Sick all Week!!

I didn't get a chance to write on my blog last week because the girls were sick. Having both girls home away from school was pretty intense. First the week before that, at school in the morning,  Joannelly was complaining that her hand was itching and it bother her. I had baby Zoey at the time and i rush to get Joannelly from school to take her to the doctors so that we can figure out what this mess is all about. It turn out that Joannelly had Coxsackie A.K.A "Mouth, Hand, Foot Disease.  Let me break it down more if you have never heard of Coxsackie, it blister like bumps that appears inside the mouth, the inside of the hands and the bottom of the feet. This is common more on children and contagious, thankfully it didn't pass on to baby Zoey. I believe this occur due to the fact Jojo has this bad habitat of putting things in her mouth and she happen to put a rusted necklace they had but haven't wore it in a few months....Grreeeaaaatttt!! The doctor let me know that these goes away on their own without any antibiotics just keep her washing her hands and give her ibuprofen for pain. Sure that was no brainier, "she would stay home from school until the blisters goes away" I thought until it so happen that the blister pass on to the Drama Queen of the house, Amelia, so this week go pretty interesting. As a mother i made sure they didn't miss any work or homework. To my surprise went i went by the school to pick the homework packet and work for the week, I notice the stack of work the girls had to complete on top of the science projects that were due the week that they were going back to school. We as mother have to always be on top of children to ensure that they get their work done correctly until the day they end up sick the whole week then we are like "Oh shit!" (excuse my french) a week of "mommy she snatch!" "Mommy I'm tried i wanna finish later" later came..."mommy I'm tired can i finish tomorrow" but wait there's more! more whining, loud playing then some quite ready with the some giggles in between and a week filled with headaches and lots lots of love. Ok back to positive thoughts, happy thoughts. The entire week the girls spend it doing their homework any morning work that they do in class and their science project. When our kids get sick its not an easy job for us moms but we do it because they need us, all the sleepless nights and the constant cleaning of vomit or moments where they don't feel like eating anything and we don't want them to starve so we come up with so many meals as if our kitchen is a restaurant menu. And all the whining of being uncomfortable that sometimes we let things sly like letting them sleep with us at night or in their case eating popsicle all day because the doctor said it was ok. I'm
extremely glad my babies are back to themselves it does take a toll on us mom especially if don't we have much help, daddy couldn't help me because he had a crazy schedule that week so i was by myself in my house on "quarantine" like my sister calls it. Every is back to normal and i am ok with that so with that being said....

Until the next Blog.

Weekend Vlog (Vlog-tober Month)

Here is another weekend vlog for you guys! I have been vlogging for some time now and i like that i can share them with my readers. Vlogging on the weekends are our days off of our busy morning rush week. And i decided to vlog on the weekends because i know we will be doing a lot of stuff on the weekends. The girls enjoy them and we hope you enjoy watching them too, i also have other vlogs that i have done in the pass if you would like to watch. Our biggest hit was our trip to Disney World in Florida, it was an amazing first family trip. Keep a look out on our family weekend vlogs on YouTube!

Click here -----> Birthday Weekend

Parent Meetings in New School

The other day was the first parenting meeting at the girls new school (reminder: i will write about their experience in a new school and how they fell about it in another blog) this meeting focused on the first-graders academic progress since the beginning of the school year. I thought (as thought every parent does) that Joannelly was doing so well in her grade...turns out they weren't but it was expected from their teachers. Every kid is not going to reach their teachers expectation just yet so it didn't bother me at all. So in the parent meeting i decided to take notes in what might help JoJo do a little better without hurting her self-esteem. I know my child is smart especially the kids in this generation with all the new fancy gadgets out there, as a parent i know encouraging our children that they can do better is pretty important. Growing up i felt i didn't get that encouragement,  it was always the method of "tough love" but i knew that method did not always worked for me. Being in this parent meeting not only did i get great insight from JoJo teachers but i got a chance to see her class room. Mind you that this is a new school, so they had some new gadgets to help teach the students. The notes that i took down were based on how to help my child in their homework whether it's math or reading...trust me when i say this...i was amazed of the tips that the teacher offer to the rest of the parents. And i wanted to share with you all some of notes i jot down from the meeting, i believe this would help for other grades besides first grade...so here are they are:

