Hey peeps! I’m participating in Spanish Friday today from Latinaish, meaning my post will be in English AND Spanish. After you read this post, you’ll understand why (though you can pretty much figure it out from the post title).

English:

The past six months have been quite the roller coaster. It went from a low point of my father passing away in his native Costa Rica back in December to high points of  launching Content Brew on my other blog and getting the best job ever.

Ever since I returned from Costa Rica, I’ve been ready to go back. This time, with the kids. None of my relatives there (I have over 40 of them!) have ever met them, except for my step-mom.

So this summer, we’re headed to Costa Rica for THREE WEEKS!

The kids' freshly printed pasaportes

Daddy Roo will fly there with us and stay about 10 days then the kids and I stay longer. Since I really can’t take three weeks off work, after Daddy Roo leaves I’ll do my work each day (4 hours) while my step-mom and multitud of aunts watch the kids.

Why three weeks? Because I want to immerse them a bit. I want them to learn more Spanish than I’ve taught them so far. And I want to increase my fluency. I don’t really consider myself fluent (although my almost daily Facebook chats with cousins has helped tremendously). I can read and write pretty well but I’m the worst at speaking (okay, maybe my writing can improve a bit too).

I can’t wait. To introduce my kids to their family. To see my dad’s headstone (it wasn’t there when I left back in December). To just be there.

Español:

Los últimos seis meses han sido un montaña rusa. Se pasó de un punto bajo de mi padre falleciendo en su país natal en diciembre a los puntos altos del lanzamiento Content Brew en mi otro blog y hacer el mejor trabajo del mundo.

Desde que volví de Costa Rica, he estado lista a volver. Este tiempo, con los niños.

Summer’s pretty much here around these parts.

Both kids love water. Well, except cold water. Luckily the kiddy pool was just right.

No, no, my eyelashes are not this long. WISH!Have you hit the pool yet this year?

Almost 12 years.

Daddy Roo and I have been married nearly 12 years… yet we just bought our first patio furniture set.

GASP.

(If they look like trouble, it's because THEY WERE.)

I’m actually not really sure how we made it this long without outdoor furniture. When hubby was in grad school, we were too poor for one. Then we moved to Arizona. We ate out a lot and spent our money on traveling or hiking gear. Then we moved to an apartment in Durham for six months so we didn’t have space.

And finally our house in Raleigh. It was the first place where we actually had a good place for furniture but our first summer in this house was, um, three years ago. Sometimes we’d bring our folding card table outside and on occasion the kids and I have even just eaten lunch on a blanket on the porch.

But THIS WAS THE YEAR. The year for all the glory of finally having a normal place to sit outside and eat.

To enjoy the warm breeze while we casually sip on beers. To eat some grilled chicken and hear the birds chirp. To have the kids be so excited by the prospect of eating outside that they’d sit perfectly still and devour their food while we all laugh and talk and smile.

UM, YEAH RIGHT.

I’m not sure where I had gotten this picture-perfect event of eating outside into my mind. After all, we have two kids under six.

The kids were WAY excited about eating outside so it started off okay.

But once we actually got outside, it all went downhill. It was TOO different and too distracting.

Little Roo, who is usually sitting in a booster seat (strapped in, mind you) just wanted to walk around, throw balls and go down the steps into the yard.

Big Roo took his squirminess to new heights. And of course he spilled his milk all over the place.

It was a dinner full of “No, don’t do that,” “Watch it!”, Be careful!” and “SIT STILL.”

I’m not sure why I expected the relaxing, perfect dinner outside. After all, long gone are the days of pleasant evening dinners.

But I had a sliver of optimism that it was possible.

Maybe in about five years.

It’s been a while since I got all crafty. But when I find out my baby sister Jennifer was pregnant, I knew my crafty side would come out once again (rubbing my hands together in glee).

My other sister, Jen’s sister-in-law and I threw one heck of a shower for the parents-to-be. With the three of us planning from three separate states, I’m pretty proud of how everything turned out.

