When I became a mamá in 1998, I was a young mother.   I had grown up around babies, so I was comfortable being around them. But all that changes when YOU are the mother.   I have stories that will make you laugh, cry, and completely melt your heart.   That is motherhood for me.

“In Mother Words” makes its West Coast debut with award-winning actors Jane Kaczmarek, Saidah Arrika Ekulona and James Lecesne in which I’m sure will be an eye-opening, hilarious and irresistible night of theater.

It will be held at the Geffen Playhouse in the city of L.A.The Geffen Playhouse is a non-profit that proudly gives back to the community every year.  This event, like all programs at the Geffen Playhouse, will go to benefit our numerous community outreach programs.  I was invited to attend the play, and guess what???  You are too!

I am giving away a pair of tickets to attend the west coast debut of “In Mother Words” on February 19 at 3:00pm for you and a guest!  Can you say “Mom’s Night Out”?? I think so…

Here is what you have to do:

• Leave a comment telling me your special Motherhood moment.

That’s it!  It can be funny, sentimental, loving, sad….It’s up to you!  If you want extra entries, check out my Extra Entries page at the top of the blog.

Giveaway will end on Friday, February 11 at 12 noon (pst).  One winner will be selected and notified through email.  This is a local event.  Transportation and parking is not included.  Good Luck!

This is not a paid post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I received media tickets to attend the event.

Beef Cake with Vegetables/Leo’s Pastel de Carne con Verduras

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Start to Finish: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Meat

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 lb beef flank steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 large onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

6 large plum (Roma) tomatoes, seeded, chopped ( 3 1/4  cups)

1 large poblano chile, roasted, seeded, cut into stirps

1 jalapeno or campana (Scotch bonnet)  chile, finely chopped

1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, drained

1 jar (4.5 oz) Green Giant® sliced mushrooms, drained

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Topping

2 cups Original Bisquick® Mix

1 1/2 cups water

2 whole eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground  black pepper, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add steak; cook until brown on all sides. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, poblano chile, jalapeno chile, green chiles, mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 3 minutes, stirring occasionally .

3. Place ingredients in ungreased 13x 9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish.

4. In medium bowl, mix all topping ingredients until blended. Pour over meat mixture in baking dish.

5. Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

*Leo Valenzuela’s winning recipe was his own version of traditional beef  pot pie.  He is the winner of Bisquick’s recipe contest, “La Receta de Mi Cocina.”  I was not paid for this post. Picture provided my Bisquick

Barbie has released two free, fierce iPhone/iPad apps for fashionistas!

Barbie Doll’d Up Nails is an app that let’s you create your own Nail art, right from the app. You can choose to print the art (using the Barbie® Doll’d Up Nails™ Digital Nail Printer), email it to friends, or “try it on” using the iPhone camera.

Also…

Unleash the inner stylist in yourr gilrs by digitally dressing Barbie in various fab fashions! Choose  five Fashionista personality (Glam, Cutie, Sweetie, Sporty, Sassy or Artsy), then perfect her look by swapping hairstyles, tops, shoes, accessories and more. Love the look she created? Save the look to your photo album and she can share it with  friends!

Of course you can always follow Barbie on Facebook and Twitter!

Wha??? lol

This past weekend was like any other weekend. My husband had school and I spent my weekend shopping and having lunch with my mami, two sisters and my kids. My mamá is just your typical mama/abuelita. She is 62 years old. She came to the United States from Mexico 37 years ago. She learned some English , but truth be told she never got around to going to school and studying.  My mother was too involved raising children and being a good mother and wife that she didn’t find time to do much else or take care of anyone else but her children and husband.  She is a great and caring mami, but like all mamis, she likes doing things “a su manera” or her way.

Well anyway…  back to the story. It was your typical afternoon. Nordy’s was having their semi annual sale and I had to return some things so off we went. I had to run to the restroom and I left my two kiddos with my mom and sisters. My sisters then decided to use the restroom and took my fiver year old daughter with them and my son stayed with my mamá. This is when the most ridiculous thing in the world happened to my familia. So ridiculous in fact, I still can’t believe it happened.