1. Label and Circle the total number...This method was mentioned in the meeting because the majority of the students where getting confused by the number total of objects or whatever the category may be. The teacher stated that the "Label and Circle" method would help the students not only be organized but can get a clear answer to the math question.  For example: if the question asked there's a fruit basket on the kitchen table..how many bananas are there? how many apples are there? and there's a image of the fruit basket with the bananas and apples; that's where the "Label and Circle" method kicks in. Our kid can label how many bananas are there first then circle the last number of bananas and sort forth with the apples. I found this method a genius method because our kids won't get confuse of how many things/objects are there and have a well organized answer.  GENIUS! 
2. Language used to describe the situation... Growing up i had very few teachers,tutors and even my mother who weren't good at speaking to me about the school work that would help me get the answer on my own. I had family members say to me "you know the answer but you are not trying hard" or "you know the answer, your just so distracted pay attention!" Just to clarify that i would be able to tried harder if the way the school work was explained to me in a way i could understand. The language use to explain a problem or lesson was a challenge for me growing up so i made a promise to myself that if i ever had kids i would do my best to describe any situation to my kids in a way they would be able to understand...speak in their level. One way the teacher at the meeting spoke of was questioning our child..ask if they can see if the number is bigger or smaller. Another question that can help with homework is how is the number changing.
3. Organized objects to help skip numbers.... The definition of skip numbers is referred to when the math problem is being counted by a specific number such as 2's 10's or 5's. Jojo really hasn't been doing this at home but i know its been done in class. I want her to be able to use this method when trying to count a large group of numbers and that's what it was created for...I'll elaborate a little more. So our kid has a math problem where they need to add such number and such number together. The counter objects that are being used in this number math problem are pennies and the numbers they need to add is 23+56. The pennies can be use to organized each group numbers that needs to be added so for example: to make 23 the pennies can be organized by a group of 10's which will look like this...two sets of 10 pennies and 3 pennies. By first grade the kids should know how to count by 10's, once all the numbers that are in the addition problem is organized it would then be easier to count how many 10's are there and how many ones are there altogether.

There it is my notes that i jot done and a brief explanation about each jotted note. The rest that i had written down were just reminders of other things that are non-related to school work or homework. So i hope this makes sense and also can help a parent out there in encouraging their child to do extra better in their homework because they do know the answer, they just need the confidence to just say it. I also wanted to mention that the teacher  talked a little about reading, which is more about reading to them every night a book...but that's something else i wanted to write about in another blog....

Until the next Blog...

Amelia's First day of school!

I am so excited that today was Amelia's first day back to school, this time she is in kindergarten!! My baby is growing up too fast. So here is a video i made about Amelia first day. Just so you guys know i have a link to where i got the first day of school signs (Just click on the underlined words). I hope you guys enjoy watching her experience and our "day in the life" vlog!

Until the next Blog!

Things Happen and life goes on...

Hey Bloggers!

Today was the day I got fired.......its going to take me a moment to accept the fact that I will be on the no job boat once again. I actually had in mind to leave my job, didn't think it was going to be this soon but life goes on. I'm grateful to have my husband here to help me cope and my sister to help me go through the next step. I decided to write today because writing helps me clear my mind before it got clutter with so many unhealthy thoughts. I know I have to think positive and take this opportunity to evaluate the future as well as take a seat back to the present. I leave all my worries to God I believe in the higher power. Ever since I was young, my mother use to be a church woman of God and growing up in church I always kept my faith in Him. Sometimes we go through situations that we have no idea why it happen and its like God doesn't want us to know the reasons just know its part of His plan. So as I sit here in front of my computer debating with the girls about going to bed early if they want to go to the beach in the morning, there are situations I don't have control of (except putting these girls to bed) all I know is that life goes on... We can't stay negative about the situations just take a break from it and then find a time to think positively, as a mother I have to show my girls that no matter what one goes through always think about the positives and solutions that an help one cope. I'm glad I have my husband who can be very understanding and so caring. Its people like that we we need to be and stay positive.  So as I sit back enjoy the summer and babies, ill just keep working hard to get back on track again. Stay positive and dont let negativity stay where its not welcome.

