet Sid the Science kid. We also got to visit Kids Space!

We haven't been there since it moved to another site in Pasadena. The kids had a great time exploring and playing!

We were also invited to attend an Ice Age family media event at non-other than Fox Studios.

This was one of the coolest event so far! It was amazing to see how they were able to put the movie together. I also got to see the Director and an Animator of the movie. My kids were catered to like you wouldn't believe. Until now, the kids still talk about it.

Thanks to all of you who make all this possible. It truly is amazing!!!

Nintendo DS game giveaway!

2009-11-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

***As of Wednesday, November 18, I have canceled this Giveaway. There was a need presented on twitter yesterday, and I have decided to donate this gift to the family of Anissa. Please send your prayers to the family as they go through this very difficult time. Thank you to all who entered, I am sure you would agree with this decision***.

In his Service, Liz

Last Thursday I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a fantastic event given by KONAMI. My kids had the chance to play with some very cool games. A very good friend, Aracely, of Daytripping Mom, and I took the kids to have some fun. See!

Man, they were Jammin!!!! (even though they didn't know what they were doing!!) They got to play with games like Dance Dance Revolution and Frogger. They had the game systems set up so the kids just had to walk up and play!

Here is the cool part! We were blessed enough to receive a parting gift from Konami. I am giving away a cool Nintendo DS game to one of you. It's a girls game. Winx Club Mission Enchantix.

Description

Based on the mega-hit 4Kids cartoon, Winx Club: Mission Enchantrix features an exciting mix of puzzles and exploration, an expanded Magic Closet mode where you can design your own outfits and share them with friends, and an all new mode dedicated to accessing exclusive Winx Club artwork, videos and music!

Product Features

Exciting story mode! Ten enchanting chapters of the popular TV show's Season 3 storyline featuring all six Winx fairies! Enjoy new Enchantix outfits and spells in an expanded game world, fighting a myriad of menacing beasts and monsters on your way to defeating the evil Lord Baltor.
Addictive new mini-games! Enjoy six exciting mini-games - from puzzles to dancing to action - accessible anytime in arcade mode! Many levels of increasing difficulty means the challenges and fun never stop!
Loads of fun unlockable content! Jam-packed with over one hundred unlockable pictures, videos and songs from the popular American and European versions of the television show. Listen to music from the Winx Club 2 soundtrack, watch story clips from Season 3 of the show, view

If you have a Nintendo DS playing young lady on your Christmas List this year... All you have to do to win is:

Become a follower & leave a comment telling me who would you like to win this for.
Tweet "Enter to win Winx Club http://bit.ly/3l4dMV the Nintendo DS game for girls from @mommasof98 "

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Ends Friday, Novenber 27! A winner will be choosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

Disney Parks and Verizon Wireless: MOBILE MAGIC APPLICATION

2009-11-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

MOBILE MAGIC APPLICATION TRANSFORMS VERIZON WIRELESS PHONES INTO ELECTRONIC TOUR GUIDES TO NAVIGATE DISNEY PARKS

Imagine having a personal tour guide to lead the way around the vacation magic of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Now imagine that tour guide is in the palm of your hand and able to point you to a visit with a Disney princess or directly to a Fantasyland attraction.

Starting today, Verizon Wireless customers have exclusive access to Mobile Magic, the first Disney-developed mobile application that enables them to easily navigate Disney parks on both coasts, providing helpful and timely information. With either a swipe of their fingers or the touch of a few keys, guests can access an array of park features on their Verizon Wireless phones, including:

Updated attraction wait times and FASTPASS return times for the park they are in
Locations of their favorite attractions, characters and restaurants, with GPS-enabled maps
Restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks
Tips on what’s happening in the parks
Trivia games to play against other parks guests

New content will continue to be added to the Mobile Magic application as the attractions and opportunities at the Disney parks and resorts continue to evolve.

Exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers, Mobile Magic is available for download and purchase for $9.99 for a 180-day subscription*. Customers can find the application in the Media Center/Get It Now® under the Travel and Navigation category. Verizon Wireless customers can also text MAGIC to 2777 to purchase the application on a wide variety of feature phones. Download and message charges may apply. Airtime or megabyte data charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.

Mobile Magic, marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, is the outgrowth of a new multi-year relationship between Disney Parks and Verizon Wireless aimed at enhancing the park experience. Verizon Wireless continues to invest in its nationwide wireless network, and the relationship with Disney means Verizon Wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the parks.

Guests are currently using Verizon Wireless’ technology with Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests who are not Verizon Wireless customers can access select information, such as park hours, attraction information, entertainment schedules and dining information, through the new m.disneyworld.com and m.disneyland.com mobile Web sites with their browser-enabled phones.

*Message and data rates may apply. Coverage not available everywhere. Availability subject to handset limitations. If you’re under 18, get your parent’s permission first. Valid theme park admission required.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy

2009-11-10T23:03:00.000-08:00

Disney On Ice

Returns to the Southland

December 17^th-January 10^th

On December 17^th, Disney On Ice returns for its annual Southland engagement with the brand new, Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. Presenting classic Disney stories, the ice spectacular features Disney Pixar’s CARS, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Tinker Bell.

Come and experience Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy with all your favorite Disney characters! Take advantage of this special promotion available to all of you....

Ticketmaster

Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy

This is me...

2009-11-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of going to be a little personal here. I hope you don't mind. (I know you don't)

Bueno, pues....

I was born with a congenital heart defect. At the age of 4, I had open heart surgery to fix my broken heart, and was left with what doctors call a very loud heart murmur. I have a scar going down the middle of my chest. It's about 9 1/2 inches long (yes, I measured it when I decided to write this post). Besides leaving me with a crooked "chi chi" line, I don't notice it much. See,

(old pic)

I've never been embarrassed of my scar. I remember one time, an old boyfriend made a comment on what I was wearing. He told me that my blouse was to low on top, because my scar is showing. I don't believe I was wearing a revealing top. I think (now) that maybe he was grossed out by it. I've asked my husband many times if he's embarrassed by it, of course he said no. Aww, what a sweetheart! I rarely wear tops that reveal anything, so I'm gonna try to find another picture, where you can see my scar. See, I'm bearing it all here! LOL

(you can kind of see the top of it...jeez, what a fake pose!)

When I was pregnant with all three kids, I had the Linea Nigra. It was a trip to see that it would start at the end of the surgery scar, and end... well, you know where....I had a huge line going on. It was funny!

If I have had the privilege of meeting you already, did you notice?

Girly, girl!

2009-11-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

I think it is safe to say that I was a girly girl, and sort of, kind of, still am....My favorite color is pink. I grew up wearing big, puffy dresses and loved it. I scream at insects. Hate rodents. I can't stand any of those things. Once, at my cousin's house, there was a lizard in her bathroom. I ran out of there, like a bat out of hell. Oh yeah... Girly girl!

So, imagine my surprise, when I got married, I fell in love with all things military. My husband is not associated with the military one bit, but he LOVES anything military.

(His father, my F-I-L, is a colonel in the Philippine Armed forces, but no one else followed in his foot steps)

Being married for 12 years, I've heard all the stories I can hear about living in a military base. I have come to accept it , and embrace it. Now, I love war movies. "Black Hawk Down", "Rules of Engagement", "Heartbreak Ridge" and my favorite "We Were Soldiers". I have come to LOVE air shows. As I'm writing this post, I'm watching Lock and Load on the History Channel with my hubby. The war in Iraq, saddens me. I wish all the soldier would come back, but who am I to say, right? When my cousin's hubby was deployed last year, I dedicated a little section to him on my MySpace page. When we get together, I bombard him with questions about his life in the military. He's most likely to be deployed next year . )O:

Do you get the picture? I can (and have) look up on You Tube, USMC Silent Drill team.

How awesome is this??!!?? I can't wait for the day that I get to see this live! Watching it on the computer gives it no justice, but I get chills....

When President Reagan passed away, and they would show the changing of the guard, while he was lying in repose... let me tell you, Greatness! I didn't get to experience it when I went there to the library, but boy were they awesome to stare at.

My mom doesn't understand my mini obsession, so I kind of have to hide it from her. She always tells me "Mira a los niños, jugando con armas de fuego y jugando a los soldados. ¿Que deseas, que se vayan al ARMY a morir?

Heaven forbid one of the kids go into the military....he he!

We have a WINNER!!!

2009-11-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

I have my two winners for the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream giveaway!

They are....

Marcela of 8 year olds & babies

and

Lin of Linny's Vault

Congrats to the both of you. Espero que los disfruten!!!

Disney•Pixar, Up

2009-11-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

The #1 Animated Film of the Year!

From the Creators of Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc.

Comes the Hilarious and Unforgettable Adventure

Disney•Pixar’s

An exhilarating, hilarious and heartfelt animated adventure comes home when Disney•Pixar’s Up arrives on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD on November 10, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Blending inspired whimsy with powerful emotion, the hugely successful feature film is an artistic and entertaining tour de force for the entire family. Up is available in a four-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, and a two-disc DVD, which both include DisneyFile, a digital copy of the movie that can be viewed on an array of electronic devices, as well as enough bonus features that keep the fun coming.

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America . But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

BONUS FEATURES FOR UP

• Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson.

• Dug’s Special Mission – An all new original short film that follows the misadventures of Dug as he attempts to complete his “special mission.” The short is directed by Up Story Supervisor, Ronnie Del Carmen.

• The Many Endings of Muntz – Many ideas were hatched about how to dispose of the film’s arch villain, Muntz, and now viewers can see the many alternate endings proposed during story development.

• Partly Cloudy –The hilarious short film that preceded screenings of Up. Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies? The answer lies up in the stratosphere where the cloud Gus is a master at creating “dangerous” babies, which prove to be more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork Peck. Directed by Pixar story artist, animator and voice actor Peter Sohn.

• Adventure is Out There – This action-packed documentary tells the story of the filmmakers’ own trek to the tepuis mountains of South America to research the design and story of the film.

I remember when I took the kids to go see UP. They were laughing like crazy. Jeremiah loved the fact that he had something in common with the main character (boy scouts), Jonah was hilarious. I have never seen him laugh so much with any other movie! He was a joy to watch. Sarai had fun watching the animals talk. I truly recommend this movie to all of you! It will definitely bring out the laughs in you family!

Coming to Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def and DVD with Disneyfile Digital Copy on

November 10, 2009

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Giveaway!

2009-10-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

I have an absolute favorite Ice Cream treat. If there is an option to where we get to go for Ice Cream, this has to be it. Baskin-Robbins (or as we called it back in the days... 31 flavors).

I love the Banana Royal at Baskin-Robbins. (ack... my mouth just watered!) I always get the same kind of ice cream: Pistachio Almond and Mint Chocolate Chip with Hot fudge topping and everything else on top! ( Oh yeah... Momma ~~likes~~ loves her some calories)

Living here in Cali. sure has it's perks. Where I grew up, we would get visited by several different ice cream vendors...

We have the Paletero: Once we hear the bells, dinga-linga-linging, we'd ask for our dollar, put on our chanklas, and run out while yelling from the top of our lungs " Paletero.. Paletero"

Then we have the typical ice cream truck: This we'd hear from like 2 blocks away, so we would be ready for when it came by our street. We'd have time to maybe get another dollar from our moms or dads, and have the time to put on our shoes, and be waiting for the truck (on the right side of the street) to come by.

I would always get the Pink Panther one. The one with the gumballs for eyes... remember those?

