Fintastic Birthday Party at Goldfish Swim School

Robbie turned 6 years old! We wanted to celebrate with his friends at an indoor spot this year. We couldn’t have found a better venue for his party. It was a blast!

Goldfish Swim Schools are the perfect spot to experience a tropical environment. Their locations are colorful, spacious, and welcoming. Their swimming pool area is heated to 90° and their shiver-free pool is the perfect spot to swim with friends.

We had his party at Goldfish Swim School in Evanston, IL. We chose the smallest party package since it was perfect for us. You get to have 1 to 24 little ones as guests. Adults don’t count against the attendee number, which is amazing! You don’t have to worry about how many parents will join. Grandma and grandpa can enjoy the fun, too!

Robbie was so excited to know we’d do an ocean theme for his party. He really wanted to focus on manatees, but it’s really hard to find anything manatee. We had so much fun gathering the few things we needed to bring for decor. Robbie was so excited to work on choosing the names for all the snacks we had for our guests.

What’s included?

When you book a birthday party at Goldfish Swim School you get:

– Two hours of private access
– Certified lifeguards & party coordinator
– Invitations and envelopes
– Table coverings, plates, cups, napkins, and forks
– Balloons, tropical decorations, and centerpieces
– Cupcakes & beverages for children
– Goodie bags
– T-shirt for the guest of honor

We booked the venue 6 weeks before the party. It was so easy! If you’re a Goldfish member you can do it through the Goldfish app, or the member portal on their website. Goldfish Evanston offers two different party times, either from 2-4pm or 4:30-6:30 on Saturdays. Check with your local Goldfish on what times they offer their birthday parties as times and days vary by location.

The allotted time for the party was perfect! Once you’re signed in with the front desk, you and your little ones will have a brief water safety demonstration, and you proceed to spend the first hour in the pool. There’s comfy changing rooms and showers for your guests. Shampoo is available, as well as hair dryers. When everyone moves to dry land, everyone gathers and shares food. We opted for an additional coffee package for a small fee. It was a hit with the adults!

One of our guests is getting a certified life vest after having received safety procedure from certified lifeguard

I loved having all the help from Goldfish staff. It’s definitely a plus to arrive at a birthday venue where everything is already beautiful! The staff work on setting up the tables, plates, and décor! The staff served our guests pizza, and the cupcakes. Also, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up! As a parent this is definitely a win! Not having to worry about setting up and cleaning up is awesome!

One of our guests, Ben, receives a cupcake from Goldfish Staff

This is the first birthday party I host that I’m actually the most relaxed! All the help we received from the staff was awesome! 

I definitely recommend hosting birthday parties at Goldfish Swim School. You get a lot of value, there’s parking for your guests, and all your guests will get a free family swim pass in the goodie bags! Some of our guests booked free trials after the party was over! Having a birthday party at Goldfish Swim School is not just about fun, but it’s also about learning water safety with friends!

If you’re not ready to book a party yet, start with a FREE trial at any Goldfish Swim School. Click here for Chicago locations!

Thank you Goldfish Swim School for sponsoring this post!

♡ Michelle | con limón, please

Pasta with Roasted Chile Verde Peppers Cream

Chile verde has such a special taste for my palate. This green pepper is also known as Anaheim or California pepper. It has such an exquisite flavour and it’s not spicy. Chile verde adds a ton of flavour to food, specially when it’s roasted! They’re green, a lighter shade than jalapeños, and they can be twice as long. In my Sonoran land we refer to it as chile verde. In order to prepare this pasta, I roasted some chile verdes, and I prepared a cream. You can use any type of pasta you prefer or have at hand, or you can even use this cream to add to some chicken or meat.

Here’s what you’ll need:

– 5-6 chile verde peppers
– 1/2 medium white or yellow onion
– 2 garlic cloves
– cooking oil
– 8oz softened cream cheese (1 bar)
– 1/3c Greek yogurt
– 2tsp bouillon
– 6c cooked pasta (about 12oz of uncooked pasta)
– Cilantro to garnish

Start by roasting the peppers either on your stove top, or by broiling them in your oven. Place them in a sealed container or bag, and set them aside to cool down. Then, remove the skin and seeds of the ppeppers.

