My 37th Birthday

Yes, I am officially in my LATE 30's.  EEEEEKKKKK!!!!!  I'm not freaking out, I'm not.  It's just so unbelievable that I have been on this earth for 37 years now which is amazing!  I use to think people in their 30's were pretty old.  Like, pushing 40 was a HUGE deal right?  But I so don't feel like an older person.  I am still me, still Carina.  Yes, I am older and should be a little more wiser (I'm working on that), but I am still my same goofy self.

Looking back, over these last 37 years, I wonder what I have accomplished so far.  I mean, now I feel like 37 is still so young and I still have so many more years ahead of me (hopefully).  I still have so much I want to do, like eventually one day finally publishing that book.  But I have done a lot with my life, albeit small accomplishments but accomplishments all the same.

I have 4 wonderful, beautiful children and being a mother is definitely my biggest and greatest accomplishment thus far.  I graduated college so there's that.  I ran a few races, something that I never thought I would ever do. I have volunteered my time to a variety of causes over the years and have tried to give back in some way when I can.  I've been on TV once or twice (nothing major), and even won third place in a beauty competition (sometimes it's the little things).  But I have to say, I have lived a good life.  Filled with many ups and downs but a good life indeed.

37 never felt so good!

Birthday Mode

My big boy, finally got to celebrate his 9th birthday and it was truly a blast.  He did not want a party this time around, which was fine by me.  He wanted to celebrate with just a few of his friends at Skyjump Trampoline Park in Santa Ana.  On his actual birthday, which was on a Saturday this year (September 16), we headed to the jump park with 3 of his good friends from school along with his older bro and two of his friends and of course his other siblings. 

It was such a fun day.  After an hour and a half of jumping, all the kids worked up an appetite so we headed to Belen to one of our favorite eateries, Rancho Olaris.  We stuffed our faces with so much good food before we were ready to head home for cake and popsicles.

At home, he played for a bit with his friends after we sang him happy birthday and enjoyed slices of delicious tres leches cake.

The celebration was not over yet because we had a birthday picnic at the park on Sunday so we could celebrate with a few extra friends.  We had sandwiches, chips, cookies, wafers, juice, and loaf cake.  The kids had a great time at the park... a good day enjoying some good company and good food.  After the park, we came back home where we had an impromptu movie night with popcorn, winding down the evening with a few sweet treats.  And of course both days, I had treat favor bags for the kids to take home because even though we didn't have an actual party, I wanted to say thank you to each child for coming out and celebrating J's birthday with us. 

Celebrating Kids Day

Costa Rican's sure know how to celebrate their kids.  It was quite the celebration this year for kids day (like it is most every year) and my kids had a blast celebrating a day especially for them.  I have to say, I am now a kids day convert and look forward to many more celebrations to come.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

August 29th, 2017 a miracle boy turned 4 years old.  Happy Birthday.  Birthdays are so bitter sweet but this one was especially sweet because of everything we went through with this little boy.  He truly is our little miracle and I am so happy to be able to celebrate one more year with him.

A SUPER Hero Birthday Party

Sunday, August 27th was the day we celebrated our fourth child's birthday with an amazing super hero themed party.  It was the perfect day too; sunny, bright, warm and beautiful.  We have about 48 people come and help celebrate the day with us, which was so sweet.  All 23-24 kids had a blast.  We played a few games like pass the kryptonite and musical chairs, and the kids even had to hunt down a few villains.

Food was on point, with 4 types of pasta: rotini in beef sauce, bowtie in a pesto sauce, chicken penne alfredo and tuna pasta salad with macaroni pasta. We also had a nacho bar and of course some fruit and chips for the guests to nibble on.

We had tons of candy from the pinata, cupcakes for all and sweet treat favors for everyone to enjoy. The kids were able to win prizes that they could take home as well, like blowouts, coloring books and stickers.  The day was just magical and my birthday boy had fun, which was the most important.  We did it all for him and he could not have been happier.