Mummy's Busy World

How to make Chilean alfajores

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Yessss! After mami canceled our baking day because she wasn't feeling very good, we finally made the alfajores she had promised a few days ago.

Alfajores are cookies filled with dulce de leche/manjar or caramel. Every country in Latin America has them, but mami says this is the Chilean recipe and the best ones too! And being the good chileno that I am, I followed the recipe very carefully.

So here is what you need:

1/4 cup and 3 tbsp of butter
1/4 cup and 3 tbsp and of sugar
3/4 cup and 3 tbsp of flour
Powdered sugar
1 egg
1 can of condensed milk or dulce de leche/manjar

You can go to any Latin food markets and buy the dulce de leche already made, or you can make your own at home.

To make the caramel you will need to take a can of condensed milk and place the entire unopened can in a large pan. Make sure the water covers the can. Then boil and simmer for two hours. This cooks the condensed milk and makes the manjar!

How to make the alfajor/cookie:

1. Mix together the butter and sugar making it creamy
2. Add the egg and flour
3. Mix all together
4. Take pieces in your hand and place on baking tray and lay them very thin making circles
5. We used a cookie cutter because I wanted to make hearts, but the traditional alfajor should be very thin, much thinner than regular cookies and ROUND
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes or until edges get toasty and brown
7. Let cool
8. Then spread the manjar on one alfajor then cover - like a sandwich!
9. Use a strainer to shake powdered sugar on top
10. EAT! Disfruten! Enjoy!

So easy right? Mami doesn't make complicated things so this was perfect for us!

Now I'm going to EAT THEM ALL!

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 7

2012-02-14T15:27:00.000-05:00

Sorry for being so late! Mami isn't feeling very good and when she doesn't remind me to blog I sometimes forget.

Oh, and HAPPY LOVE DAY everyone! I had a party to go to but mami just couldn't get out of bed this morning. Papi took care of me, then after lunch she took me to get a haircut.

My tía Denise said I was starting to look like Justin Bieber, but I shouted out "No Justin Bieber!! I'm LITTLE M!" and after that they left me alone.

So this week, I'm showing off my new cut, still sort of long but not as long as before! Mami told the lady "no military cut". Yes ma'am she said and I sat very having my lollipop.

So there you have it, my new cut. I think I look the same, but now you can see my ears!

Now your turn! Show off your look...

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2. Don't be shy, tweet us to let mami know you have linked up and she can RT @verybusymama

3. Please comment after you leave your link

4. Visit other blogs and remember link is open through Saturday

5. Mami will also pin your images to Pinterest

As always thanks for joining in!

**And if you have seen mami's new blog Very Busy Mamá, can you vote for her please?

She is trying to make the Top 25 Fashion & Beauty blogs on Circle of Moms.

Just click here and vote! No sign ins, promise!**

Can you vote for mami please?

2012-02-11T18:41:00.003-05:00

Remember I told you about mami's new blog?

Yes, well, now she is looking to make Circle of Mom's Top 25 Fashion & Beauty blogs for 2012.

Good thing I don't write about either of those things otherwise she would have some serious competition from me!

So I invite you to go and have a look at her blog and if you like it, why don't you give her a vote please.

Just CLICK HERE which takes you directly to HER page and then click on the thumbs up....all done!

She will be so happy and remember, we are always here to help and support our blogging friends too!

GRACIAS!

No shopping mami!

2012-02-10T02:13:00.000-05:00

I don't like being tricked into going shopping with mami. She will ask me at home "want to go out with me?"

OF COURSE I'm going to say yes. Then we get in the car, she promises the playground or the park and then we end up at a STORE!

WHAT?? Mami you fooled me!

So this last time I had had enough, as soon as we opened the door to the shoe store I shouted out "No store mami. NO STORE!" Papi and mami looked at each other and mami said "Ok, let's be quick".

Yes, that's right. Please hurry up!

I really didn't want to go in there...but papi said he needed shoes and that he wouldn't take long.

So I waited....

And made mami chase after me...

And played....

Until mami was rushing papi and we left to the fish market in Washington DC.

That should teach them! And parents it's best not to take us shopping, please?

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 7

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm back at my grandma and grandpa's house and boy do I love it here! I get to explore in the woods, play at the HUGE playground and see Jenna who likes like a wolf, but mami says she's a dog.

Today was papi's birthday and I got to blow out the candles on his cake and open his gifts. I tore the wrapping paper right off and everyone was impressed at how quick the candles went out. I have lots and lots of wind!

But aside from that, the only other big news is that something strange has been happening lately. All of my trousers are getting shorter and my shirts don't cover my belly anymore. Mami said she has to go shopping for me because I've got nothing to wear. Even my underpants and pj's are getting a little tight. I don't know, I guess it's all that milk or all that juice I drink, but I'm getting SO BIG!

Having said that, I don't want to show you my short trousers or tight tops, so mami and I thought we would share with you my awesome....house slippers! Mami doesn't like me running around barefoot or with socks, so she got me these super cool slippers with a bulldozer on them. She really does know what I like! I look just like papi when he's relaxing at home. He has a pair too, but no bulldozer on his. Good thing, otherwise we wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

Mami says she wants to eat my legs. I sure hope she doesn't!

**Toddler Boy Slippers: Stride Rite from TJ Maxx for $6**

So how about you? Anything cool you want to show off? Of course you do!

Here's what you have to do: (we will choose our top three favorites in 3 weeks time)

1. Grab our badge and display it on your site or post (or link back to Mummy's Busy World)

Grab the button,

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2. Don't be shy, tweet us to let mami know you have linked up and she can RT @verybusymama

3. Please comment after you leave your link

4. Visit other blogs and remember link is open through Saturday

5. Mami will also pin your images to Pinterest

That's it!

I ate SUSHI!

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend my Oma invited us to have sushi. It sounds funny, but tastes yummy.

Mami said it RAW fish, but I think she was just making that up. There was lots of rice, crab meat, avocado and cucumber. Mami called them "rolls" and I dipped them in a special sauce. I tried using the eating sticks like papi did, but I still don't know how to use them very well. So instead I used the little umbrella stick and it worked perfect.

I couldn't stop eating them but then suddenly I felt very full and I told mami "my tummy hurts". Papi said the rice was expanding in my belly and that I shouldn't have anymore.

I don't know about you, but I really liked it. Mami and papi ate some other funny looking things, but they told me it was spicy so I couldn't have any.

I like trying new foods...sometimes they look strange but then turn out to be okay. I hope I get to eat sushi again!

What about you, do you like to try new foods? What have you tried lately?

Join in on our LOVE NOTE linky!

LOVE day linky

2012-02-04T19:01:00.000-05:00

Love day is coming up next week. Mami and I have been making heart cards and writing special messages for everyone that I love...and that's a whole lot of people!

Together with my friend Trey and his mommy Ms. TC over at The Mommies Made Me Do It we are joining up for this special linky so that you too can share your favorite love post, craft or anything related to Valentine's Day!

There are so many reasons why we all love someone, so for this month let's show some of those reasons in the form of random LOVE NOTES. So you can leave a blog post or just leave a love note...your choice or both!

Here is my LOVE NOTE:

Reason no. 345 why I love my mami and papi so much because they always do fun things with me, give me yummy food and they give me lots of kisses and hugs (but I pretend not to like it!) So I made this special frame with my favorite love candies. I hope you like them too!

Here's what you have to do:

1. Please be a follower of this blog or mami's blog Very Busy Mamá {life, beauty & style} by Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Email or RSS

2. Use the link boxes below to type in a reason why you love that special someone (if you are not linking with a blog post) - can be anyone! Your husband, child, parents, best friend, cat...you get the idea!

3. And be specific - "just beacuse" doesn't count!

4. Please no giveaways or ads

5. Bloggers link up any and all Valentine's Day related posts (crafts, reasons you love someone, anything!) If you do, please take our badge and display it on the post or site.

6. We will tweet out the reasons and posts until the 14th.

All ready to get loving?? GO!

Start with the words "Reason No.__ why I love my ___" and/or leave your posts!

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 6

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Boy oh boy has it been busy!

Mami has been on overdrive finding things for us to do and we spend most our days doing free fun things around town. I'm sure you've noticed I've slowed down and mami has picked up speed over at Very Busy Mamá {life, beauty & style}.

This week mami nearly choked when she went in to exchange a pair of trousers I had received for my birthday and the woman told her they were $30. WHAT? Wow! She said she doesn't even buy jeans that expensive for herself.

Don't worry, she was thankful for the gift, but thought that was way too much for a little guy like me. A few days later we were in Target and we discovered that the Circo range for kids is super cool and affordable. Jackpot! (by the way, circo is circus in Spanish)

This is one of the shirts we got: it's a lightning bolt! It looks like I'm wearing a shirt underneath but it's just made to look to look that way.

Remember trendy doesn't mean it has to be designer or cost a lot of money. Oh no!

Circo from Target $6

Don't you wish there was a Target in the UK? We missed it when we lived there.

And now on to our Top Three Trendy Toddlers from the past five weeks (it wasn't easy to choose!)

Jed from Babes About Town

As his mama Uju said:

Jacket by Nike (from my big friend Marcus).Cord trousers by Gap. Trainers by Puma

Oh yeah, and swagger by Jed

Ronnie from HPMcQ

Best. PJs. Ever.

Princess from Circus Mum

Mami wants one of these H&M coats in HER size!

Congratulations! Mami will email you your badges.

We will choose another top three in four weeks so make sure to join in.

So what about you????? Show us what you got!

You know what to do, but in case you are new please read on:

1. Display our badge on your site or post or link back to us (it's all about link love!)

Grab the button,

show your style and link to us!

2. Don't be shy, tweet us to let mami know you have linked up and she can RT @verybusymama

3. Please comment after you leave your link

4. Visit other blogs and remember link is open through Saturday

5. Mami will also pin your images to Pinterest

That's it!

FREE fun at Frying Pan Farm Park in Northern Virginia

2012-01-30T01:53:00.000-05:00

Those are mami's and I favourite words, FREE and FUN.

This weekend papi was working because this next week he has a very important meeting for a new job. At least I think that's why he is working so much. Mami says it's very important we let him "do his work on the computer" and not bother him.

On Saturday we dropped him off at the local library and then mami and I took off. Again she had promised me animals. Last time she said that we ended up at a museum and the animals weren't real. So I was hoping they would at least move this time.

We drove just down the road from my Oma's house, made two turns and we were there at a place called Frying Pan Farm Park. It is part of the Fairfax County Park Authority here in Northern Virginia and it is free to visit. Don't let the silly name fool you, it's soooooooo cool!

I could see the dark red barns as we walked up the rocky street and suddenly I heard a loud "NEIGH".. it was a hug horse and it was going pee pee. And let me tell you, it was lots and lots of pee pee.

After that we entered the barn to see some piggies and one was even going poo! So funny! I guess everyone had to go potty at that moment. Next to them were two goats and a lamb.

Outside I saw a turkey, peacock, hens, and more BIG pigs playing in the mud. The farm is big enough to walk around and there were lots of other kids around. After I visited each of the animals a few times, we walked to the far end of the farm and played on their playground.

There we had a snack and I could tell mami wanted to go, but I wasn't ready to finish playing, I mean I was just getting started but it was kind of cold. I made mami chase me if she wanted me and in the end she got me good. I didn't leave without putting up a fight, so on the way to the car she let me say goodbye to one of the pigs.

And it was the perfect time! He was having his dinner and he really does eat like a piggy! YUCK! There was food everywhere.

See? Nice shot mami!

So if you live in the area and you want to have some good old fashioned fun, then come on down to the Frying Pan Farm Park in Chantilly.

Me and mami give it two hands up!

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 5

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

If you didn't know, it snowed here in the Washington DC area and I got to wear my snow suit and boots.

Now I would show you those because they are super cool, but then I realized that what I wore the most over the past week was something you wear in the kitchen. It goes over your head and then you tie it around your waist. Know what it is?

It's an APRON!

Yep, I have my very own Cath Kidston dinosaur apron that I wear when I help papi cook, or when mami let me turn on the blender when we made our own moisturizer. Mami bought it before we left London and I'm so happy that she did!

I've seen lots of aprons, mostly with stripes or silly sayings, but this one has every kind of dinosaur I like: triceratops, t-rex, brontosaurus and a pterodactyl (those are the kind that fly).

Sometimes I wear it even when we are not in the kitchen because I just like it so much! Mami and I think this counts as trendy. Oh and I also got new grey and yellow wellies from Gap Kids that have little skeletons on them...how's that for scary and trendy?!

So there you have it!

