DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

This holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died to help support  their spiritual journey.

Dia de Los Muertos - It sounds so mysterious, Mexico's celebration for when dead relatives, both young and old, are allowed to return to the mortal world for two days to visit loved ones. Spirits coming down and walking among the living, sampling earthly treats and joining in the festival ... it sounds like a merry version of our Halloween holiday.

But instead of scary goblins and blood-curdling shrieks, the people in Mexico welcome the spirits of their families with the delicious smell of food in the air, tasty candies decorated like skulls, and lighted candles to guide them home again. Gravestones are decorated, and the whole family will gather in the graveyard to wait and pay respects to the deceased.

I'm unable to put up an altar with my Papa's picture with all the food and goodies he used to like. I know it's only been five years the pain is really still overwhelming it's still too soon. We as a family go visit a new family every year in our local graveyard to show our respects. We say a prayer and hope they are able to see their family on this day. 

Halloween, Magic & Pumpkins

Sunday We went to the pumpkin patch a.k.a a church with pumpkins on pallets. That's what you get here in Florida. The Magic Dove shop held a pumpkin carving contest.

This pumpkin won was beautiful Kenji should be in a world craving contest or something. He did a horse picture on the back. Just insane I had no idea that kind of work could be done on a pumpkin. 

Ever since Christopher was little he has no interest in sticking his hand in a pumpkin. He hasn't changed. He thinks it's Gross! Justin and I love doing it we love Halloween. 

This past weekend was a busy one. Justin had a magic show Friday and Saturday. The Society of Young Magicians put on an amazing show. All the kids just were out of this world. 

If you are ever in Cocoa Village stop by. I would watch out for the ghost Marshmellow he tends to steal cards from your trick. These kids worked really hard all month long which paid off with a full house. I was shocked at how many people came to see the show. I have to give it up to Doctor Dan his shop keeps these kids busy and out of trouble. Learning Magic is a hit. 

Having a Birthday Party after a Hurricane

Last week we left on Wednesday to avoid the storm. We stayed in a little town named Ozark Alabama. The second town we stayed at was in Tory it's about two hours outside of Florida. It has the busiest traffic I have ever seen.  The good side I found a coffee shop I absolute love. I don't know what they put in the coffee but it's delicious!

https://www.facebook.com/VillageCoffee.Troy.Alabama/

When you order a drink they give you a chocolate covered expresso bean. It's because of them I have been drinking coffee all week. I haven't had coffee since May. I would move there just for coffee it's that good.  Once we were able to see our house had no damage it was clean up time. Clean up the branches from the yard plan Popsicle's 6th Birthday party which by the way isn't the best thing to do after a Hurricane. There was No School on Monday we handed out invites Tuesday then I dropped my phone so there was no way I could get calls or text.  I had so much anxiety about no one showing up. It turned out well we had twenty kids show up.

Christopher was having a blast!

It was a Mario Party at the last minute. I swear  he changes his mind like his underwear. I was so happy and excited when I saw the cupcakes the baker now thinks I love him. It might have something to do with the fact that I said it. Publix did an awesome job on short notice. 

 Thor wanted to go on the slide too so he had to stay in the kitchen. He looks sad! I gave him two bacon treats inside. It kept him busy for a minute.

                                     
        You never know when Life can change make it great every day you can. Sending lots of prayers for all that were affected by the storm.

Working on the Boat from inside

Hubby and Justin built a top for the boat this past weekend with all the rain we may or may not get from the storms popping up in the Atlanta Ocean we need it to cover the boat. We all had time to work on it since there was no school on Monday. It gave us a few extra hours instead of worrying about time for making sure everything was on track for school. I try my best to stay on the same routine for our boys it's important for them. It also makes it easier when they know what is going to happen next. It minizines the meltdowns from Popsicle.  The top picture is where the engines were. 

We have one engine running now for the best  messy part to we get to roll up our sleeves to get greasy. Taking it apart slowly.

The inside of the boat is a hot mess there is a shovel for what reason I don't know.

There is a ton of woodchips everywhere another question I don't have an answer to.

Hubby thinks to keep the mice away. We haven't looked inside the boat in three years since we purchased it. I hate mice I really hope I don't see that or a snake in the boat. I don't need that kind of stress in my life. Our luck will be a huge snake you see on the news. 

The inside is terrible. The picture above is before we took out all the cushions. 

   Here is after. This is going to take longer than I thought but on the bright side, I can envision the open water with my hubby and boys. Tearing out the carpet getting rid of the water was our part of our weekend. 

Until next time stay tuned for updates.

One year in the making

Here is the biggest project we as a family have taken on so far.  We bought it a few years ago on the whim that would be a hubby whim. Which he tends to do often. No, I don't get mad at him because anything he does it seems to work out. Besides it has potential now we have time to actually work on it.  When he took me to the boat yard to show me I didn't know what to say but "Nice".  It needs a lot of work we have to gut it which now comes the fun part. We are hoping it will take us a year maybe less. I would love to spend 4th of July on the boat in Cocoa Village on the water. It was just way too many people there this past year.

It's a 1987 Thompson Cruiser   

 Hubby thinks we should take the trip called the Loop.


                    great-loop


 With no hiccups it would take about a year to complete the trip. Christopher is all about the trip and homeschooling. Justin on the other hand wants to do it when he is older. I get it he is older now friends, school, sports and everything in between. We have twelve years to think about when both of my babies are out of school. Hubby and I love to travel with our boys. I guess this way we can plan out every detail hopefully with no surprises. I think we will try a three day weekend going to the Bahamas first just to see if we can handle being on a boat for a extended period of time.  We are all ready partly there with our passports up to date. One thing we don't have to rush and get.

 Our work so far.

Step 1: Wash Boat

Step 2: Work on Engine 1

We have engine one working and running. It needs to be clean, painted ect but it's working. With the help of a friend we are on the right track. I see this journey is going to be a long one. I say that laughing knowing my hubby it will be a night and day project until it is finish completely.  Boat talk all day long. I can't wait!! I will try and share all the updates as we do it. 

Boat Names any suggestions? 

Making Play Doh with my Popsicle

Play-Doh Take 1

 Aloe Vera gel and cornstarch mix and have fun. To dry add more aloe to gooey add more cornstarch. Just one tip the bowl I used to mix it with even washing it several times still smells like aloe. 

You might want to pick a bowl you don't need anymore. 

Christopher's review it was too messy and falls apart to easy but smells great. 

Take 2 

1 cup of salt

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of water

Mix and have fun. 

 Christopher's review: The day after was better to work with when your cut on your hand heals.

Take 3

Same as above just with hot water. It was to hard to play with and smelled like the play-doh in the store but didn't last long.

It was a huge mess but I loved every minute of it. I love that I can find anything new to try and my boys are up for it. This was a blast a must do.
Have Fun with this craft we did. Look for some more crafts soon.