Happy Birthday!!!

 

August 29, 2012

Happy 8th Birthday Bug!  I cannot believe my little man is eight years old, almost a month now.  His birthday was on the 4th and, miracle of all miracles, we were able to have his birthday party ON his birthday.

Surprise, surprise my boy wanted a Star Wars party.  Also a big surprise is that his buddy Seth also had a Star Wars party for his birthday and Lucas is having one as well in September.  I tell you that George Lucas was a genious!

So my challenge this year was a storm trooper helmet cake which then, at the last minute, turned into a request for Jengo Fett instead of a storm trooper.  As I was about to assemble the cake he tried to change, yet again, to Bubba Fett but this mama's flexible meter broke and Jengo Fett it was!

Not the most professional cake but still it came out pretty good and Max was over the top excited.  What else could you ask for right?
 

 DROID BALL that's what!  My oh so clever husband adapted Dodge Ball.  Max was on the "light" side with 2 buddies and his sister.

 Darth Vadar, aka Zach, was on the "dark" side.









Of course the beauty of the game was the "DARTH MAL BALL".  The black football in the middle, aka Darth Mal, made the player who caught it turn to the other side.  Dark became light and visa versa.  This added a fun little twist to the game I must say.










The mad dash!












Poor Isaac was overcome by not one but TWO balls!

BTW I'm lovin' my new camera and it's ability to capture the action!









No Star Wars Party would be complete with Vadar!

Or at least the head of Vadar :)











All lined up and ready for "Vadar Says".


Then we saved Hans Solo from a block of ice but mommy got distracted by some parents and missed/forgot to get photos.  (To play freeze 2 Hans Solos in a block of ice.  Set up 2 teams with a bucket of warm water and a cup.  Relay with cups of water until someone sets Hans free!  Great way to use up all that cake energy.

Followed by a little musical chairs to star wars theme music.

Last, but not least, the pinata!!!  Which was not very sturdy.  Max and 2 other boys gave it 1 or 2 good whacks and BAM! candymania.

Of course we ate some pizza and cake in between activities.

And when all the kids left we opened presents and then took naps.  Ok Mike and I napped while the kids played with the new toys!

Two days later the fabulous Star Wars ship sent by Aunt Amy and Uncle John was complete!  (And Max lost a tooth, can you see the little front gap?)

Craaazy weather

August 27, 2012

Yes I know it's been a while.  What else is new.  I do my best.  So I was motivated today because I am FREEEZING!!!  And it's raining so I have no intention of going outside.  I know, I'm a wimp.  Anyway, look at the crazy weather pattern.  You will see the observed highs last week in the upper 80's and low 90's and them BAM! in one day it dropped 35 degrees.  Then look at this week... from today until friday it is expected to INCREASE 32 degrees, in FOUR DAYS!  Whip lash anyone?

20 OBSERVED Hi  86°F Lo  70°F Precip (in) -	21 OBSERVED Hi  86°F Lo  66°F Precip (in) -	22 OBSERVED Hi  91°F Lo  75°F Precip (in) -	23 OBSERVED Hi  91°F Lo  72°F Precip (in) -	24 OBSERVED Hi  84°F Lo  59°F Precip (in) -	25 OBSERVED Hi  59°F Lo  52°F Precip (in) -
26 OBSERVED Hi  55°F Lo  52°F Precip (in) -	Today Hi  57°F Lo  46°F Precip 90 %	28 Hi  69°F Lo  46°F Precip 0 %	29 Hi  74°F Lo  52°F Precip 0 %	30 Hi  83°F Lo  64°F Precip 0 %	31 Hi  89°F Lo  70°F Precip 0 %

I have a bunch of photos to post from the last couple months.  I'll see if I can motivate myself tomorrow :)  Perhaps the almost 70 degree weather will put me in a more creative and active spirit.  I'm going to hibernate now... it's only 45 degrees in my house and I do not do cold!  And no, in case you are wondering, we do not have heat.  Sad...

Whole 30 Challenge 2 week check-in

June 23, 2012

Okay so I really suck at this!  I mean it is SOOOO restrictive.  I started reading other peoples blogs who are doing the challenge and some just straight up cheat and either think they aren't cheating or are choosing to ignore the little cheats that are still in the realm of healthy.  The thing is this diet is supposed to 100% unprocessed foods so making a smoothly with soy or almond milk is NOT whole 30 compliant.  And, if I may whine just a bit more, most people can eat eggs but I cannot due to an allergy.  Nor am I supposed to have any nightshades i.e. peppers, eggplant, tomatoes...  So frustrating and so hard.  What does all this mean?  Well it means I have failed - yet again.  Grrrr.  I need some motivation.  I'm not giving up though!

Girls Gone WILD!!

June 23, 2012

Two of Maggie's good friends are moving back to the states in a few days so they came over to play.  We started making bubbles and bubble blower from this website.  It didn't work so well.  But no worries because the bubble juice makes an AWESOME slip 'n slide!

Mikah went first.

Then Maggie did the swimsuit cover version.

Tiny Danielle slide the fastest and furthest!