Apron: Cath Kidston

Wellies: Gap Kids

Hoodie: Walmart

So now, show us what you got! And to those asking you don't have to be a toddler, we want to see baby style and older kids too.

You know what to do, but in case you are new please read on:

1. Display our badge on your site or post or link back to us (it's all about link love!)

Grab the button,

show your style and link to us!

2. Don't be shy, tweet us to let mami know you have linked up and she can RT @verybusymama

3. Please comment after you leave your link

4. Visit other blogs and remember link is open through Saturday

5. Mami will also pin your images to Pinterest

That's it!

Thanks for coming by and we can't wait to see what you have been wearing around town (or in the kitchen!)

{And if you really love all things style and beauty please

follow mami's NEW blog: Very Busy Mamá}

Make your own lotion & special container!

2012-01-23T12:29:00.002-05:00

Mami is at it again.

Now that she has her own blog she's been getting all sorts of new ideas.

Her latest one is making her own moisturizer. Papi and I didn't think it was possible, but it turned out pretty good. I know because she made some for me and made a special container to put it in. At night we put some all over my legs and tummy (that's where my skin is the most dry).

Here's what it looks like:

Want to make this? Visit Very Busy Mamá to get the full recipe and more pictures.

Snow much fun!

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

It snowed! Mami and papi said it wasn't much but every where I looked it was covered. It looked like a whole lot to me and I couldn't wait to go out in it!

Just before I turned one, there was a big snow fall here in the DC area but I didn't go out and play in it (I didn't even walk yet!). In London it doesn't snow very much and when it did it was so much fun but my hands got cold very fast and it hurt.

Now I am bigger and I know how to prepare for snow fun. Today I put on my trousers, snowsuit, jacket, gloves, hat, warm socks and snow boots. BOOM! I was ready to go.

Mami had bought me a round sled. I didn't know what that was but when I saw her sit on it and then glide down the hill, I wanted a piece of the action. She said she "felt like a kid again". Silly mami.

And boy was it fun! It went so, so so fast...we nearly hit a tree! I went with mami and few times, then with papi, but then I thought I want to do this alone. So I lay on my tummy and down I went. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I kept asking papi "where is snowman?" I always see pictures of snowmen in books but I didn't see any when we were out.

Snow is just the best ever! I wish it could snow everyday, I would sled all day and never ever go home. Not like today, when they made me go inside. I yelled out "No, I want to stay in SNOW!" In the end I followed because I was getting lonely by myself and no sled.

But just in case they were going to let me out again I didn't take off my suit or jacket. Mami tired, but I said "No mami, leave ON". I did warm my hands and feet by the fire, but after a while as a compromise papi let me play with the snow on the balcony. Ha ha! I knew I'd get my way, I'm good at that.

Have you had snow where you are? Did you make a snowball or go sledding?

-----

{Want to make your own moisturizer? Then head on over to Very Busy Mamá to see how}

Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs & bugs, nothing better than that!

2012-01-19T01:04:00.000-05:00

Today was a super fun day. I mean it...we took the tube or what's called the metro here in Washington, DC from my Oma's house down to the Mall where all the museums are.

Mami had promised dinosaurs, big animals and lots of fun and I was hoping she would deliver. We met with my tata, that's mami's papi at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and got our day started!

She wasn't lying when she said we would see all sorts of creatures...wow!

There was so much to see! I watched as they live fed a tarantula, that's a BIG spider and I got to hold a grasshopper. So cool! I wasn't scared but mami was.

We walked into the different rooms and each one had bigger creatures on display.

The thing is there is so much to see I don't know if I can even remember it all, but my absolute FAVOURITE part of the day was seeing the dinosaurs. ROARRRRR! Triceratops is the one like the most.

I didn't realise they would just be bones and I kept asking mami where the OTHER dinosaurs were. She said the others were in the forest....sure mami.

Anyway here are a few of our best pictures:

That's me and tata crossing the road

That's not a pencil, it's the Washington Monument!

So cool, right? I am really liking being in the US. Despite getting bored from not walking around as much as London, there is always something new to do I just have to make sure mami sticks to her agenda.

Don't forget, museums in Washington DC are free (except for a few) and I'm sure you know this but remember to pack a lunch because the food costs a lot of money!

Next on my list of places to visit:

The National Children's Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the National Aquarium. No offense mami, I loved seeing all the animals on display, but I kinda want them to be alive not stuffed.

Have you been to any of the museums in Washington DC? Which one was your favourite?

Sharing this over at this or that thursday

Very Busy Mamá: Faux fur shopping...with a kid

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 4

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's been a great week so far, I turned THREE yesterday, got lots of new toys...mostly dinosaurs and cars and new trousers! Believe it or not, I was very happy about that because my old one's were getting too tight around my tummy.

I had a HUGE party, I mean massive. So many people were coming over that mami asked my tío Tomás if we could borrow his house.

Of course as the host I had be be well dressed. I ended the party with chocolate stains on my shirt and dirt on my trousers from rolling around on the floor but she didn't care, we were all having way too much fun!

So here here it is, my birthday suit (no, not that one!)

Shoes: Koala Kids (seen on Trendy Toddler Tuesday last week)

Trousers: Dark blue slim fit from Gap Kids

Shirt: Light blue button down from Gap Kids

Jumper: Grey and blue stripped from Primark

What do you think?

Okay, so here we go...show us what you got!

1. Please remember to link back to us and/or use our badge on your site

Grab the button,

show your style and link to us!

2. Don't be shy, tweet us to let mami know you have linked up and she can RT @verybusymama

3. Please comment after you leave your link

4. Visit other blogs and remember link is open through Saturday

That's it! Thanks for coming by and we can't wait to see what you have been wearing around town.

Today on Very Busy Mamá Blog: Does your smartphone reflect your personal style?

Guess who's THREE today?!

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

ME! I'm THREE!!!!!! TRES!!!!!

Yesterday I had a big party at my tío Tomás's house with lots of my friends, cake, presents and even a piñata! Every one sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me and I blew out my number three candle.

Mami let me eat all the cake and candy I wanted and we stayed up late. When we came home it was dark outside and I went to sleep with ALL of my toys. It was the first birthday where all of my aunts, uncles and grandparents could come to. I think London was too far for them to come for one day.

Mami says I was born on Friday the 16th of January at 23.36 and that there was lots of crying and shouting. I don't remember any of that, so I guess it wasn't too bad then.

This was the only picture on her phone tonight. Can you believe mami didn't take any pictures at all?! She was too busy running around getting food and singing songs with us kids (and talking to all of her and papi's friends!) My eyes aren't really red, but we couldn't figure out how to get rid of that on the camera.

Thank you to everyone who came to party with me, and there were even two other bloggers there...Oriana from Mommyhood's Diary and Dori from 703 Mommy and Me!

I love my big familia. There are lots and lots of people in it which means lots and lots of fun!

P.S. Here is a picture of me when I was born

Let's get this blog started!

2012-01-12T17:59:00.001-05:00

Mami LOVES helping others get their blogs started. Really, she does.

Today we went to our new friends' house, Dori and Ben from 703 Mommy and Me. Mami met Dori at her first blogger event here in the US and they hit it off. She's been working on her blog and still had some questions.

Mami and I now exactly what it's like. When we started two years ago we knew nothing and we had some fantastic support from two Liz's and two Emma's. That's funny, but true! My auntie Liz who blogs at Nordica in London, Emma from Mellow Mummy, Liz from Violet Posy, another Emma from Me, the man and Baby (just to name a few). Mami felt guilty asking them how to do things but they always took the time to email us details, explain HTML (yuck) or just simply answering any questions we had. They certainly helped get us to where we are today.

And so in a pay it forward kind of way, we too like to help others who want to start a blog or need a crash course in blogging 101. We love our Blogger, but mami can do Wordpress too. Anyway, after a coffee fueled afternoon and very messy living room (sorry Dori!) we came home happy and ready to do more work on mami's new site Very Busy Mamá.

So remember those who helped you along the way and give a hand to those starting out. After all, we should all be supporting each other and showing some blog love!

What are you waiting for?! Go visit our friends! We've met each one personally and they are just FANTASTIC!

Feliz cumpleaños Omama y tía Kika!

2012-01-11T17:45:00.000-05:00

¡Cumple años feliiiiiiiiiiiiz, te deseamos a tí, cumpleaños Omama y tía Kika que los cumplas feliz!

Happy Birthday to my Omama and my tía Kika. I love you very, very, very much. I hope you eat lots of cake and get lots of regalos.

Don't forget my number three birthday is only in five more sleeps and I'm going to have a piñata at my party!

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 3

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

How is everyone doing?!

Been busy here. Mami over at her new blog and me playing and playing and more playing! I love the big playground we have nearby and going to story time at the library. Everyday I get up in the morning and walk over to mami's side of the bed and shout in her face "Mami get up! I want to go to playground ahora!"

I don't think she likes it when I do that, but it wakes her up every time.

So for this week's Trendy Toddler Tuesday I wanted to show you my best playground gear.

Koala Kids blue and white trainers from Babies R Us
Fleece bottoms that are lined on the inside to keep me warm from Walmart
Gap hooded sweatshirt with a sailboat print (can't see) and rope to hold buttons
Weekend a la Mer rain jacket (llined on inside) that we got to review in London for Half-Pint Chic

Easy to climb around in, and I am really liking the fleece bottoms because they aren't so tight around my tummy like my jeans are. I think mami has forgotten that I am growing because she hasn't bought me any new trousers in a while *hint, hint*

Now your turn!

1. Link up your trendy post or shot from the past week (can also be an older post) in the linky tool box below
2. Leave a comment describing your post or just say hello!
3. Leave your twitter name if you have one so we can @ you when mami tweets this week
4. Make sure you link back to us or use our badge on your site/post and we will do our best to tell everyone about you!

Grab the button,

show your style and link to us!

That's it!

Remember, when we get over 10 entries (to make it fair), we will select the Top Three Trendiest Toddlers and feature you the following week.

Mami is very good at promoting, so beside featuring you here, she will also pin your images to Pinterest, and Tweet them. If you entered last week, you have already been featured on Pinterest. We want to make it worth your while too.

We can't wait to see what you show us!

Today on Very Busy Mamá Blog: Running in Style

Rafflecopter Launch Party Giveaway: Win an iPad & a Kindle Fire

2012-01-09T21:52:00.000-05:00

We've been lucky enough to have used Rafflecopter when doing giveaways on the blog. Its a free app, and previously it was by invite only.

It is now open to anyone who wants to use it and to help get the word out, they are giving away an iPad 2 and a few Kindle Fires.

We are more than happy to help promote their service and have their giveaway on our site. I know mami would love to have an iPad!

This giveaway is open for the US and Canadian residents and will close February 9th at 12:01 a.m. EST.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make dog biscuits for your four legged friends!

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Guess what I made? DOG BISCUITS...but not for me!

Mami found a recipe from an old children's cookbook that belonged to my tía Denise and we decided to bake some for my grandma and grandpa's dog Jenna who was having her 15th birthday. Grandma said that in doggie years that's super old!

So mami and I made some and wanted to show you how to make them for your doggies too.

Here's what you will need:

Utensils

Cookie cutter in the shape of a dog bone

Pastry blender or two knives

Baking sheet

Pastry board or a clean kitchen counter

Mixing bowl

Rolling pin or an empty wine bottle (like mami used)

Ingredients

1 cup of flour

1 cup of wheat flour

1/2 cup of powdered milk

1/2 cup of wheat germ

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp of brown sugar

6 tbsp of margarine, lard or chilled bacon fat

1 egg

1/2 cup of water

Now for the fun part. Get your aprons and get mixing!

Step 1.

Preheat your oven to 325 F or 160 C

In the bowl mix the flours, milk and salt

Add pieces of margarine, lard or bacon fat with knives or pastry blender and mix

Because we used margarine, mami crumbled up some of Jenna's bacon treats to give it some extra flavour and added texture

Step 2.

Add sugar and the egg and gradually pour in water to make the dough stiff

Then knead the dough on a floured board or clean counter until it is smooth

Step 3.

Use the wine bottle or rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/2 inch thick

Then use the dog bone cutter to make the treats!

Step 4.

Add bones to baking tray and put into the oven!

Bake for 30 minutes

Step 5.

Take out
Let the treats cool before giving them to your dog and ENJOY!

The recipes make two entire baking sheets so we are sending some to my tío Tomás's dog Duke in a box.

If you are going to do this, don't forget to use the same cookie cutter and make special dog tag with your pets name using colored paper.

Jenna loves her treats and we know your doggies will like them too!