Then, there was the "GOOD" ice cream truck: Now, the "good" ice cream truck that would come to our neighborhood was blue and white. This had all the ice creams that a normal ice cream truck would have, but this my friend, was special. Yup, this had Soft Serve!

They had ice cream cones, sundaes, shakes, banana splits, and doubleheader ice creams called Flips! Cheap prices, too! I would try to peek down the street, on hearing any ice cream jingle coming down our street, cuz the "good" ice cream truck came once in a blue moon. Once I would see that blue and white truck coming, I knew something good was about to happen! And it did!

Now on very special occasions, we would get treated for ice cream at ~~31 flavors~~ Baskin-Robbins! Nothing beats Baskin-Robbins ice cream. That was then... This is now! I try to take my kids to Baskin-Robbins as often as I can. All three are infatuated with the Rainbow Sherbet ice cream. I can't (for the life of me) change Jeremiah's mind when it come to trying a different flavor. Nope, it's always the same.....Rainbow Sherbet. His influence has rubbed off on Jonah and Sarai. Oh well, can't say I haven't tried.

Which leads me to this.... I have officially died and gone to ice cream heaven!

BASKIN-ROBBINS OFFERS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS WITH NEW DOUBLE HEADER CONE

Baskin-Robbins Fans Can Now Enjoy Both Soft Serve and Hand-Scooped Ice Cream on the Same Cone

Baskin-Robbins, America’s favorite neighborhood ice cream shop, now offers its customers the best of both worlds with Baskin-Robbins new Double Header ice cream cone. The unique cone is designed to hold a swirl of Soft Serve and a scoop of ice cream in a single cone. Customers can now enjoy countless combinations of their favorite hard ice cream flavors along with delicious Vanilla Soft Serve, side by side.

Did this just make you crave for some awesome ice cream? Here is your chance to get it for free!

I am giving away $20 dollars in gift certificates to TWO lucky readers to your local Baskin-Robbins! Whoo Hoo!

Here's what you have to do: Leave a separate comment for each!

First, follow my blog (mandatory) ~ 1 entry

Second, comment and tell me what flavor ice cream will you choose for your Double Header ice cream cone. Please leave your name and email address if you don't have an account to use for your comments.~1 entry

Third, become a fan on Facebook~ 1 entry

That's all!

All entries must be received by Friday, November 6 at 12 noon. The winners will be chosen by Random.org and notified be email.

This is my first giveaway, ever! I could not think of nothing better than to have a Baskin-Robbins giveaway!

For more information about the Double Header cone, please visit www.baskinrobbins.com, go to the Baskin-Robbins Facebook fan page, or follow @BaskinRobbins on Twitter.

Yup, I'm ghetto like that!

2009-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know how this is going to sound to you, we're all amigas, que no?

Ok.

Last year for Halloween, like millions of other families, I went trick or treating! It was Sarai's first time to actually go door to door and trick or treat. Jonah was a little rusty, but got the hang of it really fast. Jeremiah, of course was a pro at it. So, off we went. Trick or Treat 2008.

See, I'm ghetto, cuz of the fact that we didn't go around my neighborhood , I drove to the "good" neighborhood! YUP, I went to Pasadena!

The nice part of Pasadena, and to my surprise... I wasn't alone! I think I was a littlw too late on my idea and all kinds of raza were there!

Sheesh! Talk about fitting right in.

Here I was thinking, that maybe, just maybe, I won't stand out as much.... Well, my RAZA gave me away! I'm sure Pasadena must have caught on by now, that we don't live there, but we're going anyway.... lol.

Besides being a little "metiche" and looking inside all the beautiful mansions (they look exactly like the ones on "Better Homes and Gardens"), the kids did GREAT! We got a decent amount of candy... the good kind of candy! Since we moved out of the area earlier this year, we won't be going back. (sniff, sniff). It was so much fun, though! They go ALL out on their spooky decorations!!

Come on, now.... I know y'all have been ghetto like that, at some point in time. Andale, di la verdad...

Flu Season!

2009-10-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Flu season at the Cerezo household!

Tissue-Check!
Runny noses-Check!
Cough-Check!
Body Aches-Check!
Slight fever-Check!

Flu-1
Cerezo-0

VIP for a day at Disneyland!

2009-10-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

I entered a contest for a chance to win a VIP day at Disneyland, and only you can send me there by voting for me at the every so lovely, Los Angelista's blog

If you've never been there before, I STRONGLY encourage you to go! She is a wonderful blogger, with a fantastic site.

Please vote for me by leaving a comment with your name and just say " I vote for Liz" BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR NAME. You cannot remain anonymous. It would be awesome if my readers pull me through! I already know you guys are the best in the world, so let's prove it to Los Angelista how we do it here at Thoughts of a Mommy of three!

Kids Block Party'09

2009-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

We have another Local event! Check it out!

The Cause Community Church will be hosting a free, fun and safe "Halloween" alternative Kids Block Party in Downtown Brea!

See you there!

Meet "Sid the Science kid"

2009-10-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Look at this wonderful local event!

First 5 California is hosting a sneak preview of an upcoming episode of “Sid the Science Kid” on the importance of vaccinations. The episode – “Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!” – explains how vaccinations keep people healthy and teaches kids how to prevent the spread of germs during flu season.

Print this for a cool discount!

At the event, children can meet and take photos with Sid, as well as participate in educational activities. Healthy snacks will be served and event participants will receive goodie bags filled with fun items for kids and resources to keep the whole family healthy this flu season. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 3:30 p.m.

Look what I have!

If you would like to attend, you can get a free pair of tickets ONLY if you are one of the first 5 people who e-mail F5CountyTA@rogerspr.com and say that you read about this event on my blog.

When: Tuesday, October 20

Time: 3 to 5 pm

Where: Kidspace Children's Museum

I'll see you there! I'll be the mom with the most behaved kids there!!! (YEAH RIGHT!)

Ugh... Brothers!

2009-10-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned before, my little two year old, is currently obsessed with Disney Princesses. She has numerous t-shirts, and even a costume set for Halloween and her birthday party.

She now has a new toy. It's a jewelry box. A CINDERELLA jewelry box. You push a button, and it plays the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo song.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like this song. It's cute. It's one of my favorite songs from the movie. Of course, after ummm.....1/2 hour of it playing OVER and OVER again, and having the stupidsongstuckinyourheadfortherestofyourweek, it gets to be down right annoying.

But, for her, it's joy. So, what do I do? I put up with it. I have no choice. (I will admit, that the minute she walks away from it, I hide it. he he!)

The song brings back memories of my childhood. I am the youngest of three. I remember when my mom bought Cinderella for me. Jeez, I would watch that movie back to back. Even to the point that I had the whole movie memorized by heart!

My brother would get annoyed with me and my obsession with Cinderella, and would be a bad brother and either turn it off or hide it, or just annoy me when I tried to watch.

One thing that he did (that I absolutely HATED) was that he tweeked the song Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. Can you believe this? Here I was, innocently watching a Disney princess having her dreams come true, and this guy had nothing better to do than make his little sister's life totaly miserable.

This is what he would sing to me: (it's in Spanish....sorry, and it to the tune of Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo)

Magica bruja, cómo eres burra, Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo ....

I would run to my mom, crying my eyes out, cuz my brother called me a witch. She would scolled him, but it never stopped him.

Ugh... Brothers!

The family that eats together, stays together!

2009-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

The other day, while I was driving around town taking the kids to school, I was hearing a discussion on THE FISH 95.9 on how families need to start eating together as a family, again. How parents and their kids will bond more after a day at school/work. This got me thinking. How many of you out there, eat together as a family at dinner time?

I can see how this would be hard for working parent families. I remember how hard it was to get home (when I was working) and get dinner started. Since I was working at the time we would eat out A LOT!!!! But, we would eat together.

Since becoming a stay at home mom, it's very rare the time that we don't eat dinner as a family. Even after 3 kids, we eat together. Before we head out to scouts, we eat dinner... together.

I can't see this happening any other way.... for us. If either my husband, or one of the kids are missing, it feels empty.

We have dinner, as a family, every night. I start cooking dinner at 5pm. By the time my hubby gets home, it's ready for all to sit down and eat. I thank God for this wonderful privilege. I love this about my family.

And, I wish it for you, too! Even you are a working family, I truly recommend eating together as a family as often as you can.

Priceless!

2009-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

I just saw innocence. Pure, innocence.

I saw it in the face of my daughter. This moment in time that I had with her, was simply priceless.

For the first time in her young life, she saw a Disney Movie. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

I don't remember the first time I saw this movie, but I will remember this day for the rest of my life. Her face, as Snow White first appeared on the TV, will remain in my heart til my dying day.

Innocence. Pure innocence. I loved it. She has been obsessed with Disney Princesses for a while now. Chalowa, as she likes to call Cinderella, was her favorite, til Snow White came along.

My cousin bought her a Snow White costume for Halloween. The fitting alone made her dreams come true! She was walking around hold her dress, so she wouldn't step on it. So CUTE!

I do have to say, that I should have sort of prepared her for the scary parts of the movie.

When the evil queen was brewing her spell for the apple, she got kind of scared. When She fell to her death, Sarai asked me to turn the TV off. After the movies, she was a little quiet and pensive. I started talking about the fun times in the movie. How the dwarfs were dancing and having a lot of fun with Snow White. I tried talking to her about the funny parts. Like when Sneezy blew Doopey off of him when he sneezed. She smiled and starting telling me she lovd Snow White. Phew!

If you haven't seen this movie, I truly recommend that you and your little princess enjoy this Disney classic as much as we did.

I hope and pray that you have many priceless moments, too!

*Thanks to Arenas for this wonderful opportunity to review such a classic movie!

Spanish version click here

Look what's growing in my yard!

2009-10-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

Looking at all the fruits that are growing in the yard, makes my mouth water. Heck, it would make any mouth water. Right now, we are reaping the fruitful harvest of a Mango tree.

Yummm!

They're still green here, but some have ripened already. The kids and I are loving this!

Here we have Lychees! They are so sweet! The kids even got the hang of eating them, without swallowing the seed.

Mmmmm!

Let's see what else we got....

Oh! Lookie lookie.... Persimmons! I don't like these. They taste too much like tomatoes. Ack!

Meh!

We've got lemons, and limes, too! (sorry, poor picture quality) The limes are pictured here. The lemons are alllll gone. Summer time homemade lemonade....

Que Rico!

Quires Naranjas? They ae not ready yet, but when they do.... Yup! Homemade Orange Juice!

Delicioso!

Oh! Last but not least (so far) Ta da!!!! Pomelos! They too, are not ready yet, but when they are....

Scrumptious!

WOW, you are sooooooo good! That's right. Homemade Pomeloade! (lol)

I've heard that some sort of apples grow here too. Along with Guavas, Cherimoyas, and a small yellow fruit with a black seed inside (I know the name in Spanish, but I can't seem to remember it right now). Cool, huh?

What do you have growing in your yard?

MiraMar Airshow

2009-10-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we had the chance to visit MiraMar Marine Corps Air Station for their annual Airshow. I have to say that with all the Airshows that we have visited, this has to be my favorite one so far. It was our first time to visit this base. We have been hearing about the Airshow in MiraMiar for the longest time and we finally had the chance to go. Also, it was the first time to see the Blue Angels perform. It was AWESOME!!

Thanks to my hubby, who got me hooked on these things, I can't get enough of them. We went to our first Airshow a couple of years ago, since then on, one of things we do at the beginning of the year, we check here to find the years schedule for Southern California Airshows!

We got there early, to beat the traffic. We set our chair under a wing of a KC-130. We had a perfect view of the whole show!!

