Tuesday, April 5, 2011
This Blog
This blog is acting really wierd. No wonder I don't post as much anymore. Not only do pics take forever to upload, now I have no control over my posts. Case in point: Boobie's birthday celebration post? How odd is it... it would not let me copy and paste pics or content where I wanted and then it wouldn't let me set the post up the way I wanted either. Pictures are scattered and spaces between paragraphs disappear once I hit the post button. What the hell is up? I have a ton of postings I would love to add to this blog but until it is fixed I am just done. UGH!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Boobie's Birthday Celebration
Here are pictures of Boobie's Birthday celebration.... from finish to start (sorry, blog won't let me
put them in order after the fact, so enjoy).
His birthday gift from me.... he loved it!
Enjoying birthday cake
A few of the party 'goers' and well wishers : )
Party time!
"Make a wish Boobie!"
The cake I baked...not only was it cheaper, it was super easy too (boxed cakes ROCK!)
A little celebration at Boobie's school with his classmates
Enjoying cupcakes and ice-cream
The Happy Birthday Song
Cupcakes I baked... they were delicious as always
My Fatty...
Boobie
Princess
Applebees Costa Rica
How cute are the Applebees balloons, shape like apples
The monster truck outside of the restaurant
Mini golfing
Mini-golf time
Well, it was bound to happen. We all get older. And with age, comes cake. LOL! On March 28, my first born son celebrated his 11th birthday. Seeing that I am the kind of mom that I am, I could not let this day go by without some sort of celebration. First off, we decided to forgo a big party celebration and instead had a few smaller celebrations to mark this special day.
On Sunday, the 27th, we took Mr. Boobie to play minigolf as a family (and invited Hubby's cousin and his family along as well). After a round of golf (18 mini-golf holes) in the steaming hot sun, we headed over to the air-conditioned premises of AppleBees Costa Rica for lunch. It was a delight. Applesbees is Boobies favorite restaurant and we had not been since we moved to Costa Rica. It was a special treat for him to be able to go. Boobie got his birthday song and free 'cake'. And we all had a wonderful time.
Also, I felt his actual birthdate needed to be celebrated as well, so I got to work. I made 36 cupcakes, 24 of which I brought to his class on Monday the 28th, along with bubble gum flavored ice-cream. It was a nice treat for the kids. They sang Boobie a boisterous round of happy birthday and enjoyed chocolate cupcakes with ice-cream.
That night, I invited a few cousins and Boobies best pal to celebrate for a third time at home. I baked a cake, hung a birthday banner and even made up a few goody bags for each kid. I had my 3 (including the birthday boy) plus 8 others. Add in 3 more adults, plus me and we had a party!!! Not a party by my standards but a party just the same. After the birthday song (again), everyone enjoyed my rainbow cake with cream cheese frosting and (more) bubble gum flavored ice-cream, this time with cones. Then each kid attacked their goody bag, devouring the candy (they brought the little trinkets that I put in each bag home).
It was a great family 'party', lasting over 2 hours. And the proof that it was a success: lots of smiling faces, squeals of delight and rambunctious play. It was a night to remember for Boobie (and a night he didn't want to end). He was happy and so was I. I was all too willing to make his day special. No matter how hectic my day was that day, his smiling face made it all worth it. And, afterall, what are birthdays for if not to make the birthday boy feel special; and where there is a birthday, I will be there, celebrating the day for my kids, no matter how big or small the celebration.
put them in order after the fact, so enjoy).
His birthday gift from me.... he loved it!
Enjoying birthday cake
A few of the party 'goers' and well wishers : )
Party time!
"Make a wish Boobie!"
The cake I baked...not only was it cheaper, it was super easy too (boxed cakes ROCK!)
A little celebration at Boobie's school with his classmates
Enjoying cupcakes and ice-cream
The Happy Birthday Song
Cupcakes I baked... they were delicious as always
My Fatty...