They tried a group slide but that wasn't so successful.

Meanwhile the boys played Wii and ate chocolate.

Or maybe we should say they wore chocolate.

The girls wanted a picnic and gave me this crazy pose.

Followed by "apple mouth".

Danielle proclaimed, "I can be pretty" when I asked why I couldn't get one nice shot.  Well yes Danielle you are super cute, the other two simply cannot control their wild side!

And if you think this was the end of the craziness YOU are crazy!  Mikah got stuck in a tree, Danielle cried when they ruined her hopscotch, Max went to get a haircut with Mike and came back with TWO MORE BOYS! (one of which is a baby), and more madness ensued.  This is just the first day of winter break.  Oye I'm glad it's only a month long.  They are going to wear.me.out.  But hey, at least we're having fun :o)

Graduation Day!

June 22, 2012

Da dadada daaaa da....  Yes they played the well known graduation/commencement song.  What IS the name of that song anyway?  And look at the stage and lights.  Oh my!  You would think this was college or something.  Actually wait, my undergrad ceremony wasn't this glitzy and my grad ceremony definitely wasn't (eh hum -basketball court).  But it was cute and she is SO proud of herself so hey I better get something for the over the top cost of tuition at this joint!

There they are all 40 of them, I think they count 40.  So cute in the mini cap and gown.  Can anyone see my sweet Maggie?

Here's my princess!

So serious!  And sideways... still... what is with blogger.  I swear they are loaded with the appropriate orientation but I still can't figure out how to make them right on here.  So annoying!

And then my camera died.  Gah I hate that thing!  When/if I can get to the states this year I am buying a new one.  Not to fear I set 2 friends on a picture gathering mission and hopefully tomorrow I can post one of the new grad with her parents.

Felicitaciones Margarita!

21 Questions

June 21, 2012

Maggie is "graduating" from Kindergarten tomorrow.  Yeah Maggie!  I was worried that the current political situation in Paraguay might prevent us from going but so far it's a go.  We'll see what my husband thinks if he ever gets home from work!  In the meantime I found this old meme I always meant to do.  Funny some of the perceptions kids have about their parents.  So wish I had done this when they were younger to compare answers.


21 Questions:

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
Maggie: "Don't do that."
Max: "I love you."

2. What makes Mommy happy?
Maggie: Having roses.
Max: When I do things good or when I tell the truth.

3. What makes Mommy sad?
Maggie: Our babies get lost.  (When questioned what she meant to say is when she or Max get lost).
Max: When I tell a lie or get angry with you.

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
Maggie: When you broke a knife in a cake.
Max: Tickle me and tell jokes.

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
Maggie: Ice cream??  (I had to re-ask this question.  I think she heard what did mommy like as a child.  Darn auditory processing!)
Second Answer: "Um you had um very long hair and you had um very cute dresses."
Max: (After lot's of pondering) Playing with friends.

6. How old is Mommy?
Maggie: I don't know, 24? (LOVE her!)
Max: 21  (Guess I still got it!)

7. How tall is Mommy?
Maggie: 4 feet tall (ha ha I'm a dwarf)
Max: 1-2-3-4, 4 inches long.  (Hmmm, we need some math work.)

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
Maggie: Work on the computer.
Max: Be with me and you, just us.

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Maggie: Make surprises for us.
Max: Work on the computer.

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
Maggie: Being the best Mommy ever!  (melt)
Max: Helping other people. (Wow, I'm such a good role model aren't I?!)

11. What is Mommy really good at?
Maggie: Taking care of us.
Max: Loving her children.

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
Maggie: Doing handstands. (Probably true, haven't tried since I was, oh, 12.)
Max: Setting up a lot of cords.  (Can you tell we move A LOT.)

13. What does Mommy do for her job?
Maggie: Teach.
Max: Speech therapist.

14. What is Mommy's favorite food? (I really don't have one.)
Maggie: Fish?
Max: Is it pizza?

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
Maggie: You make us feel happy.
Max: When you say good news or something good happens to you.

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Maggie: Lady GaGa  (Bwahahaha)
Max: You with a different name.

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
Maggie: Sew.
Max: Play and hug and love each other and watch videos together.

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
Maggie: We bof are gonna get ears pierced.  (I told her when we get to the states she can get her ears pierced and she is VERY excited.)
Max: Same hair and same eyes.

19. How are you and Mommy different?
Maggie:  You have glasses.
Max: You're a girl.

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
Maggie: Because we are the best children.
Max: Because you hug and kiss me!

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
Maggie: TGIFriday's (Um is that MY favorite place or yours?)  Ooh go shopping!
Max: Bellinis. (They do have great salads there but truthfully I don't have a favorite place here.)

There is a God!

June 13, 2012

Starting in November American Airlines will have DIRECT flights from Asuncion to Miami!!!!  Woo hoo doing a happy dance!  I know all of you who don't live down here can't appreciate this BUT it took us 24 hours, TWENTY FOUR, from Washington, DC last year.  And look below, this flight is only 6 hours.  I know it is only to Miami so we'll need another flight but man it will be so much easier!

