Washington

We are in Washington, D.C.! We had researched flights at the beginning of December but we never made any reservations. On Dec. 25th we decided to check the flights again and since they were very inexpensive and we found a good hotel too, we decided to come the next day. I didn't have much time to pack but we did ok. I did forget to put my medicine in the bag and I had to call Janie and ask for her help. As always, she was incredible nice and called the pharmacy for my prescription.

We arrived on the 26th and we have been having a lot of fun. We love this city and the weather has been nice. It is cold but not too bad. Carlos and Titi keep praying for snow but it is not that cold. The weather is similar to the time when we came in early spring. It is supposed to rain on Monday but we plan to spend the day inside museums so it is not a big deal. They loved the Museum of Natural History. They also went ice skating for the first time and they were sooo excited. Don had to hold both because I was not brave enough to try to do it but after a while they were able to skate a little on their own. They keep asking Don to bring them again. They have two places by the Mall, one next to the
White House and one at the sculpture garden by the National Gallery.

Today we went to the Holocaust Museum. The kids and I went to the kid's areas and then walked through the museum fast. Don stayed there until 3:30 p.m. Carlos and Titi had a lot of questions and at the same time they didn't get the whole story but it is ok. They are too young for that kind of museum. I took them to the Air and Space Museum and we saw some exhibits. Like always, it was busy.

When Don joined us we walked to the Botanical Garden and saw a beautiful exhibit of reproductions of all the famous buildings and monuments in DC. It was so nice, we loved the holiday decorations, the trains, the plants.

We were right by the Capitol and we saw people lining up to view President's Ford casket. We thought about getting on line but they told us it was going to be a long wait because the body was not there yet. We decided to leave but then saw on a tv that they body had just arrived at the Air Force airport and it was starting to make its way to the Capitol. We saw people waiting on a side street and decided to wait. We were able to walk to the side of the Capitol and we saw the hoarse and the motorcade arrive some 20 minutes later. It was pretty exciting. There were lots of TV cameras and so many police cars everywhere. They also gave us some hotchocolate to keep us warm. We decided to leave and then walked right to the place where the military was going to do the 21 gun salute. We were so lucky, we kept walking to the right places and had the front row view. It was pretty impressive, with the Capitol on the background.

Holidays!!

Like every year, the holidays went by really fast. I always say I am going to get better organized but at the end I have to run around trying to get things ready.

Once again we made some Christmas bundles for an orphanage in Guatemala but it was too much work buying the things, packing them and sending them to Rod Martin from Orphan Resources in Pennsylvania. For next year I am going to try to have them ready by the end of July and then bring them with us to the Guatemala Adoptive Family Event in New Jersey. I hope he will be there. I already have lots of things to bring so I might not have space.

I was busy helping with the school parties too. I am the room mom in Titi's class so I had to do most of the work. Well, the teacher works much harder but it is mainly just her and me organizing and buying things. Carlos and Titi had lots of fun so it was worth it.


We celebrated Hanukkah at Steven and Janie's. Delicious food and company. The kids decorated gingerbread houses and they loved it.



We celebrated Christmas Eve at Larry and Keri's famous party. Keri made a delicious paella, one of my favorite foods. It is always a fun party and we love seeing Mema, Grandpa, uncle Izzy, aunt Mary and the rest of the family.


Christmas Day

Carlos and Titi got up early and were happy to see the presents that Santa had left for them. Don and I didn't even have to time to brush our teeth, we had to run to the living room to take some pictures of them while they opened presents. In minutes the house was a mess with wrapping paper and things everywhere. They got in line skates and Don and I had to put on shoes and change to take Carlos and Titi outside to try to use them. It was hard work since they had never used them. I was very tired, dying to have a cup of coffee or something but the kids had fun.

