Halloween Safety

From My little ballerina peacock and little Captain America

Happy Halloween!

Ballerina Peacock

After finding the cutest costume on sale for little lady I really thought I had scored a deal. That us until I found out I was missing the wings, tights, and head piece!!!

I searched and called everywhere to find them but no hope.

So after not wanting to pay almost 20 dollars for wings which might I add is almost double the amount I paid for the costume itself.

I came to the conclusion of making my own after viewing YOUTUBE tutorial videos on how to make butterfly wings out of hangers.

Here you have my end result:

Little lady looks so cute with her costume on. I didn't want to reveal that just yet you will have to wait til Halloween which isn't too far from now.

I won't lie I am pretty proud of my hard work. I put it together in 2 days!

I don't have an exact tutorial I kinda winged it (no pun intended) after viewing the video.

Basically I used:

5 wired hangers

2 types of ribbon

3 pairs of tights - i used green

acrylic paint

glitter glue

You can see from the pics above how it all came together!

What do you think?

Have you ever created a costume or accessory before?

Social Media & Mobile to do Good: TEXT4BABY

Lately it feels like everyone around me is either pregnant or just delivered a baby. I won’t lie it really gives me the preggo and newborn blues.

I loved being pregnant. However, it was challenging to understand what my body had gone through and what my baby was going through. I know now I did right by reading and asking questions to my on call nurses and doctors, which is why I am an advocate of resources for pregnancy and parenting.

I’ve always been the one to give out pregnancy and milestone books at baby showers. As a mother of 2, it gets pretty hard to balance such a life. I can’t imagine how it would be to add a newborn to the family.

Most resources are now found online. It’s rare to say I read it in a book when it is a lot faster to enter a question in a search engine.

I constantly turned to my baby progress book to see how my baby was developing but soon after the baby was born it was a bit hard to sit and read the milestone books or doctor worksheets.

When little man was born I was told time and again by many what to do at every milestone. I didn’t know what or who to believe. I also didn’t want to go by someone’s word just because they were parents. Times are quickly changing and I only wanted the best for my kids.

I believe the resources for expecting women and new parents are a bit limited in some communities let alone the on call aid. Having access to a nurse on call like I did was a luxury but still a very needed resource.

Social Media is quickly growing, though the platforms change, two things remains constant the need for information and CELL PHONES!

That is why I believe in programs such as TEXT4BABY.

Text4baby allows us to receive text messages 3 times a week on topics like what to expect and what to do for the baby, when the baby’s next check up should be scheduled, and the type of things baby should be able to do now. This service is available during pregnancy and for a year after.

Text4baby is a perfect example of Social Media and Mobile Technology being used for good.

Also, you’re phone carrier will NOT charge you for messages!

I know this is a lifesaver to some of my friends and it also creates a way for both parents to be involved. Had this service been around when I was pregnant the hubs would have definitely subscribed. He also would have been the one to remind me if I got to busy about what messages he received the same way he did when he read a new chapter in our books.

For more information about TEXT4BABY visit: http://www.text4baby.org/

Or like them on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/#!/text4baby

***UPDATE***

Join us Tonight for a twitter fiesta!!!

Follow the amazing @ERGEEKGODDESS and hashtag #LATISM

10/27/11

9pm EST

as we discuss social media and mobile for good.

Disclosure:cmp.ly/3 I was compensated for my true and honest opinions to promote social media and mobile to do good for the LATISM campaign

My Scentalicious story

I grew up in Orange County CA. I was raised around my grandparents. Their home was my home away from home. I was their first grandchild and I like to think I was the favorite too, with everything they let me get away with.

Many of my years growing up were surrounded by homegrown herbs, veggies and fruit. My grandparents took pride in all their fruit trees. We had lemon, guava, plum, grapefruit, and my favorite, orange trees. Not only did our family get to enjoy them but the whole neighborhood would exchange amongst each other.

Many of the homes in Orange County still have orange trees today. Though known for our orange groves, there aren’t many groves left but the smell of oranges is still a clear memory of my days growing up at my grandparent’s house.

I remember oranges were my favorite snack to eat growing up. I loved watching my grandmother dig her long nails deep into the peel of an orange and begin to unveil my yummy treat.

My grandmother’s style of serving them was always peeled. She’d separated the segments and divided them among whoever was around. I would watch and stay close with anticipation of finding the smallest segment. I can still hear her say “aqui estan tus gajitos” , here are your orange segments. She always gave me mine first.

