Category: Photos

I realized I updated my theme (cupcake) and lost the changes I made. FML. Fixing it will have to wait. I’m barely getting time to sit and type up a blog post, much less fix the whole darn layout =\. I think I’m switching back to an old one.

Anywho. The Sunday after the last day I posted we chilled out at home with the kids. We (or should I say: Jorge) started one of our Sunday projects. He installed speakers into our kitchen ceilings. It’s so much more fun to cook now :).

He also installed a Roku in the kitchen nook. The kids had more fun than we did looking up things for ME to cook LOL.

The week leading up to Spring Break was kind of a blur. Work was all about my upcoming event, and in hindsight it was a good distraction, since I wouldn’t have the kids this Spring Break. It was their dad’s turn. I’d had them the entirety of the week last year and I was lucky I’d get them a few extra days this year, since it was also their dad’s weekend.

BUT. I’m happy to say I’m dealing with my separation anxiety much better these days. (Poor Jorge remembers the blubbering mess I was this past 4th of July–when we’d spent almost a week with them in Austin and when their dad came to pick them up I dissolved into a billion pieces and was just SAD. Nothing Jorge did (bless his heart) could cheer me up. Only somewhat did I cheer up when he brought the ladder out of the garage into the backyard and we stood as high as we could to see the huge fireworks display from Municipal Park. I love him *swoon*).

Monday right after work, I drove home, picked up the girls and Mom and we met up with Mario and the boys for Jaylen’s Open House. Of course his teacher spoke the world of him *beams*. He’s a millionaire in reading (1 million words read) and he aces his benchmarks. His GT teacher also said he’s a great student. We got to see his quilt that they’re actually learning how to sew on their own :).

Alaethia had picture day the next day:

And after work I rushed to Eenan’s school for his Open House this time. (Their school district wanted to cram everything into one week >_<.) Eenan's teachers also spoke the world of him, but one of them brought up that he'd been falling asleep in class, and another reiterated the statement. I couldn't believe neither one of them--especially his father--brought it to my attention. You can imagine the lecturing that happened after that! To both of them! I can't believe both of them kept this from me. It was annoying on his dad's part, and disappointing on Eenan's =\. The kiddos had muffins and punch (ugh) at the little reception afterwards and then we went outside, where Mario and Eenan received another lecturing. And then the girls and I came home and arrived to this wonderful dinner made by my love:

And he greeted the girls like this:

*sigh* I know. He’s great *hearts in eyes* :).

During work the next day (the 6th), after 3:30pm, Michelle and I went on a search for cupcakes. I didn’t even want any, but I cave into peer pressure :(. We ended up at Icing’s and got these:

I’m proud to say that I gave half to my boss back at the office and the girls shared the other half. These cupcakes were HUGE.

On the 7th, I got out of work and picked up my boys and we turned up the music while I cooked dinner. Harlem Shake came on, and this happened:

And Jaylen danced so hard he passed out!

It’s always a blast with these kiddos!

I’d seen on Mama Laughlin’s site–and had seen several times on Pinterest–how to cook a spaghetti squash instead of using pasta. I thought this was a great idea since Jorge really isn’t into pastas (but will eat them if I cook it). I was hoping I could trick the girls into eating it, too, since they LOVE spaghetti.

It was GREAT and even my picky Aly liked it :). That’s a good one to repeat.

We just hung around that evening. I’m pretty sure I passed out on the sofa with the kids, heh. Typical of our Fridays!

Yesterday, I had one of those types of Saturdays that, as a child, I envisioned having with my best friend as an adult. Like when you’re playing Barbies with your BFF and your Barbies are having brunch and then go shopping? Like that. And the best part is: it’s the same BFF!

I had a hard time sleeping after Jorge left to work (he later told me he was telepathically trying to wake me ’cause he was jealous buahaha). I may or may not have had a headache/hangover due to going out the night before >_<.

Darn air and smoke in there makes my eyes squinty!! >_<

But I took an Aleve and began scrubbing the kitchen down since I was making lunch for Sally after she got out of work :).

A corner of my kitchen counter becomes bombarded with mail and Alaethia’s work she brings home from school. I feel such guilt throwing some of it out, but OMG. I can’t keep all of it. It’s overwhelming. So I have the cutest things she makes saved in a small box. I later asked Sally what in the world she did with all of Quentin’s stuff and she, too, has his work piled in a box.

What do other Mom’s do with your kids’ work??

I scrapbooked some of Eenan’s and Jaylen’s. When I was a “new mom”, I literally kept EVERY. SINGLE. THING. Eenan ever made in school (a huge Rubbermaid tote full) and eventually weeded out the cutest things (and almost shriveled up and died of sadness and guilt LOL) and scrapbooked them.

Anyway, eventually I made myself some breakfast: egg whites with mushrooms, fresh spinach, chives and bacon pieces.

I did my hair, stuck in my contacts and got ready to go drop Mom off with Gramma, withdraw my rent (*tear*) and head to HEB to get some ingredients I needed to make Sally some Pesto Bacon Caprese Paninis (recipe following photo below!).

I also found some cute Celosia flowers on sale for .99¢!! Yes. I’m going to try the garden thing again. Let’s hope we don’t get another hail storm!

I got home and unloaded the groceries and stuck new Plug-ins into the walls, heh. Sally arrived not long after. We caught up for about an hour and she rested on the sofa while I made our lunch. This is seriously one of my most favorite sandwiches EVER.