Around 2:00 p.m. to went to Luke and Mimi's for their traditional Christmas party. My brother and his family went there too. His in laws and my father are visiting from Mexico so there were a lot of Mexicans :-)

December

I can't believe I haven't written for almost a month. We have been busy. Right after Thanksgiving we went to Orlando, to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. It was in September but I wanted to see the Christmas decorations at Disney and we waited. We stayed at the BoardWalk and it was very nice. The lobby had beautiful decorations and a huge gingerbread house. I loved being so close to Epcot and one morning I went there by myself to have breakfast. It was almost empty and I had a wonderful time walking around and shopping.

We saw the Osborne lights at MGM, the candlelight processional at Epcot and some of the parades. I love Disney in December!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A visitor

This afternoon we had a visitor in the back patio. I was at the computer when I heard Titi scream and then she came running, very excited, saying there was a snake in the back patio. I went to see and this is what I found:



It was a small snake but I don't know anything about them and I didn't know if it was dangerous or not. Most likely not but I didn't let the kids get closer. The snake kept looking at us and then started looking for an exit. Fortunately it was able to find the door and went back into the garden. Carlos and Titi were dissapointed because they wanted to keep it as a pet.

The Omnivore's Dilemma and Fast Food Nation

Don and I have been listening to audiotapes and we just finished The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. We think both books were excellent and we learned so much from them. It has changed the way we see food and now we are trying to change the way we buy food and eat.

This year we were able to get a vegetable subscription at a local farm. It is a program called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and you buy a subscription for the growing season and you get a box with vegetables every week or every other week. There are very few in Florida but we were lucky and there was one 10 minutes away from the house. It is a very popular program and they have a long waiting list. Last year we were not able to get a subscription but this year we applied earlier and we got in. You need to (re)learn to eat and cook with what is available locally so it has been kind of an adventure. The first box had tomatoes, bok choi, arugula, cucumbers, herbs, different types of zucchini and a medium pumpkin. We ate the pumpkin as a side dish and we made two pumpkin pies. It was delicious. We have been eating some vegetables from our garden as well and I am trying to give up coffee and have tea from herbs from the garden. Not easy, I still miss coffee!

I also found a farm in Fort Pierce that raises animals in pastures and they are fed grass. I know that is the way animals were intended to be raised but it is not common anymore. We have been buying from them. We need to put an order and they come twice a month to a place nearby where we pick our order. They process the orders in the morning and deliver at night and we have to go with our coolers to pick it up. It is kind of an adventure as well but now I feel better about eating eggs and cooking meat for Don.

Happy Birthday Henny!!!

We want to wish you a very happy birthday. How are you going to celebrate? We hope you will do something fun. Have you won anything lately? Don is always amazed at all the trips you and Gosia had won. A very lucky family!

Enjoy your special day.

Love,
Carmen, Don, Carlos and Titi

Vero Beach

We spent the weekend in Vero Beach and it was very nice. Friday night we stayed by the outlet mall and ate at Cracker Barrel. It had been years since we last ate there. I think we ate at that same location with Mema and Grandpa. The kids loved the rocking chairs and the store.

We stayed at the Disney resort on Saturday night. We got there early in the day and spent the day by the pool. We were lucky with the weather. It was windy but not cloudy or raining like it was supposed to be. The ocean was rough and noisy, very impressive. Carlos and Titi loved the pool's slide and the miniature golf. It was a great place to go because they were able to play while we sat and read.

Titi lost her first tooth!

Well, she didn't loose it exactly. The dentist had to take it because the root had some problems but it is the first baby tooth that Titi is missing. She didn't want to leave it for the tooth fairy yesterday but she will definitely leave it tonight. Carlos is still missing that tooth so now they have matching smiles.

Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Death

In Mexico we celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1st. and 2nd. It is a custom to visit cemeteries and put an altar with food offerings for the people that have died in your family. It is believed that their souls will come and visit you on those days and will eat and drink the food that you leave for them. We always put an ofrenda for my mom, sister, grandparents and other relatives. My sister also puts one at her house.

