Ruffle Ballet Flats

Today, my husband called me from the studio. He's still recording. And he talked about watching a movie tonight. After the girls went to bed. Sounded good to me. But that meant, I needed some Target popcorn. No other popcorn even comes close to how good Target's popcorn is.

So I loaded up the girls. And we went to Target. You can't go to Target without looking. My basket magically appeared in the shoe department. Where I found these lovely shoes! For only $12.99. And I couldn't resist. I bought them. Along with an outfit for each of our girls. :)

These shoes are so comfy! And they're a taupe color. To me, they can go with just about any outfit! I love them! Being a mom, I need some comfy shoes that I can chase after the girls in. And these are them. Wow! I'm glad we decided to watch a movie tonight. ~A

Urban Rain Giveaway

Just look at all these cute items! I'm already in love. But My Cakies is hosting a giveaway. For $25 to Urban Rain. Hmm, I could get a ring. Or a couple of pairs of hair bobbies. Oh the possibilites! ~A

Apron Giveaway

I adore these aprons! Crochet Every Day is having a giveaway for an apron or a DVD. Hurry over there and enter. I really like that second apron! ~A

Play Time

I don't know. Maybe 2 months ago, I was doing some online "Window Shopping." And I was dreaming of buying this for Sophia. I know she would really love it!



Isn't this pink kitchen just what every little girl would love? For just these 3 pieces, we're talking $700!



And this little table and chair set, it's $450! But I can dream right? At least for my little girls.

Well, I wasn't sure why my husband agreed to work this tour. He has more than enough work around here. But I realized why when we got a delivery today! He had seen these 2 things bookmarked on out computer. And he really liked them.

Have I mentioned that my husband made me wait to have kids? He wanted to make sure that we were financially stable, had a home, and all that jazz. Well, we had all that. And we moved. I finally talked him into having a baby. And Sophia, she just melted her daddy's heart!

He bought this entire set. A surprise to all of us. And was I ever surprised! I cried when I realized what he had done. Sacrificed so much, to give out girls some fun stuff to play with. We don't spoil our kids. Not rotten anyway. And we make them respect what they have. But for my husband to do this, it meant a lot to me.

So as I type this, he's playing with Sophia. They're having a tea party. Using her new toys. And our little one, she's having a late snack here. But we're lucky. We have a man that loves the 3 of us so very much! Enough to hit the road, on a tour, to make a few dreams come true. ~A

Sophia's Favorite Book

We've noticed recently, Sophia is really liking her bible. When it's time to read, we let her pick what books she wants to read. In the morning, my husband and her will read a book or 2. And at night, me and her will read before bed.

For about the last 2-3 months, she's been grabbing for her bible. Not for her fairy tales or fun books. She really likes learning about God. That's what she tells us. And at church, she is so into the readings. I'm not sure if that's normal for a 3 year old. But our little girl, she really likes our religion. I'm glad, it's really important to us. ~A

My Little Latina

This is what I woke up to this morning. I thought I was hearing something. No. When I walked downstairs, still half asleep, I heard the music loud and clear. My husband and Sophia were dancing around the kitchen. In their pjs. Making breakfast.

Sophia was cracking up! She was shaking everything that she could figure out how to shake. My baby girl is a real Latina! There were no butt grabs like in the video. But there was definite dancing. My husband was teaching Sophia how to dance to this song. Those Latino hips were really working.

And I just had to sit there and laugh. Laugh hard! When they were done, I asked Sophia what she had been doing, she told me she was dancing with her papi. "Mommy, you know, like Tia Bonita dances." I just had to laugh. I guess these little ones watch their Tia Bonita more than we thought. It's a good thing she is such a good role model. ~A

Singing with Her Papi

My husband, he's been teaching Sophia how to sing since she was born. I'm not lying! They practice all the time. It's really cute to see.

Today, I put our baby girl down for her nap, and I came into the den to find the 2 of them singing. My husband, he was playing the guitar, and Sophia was sitting between him and the guitar. Holding onto his hands. And they were singing this song.