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat up some cooking oil in a pot, and fry the onion and garlic. When they change color, and they look a bit transparent, add the peppers. Fry for several minutes, remove from heat, and let them cool down.

Place the peppers with garlic and onion in a blender. Add a bar of softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and the bouillon. I used chicken bouillon. Heat up some more cooking oil in the pot you used before. Add the cream and cook for a few minutes in medium heat. When it’s about to boil, add the cooked pasta, mix well, and it’s ready!

Puedes usar chiles poblanos o pimiento morón si no encuentras los chiles verdes en tu localidad

NOTE:
You can use low fat cream cheese and yogurt
You can substitute the Greek yogurt for cream
You can use any type of pasta. You could also make this cream to go over some chicken or meat
If you like spicy food, you can add a roasted jalapeño or Serrano pepper to the mix!
Enjoy this delicious pasta as a side dish. Enjoy it with anything! I hope you prepare it!

¡Buen provecho!

Michelle | con limón, please

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My blogger friends also shared their favourite pasta recipe!

Easy Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles by Nicole

A Valentine’s Pasta Dish by Traci

Quick & Easy Vodka Cream Pasta Sauce by Stephanie

Pasta con crema de chile verde tatemado

El chile verde es súper especial para mi paladar. Este chile tiene un sabor exquisito, no es picante, y da muy buen sabor a la comida especialmente cuando está tatemado. A este chile también se le conoce como chile Anaheim o California. Allá en mi tierra sonorense se le conoce como chile verde. Para preparar esta crema para mi pasta, tatemé unos chiles, y preparé una crema. Puedes usar el tipo de pasta que desees, e incluso puedes usar la crema y cubrir pollo o carne.

Esto es lo que necesitas:

– 5-6 piezas de chile verde
– 1/2 cebolla amarilla o blanca mediana
– 2 dientes de ajo
– aceite de cocina
– 8oz queso crema (1 barra)
– 1/3t yogurt griego
– 2cdta consomé
– 6c pasta cocida (about 350g)
– Cilantro para servir

Tatema los chiles verdes en la estufa, o usa el horno de tu estufa en la opción para asar (broil). Ponlos en una bolsa o contenedor y déjalos enfriar. Quita la piel de los chiles y las semillas también. Prepara la pasta, y saca el queso crema del refrgerador para suavizarlo.

Pica la cebolla y el ajo finamente. Los dientes de ajo los puedes triturar. Calienta aceite de cocina de tu preferencia y fríe la cebolla y el ajo hasta que se tornen algo transparente. Agrega los chiles. Fríe por un par de minutos y reserva para dejar enfriar.

Licúa los chiles con cebolla y ajo, agregando una barra de queso crema, el yogurt griego, y el consomé. Yo usé consomé de pollo. Fríe esta crema en la misma olla que habías utilizado con un poco más de aceite. Cuando esté a punto de hervir, agrega la pasta cocida, revuelve bien, y listo.

Este día quería hacer spaghetti pero sólo tenía penne. Puedes usar realmente la que tengas a la mano.

NOTA:
Puedes usar chiles poblanos o pimiento morón si no encuentras los chiles verdes en tu localidad
El queso crema puede ser descremado
Puedes sustituir el yogurt griego por crema
Puedes usar cualquier tipo de pasta, e incluso puedes hacer esta crema para cubrir pollo o algún otro tipo de carne
Si te gusta lo picante, tatema un jalapeño o un chile serrano y agrega a la mezcla

Disfruta de esta deliciosa pasta en crema de chile verde para acompañar cualquier platillo. ¡Espero que la prepares!

¡Buen provecho!