P.S. If you like this, we would love you to please share it on Facebook, Twitter or Google +. Thank you!

Chuck E.Cheese's: Where A Kid Can Be A Kid!

2012-01-08T13:11:00.003-05:00

I nearly forgot to tell you!

Last week grandma and grandpa invited me to a place called "Chuh-ki-chis"...well that's what it sounded like to me. Everyone was really excited about going and since I'm not one to pass up a good time with them, mami and papi I was more than happy to go alone.

When we arrived it looked like another restaurant from the outside, but once we were in I heard bells ringing and whistles. I looked over and saw bright shiny lights and it was....amazing! There were games everywhere, rides, a huge stage where a mouse named Chuck E. Cheese was dancing and singing and lots and lots of kids everywhere.

It's an indoor carnival/arcade/play area. You buy coins to play the games and you get tickets to claim your prizes before you leave. After all, their motto is Where a Kid can be a Kid and that's just what I did! I saw that you can celebrate birthday's here, I may just have to have a word with mami, mine is in 8 more sleeps.

Papi said this place brought back so many memories from when he was a little kid. We stayed for a loooong time! I mean, it was all day basically. We had pizza, played games, and more games, and rides, and more games, and more rides and got lots and lots of tickets. Three hundred and eighty nine tickets to be exact.

But we did have to go. Mami's suddenly perked up and I heard her say to grandma and grandpa, "I think coming here should be your special activity with him".

What mami, you didn't like the loud noises, bright lights, singing mouse and rides?? What's not to love??

Anyway, I had a blast! I can't wait to come back and do it all over again.

Have you been to Chuck E.Cheese's?

P.S. to my friends in the UK, when you come to visit I will take you there, promise!

Visit Very Busy Mamá mami's new blog!

Mami's gone solo! Visit her NEW blog

2012-01-07T00:30:00.000-05:00

It was bound to happen.These partnerships always come to an end. But no hard feelings, it's all good!

I know I had told you that we were going to share this blog but it just didn't work out. I mean, really, it's my blog and neither one of us could bear to change it over in just one go.

So mami did what she had to do. She went solo.

It's still being worked on. We all know how much work goes into one of these so be patient.

Her new blog is called Very Busy Mamá and it's all about girl things, you know all the stuff she likes such as fashion, beauty, fitness but still I'm sure she will mention me (she'd better!) and papi and even talk about how she has been attempting to cook (this will make for a good read).

I won't give too much away, so go and have a look yourself!

And please, show her some new blog love, it's tough starting out.

As for me, I'll still here here keeping down the fort and speaking for all kids out there!

P.S. Happy day to mami and papi, they have been married for 7 years!

Hooray! Our belongings arrived from the UK

2012-01-06T17:36:00.000-05:00

Been so busy today!

A truck pulled up early this morning with our stuff from the UK and mami has been busy working on her NEW blog.

Get ready, because it's going to be good!

Anyway, that's why I nearly forgot to blog...remember I'm doing BlogHer's NaPloBoMo for January so I gotta keep up!

We opened up a few boxes and papi took out his cookbooks and a few of my toys.

And what did mami take out?

Her wellies.

So mami.

Let's hope it rains soon!

P.S. Even though it's still a work in progress, please go support mami over at her new blog Very Busy Mamá. Tell her I sent you!

Bilingual at three? ¡Si, señor!

2012-01-05T20:06:00.000-05:00

"¡Mira mami! Look!" I yell out as we walked along the gravel path near grandma and grandpa's house.

"¿Qué mi lindo? ¿qué es?" She says as she stops walking and looks over to where I am standing.

"Mira, arriba. Es un butterfly...mariposa" I say watching it float away to rest on a leaf.

"Si, es una mariposa. Es muy linda, ¿no es cierto? ¿De qué color es?" She asks, even though she knows what color it is.

I look up to see where it has landed and tell mami "BLUE...¡azul!"

"Muy bien mi niño, es una mariposa azul"

And we stand there quietly watching it flutter away.

Then changing the subject I ask "Mami, can we go playground?"

"¿Quieres ir al parque?"

Quickly I think, "Si mami, vamos al parque por favor"

"Ya, pero dame un beso" and I give her the kiss she asked for.

See, mami means business when it comes to speaking ONLY Spanish to me. As some of you may know she is chilena or Chilean and papi is from the United States. They both know and speak English but want me to grow up speaking both of them.

Voy a cumplir tres años/I will be three years old

For every word in English that I say, I also know one in Spanish and it's all thanks to mami. I can count, I can tell you the names of insects in both languages and colors too! And we do lots of repetitions and games. So if I say "hat" mami says "HAT. GORRO" "HAT GORRO" and I say it with her.

Even if I speak to her in English, she won't respond in it, and she helps me find the right words in Spanish if I don't know them by showing me or acting it out. I wasn't lying when I said she was serious!

But sometimes we have miscommunication problems, or more like lost in translation issues.
I was sitting with her on the sofa a few days ago and I turned to her and said "¿mami, lentes?" pointing to her face.

Mami starred back, not really understanding and said "¿Qué?" and I said it again, "LENTES, mami"

But she still didn't understand me (I have problems with the 'L").

So to make it easier for both of us, I decided to use the word in English because I know she would understand and said "GLASSES mami, ¿dónde están tus glasses?"

"Ahhhh" she said and I could tell she was impressed at the way I decided to use English instead.
"Los guardé. Son solamente para leer" they are only for reading she said.

And then we carried on our day. Mami speaking Spanish and papi in English.

Knowing more than one way to say things, or being bilingual really does make you think on your feet. At the moment of meeting someone you have to decide in one second what language to use and I think I'm pretty good at it.

When I'm with my grandma and grandpa I know that they only speak English. When I see my Omama and Tata (that's mami's parents) I immediately know to speak Spanish to them.

See, es muy simple.

So I may only be three (well, my birthday is in two weeks) but I am bilingual!

What about papi you ask? His Spanish has improved. A lot! He even talks to me now, although his accent isn't as good as mine. But don't' tell him that.

Do you speak more than one language in your home? We would love to hear about how you are raising your kids bilingual and about other games and activities that you do!

Quality time = BEST TIME!

2012-01-04T22:54:00.000-05:00

Oh SNAP! This has got to be one of my favourite pictures from this past week.

After being indoors for a few days and not getting out much, we took a looooooong walk in woods to get some fresh air. After pulling me in the wagon for most of the way, I got out and walked with papi.

Mami was further back and I wanted to make sure she wasn't lost or left behind so I turned to check on her. Right then, I smiled at her and yelled out "COME HERE MAMI!" and she snapped this picture.

She then caught up with us and we walked along the path until we reached the river. There we threw stones into the water and had the sandwiches she had made for us. We even pretended to make a fire...I chopped the wood and she lit the matches.

It was such a happy day. I really really really REALLY love my mami and papi. There is no better feeling than when the three of us are together.

It's written all over my face...can you tell?!

Have a happy Wednesday and remember Quality Time = BEST TIME!

We linked up at and then, she snapped...

And with deb duty photography...

Trendy Toddler Tuesday: Week 2

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hey hey, we are back! I hope everyone is having a good first day back at work after all of the festivities these past few weeks.

As you know, mami and I have kicked off Trendy Toddler Tuesday. We are only on the second week, so bear with us. But we think it will be fun. Actually, LOTS OF FUN!

Not sure what it's about? Have a look here.

This week I wanted to show you my favorite long sleeve t-shirt ever!

Okay, so it's Gap Kids (again) but it's very special to us because mami bought it in the UK before moving back. It is a graphic of a T-Rex stomping through Tower Bridge in London...how awesome is that?!

I think dinosaurs are sooooo cool and scary so when mami asked me what I wanted to wear yesterday I chose this one.

Next up are my shoes...mami says they are "retro" looking.

I didn't know that having shoes that look old was the in thing, but hey, I like them! They are Koala Kids and mami bought them on sale at Babies R Us. I like that they have a number on the side, like a race car.

I wear them with my jeans rolled up at the bottom and they are good for the winter.

So that's us for this week! What do you think about my dinosaur t-shirt and retro shoes?

Now it's your turn to show us your style...but here are some simple rules to follow please:

1. If you leave your link, please display my Trendy Toddler Tuesday badge (below) on your post or link back to us with a mention (otherwise we can unlink your post, but we don't want to do this)

2. After linking please leave us a comment with a description of your post or if you are new say hi so we don't miss you!

3. Visit at least 3 (or more!) trendy tots.

4. Remember, we want to choose the Top Three Trendy Toddlers, so make it count!

5. The linky will be open all week until Saturday, so come back if you can't make it today.

6. If you are one of our Top Three Trendy Toddlers you will be featured here next week and we will Facebook and tweet you

4. Have fun!

Grab the button,

show your style and link to us!

We can't wait to see you!

Fitness Challenge: Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

2012-01-02T14:43:00.000-05:00

And guess who is doing it? Mami is...of course!

Yep! Every year she signs up for some sort of fitness challenge. Big or small, it doesn't matter, but something she can work towards. Remember I used to run with her too!

Now that we are no longer living in a city we don't walk AT ALL, and we have to drive everywhere...our legs have been getting cramped because of lack of movement. Mami says the suburbs can "be toxic like that".

Last year at this time she was one of the very fortunate bloggers to join the Nestle Pure Life team along with fellow blogger Mirka from All Baby Advice to train and run the London Marathon.

She took the job very seriously and with the help of papi, who is a runner too, she made sure she was fully prepared to make it to the finish line in one piece.

We are all going to cheer mami and papi on!

And not only did she make it one piece, but in true social media fashion, mami vlogged, tweeted and even posted updates on Facebook along the way. Yep! You can catch mami and Mirka at a few spots along the way... mile 4, mile 22 and the finish.

So this year, she (and papi) have registered to run the Washington DC Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in March. She says thirteen miles is more realistic than training for a the full 26.2 miles...yeah, that's a looooong way to run.

So for the next two months you will see a few updates here and there on her training. You know how much she loves to talk about running. Let's hope she doesn't sprain an ankle or hurt her knees.

If you are in the area, there is still time to register. And if you do, let us know...mami would love to meet other running mamas.

Anyone else taking up a fitness challenge? Tell us what you are doing!

Well hello there 2012, we've been waiting for you...

2012-01-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

Woooo hoooo! So happy the new year is FINALLY here!

Seriously though, 2011 was a year of MAJOR changes for the very busy family...we went from living and working in London to packing up and leaving it all to come to the US without a job or a home. And let me tell you, that ain't easy!

For mami it means that for the first time in ten years she is not "working" in the traditional sense of the word and embarking on a new life as a work at home mama.

And it scares the living day lights out of her! But papi and I are both here to help her...so bring it!

She found this notebook and the title just jumped out at her..."Look Closely" and that is exactly what she plans on doing. She always writes her ideas down and I'm sure she will fill this one very quickly.

We have also signed up for BlogHer's NaBloPoMo for the month of January..that means that we are committed to blogging every single day this month! And now that we share the blog, I know there will be lots more to say.

Today we started the year off with a nice walk in woods with mami riding her bike and papi pulling me in my wagon...can't think of anything better.

We look forward to everything coming our way...like when papi finds a job, mami doing the Washington DC Rock & Roll Half Marathon in March, the day we finally get our own home, buying new things to put in our home, going to pre-school, and so much more! And we plan on sharing our experiences with you.

So thank you 2012 for finally getting here!

Let's get this new year started!

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Another year gone by...

It started off with me turning two in London and it ends with me bringing in 2012 in our new life in the USA.

With a new year comes new beginnings and mami, papi and I are ready to GET THIS YEAR STARTED!

Saying goodbye to another year (and going fishing!)

We don't really have resolutions...I mean, I promise mami everyday I will be a good boy and mami says "she'll be more organised" so it's an ongoing thing.

Anyway, this new year will mostly be about mami finding freelance writing, Social Media and PR work, papi getting a new job and of course, getting OUR OWN HOME!

I hope everyone has a great New Year's party tonight and best wishes for 2012.

We could definitely use a fresh start....so here we go!

How do you top this?

2011-12-28T01:30:00.000-05:00

Mami has never received such a personal, made especially for her gift as the one my tia Denise gave her this Christmas.

We are all for home made gifts but this was the ULTIMATE one...

This just blows our pine cones and painted boxes out of the water!

She was so overwhelmed that for the first time ever she had no words. Imagine that.

So to my favorite auntie, THANK YOU for this great present and I'm sure you must have *loved* looking at my mami's face for hours and days on end! Ha!

Now can I have a portrait too?? I'd like it to be of me with my dinosaurs, bugs and riding my wagon. Okay?