Boobie
Princess
Applebees Costa Rica
How cute are the Applebees balloons, shape like apples
The monster truck outside of the restaurant
Mini golfing
Mini-golf time
Well, it was bound to happen. We all get older. And with age, comes cake. LOL! On March 28, my first born son celebrated his 11th birthday. Seeing that I am the kind of mom that I am, I could not let this day go by without some sort of celebration. First off, we decided to forgo a big party celebration and instead had a few smaller celebrations to mark this special day.
On Sunday, the 27th, we took Mr. Boobie to play minigolf as a family (and invited Hubby's cousin and his family along as well). After a round of golf (18 mini-golf holes) in the steaming hot sun, we headed over to the air-conditioned premises of AppleBees Costa Rica for lunch. It was a delight. Applesbees is Boobies favorite restaurant and we had not been since we moved to Costa Rica. It was a special treat for him to be able to go. Boobie got his birthday song and free 'cake'. And we all had a wonderful time.
Also, I felt his actual birthdate needed to be celebrated as well, so I got to work. I made 36 cupcakes, 24 of which I brought to his class on Monday the 28th, along with bubble gum flavored ice-cream. It was a nice treat for the kids. They sang Boobie a boisterous round of happy birthday and enjoyed chocolate cupcakes with ice-cream.
That night, I invited a few cousins and Boobies best pal to celebrate for a third time at home. I baked a cake, hung a birthday banner and even made up a few goody bags for each kid. I had my 3 (including the birthday boy) plus 8 others. Add in 3 more adults, plus me and we had a party!!! Not a party by my standards but a party just the same. After the birthday song (again), everyone enjoyed my rainbow cake with cream cheese frosting and (more) bubble gum flavored ice-cream, this time with cones. Then each kid attacked their goody bag, devouring the candy (they brought the little trinkets that I put in each bag home).
It was a great family 'party', lasting over 2 hours. And the proof that it was a success: lots of smiling faces, squeals of delight and rambunctious play. It was a night to remember for Boobie (and a night he didn't want to end). He was happy and so was I. I was all too willing to make his day special. No matter how hectic my day was that day, his smiling face made it all worth it. And, afterall, what are birthdays for if not to make the birthday boy feel special; and where there is a birthday, I will be there, celebrating the day for my kids, no matter how big or small the celebration.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 20th, I ran my second race: 11.5 K UNED Race in Sabanilla, San Jose. My time was 1 hour and 18 minutes, 35 seconds.
This time around I was with Hubby and a 'friend' (A's mom).
It was such a rush and so exciting. My adrenaline was pumping hard. I was so nervous and filled with emotions. I honestly didn't know if I would be able to run the whole race, after all, there were so many actual runners there. I thought I would have a much harder time than I did.
After the race, I wasn't even tired. As a matter of fact, near the end, when everyone else was slowing down I was speeding up, getting ready for my second wind.
I was not only able to keep a steady pace throughout the entire race, but I was also able to maintain my energy. In the end, I was so proud of myself for accomplishing such a feat.
There are a few more races Hubby and I would love to do: one this month and a couple more in May. I look forward to each one.
My goal was to do another race this year, now that I have done that, lets see if I can do a couple more.
This time around I was with Hubby and a 'friend' (A's mom).
It was such a rush and so exciting. My adrenaline was pumping hard. I was so nervous and filled with emotions. I honestly didn't know if I would be able to run the whole race, after all, there were so many actual runners there. I thought I would have a much harder time than I did.
After the race, I wasn't even tired. As a matter of fact, near the end, when everyone else was slowing down I was speeding up, getting ready for my second wind.
I was not only able to keep a steady pace throughout the entire race, but I was also able to maintain my energy. In the end, I was so proud of myself for accomplishing such a feat.
There are a few more races Hubby and I would love to do: one this month and a couple more in May. I look forward to each one.
My goal was to do another race this year, now that I have done that, lets see if I can do a couple more.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Valentines Day
This Valentines Day, with Princess in preschool for the first time, I took the opportunity (when don't I ever) to make a few simple crafts for her to share with her little 'friends". As usual I did it up, just a little. It was a wonderful Valentines Day, enjoyed by all.