Michelle | con limón, please

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Más recetas que te puedan gustar:

Sopita de fideos mexicana estilo Sonora

Esta sopita me trae tantos recuerdos. Es como estar de regreso en Sonora en un día caluroso de verano visitando a mi nana Toñita. Los mexicanxs hacen sopas y caldos incluso en los días más calientes. No estoy bromeando cuando digo que las abuelitas te hacen comer una linda sopa caliente aunque estés sudando. ¡Hermosos momentos!

Los fideos son una pasta noodle delgada y redonda hechos de trigo. Ya sea para un día caluroso de verano, o para un día acogedor de invierno, aquí te dejo mi versión de esta sopa tradicional estilo Sonora, aquí está mi sopita de fideos.

No necesitas muchos ingredientes para preparar esta sopa. Lo que le quieras agregar después de lista es completamente opcional. Una buena tortilla de maíz con sal en forma de burrito es suficiente, y por supuesto, con limón, please.

Aquí está lo que necesitas:

– 100g de pasta de fideo

– 1/2cda aceite de cocina

– 1 tomate grande

– 1/3 cebolla mediana blanca o amarilla

– 2 dientes de ajo

– 1 chile guajillo

– 5t caldo de pollo o verduras

– Sal y pimienta al gusto

Opcional: aguacate, queso, tortillas en tiras, limón, chile triturado, salsa picante, etc.

Primero hierve un poco de agua. Enjuaga el chile guajillo. Ponlo en un contenedor y cubre con agua hirviendo por unos minutos. Su color va a cambiar cuando esté suave, no se verá tan oscuro.

Corta la cebolla y el tomate en trozos y agrega a la licuadora. Pela y pica finamente o tritura el ajo, y también agrégalo a la licuadora. Agrega el chile y una poca del agua que usaste para suavizarlo. Media taza de esa agua está bien. Licúa bien por un par de minutos.

Pon una olla en la estufa y calienta aceite de cocina. Yo usé aceite de aguacate. Después, agrega los fideos y fríelos por unos minutos hasta que veas que algunos se empiezan a dorar. Usa un colador y agrega la salsa que licuaste a la sopa. Ayúdate con una espátula para sacarle todo el caldo. Fríe por unos minutos y agrega las 5 tazas del caldo que elijas. Yo usé caldo de pollo para mi sopa. Deja que hierva, cubre la olla, y deja cocinando a fuego bajo por 20min.

Si deseas agregarle algo a tu sopa, puedes hacerlo. Si tienes tortillas de maíz, calienta algunas, enrólalas como burritos y acompaña tu sopa. A mi tazón yo le puse rebanadas de chile guajillo frito, rebanadas de aguacate, y jugo de limón. ¡Riquísimo!

Esta sopa le habla a mi alma. Me hace sentirme más cerca a mis raíces mexicanas, y el aroma y sabor me hacen recordar muchas memorias. Definitivamente sigo la tradición haciendo esta sopita de vez en cuando para los míos.

NOTA: puedes hacer esta sopa con otro tipo de pasta, como de letras o dinosaurios.

Espero que te pongas calientito y te sientas cómodo uno de estos días con esta sopita de fideos.

¡Buen provecho!

Michelle | con limón, please

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Para otras sopitas que he hecho haz click aquí debajo:

@conlimonplease

Tienes que agregar @FlavorMaster a tu cocina. ¡Es el sazonador perfecto que no sabías que necesitabas! Puedes usarlo con cualquier proteína o verduras. ¡Da a los sabores en mis platillos un sentido innegable de profundidad y definición! Incluí FlavorMaster® de pimienta y ajo en mi receta de sopa de “taco” cremosa. ¡Gracias por haberte unido a mi cocina, Flavor Master! 🧡 Sopa de “Taco” Cremosa Ingredientes 1/2kg carne molida de res 28oz tomates en lata 1 pimiento rojo 1 1/2t frijoles cocidos 1c chícharos congelados 4t caldo de pollo 1cdta cebolla en polvo 1cdta comino molido 1/2cdta chile en polvo Pizca de paprika 1cda FlavorMaster® pimienta y ajo 2 chile verde 8oz queso crema Toppings (opcional) Tortillas de maíz en tiras Cilantro Cebolla blanca Aguacate Queso fresco Limón ¡Buen provecho! . . You have to add some @myflavormaster to your kitchen! It’s the perfect seasoning sauce you didn’t know you needed! You can use it with any protein and veggies. It gives my dishes an undeniable sense of depth and definition to existing flavours! I included FlavorMaster® Peppercorn Garlic in my Creamy Taco Soup. Thanks for having joined my kitchen, Flavor Master! 🧡 Creamy Taco Soup Ingredients 1lb ground beef 28oz canned crushed tomatoes 1 red pepper 1 1/2c cooked beans 1c frozen peas 4c chicken broth 1tsp onion powder 1tsp ground cumin 1/2tsp chili powder Pinch paprika 1tbsp FlavorMaster® Peppercorn Garlic 2 Anaheim peppers 8oz cream cheese Toppings (optional) Tortilla strips Cilantro White onion Avocado Queso fresco Lime . . . . #creamytacosoup #taco #tacosoup #taco #soup #sopa #soupseason #winterfood #kosher #allinonesauce #versatile #protein #veggie #flavormaster #likeagenieinabottle #soupciety #nosoupforyou #chicagomom #latinamom #mexicana @ApexDrop | UGC Agency

♬ La Más Deseada – Valentín Elizalde

Mexican Noodle Soup Sonoran Style

This sopita (little soup) brings back so many memories. It’s like being back in Sonora on a hot summer day visiting mi nana Toñita. Mexican people make broths and soups even in the hottest days. I’m not joking when I say that abuelitas make you eat a lovely hot soup even if you’re sweating. Lovely times for sure.

Fideos are thin round noodles made of wheat. In Mexico we call this soup sopa de fideos (noodle soup). For a hot summer day, or a cozy winter one, here’s my version of this traditional Sonoran style noodle soup. Mi sopita de fideos.

You don’t need a ton of ingredients to make this soup. The toppings are completely optional as well. A good warm tortilla burrito with salt can suffice, and of course, some lime.

Here’s what you’ll need:

– 100g fideo pasta

– 1/2tbsp cooking oil

– 1 big tomato

– 1/3 yellow or white medium sized onion

– 2 garlic cloves

– 1 guajillo pepper

– 5c chicken or vegetable broth

– Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: soup toppings such as avocado, cheese, tortilla strips, lime, pepper flakes, hot sauce, etc.

First, start by boiling some water. Rinse the guajillo pepper and place in a container covering it with boiling water for a few minutes. Its color will change when it’s soft, it won’t look as dark.

Cut the onion in smaller chunks and place in a blender. Do the same with the tomato. Peel and finely chop the garlic or press it and place in blender. Add the pepper to the blender and some of the water you used to soften it. About half a cup is fine. Blend well for a couple minutes.

Place a pot on the stovetop and heat up some cooking oil. I used avocado oil. Then, add the fideos and fry them for a few minutes until you notice some of them start to brown. Use a strainer and add the mix you just blent. With the help of a spatula make sure you press the sauce to get all the broth. Fry for a few minutes and add the 5 cups of broth of your choice. I used chicken broth for my soup. Bring it to a boil, cover and let it simmer for 20min.

Garnish your soup with toppings of your choice. If you have corn tortillas, warm a few up and roll them burrito style to accompany your soup. To my bowl of soup I added some slices of fried guajillo pepper, avocado and lime juice. So yummy!

This soup speaks to my soul. It makes me feel close to my Mexican roots, and the smell and flavour bring back so many memories. I’m definitely keeping the tradition going making this sopita every now and then for my loved ones.

NOTE: you can make this soup using other type of pasta, such as alphabet or dinosaurs pasta

I hope you warm up and get cozy one of these days with this sopita de fideos.

¡Buen provecho!