But really, how can mami top this?

P.S. We would love for you to leave Denise (the artist) your comments. We are thinking of showing you more of her stuff. Gracias!

Trendy Toddler Tuesday

2011-12-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

Not to toot my own horn, but I think I'm a pretty stylin' tot. Okay, so mami picks out my clothes but I think she's done a good job so far.

She always says there are more options for girls (it's true). Any time we go to a store it's mostly pink, polka dots, ruffles and lots of bows everywhere and only a small boys section with not a whole lot to choose from.

So when we do find some really cool clothes, I like to show them off! So I thought I would share with you some of our latest stylish finds (by the way, this is not a review or sponsored post).

So welcome to our Trendy Toddler Tuesday...

Are you checking out my hat? So cool, right?? It LOOKS like I'm wearing headphones! It is from Gap Kids and it keeps my ears nice and warm and I don't have to keep pulling my hat down.

Now, who does my coat remind you of? Take a close look....maybe a certain furry friend? Maybe Paddington...BEAR! Yesssssss! It's my favorite because we have (almost) the same coat. It is also from Gap Kids and mami got it for only $19!

Anyway, there are some sweet after Christmas sales out there, so go out and get some good deals!

Gloves and trousers also from Gap Kids

Your turn!

We also want to see what other kids are wearing out there, boys and girls! So if you have a stylish little one, please link up and show us what you got. It doesn't have to be new, just fashion related.

Here's how it works:

It's all about link love!

After linking up, please leave us a comment about the picture or blog post you are submitting, or just say hello and visit the other trendy toddlers.

If you see our Trendy Toddler Tuesday tweets please give mami an RT. We would like to start off doing this each week to find new trends and cool clothes for us kids.

We ask that you please link back to us on your blog either with our badge (on the sidebar) or mentioning Trendy Toddler Tuesday.

Mami and I will choose our Top Three Trendy Toddlers each week and feature you on our Facebook page, twitter and here on the blog.

You will get a Trendy Toddler Award to display.

We will also promote the entries that are linked up during the week, so make sure to leave your twitter name too.

We can't wait to see all the different styles everyone is rockin' so get linking!

Best tree decoration...EVER

2011-12-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

Last night while everyone was busy getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner, I decided to do a little bit of decorating.

Who says kids don't have style?

Happy Christmas!

The most wonderful time of the year...

2011-12-24T01:30:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas!

We celebrate and open gifts on Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena so today is the big day. We tried to stay off the naughty list, did you?

See you in a few days!

Elf Mode: Last minute Christmas gifts and tips

2011-12-22T00:01:00.002-05:00

After mami's post about being overwhelmed I got a little worried, but we are okay now. It seems it was just a bump in the road, but now we are happily moving on and getting ready for the big day.

Today mami and I finished finding gifts for papi and my tío Tomás. Now all we have to do is wrap them. Mami says we are in Elf mode... busy working away, wrapping, baking, making last minute gifts and decorations.We even move fast like Elves...it's really like Santa's workshop at our place!

So we wanted to put together a little list to help others who are doing some last minute shopping or need quick ideas.

Quick gift: painted box lined with tissue paper

Here we go!

* Buy wrapping paper, tissue paper and bows at the Dollar Store or Poundland. Just as nice for a better price!

* OR make your own wrapping paper using newspaper or magazine pages, then tie with a red bow or string and your gift is very stylish!

* T.J. Maxx (T.K. Maxx) and other brand names for less stores have great items for the home and trendy gifts for everyone in the family! We got a pair of Ralph Lauren leather gloves for someone (I can't say who) for only $16.

* A special gift? Take an old box (of any size) paint and decorate to your liking. Line with tissue paper and fill with sweets, potpourri or even another handmade gift. Mami made the red one pictured above in 30 minutes (includes drying time).

* Photos! Print your favorite pictures in a larger size and buy cheap photo frames (again, dollar store or poundland) and decorate the frame to your liking with stickers, glitter, coins, buttons or bows.

* Make cookies! Buy the ready made sugar cookie dough and decorate with frosting. Or better yet, make the super easy Thumbprint cookies which we made a few weeks ago. Then take festive tissue paper, wrap the cookies and tie a red ribbon at the top. Perfect last minute gifts for neighbors or friends stopping by.

* Still need decorations? Make sparkly festive pine cones. Collect a few, paint them white and sprinkle with glitter. They brighten up the mantel, or in a bowl as a center piece, hang on the tree or use them as name tags.

Festive pine cones

* Didn't send out any cards? No problem. Go to Picnik (you don't even have to register) and make a quick collage with a few of your favorite images. Add some text, and choose from the Christmas card options and save to your computer. Then email to your family and friends.

* Not that you should leave all of your shopping to the last days, but if you do shop last minute, like today and tomorrow, look out for some stellar deals, even up to 50% off!

Got some other tips? Let us know...we will be working like Elves up until the last minute.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Overwhelmed by Christmas!

2011-12-21T19:09:00.000-05:00

A post from mami

Anyone else completely overwhelmed by the Christmas/Holiday season?

I know everyone is having a rough time, but living off your savings and not having a job is way too stressful.

For the first time in my life I don't want any gifts and I don't want to buy any gifts. It's mainly to due with the fact that we are still in transition here in the US after moving back from the UK and we don't have jobs or a home. We live with family and don't have any real structure to our days.

I told my husband "don't get me anything" and I meant it. But we ended up agreeing to one gift at $20 max. Besides, we just went to New York City for my birthday and a much needed weekend away from Little M (which we had planned a few months ago), our wedding anniversary is in early January, then Little M's birthday, then his birthday. It's all too much in a short space of time and we need to budget carefully. I just want to fast forward to mid February after all of the parties and festivities are over.

I tried to go shopping today for the family and all I got from it was a stomach ache and a bad mood. And not to mention I have had a few people say "Oh I got you something!" which means I have to get them something even though they were not on my list but I have to in order to avoid looking selfish. Or should I not bother? I'm still on the fence about this one. HELP!

So much fun decorating the tree!

This is not to say that we don't have any gifts for anyone, and that I haven't been excited about Christmas. On the contrary! Little M and I have had a great time crafting and decorating my mother's house. But the realness of our situation really hit home today and it left me nervous and scared.

Truthfully, I am looking forward to our delicious Christmas dinner at my mother's home and sitting by the fireplace. I don't need gifts, just my boys and family to keep me company. But the reality is that there will be gifts, albeit very simple ones, and I hope the feelings of guilt and "not having enough" soon subside.

On a more cheerful note, Little M is very excited about Christmas and I can't wait to see his face light up when he realizes there are gifts under the tree! Our families have been overjoyed buying him toys and clothes and for that we are very thankful.

How are you feeling about Christmas? Do you feel pressure to have gifts for everyone?

María José

P.S. New for 2012, Little M and I will be sharing the blog. I'm going to be writing more now...I think he needs a bit of a break. It's been two years!

What I Wore Wednesday (Birthday edition)

2011-12-20T01:32:00.002-05:00

Monday was mami's birthday, but she has been celebrating since last Thursday in New York City.

She wore lots of different clothes, but on her actual birthday we had everyone over for a family dinner and celebration.

This is her last and final birthday outfit (it's a tribute to London) for Transatlantic Blonde's What I Wore Wednesday link up.

Shoes: T.K. Maxx (T.J. Maxx in US)

Jeans: Primark

Top: Primark

Blazer: Uniqlo

Necklace: Primark

I'm going to be handing this blog over pretty soon. Mami isn't as busy as she used to be and I think she wants it all to herself now. I'll still be around, but keep an eye out for a whole new look!

Live from New York... Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

2011-12-19T13:41:00.002-05:00

Having a birthday in December is "never easy" says mami.

Friends are out of town, it's too close to Navidad and someone always gets you a double present. You know, one for "both Christmas AND your birthday".

So with a bit of planning, mami and papi went away for three days to a place called New York City. It was to celebrate mami's birthday which is today and keep it separate from the rest of the festivities.

I stayed with my Omama here in Virginia and we made cookies, Christmas gifts and mami's present. I missed mami and papi every day, but they called and said they would be back soon.

They did lots of things, including going to the top of the Empire State Building, but all mami really wanted to do was go ice skating at Rockefeller Center just like Elf does in the movie...and she did!

She said she did some swirls and twirls, but I just don't think that's true. I think she may have fallen a few times.

Anyway, it's her day and I just want to say feliz cumpleaños mami!

Do you have a birthday in December? What do you do to make it special and separate from Christmas?

Oh yes! A DRIVE THRU STARBUCKS

2011-12-15T02:00:00.000-05:00

Starbucks are everywhere. Everyone knows that. But today mami and I found a DRIVE THRU one...oh yes!

Obviously we are not the first to discover this, but we think there are probably other people out there like us who didn't know about these.

Living out here in the suburbs after living in London for so long has been a big change for all of us. I mean, I had never been in a car (much) before now. So mami and I drive around. A lot. It's the only way to get where we need to go.

And getting me in and out of the car can take a while. I admit, I like to go at my own pace.

So mami stopped going to Starbucks when she was with me because "it's too much work" to go in for five minutes then back again.

Long story short. She found a DRIVE THRU Starbucks today on Fairfax Boulevard in Fairfax very close to us. The look on her face was priceless and even before she had had her coffee she was beaming with happiness. To be honest, she didn't need the latte after all.

Apparently they exist in some of the major US cities, but still not enough we think. Here's a quick note to Starbucks, GET MORE OF THESE NOW! How there are not more is a mystery. Especially for us suburban folk.

We found a few more locations around here. So next time you are in the Northern Virginia area, try driving on thru to some of these places to get your cuppa:

Kamp Washington
10930 Fairfax Blvd.
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-218-5403

Village Center at Dulles
2407 Centerville Rd. Ste. B
Herndon, VA 20171
571-643-0240

Liberia Ave.
9642 Liberia Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
703-365-2154

Countryside Marketplace
3 Pidgeon Hill Drive
Sterling, VA 20165
571-434-0247

Ashbrook Commons
20035 Ashbrook Commons Plaza
Suite 194
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-723-3065

Just perfect for families!

Miércoles de Moda

2011-12-14T18:17:00.000-05:00

Just a quick one!

This is for Transatlantic Blonde's What I Wore Wednesday link up.

As you can see, we added a little latin flavor to the title (It means Fashion Wednesday).

Today we woke up late, lounged around and then headed out to the post office, food shopping then we hit the playground.

So mami took her own picture before going out...

She's not so dressed up today, but who can blame her. We didn't have anywhere important to go or anyone to see (and it was laundry day).

Get the look:

Trainers: Converse

Jeans: Gap Slim Fit

Jumper: Banana Republic

Camisole: The Limited

Jacket: H&M (bought before moving back from London)

Glasses: Gok Won for SpecSavers (yes, they are real)

Still think this counts as Comfy Mama Chic?

Christmas crafts: Make sparkly festive pine cones

2011-12-13T23:22:00.000-05:00

Look! We crafted. BIG TIME!

We've never been much for crafts. Mami tries, but we don't have a history of making things.

But now being back in the USA and mami being home all the time, things have changed. Suddenly she has lots of ideas, especially now during Christmas time!

So here's a little project we did and you can too!

Make sparkly festive pine cones and decorate three different ways

1. Go out for a nice walk and collect the nicest pine cones you can find. Try to avoid the crushed ones, those are no good.

2. Clean them off with a damp cloth. We didn't clean them well enough and there were little bugs in them!

3. With a medium brush paint the pine cones white or gold in the downward direction.

4. Let them dry on a piece of construction paper or newspaper on the side while you paint the others (we like using acrylic paints, they dry fast and wash off your hands and clothes easily).

5. Once dry, dip another brush in glue and brush onto the pine cone and quickly sprinkle with glitter.

6. Touch up as needed or add tiny ornaments such as little stars (pictured) or berries.

7. Leave to dry overnight (or for a few hours just to make sure they aren't still wet)

8. The next day spray with varnish to give it an added glow

9. Once dry, you are set to decorate!

10. You can place them in a colorful bowl as a centerpiece

11. Or adorn the mantel wreath

12. Or tie a little string around the top and use as Christmas tree ornaments.

You can also give them as gifts, make them into gift tags, hang some from your door wreath or window or fill a glass bowl with them.

The possibilities are endless, but there were just a few ways we have used them in our house.

Hope you give them a try. They are easy and fun to make, and leave the house looking very pretty and sparkly.

What do you think?

Don't have any glue in the house? Make your own glue in 4 easy steps!

