Author: Yajaira

We had a low-key Father’s Day for Jorge, which is what he wanted 🙂 . I started his day off by letting him sleep in and making him a good hearty, fatherly breakfast 😀 .

We gave him his gifts as well and then we lounged around. Well, he lounged around, as he should on his day. I puttered around the rest of the day being awesome and doing laundry (though, I admit, not as good as he does it!)

My kiddos were picked up by Mario the night before to celebrate Father’s Day with them, but he brought them back by 3pm Sunday, just in time for the botana from Espi’s for lunch.

The girls gave my love his gifts (letters and drawings) they made for him.

And then Emily went straight into Mommy mode and made everyone giant chocolate and sprinkles-covered marshmallows.

Then she made Jorge a Funfetti cake, all on her own, I just supervised and took the pans in and out of the oven.

She mixed, baked, iced, sprinkled and served it, all on her own. Brings a tear to my eye!

The girls (and sometimes the boys) take turns helping in the kitchen.

We watched Finding Dory, which made us all pretty emotional at the end. Emily and I actually clutched each other, in tears, and Alaethia ran to the bathroom, heh. It was a good, cute movie, though!

Eenan had an appointment Wednesday afternoon so I quickly finished my to-do list at work and was out by 3pm. I went to pick up Eenan and Emily, who wanted to tag along (my little shadow!) 

I love that that little lady wants to follow me everywhere! Since she’s my “last” baby, I embrace it, as once she stops following me around, that’s it! No more babies to follow me! 😥 Anyway. That was depressing!

While we waited, we took Snapchat selfies.

After the appointment, we went next door to Stripes because Eenan and Emmos wanted Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. And then I threw in some Butterfinger Cups, sour watermelon gummies and a Snapple, because they were on sale. Oh. Em. Gee. Someone must stop me 🙁 .

We visited Gramma right after and spent some time with her. Then I got home to make dinner.

I managed to go walking at the park 3 times out of the week and even asked the boys to go, but of course they had more important things to do, like play Playstation, or Xbox, or sleep (*cough* Eenan *cough*). 

Right after I had my surgery, they kept asking to go running, which of course, I couldn’t. But now that I can walk briskly/run in intervals, they don’t want to go 😐 .

Wednesday night after I’d come back from jogging, Jorge accompanied me to HEB to get some water and milk. We ended up with a bunch of brownie mixes (they were buy one get one free!) and we already had free cookie dough.

So Emily jumped on the counter to mix the brownie mix and Jorgie and Alaethia pressed the raw cookie dough into the bottom of the muffin pans. The end result was rich and delicious and probably extremely unhealthy!

We ate them while we watched a movie–I lie, I immediately passed out during the starting credits!

Oh Thursday, the day the other parents and us “switch” the kids, I had a doctor’s appointment and then I rushed home to pick up Jaylen, Alaethia and Emily so I could take them to Sky Park’s ribbon cutting. Eenan didn’t want to go so he stayed with Mom (typical) and Jorgie, Justin and Jules had already been picked up by their mother. Our work was specially invited to take our kids. Little did I know that jeans weren’t allowed, so poor Jaylen didn’t get to play, but he said it was worth the trip for the food alone 😆 .

The kids are on summer break, of course, but since I no longer have a job that allows me time off during the summer with them (well, since 2009 lol) I have to make do with the little time off I have, so we make the best of it!

Since the girls don’t have phones yet (and yes, at 7 and 9, they have already asked!) we communicate throughout the day on Pinterest messages 😆 . Love these kiddos! I need to make time to come up with activities to do with them and make some memories!

I had to type up this post super quick because, guys, this is the best EVER!

I’d seen the overnight oats and peanut butter jar oats on Pinterest, but still hadn’t had the opportunity to try them. I almost had a stroke a week ago when one of the kids threw out a perfectly good jar of almost-finished PB I could have used for this! But, my PB finished last night (yes, Mom has her own), so it all worked out!

I’ve made steel-cut oats on the stovetop with some cinnamon water, and I’ve microwaved them as well and they have *never* come out this soft and comforting!

I used:

16.3oz. Peter Pan Honey Cream Roast jar, almost empty of PB
1/3 cup dry steel-cut oats
2/3 cup of almond milk (or the milk of your choice)
1/2 a banana, sliced in half and then diced
A dash of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. of cinnamon

Dump everything into your almost-empty jar of peanut butter, replace the lid and give it a good shake! Leave in the fridge overnight and by the a.m.  it’ll be ready to go!

I don’t recommend microwaving the plastic PB jar since it can melt, but I’m a rebel, so I did–just for 30 seconds. And it was GLORIOUS!

You can follow the same steps without an almost-empty PB jar by putting all your ingredients into a tall microwaveable storage jar with lid or a Mason jar (add about a tablespoon of peanut butter). Not sure how those do in the microwave, though (I have to have warm oats!). I think I may try blueberries or strawberries next time, too! So good for taking to work or on errands with you!