Michelle | con limón, please

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For more soup love:

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Check out these awesome soup recipes some of my blogger friends are sharing:

Eggplant parmigiana soup by Nicole Rose

Instapot chicken soup by Stephanie

15 Bean & Ham Instant Pot Soup by Danielle

Cheesy “Mato” Tomato Soup by Alex

Beetroot leaves and vegetable soup by Roslin

Cómo hacer una piñata en 5 pasos

¡Las fiestas están completas cuando hay una piñata! Soy de México, y crecí yendo a fiestas o alguna otra celebración donde había piñatas. Durante una celebración de cumpleaños después de que todos cantan feliz cumpleaños, todos nos juntamos para quebrar la piñata. Tradicionalmente se llena de dulces, pero le puedes poner lo que sea que pueda sobrevivir la caída cuando la piñata se quiebre y caigan volando.

Piñata de Antonio número 2. El tema era verano.

Mi familia y yo vivimos en Chicago. Trato de enseñar a mis hijos mi cultura en nuestra vida diaria. Cuando he sido anfitriona de sus fiestas de cumpleaños, me gusta hacerles piñatas para ellos y sus amigos. Las piñatas son parte de nuestra cultura y herencia mexicana, y ¡puedes hacer una piñata de lo que sea que a tus peques les guste, y lo que tu creatividad te diga!

Ponte creativo si no encuentras un palo para piñata. Cualquier palo de escoba funciona, o como aquí que estamos usando la macana de mi suegro

He hecho piñatas formadas de números mayormente, pero estas instrucciones te pueden ayudar a hacer lo que sea que estes en tu mente, o cual sea el tema de la fiesta. Usualmente uso bandejas de cartón donde vienen los 24 de latas de LaCroix (o latas de lo que sea) cuando se acerca un cumpleaños. La mayoría del resto de los materiales los compro en el Dollar Tree.

Aquí está lo que necesitas:
2 o más bandejas de cartón (usualmente guardo las de 24 de LaCroix)
Pegamento en barra
Cinta gruesa para empacar (duct tape)
Tijeras filosas
Tiras de papel crepé en colores de tu elección

NOTA: la manera tradicional de hacer una piñata en México incluye la técnica de papier-mâché. Esta mezcla de hace con harina y agua tibia creando una pasta un poco líquida que se usa como pegamento. Aquí puedes encontrar un tutorial.

Las bandejas de cartón donde viene los 24 de latas hacen una piñata fácil. La altura de la caja de convierte en el grueso de la piñata.

1. Usa tachuelas para sostener el papel en el cartón. Traza el número o la forma que deseas.

2. Corta el diseño dejando el mayor número de solapas que puedas (orilla de la caja). Usa el mismo molde para el otro lado de la piñata, pero voltéalo. Traza y corta, o salta el trazado y corta la caja. Recuerda dejar tantas solapas como puedas ya que estás te ayudarán a conectar las dos piezas de tu piñata.

3. Utiliza cinta adhesiva para unir ambos lados. Usualmente no hago la técnica de papier-mâché cuando sé que quienes van a romper la piñata son peques. Cuando lxs niñxs se van haciendo más grandes, entonces sí no lo debes evitar. De lo contrario no todos van a alcanzar a golpear la piñata.

NOTA: no olvides dejar una abertura para poder rellenar la piñata

4. Cuando la piñata esté lista para decorar, corta las tiras de papel crepé como fleco casi llegando hasta el otro lado. Deja 1.5-2cm en la parte de arriba, ya que esta será la sección en donde se pone el pegamento y se pega a la piñata.

5. Comienza de la parte de abajo. Usa pegamento en barra para pegar el papel crepé. Repite cuántas veces sea necesario yendo alrededor de tu piñata siguiendo el patrón que deseas. Cuando hago números usualmente los hago de un solo color, aunque la última que hice le puse colores pastel de arcoíris.

Usualmente le pongo varios cinchos en la parte de arriba de la piñata para que sea por donde pases la cuerda para colgarla y que los peques la golpeen.

A esta le puse más cinchos después de asegurar el área con varias capas de cinta adhesiva

¡Puedes ir tan lejos como desees cuando hagas una piñata! Deja que tu imaginación, el tema de la fiesta, y el tiempo que tengas te guíen.

