Eat your heart out Picasso

One of the rooms we did not paint in our new house is the kitchen. I like how the white walls and lots of natural light make the space feel airy and open. That being said, I did still want to bring in color by the way of rugs, accessories and art work. I've been keeping an eye out for a print or painting,or something I could frame and put over the fireplace in our kitchen and just haven't found anything that throws my hair back. Then yesterday, as I was emptying out Cruz's backpack and admiring all his preschool artwork, I had the a-ha moment: what better art than that made by Cruz? It's bright, colorful, abstract in some cases, and means so much more to me than anything I could buy in a store.

I took a wooden frame that doesn't have glass in it but has wire strung across it in rows, and used clothespins to hang a couple of pieces. Then I took these great art clips and strung it cross the fireplace so I could display a few more. I loved it instantly! Cruz was so excited to see his art work being displayed and it made me feel good to give him that sense of pride in his creations. We will be rotating the art work out as he continues to bring new ones home, and I can't wait to see how our little art gallery continues to evolve.

5th Birthday Celebration part 1

Although we have a big birthday bash planned for this weekend, I couldn't let Cruz's actual birthday go by without some fanfare. After he fell asleep last night, Randy and I decorated his bedroom with balloons and streamers to surprise him when he woke up. I also hung a banner downstairs - this banner is a family tradition that I started with his 2nd birthday. It's just a brightly-colored cloth banner that I pull out and hang up for each family member's birthday.

Groggy but surprised (bottom right)

Since Cruz didn't have school today, I took him to Scandia (a family fun center) along with his best buddy Doren. They had a blast playing video games, running and climbing in the indoor jungle gym area. Since it was a weekday they had the place practically to themselves.

Birthdays are better with friends

One activity that Cruz has recently discovered and fallen in love with is laser tag. He did it for the first time a couple of months ago at a classmate's party and he can't get enough. In fact, he and Randy spent an afternoon playing laser tag a few weeks ago for some daddy-son quality time. So of course, today was no exception on his birthday fun day.

Suited up

Ready to go!

After all that fun, the boys worked up an appetite for a pizza lunch.

Meanwhile, mommy worked up an appetite for caffeine, so we stopped at Starbucks on the way home. Cruz was happy to get his favorite chocolate milk and a birthday cake pop.

So easy to please

Check back soon to see birthday celebration part II at the Jelly Belly Factory!

Cruz turns 5

Today my son Cruz turns 5 years old. In our house we like to celebrate every birthday as a milestone, and I absolutely LOVE making a big deal out of these special days. The way I see it, we are never guaranteed tomorrow, so each day should be embraced and cherished.

I don't know what I did to deserve Cruz, but I thank God from the bottom of my heart for this child. . His first 5 months as a newborn were rough on Randy and I - he was fussy, sensitive to noise, a fitful sleeper and seemed high maintenance. Then, 6 months rolled around and we got into a groove. From that point on, Cruz was the easiest, calmest baby. We took 5 airplane flights before he turned 2, with the furthest being Chicago at 18 months, all because he was such a good traveler. He never had the Terrible Twos and has to this day, never thrown a single tantrum. 2 years ago we took a family trip to Fiji. We traveled for about 16 hours and he didn't complain once and just went with the flow.

He is sweet, smart, thoughtful and loving. When we are together, he tells us "I love you" almost every hour of the day (not exaggerating). He picks flowers for me and tells me he thinks about me when he's at school. He loves his little brother Lucas and gets upset whenever someone (jokingly) says they're going to borrow him. Cruz is not the adventurous, daredevil type of kid and tends to be more cautious but will try new things. He loves to read books, pick fruits and vegetables, play Angry Birds, watch movies, dress up in his fireman costume, play outdoors and ride his bike. He's not a picky eater but prefers simple foods like chicken and rice, bread with ham, scrambled eggs, fruit, and of course, chips and cookies! He has a pure heart and gentle spirit and I marvel at him every day. He is the best thing I've ever done and as we say to each other, "I love you bigger than the ocean!"

Happy 5th birthday to my son Cruz.

Tomato, To-mah-to

Earlier this week Randy came home with a surprise for Cruz - tomato plants to grow! Last summer Cruz became obsessed with picking fruits and vegetables at his daycare, and spent a lot of time harvesting in Ms. Nelia's backyard. He loved it so much that I took him to Larry's Produce and Impossible Acres just so he could pick stuff.  I made a note to myself then, that next spring I would look into growing our own tomatoes. Serendipitously, Randy's coworker shows up last week with a tray of starter plants for his prize-winning heirloom tomatoes!



Surprise from Daddy!

After doing a little bit of research (i.e. watching YouTube videos) and a trip to Home Depot, Randy and Cruz had everything they needed to plant the starters, and they got to work.


Prepping the organic soil

Filling Cruz's water bottle

Proud gardener

Vinson Watts

Golden Girl

They planted two varieties, Golden Girl and Vinson Watts, and they happen to be the two that I tend to buy from the store. Golden Girl in particular is a beautiful yellow gold color, while Vinson Watts are a deep red with fleshy meat - both so delicious!

Watering the plants

The plants will need to be watered every day, so we've told Cruz that that is his new "job" and needs to remember to do it once he gets home each evening. We expect the first fruit in July and we are all so excited! Ironically, Cruz is not a huge fan of actually eating  tomatoes, but I'm hoping that this will be a turning point now that he's growing them himself. I on the other hand, LOVE them and can't wait to have fresh, homegrown tomatoes readily on hand.

Randy, Cruz and their handiwork

Welcome home Daddy

Sometimes the kids get so excited when Randy gets home that they clamor into the driver's seat and he can't even get out! He loves seeing their faces light up and the shrieks of delight when he pulls up to the house - just too cute!