The kids were walking around and got great pictures. There's Jeremiah holding a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon).

Once the aerial stunts started, we sat and ate our snacks. All of the planes/jets were amazing!

You can see the kids covering their ears. We bought them the ear plugs... didn't work!

And, finally.... we saw the Blue Angels! WOOOOOOOT!!!!

If you haven't been to an Airshow, I truly recommend you go! Check out the website to see when the airshows return next year!

Disneyland U.S.A.

2009-10-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here are my two cents on Disneyland, Ca.

Who doesn't like Disneyland, right? Just the mere thought of going to Disneyland will get anyone excited. I LOVE Disneyland. I remember clearly, how in my childhood, we would only get to go once, maybe twice a year. The past two years, I've had a pass, and my kids have gone more times, than I have in my lifetime!

My pass expired in April, so we haven't been there to see all that's been going on since then. My Disney experiences have been great. From childhood to adolescence, to mommyhood. To me, one of the most exciting thing to do is read the inscription on the bridge you cross under to get into Disneyland.

This here, folks is something I read every time we go! It really is true what this says. You leave what ever is going on in the world outside of Disney, and come into a world of fantasy. How awesome is that? Where else can you be, but Disneyland.

My absolute favorite ride is the Jungle Cruise.

Oh, sweet Lord, I can ride this all day long! LOVE IT!

Since Sarai was still to young, to know what princesses were when we went, she still has yet to meet her first princess. My kids' favorite rides are, Buzz Lightyear, Autotopia, and (depending on the mood), Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course... Winnie the Pooh!

I would go to Disneyland in the morning if at all possible. Also, during the week. Three times we have been there when the park was not even open yet! They hold the crowd at the end of Main St, and won't let people through till the time it's about to open. They play the opening song, and off you go to enjoy your day! This totally works for me. I get GREAT parking, we get to go on the rides that the kids like, (Sometimes over and over again!). We hit one land one day, then on another day, we would hit another land.

See, Disneyland at it's Best!!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

2009-10-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tienes una pricesa en tu vida? Visita a....

Pensamientos de una mamá

They're on the prowl!

2009-10-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

I drive about 10 miles everyday, 1 way, to take my son to preschool. I normally take the same route everyday, and everyday I see the same thing. Motorcycle Cops giving tickets!

Especially on the intersection of Imperial and Harbor. All along Imperial, way into La Mirada, these guys are on the PROWL! It's even worse on Lambert, from Brea to Beach. And Rosecrans, from Euclid to Beach. There hasn't been a day, in which I didn't see someone being pulled over getting their ticket. It's awful! I get stressed just approaching the "hot spots".

This morning, on my way to take my son, I saw a truck pulled to the side of the road- pulled over

Not more that 1 mile, a big-rig was in the middle lane- getting a ticket.

Coming back from dropping off my son, a small car off of Imperial and Beach- getting a ticket.

It never fails!

Consider yourself warned!

Awful, I tell ya.... Just awful!

ICE AGE 3

2009-10-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

¿Quienes son Manny, Sid, Diego y Ellie?

averigüe aquí....

Pensamientos de una mama

Introducing....

2009-09-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

It is with GREAT pleasure, that I introduce to you Pensamientos de una mamá

Enjoy~

Got an old Verizon Wireless® phone laying around?

2009-09-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Look what was sent to me! Check it out!

Another school year is beginning which means fresh school supplies, new gadgets and another opportunity to do something good for the environment.

Students and parents upgrading to the latest Verizon Wireless device can donate their old wireless phones to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine® program. By doing so, they not only help the environment, they also support domestic violence victims.

HopeLine collects old cell phones, batteries and accessories in stores or by mail. All phones given to HopeLine that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and the proceeds are used to provide phones to domestic violence victims or cash grants to the organizations that assist them. Phones that are not salvageable are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero landfill policy and in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s R2 recycle policy.

Nationally, since HopeLine’s national phone recycling and re-use program was launched in 2001, HopeLine has:

· Recycled more than 1 million phones, saving 2.21 million kilowatt hours of energy - enough energy to power nearly 185 U.S. households for a year.

· Kept more than 200 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.

· Given more than 80,000 phones with airtime to domestic violence agencies across the country. The Greenhouse Gas Emission Savings from these refurbished phones is the equivalent of removing 32 passenger cars from the road per year.

Even if a phone upgrade isn’t on the agenda this season, HopeLine gives everyone a chance to make a difference in their communities while learning more about the importance of recycling old phones. Just recently three local Verizon Wireless stores partnered with Southern California domestic violence prevention organizations to collect no-longer used phones resulting in $6,000 in grants over a period of 30 days. Read more at http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/PhoneDrives.html

For details about HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline

What is this, Club Church?

2009-09-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Snazzy title, no?

This has been brewing in my mind for the longest time. Every time I go to church, I seem to be amazed at what I see. Call me a prude or old fashioned, but someone always astonishes me, at how they are dressed. Ladies, in particular.

Last week during the worship part of the service, there was this lady to my left, who was sort of dancing... in the spirit, of course! She had a tank top on and not a very supportive bra. (You can see where this is going...) her boobs where bouncing like no tomorrow! I was distracted. Massively distracted by this lady's bounce-o-rama! I can only image what other people felt. Men, in particular.

Several weeks ago, there was a couple sitting in front of us, and the lady had the shortest shorts, and revealing camisole like you wouldn't believe.

Young ladies in the youth ministry, going to church in the tiniest shorts and little blouses. Why would their parents allow something like this to happen? What makes it ok, to go to church dressed like this? WE ARE AT CHURCH!!!!

CHURCH!

Not the park, not the Swap meet, not the mall, or a club/bar.. CHURCH! When did we loose the respect to God and others, to wear short shorts and low revealing tops? We are in the house of the Lord, for Pete's sake!

Now, I know that there is a fine line when it comes to girls and what they can and cannot wear. If she has the figure, why not flaunt what she has, while she still has it! Right? Well, let me say that there IS a time and place for that! Why not tone it down for church? It's just once a week. Call me prudish and old fashioned, but I have to get this off my chest.

If your going to church, to find a Man, there is a classy way of doing it. Women who are serving the Lord, through ministries, have and SHOULD dress in a respectable manor. Men will be men, I'm sure you all agree, and if WE cause the sin by dressing provocatively, then WE are committing the greater sin.

We attend a Christian charismatic church, and I know people just don't dress up to go to church anymore. Heck, I don't. This morning I wore Jeans. Going to church in shorts and jeans in ok now. I get it. I can profess to the world right now, that Sarai will never dress like this in church. I was young and growing up in church, but never imagined myself, going in a tank top and shorts so short, that if I bend over for anything, something will hang out! I mean.... it's something that just boggles me.

How do you feel about this?

Am I being a little too conservative?

Calm down, Liz... It's only church!

God only sees the inside and not the outside!

Hmmm?

QUICK POST

2009-09-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Quick Post:

IT'S HERE... IT'S FINALLY HERE

GREY'S ANATOMY THURSDAY IS BACK!!!

WHOOOOOOOOOO, HOOOOOOOOOOOO

YOUR SONGS

2009-09-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

What do you think when you hear "Harry Connick, Jr"? Can we say HOT? Harry Connick, Jr. has come out with a wonderful CD called "Your Songs"

The CD is a collection of classic songs that will for sure bring you to a place of peace and tranquility.

**sigh**... YUM!

Anyways... I was pleasantly surprised at one of the songs: Bésame Mucho. This song is one of my favorite Spanish songs. To hear him sing this song, with that sultry voice of his.... brought back some good memories of my daddy when he would play this song on his guitar. This was one of his favorites, too!

Here are the tracks you'll be listening to,

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Some of the songs, I know by heart... One song in particular, I've never heard of, And I Love You So. I first listened to the CD at night, after hearing this song, I wanted to wake the hubby up, so we can dance. Harry's voice took me to La La land! Just beautiful!

He will be on Oprah tomorrow, for sure I will be watching....

The following is a listing of Harry’s Upcoming TV Appearances:

9/25 – Oprah “Live Friday”
9/28 – Today Show
9/29 – The View
9/30 – Imus in the Morning
9/30 – Letterman
10/1 – Today Show
Week of 10/5 – Rachael Ray

Still need more of Harry? Well, here ya go!

Harry’s website: http://www.harryconnickjr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr

*A special thank you to One2One Network for this sensational opportunity to do this CD review*

Blog Posts

2009-09-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

How long does it take you to post a blog post? I've been wondering about this for a while. If I sit here and do a post without the distractions of kids, facebook, twitter, husband, or myspace, then maybe about an hour to an hour and a 1/2. I do the majority of my posts at night. Sometime if, for some God given reason, I do have time during the day, then I'll post, but it's more of a small chit chat kind of a post.

I write it all out, then go back to correct everything.

What's funny, is that even though I go through it over and over again, I always seem to miss some stuff... Go figure! I think I can add an additional 30 minuets if I add links. Does this seem like too much?

So, here's my question: How long does it take you to do a Blog post for your Blog? Click here for a survey. A Mom's Two Cents

PS: please do not comment here. When doing the survey, please leave your comment love at A Mom's Two Cents

Grateful

2009-09-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to write this post. I don't know how to write, what my heart and mind want to say.

I am so excited. Ecstatic, Stoked....but most of all.....So humbled!

My blog, Thoughts of a Mommy, is currently being featured at Tiki Tiki Blog. They are featuring my post: Just Google It!

How cool is that! They have no idea how happy they have made me! Can you imagine....Little ol' me, on their blog! I can't even....It brings a huge smile to my face, and tears of joy to my eyes! (Chiyona Alert!)

It is a true privilege to just be here and post what goes on in my life(and that of my familia) and have you guys read it! What more to have my blog being mentioned at such a distinguished site like Tiki Tiki Blog! This is the HIGHLIGHT of my blog!

Muchicimas Gracias!

Fiestas Patrias!!!

2009-09-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

**Spanish post** please excuse my spanish for any typos! Gracias!

Se me presentó la oportunidad de participar en algo maravilloso!

Celebrando Las Fiestas Patrias con fresh&easy!

Tuve el previlejio de participar con otras bloggeras Latinas, en presentar recetas por la celebración de Fiestas Patrias y el mes de la herencia hispana.

Si te faltan ideas de que hacer de comer, visita a Celebrando Las Fiestas Patrias con fresh&easy! por unas recetas, que para que te quento!. Ricos, Deliciosos, y de alta calidad que solo fresh&easy te ofrece!

Las participantes fueron:

Mama Latina Tips

8 year olds & babies

Soy Fashionista

Nuestra vida con Adrian

Y, yo!

¡Buen Provecho! y

¡Que viva México!

Just Google it!

2009-09-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

**Spanglish post**

On Sunday we had a Carne Azada/B-day party for my son. It's his birthday tomorrow. 11 years! For those of you who are Latinos, you know what this means. Get together, eat, talk, laugh, and then we eat some more!(por eso estamos, como estamos).

My Tia bought Jeremiah a piñata. See, no matter what age the birthday celebrant is, we always have a piñata! We let the little ones go first, and then Jeremiah. The other boys think they're too old for a turn to whack the heck out of Spongebob, so Jeremiah was the last to go at it. As my cousin was spinning Jeremiah around, and my brother started to sing the "Piñata" song. You know, "Dale, Dale"

We always sing this. ALL OF US! Well, all of my generation, at least. We always get to the part of "No pierdas el...." and we lose it from there. I don't know why my brother,sister, or cousins don't know the full song (myself included). Lord knows, we've been to countless birthday parties that sing it, but its only the old folks who sing it.