Until the next Blog..

Spring Break Vaca Day 4 "Lunch/Movie Date Day "

It is getting closer to the end of the week and so far has been bittersweet. For the first time in my life i am actually enjoying this Spring Break Vacation, growing up i do remember my mother doing fun things with us what we had consider fun. Our fun growing up was making home videos and being very creative at home or outside at the park. So today's adventure was a movie date with Amelia's friend from school. We went to see Rio 2 which was a lovely movie to watch and it was funny too. I love how the birds were singing and made the performance looked so beautiful and colorful making me want to go to Brazil even though the birds were in the amazon (not the website..lol) I honestly can say that i love this sequel better than the first movie, i just hope there's no part 3 cause there are movies that don't need a sequel and then there are movie that do need a sequel just to give the title a good name.

            We had lunch at Applebee's before we went to the theaters, i order both the girls the same thing, chicken tender with fries. Knowing my girls and the fact that kids do this, they didn't finish all their food. Parenting tip #1 If you are in a budget and don't want to spend a lot when out at a restaurant with your kids just ordering one meal for the kids (if they are little kids) or order the same thing for the kids and order yourself the appetizers that way at the end we eat the kids leftover there's nothing wrong with that. This method worked for me only because i had breakfast and hour an half before we ate lunch i wasn't that hungry. So i spend $25 on us three, that's two entrees, an appetizer and three drinks (water, apple juice and ice tea). I had to stop by one the department store at the plaza before we went to the theaters, i had to buy Jojo some cough drops. I was fortunate to have Amelia's friend whose mother is a paramedic she was able to recommend cough drops that were suitable for Joannelly. Parenting tip #2 reward cards are your friend! I was able to spend nothing from my pocket when i got the large bottle of water from the movies, that water cost $4.75 i was able to use my reward card from the movies to pay for it, you can also use it on movie tickets too! So if you don't have one i suggest you get one. The girls and i really had a gracious evening with Amelia's friend and her family.

 I delighted myself with this yummy chocolate snack from Brookside, i found an interest in eat different kind of foods into my diet. I was hearing and seeing the fruit called Goji Berries not sure what it was so i did some research, found out that Goji berries are from china and they are really good for you. It helps with your immune system as well as good source for anti-aging and the other good stuff for our bodies. After seeing its at the supermarket once then i see everyone buying them i finally got my hands on the Brookside Dark Chocolate Goji and Raspberry snack. The rest of the evening was spent at home, usually we would be home by 6-7pm and yes i know its late but this time we got home at 5 way before daddy got home from work. Parenting Tip #3 To get your partner to do the things they least like to do, use their own words against them. This method only work if you know your partner very well this may or may not work but the key to a healthy relationship is compromise not everyone does it or like it but can't keep a car going if you don't give it gasoline. My husband, i know him well enough to make this method work... keep in mind i do it with love and respect. As tired as he was i use his word against him to put Jojo to bed he didn't like it but i stated everything he use to say to me whether its about cleaning the house or being the provider of the house and i use the key word "your baby girl wants her daddy" Parenting tip #4 Our children's comfort comes first then ours. We went back and forth with each other, its all about using your words very sweet and kind so what i said was " If you complain about keeping the house clean how can i clean the dishes if the girls are going to keep getting up from the bed, i need your help to keep them in bed". Like i said that method only works if you really know your partner if not there will be consent arguments. Is not easy having the "growing old together" relationship, i mean its works for some relationship and for other it don't but as we get older we are learning everyday. My husband and i are the same age we are a young couple but what makes our relationship fresh is that before our relationship we are best-friends and i know we have a lot of learning to do. Our Spring Break is not over yet so...

Until the next Blog.....

