Our mini trip to see all sorts of animals and amazing mountain views

"We are going to see giraffes, and.....more giraffes," was Beli's reply when we asked her where we were going. This weekend we drove one hour south of Denver to the zoo in Colorado Springs. We had beautiful weather and breathtaking views (more about the zoo here).

Tucked in the mountains, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a must on your list of~ things to do in Colorado. We were going specifically to hand feed the giraffes and we weren't disappointed. It was a very unique experience. Beli initially fed them crackers but then she wanted to keep her distance.

 We spent about 5 hours walking and taking in the beautiful views. Beli was a real trooper. She walked and walked and never once complained. 

We missed going to the top of the mountain, do you see the tower? We weren't sure what it was until the end of our zoo tour when we asked one of the girls at the gift shop and she told us it's the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. The road up there is suppose to offer spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain range. I'm sure we'll be returning later in the summer or early fall when my sisters visit us with their kids.

Beli feeding the baby giraffe, yet keeping an eye on the other giraffe!

Beli's request to me, "Mami, take a picture." 

She was so happy to see the horses (horzees, as she calls them). I asked her is she wanted to ride a horse and she said yes. I felt so emotional watching her, she looked so grown-up, yet only 3 years old!

First pony ride. she was so brave, not scared at all. 

petting a baby wallaby.

A beautiful day.

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First day of work went fine. Lots of forms to fill out, training, etc. Why was I worried? LOL thank you for all your good wishes.  Beli is also adapting well at her new school. Hubby drops her off and picks her up. She is learning new rules (like at lunch time, Hubby said all the kids wait until everyone is served to start eating, but not Beli, she starts eating right away. One of the boys said, "look teacher, she is not waiting." And another kid said, "it's OK, she doesn't know the rules." She is not napping either, rather she patiently and quietly waits for the other kids to wake up from their naps. It's all new for her and for us ,but I think it's also nice for her to socialize with other kids her age, right?

Beli's pancakes and my outfit is ready for tomorrow

This morning Beli and I woke up before hubby. After drinking coffee, I began thinking about breakfast. 

I have to eat within an hour of waking up. As far as I can remember, that's the way it's been. 

Sundays I love to prepare pancakes, somewhat of my own tradition I have created for our small family of three. 

I pulled out my recipe for homemade pancakes but soon realized I had to tweak it a bit. 

Our pantry and fridge are low on groceries (which reminds me, I should add milk to the list).

Beli loves to be in the kitchen so when she asked me, "Mami can I help?" 

I joyful replied, "por supuesto," of course!

 Greek yogurt and granola  to go along with the pancakes.

  I will post the original recipe (sorry I can't remember where I found it)  along with the substitutions I made.

 Hope you enjoy Beli's pancakes!

Recipe for Beli's Pancakes.

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. I substituted 1/2 cup with oat flour ( I simply put raw, old-fashioned oatmeal in the blender)
• 3 1/2 tsp baking powder (I used 3 tsp, because that's all I had in the pantry!)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1 1/4 milk ( I used soy milk)
• 1 egg
• 3 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla  
• Sift flour twice for fluffier pancakes. In another container beat egg,vanilla, then butter and milk
• Mix dry ingredients and in the center pour wet ingredients and mix until smooth.

I found the mix a bit salty. I don't know if due to using oatmeal, or maybe the soy milk?
We used nutella and Beli happily ate several pancakes. Next time I will have to tweak the recipe once more.

I also have my outfit all ready for my first day of work tomorrow. 

It's all about making good first impressions right?
I had to go shopping because the last time I wore business attire was two years ago!

I'm nervous yet happy about returning to work.
It will be fine, I'll be fine. We'll  be fine. (It's also Beli's first day of pre-school.)
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Trousers from Express- editor style, black blouse from Target, Hinge blazer from Nordstrom, necklace was a gift, shoes purchased in Croatia.

photos taken on the roof balcony of our local library

As much as I would love to sit and soak in the sun, we are off to another mini day trip. 

 p.s.  I start my job on Monday!

A visit to the kid's doctor

Yesterday, I took Beli to her pediatrician for her annual checkup. According to my records she didn't need any vaccines, but what do I know? I have been out of the country for two years. In Croatia, after seeing three different pediatricians they all said NO to my request for the flu shot for Beli. It's considered unnecessary until children are older, and I will add that Beli never had to see a physician while we lived overseas...hmmmm, made me wonder which health care system is better.

So there we are, Beli and I at the doctor's office. The nurse orders Beli to step on the weight scale and Beli shouts that she doesn't want to and starts crying. Then we walk to a patients room. Beli is already upset and as her Mami, I know she is not a happy camper, so I try to soothe her and tell her it will be ok. Then the nurse informs me that she will have to do a very small blood test to check for anemia. Oh boy!

Later, much later, the physician comes in and finishes the exam and a nurse comes in with two needles. By now she is distracted drawing, then the nurse preps her arm, one injection then the second one. Someone, please get me a box of tissues~ I can hardly contain myself. I want to cry along with Beli. But I don't. For her sake. The nurse tells me she is finished, exits the room and leaves Beli and I to comfort each other. I whisper in her ear that I know it hurts and it will get better, but all she wants is Daddy. She wants to show Daddy her 'owies'.

We arrive home and she runs to Daddy as she screams "look Daddy, I have two owies."

 I tell hubby "I also need a hug,"  as I proceed to tell him about our morning at the doctor's office. I  show him the pain in my heart. How frustrating it was. What may be a daily routine for nurses (giving shots, drawing blood),  turned out to be a painful experience for my 3-year old.

And then hours later, she is dancing around the house, happy as can be!

Let's Grill

This weekend while in Texas, we had several cookouts with my family.
On one of the days, my aunt prepared a huge meal: grilled meat, corn, a macaroni salad, rice, salsa, pico de gallo, and she even baked a cake! We call it the pineapple cake, but I think it's known by other names. (it's vanilla flavor and toppings include: crushed pineapple, sweet condensed milk mixed with heavy cream, coconut, pecans and cherries!) It was very good. So good in fact, that I didn't have time to take more photos. It literally disappeared from my plate within seconds!

Are you planning to cook on the grill this summer? 

 I'd love to hear what's on the menu.

Any favorite recipes? 

A weekend with family in Texas

Beli chasing geese.

now, peacefully walking side by side

After a year of being absent, we have returned to Texas to visit my maternal grandparents. Beli was two years old when we last visited and I'm not sure how much she remembered from that previous trip but I can tell you she bonded right away with her Great grandparents. Although I referred to her as Abuelita, Beli preferred to call her Granma.

Two days was not enough time to visit everyone, but we did see all of my Mom's five brothers and one sister, and many first and second cousins. It was a very memorable weekend.

Beli with her second cousin. He is only a few weeks old.

Only my Mom is missing to complete this 4 generations photo.