1. Use an small, preferably old frying pan and mix a few spoonfuls of flour and water
2. Make a paste and constantly stir over medium heat (no more than 1 minute)
3. Do not let the paste stick
4. Once well congealed, removed from heat and it's ready to use!

First EVER pictures taken by ME

2011-12-12T01:26:00.001-05:00

I've never taken a picture before.

I'm usually the one with a camera pointing AT me. Mami and papi snap away any chance they get.

When I do play with mami's phone it's to LOOK at the pictures she has taken of us.

But this weekend mami taught me how to do it myself!

First I hold the phone with one hand, then I look at what I want to take a picture of on the phone screen, then I just press the camera logo at the bottom and BOOM we've got the picture.

So easy!

Here are a few of the shots I took:

Then mami helped with this one, but I pressed the button

I managed to hold the phone steady a little bit! That's mami! Pretty good, right?

I was trying to get a picture of the tree

How do you like them?

I think I should be the one taking pictures for this blog from now on. As a matter of fact, I am going to add a camera to my Christmas list.

Watch out mami, you've got some competition coming your way!

Oh Baby London: Clothing for lucky kids

2011-12-11T01:30:00.000-05:00

Before leaving London one of the coolest kids clothing company called Oh Baby London sent me one of their new tops to show off here in the US.

Even before I was sent the Naughty Kid Sweatshirt (seen below), I had been wearing their "clothing for lucky kids" since I was born. My good friend S was even featured on their website!

Thanks to mami's friend Kim, I was sporting their black tie playsuit and their robot print t-shirt in my early days.

Located on 162 Brick Lane in East London. Oh Baby London is a small and funky shop. Mami and I went when I was only 6 months old. She likes the edgy clothing and the original designs that creator Hannah McHalick has come up with.

Oh, did I mention I also have one of their tin/lunch boxes? Told you we love their stuff!

We can't shout enough about Oh Baby London. Really.

Here are a few tips when shopping with them:

We think their tops run a bit small so be sure to go up a size
The quality of their clothing is exceptional and feel as if they were made specially for you
They deliver WORLDWIDE, no extra charges just shipping
Right now many of their items are on sale starting at £4
Make sure to sign up for their newsletter to get 20% off your first order

So if you are looking to stand out, make a statement, or just add a bit of Brit fashion to your collection like me, then this is the place to go. Especially if you are looking for an item that has more character...why not go for a statement t-shirt like the I Rock top or even the Naughty Kid Sweatshirt I'm wearing.

Mami has been asked where I got that one lots of times. It really does make us kids look extra cool! We highly recommend you have a look at their site to see just how exclusive this range is.

You find them on Facebook and Twitter @OhBabyLondon.

I really am a very lucky kid!

GIVEAWAY!

Oh Baby London and Mummy's Busy World are teaming up to give one reader the chance to win any item of their choice worth £20 and FREE shipping anywhere in the world!

So if you want a rock a fresh new look, enter now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Swiss Bakery: Merry Swissmas!

2011-12-09T01:30:00.000-05:00

One of the things we most miss about London are the cafés. Some are better than others, but we miss the atmosphere and being able to enjoy some yummy treats.

On Fridays mami and I would go to our local café called The Bread Shop and she would have her skinny latte and I would have my usual croissant and juice. We would sit outside and watch people walk by on Chiswick High Road. Most of the time we saw people we knew and would join us.

The only "café" we go to here in Virginia is Starbucks...don't get me wrong we like it for a quick coffee or babyccino, but it doesn't have that special feel to it. No yummy breads or pastries in sight!

But on Saint Nicholas Day, Omama took us to a place called The Swiss Bakery. It's location is nothing fancy. To be honest, it's very uninviting but if you can get past the fact that it is located in a strip mall then you are okay. Believe me, you are in for a treat!

Once you are inside it's decorations and delicious pastries make it worth while. They import cheese, sausages and meat from Germany and make have oven fresh bread. One of my favourites is their bread men called Grittibenz...they taste so good!

I think the Christmas season really brings out the German side of mami...even though she doesn't speak it, the traditions this time of year are very special to her.

This weekend they are having a party. Yes a SWISSMAS party! Live music, and even Santa Claus is coming by. They will have a special menu just for the day and all of their Christmas treats will be available. We already bought our German Stollen...that's a fruit bread with marzipan and covered with icing sugar...mmmmm!

So if you are in the Northern Virginia area, mami and I recommend you stop by. The Swiss Bakery is located in at the Ravensworth Shopping Center in Springfield and in Burke Town Plaza. You can also buy online and find them on Facebook for all the latest.

Frohe Weihnachten!

What WE Wore Wednesday

2011-12-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

Okay so mami roped me into doing a post about clothes...ughhhh! But I know how much she loves all that girl stuff, so I let her talk about our fashion styles today.

Don't get me wrong, I have lots of clothes, I just don't like to talk about it too much. Well, some days I have to admit I do look very handsome - especially when mami combs my hair to the side like papi and I have on a polo shirt.

Anyway, here we are, telling you about what we've worn in the past week for Transatlantic Blonde's What I Wore Wednesday link up. Mine is actually from a few weeks ago, but it's one of my favourites.

My style: Little M

T-shirts with robots, dinosaurs, skulls, you know, the cool stuff.

Polo shirts, cargo trousers, trainers and jeans.

Anything that is easy to move around in at the playground. Dark colours. Easy to wash off food, dirt, mocos (snot) caca, pipí and anything else that comes my way.

When photo was taken:

Thanksgiving Day when Green Bay were playing.

Get my look

Jeans: Cherokee (a gift from my tía Denise)

Trainers: Adidas Cars 2 (gift from PR in London)

Jersey: Reebok Green Bay Packers ( papi's home team)

Blue Scooby Doo t-shirt: Fruit of the Loom

Mami's style

No trainers! Nope, she doesn't like them. Well, only Chuck Taylors. Other than that, trainers are for running. Skinny jeans, flats, loose tops with fitted blazers, scarves. Anything that is fitted but not tight. Easy to wash and move around in at the playground. When she goes out she likes dresses (papi and I think she looks very pretty when she wears them). Comfy Mamá Chic as she calls it.

When photo was takenBefore going to our (her) first blogger event here in the USA.
Get mami's lookJeans: Primark Boots: TJ Maxx Top: Ann Taylor LoftScarf: Jones New York Blazer: H&M
Be honest, should I just stay out of the fashion posts?
What about mami's look, sí o no?
Let us know what you think and check out what everyone else is wearing this week!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

2011-12-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Here at our house we have a mix of traditions, a lot of them come from my Omama's side of the family who are German. This time of year, one of them is the celebration Saint Nicholas Day on the 6th of December.

Traditionally in Germany and other European countries Saint Nicholas is the one who brings the gifts, not Santa Claus, but really, he IS el viejito pascuero (Santa in Chilean Spanish).

How else would we get our toys and gifts to us?

On the night of the 5th, we leave our nicest shoes by the door or chimney with our Christmas lists. Mami and I worked on ours during the day. I looked at hers and it looked like this:

~~Car~~ done!
Our own house
Chanel bag
Sleep

Good luck getting that bag mami!

Oh yeah, back to my story. Saint Nicholas comes at night, takes our lists and fills our shoes with yummy treats like nuts, raisins, chocolate and fruit!

Mami has been leaving her list since she was a little girl and it seems to work. She and my tío Tomás would wake up early get their shoes, then go back to bed and eat all of the treats! Nowadays, even papi doesn't miss out on this!

This year, we made special little bags to put the lists in (part of our Advent crafting), and we put them by our fireplace at Omama's house which is where we are living right now. She left hers too.

Of all the things mami makes me do, this has got to be one of my all time favorites. And I've been really good. All day. Every day. It's true. So I KNOW I am getting gifts!

Do you celebrate Saint Nicholas Day? We want to hear from others who do this too.

Now I'm off to crack open some of the peanuts I got.

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Virginia

2011-12-05T22:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it's now December. I am about to turn three in January and since LAST Christmas lots of things have become more clear to me. I mean, mami and I can actually have a conversation.

FINALLY she understands me!

Anyway, I've discovered that I really like Christmas. No wait, I LOVE Christmas! When we were in Willliamsburg with my grandparents, we went to a place called Busch Gardens. It's a big theme park in Virginia with fast rides and games. I've never been in the summer, but since 2009 they started something new. Something magical especially for this time of year called, Christmas Town.

The park which is divided up by countries England, Germany, Italy and Ireland is decorated like Christmas with lots of lights, decorations and even snow!

We were invited to attend a special event this weekend, but since we were not able to make it, we went on our own. We, and by "we" I mean there were 11 of us total, went on the first night it opened on the 25th of December. For those in the UK, it's like the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It's just amazing and gets you in the Christmas mood!

I managed to go on only one ride because there were mucha gente or lots of people as mami said and made me hold her hand very tight. The best part about the night was seeing a very special show, I couldn't believe when mami said that everyone from Sesame Street was going to be there. Yessssssss!

A Sesame Street Christmas is a 30 minute musical put on by Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert and the gang. I couldn't believe my eyes...they were actually there. Live on stage in front of me.

I rarely get star struck (okay, so I froze when I met Peppa Pig and George, but you get it) but it was a dream come true to see my amigo Elmo singing Jingle Bells and Cookie Monster and Big Bird dancing around.

Here's a little sneak peak at the show:

If you are in Virginia and near the Richmond/Norfolk/Williamsburg area we recommend you go to Christmas Town. The park will be open until the 31st of December. Tickets are $25 per person or $12.50 for pass holders and kids under 5 go free.

Other attractions and shows include:

Santa's Workshop
Polar Pathway
Mistletoe Marketplace
Deck the Halls musical number at Das Festhaus
Christmas markets for shopping
And not forgetting a long list of cool rides. Mami only went on the swings but she got scared of being up so high!

It really is the best time of the year, isn't it?!

First (or rather) Second Sunday of Advent

2011-12-04T22:08:00.001-05:00

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Well, no, it's actually the Second. Mami made a mistake. That's how busy and "out of it" we are. But who cares, we had so much fun and we will just have to catch up next week!

We lit the first of four candles on a wreath on the table and said a little prayer. After all, it is Jesus's birthday soon and "we can't forget that" mami says.

Each Sunday we light a new candle and when we light the fourth one it will be Christmas!

Afterwards we put on old t-shirts, sat around the kitchen table and we painted and made Christmas decorations!

We were like elves working away. Mami and Omama used glue guns to stick things on, cut up patterns to make viejito pasqueros or Santa's, and I painted pine cones to make a special center piece for the big day.

I even managed to make grandma and grandpa their gifts, but I can't tell you what it is just yet (they read the blog, so I don't want to give it away).

Phewwww! I ended up exhausted. Being an artist is hard work. But of all of us, I think mami had the best time, she was just coming up with all sorts of great things to make, I'd never seen her like this before.

And guess what?! We are going to make a barn next week. Well, it's the stable for Jesus..the Nativity.

What special things do you make this time of year?

Not quite home yet...

2011-12-01T01:10:00.000-05:00

The best part about being back? Getting to hang out with my tía, grandma and uncle

We've been in the USA for over a month now. This moving-back-expat-starting-over thing isn't as easy as we thought it would be. Mami is having "reverse culture shock" and I haven't been able to have much time to myself because of my demanding schedule.

I'm being serious. It's hard work when everyone wants to see you, here's what I mean...

The first few weeks were amazing! We were the coolest people in town. Everyone wanted to see us, talk to us. After all, we hadn't been back to visit in two years.

I took full advantage of mami and papi's welcome back celebrations. I went to bed super late, mami and papi let me do what I wanted (they were very happy too!) I slept in a little tent my tío Tomás gave me, I had family members I didn't know existed come over to see me, lots of new toys and gifts, then Halloween came around and just a thousand new things going on at once.

To be honest, it was sooo much fun!

Then after a few weeks we packed up and went to stay with my grandma and grandpa in Williamsburg, Virginia. Instead of relaxing, the action started all over again. There was a new house to play in, a new dog, new aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then came Thanksgiving (my first one) and it was like a circus! I even watched American football for the first time and became a Green Bay Packers fan. There were so many people everywhere, and I was never alone. Phewwww!

You have to understand that in London it was just me, mami and papi ALL OF THE TIME. No one else really came to see us and much less LIVE with us.

I think even mami and papi have come down from all of the excitement because I heard her say to papi "I just want to go home. Any home that is ours".

I thought, "But where is home?"

I realised we are definitely NOT going back to London, NOT going back to our flat, NOT going back to my old room, NOT going to see my friends. And it made me sad. Sad because I just want us to go back to how we were, all living together in one place. Don't get me wrong, living with my tía Denise and my Omama has it's advantages, but you need your space.