Spring Break Aventures

So the girls started their spring break vacation that means one whole week and a half of hearing "MOMMY I want this MOMMY she took that!!!" which is all not that bad unless there's a plan. I do plan on keeping them busy all week. I feel that's the best way to avoid all the fighting and whinny about who hit who or she snatch my toy fiscal. This Spring break since we did not plan a getaway vacation like when we went to Walt Disney World (best family trip ever!) the girls started their vacation break by spending the weekend with my little niece. My brother needed someone to stay with his daughter for the weekend and I offer to help since i'm the only member of the family who stays home with their kids. It was a fun weekend for the three girls, i spent the weekend hearing "I want my papi!! (daddy in Spanish)" from my niece. On Friday afternoon my niece came to my home, Saturday we went to the playground around my neighborhood and they played while I was doing the mommy usual...taking pictures!  Then Sunday came around which was laundry day and spent the day at the laundromat, as the clothes were getting dried we were able to get lunch at the pizzeria across the street. I knew the girls were so tired when they have droopy eyes looking like walking zombies and whiny all the walk home. Our Sundays are usually mellow and comfy more like a movie Sunday watching movies all day in the couch. So as the weekend ends however their spring break is still going on full affect. Remember when I mention about a plan? The plan for the rest of the week is a surprise not just for the girls but for my readers!! So have seat and sit back for I have decided to make this week blogs a very special one prior to the girls spring break vacation I wanted to make these daily blogs more to help other parents that do read my blog and non-parent how life would be if there were kids in it. And if this is too much to read I do have a YouTube channel (mylifetheirrules) where you can see how life would be with kids. I hope you all enjoy reading my mommy blogs it helps to know that there are people who walks the same shoes (parenting) as I do.

Until the next Blog!...

Weekend beauty finds

Here are my weekend finds at Duane Reade! After work i need to buy some "girly" things for myself. Most of these stuff i wanted to try and others i just needed. I like posting these thing because every mommy needs a time to buy something for herself. I know i'm not the only one but when i go to buy something for me i come home with bags full of stuff for the kid, then i'm thinking "Oh yea i was suppose to buy deodorant!" So ALL these stuff is ALL for mommy!..lol

1. Beauty cotton rounds
2. Lemisol Feminine Wash
3. L'oreal Ever Curl gel
4. Almay Eye Make-up remover
5. Wet n Wild Mega Protein Mascara
6. Miss Jessie's Creme de la Creme
7. Naked Protein Zone Mango 
8. Nice! Bunch Burnt Peanuts

Until the next Blog!..

Oscar sick day

It was just one of those days where our bodies just need a break from being "mommy" I felt bad because my girls did not go to school. Good thing they understood "mommy is not feeling well", so instead they kept themselves busy at home creating arts and crafts, play games, blocks and playing pretend with their costumes. My eldest daughter (Joannelly) made me a get-well picture while my younger daughter (Amelia) left trails of mess around the house.

So as I lay on the couch with my pillow and blanket, I remember that the Oscars was on my DVR. I spend my sick days watching amazing talented actors and stunning outfits on my tv screen. I had my ups and downs with a lot of laughter, I guess they say "laughter is the best medicine" Ellen was just an the most funny host on the Oscars but I was alittle bum when Idina Menzel didn't sing the song "Let it go" from the Disney movie Frozen. She sang it like she didn't want to sing the song anymore, like in a rush. Other than that the dresses were phenomenal, a very beautiful pregnant Kerry Washington and the amazing talents for so many very well productive movies from what I seen on the Oscars. Hopefully by tomorrow im all back to mommy action mode and after enjoying watching the Oscars and Jojo picture it had made me feel better.

Until next Blog..

Snowy Days 2014

There's no better way to survive this crazy weather in NYC with some games and crafts. Last night was winter snow storm and thank God hubby was already home. It started around 10 am and kept going all night. This storm wasn't as bad as the one we had in December 2013. However, the girls and i kept busy inside our apartment "nice and toasty" as Amelia puts it playing games. We also did arts n crafts, thank goodness these were Christmas gifts from my aunt and uncle. We discover a new game its really fun once we kept play the game over and over, Amelia loves it. There are other ways to active at home with our kids to be away form any storm not matter what it is, they can do the following:

1.  Help us clean up their room
2. Help prepare lunch or dinner
3. Play pretend
4. Make it a movie day: watch their favorite movies and ask them questions about it
5. Find new food recipes to try 

Whats your favorite thing to do with your little indoors on a stormy night / afternoon??

Until the next blog...

