Happy Easter

It's Easter time already, which means Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner (well, for north America... here in Central America Costa Rica, we are full bloom into summer and getting ready for the rainy season).  But all the same, that is what Easter time means to me.  Not to be confused with the real meaning of Easter, of course, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Besides teaching my kids about the true meaning of Easter (I don't get too religious, just straight to the point), we have a  few traditions that I like to celebrate.  In my house, I like to make Easter baskets for the kids (which I try to keep simple but fun).  I also do a fun scavenger egg hunt along with a nice meal (french toast for breakfast and breaded fish or baked chicken for lunch).

This year I was ahead of the game with my baskets and got the majority of the kids' Easter goodies a few weeks ago.  I tried to stay within a reasonable budget, because as you may know, I am a frugal fanny.  I also tried not to go overboard (after all, its not Christmas).  I have to say, I think I did really good this year and am excited for the kids to receive their baskets.  As for the scavenger hunt, we do it a little differently.  The eggs are filled with picture clues that lead the kids to their hidden baskets and every year the kids have a blast.  My oldest son is too old to participate in the egg hunt but this year he'll help me hide them, which is a nice change.

Another change this year: I won't be making Easter 'brunch' because, as luck would have it, we got invited to hubby's cousin's house for Easter dinner where we'll color eggs and maybe do another egg hunt.  This is the second time we'll be heading to their house for Easter.  And I have to admit that I am SUPER excited about that.  I love celebrating the holidays with other family members when we can.

As for the kids' baskets, I need to toot my own horn and say the items inside are pretty dope.  For my oldest, who, like I said, is getting a bit too old for all this Easter 'stuff', I just made him a simple basket filled mainly with practical items like socks and underwear and a toothbrush.  And of course some candy, which is all he wants for Easter. I also was able to sneak in two DVD's that he's been wanting; Captain America Winter Soldier and Xmen Days of Future Past.

For the middle kids, they got a bit more of the 'fun stuff', because they are still little and they still love Easter and all that it entails.  I got them sidewalk chalk, a popsicle mold set, books, some chocolate, play dough, stamps, water bottles, some dinnerware items and a few items specific to their individual likes and interests.  My daughter, for instance, got a Sofia the first mini board game set and a Cinderella pen.  My middle son got some binoculars and an Antman lego set.  And the baby of the bunch, my 2 1/2 year old, got a snack catcher cup, a toy cell phone and rubber soccer ball.  I know they will love everything.

I hope you all have a safe, happy and fun filled Easter.   And may the good Lord bless you in all that you do.

Dealing With Lice!!!

Just the word alone makes my skin crawl.  Those tiny, gross, parasitic creatures that live in your hair and suck the blood from your scalp.  Yes... I am dealing with LICE!!!

Not me, but my kids... no, kid.  This is the second year in a row I have had to deal with those damn bugs.  Gross, I know.  But it's definitely not my fault and I am pissed.

I have been a mother for almost 16 years and I had to deal with lice for the first time last year, when my middle son came home from school with a head full.  I freaked out, of course (naturally), then got to work.  I google searched everything I needed to know about lice and how to get rid of them.  I had no idea how to deal with those disgusting creatures if not for the internet.  Everyone has a quick home remedy that's supposed to cure lice, but diligent research is key to knowing how to deal with the bugs.

After last year's incident, I did not want to have to deal with lice ever again.  But alas, life is not so easy.  I blame the school.  Or more truthfully, I blame the mom who sent her kid to school with lice.  Why don't these parents take better care of their kids.  Every single year since my kids have been at this school, there has been a notice (or two or three) about a lice outbreak.  Is it me or does it seem like the school has a hygiene issue.  I know the school can't check every head of every child so I know it's not technically their fault, but it still makes me mad that I have to send my kids to a school that seems to have a lice problem EVERY SINGLE YEAR!

So when my son came home today with lice AGAIN, I got to work (after freaking out first, again, naturally).  I was not going to have an outbreak in MY house.  Thankfully he won't have to go back to school next week as all the schools are closed for Easter break.  But I will be making sure that he does not come home with lice again.  And I'm taking measures to make sure of that.  I just hope it works.