But being here also means I get to do things I wouldn't normally get to do, like paint with my tía Denise, go out to dinner with my grandma or hang out with my uncle Brad. So it's all worth it in the end, we just have to be patient (not something mami is good at).

Now mami and papi are in the process of buying a car. Can you believe that?! Our very OWN car! Woooo hooo! I'm a city boy and I've only ever been on the tube and buses so this is going to be a whole new adventure for me. We've been using my Omama's car and so far, I love it and who knew mami could drive? I always discover something new about her.

So you see, we may be back "home", but we don't feel at home. We have a long ways to go for that. For now, mami is just enjoying her "extended holiday", meeting up with old friends and making new blogging friends. She's even launching a new blog in Spanish. Good luck mami! Just remember, blogging may look easy, but it's a lot of hard work. I've been doing this for almost two years.

We'll keep you posted on our settling in. For now, we are getting ready for Christmas and preparing for a whole new year!

Have you recently moved to another country or city? Or have you moved back to where you were from originally? How was it for you?

P.S. In case you were wondering, I am still waiting for my toys and bed to arrive. I wish they would hurry up!

Rocking the 'tashe: Movember

2011-11-29T07:32:00.001-05:00

We saw this on Perfectly Happy Mum's blog and it was too much fun to pass up!

It's Movember, the month previously known as November as Peggy says in her post when men and women grow hair on their face for a good cause.

The 118 118 guys will also will donate £1 pound for everyone uploading the photo created to their profile picture on Facebook.

Who cares if November is over in one day.

Go on! Tashe yourself!

Elmocelli

2011-11-28T21:33:00.001-05:00

One of my favourite shows is Sesame Street and of course Elmo is my best amigo ever!

Anyway, sometimes at night before going to sleep my auntie Denise will put on videos and tonight we watched Elmoccelli. Well, that's what it sounded like to me when mami said it.

But it turns out that "Elmocelli" is actually Elmo with a singer named Andrea Bocelli and he is trying to get Elmo to go to sleep by singing him a lullaby called Time to Say Goodnight but it's not working.

So funny!

I know how he feels because mami was trying to do the same with me, but I wasn't having it. It's not my fault I'm not tired. I want to stay up and play and so did Elmo.

Then my Omama said she was going to see Andrea Bocelli sing live next week here in Washington DC. Cool huh? I wonder if Elmo will join him on stage to do this song? I hope so!

If you get a chance check out the video, but in the meantime here are some of the words to the lullaby:

Time to say goodnight

Relax and close your eyes
You need to get plenty of rest

You've got a full day tomorrow
Playing games
Dancing and saying the alphabet

To be fair to Mr Bocelli, it really is a nice song. I am going to ask mami to play it again tomorrow.

What is YOUR favourite song before going to sleep?

Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon: Riding in style!

2011-11-23T21:59:00.000-05:00

I've got my very own carrito or wagon! It's a red, two seater Radio Flyer Pathfinder with seat belts and cup holders.

Seriously, this ride is soooo cool! Mami takes me out on long walks along the leafy paths and we collect pine cones, sticks, acorns, flowers, rocks, leaves, berries and anything we find along the way.

These wagons have been around for a long time - even mami had one when she was a little girl aaaaaages ago.

Mami and papi got this one at Walmart for $74 and it was really easy to put together. I helped papi hammer in the wheels and in 10 minutes we were out the door.

The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday here in the US and I hear there are lots of sales going on. I have a good feeling that these wagons are going to fly off the shelf!

Now I'm off to find someone to take me out for a ride. Uncle Brad maybe? Or better yet, Uncle Jeff!

He-Man and Ninja Turtles: New old toys!

2011-11-21T22:02:00.000-05:00

This house is full of new things. Well, everything here is new to me. Everything is different. So different from our flat in London. Some days I feel lost and miss our home.

Last week mami was searching for some of her stuff from before moving to the UK in one of the super big closets at grandma and grandpa's house. This closet is so big, you can can WALK into it, and then walk around IN IT.

She found lots of things, all pretty boring. Shoes, clothes, towels, things for the house. So boring even I didn't want to see them. She was very focused on her boxes when I spotted a plastic box on a bottom shelf.

It had a bunch of colourful toys in it. I mean, I know toys. But I had never seen these before and I pulled the box out and dug in.

Mami was still looking at her stuff so she didn't see me. Then I said "Mami, mira. A turtle". And I showed her the turtle that was dressed like a ninja. "Oooh, Ninja Turtles, I remember these!"

Then she looked down at the box, and instead of telling me to put them back, she took some of the other plastic figures out and smiling she shouted "Oh, that's HE-MAN!"

HE-MAN? I thought. Who is that?

Then she looked at me and sang out "HEEEEEEEEE-MAN, Masters of the Universe"

"Yeeeeeah!" I said back still not knowing what we were talking about. But then she showed me HE-MAN. He's the guy in the underpants, boots and lots of muscles on his tummy. So funny! I guess he was some sort of super hero when mami was little.

"These must be your uncle Jeff's old toys, Little M" she said to me.

"Yeah" I responded. Then I asked "Papi toys?"

"Maybe the HE-MAN is papi's. He is from a looooong time ago"

A long time ago is right! The date on the back of the toy said 1981.

WOW! Papi must me an old, old man. And I had no idea that papi played with toys too! He never mentioned anything. Then again, he never told me he had been a baby either and now I go and find out he used to wear nappies.

Amazing the things you find out when you do a little digging. I wonder what's next?

Little M Bakes: Strawberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies

2011-11-15T16:38:00.001-05:00

FINALLY I got back into the kitchen. Woooo hoooo! Mami isn't very good at baking, but she does try!

I'm happy to share with you our latest creation: Thumbprint Cookies. My auntie Denise used to make these when she was little and I wanted to try them. They are so easy to make and even yummier to eat.

Here's what you need:

1 cup margarine

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup of sugar (mami used 1/2 cup of Splenda)

1 tsp of vanilla

Any kind of jam - we used sugar free strawberry jam

2 cups of flour

A big mixing bowl

A mixer

A baking sheet

How to make them:

Preheat oven to 325 F or about 160 C

Cream margarine and sugar in a bowl. Add egg yolks and vanilla until it gets fluffy (mami accidentally put in the whites too, oops!)

Then you stir in the flour and mix it all up. Put flour on your hands, and roll the dough into medium sized balls (not too big, not too small)

Put each ball on the baking sheets. Then take your thumb and PRESS into each one leaving your print

With a spoon, fill each of the indented spots with jam. Put into the oven for 25 minutes or until brown

When they are done, take out, let cool and then EAT!

They are super easy to make and fun too. We got a little messy, but that was the best part.

Mami is going to make Candy Cane Cookies soon, so come back for those.

Think you can make them? Of course you can, mami did!

Greetings from Williamsburg, Virginia

2011-11-14T01:30:00.000-05:00

Here we are just three hours south of Washington, DC in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Since moving to the US from the UK we have been living with my Omama near Washington, DC. Now we are here in Williamsburg where papi's parents live. That's my grandma and grandpa.

Not only do they live here, but just down the road in Jamestown was where the FIRST permanent English settlement in North America was set up waaaaaaay back when the English were finding new places to take over.

In Colonial Williamsburg you can still see some of the original buildings and see how life was back then. Some things have been remade, but people live there and they dress like the olden times.

The ladies wear long dresses and the men wear funny looking shoes with white knee high socks. There are Union Jack flags everywhere along the main street - that I recognised instantly!

Williamsburg is right between Jamestown and Yorktown and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Who knew?

There is lots for families to do - so if you are ever over this way, it's worth a trip.

Even Prince William's grandma, Her Royal Highness, the Queen HERSELF (and Prince Philip) came by a few years ago to check it out on the 400th anniversary of the first English colony in North America. Yep!

Here's a list of things you can do when you visit:

1. Busch Gardens Williamsburg: You don't have to wait for the summer to go. The day after Thanksgiving they open up their Christmas Town so just in a few weeks I will be making my way over. Besides I need to talk to Santa. NOW.

The entire park is decorated for Christmas, there is singing and even snow (but it's not real). Mami loved it! It reminds me of the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. You can purchase tickets on their site and follow on twitter @BuschGardensVa

2. Colonial Williamsburg: I've already said it, but just walking down the main area you can get a feel for how the colonials lived and they do cool re-enactments too

3. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center: This is one place I haven't been yet, but mami and papi have. We are going next week so I can't wait! Here you can experience the first settlements, go into the old homes, see how they cooked and made everything from sticks, leaves and rocks.

4. The College of William and Mary: There is a big university right in the middle of Williamsburg. It is the second oldest university in the United States (and no, it's not private!) The campus is really pretty now during the autumn

5. The Williamsburg Winery: I don't think I need to say too much, but it's a grown up favourite. I know that grandma and grandpa like to go there. They have tastings and you can have parties there too. I'm pretty sure it's on mami's list of "things to do"

6. Williamsburg Premium Outlets: Do I really need to explain this one? SHOPPING. OUTLETS. SALES.

Believe me when I say there is lots to do. We go exploring in the woods, today we even saw some deer! We throw rocks in the James River, collect acorns and pine cones, and the leaves on the trees are bright yellow, red and orange. It looks so pretty!

I'm only just getting started over here. So far, I'm loving Williamsburg!

And while I'm here, I'm sending out postcards. So leave us a comment below if you want me and mami to send you one or just say hi.

Cheers from over here!

So BIG!

2011-11-09T01:21:00.000-05:00

Look, I wasn't kidding when I told you that everything is BIG here in the USA.

Not that you can't buy big things in the UK, but this is something else!

Here are some of the BIG things I have now:

A BIG refrigerator - it's so big mami forgets what she put in it
A BIG washing machine and BIG dyer - we can do LOADS of laundry
A BIG bathtub. So BIG it scares me a little
My uncles BIG car
The shopping trolley at the supermarket is so BIG mami can't steer it properly
And very BIG leche - that's milk! It's so big I can't take it out by myself when it's full

It's not a litre of milk. Oh no, it's GALLON of milk. And it's all for me.

AMAZING, right?!

On another note, I have been super busy and doing new things everyday. That's why we haven't been around much. After all, we don't even have a house or car yet!

We have to share everything here. But mami says soon "we will have our own things".

My first American Halloween!

2011-10-31T23:03:00.001-04:00

There is way too much to tell, but let's just say mami wasn't kidding when she said Halloween would involve "lots of candy and lots of fun".

Trick or treating was amazing!

All that candy just for me!

You walk out when it's dark in your costume, knock on doors and when they open you say "trick or treat" and they drop candy into your bucket!

Then you say "Thank you! Happy Halloween" and go on to another house. And each one has spooky decorations on the outside and some people even sat outside around a fire waiting to give out candy.

My pumpkin bucket got heavy very quickly so papi helped me carry it.

Me and my uncle - he's the Indian Chief

And everyone liked my Scooby Doo costume so I think I got extra sweets for that.

I can't wait to eat them all!

My first American Halloween was a hit! Can't believe I missed out on all this the past 2 years. I have to make up for lost time.

What should I be next year?

Are you ready for Halloween?

2011-10-29T23:12:00.000-04:00

I am!

Been wearing my costume for a few days now.

You know, just to get a good feel for it.

Only one more day to go!

I can't wait to go trick or treating because I hear you get TONS of candy.

Can you guess who I am?

Cox Farms Fall Festival

2011-10-27T14:47:00.000-04:00

I'm sure everyone who lives in Washington DC and Northern Virginia knows about Cox Farms in Centreville, but not being from around here we had no idea. They are the largest family farm in the area!

Mami had never been to anything like this or even to a pumpkin patch, so she was just as excited as me when my tío told us about it (that means uncle in case you didn't know).

The Fall (or Autumn to others) Festival runs until Halloween on the 31st but afterwards they have other activities like Pumpkin Madness which is on the 5-6th of November.

The festival costs $15 per person on the weekends and $8 on the weekends. Mami flinched when paying, but later we realised it was worth every penny because everything is free (well, you pay for your own food but you can bring a picnic if you want) but everything else like the HAY RIDE is included.

And let me tell you, they have EVERYTHING! I even helped eat a big bag of kettle corn...mmmmm!

There are lots of animals, like piggies, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, live shows and entertainment, long slides, playgrounds, and stacks of hay to climb on. There is so much to do that we didn't get to do it all. Imagine that. ME not getting around to everything.

But the fun doesn't end when you have to go. As you leave you get to choose a baby pumpkin. I am very lucky because I ended up getting more than one because my tío, mami, papi and my Omama gave me theirs.

