Cinco de Mayo (better late than never)

So, Cinco de Mayo has turned into a big deal around our house. This was our second year celebrating it and you would have thought it was Christmas. The kids were so excited! They all got showers and then dressed themselves up like little Mexicans. They even wore those clothes to dance class and excitedly told everyone they say, "Happy Cinco de Mayo!" I had a whole bunch of fun activities to do that day, but we couldn't get through them all. So here's how the day progressed:



After dance we had burritos for lunch and then we tried making our own pinatas. They were thrilled with ripping up the newspaper, but when the goopy flour/water mixture was brought to the table, Gabriela quickly quit smiling. I should have known better. She wouldn't stick her hands in the pumpkin last year either. But the other two, oh no, no problem at all. In fact Julianne thought is was like a mud bath. Instead of smearing it on the balloon, she was coating her body in it. I couldn't help but laugh and just let her go for it. In the end, Sophia was the only one who came out with a completed pinata. However we hung it outside to dry and then it got rained on.







While the girls were taking a nap, Gabriela and I decided to do a cleaner craft, more to her liking. She loved it. We made "papel punchada." It's a Mexican folk art of making paper streamers. We were both pretty proud of our work and in fact, it's still hanging in our kitchen. It is very festive and fun.



Then came the thing we had been waiting for all day. THE FOOD!!! We made taquitos, refried beans, mexican rice, pico de gallo and had Jarritos (Mexican orange soda.) We invited Miguel's parents over for the dinner and they seemed to love it as well. After dinner we had a little dance to some marriachi music and then made sugar cookie sombreros. Mom had to go to a meeting, but the girls stayed with Papi and did some Mexican bark paintings as well. (sorry no picture of those). It was so fun and we can't wait till next year!

Her 1st Audition!

Well I think I've got it working on my other computer, so I'll post a little at a time. Over the weekend we had team auditions at Gabriela's dance school. This is an eye opening experience for both her and I. They completely covered the windows so noone could watch the girls learn their material for the auditions. They had two days of workshops and then on Saturday they auditioned. That first night at the workshop I realized that my kids wear my heart on their shoulders. Gabriela looked so innocent to me and was smiling and so happy that I was there to watch her dance with about twenty five other girls her age. I have never been so proud of her. I know what an audition is like and I felt like I was the one auditioning. Knowing my little baby was being sized up among these other girls, it still makes me teary eyed. It's heart wrenching...and she's only FIVE!!! It's only going to get worse as she gets older and realizes what is really going on. on Saturday she was happy as pie and went and did her audition and acted like it was piece of cake. I am really proud of her for doing such a brave thing all by herself.


On the second night of workshops, she made a new friend whose name is Alex. And on Sat. morning she found her and they were inseperable. And they got to audition together. That's pretty lucky if you ask me. Hopefully they will make the same team, that would make it all the more fun. I really love this dance school, so if you are interested please check them out at www.thedanceclub.com . They are very professional and disciplined, with a great feeling in the studio and good role models.

Dance Picture

Well I haven't written in a while becuase I can't load pictures. We have been SUPER Busy this last couple of weeks. We had a mega Cinco de Mayo celebration, we've been at the gymnastics school trying that out and Gabriela has been busy with dance team auditions, all of which I have pictures, but can't get them onto the computer because the device I use is broken. So stay tuned. Until then you will just have to live with this picuture. This was their official picture taken by the school.

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

O.k. people, have I got one for you! This stuff is awesome, makes a TON, and it's done in the CROCKPOT! Just add the sauce to the sandwiches and then you have a ton of pork leftover to do maybe hawaiian pizza, tacos, pork salads, quessadillas, you name it. With the teriyaki marinade, it's hard to find. Look where the spaghetti and gravy packets are. I couldn't find it, so I used the Hawaiian one.

Ing.
1 packet teriyaki marinade (recommended: McCormick Grill Mates)
1 tbl. paprika
1 tsp. ground pepper
3 1/2 lbs. pork shoulder (any pork roast will do)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chili sauce
1 (6oz.) can pineapple juice
1 med. onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
8 hamburger rolls

Directions
Hawaiian Sauce:

2 tbl. canola oil
1 tbl. ginger, chopped (I just used ground ginger from my spice rack)
2 tsp. garlic, chopped (I used my minced garlic)

In small bowl, combine teriyaki mix, paprika and pepper

Coat the pork with rub mixture, pattin until all rub is used. Set aside.

In a bowl whisk together the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, chili sauce and pineapple juice. Set aside.

Put the chopped onions and carrots in a 5-quart slow cooker. Place the pork on top of carrots and onions and pour half of the pineapple juice mixture over pork. Reserve remainder for Hawaiian sauce. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. The meat should fall apart easily. Remove the roast from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Using 2 forks carefully pull the meat into shreds. Serve the pork on rolls drizzled with the Hawaiian sauce or on the side for dipping. Reserve the remaining pulled pork for other recipes.

Hawaiian sauce:

In a medium pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining pineapple juice mixture, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 19 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Enjoy!!!