Michelle | con limón, please

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Aquí puedes encontrar algunas de mis ideas para hacer que tu fiesta de cumpleaños sea especial. Puedes hacer tus propios cake pops, bolsitas de regalo inspiradas en piñatas, o una opción de piñata equitativa.

5 Steps: How to Make Your Own Piñata

Fiestas are complete when you have a piñata! I’m from Mexico, and I grew up going to fiestas or other holiday celebrations where there was a piñata. During a birthday celebration just after everybody sings happy birthday, we all gather to hit the piñata and break it. Traditionally it’s filled with candy, but you can fill it up with just about anything that can survive going flying to the ground after the piñata is broken.

Antonio’s piñata for his second birthday party. The theme was summer!

My family and I live in Chicago. I try to teach my kids about my culture in our everyday lives. When I host their birthday parties I like to make piñatas for them and their friends. Piñatas are part of our Mexican culture and heritage, and you can make a piñata about anything your little ones like, and what your creativity tells you!

Get creative if you don’t have a piñata stick at hand. Here we’re using my father in law’s cane and baton

I have made piñatas shaped like numbers mostly, but these instructions can help you do whatever it’s in your mind or theme of your celebration! I usually save the cardboard trays of LaCroix when a birthday is approaching. Most of the rest of the materials I get them from the Dollar Tree!

Here’s what you’ll need:
2 or more cardboard trays or (I usually save the ones where the LaCroix comes)
Glue stick
Duct tape
Sharp scissors
Crepe paper streamers in color of your choice

If you want to papier-mâché your piñata you’ll need:
White glue diluted 50% with water
Newspaper

NOTE: the traditional way to make papier-mâché in Mexico is done with a flour mix. Mix flour and warm water until you create a runny paste. Here you can find a tutorial.

The cardboard trays where cans come are really good for making an easy piñata. The height of the box turns into the depth of our piñata.

1. Use drawing pins to hold a piece of paper on the cardboard box. Trace the number or whichever shape or object you want your piñata to be.

2. Cut out the design. Use the same mold, but flip it, and hold it in place on the new box using drawing pins. Trace and cut out, or skip the tracing and start cutting. Leave as many flaps as you can from the sides of the tray, as they would help you connect the two pieces together.

3. Use duct tape to put it together. I usually skip the papier-mâché technique when I know it’s just little ones hitting the piñata. As kids get older, you do need to do it. Otherwise the piñata will get broken so quickly and not everyone would get a turn.

NOTE: don’t forget to leave an opening big enough to fill the piñata!

4. Once your piñata is ready to decorate, fringe like cut the crepe paper streamers almost all the way to the top. Leave a 1/4 inch withouth cutting, as this would be the section where you glue it to the piñata.

5. Start from the bottom. Use a glue stick to paste the paper, and repeat as many times as necessary following the pattern you’re trying to accomplish. When I do numbers, I usually stick to one color. However, the latest piñata I made had a pastel rainbow pattern.

I usually loop a few of zip ties to the top of the piñata which will help hang it for the kids to hit it.

I added more zip ties on this one after securing the cardboard with several layers of duct tape

If you want to do papier-mâché, you need to glue strips or pieces of newspaper using the flour mix or glue mix. Make sure to add glue on top of the paper as well. Let it dry and add another layer.

You can go as far as you want when making a piñata! Let your imagination, theme, and time guide you!

Michelle | con limón, please

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For birthday party inspo, visit my friend Nicole Rose’s post Video Game Truck Birthday Party!

Also, here are some of my ideas to make a birthday party special. You can make your own cake pops, a punch piñata, and even Mexican fiesta inspired goodie bags!

Screen-free fun with The Adventures of Cairo

Motherhood has me always thinking of ways of keeping my children entertained; specially my oldest son, Robbie, who is 5 years old. When my son is not in school or it’s the weekend, I always try to keep him entertained with screen-free activities. I like activities where we can all be together and participate in them, and that actually make us interact more as a family. Listening to podcasts has been the answer! Ever since Robbie started getting interested in them, we started looking for family friendly options. Today, I have a recommendation for you and for your little ones: The Adventures of Cairo, Wondery’s newest children’s podcast.