New Resolutions 2014: Bathroom Makeover

As part of my "Make it happen" resolutions I've decided to renovate my apartment and i wanted to start small. So i took advantage of my bathroom since i needed to clean it up...i figure why not go all the way. Took a trip to Marshalls with the family to find any goodies for my bathroom and i wanted to try a totally different style and color. My only problem with my bathroom that i couldn't change it up a bit was my tile patterned floor. I'm not a professional designer or went to school for it but i knew there was no way to over come that floor so i decided to keep the color and work with it. I am not getting from Marshalls but i am giving them credit in helping me redecorate my bathroom. I'm not done its just a start but i will update my final look for my bathroom when its done. 

Bella Lux Shower Liners - $14.99
Bath Hotel Shower Liner - $4.99
Bathroom floor mat - $9.99

What are your have your started for your "Make it Happen" resolutions?? 

Until the next blog...

New Years Eve Night- OOTN

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Here are the girls and i outfits of last night hope everyone had a safe New Year. We stay home for New Years Eve we couldn't find a sitter for the girls so that hubby and i could celebrate the new year with adults. It was beautiful just spending the holiday with my babies at home cause that's where the love comes from. Its a New Year and New Journeys 

Shoes: Payless, Tights: Target, Shirt: Target, Top: Target, Cardigan: Old Navy
Jewelry: JustFab Watch: Micheal Kors

Ankle Boots: Gapkids, Leggings: Target (Jojo) Old Navy (Amelia), Blouses: Target, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas Gifts Ideas: Preschool classmates

So Christmas is coming soon and i have decided to create goodies bags for girls classmate. I tend to do this every year but its the first time i post it on my blog. What we have here are these cutie bags i found in in the Deals store...which by the way are adorable!! the gingerbread and the reindeer bags they flap open in other words they fold like a lunch bag. The snowman and penguin bags are cookie bags but i improvise and put goodies stuff inside. I wish i had taken a picture of the inside of each bag but i was up all night trying to fill almost 50 bags!! YIKES!! But this is what creative mothers love to do is that weird?? Like i told my sister "I don't do these things because i have to, i do them because i want to" Here's my first DIY project i got alot of likes on my instagram profile i also made a really nice creative DIY Christmas project gifts for teachers. Hope you like this idea (not really detailed but its a first DIY post) for Christmas and i promise to make my next project more detail. But what do you think of this projects i love feed backs! :)

Until the next Blog...

BE THANKFUL!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving. Its time to rethink what we are thankful so far in our life right now. I am very thankful for the life i am living with my kids and my husband....my husband and i came along time from where we are. Living in a room in his mother Manhattan apartment going through the struggles in a young relationship being 7 months pregnant at the age of 20. Yeah we did come along way and i wouldn't change it for one bit. I have been showing my girls the importance of being grateful for all the people and things in their lives cause that is what this holiday is about. I also have them understand they have to be grateful every day cause not every child has the lifestyle that they are living. I thank my mother for teaching my siblings and i about being grateful in life for the best things in life will come to you. I also thank God for the struggles in my life to understand the true meaning of being THANKFUL. The morning of thanksgiving my little family enjoy watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the cold Manhattan Central Park. I knew they would enjoy their first experience at the parade especially after the saw their favorite Disney star Debbie Ryan.  Than later that night my little family with our extended family spent thanksgiving in my home...like they say good food with good company is always the best. It was a lovely holiday spent well with my love ones. 

So how was your thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?

Until the next Blog... 

Outfits of the Week (9/23 - 9/27)

Hey Bloggers!

So this past week the girls had a few school outfits to show.... I didn't get to take pic of their everyday outfits but here are some from last week.

Mondays Outfit: 

Jacket - Kids Place
Sneakers/ Cardigan - Children Place
Jeans - Old Navy
Shirt - Macy's

Tuesday's Outfit:

Jacket/School Uniform - Kids Place
Tights - Old Navy
Boots - Gap
Sweater - Children Place

Shirt - Children Place
Skirt - Fab Kids
Tights - Kids Place
Boots- Gap

Friday's Outfit:

Sweater - Old Navy
Shirt - H&M
Jeans - Children Place
Sneakers - Burlington Coat Factory

Until the next blog!...

September Ipsy Bag Review!

