Comfortable Christmas Style!

 We were invited to an awesome annual Christmas party where a bunch of old friends come together to celebrate the holidays! 

This year I decided to skip the dress and go for a more semi-formal outfit, with non-obvious Christmas colors. 

(A lacy white skirt, a tight Santa-red blouse, and a dark olive green button down shirt with black booties)

I spent about an hour braiding my hair. 

 And for my make-up I did dramatic eye-shadow, light silver to dark silver, blush, cover-up, mascara, and cat eyeliner. 

The party turned out to be fun and exciting! I was comfortable and got to see old friends I had not seen in a long time, and they all complimented my Hot mom Christmas look!

A Special Christmas (; On a Budget ;)

 

 

This is the time of year for GIVING!! 

We all love to shower our friends and family with things that remind them that we care! 

But sometimes, our lists are miles long and our cash is a little short. The most important thing to keep in mind around this time of year is that Christmas is not about the money. It is about celebrating the coming of Christ into this world to save us! It is about being more like Jesus, giving and loving, especially to those you love! 

With these 4 tips, you can still have a very special affordable Christmas:

1. *Gifts - PICTURES!!! What better way to give them something to remember you by? A nice inexpensive picture frame with a picture of the kids is perfect for grandparents, aunts, and uncles! If you don't think they would appreciate a picture, get them CANDY!!! Buy nice small holiday boxes and fill them with Christmas confetti and that person's (or child's) favorite candy! If this person doesn't like pictures or candy, you can never go wrong with a RED BOX gift card. Just 5 dollars can provide a busy couple with 5 movie date nights after the kids go to sleep. Think about it! *Spend the most on 2 or 3 very special people!

2. Christmas Cards - Hand making Christmas cards is a fun family activity! Start out with a fun holiday photo shoot; there are plenty of awesome ideas on Pinterest. Then print 4x6 photos and tape them to the inside of blank Christmas Cards. Fill the inside with a personal message, or a Christmas bible verse; Luke 2:10 or 11 is nice! Don't forget to sign it with love from the whole family!

3. The Tree - If you live in a small apartment (like us) or you can't really afford a tree, getting what I like to call a "Tiny Tree" is a whimsical alternative! A few years ago we bought a $20 tree at Walgreens that had built in LED lights and came with a base and power cord. We put it on a small table and decorated it with colorful ornaments from the 99 cent store. It is absolutely beautiful! 

4. Dinner/ Breakfast - For breakfast have a pancake feast! Make them with egg eyes and bacon smiles! (Turkey bacon is a healthy and cheap alternative to pork bacon.) For extra fun dye them green with food coloring for Grinch pancakes!  For dinner, skip the turkey or ham and have a nice fat roasted chicken, whoever finds the wish bone gets to make a special wish! 

As long as you are overflowing with love it doesn't matter how much you spend!  

Christmas Tragedy

Usually, around this time of year we hear stories about miracles and brotherliness all around the world. People go out of their way to lend a helping hand, but a few days ago a horrible event took place in Pakistan. 

The Taliban raided a military school and opened fire, killing 132 children from grades 1 through 10. Many of the children were civilians and all of them were completely innocent. One father commented that his 14 year old son left home in his uniform and returned in a coffin. 

 

Once again, intolerant men were carrying out their perverted view of "justice."

While it is important to remember that this season is about love and thanksgiving, we cannot ignore the fact that children are dying, not just in Pakistan, but all over the world. As we rush into stores to buy presents for those we cherish, many others are suffering and grieving. 

This year, we have to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas: a savior was born into an evil place to save us from the sin that enslaves us all, so that we could have hope for a perfect eternity. 

Thank God that you are safe, comfortable, and warm. 

Thank God that you are able to show your children, family, and friends how much you care about them. 

Thank God that you are alive and well today. 

There are not enough words to express my condolences. 

My heart bleeds for those kids, and especially for theirs mothers and fathers. 

No parent should ever suffer the loss of a little one; no one should ever know that pain. 

'Tis the season to be grateful for the peace in your life in a world that is filled with despair.

Honor the 132 children who lost their lives by living like Jesus, and spreading the love to everyone you meet. 

No exceptions.

7 Suggestions for Surviving Blackout Boredom

 

No matter where you live, you cannot escape the weather, whether it's a blizzard, or a thunderstorm, or a hurricane. It seems like God is constantly reminding us that He has the power to make our plans take a hard left turn! 

Fortunately, storms are not always bad news. Sure, the power could go out and you could be left in the dark for the night, or even a few days, but the good news is that people have lived without electricity for centuries. They got together with friends and family and made the most of the time they were given. Today, we wonder how they survived without Netflix or Facebook. 

What did they do for entertainment? 

If you are drawing a complete blank, here are a few activities to get you through the "dark ages".