It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Sophia was so into her song. Singing with her papi. Watching him play the guitar. Like she was really studying it. My husband is such a great daddy. I just can't wait to see what the future brings to our family. ~A

Bunting Pillow Giveaway

I really like this pillow! It's colorful, but not overdone. We are a family that likes a lot of color. And this matches our style! I wish I could get a bunch of these for our playroom! But if you want a chance to win this pillow, enter this giveaway! ~A

Strawberry Angel Cake

I'm a HUGE fan of fresh fruits and veggies. That's probably why I didn't kick and scream when the Mariachi Husband and I decided to move. I thought, we can start a garden. The weather is gorgeous year round. And yum, who doesn't like to buy local fresh produce?

Around here, gardens are growing and the crops are gorgeous! We want to take Sophia to a local berry patch. I think it would be amazing and so much fun! The Mariachi Husband got up extra early this morning. And he went to go buy us some berries. He found a really good deal. And now, we have a flat of strawberries. For only $4!

So I decided that I needed to find some good recipes. As I was doing a quick Google search, I decided to check my email. And in my inbox, sat an email from Gooseberry Patch. Another one of those gems that La Chiquitita shared with me. :)

I just love their weekly recipes and tips. And low and behold, this week the recipe was for Strawberry Angel Cake. So delicious sounding! And oh so easy too!



Strawberry Angel Cake

Submitted by: Lisa Johnson from Hallsville, Texas

16-oz. baked angel food cake
2 c. whipping cream
2/3 c. strawberry ice cream topping
2 pts. strawberries, hulled and halved

Slice cake horizontally into 4 layers; set aside. In a chilled bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, beat whipping cream and topping until stiff peaks form. Place bottom layer of cake on a cake plate; frost with a 1/2-inch layer of whipped cream mixture. Repeat with remaining cake layers. Frost entire cake with remaining whipped cream mixture, making sure to cover top and sides of cake. Arrange berries over top and sides, pressing firmly into whipped cream. Serve immediately or keep chilled up to 8 hours. Makes 10 servings.

I hope you enjoy it! It just so happens that we have everything we need. Guess what we're having for dessert tonight... ~A

The Garden Set Giveaway

La Chiquitita posted about the Newly Wife on her blog. And I was nosey and decide to check it out. What a cute blog! After I stopped drooling over these cookies and this cake, I noticed this giveaway. But I was too late. Darn it! I really like this necklace. But there is another cute giveaway going on. For this set of gardening supplies. :)

So I would say, run, don't walk to Newly Wife. Enter this giveaway. And drool over some of their yummy recipes. Oh, the Mariachi Husband better expect a lot chocolate goodness this weekend! ~A

Feliz Cumpleanos

Miss Sophia Happy 3rd birthday! You are so big. I can't believe it!

3 years ago, the Mariachi Husband and I welcomed our baby girl into the world. I remember it like it was yesterday. My good friend and I were pregnant at the same time, like we are now. Waiting for our babies to arrive. It was 3 years ago, we became a family. And I got to hold you for the first time. Little black curls of hair all over you head.

The Mariachi Husband and I have been together for...well forever! We started dating in 1989. Don't judge. It feels like just yesterday, we got married. But we waited to have kids. The Mariachi Husband just wasn't sure about being a daddy. He would tell me, next year. And that turned into many, many years.

But I convinced the Mariachi Husband to have a baby. And it completely changed our lives. Before Sophia, we were consumed in the "World of Mariachi." Life was always about gigs and trips. But when daddy first heard his baby girl's heartbeat, life changed. And when he held his princesa for the first time, he melted!

Today, our baby girl is 3 years old. Clearly, she is not a baby anymore. Her daddy sang and played Las Mananitas for his mija. And she held on tight to her papa. I still can't believe it. We hold real conversations. Sophia helps my in the yard and in the baby's nursery. In a few short days, she will be a big sister.

But today, it's all about Sophia! The little angelita that mommy and daddy made. And that Mi Dios sent down to us. You took your papa's heart and mine the day you were born. And it is such a thrill to see you grow. Everyday learning something new and fun. I'm already starting to panic about the day you are going to start school. Because I just want to hold and cuddle you all day long! Happy Birthday my Big Girl! ~A