My grandfather’s style was more hands on. He would take all the grandchildren out back. He’d allow us to choose our orange straight from the tree. My cousins and I would stand around and wait for our turn to climb the latter to pick our orange. I would smell my orange until everyone had picked theirs. He’d then slice it up with a pocket knife and let us have our snack under the tree.

When I married I never imagined I’d move cross country let alone miss home and my family as much as I do. I’ve had my share of homesick days and traveled back to California 3 times during the first year away.

One day while cutting up some oranges for my kids, I realized it wasn’t the visits I needed. I needed something to remind me of home in my new home.

I now get to enjoy oranges with my kids the way my grandparents did with me. I have my days where I peel them and other days where I slice them up. I see their faces and their expressions and I see myself as a kid.

I may be far from home but being able to enjoy the citrus smell of oranges takes me back to Orange County surrounded with love and happiness with all my family.

Special Thanks to GAIN for allowing me to share my story at Scentalicious at Blogalicious!

DISCLOSURE: cmp.ly/2 I received gifts from GAIN for participating in this event.

Blogalicious 2011

Blogalicious Weekend Conference has come and gone. It was an amazing time to spend with a lot of online friends.

Friendships I've made over this awesome conference has just made blogging that much sweeter. Social Media is an amazing tool!

The weekend went by so fast I seriously only had the chance to skype with the kiddos one day all other communication was mostly through text. They were well taken care of by dad and grandma so no worries. The transition of mommy traveling is becoming much easier as the trips keep coming.

How about a wrap up on Blogalicious. Forgive me now for the picture overload and I apologize for the lack of Session photos or content. I was busy taking notes and twittering. So if you don't follow me yet Head on over and follow me on twitter lots of valuable information from keynote speakers such as Rene Syler, Jesse Jones, and Lamar Tyler all shared Life lessons that can be applied on and offline.

Thursday- I arrived via car. I was dropped off by Uncle. I soon met up with the bestie Jenda from Jendalynne photography . It's been a couple of months since we last met up so this was perfect catch up time especially since she was 1 of my 3 rommies for the weekend!!!

We went sight seeing, had , and lunch and attended the kick off party for Blogalicious at Microsoft Headquarters in DC.

The memorial was amazing. I only wish my family was there with me to share this moment. We had a random person take our picture... they cut off the most important person in the pic..MLK!!!

Talk about hi-tech office. Microsoft had touch screen everything. I have video of Jenda playing with that glass computer it was super cool. We also brought up our sites on the huge screens where we also played the new Kinect SPORTS. I had to much fun.... thinking the kiddos may get the Kinect for Christmas.. since you know we totally loved the Sesame street game. They raffled one off at the event but we weren't lucky at all.

Friday- Officially 1st day of Blogalicious!!!! I checked into Gaylord Resort and Spa with Jenda, and Dania who roomed with me the night before. The resort was gorgeousness! We even had our own balcony. Check out this little video I made.

At night we attended McDonalds Welcome cocktail Masqueade where we enjoyed burgers and drinks all while wearing cool masks. I had already seen my fellow cali girl Alicia but it was fun to hangout again! I was also able to chat and hug some powerful women from LATISM Elianne and AnaRC !!!

We also attended a private event Drinks on US by Johnson & Johnson hosted by my amiga Rory from Mama Contemporanea. They had delicious Thai food! I was able to connect with the awesome duo of SpanglishBaby Ana and Roxana.

BTW thank you to Tracy from @latinaish for the Kellogg poptarts yummy!!!!

We then went back to the hotel to attend Ubisoft Jam hosted by the Clever girls I called it an early one I knew Day 2 was going to be extra busy.

follow my amigas on twitter

@dancinghotdogs @newyorkchica @latina_sweetie @pinkguayoyo @alicia4181

Saturday- Day2

I started the morning with breakfast and sessions. I then hurried over to the CoverGirl suite to take my picture with Paul Patton. She was super sweet and shared that her little boys middle name is Fuego, Fire! I visited the other suites with friends: Pine-sol Latino, and Sears & Kmart. Later I went back to the hotel for a break and to get ready to meet with Big Daddy aka Chef Aaron McCargo Jr.Where he was signing his book at the Aunt Jemima booth. We recieved our books in our swag bag from Blogalicious.