Hey Bloggers!

 

Every month on my YouTube channel (Lovelynelly23) I do an open package of the Ipsy beauty cosmetic monthly subscription. Its only $10 a month and I can say it has been worth every penny. Every month these bags comes in different designs and different theme. This month bag theme is called "Classic Beauty" The only thing I didn't like that much was the sample of the "Life Palette" from EM which is a new cosmetic line. The colors are absolutely beautiful but not that pigmented.

I did a few swatches of the products that I've gotten below...


Caiyln- Tinted Lip Balm "Apple Red"

Starlook- Obsidian  Eye Pencil

 

NYX Lanikai (ES86) 

 

 

The whole look:

The things I used for this look:

 EM "The Life Palette"- Out to Lunch

The brushes I used for this look:

BH Cosmetics and Sonia Kashuk Kabuki Brush

 

Until my next blog!

Weekend Vlogs!

Hey Bloggers!

        I've decided to do more vlogs but on the weekends. I felt its works better because during the week I want to be able to have time to edit videos and of course this blog, plus the girls have school this during the week. This is the first of many "weekend vlogs" I will be uploading on my YouTube channel. Just visit my channel I have more videos there too! So with our further a due here is our weekend vlog!.

Until the next vlog...I mean Blog!..lol

 



Parent Crisis: What should i do stay or transfer to another school?

Hey Bloggers!

                       This par week I received a phone call from Joannelly school letting me know there is a spot available for Amelia in a Pre-K class. The news would have been more exciting if I was given to me before school started. It was a just a confusing moment for me because I did not want to transition Amelia from one school to another. I did have my pro and cons lined up so that I know what I am gaining and losing. As a mother we want what is best for our kids  Yes it's a cliché, however it is apart of who we are as the momma lion protect her cub.

                 My advice to you moms out there if your stick between a dilemma know your pros and cons to understand what you are gaining and losing. And don't be afraid to ask for advice from other moms or family members, its always good to an outside source just to get enough understanding so when a decision is made you feel confident and secure about the outcome. So I narrow down my

PROS:

1.  The girls would be in the same school.
2.  Less stress of dropping the girls into two different schools.
3. Amelia is learning quicker in her school where she is no.
4. I could work full time since Amelia would be full time

CONS:

1.  Jojo school system is horrible.
2. Amelia would not be learning what is learning now in her school if Amelia was attending Jojo school, not until December or January.
3. Dealing with a staff that lack communication
4. The frustration of rushing to pick up the girls on time.

          This gave me an understanding of what I am gaining and what I am losing, so I hope this situation would help you figure out a solution. My end solution was I left Amelia where she is only because her schedule is much more manageable now then it was last year. I know I will be working full time again just not now so I wait patiently.

Until the next vlog...

Fashion Kids:Amia and JoJo's OOTW

Hey Bloggers!

So this past week the girls were transitioning from summer to fall with their adorable outfits. I made a commitment to making my babies into fashionistas. Growing up my mother she never really created any style for my sister and I. I feel its something that should be brought to little kids so they can have style and confidence as they get older. I feel the best years to start their own style is after 3years, we as parents are helping them choose their own piece into an amazing outfit. So I wanted to share my girls outfits of the week! (OOTW)

Monday Outfit:


Shirt- Fab Kids
Skinny Jeans- Gap
Sneakers- Children Place

Tuesday Outfit:


Shirt- Old Navy
Skirt- Children Place
Sneakers- Children Place
Bow- Claire's

  

Wednesday Outfits:

 School Uniform- Kids Place

Jean Jacket- Kids Place

Tights- Old Navy

Boots- Gap

Head Band- Children Place

Dress/Tights- Old Navy

Heart Short Leggings- Old Navy

Jean Jacket- Kids Place

Boots- Gap 

 

Thursday Outfit:



 School Uniform- Kids Place

Tights- Kids place

Boots- Gap

 

 

Friday Outfits:

 Dress- Ralph Lauren

Tights- Target

Boots- Gap

Head Band- Kids Place

Jean Jacket- Kids Place

Dress- Old Navy

Jean Jacket- Kids Place

Tights- Kids Place

Boots- Gap

 

 

Until the next blog...