Early Thanksgiving Celebration

We had a wonderful weekend of early celebration. My sister and her family came and surprised us with a visit. We also had our dear friends (and Carlita's godparents), Tara and Mike, with their baby Emma come visit. I thought why not have an early Thanksgiving feast  !! so I got a ham, sweet potatoes, and hawaiian bread (and soda) and started to cook. It was a great feast with friends around the table. The kids had a great weekend of fun. It's so nice to have Sofia and Carlita playing with each other. Luke follows along and tries to copy everything they do.

I finally feel like at home here. The house just seems to fit our lifestyle and our personalities. It just feels nature. We took a walk around the neighborhood and introduced my sister to many of the neighbors. It was then when I realized "I'm at home". Even though when I asked Carlita where she lives "Ray St", this is our home and where new memories are being created and made. I love our family and we are lucky to have great friends. What a year it has been.

Birthday Parties Galore

We are such lucky parents!! Not only did our kids were born during the most craziest time of year (for my work), they have birthdays one month apart. With all transitions of moving into our new house, new schools for the kids, and training at Temple, we decided that we would not have our usually backyard pool /house parties but instead do a combine birthday party for the kids at Pump it up (an indoor inflatable party place).

Luke's birthday came right in the beginning of my crazy training schedule. With no break between the weeks (and only two weeks at our new place) there was no formal party for Luke.  During the day we took the kids over to Pump it up for some fun and then back home we decorated the house fast and lucky for me my sister and niece, Sofia, came down to celebrate Luke turning 3. Of course his godmother, Samanta, was there and our new neighbors came over. Since Luke's birthday was on a Friday, we needed to come up with an idea to do something together - SESAME PLACE!!! So on Saturday off we all went to Sesame Place. Instantly we knew we would love this place and purchased season passes. We had a blast there! there's great rides for every age and a relaxing water park. We worn the kids out!!!!! It was just a great way to celebrate Luke's birthday. He even got to ride a roller-coaster for the first time. Amazing!!! Our littler boy is now 3 - what a journey it has been for him and our familia.



Luke's birthday


Next up: Carlita's birthday (Sept. 9th). This was the weekend we planned the big party at Pump it up. Everyone arrived for the fun double party - friends from Carlita's old school (Early Learning Center), family (Sandra and Sofai, Aunt Fran, and Samanta) my University of delaware friends, and neighborhood moms and kids from Newark, Landsberg, and Wilmington. What can I say? It was HUGE!! Over 30 parents and kids and what a blast they all had. It was a 2 hour party and it never slowed down. Lots of sliding and bouncing! Finally it was pizza time and the cake. I personally make the kids' cake this year. Since the theme was fairies and dragons, I made cupcakes with different color frosting and added some "pixie dust". I got flower shapes cupcake holders and purchased little fairy and dragon figurines to put on top of the cake. A blue river ran through the middle of the cake. Everyone was blown away by the cake - especially me since I had never done this before. Glad it all came out great!

After the party was done, it was nap time back at home. Once all kids were awake the massive gift opening process occurred. Wrapping paper was everywhere and the kids loved each present they got. That evening we made a grand dinner and served it out on our porch (that was the first time we got to use the porch like that!). O it was so much fun!!!

Everyone was in bed early because the next day we were heading to Sesame Place. Again loving those season passes. We got to ride all the rides and had a blast with the kids. No water rides this time but it didn't matter - it was FUN!!!! Then it was time for everyone to leave and the celebration for Carlita (who turned 6) and Luke (who turned 3) was over. We love our kids! they bring us tons of joy, happiness, craziness, and keep us humble! We love you Carlita and Luke.


Carlita's birthday

Halloween 2011 - the Incredibles

October came so fast this year. With everything going on, I wasn't able to work on our costumes until the weekend prior to Halloween. Lucky for me, the idea was simple - be the Incredibles! This was easily done by getting red long-sleeve sheets and red pants for each one of us (Karl ended up wearing black pants). then I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics to get the other materials like the black for the collar, orange for the belt, the masks, and felt for the logo (I used black felt with a sticky back to stick to the shirt - the other felt colors were glue gun on). the black gloves for the kids were a $1 from Target. So each costume came out to be roughly $10-15. (adults clothing cost me). My gloves were my prom gloves from the '90s (they always come in useful), and long black socks since I couldn't wear boots due to my broken toe. The hardest part of the costume (which wasn't that hard) was sewing on the black collars.

We looked great in our costumes and we went trick-n-treating in our new neighborhood with other kids we knew. We started at 6pm and ended by 7:30pm. the kids got a load of candy - 100 pieces which Luke ate more of it in one sitting. He was ready to fall over with a sugar high. Once we got back from the evening, Luke went to bed and the rest of us actually watched the Incredibles movie. It was a great way to end a wonderful night.

MACUHO Conference '11

It is conference season and MACUHO (Mid-Atlantic College and University Housing Officials) had its annual conference in Reading, PA. Over the years I have slowly gotten more involved in the organization. Since 2004 I have served on the programming committee, presented on various topics, and won awards here and there for my presentations. This past year I got more involved with planning the first ever Summer Summit and had a desire to serve on the executive board. MACUHO went through some strategic planning and we discovered we had a huge E.B. and needed to re-configure our organization. At this year's event the vote was casted and a new organization structure was put in place. As a result, I have been appointed to the first ever Director of Learning and Development position. I am very excited for this position and what I can contribute to MACUHO.

But the conference wasn't only about the restructuring of MACUHO. It had the best programs, keynote, and CIR (Consultant in Residence). We had a large number of CHO (Chief Housing Officers) presenting on great topics such as moving up in the field from their lenses, behavior care campus teams, and mold/bed bugs (I know not the most exciting stuff but it's an issue on campus and how you handle it dictates students' satisfaction). Our keynote was Matt Glowacski, who spoke on being happy and how to do that everyday. Our CIRs were Dr. Janet Walbert from Arcadia University, and Khadish Franklin, who both were excellent consultants to those at the conference. We had wonderful vendors who shared with us the newest products and how they can support our work. At night we had great events like mask making, henna tattoos, and palm readers. The last night we had "office olympics" hosted in the bar. But the highlight of the conference (I think) is the basket raffle. Every year baskets are donated by universities for a cause. This year's cause was Operation Smile. What a great cause and we raised over $2000 for it. I of course won something during the vendor raffle (a kindle and $100 supplies from Imprints!). NICE!!! So a basket I didn't win but others did. It's a great way to end a great conference and I'm looking forward to a great year in taking MACUHO to the next level.