Valentines hearts
Butter Cookies I made
Boobie's class asked for stickers and 3 chocolates: the kids made 3 cards and stuck a chocolate in each with stickers. Boobie gave one to me and Hubby (awwww), one to his classmate and one to his best friend. Hubby went out and brought me back a slice of chocolate cake...yum!
Valentines hearts
Butter Cookies I made
Boobie's class asked for stickers and 3 chocolates: the kids made 3 cards and stuck a chocolate in each with stickers. Boobie gave one to me and Hubby (awwww), one to his classmate and one to his best friend. Hubby went out and brought me back a slice of chocolate cake...yum!
And Princess made out like a bandit with some chocolates from her classmates.
Princess's First Days Of Preschool
Monday Feb 14th
2nd day of school
1st day of Preschool: Wednesday Feb. 9
Getting ready: 1st day
3rd day of school
A successful 1st week!
It's official, my Princess is growing up *sniff, sniff*!
She is now a member of the colegiate set...hahaha!
So I think I mentioned before that Princess has always wanted to go to school. Playgroup classes quenched that thirst last year but it was not really the same. Princess is shy. And she is not the most friendly. She gets intimidated when strangers try and talk to her and she lacks the friendly attitude most little kids have at her age, which prevents her sometimes from making friends. I figure school could help her socially. She's already smart: she colors very well (within the lines thankyouverymuch)!, she knows most of her colors and she can count from 1-10 in English and Spanish (since the time she was 2). OOOOhhh KAY!
So in short, I wasn't trying to send her to school just for the learnin' aspects... it's preschool, not college.
The problem with school was, I would have to let my baby girl GO! Or so I thought. It actually was not as hard as I initially thought it would be (I mean Fatty is still at home with me : ) But I worried for her; what if she dealt with separation anxiety? What if she hated it? What if she fell and got hurt? What if the other kids are mean? WHat if she doesn't like her teacher? I let my imagination run a little wild.... just a little! But I knew in the long run, she would be fine... I had to tell myself that, after all preschool is a whole new concept for me as Boobie never went. So treading uncharted waters always brings on unwarranted fears.
Ok, so why did I decide to put her in school? It was not an easy decision. I'd been looking for a school for Princess since she turned 3. I had called a couple, visited a few and was not too impressed by many. The ones that were affordable left much to be disired.
The ones I LOVED were either too far or too much (moohlah, cha-ching, dinero, $$$$$). I LOVE Boobies's school but she can wait until 1st grade to start there since it is a little more than I want to spend for preschool. I mean I'm in Costa Rica, I do not want to pay Boston prices!
The other school I love is about, oh, not even sure how much but it is too far for me right now.
The last school I visited that I really liked was almost just right. Except, well, except it was lacking something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It's not as close but it's not far either. It's not expensive but it's not on the cheaper side either. The hours are perfect but at the same time the days are too long. See, couldn't really pinpoint a problem. But I had a problem, which is why I never signed Princess up. Preschool is not a right of passage, I could wait.
On chance, I saw a 'billoard' advertising for a preschool while I was out running one evening (yes I still run). It seemd to be pretty close to the house, so I jotted the number down. I called and set up an appointment just days before the school season was to begin (mad? Maybe). I had decided I would wait a year to put Princess in school but what the heck, I wanted to check out this school and see if it could be a contender.
Well I went on the school's site (they have a website and a Facebook page, which impressed me) and I fell in love. The school building looks like a playhouse; perfect for kids. I mean it is a human sized version of a doll house; the colors are shocking and bright and wonderful.
The meeting with the director was awesome. The school was 100% English YAY! And class sizes are small.
The price was right AND the hours were super perfect: 7:40 to 12. My princess would only be gone for a little over 4 hours a day, that is it. On a tour of the school, Princess and Hubby fell in love... and that was it!
I signed Princess up and the rest is history. And update: she loves her new school.
On a side note: Boobie started school as well, 5th grade. Lord help us. LOL.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
My New Job
So I mentioned last month that I had a new job. Well let me tell you just a bit about it.