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RECIPE:

For 2 sandwiches, you will need:

♥ 6 bacon slices
♥ Pesto sauce. I use 1 whole Knorr Pesto packet (in the gravy section;) or half a jar of HEB Basil Pesto (I prefer this one)
♥ 2-3 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
♥ 4 slices Oroweat Premium Italian Bread (you can always use your favorite whole wheat)
♥ 4 fresh Mozzarella medallions (I used: 7oz Galbani Mozzarella Fresca Medallions)
♥ 2 large tomato slices
♥ Black Pepper
♥ A handful of fresh spinach

In a large skillet, fry your bacon at medium-high heat. In another, smaller pan, set your burner to low-medium heat and heat up your Pesto. Drain your bacon and toss into the Pesto pan. Make sure all of your bacon is covered. Simmer.

Now, since I hate using so many pans, I washed my bacon pan and set it to medium heat. Drizzle your olive oil and place two bread slices on it. Quickly spread some of the hot pesto sauce the bacon has been simmering in on the bread slices. Add two Mozzarella medallions to one of your bread slices. On top of that, add 1 tomato slice, sprinkle with pepper, add half of your spinach and on top of your spinach add 3 of the pesto bacon slices. Using a spatula or tongs, check that your bread slice is golden brown. Cover the full bread slice with the single one. Repeat for your next sandwich. Enjoy with your favorite hot or cold tea :).

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In this case we had some hot Lipton Island Mango & Peach tea sweetened with honey. I think I found a new favorite tea!

(I just told Jorge I was putting up the recipe for the Caprese sandwich and he said, “What you need to do is put it on the stove!” Buahahahaha. He’s only half-joking.)

We ate, sat back and reflected on how darn good that food was, and got ready to head out to Goodwill. Back in the day, like around 2007, I’d go religiously, every Saturday that they had their 50% off sale. Target takes all their clearance stuff there, brand-new. You could buy anything at 50% off. So we thought we’d give it a try.

We spent about 2 hours there and found tons of new stuff, including new running shorts and cute matching beach hats. I was a little sad I didn’t find any scrapbooking stuff like I used to, but we did arrive a little late.

Since I gave myself a budget I put a few things back, but now I’m having the opposite of Buyer’s Remorse! Although they changed the rules and not everything is 50% off during those sales (brand-new items with barcode tags are the price on the tag) you still can’t beat those prices!

Our next stop was Iguana Rana’s, which is a snack shop. We were still full from lunch, but we had some natural agua de sandia (watermelon water). It was SO GOOD.

We got home and talked some more about an event she has coming up. I hope to be of some help since I can’t totally throw this bash on my own =\. I need to get on Pinterest and research some things :).

Sally left and I tidied up a bit and then relaxed till Jorge got home. I asked him if he wanted me to make dinner, but he said we’d go to Walmart to get a few things and find something quick to make.

Our humungous cats are so horribly messy we decided it was time to get them a new, covered litterbox. Then we found a Lazy Groomer cat bed, which will be great for Kika because she loves sleeping on our mats and covers them in her fur (I know, gross!).

We walked around some more and wandered into the garden section. They didn’t have the plants I wanted, but we did find a topiary. I’ve been wanting one of those darn things since we moved into the house almost 2 years ago (2 years we’ve lived here! Damn!).

We found a cute pot, got a few more things and finally left. It was quite a feat shoving that tiny tree into the BMW >_<. I spoke to Eenan for a good hour while I was making dinner and watching Jorge fix the topiary. We ate, and watched a tiny bit of "The Hobbit". Great Saturday, indeed!!

Today was one of those sllloooowww days at work. I’m going to try and blog as quickly as I can since Jorge is on his way home and I have to make dinner soon, eep!

Had this week’s breakfast of peach oatmeal and my hazelnut coffee. I don’t know how I’m ever going to lose weight if I can’t stop having that darn coffee! It’s just something that I refuse to do without. The peaches and cream oatmeal on the other hand…I may as well be eating a fricken candy bar!

I made some calls, tidied up my desk, looked for more contacts and answered some emails. And only an hour had passed, ugh. It felt like an eternity till it was lunch time!

My love picked me up at work and we went to Butter Cream Deli-Cafe. This is such a cute place. I just love the atmosphere. We ordered our food, and since we had a coupon, had to order a crepe (no really, we HAD to!). Jorge said, “Order it with whatever you want. I don’t want any. I’m not sure what it is.” So I got the same one Sally ordered yesterday, the strawberries with caramel drizzle.

As we spoke and ate Jorge took a bite of the crepe. He said, “Oh. My. God. This is wrong.” He loved it! I giggled and said, “This is somewhat reminiscent of those tortillas with syrup you ate as a kid.” He said, “Who knew I was making crepes!!”

I love the sandwiches. Next time I need to ask for less bread, though =\.

He dropped me off at work…and the afternoon dragged. When 5 o’clock FINALLY rolled around all I wanted to do when I got home was go for a jog and then chill with my love but we’d already told Karina and Michelle we’d go to Cigar Bar. We haven’t gone out in a while, and we’re kidless, so it’ll be nice. I feel lazy though, heh. And my nails, which I did last night using a Pinterest tutorial, seem to have cracked. Well, not all of them, but some.

I think it has something to do with the gel stuff. Or maybe I did too many layers. Oh well, it’s gonna have to last the weekend.

Ok. Gotta call my boys and get some pork in the oven and then get ready :).