As my brother started the song, my other cousin interrupted him, by saying, she needs to learn that song by Saturday. Saturday is her daughter's 1st birthday/baptism, and I guess want to sing it when it's piñata time at the baby's party. My brother responded by telling her he didn't know the rest...to go on the Internet and "Google" it.

How sad is this. Such a traditional, almost national song, and we have to "google" it to get the lyrics. This got me thinking... "What has happened to my Hispanic family".

When I was growing up, Spanish was spoken in my home. My daddy spoke Spanish, and of course my mom, too. I speak Spanish, my Brother, my Sister, Aunts and Uncles. We all have kids ranging from the ages of 20 to 1, and I can honestly say, I think my Niece(who's studying in Penn State, woot, woot) is the only kid who speaks Spanish fluently. My kids don't. My nephews don't.

I am ashamed. My cousins and I, are the last in our generation who can carry a conversation in Spanish. I tried to teach my kids, but it's hard when it's not the primary language at home. My hubby has not taught them Tagalog. Shame on him, too!

I love speaking Spanish. At church, when I was younger, I was attending the Spanish service. At work, I used Spanish a lot. When I worked in the City of Rosemead, I kinda lost my Spanish, because of the high Chinese population. I mostly spoke English at work. It's funny how something you have known all your life, can start to be hard to hold on too, if you don't use it very often, such as a language. But, when I get the chance to speak Spanish, I do! (medio "pocha") ha ha ha!

I really admire sites like SpanglishBaby, Mama Latina Tips, Tiki Tiki Blog, and My Family Sabor a Cajeta who cultivate the "Latino" heritage. They blog in Spanish and English, you guys should really check them out!

I know it's never too late to start teaching the kids, some Spanish. Other than the Taco Bell menu, or simple things like fruta, uvas, or chones! We're getting there...

So with the spirit of Mexican independence day tomorrow, I would like to tell you what I thought were the lyrics of the "piñata" song: No making fun, ok!

"Dale dale dale, no pierdas el pino, porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el pepino"

I swear I thought that's what it said! Stop Laughing!

¡Que viva México!

But, I don't want to!

2009-09-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

It has been sort of, kind of, confirmed that my husband will lose his job with the Post Office in about a couple of weeks. We have been living with this possibility since the end of last month. We trust in God, we know that he will see us through this, and I know through fasting and prayer we will be ok.

My husband has decided that he doesn't want to go look for a job that has no future. I couldn't agree with him more. We went through a layoff about 6 years ago, and let me tell you, that it was rough! I was working at the time, so we were able to sustain ourselves. But, now...

My husband will go back to school and try to finish what he started many, many moons ago. My husband was 1 course away from becoming an RN in the Philippines(I know, totally fitting the stereotype, he he), so he's gonna challenge the boards here in the states. Yay, for him. Boo for me.

See this means, that I have to go back to work now. I have to support him, like he supported me these past few years. Right? The thing is, I don't want to!

I know I have to, but my heart is silently breaking at the thought of going to work, putting the kids in school/daycare for 8+ hours. I am human, and I am bearing my soul here... I can't tell my husband what I feel, just yet, because I don't want him to think that I don't support him. I really want to be there for him 100%, but how??? When he first told me of his plans, I could tell he kinda got hurt at my reaction. I wasn't jumping for joy. I was bombarding him with question after question. All in all, I want him to tell me what he wants me to do. I know in my heart what I have to do, I just want to hear it from him.

I know that it's just temporary, and that it's so worth it. I know that! I know that he is only doing it for us. I know that he wants to give the best to me and the kids. I know he is the bestest hubby in the whole entire universe for trying to better our lives... but my heart is breaking.

I hope I don't come off as selfish or childish. I just need to vent. Yesterday, I was speaking to a friend of mine, who was so supportive of my husband's decision to go back to school. My husband was telling me of a customer, who was telling him the many different nursing programs there are. So, if this isn't a sign, I don't know what is??!!?? ha ha ha!

I can't go back to my former job, because it requires me to work 12 hours a day. I want my husband to be able to go to school FULL time, so he will get everything over and done with, in the quickest time possible.

I am trying to look for night work. It seems that the only thing that goes on in the darkness of night is security work or all things associated with bars/nightclubs. Well, I don't tuck my shirt in for anything in this world, so I doubt I'll be able to get a job as a security. I don't dance in a manner that will get money thrown at me, and I'm not willing to accompany anyone, anywhere, for anything (if you know what I mean!) With the economy the way it is, no one seems to be hiring. I lost count on how many applications I've turned in. I know a job will turn out somewhere, and when I does I will be ready.

I just wish someone would ready my heart!

Where were you?

2009-09-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

This was written on 9/11/07. I posted this on my blog on myspace. Thought I'd share this with you all...

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

I love this song. Alan Jackson nailed it on how I felt that day. I was at work. Since we are on the west coast, everything was just unfolding as we were gonna start patients with their treatments. At a Dialysis center, you are surrounded by tv's.

As we were all glued to the t.v., I experienced a feeling that you only get when you know something is not right. Besides the fear, anger, and sheer horror of what was happening before my eyes, 9/11 happened on a Tuesday. The Sunday before, I had just found out I was pregnant. When I saw the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower, I knew something was wrong.

Hearing a code blue in a hospital is the norm... even death is expected. Especially in a dialysis center but, when it's unexpected that's another thing. Knowing that I saw the plane full of people, and a tower full of people die instantly, had such an impact on me that even until now I can't seem to comprehend the magnitude of this tragedy. I immediately began to cramp.

As the day went on there was a rumor that another plane was headed for downtown L.A. I worked in L.A. The hospital was put on alert and emergency plans were taking place. At noon, I began to bleed.

I too, lost a dear loved one, on that September day. With all the events, memorials, and ceremonies that surround 9/ 11, Jeremiah's b-day and our anniversary, I always make time to remember our angel in heaven.

God Bless America!!!

Where were you when the world stopped truning?
By Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the hero's who died just doin' what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq
and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And, I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her
Did you dust off that Bible at home

Did you open your eyes hoped it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq
and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And, I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq
and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And, I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day

Saturday Fun!

2009-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Children's Museum in the City of La Habra. We had a blast! Thanks to Daytripping Mom for the suggestion. If you haven't been to her site, I strongly urge you to go on over. You will find fantastic local ideas and fun day trip suggestions!

It was free admission to the museum. (why else would I be there if it weren't for free, right?) ha ha!

We started out digging for Dinosaur bones, and gassing up a car!

We had fun doing lots of stuff! I forgot how great the Children's Museums are. I haven't been in one, since going on a field trip in elementary school. (dang, I know!!)

Jonah drove us to the market in a bus! ha ha!

We even had the chance to dress up like a race car driver... aww, look at my McDreamy!

Gotta love a Merry-Go-Round! Sheesh, look at my Coqueta up there on her horse!

Cool!! We even saw Thomas the Train! Puppet show time!

We ended the day with a Marionette Show! I didn't know how the kids were gonna react to it, so I sat close by... just in case!

Started out GREAT!!

Then came the first puppet, Sarai got scared! lol!

Jonah was selected from the crowd, to pull some strings on the marionette! He had the biggest smile on his face, cuz he got chosen! Yay, for Jonah!!

A HUGE thanks, again to Daytripping Mom for posting this fun trip on your site!

One Deadly Combination...

2009-09-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

10 year olds and Sarcasm. One deadly combination. I am here to vent. To you. If you don't want to hear it, do not continue reading.

I have a 10 year old. A 10 year old son. My first born, and I am very upset with him right now. Some of you may know this, and others will find out now, of my fear. This fear of adolescence. The teenage years. I am terrible frightened of this stage in my son's life. I can't even think about it, without getting that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Here we are, at the door step of the "tween" years, and we are already having fight after fight. He is only 10...

11 in a couple of weeks. I am at my wits end when it come to dealing with him. I seriously gave it all to God, today. The backtalk, the rolling of the eyes, and the God forsaken "sarcasm"! How do I handle it all? Is all of this normal? The mood swings, Lord have sweet mercy on my soul!

Please, don't get me wrong. (I'm sure I will have a different state of mind, in the morning.) I love my son, but boy, does he know how to push my buttons! My husband always criticizes me on being too soft with him. I don't think I am. I've tried everything on this earth in regards to discipline. The time out's. The taking stuff away. Grounding... ugh, nothing has any effect!

There are great qualities in my son, that I love. I just would rather not dwell on that, right now! Remember, I'm mad!

I've tried counting to ten, walking out of the room, ignore the kid, all of this does not work for me anymore.

Parenting is so hard. So, so hard. I feel like a big F A I L U R E!

If you have children this age, I am in dire need of some kind of advice. Sorry, for not sounding all "happy, happy , joy joy" Thanks for listening/reading!

and they're off...

2009-08-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

My boys have their first day of school today. I have one in 6th grade and one in Preschool. In my mind, I can't wait. In my heart, I can wait.

Jeremiah will go to a new school. Fresh meat, I would tease him. He has no friends, but I'm sure he will get a whole new set of them by this afternoon. I am excited for him. His last year in elementary school. Then, it's off to Jr. High.

Jonah, what can I tell you? I'm gonna miss him. You're my little man. My companion. (( big sigh))

SO, off to preschool he went...

There is a 7 1/2 year difference between Jeremiah and Jonah. Jonah was LONG awaited for. He was such a complicated pregnancy. I bled "consistently" for the first three months. I kept my mom and her prayer group, very busy! At 6 months, he got himself comfortable, and sat his butt down for the rest of the time. Yup, he was a breech baby. At 7 months, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. At 8 months, I was in preterm labor. Thank God it was stopped, but I was loosing too much weight, due to the strict diet I was on. At 37 weeks, I was dilated 3cm, and was scheduled for a c-section later that day.

I know... crazy kid put me through so much!

Now, he's going to preschool.

I became a SAHM with him. I am excited for him, too. I have to cut the umbilical cord a little more, now.

I don't want to though. ((even bigger sigh))

Here are some pics from the drop off this morning!

Of course, I have about 50+ more pictures, but I won't post them here.... yet! I walked out with dignity. Didn't make a scene. Only when I walked out the door, I wipe a tear away, and got in the car and drove home.

Yes, I was freakishly praying on my way home, that God will protect my boys and all their friends. That he put guardian angles at the doors of their rooms, and that NO harm will ever come to them.

I can only imagine what others were thinking when they drove by me...

The quietness here with just Sarai here, is so deafening! She's sitting down watching Dora. I'm in my room, thinking this is GREAT!

I can get used to this...

Oh, you're THAT kind of Mexican...

2009-08-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

My former neighbor of about 12 years started telling me about some places in L.A., that he grew up around. He mentioned streets that sounded somewhat familiar, and others were totally foreign to me. He knew I grew up in L.A., but I guess I failed to mention what part of L.A.. He asked if I've been to "Filipinotown" near downtown, I said, "No, I've heard it, but never been there".

"Oh man, you've never been there? Your man is a "flip" and you've never been there?" he said. "Have you been to MacArthur Park?"

"Nope", getting a little annoyed by then. "The farthest I've been (as far as L.A. goes) are the streets of the Callejones" (the alleys) I said as I tried to hurry the kids in the car. "Other than that, it's always been in East L.A.!"

"Oooooh, MAN", he said "You're THAT kind of Mexican"

I gave a courtesy laugh, and drove away. This was about 5 months ago. (kinda late, I know) but, I was watching George Lopez last night, and it got me thinking about what my crazy neighbor told me many moons ago and it got me agitated, again.