1. Make a reading nook! - Before movies and television, people were actually forced to use their imaginations. What better time then to get some comforters and pillows together, on a cozy spot on the floor, next to a window providing sufficient light. This is especially fun to do with kids, or your roommates! Put together an intricate fort that is large enough for all of you and then crack open your favorite books. You can all take turns reading; use funny voices and really get in to it! When it gets dark light a few candles; there is a magical quality to the candle lit pages of an enticing novel. 

2. Indoor camping! - This pretty much speaks for itself, doesn't it?! Make a clearing, set up a tent, and let the games being! Get a candle, and make s'mores. If you don't have anything to make s'mores with, find other food to put on sticks and toast them the best you can. Find "fire wood", pretend you are river rafting, cover the ceiling with glow in the dark stickers, have an epic "sword" fight, etc. This is when you put your heads together and get really creative.

3. Have a shadow puppet play! - Each person takes a moment to decide what and who their character is. Take turns describing your character, the more details the better! The sillier the better! Then put on a play; it could be a reenactment, or a completely original work of art. To keep the fun going, make a rule stating that everyone must stay in character all day. 

4. Create an indoor obstacle course! - Remember when you were a kid and you would pretend that the floor was made of lava? Well, after being dormant for over a decade, the volcano erupted again. Lay down cushions and make blanket rivers. If you live in a 2-story home, the stairs have just become Mount Everest; someone could even stand at the top and throw pillows at climbers simulating an avalanche. You can even sit in boxes and take turns pushing each other to the finish line; make things interesting and race! 

5. Play hide and seek! - Someone counts to 50, and you all find places to hide; good places, where it could take a little while to be found. And once you are found you must help the seeker find the other hiders. The last person to be found wins!

 6. Marco-polo with a blindfold! - I recommend this game to everyone, no matter how old you are. Pick someone to blindfold, spin them around a few times, and spread out! You know the drill, they say Marco you say Polo and you watch with giddy delight as they stumble around trying to find you!



 7. Write a never-ending story! - If you just want to sit around and be cozy, you can still do something fun; the more people the better. You each take turns writing a couple paragraphs or sentences, and when you all have had a chance to write something, read the story out loud. Then go for another round, and keep it going! See where your story adventure takes you. 

Whatever you decide to do during the atrocious weather storm, stay safe and stay warm. Just keep in mind that there is loads of fun to be had inside! 

The Perfect Movie Night In

When you have kids it can be hard to find time to go out. Heck, it can be hard for anyone these days to find time to date. Between work, school, errands, chores, kids, and pets (for some), finding time to spend with your significant other can get a little complicated. 

This is often true for Pedro and me. He works at night, I work/go to school during the day, and Nico takes up all of our time in between! We hardly have a moment alone, but when we do, we try to make the most of it. After all, the state of our relationship is important for a healthy family life and to give Nico a good example of what true love looks like. <3

Fortunately, there are many fun things to do at home, after the baby hits the crib for the night! 

This week, we had an amazing Netflix Movie Date! 

ON THE MENU: 

Soft Tacos!! 

Soft tacos are the perfect movie dinner! They are nutritious finger food that are fun to put together, and that don't distract you from the movie too much. It is a funny messy good time as you have folding competitions to see who can keep the most stuffing in their tortilla. 

Ingredients are simple: Tortillas, lettuce, tomato, 1lb ground beef, a can of pinto beans (to make re-fried beans), sour cream, and Mexican blend cheese. And, this is a great opportunity to use left over Taco Bell sauces!

ON THE MINI SCREEN: 

Bonnie and Clyde

This is a five star movie! Those of you who are romantics will enjoy the raw, unshakable love that kept these two together and fueled everything that they did! Those of you who would probably fall asleep if something doesn't blow up at least twice are also in luck, as Bonnie and Clyde were also fans of big guns that did immense damage.

ON ME:

Freshly washed hair and one of Pedro's old t-shirts

Men are honestly not very hard to impress! Often times, a clean natural look is sexier than heavy make-up and a tight dress. 

The hair style is quick: Step away from the straightener and hop in the shower, wash your hair, condition it with hair oils immediately when you finish towel drying! 

Then, raid his drawers! Find his favorite shirt and a comfy/sexy pair of undies or even his boxers. 

This is a date that does not require a bra! ;) 

Whether you stay it or go out, remember to appreciate each other and cherish your precious time together!

7 Secret Parenting Tips

We can all agree that being a parent is extremely difficult, especially being a young one. 

Our kids are their own people, which makes us wish that they came equipped with an instruction manual and all the gear they will need throughout their childhood. Let's face it, we don't always have the answers and we don't always know what to do.

That is why I searched all corners of the internet to bring you 7 Parenting Tricks that will help you save money like its your job, cure sicknesses like a doctor, and make you feel like a superhero!

1. Vapor Rub Socks - Us Latina moms are well aware of the Vapor Rub remedy used on us every time we got sick. When your child has a cough instead of giving your child a Vapor Rub bath, try rubbing some on his/her feet and covering them with socks! This will help them fall asleep!