I miss the special bread the bakeries make for this celebration. They also sell sugar and chocolate skulls with names on their foreheads and you usually receive some from family and friends. I also miss the smells associated with this holiday. You usually find lots of flower vendors in the markets and streets, and it smells like flowers, specially marigolds and amaranth flowers. It also smells like candles and incense, the one used at churches. I am going to try to buy some bread at a latin store or will try to make some next week.

More Halloween

Halloween is over but who knows when we will be able to take the decorations down. I told Carlos I was going to start taking them down and he became upset. He said he wanted to keep them for a long time... I will try taking them one by one and see how it goes.

This was a busy Halloween week. On Thursday Carlos and Titi had their first school dance. I helped decorate the school cafeteria and all the kids were very excited to see the decorations. The school has approx. 1,100 students but the cafeteria can only accommodate 500 people so the tickets sold fast. Carlos and Titi didn't really dance but they were happy to see some of their classmates and walk around. They also had a decorated pumpkin contest and we brought the pirate one. We didn't win but it was fun seeing it among the other pumpkins.


On Saturday we went to the parade in downtown Delray. After school on Monday we went to a nearby shopping center where the kids were able to trick or treating some more. They also saw a magician.

On Tuesday morning the kids had their classroom parties. Fortunately they were at different hours and I was able to help in both. They had a lot of fun and they got lots of goodies.

On Tuesday night Don took Carlos and Titi trick or treating around the neighborhood and I stayed home to give candy. The came back with lots of candy. I didn't have that many trick or treaters and we had lots of candy left. We convinced Carlos and Titi to leave all the candy
we had in the front porch and see if the Big Pumpkin would take it and would leave a toy in its place. It came and it left them a toy and a stuffed animal. They are happy about it and I am super happy because the kids won't eat candy and I won't have to see it around.

Halloween Parade

On Saturday we went to the Halloween Parade. Last year it was cancelled because of hurricane Wilma and the kids were dissapointed. This is the third or fourth year we have gone. The children get lots of candy from all the downtown stores, then all the children and parents walk in a parade to the park by the intercoastal, and they have a children's festival there. The kids get free ice cream. This year we took cousin Allison too. Her dad is in the hospital and we hope he will be better soon. She is a great girl.

Football

Last week Don and Titi went to the Dolphins game in Miami. They had fun. Don said that Titi behaved very well and she entertained herself by drawing and playing with some small toys. The Dolphins lost (surprise!) but it was a good game.
I went to a plant swap and Mema and Grandpa were extremely nice and took care of Carlos.

Happy birthday Uncle Dave!

Today is uncle David's 80th birthday!! We hope he is having a great day. Congratulations!!!

Pumpkin Time!

The Halloween party at the clubhouse was nice, we all had a good time. Don and the kids wore their costumes and we decorated the 2 pumpkins for the kids contest. Titi took a lot of time deciding how to decorate her pumpkin but she finally chose a pirate costume. I helped her glue it on the pumpkin and it looked great. Carlos chose a mummy. It was a hit too. The food was good, they had a magic show for the kids, a bounce house and a train ride. They gave prizes to all the kids that decorated their pumpkins and Carlos and Titi were happy when they got theirs.




It is pumpkin time. On Friday we went to a pumpkin patch with Nico, Carlos and Titi's friend from Guatemala. They kids had a good time and we chose two pumpkins to decorate for Saturday's Halloween party in our development.

Belly dancing

Mimi invited me once again to a belly dancing/Halloween event and it was so much fun. It was held at a Tex-Mex restaurant and the food was good. Tere and Eli were able to go too. Mimi looked great, she was wearing one of her belly dancing costumes. Tere and Eli wore some costumes too. I went as myself, a "tired mommy".

The people that danced were excellent. They also had a costume contest and some raffles. Mimi won a bracelet! Tere won a session with a life coach.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTY!!

Yesterday was Marty's birthday. We hope she liked the little things we sent her. Wishing you lots of health, love and happiness! See you on Thanksgiving.