Dia del Libro

 Costa Ricans celebrate everything.  There are so many special days and I love it. Recently,  the schools celebrated Día Del Libro or Book Day which recognizes the importance of books and reading in the development and enrichment in a childs life.

Most schools celebrate in the usual way where kids dress up as a favorite book character and maybe have a day in recognition of a few important books that have shaped society.

My Kids high school went just a bit further and made a whole project out of the celebration of books. Each class had to choose a book, research the characters, choose the theme and then present to their families and peers.

I was transported to middle earth, visited Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry; witnessed the battle first hand of Narnia, stayed at the House of Dracula and watched the Phantom of the Opera. It was a day to remember and it was about books and the love we all share for them.

My Princess Turns Sweet 16

 My oh my, how time flies. I remember the day like it was yesterday.  The day I found out I was having a baby girl. I was over the moon. I was finally going to get my very own, very real, Barbie doll. 

Every girl who dreams of being a mom dreams of one day having a daughter.  And boy did my dreams come true. My princess was just that, a princess who loved to play dress up, who loved her dolls and who was as girly and as prissy as any little girl that ever lived. 

I am so thankful for my daughter.  And because she is my only little girl,  I have appreciated her role so much more in my life. She has taught me so much as a mother, lessons I am still learning to this day. It's been trial and error parenting a daughter as with parenting a son, but being a girl mom just adds another level to my mothering skills. 

As my daughter gets older, it gets harder to let her go. She will always be my little princess and on her 16th birthday,  I just am grateful to call her mine.

So my daughter is definitely my opposite.  She is calm, quiet and very reserved. Instead of a big to do for her birthday, she wanted to celebrate quietly by going to an art gallery. 

Her special day could not have been more her. It was perfectly tailored to her style and personality as she is quite the artist herself.  The day had no fanfare, no excess,  just me and her at our very 1st art gallery experience and then out to dinner at a sushi restaurant. It was perfect. 

Of course, we had to have cake and the princess chose a cheesecake for her special day.

When Family Visits

 I love my husband's cousins. For the most part, I get along swimmingly with every single one. They're all great, down to earth and fun to be around. 

They all welcomed me into the family with ease and I have become super close with a lot of them. One of my absolute favorite cousins is one of my hubby's older cousins, Millie. We bonded immediately from the start. She took me under her wing and protected me and treated me like family from day one. 

When I go to Boston, I make it a point to see my girl Millie. And when she finally booked her trip to Costa Rica after 20 years, I was one of the very first people she came to see. We're soul sisters and that's  a forever bond we'll share. Not blood related but spiritually so and that makes our bond that much stronger. 

The kids. The cousins bonded right away

Me and Millie 🥰

Celebrating Millie and Hubby's aunt on her birthday

Another spontaneous day out with Millie and her amazing Hubs Al

Keeping Up With Our Easter Traditions

 Happy Easter! While the holiday has come and gone, the memories just keep living on and on. Especially since I love to record just about every special moment.

It was another Easter celebration and I kept true to tradition with our scavenger egg hunt and festive (i.e. bountiful) Easter brunch.

Baskets had been filled at the last minute but they were stocked and over flowing with amazing goodies for all 4 kids.

I pride myself on my Easter basket stocking abilities and boy were those baskets stocked. To the brim. As much as I tried to reign it in this year and keep things simple, I just couldn't help myself. The baskets had the most amazing treats.  From Lego sets, to primo chocolates to things geared to each kids specific wants, likes and interests.  I out do myself every year.  And of course,  my kids loved every minute of it.

Easter dinner fit for a king or a queen with a delicious store bought carrot cake for dessert