WTH? I'm THAT kind of Mexican? What does that even mean? Since I have no business being in that part of L.A., then why should I even be there, que no?

I was so awe struck, while driving to a blog event in L.A., (Milkshake), that I got lost, because I was looking at a whole other world that is....I think it's called West L.A.??!!

A little bit of history, if you will,

I grew up in East L.A. My Daddy had a little store on 1st street. My mom worked for Kmart for 25+ years in Commerce. My Sister and Brother attended Roosevelt high.

We would go to the East LA classic, every year! The football game of Roosevelt vs. Garfield, was a staple in our home. Even after my siblings graduated H.S. we would still go, I'm That kind of Mexican.

We took the bus to go shop in Downtown and the Callejones, even though we had cars, I'm That kind of Mexican.

We knew the shops on Whittier Blvd. like the back of our hands, and would go there almost every weekend, I'm That kind of Mexican.

I grew up around "El Mercadito" and got my Mexican dresses there, for when I would dance for 5 de mayo at school, I'm That kind of Mexican.

The "Elote" man, knew he had to stop by my place, cuz heck, who doesn't like a corn covered in cheese, mayo, chili powder and butter? I'm That kind of Mexican.

I love swap meets. (I had a good one where we used to live) Now, I go to an even better one, that we affectionately call "chololandia", I'm That kind of Mexican.

When I was younger, I would shop at the "chinito" stores, not the mall, I'm That kind of Mexican.

At any party, if there are Cumbias or Salsa being played, you bet, I'm on that dance floor, I'm That kind of Mexican.

At Christmas time, we feast on Menudo, Tamales, and Buñuelos, I'm That kind of Mexican.

I don't make my own Tamales, lazy housewife that I am, I go to Liliana's or Lolita's, I'm That kind of Mexican.

I have Tapatio with almost ALL my food, even when I cook Filipino food, I'm That kind of Mexican.

My Mom is the best cook, hands down, I'm That kind of Mexican.

When I worked at White Memorial, and felt right at home, I'm That kind of Mexican.

When my Grandfather died in Durango, Mexico a long time ago, we DROVE there, I'm That kind of Mexican.

For "Drinking the Water" in Mexico, I got deathly ill, and almost had to be flown back to the states, I'm That kind of Mexican.

I love my Familia, small as it may be, they are everything to me. We have a Guero, and Salvadorean, and a Filipino in the mix, I'm That kind of Mexican.

The majority of the stuff George Lopez talks about in his shows, I can totally relate to because it has happened to me, I'm That kind of Mexican.

Now, listing to Rancheras, Corridos, or Banda on a daily basis or plastering an ox on the side of my van, I'm NOT that kind of Mexican. LOL!

I will admit to you, that leavening "East LA" before my teenage years, has changed my point of views on a lot of stuff. (We moved to Pico Rivera when I was 12) Even more, now that I'm in Orange County. Still, I am a Mexican at heart!

Question: Is there a difference on the Mexican's who live on the West side of town? Are the Mexicans who grew up in E.L.A., more "Chuntier"? What do you think it is?

I never got to ask him what classified me as being "that" kind of Mexican. He's Hispanic. "Chicano" as he like to be called. Crazy LOCO! I bet he didn't even know what he was talking about. Little does he know, that I'm blogging about it!

Hasta Luego!

Updates

2009-08-23T22:51:00.001-07:00

I need to do some updating on some of my posts. Here they are.

In regards to Jonah's Preschool dilemma: Preschool woes

We were able to get Jonah into a preschool. Thank God. He starts next week. After looking around to a few places, we found a school semi-close to the house. Thank you for the comments and support!

In regards to Sarai's Potty Training: Diapers, please go away

I am very proud to say that, Sarai, is fully potty trained now!!!! YAY!!! Except at night. I still put a "pull up" on her. I did it! Thank you all for your suggestions and comments!

In regards to my new site: Thanks for the comments!

My site is still here! Drop by and take the Surveys on there and leave some comment love!

Thank you all for your support when I need it! All your comments are fully appreciated and loved! Keep coming by and spread the word of A Mom's Two Cents

Much love/Con Mucho Amor!

WOW, it's been how many years?

2009-08-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

I went to a bowling alley today, for the first time in about... 15-17 years! I know!!! I used to go a lot during my youth. My cousin was even in a league, I think. We would go bowling on a monthly basis. It was nice seeing the kids bowl for the very first time. I have to say that it brought back a whole lot of good memories, for me. It was fun. I didn't bowl, though. It was more for the kids.

Here's Sarai, thinking we got her new shoes!...

Um, yeah... I don't think so!

I went with my sister and her kids. Here are Daniel, Jeremiah, Sarai and Jonah!

My 15 year old nephew thought he was too "Cool" for a picture. Pfft. Teenagers...

All in all we had a good time. We weren't keeping score or anything, it was just something to do. 1 more week and the kids go back to school!

YAY!

Sugar, ah Honey Honey!!

2009-08-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

* The following blog is written in Spanglish.

I love that song!

ok... Question: What is the only food on earth that doesn't spoil?

Answer: Honey!

Want to know who taught me that? My 10 year old. Want to know where he found this interesting fact? School? Tutoring? SpongeBob? No! He saw (and for some reason remembered), this wonderful, valuable information from the inside of a cap of a Snapple drink. Go figure! I wonder if they do tutoring, too?

Honey... Besides it being my pet name from the hubby, What can I say about Honey. I love Honey. I love how it tastes, how it plays on ones pallet, heck, even how it leaves an aftertaste. I love, sort of, chewing it. (ha ha, my mouth just watered!)

Weather it be on biscuits, or in my tea, I'll take it! Best of all, what tickles my fancy, is this:

A Bionico. If you've never had one of these, Lord have mercy, you don't know what you're missing. Mix a little fruit with some cream,granola, raisins, and you top it off with a little drizzle of honey...HEAVEN!!!!

Ugh!! Where in the world can I find a place that makes them, here in the O.C.? Momma loves her some bionicos!

Besides it tasting like one of the best stuff, the earth has to offer, it's also very good for you. You ask any Mexican, what to do if you have a sore throat, they'll tell you, "Tomate un te de limon con Miel" (drink tea with lemon and Honey). Honey can be used many different ways. I just prefer the sweet, fatty way!

The kids will be going back to school in 2 weeks, and like some SAHM's, there are times I don't know what to feed the hungry bear that my son becomes after school. Besides the sandwiches and chicken nuggets, I'm always on the look out for some simple, easy recipes to make. Take a look at what was presented to me: The following information is in "Spanglish". The website provided is in spanish, only!.

HONEY: THE BACK TO SCHOOL ESSENTIAL

From finger-licking lunches to energizing sports drinks or soothing balm for rainy days, “Honey My Way” contest helps educate parents on uses of honey and encourages them to enter to win $1,000

LONGMONT, CO. – August 3, 2009 – The school year is about to begin and parents everywhere need to prepare. It’s time again to buy new clothes, school supplies and sports equipment, and to start the lunch-packing, after-school practice and homework rituals all over again. But while shopping for books seems like a natural this time of year, there’s another natural that can become the conscientious parent’s best friend: 100% pure honey. Not only does this golden elixir enhance the taste of many brownbag lunches, but unbeknownst to many parents, honey can become a child’s best ally during sports practice and even help him or her soothe a sore throat.

To encourage parents and kids everywhere to try and find out more about the multiple uses of honey, especially as it relates to back to school, the National Honey Board has launched the “Honey My Way” contest. Consumers can submit their favorite honey recipe in up to two categories: (1) as a kid-friendly snack or meal recipe or (2) their favorite creative use of honey recipe (i.e. recipe for throat soother, sports drink, etc.). The winner of the kid snack/meal entry will win $1,000 and the winner of the creative use recipe will receive $500.

“100% pure honey offers a variety of uses for school-aged children and their parents,” says Bruce Wolk, National Honey Board, Director of Marketing. “While honey’s delicious taste entices little ones to enjoy a variety of foods, its energy properties can help them stay on the game during sports practice and even soothe a sore throat when the cold-flu season hits.”

The “Honey My Way” contest kicks off August 3, 2009 and runs through September 25th. Recipes will be judged on their creativity/originality and use of 100% pure honey. The winner of the meal/snack category will receive a prize of $1,000 in cash and the winner of the creative use category will receive $500. To submit your honey recipes, log on to www.mielpura.org and click on the “Miel A Mi Manera” icon to submit your entry through September 25th 2009, for a chance to win.

“We hope to help families discover how honey can be a delicious and versatile ingredient for back to school,” stresses Wolk.

To find lunch and snack recipes as well as ways to use honey for sports, beauty and other uses, please visit www.mielpura.org.

La receta que me agrado mas, Y que tambien se puede encontrar en www.mielpura.org, fue enviada por una amiga mia, Marcela! Espero que a todos Ustedes les guste tambien. Es facil, economica, y nutritiva!

13 de agosto de 2009
Queso cottage, banana y miel

1/2 taza queso cottage
1 banana mediana
1 cucharada de miel

En un bowl pequeño coloque el queso cottage. Corte la banana en rodajas y agrege al queso. Distribuya la miel sobre el queso y la banana y ....¡Disfrute!

Receta envidado por: Marcela Beatty
Nombre de blog: 8 year olds & babies
Website: web.me.com/marcelabeatty

Sugar and Spice! yeah right!

2009-08-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sugar and Spice...

And everything nice, right?

Well, lets rewind the time to 2006, when I had an appointment with a Perinatologist, to check my baby's heart through an ultrasound. I was born with a congenital heart defect and had corrective surgery when I was 4 years old. So, with every pregnancy, I was under a Perinatologist care. I went in with excitement because I get to see the baby, and find out if we were having a boy or girl!

"It's a girl" he said.

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of.

This statement was all I thought about from then on. I was having a girl. After 2 boys, the good Lord blessed my family and I, with a girl. My little one would be the first female in 18 years. My niece, was the last girl to be born, in the family. From then on,we only had boys.

So, to our great pleasure, we had a little girl on Christmas Eve (I know,of all days!). When I was alone in my hospital room, all I could think about was all the stuff I get to do with Sarai. The cute dresses, the sweet Mary Jane shoes, Laced underwear. Everything pink! I couldn't wait for her hair to grow long, so I can put on bows and barrettes. All was good.

Fast forward to two and a half years later, and my little one could care less, if she has bows on her hair, or not. Forget the Fu fu dresses and the laced underwear, she's content with anything. For a while, she was into Disney Princess stuff. Thank God she mellowed out on that! It was costing us a pretty penny!

Here is my problem...

How do you comb little girls' hair? She's half Asian, so her hair is slick straight. Flyaways Galore! So even trying to get a straight line for pig tails or half pony tails, I have the hardest time EVER!

Besides the fact that she moves around like she has ants in her you know where, but for the life of me, I can't get it done right.

See,

Cute, right? Well lets look even closer....

This is the front view.... crooked lines alllll around! Here is the back....

C~R~O~O~K~E~D!

How do you do it? When we're at home, or just running errands, I don't care how her lines are. These were taken this morning for church. I dread combing her hair for when we have to go somewhere. I don't want to use products on her hair, yet. How do you ladies do it? Her hair is wet when I comb it. I use those God forsaken rubber bands that say "no tangle" (damn liars) to keep her hair kinda together. Nothing works!

Ugh, just blogging about it gets to me.

The dreams of having here hair all up and pretty looking, with bows and ribbons are fading away....fast!

To nap or NOTto nap..

2009-08-12T13:01:00.001-07:00

This my friends, is the question here in the Cerezo household.