Later that night we had the Que Rica Vida and Pine-sol blogafiesta! I volunteered for a cookind demonstration and we partied big with all the latinas and of course the awesome Rene Syler who earlier I head speak at a session.

Soon after we rushed over to Aunt Jemimas Binner with a demo with BigDaddy. After breakfast for dinner we all attended the Susan G Komen PJ party in the preseidential suite.

The day was busy but so much fun.

Sunday- Day3- the goodbyes start here!

I failed to attend any sessions on the last day. I was too busy with packing, meeting my husband, and calming my nervous because i was later speaking at the final event Scentalicious for Blogalicious.

Here I caught up with Chantilly from Bicultural Mom and with Ezzy. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many of the people I had just met attend this event. It was very special for Dania and I since we were both about to share some very special stories.

In the end I made everyone cry with my story which was never meant to be so emotional. I had lunch with my amigas and we all went our separate ways. This was definitely a time to remember.

Blogalicious'12 I am so looking forward to you!!!!

I hope to meet more of my online friends next time!
Stay tuned for my Scentalicious at Blogalicious Story.

Scentalicious at Blogalicious

From the clothes we wear to our signature scent, we’re all different. That’s why Gain detergent and fabric softener products come in a wide variety of amazing, fresh scents, offering you more choices to help sniff out the scents that are as unique as you!

Come relax and listen as fellow bloggers share a moment in their lives that helped define who they are. Since we know that the sense of smell is a powerful one and that scent can often enhance an occasion and make it stand out in our memories, Gain wants to help celebrate these special occasions along with the scents that played a role in defining them.

Please join us as we celebrate uniqueness at the “Scentalicious at Blogalicious” wine and reading party on Sunday, October 23^rd at 12:30 p.m. in National Harbour 4/5!

@Lafamiliacool and @rubydw (me) along with others will be reading at the event.

Follow us on twitter we will be tweeting using #Scentalicious

Day of the Dead Craft on SpanglishBaby

We created an awesome Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, craft for SpanglishBaby.com

Check it out to learn to make your own Shoebox Altar or to read the story behind our Altar.
Happy Tuesday!!!

He's a Big Kid now!!!

My little man is a big kid now! He is successfully potty trained!
To think he did this all on his own, I'm amazed!

One day last week he announced "mommy mommy 'little man's' gotta go pee"... ya he talks about himself in 3rd person.
I was like oh ok... since the potties been out for a while now I rushed him over there took off a DRY DIAPER and there he went.

He was so excited. I wish I would have caught a picture. The rest of the day it was the same thing he announced it we rushed over and success every time.

He's even a pro already... look reading while on the potty... hahaha!

We celebrated by going to the store to purchase a few packs of "CHONIES" which is slang for under ware, calzones (little kids tend to call them cal-chon-ies)

He's only worn a diaper to bed but even that is dry he wakes up. Early in the am announces he has to go and does his thing.

I'm a proud mama!!!

A bilingual dia de los muertos book

The kiddos and I have been extremely busy creating all kinds of fun Day of the Dead crafts. We usually don't celebrate but It's a day i'm going to start making a tradition in hopes of keeping my grandparents a living memory for my kids.

I was recently referred to Mommy Maestra's blog by my Amiga Chantilly, Bicultural Mom. I was so happy to see Mommy Maestra is Latinbabybookclub as well.

No surprise I would find awesome reads for my kids.

Here is a perfect book to go with our current theme of activities. I just purchased it off her website and it looks amazing! I can't wait to read it to little man and little lady. Purchase your own at MommyMaestra.com

Happy Friday!!!!

Disclosure: I am not paid by or associated with Mommymaestra.com Just wanted to share what seems like an awesome book. I'm already loving the illustrations.

Fire Safety Week

In honor of Fire Safety week the kiddos and I decided to engage in a variety of activities.

Since the kids are to small to remember an escape plan I decided we should try to explain what a fire is. We got as far as hot and cold. Little man tends to get his senses mixed up he says a Popsicle is too hot and the oven is cold. it's cute but definitely scares me in the event that we do have a fire i must act fast because they wont know whats going on.

They hear smoke detectors go off in the house constantly especially when daddy is cooking lol I try to act very serious when we hear them go off. For a while the alarm sounding off was funny to them now they know it means business.

and last we decided to thank our local Firefighters. I found some pretty cool printouts via Sparky.org We plan to deliver these later this week.

