A Low Key Mothers Day Celebration

Sunday, May 12 was Mother's Day and I took the opportunity to celebrate and treat myself to the fullest.  I kept the celebration simple and low-key but I went a little overboard on the treats since it was my day after all.  I had a wonderful time and ate a lot of good (and not so good) food.  But it was all in good fun and it was all so worth it.  I wish I had remembered to snap a pic of my day but I was in the moment.  Luckily for me, since I live in Costa Rica, I get to celebrate Mother's Day twice.  Hoping to capture the day when Mother's Day  Costa Rica rolls around in August.

The Final Stage

The final stages of high school has begun for my eldest son, who has finally made it to his senior year after a rough few years.  And with senior year comes a few senior activities, a few rites of passage if you will.  The first FUN official senior activity was the senior team building retreat, where at the end parents were encouraged to show up and show support for their seniors.  It was emotional and brought me right back to my days as a senior in high school.  My son and I have  few more senior related activities on the horizon and I encourage him to embrace them all.  After all, you only go through high school once and then you have have to grow up and become an adult. 

My Birthday Girl

My one and only princess has finally hit the last year of her pre-teen stage and I cannot believe how quickly 12 years have flown by.  To celebrate, I took her and 4 of her best friends skating and then to the salon to get manicures.  After all that, it was back home for pizza, cake, snacks and a few fun games.  It was the perfect way to celebrate my daughter on her special day.  She wanted to keep things simple and low-key but still fun. 

The day before, on her actual birthday, we kept things low-key as well and stuck to tradition. We baked cupcakes, which I took to her class for a mini birthday celebration.  And that evening at home, after we all sang her happy birthday, she opened her gifts. 

April 26th is never just an ordinary day in this house.  It's a very special day, the day of my daughter's birthday.  The day I will never forget when I welcomed my princess to this world.

Easter Day 2019

Easter gets better every year and this Easter topped the cake.  It was just the perfect day all around with good food, good fun and lots of family time.  The day started off with a few fun Easter activities and a delicious brunch, made by yours truly.  After our tummies were full, the kids had a blast hunting for clues hidden in eggs that would lead them to their baskets.  To my delight, the baskets were a big hit this year and they loved all the Easter gifts I picked out for them.

After baskets were emptied, we took a quick trip to the park for some outdoor playtime.  After a bit of chill time at home, I made a fabulous but simple dinner.  And before bed, I popped some popcorn and we watched a few Easter shows for a perfect end to our perfect day.  It was an amazing Easter.

The Big Game

I am not much of a soccer fan and having a husband who loves soccer didn't help me much.  Now, I have a kid who also loves soccer.  He's positively obsessed with all things soccer.  So I try to pay more attention when it comes to all things soccer, for his sake.  Luckily, he has his dad to share his love and hubby is the one in charge of pretty much anything and everything to do with soccer.  He takes our son to his practice and to his games.  He practices at home with him. He watches soccer games with him, even plays the FIFA soccer  video game at home most weekends with our son.  I don't do much with my son when it comes to soccer except buy him a few soccer related items and toys.  So when it came time to really show support of my son's favorite hobby and pastime, I was ready. 

I have been to a few of my son's practices and a game or two and watched him play.  But it had been a while since I had seen him in action since he had improved and he had improved tremendously. I had a blast watching him play soccer with his other teammates.  I cheered him on and rooted for his team.  I was a proud soccer mom.  I'm not saying I'll attend every single game or even most games.  And I won't be going to every practice either.  But for big games, where I know my support matters, I will be there.  Cheers, screams, applause and all to support my little soccer player.

Spring Refresh

In many parts of North America, households are getting ready for the Spring season with new decor and a fresh start.  Adios to the long cold days of winter and hello to warmer weather; more time spent outdoors and lots of new projects to tackle around the house.  Many people begin their Spring cleaning, de-cluttering their spaces and getting their house in tip top shape for the upcoming summer months.  It is a wonderful time of year.

For us Costa Ricans (yup, I am officially a Tica by now), we don't need to get ready for Spring as we get Spring like weather year round. But for me, the expat, it's fun to pretend Spring is in the air with new decor and a refresh of old decor around the house.  Fresh new plants and spring florals add pops of color everywhere, bright colors that bring a smile to my face.  Springtime signifies natures re-birth; trees get their leaves back and new life is apparent all around.  It's the time emerge anew and start again in celebration of the Spring season.  Happy Spring.

Nineteen Years Old

I have a 19 year old.  My oldest son turned 19 years old on March 28 and it is still unreal to me that I could have a kid that OLD!  But I do and I am amazed by it.  He is an incredible kid.  Or should I say, adult.  That's going to get some getting used to.  He is technically an adult, but he will forever be my KID, my first born, my baby.  Happy Birthday young man, I am so proud of you and look forward to what the future has in store for you.