I,Liz, choose NOT put the kids down for a nap. Why, you ask? Because, then the little boogers don't go to sleep til way past 9pm. I'm talking about the 2 and 4 year olds. They are in bed, asleep, by 7pm. How wondrous is that? By then, the hubby and I get time together with out any interruptions!

Sometimes, my Husband will want to keep them up, for whatever reason, and without any hesitation I remind him that I sacrifice myself and my sanity, so they can sleep early, and we get to have time alone.

Yesterday, Sarai, took a mini nap for 1 hour. Just 1 hour people! She slept at 10:30pm. She was running around with her older Kuya, and loving the night life. I could have kicked myself in the butt!

I really like the tranquility I get from having 1 go down for a nap during the day, but I really LOVE the quietness of the evening when they go to sleep for the night at 7. Sure they wake up by 7am, but it's so worth the challenges of keeping them up the whole day.

Which, brings me to:

A Mom's Two Cents

One proud Mom #2

2009-08-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last night, we decided to have Breakfast for Dinner. Have you ever done that? If you haven't, you have got to try it! I personally think it taste MUCH better at dinner time than at breakfast time. We had Bacon, Sausage, Eggs, Pancakes, and for the hubby, some rice. (rolls eyes)

Want to know the best part of all? My Son cooked the entire meal! Yup, Jeremiah got in the mix and cooked it all! The Pancakes, the eggs, the bacon and the sausage. It turned out soooooo good. He's done this before. He's cooked up some stuff and it ends up tasting, just wonderful. I've told my hubby, time and time again, that I think Jeremiah has a knack for cooking. Even for picking out fruits or vegetables at the market, this kid has passed the test more times than I can remember.

Have you seen the movie "Like Water for Chocolate"? If you haven't, I totally recommend it, if your the cook for your family. It's in Spanish, but it has English subtitles. I saw it again last night on You Tube. It's an R rated movie, so please don't see it with the little ones around. (wink, wink)

In the movie it talks about cooking with Passion. Feelings. Most of all, with LOVE. I truly believe that whatever you're feeling when your cooking, it WILL come out in your food. I cook with Love. Well, at least most of the time...

I love cooking for my family. I love complements from my little brood, about my food. I have no choice. I'm a SAHM, even though, when I was working, I would still come home and cook.

*I have to add here, that everything I learned about cooking I owe to my hubby. Really! My mom taught me some stuff here and there (even though my mom is the best cook, ever!) still, my hubby gets all the credit*.

When I got married, I didn't know diddly squat, about cooking. I mean nothing! My mom tried to teach me, but nothing ever resulted. I remember the first time I cooked rice, it came out awful. I went into the bathroom, and cried my newlywed eyes out. My hubby came in, of course, and tried to comfort me and told me it's ok, that it never come out the first time (yeah, right!) Then he got me a Rice Cooker! Problem solved.(ha ha)

From there on, he taught me little by little, til I got it. As you all know, my husband is Filipino, so A LOT of our meals are "Asian" influenced. We have white rice almost every time we eat at home. Yup, even breakfast, LOL!

So, to see Jeremiah get in there and "run" the kitchen (with very little help from me) gave me soft spot in my heart. Plus, there is NOTHING wrong with a man in the kitchen, right ladies?

I will instilling my method of "Cooking with Love" into Jeremiah.

"Always cook with Joy" I tell him. "Smile when you mix ingredients together"

It sounds weird as I'm blogging/reading it, but in the Kitchen, it's the main ingredient!

Do you cook with Love?

Proud of my Boy Scout!

2009-08-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to announce that my Son, Jeremiah, has advanced to the rank of Tenderfoot! Whhooooooo hooooooo!

Thanks for the Comments!

2009-08-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

I love the comments that I've been getting for Do you remember your Quince? So, I thought this would be a great time to test my new Web Site. Come on over!

"A Mom's Two Cents"

Do you remeber your Quinceañera?

2009-08-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Quinceañeras. The Hispanic version of American Debutant Balls. The typical Hispanic family, who have little girls in their brood, live for 3 events in their lives. First, comes the first Birthday Party/Baptism. Second, the Quinceañera, when the girl turns 15. Third, but not least, the Wedding.

My cousin who's in the middle of blowing the roof off her house for her little one's "Bautizmo" (Baptism), is running around planning an elaborate event, for a baby who won't remember a thing cuz she'll be turning 1 at the same time! I can only imagine the Quinceañera.

Yeah, it's that bad!!

It becomes a little girls' dream that she waits for, once she attends her first Quinceañera party. The dress, the cake, the hall, your Damas and Chambelanes (your court of honor) and the party itself. I didn't have one. I've been in countless Quinceañeras, but didn't have one of my own.

My overly protective mother, thought that once I had a Quince, I would turn into a wild child and loose my virginity, and would soon plan a baby shower/wedding shower.

Whatever...

Would I do one for my daughter? Well, seeing what my cousin is spending for her Daughter's Bautizmo, I would have to start saving money as soon as we found out that we are having a Girl. My little one is now 2 1/2. **sigh**

One of the fantastic truths about Hispanic families, is that WE LOVE PARTIES! Especially BIG, Exaggerated, parties! We have a wonderful(sometimes shameful) system of having...drum roll please.... Padrinos. Sponsors, if you will. My husband who's from the Philippines, says they have parties like Quinceañeras, but they have Sponsors who basically throw the party for the special young lady. Couples who volunteer (or forcefully get elected) give the young lady whatever she needs for her Quince, and in return, get to be in the "Honorable Mentions" section in the invite. You get to have "Padrinos" for EVERYTHING!!! The limo, the dress, the bible, pillow to kneel, cake, keepsakes, invites, DJ, ring, heck, you even have Padrinos for the shoes your gonna wear!!!

Hmm, maybe I CAN pull it off??? (tee he he!)

Well, Fear Not fellow readers, whohavesoontobeQuinceañeras, look what's been cooking over at Verizon Wireless,

One lucky teen to win a $45,000 Quinceañera party from Verizon Wireless:

Do you know someone who dreams of having the Quinceañera of their dreams? Then Verizon Wireless could make those dreams come true. Eligible teenagers from select cities across the western states are invited to participate in the second annual My Fabulous 15 contest and win an incredible Quinceañera party. The celebration includes an event planner, venue, catering for 200 guests and transportation that’ll sweep the winner off to an unforgettable party and the best memories of his or her life. But that’s not all. The icing on the cake is the live performance by pop artist Pee Wee!

The first phase of the contest — from July 13 to August 16. For more information about My Fabulous 15, including rules, eligibility and more, you can go to www.myfabulous15.com.

Wow, I hope and pray this kind of Contest is still around oh, 12-13 years from now. Lord knows, I'm gonna need it!

New Launch!

2009-08-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to announce to all of you, of a website, that I have come up with! It's very new, very near and dear to my heart.

It will be launched on my 1 year "Blogoversary", which is just 10 days away. Ejole, I still can't believe I've been blogging for a year!! Como se pasa el tiempo! (time does fly by!)**A quick shoutout to my readers and followers**

There won't be any giveaways(since I don't know how to do all that), or fancy stuff like other Website Launch Parties but you will be personally welcomed!

I hope and pray that you guys will show that same love and support that you have shown to "Thoughts of a Mommy". I have to warn you that I still have a long way to go before it's Launch! The site is still a "work in progress"

Want to take a look?

Check it out! A Mom's Two Cents Leave me a comment on there, Show me some Love! So, I can see that all the links and stuff are working properly! Also, I made buttons! All by myself!!(yay to me) Go grab it!

See you in 10 days!!!! Hasta Luego!!!

Got Milk? Milkshake Event

2009-08-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, one kid is asleep, 2 are watching T.V. with their cousin, and I get to finally sit down and blog about this absolutely sweet event that I was SO graciously invited to. I went to the Got Milk? Milkshake Bloggers Event in the wonderful city of Los Angeles.

Now first, let me say that I have never been to that part of the city before. Born and raised here in L.A.(East L.A. to be exact) and now living in Orange County, I never had the privilege of being/driving in that part of town before. I have to admit, that I got lost in Beverly Hills. LOL!! WOW, how cool was that?? I also saw my first Jewish man. A lot of them. Walking along Beverly Blvd. I had no idea that, that was a Jewish Community. I don't know how that sounds, but I've never seen a Jewish man who actually wore the black pants and white top and Black jacket with the hat before. Along with the curls, too! I have never seen one in real life, that is!!!! Seriously!!! (ok, I got big time side tracked there, but I was so thrilled, I had to blog it)

All in all it was an eye opening experience for me. That side of town was beautiful. One area reminded me of a scene on a movie. Just breathtaking. See, that's why I got lost, I kept looking around at everything, instead of the streets. Aye, ya, yai! Ok, now to the event. he he!

The event was held at a cute, comfy looking restaurant called BLD Restaurant. I was instantly greeted by the wonderful Allison Osorio. I got my name tag and off to a corner I hid. Typical me. They had these table set up so you can make your own Milkshake.

I know, cute, huh? They had 3 different tables set up, all with different shakes to make. I did the Blueberry Malt Milkshake. Ugh, It was so good. They had waiters and waitresses walking around with "Milkshake" shots. See, this was my first...

It's called "The San Diego Padres, Adrian Gonzalez" . I was very tasty. It was a delicious blend of Peanut Butter, Honey and Banana! They also had Milkshake shots called "The Frozen Mexican", "Orange Dreamsicle", and the "Salted Caramel". They had other shakes that were named after Famous People. You can find all these yummy recipies by logging on to Got Milk?.

We also were treated to a wide variety of yummy looking pastries by Chef Mariah Swan. Look at her work.

Aye, se me hizo agua la boca otra ves! ( Ugh, this made my mouth water, again!)

But, I did have my Favorites: Here we have the "Magic Bar" riquisimo, and the "Starwberry Tartlette" So light and fluffy!

With all the sugar I had in my body, I loosened up and got to meet my fellow bloggers. I had the pleasure of greeting Cynthia of "Pillow Book" and Jennifer Vides of "Mami, Deconstucted".

Here are the fabulous Got Milk team,

Mi nuevas amigas Angelina, Allison, y Angelica. Wow, how weird, y'all begin with the letter A!. La que falto en la foto fue Maria.

That's Me!!!!

I also, finally got to meet a fellow mommy blogger, Macela of 8 year olds & Babies that I met here on my blog. We both have Sons that are named, Jeremiah. Hmmm, Great minds think alike No, que, no?

Last but not least, I want to tell you about Sandra of "Soy Fashionista". How beautiful is she? I still can't believe I actually took a picture with her.. he he he!

All in all, I had a unforgettable afternoon. I also won the Grand Prize. I received a blender(which I didn't even own, until now) and a Gift Certificate from BLD restaurant. I am so grateful to have been in the same room with great, local bloggers. I also met Powerful, Strong, Latina Women, who made me feel empowered and very welcomed. I can't wait for another opportunity to meet with them soon. Thanks to all of the Got Milk team, Executive Director Steve James (whom I had a toast with), BLD restaurant, and all who attended, for making my very first bloggers event memorable.

P.S. For those following my blog, I didn't get the chance to go and have a Mani/Pedi, since I had Preschool enrollment Drama.I was on the phone all morning long calling different school. Hopefully, in the near future, I will get the luxury of getting a Mani/Pedi... I know..

"Frumpalicious"

LOL!!

It's gonna have to wait..

2009-08-04T11:02:00.001-07:00

The kids are bouncing off the wall right now, so the post of the exciting afternoon yesterday will have to wait...Aye, these chiquillos are driving me LOCA!!!!