We'll be practicing our Stop,Drop and Roll later today.

How are have you prepared for a fire?

My Bilingual Buddies

Great News We finally did it

We have started a bilingual playgroup in our area

We are calling it My Bilingual Buddies more details to come.

In the mean time...

• Don't forget to check out our current giveaway if you haven't entered now the time This is our biggest giveaway to date!

• Have you seen our Bilingual Flashcards printable we have more to come

• GUB like us returns next week stay tuned

Have a great weekend!!!!

Bilingual learning: Colors printable

I've shared our bilingual journey since I first started to struggle. I've tried many things but also failed to keep at them. I've learned consistency is key but still i struggle with keeping up with something i want for my kids so bad.

If there's one thing I'm great at it's getting creative with paper.

I recently had the urge to get bilingual with the kids once again and so I came up with idea of creating my own Flash cards. Flash cards that were simple and easy to play with in little hands. I designed simple basic color cards with the color swatch and the color name in both languages.

When I created my first batch of cards the kids loved them. Granted it had been a few minutes of them playing with the cards but already little man could hand me the card with the color "verde"(green).

I wasn't forcing the education part i was simply interacting with little man and little lady. They'd hand me a card i'd say the color in English then Spanish and ask if they could say it to occasionally. We played for a good 10minutes before they moved on to the next toy but already i was happy that they were interested. It was extrea cute to hear little lady "ahhh-zul"

I realized that if I could set time aside through the day like we do with other activities the kids could potentially learn best this way.

Later that day I asked if others on twitter could benefit or would be interested in a free download of color flash cards. Also what other subjects/topics of flashcards would be useful. My aim is to create things my kids can gain from but it's always a plus if others can enjoy and gain from my creation as well.

Here is what the printable looks like, again very simple.

If you're interested here is the free download.

Click Here to Download

Please share if you do download. I'd love to hear some feedback.

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

There's been a lot of Sesame Street love around here. Little Lady loves Abby Cadabby and Little Man can't get enough of Elmo. The kids are finally calling each monster by their name which is a great way of showing they were ready to visit Sesame Place.

Friday was Zoe's Birthday Bash at Sesame Place. We were so excited to go with the kiddos and tickets were only $30. It was also The Count's Halloween Spooktacular.

The day was so nice. We rode on Elm's Flying Fish. It was Little Lady's first time. I wish I could have take a picture of her face as the ride went up. I really thought she was about to scream but she actually did pretty good. We also rode the carousel. This is still by far the kids favorite ride everywhere!

The Not-Too-Spooky Howl-o-ween Radio Show was too cute. It really wasn't spooky at all and we were able to see a lot of our favorite monsters Including the Birthday Girl herself, ZOE!!!!

The kids were non stop clapping and dancing. It was pure fun!

Next was The Neighborhood Street Party Spooktacular Parade and of course it was right on Sesame Street! All the characters were dressed in colorful costumes. Big Bird was really BIG the kids were amazed!

We did Abby's Magical Halloween Maze. The maze was perfect for little toddlers. There were various activities to do throughout the maze like an interactive mat to try and find Abby's wand and a smelling area where the kids said it smelled like candy. It was a yummy smell.

The Count's Un-Haunter Castle Maze was also lots of fun to walk thru and find some not so scary monster activities at the dead ends.

Later we finished our stay at the park with a trick-o-treating Hunt throughout the park. Dad and I used the Lavahound App to help us navigate thru the park and find all the Treat stations thru Sesame Place's Spooktacular Hunt. We found all 7! The scavenger Hunt was even fun for us grown folk. I have to give it up to dad he found most spots on the map before I did. I loved that most of the snacks were very healthy Chiquita mini banana and apple juice to name a few.

Our visit to Sesame Place during this time of year was one to remember. There's no better way to get you into the holiday spooky spirit then visiting a fun Halloween filled adventure park.

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular is on the weekends during 9/24-10/30.

upcoming events:

The Count's Halloween Party 10/8-10/9

rover's Birthday Bash 10/15-10/16

Abby Cadabby's Fairy Pumpkin Party 10/22-10/23

The Count's Halloween Party 10/29-10/30

Halloween Costume Contest 10/30

Disclosure: cmp.ly/0 The above are my true and honest opinions. I have no connection to the company and I was not paid.