The Adventures of Cairo podcast

The Adventures of Cairo focuses on the life of Cairo Carter, a 7 year-old boy who lives in a big city. Each episode is filled with a life lesson, and day to day issues that little ones may face. There’s always a morale at the end, and you can find something to talk about with your little ones after listening to the episodes. The life of Cairo revolves around his family, friends, school, and exploring and learning.

The podcast episodes are well done. They do a great job with sound effects, the music, and each of the characters has a different voice. Children can start identifying the voices of characters, which I think it’s great!

What do we like about the Adventures of Cairo?

My favorite part about this podcast is that the situations are very common. Cairo has an older brother, Omari, and they live with their parents. Their dad works at the airport, and he has night shifts. It’s really cool that they give the dad a night shift, isn’t it? On another note, representation matters, and for me having my sons see and hear different people from different races and backgrounds is really important. There’s a little Latino boy named Enrique! The music is so fun! Every time we play the episodes, baby Antonio, who is 18 months old, starts dancing to the beat.

My son Robbie said when I asked him what he thought about it that the episodes have very normal situations, haha, that’s how he described it. However, after listening to them, he likes to go deeper in the topic. For example, we talked about bullies, what to do, and what not to do when being bullied, and so on. I think he really likes it!

New episodes are released every Tuesday, and you can listen to this family friendly podcast on Apple Podcasts, the Wondery app, or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to the Adventures of Cairo

I hope you and your little ones give The Adventures of Cairo a go, and let me know what you think about it!

 Michelle | con limón, please.

DIY biodegradable St. Valentine’s garland. Orange peel garland

Valentine’s Day is such a lovely holiday. In Mexico we call it Day of Love and Friendship. I love hearts and all the décor that comes with it. However, many of the décor is disposable, and even most things you can basically only use them once. I wanted to create something either made of paper, or even something sustainable and biodegradable! I saw this cute idea from Valerie Garcia back in December. She used orange peel to make gift tags! So I thought I could follow her lead and make a dry orange peel heart garland for Valentine’s Day!

You’ll need:

  • 4-5 navel oranges (big oranges work better)
  • Heart shaped cookie cutter
  • Jute cord or cotton string
  • Cooling rack and baking sheet

Preheat oven at 200°F (90°C). Cut the ends of your oranges, and slice the peel lengthwise. Peel it off carefully so that the peel stays as whole as possible. This way you’ll have more area to work with.

Place the orange peel with its inside up on a cutting board. Use a sharp cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Press hard with your palm to get an even cut. Place the hearts on a cooling rack on a baking sheet, or on your baking sheet using some parchment paper.

Place the tray in the oven, and bake for about 2h.

Remove from the oven, and use a needle and jute cord or cotton cord to string your hearts and form a garland as long as you need it. Et voilà! Your garland is ready to make your place look more charming!

NOTES:
* I recommend using bigger oranges so that you get more material to work with. Even bring your cookie cutter to the store, and buy some that are good for its size
* Don’t be tempted to add more temperature to the oven
* If you don’t have a cooling rack, don’t forget to use parchment paper on your baking sheet so that the shapes don’t get stuck on it
* Play around with this sustainable idea! You can buy grapefruit, red oranges, or even limes!

The best part about this DIY is that it is completely sustainable, biodegradable, and you get to eat your oranges! Click here to see what I did with mine. Also, you can totally adapt your garland to any other holiday. And even make ornaments and gift tags for Christmas!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michelle | con limón, please

Some other garlands I’ve made before:

Other St. Valentine’s ideas:

St. Valentine’s Day date idea at home

St. Valentine’s Day snack idea: St. Valentine’s popcorn

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For some more St. Valentine’s Day craft ideas go see what my friends shared!