The Theme

My sister picked out these adorable elephant invitations from etsy, which formed the color scheme for the shower: teal and orange. I’m in LOVE with the color combination- it made everything just pop (no pun intended for the mother-to-be). I got to break my out graphic design skills for the decor, Jen’s sister-in-law shined with her event planning skills and supplies and my other sister used her awesomeness to decorate the mailbox, puff pretty hanging puffs and helped make everything look fantastic.

The Entrance

We welcomed guests with a sign I made that I backed with cardboard. My sister added a nice touch to the mailbox… something a bit more chic than the typical tie-a-balloon-to-the-mailbox look.

The Inside

The weather was so beautiful that we ended up setting up most of the party outside, but we made sure to have decorations inside as well. I tried to keep the elephant theme throughout some of the signs I made because, well, elephants are just cute. And so are babies.

I’ve made a pennant banner before and I actually referred back to my how to make a paper banner tutorial to do this one! Luckily it turned out just as nice! 

Pretty Cupcakes

These cupcakes we did NOT make but aren’t they gorgeous? The design for the cupcake toppers was from the same etsy shop, then you just print them, cut them out (I used a scalloped punch) and glue lollipop sticks onto the back using a glue gun.

Orange-themed Food

My sister’s sister-in-law had the wonderful idea to have all orange-colored food. Some of the snacks? Pimento cheese sandwiches, roasted-red pepper dip with pretzels, hummus with carrots, cheddar popcorn, cheese balls and cantaloupe.

She’s also pretty much genius at setting up the table, adding layers and all the stuff I’m clueless at. We made a great team.

And ORANGE CANDY!!!!! That’s pretty much what the kids screamed. Why yes, we made a cool candy “bar” with all types of orange candy (and actual orange fruit for good measure). We added pops of teal in there as well but orange candy was quite easier to find.

Here’s another closer look at the dips. I bought these cups for Party City, then made little circles with elephants inside them and stuck them to the cups. I chuckled just a bit when I made the “dip baby dip” sign. Oh yes, I’m a riot.

Baby Shower Games

We had such a great time hanging out at the party that we actually never got around to playing the games! But the setup did look mighty pretty. I made those labels to cover the baby food jars then noticed they would work PERFECTLY to cover the diapers for the “poopy diaper game”- you know, the game where you have to sniff diapers filled with melted candy bars? Maybe it’s better we didn’t play that one.

The Couple of Honor

I couldn’t post this without showing you the glowing parents-to-be. I’m so thrilled for them and can’t wait to meet their little munchkin next month! (By the way, in the picture on the bottom right, the first two girls are my sisters… we don’t look much alike do we?! But I promise we’re 100% sisters).

And there ya go! A bright, beautiful teal and orange themed baby shower for my baby sister. Now to meet that baby.

If you liked this crafty goodness, then check out my back-t0-back birthday party (owls and Mickey Mouse) too. While I won’t ever do two parties like that again, I can revel in the fact that I did it. Hehe.

Yep, I’ll be back later this week with another post but today I’ve got two things going on that I just wanted to share!

First, head over to Momcomm where I’m spilling the beans about what I’ve been so stoked about lately! Hint: it’s a new gig. But you won’t believe where!

The Buzz about My New Gig

Second, I’m hanging out at Natalie’s blog Mommy of a Monster today sharing my Mommy Moment. And I somehow managed to mention 90s rap songs.

Mommy Moment- Melissa Style

Enjoy!

I hate to say something trite like “wow- it’s already April?!” but seriously, what the hay? It’s like I blinked and it’s here.

At the beginning of each year, I choose one word that I want to live and breathe throughout the year. To me, it’s better than a bunch of resolutions I can’t follow. Instead, it’s like a one-word mantra that I can keep in the back of my head when I make life’s big and small choices.

Each quarter of the year, I want to update you (and myself) about how I’m doing with that word… even if it’s not exactly where I want to be. For 2012, SIMPLIFY is my word.

So How Am I Doing?

1. My Blogging Life

As I promised myself, I changed to one Twitter handle, which has been the best thing ever. I don’t even remember life with two Twitter handles- it’s like my mind blocked that out because it was so painful. Heh. At first, I missed the @adventuroo Twitter handle but there’s something so liberating about me just being ME on Twitter.

