Preparing For Hurricane Sandy

We are now under Hurricane Sandy’s spell. I’m not sure how we will be affected during this hurricane but Sandy has been on quite the war path. Last year we had hurricane Irene and I didn’t think it was that bad. I was lucky we didn’t loose any power.

After last year’s Halloween snow storm and loosing power for a few days I had the man buy a generator. We are now feeling some of Sandy’s effects with the rain and wind. This morning I tell my husband to be a little proactive and get the generator ready but he just ignored me. It was still in the box since we got it. At noontime today I tell him that there are already 2700 people in Nashua and surrounding towns without power so he better move his ass and get his shit together. He was supposed to fly out this morning to New Jersey. Dipshit was more concerned with his conference call than preparing for his family-seriously WTF! I have two senior dogs and a toddler. It’s going to be quite a challenge trying to get my boxer to go potty in this weather. Chantal refuses to go out even in the slightest drizzle.

So out he goes to get the generator ready and come to find out he has to somewhat put it together – just needs to put the wheels on and realized that he needed oil for it. I give him the seriously WTF look again and he just kinda smirks. Dang he annoys me! So now my dipshit husband is driving around in this weather hoping to find some oil for our generator – oh and some coffee for me-hahaha!

So far the weather hasn’t been too bad with light rain but the wind is certainly picking up. I’ve been doing a little bit of cleaning, trying to keep Buggy busy and will try and do a little bit of baking before it really starts to get crazy. I’ve charged all our batteries, phones and iPads and have all our candles ready and then I’ll just be relaxing with my babies.

I hope those of you in Sandy’s path are staying safe. I’ll be praying and thinking of you. Stay safe everyone.

How are you guys preparing for Hurricane Sandy?

Irene

Hullabalu.com Review

Buggy isn’t really into dolls even now at almost three. I think they still scare her a bit especially ones that talk. But give her a stuffed animal and she’s all over it. She puts them in her stroller and we take them for walks with the dog. She loves to give them a check up to make sure that they are ok.

When I was given the opportunity to review a new company that sells the most adorable stuffed animals ever, I jumped at the chance. I received a special invite to check out their products and dang it, I had the hardest time deciding on what furry friend we wanted because they were all so cute. Since Buggy started watching DocMcStuffins on Disney Junior she’s been totally into dragons so we went with Cedric Draggory.

Cedric has been a great friend for Buggy. He watches over her when she naps, cuddles under the covers with her when watching TV and has even gone to school for show and tell. The kids loved him.

Cedric is a solid stuffed animal. When you press his throat he roars like the strong dragon he is and that is Buggy’s favorite part. You can help Cedric fly by helping him flap his wings and he has a lot of fun flying around with Buggy.

If you are looking for a new friend for your little one, come check out Hullabalu for a special invite-your kids are going to love them. Oh, and don’t forget to Like them on Facebook.

Check out some pics of Buggy and Cedric.

   

*Disclosure: I received Cedric the dragon for review. All opinions are my own.

Irene

Pumpkin Muffins With Cream Cheese Frosting

I love Fall. It’s my favorite season. The cool weather, the changing of the leaves and best of all it’s pumpkin season. I love pumpkin anything and will try as many recipes as I can.

I’m not exactly sure where I found this recipe since I ripped it out of a magazine some time ago – maybe Parent’s magazine-but not sure. Anyway, the girls and I made these cupcakes a few days ago and they were a big hit. They came out super moist and were so good you couldn’t eat just one. I topped them off with cream cheese frosting but you can use any kind or just leave them plain.  Make sure you save a few for breakfast. They are just as delicious the second time around with a nice hot cup of coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Allow butter to soften
2. Place the FIRST FIVE ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the butter and remaining ingredients
4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk until just combined
5. Pour into greased muffin cups 3/4 full
6. Bake for 20 minutes
7. Cool, Frost and Serve

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the four ingredients, beat for 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy

Now admit it, you’re dying to try these cupcakes aren’t you?

Irene

Happy Birthday Papi

Birthday’s are supposed to be happy events with family and friends, balloons, music and everyone laughing and having a great time. A time for cake and ice cream – not that you need a special event to have cake and ice cream.