 

2. DIY Baby Puffs - I love those yummy Gerber Puffs for Nico, but they are just so expensive for a container that doesn't last him very long. So, I found a great recipe for puffs you can make yourself using ingredients that are much better for baby!
Baby treats
2 Tablespoons Oil
2 Egg Yolks
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Baby Cereal
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Water
Mix all ingredients. add enough water to make it come together. add more cereal if you added too much water. Roll dough into tiny little bite size balls. You don't need to worry about separating them all completely, after they bake, they separate easily just by shaking the pan. Bake at 325 for about 7-10 minutes. let cool for 5 minutes or so before putting them in an air tight container. Store in the fridge.

3. Removing Baby Stains - I haven't tried this one yet, but wouldn't it be amazing if all those baby food stains would magically come out? Apparently they do! With a little Dawn dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda, you can remove even set it stains. It calls for 2 parts peroxide and 1 part Dawn and baking soda (1 cup of peroxide and 1/2 cup of the Dawn and 1/2 cup of baking soda) 

4. Jumbo Play Yard - Play "yards" are expensive and small. Babies don't really have room to roam or play so it can feel more like a jail than a play area. Skip the play yard and baby gate buying and get a large inflatable pool instead! Its a great safe place to put baby without you needing to worry about baby boredom or a little escape artist. 

 

5. Doll Hairspray - A small spray bottle with 2 tablespoons of fabric softener and water will make any dolls hair soft and silky like new! I wish I knew about this as a kid. This will save many barbies from "emergency" hair cuts. 

6. Crib Teething Guard - When Nico started teething, I wondered how long it would take him to chew through his wooden crib bars. We took an old blanket and cut it to turn it in to a very effective teething guard. He still chews on the blanket, but he will not be breaking out any time soon!

7. Plane Common Courtesy - This was a really nice idea! If you are flying with a fussy baby or toddler, maybe you can try making little treat bags with a few pieces of gum and candy and a tiny explanation note. It would look something like this: 

All Hallows: Christians and Halloween

I had a great time yesterday during Halloween, and I am sure many of you did as well! However, there is always more than one side of the celebration. Unfortunately, many people use October 31 as an excuse to do evil and scary things to others. For that reason, many Christians believe that Halloween is the devil's holiday. 

Ironically, Halloween started as a Christian holiday. November 1, or All Hallows Day, is a holiday where we recognize the Saints and Martyrs of Christ, and traditionally, All Hallows Eve was a feast in preparation for a day of remembrance. This is only one of the origins of Halloween, as there are many, but this one proves that it was never meant to be an evil day, at least to some people. 

  

Though I agree that it can be a day dedicated to mischief and terror, I also believe that it can be a day dedicated to love, fun, and thanking the Lord for raining down blessings upon our lives! 

To me, the act of receiving candy symbolizes the kindness of humanity, and the abundance of our lives. We are privileged enough to live in a country where it is safe to dress up and go door to door receiving FREE treats during one night out of the whole year! 

1 Corinthians 10:31 states: Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

On Halloween, instead of dressing scary, we can dress as something funny, or cool. Instead of "worshiping the devil" we can have family devotionals and prayer time, to thank God for His protection, provision, and general goodness! 

Remember that as Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ! Do you think that Jesus would cower in fear condemning all those who take part in "evil", or do you think he would join in the festivities and use it to preach the Gospel? 

On this All Hallows Day, as we commemorate the Martyrs and Saints remember that all things work together for His good!

DIY Baby Food

As a young mother, I know better than anyone how difficult in can be to save money. Kids are their own people, and they come with their own needs and expenses. One way Pedro and I have managed to save HUNDREDS of dollars is by making our own baby food!

What I do is make our regular meals (lunch and dinner), I add about a cup of each dish, then I add a cup and a half of water and I blend it up in the Magic Bullet to the desired consistency.  I have been using the regular spices that the meal calls for ever since Nico started on mashed solids at about 6 months, and I have had no health problems (food allergies, upset stomach, etc.) with it at all! 

Best of all is that Nico loves it just as much as he likes Gerber. He has tried a variety of different meals which helped me avoid encouraging picky eating habits, and allows him to get all kinds of vitamins and minerals from diverse sources! 

Today for lunch he enjoyed Parmesan Crab Cake Bites with Cheddar Pasta and Beats! For dessert he had Cinnamon Banana Puree!

The recipes are simple:

Parmesan Crab Cake Bites with Cheddar Pasta and Beats

1 cup cheddar pasta

5 crab cake bites

1 half can of beats

1 1/2 cups of water

Mix all ingredients together and blend to desired consistency. 

Cinnamon Banana Puree

1 1/2 table spoons of cinnamon

3 bananas 

1 cup of milk

Mix all ingredients together and blend to desired consistency.