Everyone that knows me in real life knows I don’t have your typical office job. There’s always something different going on, whether a meeting, event, seminar, visit from a group, expo, etc.

The days leading up to a visit from a group at work are usually hectic, and usually, these types of visits require a lot of walking, a lot of meetings, a lot of places to see. My favorite part: all the places we get to eat 😆 .

We started our first visit at Cracker Barrel, where I usually have the “healthier” version of the Good Morning Breakfast.

It was so good. Of course I’d have to have a biscuit, though 😳 !

We went to look at vacant properties, which was followed by a meeting at the Country Club. I’d taken an allergy medication (my allergies have been HELL lately!) so I was a bit drowsy, but I perked up once they brought this to the table!

It was heavenly! Seriously, one of the best things I ate during this excursion! I was sad I wasn’t able to devour the entire thing 🙁 .

We had several more meetings throughout the day and it was so humid and hot and just unbearable outside. We took a break around 4pm, so I freshened up at home and tried sleeping my sinus headache away but it was a no-go 😕 .

Dinner was at House.Wine & Bistro, one of my all-time faves. We decided to go for small plates and appetizers and share, which was totally fine with me since I was still somewhat digesting lunch!

These are probably my absolute FAVORITE!

And then it was time for dessert! I’m still not over the fact that they discontinued the Banoffee 🙁 , but the S’mores Mousse and Apple Pie with Cheddar Ice Cream was pretty darn satisfying!

(OMG. Take me back!!)

We had early meetings the next morning, so I had a quick breakfast at home (half a PB sandwich on wheat), very early in the morning. By the time we stopped for lunch, I was starving! We went to the newest Palenque Grill location on Nolana, which I hadn’t been to yet. I ordered the same thing I’ve ordered at the first location: the Shrimp-Stuffed Tilapia. The cream in this dish is so delicious!

The plates are certainly enough for two people; I shared over half of my tilapia, which was good considering we headed straight to another meeting right after lunch, and I was having trouble staying awake 😆 . I would have straight-up passed out if I’d eaten the entire thing!

We took another break so I went home and freshened up (it was another scorcher!) and I tidied up my bedroom till it was time to go.

Dinner was at Bodega Tavern & Kitchen and the whole experience was just amazing!

My dish was the Chicken Roulade, which included a quail egg and ravioli. Some of my favorite foods all in one dish! I got to sample the brussels sprouts as well, which were SO GOOD! It kind of reminded me of the ready-salad I buy at HEB with the brussels sprouts, kale and cranberries that I toss cayenne shrimp into!

Isn’t that the prettiest cocktail??

Then it was time for dessert! I didn’t catch a photo of the mousse, but I did capture one of the strawberry shortcake 3-leches!

Again, it was a good thing we shared dessert because I COULD HAVE eaten that entire thing.

My babies all got back from their other parents’ houses that evening. I got home and the little ones wanted to play, so of course I obliged!

We had a *super* early meeting on Friday morning, so I woke up and ate a quick breakfast. Eenan was already awake and wanted to learn to make scrambled eggs. I looked at the clock–I had time, so Emily joined us and we have him a quick lesson. I rushed my directions at the end, and Emily noticed, because she said, “It’s ok Mom. I’ll stay with this kid” 😆 . She’s such a little mom!

We were on the road by 7:45am, arrived at the meeting at 8:30am as scheduled…and they told us we were at the wrong place. So much for my completed notes; now we had to start from scratch again. There were about 4 hours till the next meeting, and our guests had new forms to fill out and wanted to check something out on the island, so after getting the OK, we headed there!

They filled out what needed filling out and after Googling a few things and making a few calls, I got to sit back and relax. They finished up their paperwork and we headed back to town for lunch.

You can’t go wrong with Luby’s! I am not ashamed to say I polished off that entire bowl of mac-n-cheese!

We headed to the next meeting, which was another head-nodder to be honest. But I paid attention and listened like a good grasshopper.

I broke away from the group at 4pm when we got back to the office. I said my good-byes, since they’d be having dinner with another group and I had to be at the Food Park to help set-up for the vendors and our Unplugged event. But first, I checked up on the kids. Since Jorge was also tied up at work, he ordered pizzas for them so Mom wouldn’t have to worry. I would have taken them kids with me, but the heat was unbearable. The girls would have been miserable (and would have made me spend about $30 at the market once the vendors showed up like last time!).

Since it was boiling and I had 30 minutes to spare(seriously, heat index was 114!), I joined EZ and Michelle at SALT. I had enough time for one cocktail before I had to rush off. So I had a Paloma.

And EZ ordered the Baked Alaska.

Holy, moly. It was to die for!!

Once 6pm came around I went back to the Food Park 2 blocks away and started set-up. I was lonely for a while, but then EZ, Michelle, Rosie, Val, Ryan and Rick showed up. Our performers for the night, Just the Two of Us, were fantastic!!

Of course I had to eat dinner, so Taqueria Los Brothers brought me their awesome lemonade and shrimp tacos. Oh geez. So good!!

I regret nothing! Ok, maybe just a little… 😀