As for this blog, you’ll notice that some weeks I only post once, sometimes two times and even some weeks I don’t even post (like last week). While it’s not ideal, guess what? I’M OKAY WITH IT. I refuse to post just to post and so I only post when I have something to say (and time to say it). I’m not seeking sponsored posts, ambassadorships or advertising here at Adventuroo. It’s not saying I won’t say yes if it’s a good fit but my work life has picked up so something has to give. I’m not superwoman… but I love writing. So Adventuroo is my creative outlet where my words are personal, not about blogging or a client’s products. It’s not going anywhere but I’ve let go of any pressure to be here and just write when I can and hope you read it.

2. My Work Life

I originally talked about things like taming email and simplifying some client documents. Well, email is still a work in progress. Ahem.

But client stuff has taken a super, fab, totally awesome turn for the best! In fact, it’s so mindblowingly BIG that I’m saving my news for its own post next week!

It’s kind of funny how things work. A few weeks ago I was scared sick about the lack of consistent client work. And then opportunities just seemingly starting popping up. And one stayed popped up. And boy I can’t wait to tell you about it!

3. My Personal Life

Okay let’s see. I wanted to scrapbook again. So far that’s a NAY… however, I AM getting crafty. My youngest sister’s baby shower is this weekend so I’ve been designing, cutting and crafting lots of things for it. As I do so, I see all the unused patterned paper, chipboard and other scrapbook goodies that I really must get my hand on.

I’m teaching the kids Spanish like I wanted to I need to be better about it. Right now, I say little phrases and sometimes full sentences then repeat them in English. My goal is to try and see if I can speak to them for a couple of days a week mainly in Spanish. It’s ambitious but I want to give it a shot. MY Spanish has gotten loads better from speaking on Facebook chat with some of my family in Costa Rica. It’s been a big help but I know saying it out loud will still slow me down a bit.

Overall, I’m tired. I go to bed late because I do a gazillion things every day. I never feel caught up. With all the simplifying I STILL have so much on my plate. Work, kids, kindergarten starting (oh the school tours- our county doesn’t do neighborhood schools so it’s this big ole process), vacation planning, baby shower crafting, etc. etc. etc. I’m starting to wonder when I won’t feel so busy.

Hopefully I’ll be able to simplify some aspects of my life even more by my next update and will consistently go to bed before midnight again like the good ole days.

What about you? How are you doing with your goals for the year?

Sometimes I just sit and look back at the joy that kids find in the little things.

It’s my nature to sometimes intervene… to say “oh don’t do that.” or “be careful!” or “why don’t you come do this instead?” I’m by no means a helicopter mom but sometimes I just. can’t. shut. up.

So the other day I just watched and snapped pictures. Letting the Roos do what they do. Interact with each other. Learn from each other. Just PLAY for crying out loud.

And the playground equipment of choice this time were the swings.

Run, run, run.

TAKE OFF!

Up. Down.

Higher. Lower.

Zooming through the air like little planes. Feeling the rush of air, the freedom of both feet off the ground, the just-plain-fun of flying on a rubber swing.

Big Roo was the teacher. Showing Little Roo the ropes. Being older, he had enough balance to shoot his arms out and feel wind whizz through his little fingers.

And of course he was also the goof off.

Little Roo was the figuring it all out. How EXACTLY do I get on this thing? Let me watch my big brother and see how he does it.

After a while he decided he just wasn’t going high enough this way and decided that the bucket seat swing was much better for flying.

Looking through these pictures was a nice reminder to let the kids find their OWN adventures.

And just to sit back, snap a few pictures and watch.

We started Big Roo in soccer at age 3. Not because we were training a mini-Pelé but really because it’s just so stinkin’ cute.

With soccer teams come team names. When I signed him up, I didn’t really give it much thought. I pictured cheering for something like the Bears or the Eagles or the Kickers.

What I didn’t expect was any of the hilarious names we’ve had over the past few seasons.

Under the Sea

For Big Roo’s very first team, we cheered for…. the Lobsters!

The entire league was made up of cute, innocent ocean names like the Dolphins, the Starfish and then, oh yes, the crustaceans with claws that we eat on occasion. That name gave me a chuckle every time I said it.