Preschool woes...

2009-08-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

When we moved to another city/county, the first thing I did was to find a preschool for Jonah. My, baby was finally going to school. I was so excited to find a Headstart program, by the state, really close by. I filled out the application in June, and I was told to wait until August to find out if we qualified or not. Of course, I couldn't wait, so I called last Friday. The 31st. Close enough, no?

Well, Ladies... It was NOT!

We didn't qualify. All due to my husbands income. According to the Income standards here in Orange County, we are WELL beyond the limits of...ready.... $33,000.

OH MY LORD!!!!

How in the world can a family of 5 live off of $33, 000??!!?? How?? I was talking to the lady from the headquarters of the preschools in O.C., and all she could tell me was, go look at another place. I was fuming. The kind of fuming that you just breakdown and cry. I hate that about myself. When I get mad, I cry. UGH

We can't afford to take him to a Fee based preschool. I wish, but we can't. Jonah is so excited to be going to school, that now I have to hurry up and find one before September... yup, just 1 month away. The school that I will check out in the morning is about 5 miles away. I know, I know, no biggie, but still. It will be in the opposite direction from Jeremiah's school.

How can this happen? We live off of 1 income. 1. We are struggling. We sacrifice...a lot, so I can stay home with my kids, we don't have much. Even if I was working my full time job in the medical field, one pay check would go to daycare. $1500 a month for daycare.

I called the preschool, that the School District has to offer...$300 a month. It's the freaking school district providing the program and they still charge for it. Thank God the elementary schools are still free. Hell, they might as well charge too, with all the budget cuts that are happening here in California. Tsk, tsk...

I swear, I want to sit in my car, come September, to see what kind of families drive up to the school, and drop of their kids... Heck, at $33,000/year, they can't even afford a car, right???

PFFFFFTTTTT!

Thanks for letting me vent.....I need a hug.

Confession #2

2009-07-31T20:38:00.001-07:00

You can call me THE most frumpy looking mom in alllll of Cali. I have no sense of Fashion. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Ziltch. Sweats and a t-shirt were made for me. I can see something on other women and think it's so cute and stylish but, when I go try it on for myself, something goes TERRIBLY wrong! Ugh... I hate that. I hate shopping for me.

I'm privileged enough to have been invited to a very special event on Monday. I have to say that I am SUPER excited. I will blog about it next week. Of course, I have a dilemma. What am I gonna wear? How do I do my hair? Makeup? Everything! The most I put on a "weekly" basis is eyeliner and some lipstick. See, "Frumpy"

Here is my confession: I have never had a Manicure or a Pedicure. NEVER!

I know, I know... 32 year old living in O.C., Cali.

Pick you jaws off the floor.

Well, due to the occasion, I want to get a MANI-PEDI done. But, I AM FREAKING OUT, MAN! My cousin says I can't handle it. I am way too ticklish for a pedicure. I will prove her wrong. Still, I am a little scared of going. Heck, it's about time I man up to it and Just Do IT! After all, I'm doing it for me, right?

If there's something I need to know before I go, just drop a comment. Be Nice, cuz I still can chicken out. (he he)

Wish me Luck, Ladies. I really need it. I hope we can still be friends after this blog post. I still have no idea where to go and get a Mani-Pedi.. Am I saying/spelling it right?

Aye ya yai!!!

What a relief!

2009-07-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. My mom came home from the hospital last night. She's almost herself. She had a severe throat infection. So severe, that the swelling in there was closing her airway. Last Saturday, when my sister brought her to the E.R. in a nearby hospital, she was quickly transferred to another hospital. LAC/USC. Yes, county hospital. Now, we grew up in that area, so back to the "Barrio" it was. It was kinda nice seeing how much East L.A. has changed. Still, I hope never to go through this again. Where we all live now, it was about 30-40 min. drive. With traffic, almost 1 1/2 hour drive. So, she's home now. Thank God!!! I have so much to blog about....See Ya Later..

No post.

2009-07-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is a quick post. My mom is in the hospital right now. So I won't be able to post anything any time soon. Please help me pray for a quick recovery. She's admitted with a throat infection. Apparently last night it got worse. Ugh!!

Thanks,

Ugh... it's hot

2009-07-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

I hate summer time....It's too hot!

Now, THAT was close...

2009-07-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

I just scared the hell out of myself a little whole ago... I went into the bathroom to get a hair clip and I noticed I didn't have a bra on. Just a camisole. Mind you that I just got home from a burger joint to get dinner... My Eyes Bugged Out!!!! Big Time...

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....

For a split second, I told myself," Liz, you went to get dinner without a bra. You got out of the car, went in to pay, and get the food WITH OUT YOUR BRA!!" I had a top on. A fitted top on!

Now, let me tell you, that the TaTa's aren't what they used to be. They have made a permanent move down south. So, going anywhere without a bra, in a fitted top, is just cause to high tail it out of the city/county/state.

But.. I didn't!! (There is a God) I ran to the bedroom and found my top with my bra on top of it, sitting on the bed.

Phew!!! Now I can laugh and blog about it.

LOL!

Diapers... please go AWAY!!!

2009-07-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

I've vowed 5 boxes of diapers ago, that it would be the last box of diapers I would buy. I'm sitting here looking at the last package of diapers left in the latest box, and i have come to m wits end. What to do? She's already 2 1/2. Sometimes she tells me that she peed and stuff, but never that she has to go. I've heard time and time again that girls are much more easier that boys to potty train... What a crock!!!

This little one wants nothing more than to live in her diapers til the end of time. I ask her all the time, "Sarai, lets go pee pee in the toilet" All I get is a look that says.. Yeah, NOT happening!!!

The other night, I forgot to put a diaper on her for the night. Can you believe that?? She slept "commando" the whole night!! And the bed you ask?? DRY!!! I saw her standing at the door that morning, and she said " Mommy, I pee" I thought in my mind, Great... the stupid diaper leaked. I waled over to her, and stepped in the Pee pee puddle... (thanks for the warning, Sarai) I asked her, where her diaper was and she gave me the blank look. I looked high and low for that darn diaper, and I finally came to the conclusion that I just didn't put one on.

See.. she's ready, no??? She went through the whole night without wetting her bed. That's a sign, right? When I sit her on the toilet, I make her sit there til' something happens. Nothing ever does... Not even a flippen TOOT!!!

Ugh.. I guess, next week I have to go to Costco to buy the last box of diapers.... I swear!!! Scouts honor!

Yeah right...*sigh*

Miss America, eat your heart out!

2009-07-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

That's right... Donald Trump, get ready cuz here comes my bebe!!!

EJOLE....Ya ni se aguánta.... LOL

Oh my....

2009-07-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

I found this picture of the kids sleeping together, before the move. Yup, that's Sarai sleeping on Jeremiah.

*sigh* they are SO gonna hate me when I break this out in their teenage years....Oh well..

Yeah.. I don't think so....

2009-07-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry sweetheart, hiding is just not your thing...

WOW #100...

2009-07-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Aww, I've reached a little milestone.. My 100th post. I'm glad that you can to visit my blog. To my followers.. Muah!!! *shedding a tear* I haven't really nothing big to say. I just saw that this particular post would be my 100th and I thought I just had to send a shout out to all of you who read my blog. Thanks for the comments ( I love them ). I really enjoy blogging about all the wonderful, traumatic stuff that happens to me, ha ha! I know I don't write as well as some of the more famous blogs out there. Some things tends to get lost in translation from my brain to my fingers. There are a lot of spelling/grammar errors on here. I hope y'all don't mind. (o= Keep on coming back. Leave comments, whenever possible.... and, Again, thanks sooooooo much!!!

Yay, 1oo!!!

New additions...

2009-07-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

We've had this addition for about a little more than a month now. I can't say enough about my babies. They are my Pride and Joy. After gawking at other peoples', I am so happy to say that the Lord has blessed me with some of my very own. 11 years, I have waited. Patiently. Secretly longing. Begging the All Mighty for ones to call my own. Being green with envy, when I would see that friends and family had theirs. The time has come.... I would like all of you to meet.....

Mr. Washington and his Hot Momma!

Yes, Yes! I have a Washer and Dryer... After washing at a Laundromat for 11 years, I finally have ones to call my own. I would do the laundry once a week at the Mat. The minimum time spent there would be 2 hours. $20 dollars a week to wash. Through 2 pregnancies, carrying 2 big boxes and 2 trash bags full of clothes in and out of the car, I would go do our laundry. It was sooo hard! Doing the laundry and folding the clothes, while taking care of the little ones??!!?? Wow, I don't know how I did it. Now, I do Laundry 3 times a week without any interruptions. Early in the morning!!! I can clean or make breakfast, or just sit with a cup of coffee, while the kids play in another room.

Did you get their names? Cool, huh? Of course I had to name them. Hell, they are my "bebes"!!!

I sat the human "bebes" and told them that if ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING, should happen to Mr. Washington and his Hot Momma, there will be serious consequences AND repercussions to pay! Aren't they beautiful? I can sit and stare at them forever!

I am one Proud Momma!!!

A little confession..

2009-07-06T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm, gonna make a little confession.

Tomorrow I will be glued to the TV watching, what I'm sure will be a spectacular event here in L.A....... I was one of the freaks who played the "lottery" to win tickets to the MJ memorial......... I know, I know... you should have seen my husbands reaction when I told him... Still, If I would have won the tickets, I would have sold them!.... Just Kidding... No, I wouldn't have gone. I would have just kept them, for the heck of it, and most likely would have just added them to my scrapbook.

When President Reagan passed away, I got the same damn reaction from my hubby about wanting to go see the President in repose. I told him I was gonna go with or without him. Away WE went. Until now, he talks about what a wonderful experience that was, AND that he regrets trying to talk me out of it.

Yeah, yeah... I know what you're thinking.... there is no way in hell, that we can compare the two, but to me, it's all about history. Wouldn't it have been great to tell my kids down the line, that I was there??!! Me, your un-hip mom, was at Micheal Jackson's Memorial Service!!!

Just the thought of it was so cool. But, of course.... I didn't get picked. Boooo!

So, tomorrow I'm feeding the kids early, taking a shower early, and getting everything ready within arms reach. Cuz, this is something I am not gonna miss. Are you gonna watch? (like as if there will be something else to watch, since all the major networks will be covering it) Leave a comment tell me you are... at least I will know that I'm not the only freak out there!!! (he he)

Tomorrow I will be a proud Californian/L.A.ian(??) (o= knowing that the whole world is watching was is going on in my backyard. Cool!!

RIP Micheal Jackson.... Tomorrow is truly your day to shine!!!

Why me???

2009-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

"Thank you people of Costco!!! I appreciate all the attention that I got from having my kids scream, cry, and fight at the top of their lungs, while I was in line getting them pizza. Thank you.... thank you very much!"

No, they were not alone. Jeremiah was there supposedly minding them while I stood in line, while an old man in front of me was still deciding what the hell to order. For what seemed the loooongest time in the history of man kind. For the love of GOD, old man, it's freaking Costco!!! You either get a slice of Pizza or a flippen Hot Dog!!!!!. All along I was hearing either Sarai or Jonah and sometimes both; cry, scream, yell NO, or fight with Jeremiah. I kept looking back to try to give Jeremiah and Jonah the "look" to quiet them down. It didn't work. When it was my time to order, the lady took forever to get my food ( of course) and the stupid Churros weren't ready. I kept looking back to see what they were doing and I what I saw alllll the people surrounding them were looking at them. I was FUMING!!! When I got back to the table with the food, I couldn't yell at them cuz, everyone was still looking!!!! WTH???? What was everyone looking at? I started to cry!!! People, I was balling my eyes out! There at the food court at Costco. I was so embarrassed. So... mad. What was so interesting? What? you've never seen kids embarrass their Mother before? Really, are my kids the only ones here not behaving???