My son is almost 4 and he is what I like to call a “spirited child”.   He is active, stubborn and well… just a handful sometimes.  He was with my mamá at the hobby store in the mall. He saw a model plane and starts to cry for it. Of course,  my mom says no.  He starts to throw a tantrum. My mom tries to pick him up and thinks he could have had an accident.  After all he is only three and has only mastered the skill a few months ago.  He won’t listen. So she touches him around his groin to see if he is wet. You see she is a diabetic and her vision is a little blurry. My son is still acting like a maniaticoand she starts looking around to see if she saw us coming. My son is still kicking and screaming and in the middle of his meltdown. This is when a “concerned woman” steps in and accuses my mamita of being a sick pedophile for touching my son’s private area. Yes gente.. mi mamá is being accused by this ridiculous vieja/stranger of being a pedophile, child abuser and she is screaming it across the mall. My sisters soon get to the scene and well… all hell breaks loose.  The woman was clearly insane and my mother because of her limited English could not explain herself. This woman actually held my son and refused to hand him over. Needless to say I get  there, the woman and I get into a heated exchange. I will say this, it took all of my will power to restrain me from throwing a drink on this woman’s face. She was acting straight out of the asylum.  The police were called and I really wanted them to take this woman in a straight jacket to the maniconio.

Instead what I get is a lecture from the police officer and threats because it is irresponsible for me to leave my child with my mother who does not speak English. Yes, you heard that right.  No arrest on this insane woman who basically accused my mami of being a sexual predator. Oh no!  I got a reprimand from the Police Officer  for having a mother that speaks limited English. I threatened to ask to speak to his commanding officer and he threatened back saying he could easily call CPS and have an investigation conducted because my child is left with someone with limited English.  Yes, gente you heard right.  I guess it’s against the law or something.

The irony.. as Mexicanos like to say this officer had the “nopal” in la frente. He is a Latino. You know the type. Embarrassed of their own people and wanting nothing to do with them, or being associated with anything that has to do with the Latino culture.

I’m mad. I want to do something about it,  but I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if I speak up, CPS will show at my doorstop for who knows what. It’s downright tragic that ME, an Americanhas fear to report an officer of the law for fear of repercussions… it is downright scary!  What happened to my familia this weekend is outrageous. It also seems that speaking Spanish is something to look down upon and according to officer Briones,  illegal.  It’s a sad state, but a true story. I’m still thinking of reporting him. Just when I get the courage to do so, the fear comes back.

Aracely,                                                                                                                                                                                                        Daytripping Mom

Ready… Habla/Speak!

Looking for a Wii game that is fun and easy for your kids to play with?  This is it folks!  Look no further.  I was invited to a lunch at Warner Brother Studios for the launch of this and another game (I’ll talk about that later).  Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure  is a game that not gives a child control of the game, but also helps with literacy skills.  It has fun, interactive games that take you through worlds like the Aquarium and the Forest, and help kids with letter identification, letter sounds, and word families.

I have  a 5 year old, who just started Kindergarten and a 3 year old, who just started Preschool.  Even though they  are close in age, and like to play together, they both are at different academic levels.  Jonah is ready for the letter identification and Sarai isn’t.  Yet, the letter sounding game is perfect for Sarai. This is a concern for me, because I don’t have the time or the money to buy all kids of games.  This take care of it all.

Since getting the Wii (before it broke), I had trouble in finding a learning game suitable for the little ones.  The games are either too advance or to baby-ish.  Another problem was the remote.  Getting used to the wireless remote take time…. for me!  I’m in my thirties, but trying to teach my then 2 (almost 3) to point and click with the Wii remote was a pain in the you know where!

I’m telling you guys, this takes are of it all…. Take a look at this video:

I am really impressed with this game.  The kids go to grandmas and play.  Separate of course.   Elmo helps with instructions.  The kids accounts are identified by shapes and colors.  Jonah is the Orange Circle and Sarai is the Blue square. Plus, it saves the kids work, so they pick up right where they left off!  Ohh!!!!  Then there’s the remote.  It’s easy to use!  It’s all tilting.  Either side to side or forward and backward.  Look at the cutest thing of all….

Here is  Jason Garwood. He is the producer of the game itself.  See what he’s holding?   Those are the Wii controls.  The Wii game come with a soft, furry type remote cover that literally covers all the unnecessary buttons that the kids wont need for the game.  How cool is that?  Love it!  I cannot write enough about this game.  This sold me right away!  Is you have kids between the ages of 3-5, and you have a Wii, this game will surly be a hit in your home!  There’s  other game too that I’m sure will be a fun addition to Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure:  Cookies Counting Carnival.  Which is all about  numbers and counting.

Some Specs:

• Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure and Cookies Counting Carnival video games are available for Wii, Nintendo DS and PC.Wii version running $39.00 and $29.99 for Nintendo DS and PC versions.
• The Wii version is for $39.00 and $29.00 for Nintendo DS and PC versions.
• The Wii remote covers are machine washable.

Like it so far?  You should…. I have a discount coupon code!!!!

Right now, if you buy any Sesame Street Video Game here and enter coupon code: MOMMY, you will get a 10% discount!  Hurry, it ends December 20th!

*This is not a paid post.  I was invited to attend the media lunch for the launch of the games and was given a game to review.  All thoughts are my own.  Big gracias to Warner Bros. and Sesame Street!