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!

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.

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!

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!

Merry Christmas

Greeting generated with Smilebox

Thanksgiving

Could this blog BE any later (channeling Chandler Bing here). I mean come on, one of THE best Thanksgivings ever and I post about it now? I'm still on a high from that day.

I need to post pictures of course but let me just tell you a bit about my holiday first.

No holiday is perfect, but this past Thanksgiving was as close to perfect as anyone will get. Thanksgiving is not even an officially celebrated holiday here in Costa Rica. But CR stores have caught on to the fact that they have a large American expat community so they have offerings to make anyone's T-day complete: you can find various sized turkeys and the trimmings at Pricemart warehouse club, Pali, Mas x Menos, Hipermas and Mega Super supermarkets.

I made up a menu and asked each of my 30 plus guests to bring a dish to share and a drink.

I made:
*Turkey (brined in a salt and sugar solution with herbs like onions, garlic and peppers, oregano, etc for the juiciest, moistest turkey you have ever eaten, falling off the bone and just succulant.)
*herb roasted chicken (figured the almost 20 lb turkey would not be enough).
*Stuffing (from the box but oh so yummy).
*gravy
*garlic and herb mashed potatoes
*Canned beans simmered on the stove with herbs and spices

*ginger teryaki carrots
*green beans in a cream of asparagus sauce
*tuna pasta salad
*cole slaw ( I make the best cole slaw ever)
*store bought rolls
*garlic butter and sour cream spread for the rolls (I made that thank you)
*boxed mac and cheese baked in the oven with bread crumbs and extra cheese (cheesy goodness).

*2 apple pies made from scratch (yes, even the dough)
*7 layer magic bars (always a hit)
*chocolate cupcakes
*chocolate coconut raisin bread pudding

People also brought: mashed green banana puree, Pineapple cake and pudding cups, veggie salad, ice cream, veggie rice, sparkling cider, eggnog, various juices.

It was quiet simply the best Thanksgiving. And I have to say it's nice to start a tradition that I hope will carry on for years to come. Last year was wonderful and this year was even better: more food, more people, more fun.

I honestly cannot wait to do it all again. People are already anticipating next years celebration.
And as far as party planning went, it was simple and not that hard. I cooked for about 8 hours but it was fun. Most everything was so simple it was almost like I was cheating really. With the oven and stove going, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on in the background, it was a day filled with fun.

It was also an emotional day for me to start off. Seeing all the faces that showed up (over 40 friends and family to share the special day with) and missing my own family and wishing they were here to share that day with me, I have to say, it brought tears to my eyes. Making my thankful speech actually left me speechless when I teared up and couldn't continue.

BUT it was all 'gravy' (pun intented). The tears I shed were really tears of joy. Just the excitement and the emotion of it all; holidays always do that to me.

In the past, Thanksgiving was always a give or take holiday for me; now it's fast becoming one of my absolute favorite holidays. I mean, why not, right? I love to cook, I love to eat and I LOVE to entertain; Thanksgiving is my kind of holiday. Plus it is one of the only BIG holidays that you don't have to buy gifts for (no stressing about the perfect present for Jimmy, Bobby and Auntie Sue). I love that!

To me Thanksgiving is all about family and friends and food, which makes the holiday so much more meaningful and special. Because all the materialism has been banned from the holiday, it's less stressful (well, for some). Food and family take center stage and just time together with friends is what the holiday is all about (or should be about). Like I said, my kind of holiday for sure.

Jahel's 2nd Birthday Party