Yes.

Why do they do this to me? I swear they planned it allllll out. They knew what to do. I wanted to kill the lady next to me who kept shaking her head. I couldn't even eat. They ate like as if nothing happened. What do I do in this kind of situation? What have y'all done?

I wanted the earth to crack open and swallow me whole. I was thinking (at the time) why Lord Jesus? Why? Why did I fall for my hubby's charm and sexy accent and have unprotected sex with him??? Why?? Why did I fall for it... 3 time at least....

I know I'm paying for something. Like my mother always says " Todo se paga en esta vida" ~in other words~ "We all pay for something in this life" and boy, am I paying for it now...

Sorry if I'm venting, and I'm sounding off like I don't love my kids. I love my children. Very much. All three of them, but Lord have mercy, can they push me to the edge.

The question is, how do I get back from it.....

It happens every time!!!

2009-07-01T15:18:00.001-07:00

So, It was about February, when a new Fresh and easy was opening up close by, and I had to try it out. I got ready (which means I took a shower before leaving the house) packed the little ones in the van, and off to our new adventure we went. It was nice!!! I never stepped inside a Fresh and Easy market. I must say I fell in love with it. Some of the prices were great, others... nah, I'll shop somewhere else.

I did my shopping and at the check out stand I got a Free "reusable" shopping bag...Organic, even! Wow, I though to myself, maybe this is the start of trying to become a "green" family!!! So I bought 3 bags for 99 cents and off I went with my groceries in their 4 new, organic, reusable bags.

Haven't touched them since....

I took my groceries from the car to the house on that February afternoon, and the next time I went tot he market, I took them back to the car and forgot about them, so I still got plastic bags. Then I took them out of the car, because they were getting dirty. So up to the house they went and there they stood. Since the move, I don't even know where they ended up. Can you believe it??!!?? I always see these ladies at the market who walk out with their reusable bags and I always say, "DAMN IT!!!! I forgot the bags"!!! Always.. it never fails... I can't even count on the kids to remind me, because they forget too! Great help they are...

I wasted 3 buck on reusable bags that I never reused. Sorry Mother Earth for not taking the next step to become a "green" family. I swear the next time I go to the market, I will remember to bring my bags. If I can only find them....and remember to put them in the van.. and take them out when I go inside and shop.

*sigh*

A Sad Day...

2009-06-25T22:36:00.000-07:00

Indeed, it is. Michael Jackson: The King of Pop, DEAD.

I got the news a little late. But, when I turned on my PC, I was shocked. I got the chills. I am totally speechless. Having grown up with his music, I feel a little empty. Seeing in the news, how his body was being wheeled into the Coroners van, made me choke up. Come on people, he was Michael Jackson! I even had the"White Glove"! His music was legendary. His moves, amazing. The world will wake up a little less brighter tomorrow. I pray that he truly finds peace and love, now. Rest in Peace, Michael. God bless you...

Jon&Kate..

2009-06-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

I know... I know... but I have to jump on the bandwagon and just put in my 2 cents like everyone else. ok.. For me, I've watched the show maybe since it started. I love the show. I love this family. I love that they have invited us into their home to see what it's like to be a family with 8 kids. Jon and Kate were (again for me) kinda like a role model. I felt like, if she can make it happen with 8 kids, then I can make it happen with 3. The twins and the sextuplets are amazing kids. May the good Lord bless them and keep them, no matter what goes on with the parents.... I am sad for them. They are about to go through a really rough time.

Now as for the marriage aspect of J&K, they need help.

BIG TIME. I can only hope and pray that they do find their way back to each other and to God. They seemed as though, they were committed christian in the early episodes. For me, I wish they would cancel the show for a while, concentrate on themselves ans the kids. If they exploit their divorce on TV, then I will stop watching. I don't think I can stand seeing the kids suffer. Jon wants out of the show and Kate, as his wife, should have respected that. She needs to get of the high horse, and just accept things they way they are. Sure all the free stuff was tempting, heck, I would have taken all of the freebies too, Come on, you know you would have too! She need prayers. They all do. But, then again, that's just my opinion. If coming into $$$ means the demise for my family, then no thanks!!!

See, I'm on a roll....

2009-06-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

We've been living here for about 3 weeks now, and I feel like we're living in a hotel. Everything is still new to us. Even though Grandma, and Auntie and Uncle and 2 cousins are here, I feel out of sync. We still have boxes that we haven't unpacked. Our furniture is all in it's place. Beds and linens are ours, but still... it just doesn't quiet feel like home... yet. I still think about our old place. I went through a little, mini depression last week. I felt like I did with Postpartum Depression. Just weird... I wanted to go back. I miss everyone. I miss my barrio. My neighbors. My Market. My friends. Since I've posted 3 blogs today, I guess, I'm coming around.

Jeremiah found a great troop close by. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things. He's still working on his Tenderfoot. Jonah and Sarai are having a blast here. I went to pick up Jeremiah's report card and some mail that was still sent to the old place and Sarai was crying in the car that she wanted to come back home to Grandma's. That's a good thing right?..Right!!!

Norman's ride home is a blessing all by it's self. He's home in about 10-15 minuets. Compared to the 45 minuet drive home he used to make to the S.G.V. His gas last for more than a week. Thank God for that.

I swear I was gonna write about all kinds of things, but I can't seem to put it in writing now...So much has happened in the last 3 weeks.

It'll all come back...soon I hope (o=

Argh!

2009-06-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

One wish in this world would be a Van in which the back seats were about 10 ft. apart. I know it would look absolutely ridiculous, but at least I would have peace in the back seat. The kind I used to have while going to or coming back home from work. Even just the little peace that I get when I just run over to the store without the kids.

No, The little ones car seats are in bucket seats. Right next to each other. A simple trip to Target or Walmart, or where ever, is hell (for me). They fight like there is no tomorrow. Either Jonah hits Sarai, or Sarai keeps singing the same song over and over again. Which of course, annoys the heck out of Jonah. I swear, I totally sympathize with the lady who pulled off to the side of the road and let her fighting girls out and simply drove away.

Sure, there was all the rage against this Lady, but in reality...I have to admit that I wish I had the nerve to do that, than drive with Jonah and Sarai crying and screaming at each other. I'm sure, I am not alone! *Sigh*

I guess until then, I am that crazy lady in Orange County screaming and yelling while trying to referee the kids in the back seat. Just keep driving.....

So Sorry

2009-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't been able to write. It's just getting used to living with family and trying to sit here and write while I have alllll 3 kids home and a mom who knocks on the wall cuz she needs help with something, is getting to me a bit.... I promise I will get my groove back again soon!!!!

I promise (o=

I'm back...

2009-06-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic 3 weeks. We moved. We are starting to settle into our new place. Everything has been put in place. The only thing I haven't been able to get to are the picture frames. We have been here a total of 1 week. I've taken a drive to try to get to know the new barrio. I found the market where I'm gonna to most of my shopping and sorta checked out the local stores. This Sunday we're gonna start to check out the churches. Jeremiah was taken out of school 2 weeks early. So I have all three kids for 3... wwhhoollleeeee..... LLLOOOONNNGGGGG... months!!!!!! I have to wait for DMV to send me my license and stuff to register him for the next school year. Jonah has been registered for pre-school. Sarai... well... I'm gonna have to find something for us to do when the new school year starts.

It's very different here. Compared to where we were. I have to admit that I was suffering from SGV withdrawal symptoms. It's just hard to go to let go, I guess. Having been in the same city/county for 11+ years, is not easy, at least for me, to get over. We had 2 casualties in the move. Jeremiah's T.V. didn't make it, oh and the Vacuum. Also, a lot of clothes that we thought were gonna fit, didn't. I ended up doing a lot of trips to the local Goodwill. I misplaced the connectors to my phone and the camera, so I can't post any pictures yet. Give me some time to go through the boxes we still have yet to unpack. Wow, I miss posting. I've missed you all!!!! I am so glad I'm back!

boooo!

2009-05-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to post in a while. All my free time has been used to pack up this whole place. The only help I get is on Sundays when the hubby is home. I promise once we get settled, I get to regular postings! Thanks to all of you who have decided to follow me. Don't forget to leave comments!

Geez, this is reality...

2009-05-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Look how empty... We cleared out a lot tonight. All that is left around the rooms are wires!!! lol....

The kids are having a ball playing in all the empty closet space.

*sniff, sniff*

LOL!!!

2009-05-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

So, at 8:30 this morning, I found my Daughter sitting in front of the TV, eating an ice cream sandwich...

That's ok, right? I mean she got her dairy, and well, there is A LOT of sugar in the cereal anyways.. so... Eh... whatever!!!! I should have felt disappointment at myself for not stopping her, but instead I thought to myself, "well this is one for the baby book" Speaking of the baby book, I don't think I've updated that thing in like a year and half.... HA!!!

On another note, little by little I am emptying out the house. I have been making weekly trips to the other house. With each thing I take out, my heart take a step closer to breaking. Everything has a memory attached to it. After living here for so many years, seeing the house so empty (so empty it's starting to echo in the living room) the realization of it all is starting to set in. Boo hoo... )o=

I am really gonna miss this place. Small and old as it is, this is where I started my life. My husband brought me home here. I brought 3 kids home. Wow... *sniff, sniff*

But, I am excited about the new place. A new and exciting life awaits us. Ready or not, here we come... well in about 16 days... (o=

Ouch!

2009-05-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

* A heel spur is a pointed bony outgrowth of the bone of the heel (the calcaneus bone).

~In other words, Pain From HELL~

Ouch...

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T08:17:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's day to allllll the mom's out there!!!!

My day will most likely be spent cleaning up Vomit and stuff.... Last week Jonah was sick, last night Sarai started with her illness. Ugh... *sigh*...

Happy Mother's day to me....

Amazed!!!

2009-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, Thank you Lord, for your mercies are new every morning!!! My God is an Awesome God!!!! I'm so blessed this morning. Thought I should share my Joy!!!

sigh

2009-05-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

The kids are sick. Jonah has been sick for about 3 days now. He just thew up on the bed. Sarai is starting with a cough. I have lost my sleep. Just waiting for Jeremiah and Norman to get it also. That's why I'm blogging at almost 1 in the morning....

Ugh.... Sigh....oh well.... let the games begin...

P.S. no.... it's not Swine Flu....

What a ride...

2009-05-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

Trying to explain the family's genealogy to a 4 year old while driving around, is not the funnest thing in the world. Jonah still hasn't really gotten the grasp of who is who and why they are related. He knows who the uncles are, and the cousins, but he somehow doesn't get that Auntie is my Sister and Uncle is my Brother and their kids are his Jeremiah's and Sarai's cousins. He keeps calling his male cousins Son???

After explaining it a couple of time my frustration level got to an all time high, I finally had to tell him to ask Grandma...

Sorry Mom, the next time you see Jonah, I hope you have some time on your hands, cuz I sure as heck don't!!!!

Yay!!!

2009-05-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a little liberated!!! Lol.. I just handed in the 30 day notice for our place. 29 more days and it's off to a whole new life for the family.

The cupcakes have nothing to do with this post. I just saw it on "photobucket" and they look soooo good, that I had to post it on this blog!! (o=