So if you are in the area, you should go check it out! This is the last weekend for it...and let me know what you think. What about in the UK? Are there any "must visit" pumpkin patches?

As for me, I'm waiting for papi to come back from buying a big pumpkin so we can carve it. Don't forget, it's Halloween next week, and that means CANDY!!

Do you know what you are going to be? I'm SCOOBY DOO!

Facebook: Cox Farms
Twitter: @CoxFarmsTweets

Pobres paltas

2011-10-26T00:23:00.002-04:00

Miércoles Mudo

London Heathrow Airport's Nipperbout Mobile Creche

2011-10-25T16:54:00.003-04:00

I'm here now in the USA, but to get here we had to go to London Heathrow Airport and get on a plane.

A few weeks before mami had seen some discussion around Heathrow Airport not allowing families to take their pushchairs to the gate. This didn't go over so well, and not just for us, but for other families too.

This bit of news, mixed with the nerves mami gets when travelling with me because she says I get "frustrated and on edge even before getting on the plane" made her scared for the 8 hour flight to Washington DC.

And she had every right to be. I get so bored waiting around. Being told to "sit still" "no running" "don't touch" that when I do get on the plane I just want to kick the seat in front of me, scream and run around.

But can you blame me?

So when we passed through security at London Heathrow Airport last week and entered the departure lounge and saw a sign that said Children's Play Area mami didn't miss a beat. We made our way over and mami said to papi "I am checking him in, you go get us coffees".

And that's what we did. She signed me in to the playarea run by Nipperbout Mobile Creche and Event Child Care in Terminal 1 and off I went!

Now I could end here and say it was great fun (which it was) but mami and I feel that more airports and Heathrow should consider this a permanent fixture. Mami was told this area was there for a few weeks, then taken down. Then back again in a few weeks time.

This is how it works:

1. Nipperbout has trained professionals on hand to check children in, ensure they are safe in the enclosed area and keep it clean and tidy

2. Parents can come in or sit outside in the normal departure area seating. The walls to the play area are low enough (see images) for us kids to see our parents and for them to see us!

3. You can stay for 10 minutes or 2 hours like me!

4. It's FREE!

Our reasons why children's play areas should become a part of airports today:

1. Even before getting on a flight, the waiting time is long and very tiring. Having a play area allows us kids to relax and enjoy some time to run around

2. Parents are more at ease and less stressed. I could see such a big difference in mami's attitude this time around. Usually she is a "ball of nerves"

3. By the time we get on the flight, we have had a good hour or so of play and we are ready for lunch and a nap

4. Not only are we happy, but fellow travellers won't be scared of being near us kids on a long flight

We know that Fisher Price had a temporary play area at Gatwick Airport but I didn't get a chance to go to that one.

Have you been to the play area at Heathrow or other airports? What did you think?

Share your reasons and ideas on why having play areas would make for better travelling experiences.

We really want to help families travel happy!

Welcome to the USA!

2011-10-23T13:27:00.000-04:00

This isn't the number 27 bus towards Hammersmith...oh no! It's a BIG TRUCK!

Everything here is very BIG. The cars, the roads, the houses, even the milk containers (no complaints from me).

Mami and papi are enjoying going out without me while I stay with my Omama (grandma).

I think they like that a little too much. I mean they go out ALL THE TIME now.

They act as if they have never been able to.

Geez!

I am still exploring so I'll let you know more soon!

Have you been over this way?

What did you most like about the USA?

Toddler travel essentials: Portable DVD & edible crayons

2011-10-18T03:34:00.002-04:00

I'm done crying over my things. Mami and papi assured me they will arrive at our new home soon.

Now I am ready for the air plane ride. We get to go up into the sky! Yesssssss.

To prepare for the looooooong trip (it's 8 hours of flying time you know) mami and papi have some "travel essentials" for me.

Here is our list so far:

1. My very own TV! Siiiiiiiiii! You read right, mami and papi got me one today so that I can watch my movies. I even get these cool earphones and everything. Mami calls it a portable DVD player, but it's really my own TV.

2. Lots and lots of sticker books. They fit perfectly into my backpack and let's face it, who doesn't love stickers?

3. Five of my favourite books - I can't bring my entire collection so mami let me choose a few.

4. My very own colouring pad and...chocolate flavoured crayons (and real crayons too) I know, so cool right? Mami found them when clearing out stuff and says I can draw and have a snack at the same time!

5. Oh and my movies! Of course. What's the point of having my own TV if I don't have movies. For in-flight entertainment I have: In the Night Garden (my all time favourite), Chuggington, Dora the Explorer (my friend!), Sesame Street, Charley Bear, Pocoyo and a few others.

I should be okay with all this...what do you think?

By the way, Papi bought the the movie player and headphones (Bush 10 inch screen £90) at Argos just in case you are looking for one too. It comes with a car adapter and carrier and he says it is "worth every penny".

I tried out my TV last night (that's me in the pictures watching Pocoyo. And the headphones are sooooo cool!) and I am happy to report everything is working just fine.

Now off to the airport we go!

Is there something else I should be taking with me? What fun things do you take in your travel bag?

They took EVERYTHING!

2011-10-17T01:30:00.000-04:00

You already know that we are moving to Washington DC.

But after all the talk I started noticing that things began to change. I mean, all sorts of strange things were happening.

Everyday something else was taken away from me.

Let me explain:

1. I caught mami putting some of my toys into bin bags and saying they were "rubbish" or that they would be "given away". I REALLY didn't like that very much. As a matter of fact, I panicked. I mean, that's my stuff!

2. Last week, our upstairs neighbours came over and things from our rooms including our fan. I cried and tried to grab hold of it... "MY FAAAAAAAAN!" I yelled out. I didn't want them to take it. I was mine and papi's. I had helped him put it together. Mami explained we would get another one called "air conditioning".

3. The next day after my fan was taken from me, I was right in the middle of my favourite Peppa Pig episode when there was a knock at the door. Four men came in with big boxes and started putting ALL OF OUR STUFF IN THEM!

My table isn't there anymore

4. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING, including MY BED! I really got scared and called mami, and said, "Mami, bed gone. No sleeping" and I just cried again. As mami was holding me, I looked around my room, and it was completely empty. I jumped up and ran around calling out for my things. But they were nowhere to be found. I mean, I've got nothing! I have been sleeping on a little mattress on the floor and it's just not the same.

5. I also noticed they took the letters that were on the wall above my bed. I said to mami "ABC all gone" and she looked up and said "Si, Little M, we packed those away". Mami said the letters spelled my name, so I do hope to see those again. The empty white walls are scary at night and I always ask papi to leave the hall light on for me.

6. On Saturday ALL of our friends came over. I thought it was my birthday, but I know that is not until later. Everyone kept saying "we are going to miss you" and when they left they had tears in their eyes and they kept kissing me and hugging mami. I'm staring to wonder, just how far is Washington DC?

Now I am sitting in an empty flat with only a few small toys and books with me. I really miss my bed and everything is bare. It doesn't feel very nice and I really miss the feeling cosy.

Tonight when mami said it was dinner time, I ran straight to the corner where my table used to be, but then I stopped , looked around and realised there was nothing there.

I turned around and said "table all gone papi". And I slowly walked over to the sofa where mami said I could eat and together we watched In the Night Garden. She kissed my head and said "it will be okay mi amor, soon we will have a new home".

I have been feeling very sad these past few days but being close to mami always makes me feel at home. Even if there is nothing around us.

How would you feel if everyday something else of yours was taken away?

Anything but my toys!

2011-10-12T01:30:00.000-04:00

No mami, please! Don't take my toys!

When this moving and packing business began it was just your stuff and papi's stuff. I didn't think I was involved in this 'clearing out' thing you have going.

Oh sorry. For those of you reading let me explain. We've been packing and throwing things away and getting ready to move out of our home and go to the United States.

Yesterday mami made me take a nap in her bed. I thought that was a little bit suspicious because I never sleep in her bed.

I should have known something was up.

When I woke up from my nap, I found mami IN MY ROOM, with BIN BAGS and lots and lots of piles of my clothes and....my TOYS!

There they were. All in black bags.

I went over and saw my teddy, and my soft baby toys, and my blocks and wait...even my tool box! HANG ON ONE MINUTE! I thought my things were being shipped too?

So I started taking things out and putting them on my bed, under my bed. Anywhere safe from mami's grasp. I was grabbing what I could and scooping them up quickly before they were taken away again.

I had to save my toys because I knew where they were going....to the 'charity shop' next to the Starbucks. I know, because I helped mami take her stuff the day before.

Papi came in and said we were going out. And because I never turn down a chance to go to the playground I went with him.

So mami, I am watching you and I am keeping an eye on those bags.

Por favor, take anything but my toys!

Paws up for Tatty Puppy!

2011-10-11T01:00:00.013-04:00

¡Hola!

Been busy here getting ready for our move. I still don't get it all, but things are actually being packed away, so I think we are getting close to leaving.

Anyway, I wanted to introduce you to my new shaggy grey dog with a blue nose Tatty Puppy from Carte Blanche.

He was sent to live with us a few weeks ago and I am happy to report that he has been getting along just fine with teddy, rhino, giraffe and all of my other animals. Good thing because we have a long flight ahead of us!

And he really is mine!

He comes with an Owner's Certificate and his new name is now Woof Woof and I can carry him around in his very own kennel.

Too cool!

But he's not just any puppy. No way! He is like me, socially connected. Yep!

He's got his very own website Me to You: My Place.

It's a new free internet game that actually brings Tatty Puppy to life so you can see everything he does! Once you are at his site you can enter the special code that he comes with and that allows him to be ‘unlocked’ online.

And don't worry, the online game is safe for us kids to play and it's also on Facebook!

His website also has fun and educational mini games which I hear are great on the i-Pad!

You can get your very own Tatty Puppy for £12.99 from Carte Blanche or Clinton Cards.

OR...you can enter to win one with us!

Food fun! Make hotdog and spaghetti creatures

2011-10-10T01:30:00.000-04:00

Mami saw something really cool on Facebook.

And when I say cool, I mean super duper best discovery EVER kind of cool.

She discovered...hotdog and spaghetti creatures!

So of course we made them.

I helped mami cut up the hotdogs, I broke the spaghetti sticks in half, made the creatures and then ate them. That was the best part!

We love this so much we want you to try it too!

So here's what you have to do, it's very easy:

1. Get a few hotdogs
2. Cut them up into pieces
3. Break spaghetti sticks in half or use curly pasta
4. Poke the sticks through the hotdogs making arms and legs
5. Cook them for 6-8 mins in boiling water (only mami can do this)
6. Then EAT THEM! (but first let them cool off)

We didn't come up with this idea, but we wanted to share it because it's so much fun!

What do you think? Are you going to try this out?

We are going to try to make more fun creations with food, but we would like to hear what you have made....we would like more ideas!

A family portrait?

2011-10-09T01:30:00.000-04:00

It is really hard for us to get a good picture with all three of us in it.

So this was the next best thing....

Papi, mami and me

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

Oh and in case you were wondering, I am on the far right.

Do you have a family picture without actually being in it? Show us!

Cheers!

KEWC3AN4S2SB

THIS is how to make Betty Crocker Whoopie Pies!

2011-10-07T01:30:00.000-04:00

Can you believe mami had never heard of whoopie pies?! I know! And she grew up in the USA...geez.

So of course she had never eaten one or made them - she even called them whoopie cakes. Silly mami.

But after digging around her goody bag from the MAD Blog Awards on Friday, I found a box of Betty Crocker Whoopie Pie Mix. I recognised it instantly because we had made some of her cupcakes before.

I was excited because I am a natural in the kitchen, I had a new apron to try out and I know that Betty Crocker makes it very easy to bake so even mami can do it.

But you know what? Let me SHOW you just how I made the Whoopie Pies - check out my video!

Yummy right?!

Thanks to you Betty I started baking with mami. We love you very much!

Win a family pass to see Rio - The Ultimate Carnival Party!

2011-10-05T01:00:00.000-04:00

Mami and I have been invited to see the Rio - The Ultimate Carnival Party Edition at London Zoo this weekend.

I actually can't wait to go because I love animals and I love movies. So it's the perfect day for me!

Rio, which is from the creators of Ice Age is a funny story about about an exotic bird named Blu who can't fly and his adventures in Rio de Janeiro. The film will be released on the 24th of October on Blu-Ray Triple Play, Blu-Ray 3D and on good old DVD (like we have) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

But hold on!

Now you can win a family pass to see Rio on Saturday the 22nd of October at the Barbican Family Film Club, right here, right now!