Fluffy & Frilly (or Not)

When Big Roo turned 4, we hit the soccer fields again. We ended up with the same red jersey but the name was oh so different.

Ready?

Gooooooo Poodles!

Poodles?

This league was made up of Bulldogs, Retrievers and then someone decided 4-year-olds wouldn’t mind being called Poodles. Heh.

Lucky for us, even the coach couldn’t deal. She changed the team name to the Boxers. Muuuuch better.

Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy

Now Big Roo has moved onto the “bigger” league that goes up until age 12 or so. He has a real jersey (not a screen-printed t-shirt) and even in the picture below, he’s looking so much older.

So I figured we’d get into less kiddy cute names but oh was I wrong.

This year? I’m cheering for the Blueberries!

Hence the blue shirt. In the league, we have teams like the Kiwis, Strawberries, Grapes and Bananas (so many jokes I could do like “squash those Bananas!”).

I love that Big Roo was attached to Burt, his withering pink bear, at the beginning of his first game. But Burt ended up sitting with me on the sidelines cheering Big Roo on.

For all the making fun of the names, I know that Big Roo will move to the “normal” names soon enough. So I’ll enjoy the quirky, cute team names and enjoy it while it lasts.

What wacky team names have you heard that make you chuckle?

A couple of weeks ago my kids’ celebrated their 2nd and 5th birthdays (yep, the same day). Each year that birthdays roll around, I do the ole “What?! Time flieesssss” even when I know that it didn’t quite zoom by. I’m a big believer in capturing milestones, jotting down memories before they become fuzzy and recording just how fast those kids “grow like weeds.”

So each year I take a second to capture these five things on their birthday:

1. Pictures of the Kids

This one is pretty DUH obvious but when it’s a busy day, it’s easy to overlook. Be sure to grab your phone or camera and get a few shots of them opening a present, eating cake and just hanging out. We went to the park and I tried my hardest to get out of them looking at the camera. This was better than nothing!

2. Hand and Feet Prints

Okay okay so I won’t be able to really do this with Big Roo much longer because he will start saying I’m a dorky mom. But while they are young, it’s a great way to see their growth. All it takes is a little acrylic paint, a foam brush and a nice piece of paper.

The kids really get a kick out of this one.

3. Recording Milestones and Sayings

What are your kid’s favorite toys right now? TV shows? Food? What’s their personality like? What are some of the funny things they say? Take about 5 minutes and just jot down anything that you’ll want to remember years down the road.  I keep these milestones and sayings in a program called MacJournal. The free app Evernote is also a great choice!

4. Playing and Talking on Video

A birthday is a great excuse to record your child, even for just a few minutes, to capture personality, looks and sheer cuteness. You can take a video of them playing or even do a kid interview.

I know that years from now, I’ll enjoy hearing their little kid voices and laughs.

5. Measuring Their Growth on a Chart (or the Wall)

I started doing this when Big Roo turned one and it’s been a yearly tradition. It’s also been a yearly tradition to say I really should get a pretty growth chart.

But for now, it’s just pencil marks on the door frame. I love seeing the difference in height between my two boys.

It’s just a proof.

You know, the grainy picture you get from school with the word PROOF right over the center.

Well, this proof I knew was coming. They told me if was coming. But yet I still wasn’t prepared to see this…

My Big Roo, in a silky, purple gown with a cap sitting perfectly on top of his head.

No, I wasn’t prepared to see my now five-year-old looking so grown up.

He looks so much like me in this picture. The eyes, that smile. I can’t get over it.

I can’t get over that in a few months, he’ll trot off to Kindergarten ready to face a whole new world of cafeterias, school supplies and new friends.

I can’t get over that in a few months, he’ll be “school-aged” and not just a “preschooler.”

I can’t get over this proof.

But life ages us bit by bit, so swimming-through-mud slow that we don’t seem to notice how much we’ve grown until we’re smacked upside the head with something like a birthday. And then we say “oh time has just FLOWN by.”

And it has. But it hasn’t.

I didn’t really see a five-year-old until I saw this proof. Yet now I do. It’s like that stamp PROOF is indeed just that. Proof that Big Roo is just a little older than I realized.

Proof, indeed.

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