Cheesecake Factory

Celebrating life (and Spring break) at Cheesecake Factory. My peeps love their Louisiana Chicken Pasta and don’t let me copycat it. 

It was Bianca's turn to pick a cheesecake flavor. We usually take turns choosing it since one cheesecake is enough for the four of us. Bianca chose Reese's peanut butter chocolate cake cheesecake. Yum!

Sourdough

This is me trying to make a sourdough bread for the first time.

 Samantha, a Brazilian friend who is also an amazing cook gave some of her starter and a sourdough bread recipe (with ten thousand steps) to follow. 

I’ve been doing a good job in feeding the starter but not so good at following diligently all the steps in the recipe, and because of that my first sourdough bread was not perfect. BUT it still tasted delicious!

I promised Samantha (and myself) I would follow all the instructions in the recipe. I LOVE bread and I am excited to get it right. Her starter is really good and it works beautifully!

Spring concert

Bianca was so excited for this concert. So often I would hear her singing in her room or in the shower the songs she was practicing in choir. I love her sweet voice.

The program included Pachelbel's Cannon, Three Quotes by Marck Twain (they are singing on the video), Two Canadian Folk songs, and Space Unicorn. Ms. Hornberger does a really good job with the kids. She sings for the Tabernacle Choir and she is very talented. The children love her.

Braces

 Our beautiful Giovanna got braces today. The plan is to have her wear braces for a couple of years then check if she will need surgery to place a chain to pull a permanent tooth that hasn’t come out yet for lack of space.

Unfortunately, I am still being oriented in homecare and I could not take her to the orthodontist. But Ale took the day off to be with her. 

The dentist placed the expander and the braces at the same time, and there is a lot metal going on in her little mouth right now. She will wear the expander for three weeks and be reevaluated.

She looks a lot older with braces! Ale says she looks like Tamatoa, the crab character from Moana. Do you see the resemblance? 

Her teeth are sore. I really feel for her because I remember the long eight years of treatment I went through to straighten my teeth. It was painful and very, very uncomfortable. 

 But she got this! And she will love the results when all this is over.

Hair cut- Giovanna

 Giovanna FINALLY got a hair cut today. I think last time she got her hair trimmed was about three years ago when my mom was still here visiting!! I know. I feel bad. But because Giovi's hair is curly I really wanted to take her to a hair dresser I knew it would know how to cut her hair properly.

So I waited for our hair dresser's busy schedule to open up and I drove Giovi all the way to Bountiful to have her hair cut. It was worth it. Giovanna looks so beautiful and fresh! But my mom's brain forgot to  take a picture of the afterwards.. Ugh!

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Bianca gets a hair cut

St Patrick’s Day 2025

I still like celebrating St Patrick's Day every time I can. With the kids growing up and our busy schedule it gets harder and harder to celebrate it, but when I have time I like planning something fun.

This year I planned a St Patrick's scape room. The girls had to figure out clues and puzzles in order to leave each room in the house. They did a great job working together and thinking critically. I got the idea here and modify it a bit. 

After they scaped the last room they found prizes for all their hard work. 

Temple baptisms

Today we met the Britos at the Bountiful temple to do baptism for the dead with the girls. I remember when they were little playing with their dolls on their matching dresses, and now they are already going to the temple, performing baptism and confirmation, and growing their personal testimonies as they draw closer to Heavenly Father and His house. My heart if full!

It was beautiful to see Ale and Giovanna in the baptism waters performing vicarious ordinances for their ancestors. Ale still works on his genealogy diligently. President Richard G. Scott said:

"Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the scared vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life".

I am so grateful for His gospel and the knowledge we have of who we are. These beautiful young women know who they are and their infinite value, and I know if they keep following the steps and example of their Savior, one day they will be able to go back home to the loving arms of their Heavenly Father.

Friends over

For the past few weeks Bianca’s been asking to have her friends over for a playdate. Because Ale works from home on Fridays when the kids have early out we never can have them over for playdates.

But today Ale happened to work in the office and the kids were finally able to get together. Bianca was SO happy! They played hide and seek, truth or dare, and other fun pretend play. Then they went outside and played on the playground. 

It was a chilly afternoon, so when they were done playing outside, I made hot cocoa and popcorn and they watched Wild Robot until their parents came to pick them up.

It was a fun day and Bia ca is already looking forward to next time.

Family home evening

This year I made a goal to gather the family every week and do family home evening. Bianca is the most excited and she likes assign who is going to do what. I am happy the girls are old enough to participate and engage more. I also love they can play the piano and we can all sing along. 

I remember when the girls were little I would try different things to teach them. As they grow I don't have to do much anymore, but I still like coming up with fun ideas, specially because of Bianca who is only nine. She is loving our new FHE board.