From		To	Flight #		Departs		Arrives		Frequency
Miami (MIA)	Asuncion (ASU)			217* (nonstop)		11:40 p.m.		9:40 a.m.		Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Asuncion (ASU)	Miami (MIA)			218* (nonstop)		11 a.m.		5:05 p.m.		Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

*pending government approval.

Currently my "reserved" flight for July has me flying from Asuncion, Paraguay to Sao Paolo, Brazil to Miami, Fl to Washington D.C. and for the return it's DC to Miami to Bogota, Colombia to Lima, Peru to Asuncion, Paraguay.  And that was my best option for least amount of overall hours traveled.  Did anyone count how many countries I will be in.  Um yeah.

So back to the clapping and dancing and overall mood enhancement for at least a week!

OmRead more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/11/4553783/american-airlines-to-add-nonstop.html#storylink=cpy

SUCCESS!!

June 12, 2012

Finally I have made it 2 days without cheating!!!!  And today was a Paraguayan holiday so no school/work which means ASADO with friends.  Still no cheating!  Actually that is fairly easy since asado means "grill".  Yummy lomito and lot's of fresh salads.  Don't get me wrong there was also chipa guazu, which I love love love, and tortilla chips, and dessert.  But I made it whew!  Best of all is I found an AH mazing coleslaw recipe. See I really hate mayo and I haven't been able to find a coleslaw vinaigrette without added sugar until today.  So, so, so good I could have eaten the whole bowl!

Here's the recipe - you're welcome.  Trust me, you'll want to thank me later.

Cilantro lime coleslaw
from Civilized Caveman Cooking

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Package of Carrot/Cabbage Cole slaw
• 1/2 of Red Onion, sliced
• 1/2 Cup of Cilantro, chopped
• 1/3 Cup Fresh squeezed Lime juice
• 4 Jalapenos, thinly sliced (optional)
• 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3/4 Tsp Salt
• 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper

Process:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well ensuring an even coating of all ingredients.
2. Enjoy

I made easily 3x this amount and it was g.o.n.e.

Asado

June 11, 2012

So I think I've mentioned about a bazillion times that there really isn't anything to do in this country.  Thank goodness for friends and backyards and pools or else I might lose my everloving mind!  A couple weekends ago, yes still playing catch-up, we went to an asado at the Lawrence family home.

I had a picture of just Magda (pink shirt) and Mike (white shirt) but it wasn't the most flattering of Magda so I'm not publishing it.  But this is their home and they made an amazing meal for everyone.

Paola and Moira.  Moira and family are leaving soon - sad.  Such is the life in the diplomat/military business!

No one even thought about swimming.  So funny how 85 degree weather is considered too cold to swim as the pool temp is no longer equivalent to bathwater.  Maggie, however, will not be ruled by convention and soon all the girls were in the pool!

Making "ice cream" out of leaves and flowers.  Not sure I'd eat it but it sure was pretty.

Friends.

Nothing is more entertaining to a baby than the random stuff laying about.  Toys are virtually useless I've come to realize.

Somebodies cranky!  Sure wish I knew how to turn photos. 

As for the Whole 30 Program.  I'm getting closer to no cheats ;o)  I am not daunted because I realized this morning that while I was vegan for 5 years and vegetarian for 18 it didn't happen overnight.  I'm not good with strict NO rules.  I need to work into it.  I'm thinking by next week I should be well on my way to actually starting the 30 days.  I figure there is no rush.  I'm eating healthy and feeling a TON better.  I think I actually have a sense of humor again.  God Bless my family for dealing with me this past year.  I think I was pretty much cranky all 365 days!  Hubby needs a really good father's day gift!!

June 09, 2012

Happy birthday to ME!!!  Okay so this was a month ago but hey I haven't been posting for oh... the last year so I'm playing a bit of catch-up.  

Birthday breakfast...

Made by these 2 adorable children.  

How did I get so lucky?

On Saturday we had some friends over to celebrate.  See the lovely cake.  It was awesome.  I, of course, baked the cake but Maggie and her sweet friend Kira frosted it.  Lime green, neon green and pink sprinkles!  I have to say the color choices were quite eye catching.

The parents hung out and ate, drank...

talked, ate, played games and did I mention the food.  There is ALWAYS a food explosion at these events.  So good and so bad all rolled into one!

See the balloons Maggie hung for me.  Such a thoughtful girl that one is.

While the adults acted like sloth the boys ran, shot each other, and played some video games.

The girls colored with chalk and played my little pony.  A brave few went in the pool.  The air is still warm here but the water is cold.  While it's really not colder than June in Virginia I tell you my blood has thinned and I will NOT get into the water unless it feels like bathwater.  I'm a wimp and I know it.  But hey, it's my birthday celebration so it's allowed.

Oh yeah and the boys also found another one of these snake like worm things.  This is the same type we found in our pool back in January only about half as big.

The kids were so busy playing they ate next to nothing until they heard the birthday song.

Then they came a runnin' for some cake!  Priorities people!

Good food, good friends, good fun.  What more could a gal ask for on her birthday?