Feeling Hopeful

Everyone looks forward to positive changes at the start of every new year and for us, it's no different. We look forward to great things happening to our family and to us as individuals.  We look forward to achieving our personal goals and goals we set for our family.   For me, it's always being a better person (mom, wife, friend) and helping to make my family and home life run smoother, better and more efficient without feeling stressed out.  It's also accomplishing goals I set for myself, like being a healthier version of myself in every way: mental and physical.  And helping our family on the right path to financial freedom.

My husband recently (or not so recently) started his own business (his third attempt).  A startup business or company takes time, effort, MONEY!  And most of all dedication.  He is determined this time to make it work.  There are so many factors riding on the success of any business and you have to accept everything that comes with becoming a business owner.  Getting started can be a pain in the rear and keeping a small business going can be an even bigger pain in the rear.  But if you succeed, the pay off is immeasurable.

Pure Life TV is the brainchild of my hubby and it seems to be on the right track to success.  Already, the business has done great things.  First of all, let me tell you what it is.  Pure Life TV is all things Costa Rica.  It's events, concerts, activities, gatherings, artist interviews, etc.  Any event of importance that happens in Costa Rica, Pure Life TV wants to be there... and so far they have (for the most part).

What it is mostly is a videography business, where the camera crew (my husband and about 2 other people, both volunteers who want to get in on the ground up and grow with the company) film important events around Costa Rica.  Events like The Kymani Marley concert in Puerto Viejo.  The Elephant Man concert at Peppers Club.  The MMA Fight at UACA University.  And it's not just concerts or sponsored events; baby showers, sweet 15, weddings; Pure Life TV does it all.

So why do I feel so hopeful?  Because I feel like this is the year for Pure Life Tv.  In a short amount of time, my husband has not only managed to start a business and secure a helping crew; he has also made a lot of really important contacts in the industry he's trying to break into.  He's made a lot of important and powerful allies: DJ Herbalist (one of the top DJs in Costa Rica), Artist Jahricio, The owners of Peppers Club and The hard Rock cafe, and many others.  And this didn't happen because he had the money to get in the door, this happened because he had the drive and the talent to make it happen.

So bottom line:  Make 2016 your year.  Go after your dreams.  Why wait?  There will be no tomorrow,  it's all about today.  My husband has made me realize that, so starting today, I will be trying to go after my dreams.  Wish me luck.

March Mayhem

We've finally hit the month of March and it has been a whirlwind for sure.  First off, it's my oldest son's birthday month.  My first born baby boy will be turning 16 years of age on the 28th, so of course, I had to plan a celebration to mark such a special occasion and milestone in all our lives.

He is a teenager, so a themed party was out of the question.  But we had to do something different (not another restaurant birthday dinner) AND it had to be FUN!  I threw a few ideas out for him to choose from and he finally picked one, which makes me so excited...maybe even more than him.

We'll be celebrating his birthday the weekend before his actual birthDAY at a place in Costa Rica called SKYJUMP (https://www.facebook.com/SKY-JUMP-348592975255794/), just the fam and two of his good friends from school.

It was initially my hubby's idea and it looks like a ton of fun.  So the floor is just one big trampoline and you can do flips, jumps and just have a good ole' time. Then, as per my request, we'll have a small birthday celebration at home after we've jumped our brains out with cake, ice-cream sandwiches and some fast food (burgers, sandwiches, fries...)

Second of all, Easter falls on the 27th of March this year.  So on top of my son's birthday celebration, we'll also be celebrating Easter as well.

Easter is not a big "to-do" in my house, but we look forward to this special holiday every year because we have our little traditions that we all really enjoy.  Just about every year, I set up an Easter scavenger egg hunt for the kids.  They have to look for eggs to find the clues that will lead them to their baskets.  And, of course, they have the baskets themselves!  What would Easter be without Easter baskets?  (Well, it would still be Easter, but I'm just sayin').

I like to make sure that I pack a few really fun goodies in the kids' baskets for Easter for them to enjoy, along with some chocolates and a few pieces of candy.  Not too much candy but enough to make it special. I never go overboard with Easter but somehow, it always seems like such a special and magical day.  And to top it all off, I make a really nice Linner (lunch/dinner) for the family to enjoy.  I haven't set my menu yet, but I am sure whatever I make will be enjoyed by all.