DIY Valentine’s Day Welcome Sign For Front Door by Cameron

Toddler Valentine’s LOVE Art by Amy

Paper Hearts by Stephanie

Valentine’s Day Craft: Thumbprint Tree by Ally

DIY Valentine’s Day banner by Cammie

Simple Valentine’s Day Toddler Craft: Heart-Shaped Shortbread Cookies by Kirsten

Colorful Heart Garland for DIY Valentine’s Photos by Amy

Valentine DIY decor by Kimberly

Valentine’s Day Craft by Christa

Valentine Love Wands by mamallamallama

Yarn Crafts Valentines Edition by Stephanie

DIY Valentine’s Day Tree Decor by Alex

Valentines Day Craft for Kids by Alexa

Valentine’s Day Activities for Toddlers by Surabhi

5 easy ideas to start the New Year off right!

The New Year is upon us. Whether you’re gathering up with family or friends, or staying at home with your family or alone, I have these ideas ready for you to start the New Year off right. Sometimes thinking about writing down resolutions gets boring and stressing even, right? Well, these 5 ideas are different, and I’m excited to get to them!

1. 52 week envelope challenge
I’m really eager to try this idea along with my husband this year. You need 52 envelopes, 1 for each week of the year, and you need to label them starting with $1, and all the way to $52. Each week you’ll grab the envelope that you feel comfortable adding that amount of money in it. You can start with the $1 envelope, or whichever you can afford to save that week. Once the year is over you would have saved $1378!


If you’d like to save twice as much, grab two envelopes each week. Reuse them after you’re done with the 52 envelopes and you’d have saved $2756.
Adapt this challenge to your currency of use. You could also skip the envelopes and download a free printable to the 52 week savings challenge.

printable of a 52 week challenge
Download this free printable for keeping track of it on a piece of paper.

2. Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game
Living a minimalist life is honestly hard. Doing this 30-day minimalism game helps you achieve a ton! The Minimalists came up with this challenge. We’ve done it twice at home. Joshua and Ryan, the minimalists, laid out this idea which helps you get rid of 465 items! On the first day you get rid of one thing, on the second day two things, and so on. As The Minimalists say: anything goes!
You can donate, trash or sell the items. The first couple days are easy, but as the month goes, it gets harder. Stay in track! I’ll be sharing my journey on my Instagram stories.

How to play the 30-day minimalism challenge by The Minimalists

3. Set reasonable goals
Shor term goals are much more manageable. If you’re thinking about a long term goal you’d like to achieve, break it down into smaller goals that would ultimately help you achieve that bigger goal of yours. Setting goals that we know that we’re most likely to achieve them gives us a different mindset. For instance, I’d like to stay more organized this year, so I’ll start with our house, and aspects of my life that I can actually control. I’m getting a planner this year!

4. Create routines
It doesn’t matter if it’s something small that you do for yourself, or for someone else. Setting up a routine helps us achieve goals, as well. For daily routines they can be as simple as trying to achieve a movement goal, a certain amount of steps (if you have a tracker), clean your kitchen every night, and so on. These routines can be divided into health, mind, family, friendship, personal development, and anything else you can come up with. Focus first on routines you actually need, and then routines you want.

5. Drink more water
Self care is so important. Here I am telling you about it and ignoring a lot of the times my needs. Well, drinking water is the most basic form of self care. Water delivers oxygen throughout our bodies, and it boosts skin health. Our digestive system depends on it, and water helps our bodies flush waste! Here you’ll find a great article where you can read 15 benefits of staying well hydrated.
I have an app on my phone that sends me reminders to drink water every hour, and you can also track how much water you’ve drunk during a day. Click HERE to check out the app I use. It’s really easy to set up, and you can even access it on your smart watch.

Starting a new year sometimes can be overwhelming. Seeing everyone else with their list of goals and resolutions laid out can be intimidating. Following one or all of my ideas this year can give you a great start to new beginnings. Most importantly, keep in mind that you don’t need to start on January 1st! Take as many days as you need so that you start off right.

What else would you add to these 5 ideas? Share in comments!

Happy New Year!

Michelle | con limón, please