On chance, hubby saw a job posting on Craigslist Costa Rica and asked me if I would be interested in applying. Now I was not interested in working, really, but the job sounded too perfect for me to pass up (and all that extra money!!!). I applied and got the job the very same day.
I applied for a number of reasons:
1) It was a work from home position, so I would still be home with the kids, essentially still a stay at home mom. No need for a babysitter or daycare; no need to leave my house and my kids.
2) The pay was decent... just the amount of extra money I needed (as I am saving up for my mom to come and visit in May.)
3) If the job didn't work out, I could always quit!
The position I applied for was as a virtual assisitant, basically an office manager position. However, due to my writing background, my boss asked if I would like to take on the position as in house editor for the company's website: writing content for the webpage and doing keyword research. Well, it's not my dream job, but it allows me to write so of course, I said yes.
I have been with the company now a month and so far, so good. I like the job and I like the flexibility. And most of all, I love the fact that I am still home. I get the best of both worlds: I get to be home and I get paid on top of that.
Hours are fulltime, from 7am CR time to 4 pm. I get an hour lunch and as many breaks as I can justify, without taking advantage. I have good days and lazy days. But for the most part, I am pretty productive in the job. I hope it works out for me, as I plan on being with the job for at least 6 months. From there I'll decide where to go and what to do.
So look at me, working. After being a full time stay at home mom for over 4 years in Costa Rica, I am now stretching my work muscles again. It feels nice!
On chance, hubby saw a job posting on Craigslist Costa Rica and asked me if I would be interested in applying. Now I was not interested in working, really, but the job sounded too perfect for me to pass up (and all that extra money!!!). I applied and got the job the very same day.
I applied for a number of reasons:
1) It was a work from home position, so I would still be home with the kids, essentially still a stay at home mom. No need for a babysitter or daycare; no need to leave my house and my kids.
2) The pay was decent... just the amount of extra money I needed (as I am saving up for my mom to come and visit in May.)
3) If the job didn't work out, I could always quit!
The position I applied for was as a virtual assisitant, basically an office manager position. However, due to my writing background, my boss asked if I would like to take on the position as in house editor for the company's website: writing content for the webpage and doing keyword research. Well, it's not my dream job, but it allows me to write so of course, I said yes.
I have been with the company now a month and so far, so good. I like the job and I like the flexibility. And most of all, I love the fact that I am still home. I get the best of both worlds: I get to be home and I get paid on top of that.
Hours are fulltime, from 7am CR time to 4 pm. I get an hour lunch and as many breaks as I can justify, without taking advantage. I have good days and lazy days. But for the most part, I am pretty productive in the job. I hope it works out for me, as I plan on being with the job for at least 6 months. From there I'll decide where to go and what to do.
So look at me, working. After being a full time stay at home mom for over 4 years in Costa Rica, I am now stretching my work muscles again. It feels nice!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year
Yep, you read the title post right. It is a new year! Can you believe it? Like, can you really believe that 2011 is here. Four days in and it stills feels like 2010 but we all know better.
I have so much to look forward to in this new year. Lots of positives for sure. Not that 2010 wasn't a good year, it was. We are blessed. But looking forward to an even better year this year.
Things I am looking forward to:
getting back to a more modified exercise routine
Boobie starting the 5th grade
My NEW JOB! Yes sir I got me a job (more about that later).
The kids birthdays (as always)
My mom coming to visit in May (I am so psyhed about this)
getting back to blogging regularly (I miss this place)
And so many more.
I just am ready for a new start. A new year full of wonderous things. Hoping everyone started this new year out on a high note!
I have so much to look forward to in this new year. Lots of positives for sure. Not that 2010 wasn't a good year, it was. We are blessed. But looking forward to an even better year this year.
Things I am looking forward to:
getting back to a more modified exercise routine
Boobie starting the 5th grade
My NEW JOB! Yes sir I got me a job (more about that later).
The kids birthdays (as always)
My mom coming to visit in May (I am so psyhed about this)
getting back to blogging regularly (I miss this place)
And so many more.
I just am ready for a new start. A new year full of wonderous things. Hoping everyone started this new year out on a high note!
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