The First of Many

 My daughter recently celebrated her birthday and it was the first celebration I have missed in all of her 19 years. Celebrating a birthday without the birthday girl was interesting. But she did celebrate and had a wonderful time doing it. I just wish I had been there to celebrate with her.

I guess this is our new normal now. With her being away from home,  studying abroad, there will be more birthdays, special occasions and holidays that we'll inevitably miss. Celebrating together will be remote and life will never be the same.

But one pony don't stop no show, so she celebrated with new friends, my family and her new boy friend and had a blast.

Happy 19th birthday baby girl.

Cue The Pomp and Circumstance

 It finally happened. After months of delays and rescheduling,  my oldest son has finally come to the end of his academic career. He finally finished the last chapter of his university studies and has graduated at last.

It was a bitter sweet moment because after all, he didn't get to graduate with his classmates. But a win is a win no matter how it's accomplished and he walked across that stage, head held high, title in hand, finally able to say he has completed this long academic journey.

And as a parent, I could not be any more proud. My son did it! He was able to accomplish a dream that alludes so many. He got a college degree. And now he is the proud title owner of two technical degrees in 2D Digital Animation and Video Game Creation.

Matcha Craze

 I had to finally see what all the matcha fuss was about so I decided to give it a try.

As it was my very first time trying anything matcha, I had to just dip my pinky in for a taste. Nothing crazy because I'd heard stories of it tasting like grass and I don't like grassy flavored things. 

Dunkins was the place and their strawberry foam matcha was the drink of choice to ease myself in.  My first sip wasn't terrible. But I was so glad my matcha had the sweet strawberry foam to take the edge off the strong matcha flavor.

After I mixed in the foam AND added FOUR whole (mini) packs of sugar, the drink was almost perfect. It had the hint of sweetness I desired while also being refreshing.  

So, in conclusion,  is matcha my drink now? No, but I'm glad I tried it. I may even try more matcha flavored drinks, like a Boba or a hot chocolate or a dessert. But straight up matcha just for kicks,  absolutely not. Let's just say without the add ons, matcha just isn't the drink for me.

It's  a pretty looking drink, just not as pretty tasting.  However,  after I doctored it up a bit (see photo below), it wasn't half bad.

Chill Easter At Home

 I love going places,  dressing up and getting cute and going somewhere.  But nothing beats a holiday at home. Yes, invite me for a day off at your house to celebrate,  I will come. But being home, chill and relaxed on my own time is unmatched.

Easter was a bit different this year as my daughter wasn't home, but it was a nice holiday all the same. I kept the celebration simple while sticking with all the magic and doing all the things that make the holiday so special for my kids. 

                Brunch was delicious 

    Baskets all set and ready to go

Then it was time for the scavenger egg hunt. Even as my kids get older, I still feel the need to keep some traditions alive.

                         My boys

After a wonderful day, we closed out Easter with a pretty awesome spread for dinner.

It was the perfect Easter at home.

To The Boy I love

 My son, my first born and the boy that changed my life turned 26 on March 28 and it gave me all the feels.  I became a mother because of him and now he's an entire grown up person who makes decisions on his own and lives life on his terms, sort of.

He wanted a low key birthday, as per usual. He wanted no frills, no thrills and no extra nothing.  For him, you must save all the drama for your mama as he wants no parts of it. 

A simple meal was all he asked for, and not even that. I suggested the restaurants ( yes two) and even the gift. He asked for some skin care for his Easter basket and I told him I'd get it for his birthday.  See, a simple man and a man of simple means. He never asks for much and never wants for nothing. And I love that about him. His life will be so full filling, because he keeps it simple and uncomplicated. 

I decided since he never asks for much and deserves so much, we'd have two celebrations instead of the typical one.

Friday would be the start to his birthday festivities with dinner at the Costa Rican Beer Factory.  A new place to try is always up my alley and my son is always on board to try new places as well. 

The birthday boy enjoyed his large and in charge spicy Texas burger.

We all enjoyed our meals at the CRBF restaurant, including the birthday boy which was the most important thing. But the celebrations did not end there.

On Saturday, B day, we took the birthday boy to the movies. That was actually one of the few requests he made for his birthday.  The new movie, Project Hail Mary, had just dropped and he expressed much interest in going to see it. His birthday seemed like the perfect opportunity.

After the movies,  Cheesus was the restaurant of choice for the actual birthday dinner and it did not disappoint.  This was our second time at Cheesus for his birthday,  as it was the restaurant of choice last year. It was a nice, intimate birthday meal of sorts. After dinner, we picked up his gift and the cake he asked for,  a cookie ice cream "cake" which was cut without any of the birthday fanfare. It was his perfect birthday