Yesterday was Papi’s birthday. He would have turned 71. When I woke up yesterday morning my first thought was of my father and wished him a wonderful birthday.  For breakfast Buggy and I had pumpkin muffins so we lit a candle, placed it in the muffin and sang happy birthday to Abuelo (grandpa) and Buggy blew out the candle. She had so much fun we actually did it few times. Papi would have appreciated that – he was just a funny guy with a silly personality and loved to have a good time. We believe in celebrating life and death. It’s ok to cry and miss someone you love so much that your heart aches but it’s also truly wonderful to celebrate them in death as well. We think of all the happy times, tell silly stories and just laugh. I tell Buggy all about her Abuelo all the time, we talk to his pictures and kiss him a lot! It’s been eight years since I lost Papi and for Buggy it’s almost like he’s been here with her all along.

We were going to release a balloon too but it was pouring outside so Papi, we owe you a balloon.

Papi, I know you had a wonderful birthday up in Heaven with Mami and so many of our family. I miss you so much Daddy.

Te amo mucho mi Angel, besos y un abrazo bien grande y para Mami tambien.

Tu querida hija,

Irene

Wordless Wednesday: The Doctor Is In

   

Happy Wednesday!

Irene

Sing-A-Lingo En Mi Casa CD Review

Sing-A-Lingo is an educational company that helps parents, teachers and gift-givers teach children a second language. As a Latina, teaching my daughter Spanish is very important to me. I grew up in a Bilingual home and I want to make sure my daughter is raised that way as well. 

When you listen to the songs on the CD you realize how easy it is to learn the songs and easy to follow along in English and Spanish as the words are included in the CD Case. The concept is to promote learning through music and every day activities and I totally agree. Let’s face it, we all know how hard it can be to get our kids to do a simple task sometimes but add some music and make it a game and it’s a different story. Buggy has taught me that learning needs to be fun so our days are usually spent laughing and singing and that is exactly what Sing-A-Lingo En Mi Casa is all about.

The CD includes a few of the songs that we already sing at home such as “Donde Estas/Where Are You” and “Lava las Manos/Wash Your Hands” and of course “Abre el Rerigerador/Open the Refrigerator”. These are all things that we say and do every day so why not make it fun. I love that we have been playing it a lot in the car replacing the DVD’s for a while. One of our favorite’s is “Araña Pequeña/Itsy Bitsy Spider”. I actually didn’t know it in Spanish and I’m so happy that now we are able to sing it in both languages.

When you check out their website, you will also find that they offer some great tips. This is found under the Resources tabs. One of my favorite tips that we do at home is saying your numbers in Spanish when climbing up the stairs. Sometimes we “tiptoe” up the stairs and count in a whisper. Buggy loves this and thinks it’s a great game.

Sing-A-Lingo was started by Pina & Michael Madera who are Spanish speaking parents who raised their kids bilingual. The album En Mi Casa is the recipient of many awards such as Parent’s Choice and iParenting Media.

If you have a preschooler or an older toddler and want to teach them Spanish then you will want to check out Sina-A-Lingo. You and your kids will love it. You can view their video on their website and follow them on Twitter.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this CD for review. All thoughts and opinions are mine

Irene

Welcome To The Dog Day Afternoon Giveaway - Ends 10/28

Bloggity Blog, Parsimonious Pash, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two and Mama's Misson 

want to Welcome You to 

Dawg Dayz Afternoon Giveawayz!

If you are as much of an animal lover as I am, then this giveaway is for you. For me, my dogs are my kids. They are spoiled rotten and I try and provide the best of the best for them. Pets bring us love and comfort, they can heal a broken heart and make us laugh with their silly personalities. Some of our pets work for us as service animals, farm help, and rodent control. They are our companions, friends and a big part of our family. That's why it is important to give them the things they need to keep them happy and healthy.

Here are our wonderful Sponsors for this fabulous event:  Please show your gratitude by clicking on the icon to visit their sites.

InLinkz.com
It is our pleasure to introduce you to some of the best, most interesting and fun products we have been able to find.  Have a look at our prizes, visit our reviews and leave a comment!

To visit please click on the pictures.

InLinkz.com

To enter to win these great gifts all you need to do is complete the easy mandatory entries.
The rest of the entries are optional so you don't have to do them, however the more you do the better are your chances to win one of the great gifts we are giving away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Without the help of great bloggers these events would not be. I want to thank each and every blog who has joined Ashley and I in this fabulous event. Please show your appreciation by visiting the blogs below and be sure to say hello on one of their posts!

InLinkz.com

Disclaimer: Parsimonious Pash and Bloggity Blog did receive samples so we could write our reviews. Having received them for free has not altered our opinions in any way. Our opinions are our own. None of the blogs involved in this giveaway are responsible for the delivery of any of these gifts. The sponsors will be sending them out directly to the winners with the exception of the Gift Card which will be sent out to the winner by Bloggity Blog.

Good Luck!

Irene