Pandemic Graduation + Harry Potter Themed Teacher's Appreciation Gift

It's been 9 years since my previous post. 😝😝😝 My toddler is now an upcoming 6th grader. 
YIKES!!!

During the pandemic we've been joining the rest of the country following stay at home protocol while we flatten the curve of Covid-19.

His 5th grade reading class was continuing to work on Fantasy Books. He had been working on book 6 + 7 of Harry Potter Series.

As school started to wind down for my fifth grader, we started to hand make gifts to thank his teachers. I thought a Harry Potter theme would be fun for us to make, and for the teachers to receive. 

Perler beads had a Harry Potter set which he chose each pattern for a specific teachers. 

He also made a Harry Potter figure for himself. Later on, we also made a Fortune Teller for his teachers. Feel free to print for PERSONAL USE. Color-wise, I've been inspired by brighter almost neon feel of JK Rowlings Blues, Yellows, Greens, and Reds.

During this Pandemic, we can't celebrate with our family and friends, so I designed a sign for my 5th grade graduate. It continue our Harry Potter theme, and hopefully help my son see how proud we are of him and his efforts especially during these trying times to school while distance learning.

We headed up early to Connecticut for his fifth grade event, a car parade hosted at the school! It was made special by giving the students a gift and some sweet treats, as well as seeing teachers who had been teaching and guiding them through zoom meetings, recordings, google classroom, and seesaw.

Hopefully his teachers appreciated our gift and thanks!

Has Time Flown?

It has been too long since I've blogged, and it's the usual reasoning, life is simply too busy! BUT as usual my passion for good food, fun, and travel has me visiting cities like Barcelona & Granada, as well as a family trip to Orlando, Florida.

@ Universal....

My favorites has to be Finnegan's Bar & Grill inside Universal Studios, Florida. The food was delicious! Also, the Three Broomsticks at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a nice experience at the Island of Adventure.

September is Back to School Time!

We just had a fabulous Labor Day weekend.  We got to meet and see old friends, go to Flushing Meadows to cheer on John Isner for the US Open, and spent a day in the park, at Six Flags, Great Adventure.

So now, I'm trying to get back to schedule, and fix up some yummy breakfast for a toddler.  Usually a banana will suffice, but even I get sick of this potable fruit.

When I get my kitchen in order, I want to go back to making some healthy muffins and scones, but for now...

Fruit & Fruit salad will have to suffice.  He loves yogurt, so we get baby yogurt made with whole milk.  I also found that pancakes or waffles, which I try to mix in fruit, can do the trick.  Waffles with Almond butter is delicious, but he didn't care for it.  I might have to try again!

French Toast cut into strips is also another one of my favorite breakfast go-to's.

Bagels with smoked salmon cream cheese was a hit!  I think he likes the flavor of everything bagel!

Any other suggestions in our repertoire?

Favorite Online To-Do List!

teuxdeux.com



Surfing the Apartment Therapy's site I stumbled on their feature of TEUX DEUX.

TEUX DEUX
I love the simplicity of the site and as a working mother, simple is best!



Login, it starts your day on current day and you start typing your to do list.  Like I said, SIMPLE!!!

Chinese Lunar Year @ Borgata

Noodles of World
1 Borgata Way
Atlantic City
(609) 317-1000

Long weekend and my family had plans to stay in the luxurious Borgata Hotel. We are a group with diverse interests, the men for the most part looked forward to utilizing the pool, the women, wanted to check out the slot machines and craps table, the baby was just thrilled to be surrounded by family...


The standby for food is the Noodle of the World, for their Singapore Mei-Fun, their Pho, and their Shanghai Wonton Noodle Soup.


We also made reservations at Izakaya, and their Kobe Steak was delicious!

Izakaya
1 Borgata Way
Atlantic City
609-317-1000

No time this time for a spa treatment, so we'll have to check that out in March! Otherwise, it was a fabulous weekend with my family, eating, hitting the casino, and a little bit of shopping... although the weather outside was ridiculously cold! We ventured to the CVS and the Outlets off Michigan Ave. Parking was unbelievably difficult and we ended up grabbing a quick lunch at Applebee's. We enjoyed their $20 special of 1 appetizer and 2 entrees.



Applebee's Grill & Bar
129 N Michigan Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

We enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years!

Super Bowl XLIV

Baby's second Superbowl and we ordered Atomic Wings from their 528 9th ave location. It was packaged in a reheat-able aluminum container, packed with ample blue cheese sauce and celery & carrots. We wanted everybody to be able to enjoy the wings and we ordered the medium sauce. It was still a bit spicy for some... but I found them fabulously right.

It was a two party celebration 1 that started in the city and the celebration of Saint's Victory at my home. By then my already tired baby was sound asleep.

We also threw together a chicken chili from Ina Garten's recipe from the barefoot contessa... Chili along with tortilla chips and sour cream is a great way to celebrate a Superbowl Sunday!

Looking forward for baby's next Superbowl Sunday!

Lunar New Years Resolution

I love a fresh start! So on my list of things to do is getting back to my yoga practice. My yoga mat and bag sadly have been damaged by mice when I place it in storage at my parent's house, so a new mat and bag will be my next purchase. I also found a chain of studio that is conveniently near my work and my home. I just have to arrange for my baby son to be watched, so the scheduling of classes must be consulted.



Also, we will be spending a glorious weekend at Borgota for the Lunar New Years weekend. So that has me excited looking into spa packages at the hotel spa: Spa Toccare