The film features big actors like Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Foxx and Will.i.am (they do the voices!) and there is lots of dancing too.

To win tickets for a family of 4 to the screening at the Barbican watch the trailer then comment below:

1. Tell us what kind of bird Blu is

2. Leave your full name and contact email or twitter (mandatory)

Oh and you can also enjoy more with Rio and play the Birds vs Monkeys or the Rio in a Row games!

Gracias for coming by and good luck!

Rules

One entry per person

UK Only

Must be able to attend on the date

No other prize on offer
Travel not part of prize

Incomplete entries will NOT be counted

Winner selected at random if all requirements are met

Closes on Monday the 17th of October

Comments will not be shown

Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:

Win a pair of Hamster Buggy Bags

Nip+Fab Sheer Makeup Fix

We tried it! Hamster Buggy Bags

2011-10-04T08:10:00.002-04:00

We are always in search of the perfect buggy bag.

Something not too big, not too small, but just right to fit what we need when we go out. Especially around London and when we have to go on public transport.

We were sent the Hamster Buggy Bags to try out.

Never heard of them?

We thought they were so fantastic, we put a video for you to see for yourself!

What did you think? Neat, huh?

More reasons why the Hamster Bags are so useful:

- You will have more storage space and no need to carry around bulky bags
- They come as a pair, so you get two bags instead of one
- The inside pockets are deep and you have easy access to the outside pockets for your keys or phone
- If you need to take the bags off, you can hang them over your shoulder
- And of course, safety comes first - so they have a reflective strip so that you are seen when it is dark
- They fit on a variety of buggies and pushchairs, so everyone can use them!

Papi did point out that if you go on the bus and the bags are full it can be difficult to get through the aisle, but other than that, it gets TWO hands up from me!

Now for the good part! The lovely Lara, who created the Hamster Bags has given us one pair to give away to a reader worth £29.99.

To win a pair of buggy bags you must:

1. Go to the Hamster Buggy Bags site and tell us what colour bags you would choose

2. Watch our video and tell us what is the MAIN reason mami and I love the Hamster Buggy Bags so much?

3. Please leave your answer in the comments below along with your name and contact details (email and/or twitter)

For an extra entry you can tweet:

I want to win a pair of Hamster Bags with Little M and @verybusymama http://bit.ly/pSx9iE @Hamster_Bags

You can also find them on Facebook or tweet them @Hamster_Bags

Gracias for coming by and good luck!

Comments will not be published until the competition closes
Only one entry person
UK & Ireland only
Colours subject to availability
Closes Tuesday the 25th of October
Winner selected at random is all requirements have been met

Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:
Win a family ticket to see RIO at the Barbican on 22nd October!
Nip+Fab Sheer Makeup Fix

Mami Monday: Nip + Fab Sheer Make-Up Fix

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's Mami Monday!

Let's face it, Monday's are never fun. We don't know of anyone who actually likes this day so I thought I would make it a bit more cheerful by sharing things that mami really loves.

You know, "mami stuff" like makeup and other girl things that you mummies enjoy. So no kid stuff!

This week is brought to you by NIP+FAB Sheer Make-Up Fix (£14.95). Mami has most of their range and has happily been using it for the past year.

This one is a "complexion perfector" and is used BEFORE painting your face.
The range is found at Boots stores across the UK and funny enough, their product colours are the same as our blog! So besides mami liking it, I thought it was a good match for us.

If you don't know NIP+FAB go and check them out on Facebook and give them a thumbs up to stay up to date with their latest news.

In the meantime, mami and I have 5 of these face fixers to giveaway. That's the box in the picture....and that's me in the background!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your name and contact (email/twitter)
2. Follow us on Facebook or Google Friend Connect (your choice)
3. Tell us what you most like about yourself (can be anything!)

Good luck and Happy Monday!

One entry per person
UK only
Winner will be selected at random
Closes Monday the 10th of October

Other competitions on Mummy's Busy World:
Win a family pass to see RIO at the Barbican on 22nd October!
Win a pair of Hamster Buggy Bags

October summer lovin'

2011-10-03T01:00:00.000-04:00

It's October now but that hasn't stopped if from being HOT HOT HOT!

I am not an expert at seasons, but last year at this exact time I was wearing wellies and a vest jacket. I know that at this point in the year it shouldn't be this hot and sunny.

For those of you not in London, we have been having a heatwave for the past week. I'm talking mucho calor...up to 30 degrees and that is super hot, especially for us here in the UK.

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

I don't know about everybody else, but I have been enjoying every second of it... bare feet, ice cream, and extra time at the playground! Mami even had to unpack my shorts and swimming trunks.

Yesterday we went to my friend Sofia's house and we were in the pool all afternoon! I mean, playing in the pool in October is UNHEARD of.

Papi said autumn is on it's way this week, so before it all ends I just wanted to share my last fun in the sun moment.

What about you? Have you enjoyed the sun or do you just want it to be autumn already?

Bring on October!

2011-09-30T01:25:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day of September and boy has it been a loooong month!

But that means tomorrow is the first day of October which means it is my Grandma's birthday but more importantly it means 18 days until we move and 30 days until Halloween. Yessssss!

Anyway, it's not just any old Friday.

Oh noooooo! Tonight mami is going the MAD Blog Awards for us!

We are finalists in not one, but TWO categories (Family Fun and Pre-School Fun) and it is even more special because at first we didn't think we would still be in London to attend. We are very excited and looking forward to the ceremony which papi and I will follow online.

So to get this day started, I am joining mami at her bootcamp, then getting our Friday coffee (for mami) and croissant then going to the playground then back home for some lunch.

And while I'm here, I'd like to take this moment to remind mami that today is also really the absolute last day of fun because after this we will be getting ready for the move and there will be no time to socialise. Papi says he needs you to get serious now.

So to say goodbye to September here is a red rose from our garden to brighten up your day.

Bring on October!

Love London: Hampstead Heath

2011-09-29T01:02:00.000-04:00

As you may have heard, we are packing up, getting on a big plane and moving across the ocean.

In the lead up to our move to Washington DC, we have been visiting some of our favourite places around London and this week we went to Hampstead Heath.

It is a HUGE park (790 acres) with lots and lots of trails, trees and as mami says it is "just beautiful". It has a pond that you can swim in during the summer and lots of movies are filmed here too.

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

We went to Hampstead by train and had lunch at a nearby pub and I could see mami looking around at everything and trying to remember every detail. I think she really is looking at everything like it's the last time.

As soon as we reached the entrance to the park I took off running into the leaves.

Papi said "don't go too far" but I didn't listen. I looked back at papi, laughed and kept running.

But then I tripped over a rock and as I hit the ground I felt something squishy between my hands. I got up and looked to see something green and smelly on my hands. I ran to papi and he looked at mami and said "he fell into dog caca".

I don't think I need to explain mami's reaction. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty. But she cleaned me up and off we went!

Anyway, after all that, we had a very peaceful and fun walk. Some of the leaves where on the ground, there were lots of bugs and insects everywhere!

If you have never been there you should go. Add it to your London "to do" list. And in just a few weeks it will be even more pretty because all of the leaves will be on the ground.

We will miss all of the parks here in London - so enjoy them for us!

Hampstead Heath is located on the Northern Line or via the overground.

What is your favourite London park?

Let the feeding frenzy begin!

2011-09-28T09:38:00.002-04:00

¡Todos a comer!

Miércoles Mudo/Wordless Wednesday

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

Goodbye London. We love you forever

2011-09-27T01:15:00.002-04:00

We are going from one capital city to another...Washington DC here we come!

After six years in the UK for mami and papi, they have decided to move to Washington, DC in the United States. I say 'they' because I didn't have any say in this. After all, I am a London boy! I don't know any other place and frankly, I love it here.

But...my abuelita and tata live there, my uncles, aunties and my grandma and grandpa. Oh and Duke (he's my tio's dog - I always get to see him on Skype).

Mami wants to be closer to her mami and says she is tired of being so lonely.

However, this move isn't without it's dramatic moments. Ohhhhh no.

There was a period of a few weeks when mami panicked and said "What are we doing?! We have nothing there! Our home is here, our friends our here. We can't go!"

Do not remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

And so the flat hunting began and they dragged me all over West London looking for a new flat. Papi would say, "If we find the perfect one, that would help us decide to stay. Why did we want to leave again?!"

But nothing was good enough for them. Finally after seeing a dozen or so flats, mami just looked over at papi with a straight face and said "It's done. Let's just go as we planned". And that was that. The moving preparations continued as before.

Then mami turned on the water works. And she says I'm a cry baby?! Please!

She cried for most of that afternoon. Walked around sniffling and wiping her eyes. She scared me at first and I went to give her a hug and I held her tight.
She looked at me and said "We are moving to Washington DC Little M. ¿Vamos?"
I said, "No mami" and she and papi laughed. But I was busy building a castle with my blocks, so it wasn't a good time to ask me anyway.

But now she is looking more happy! And also going crazy cleaning out the closets, throwing things away, going through my baby clothes and trying to decide "what goes and what stays". I'm just hoping I see all of my toys again.

There is a lot more to say about London, after all, mami and papi did lots of things before I came along, but maybe mami can give you the grown up version someday.

For now, I leave you with a little letter I have written to the city I call home.

Dear London,

This has not been easy to write. Not sure where to begin. You are my home. I have not lived anywhere but here and I have a feeling there is no other place like you.

You were tough on mami at first. She had a hard time, but guess what? Now she doesn't want to go!

She says she will always be a Londoner (me and papi too). According to papi these were the best six years of his life.

Oh and mami says no matter what, she will always be a "mummy" and not a "mommy"and she may even continue to say "rubbish" and "trainers".

There are lots of things we will miss, even if you do get very crowded at times and the tube isn't running. But you are truly magical and we will come back to visit soon.

Now we are going somewhere new and starting all over again but we are going to take pieces of you with us. Mami says she is an "Honorary Brit". I say let her have the title, okay?

I know there will be more tears, but I hope she is brave. I will make sure to take lots of tissues for the airplane.

And as for me, I love London the most because this is where mami became my mami.

London we love you. Forever.

Little M, mami and papi

Toilet talk

2011-09-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

I'm all potty trained now.

Yep, no more nappies for me. I'm all about the big boy undies. And I've done well. No accidents, I tell mami and papi when I need to go and that's that.

But I don't like to use the potty alone. I always get mami or papi to come with me. I just like to talk. Sometimes I even read a book, helps pass the time, especially when I have to do caca.

Other times, when mami or papi are in the toilet with the door locked I knock and yell "pee pee! pee pee!" to get them to open up so I can go in. Even if I don't have to. That ALWAYS works, yesssss!

Or better yet, if they aren't opening up, I yell out "CACA!" and then the door opens really fast!

Sometimes mami and I use the potty at the same time. She has given up trying to lock me out. So we talk about what we are going to do that afternoon, "do you want to go to the playground?" she asks.

"Yes mami" I say, then she responds, "Ok, pero tienes que hacer pipí primero".

Other times we just stare at each other. "What are you doing mami?" I ask to break the silence.

Mami says "Doing pee pee. And you?"

"Pee pee coming mami" I say.

Then I hear the pee pee sound from mami. And that makes me want to go too.

And when she is all finished I like congratulate her on a job well done. "Good job mami" I say.

Then when I am done, mami returns the favour and says "Muy bien Little M" and she lets me pour my pee pee into the big toilet and flush for both of us.

It's all about team work in this house and the toilet is no exception. I have to say, I am a very good flusher.

I enjoy my toilet talks with mami. And I think she does too? But I'm not sure, she's a bit funny on this one, I can't quite read her.

Anyway, so what sort of things do you talk about in the toilet?

It's all about PHONETOGRAPHY!

2011-09-25T12:49:00.001-04:00

We don't have a real picture camera.

Mami takes all of our pictures with her phone. Yep! Every single one. Not a camera in sight at our house.

We have learned how to use the phone to take good pictures and work with what we have. Sometimes we have taken pictures so good that people can't believe it's not with a professional camera.

We know there are others out there in the same situation and we wanted to start a weekly Phonetography series where we share our best picture taken with our phone and tips on how to maximise your camera phone.

Here is our first phonetograph to share with you:

Do Not Remove (c) Mummy's Busy World

Phonetography tip for this week:

If you are taking a picture with an iPhone and it looks dark, tap the darkest part of the screen (before taking the picture) and it will lighten the image. Then take the picture!

Want to join in?

If you are interested in sharing your pictures and tips, please leave a comment below and mami will be in touch about doing a guest post or even a linky.

We can't wait to hear from you!