Puerto Rico: Food, Moms and Fun (Did I Mention Food?)

July 28, 2010 By

I expected to have a great mother-daughter weekend at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino with Hadley. I did not anticipate falling in love with Puerto Rico’s culture, scenery and food.

Believe me, I have the extra pounds to prove that latter point.


(At least two of those pounds can be attributed to Puerto Rico’s signature dish Mofongo, a mashed mound of plantains into which a combination of seafood, meat, or vegetables is added.)

The great thing about Puerto Rico (besides the food–did I mention the food?) is it feels like an exotic international adventure with all the conveniences of home that make traveling with kids a cinch.

As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico uses U.S. currency, locals speak English and Spanish, there are no roaming charges for most cell phone providers and Americans don’t need a passport.

They’re pretty swell to Canucks, too.

Puerto Rico is also resplendent with local culture. Latin music fills Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets, culinary delights ooze with flavor and the white-sand beaches host families and sun worshipers from all over the world.

Rio Camuy Cave Park

Puerto Rico’s rainy season is in October, May and evidently whenever I visit because it was downpouring when we arrived.

The excursion I most looked forward to was a trip to Rio Camuy Cave Park. This is the only place in the world you will find an extensive cave system with a tropical underground river thundering through it. With three crater-like sink holes, two caves and a trolley that descends into a sinkhole, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Or in my case, an ain’t-gonna-happen one.

Much to my dismay, the caves had to be closed due to copious amounts of rain.

Museo de la Bilia’s Indoor Playground

Kara (the publicist who arranged the trip) scrambled to switch our itinerary and arranged a visit to Museo de la Biblia. As one whose Spanish proficiency is limited to Dora the Explorer tutorials, I thought this was some kind of Biblical museum. I could not have been more wrong.

Though there was a whole lot of kid-worship going on.

My fellow travel bloggers (Corinne of Have Baby Will Travel, Debbie of Delicious Baby and Colleen of Travel Mamas) and I trailed our little ones as they euphorically tackled the aquarium, dinosaur exhibit, miniature golf, small amusement rides, video games and and lunched at the affordable pizza parlor. There was even an ice-skating rink in the tropics. The price was reasonable, too: $20 for an all-inclusive pass.

While I certainly would not consider the Museo de la Bilia a destination unto itself, it was a fantastic rainy-day activity.

Unless you walk outside and discover it had been sunny the entire time you were indoors and it then proceeds to rain when you were scheduled to go to the beach that afternoon.

Evidently, Puerto Rico’s weather did not take our itinerary into consideration.

Stay tuned for details of the San Juan Marriott’s glorious pool and why a rainy day at the beach is better than, well, pretty much anything. Be sure to also read my first post, Almost reaching perfection at the San Juan Marriott Resort.

Note: I participated in a travel blogger press trip sponsored by the San Juan Marriott. The views are entirely my own and I was not compensated in any way.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Little Kickers, Big Parent Dreams: The Art of Surviving Summer Camp

July 26, 2010 By

I am a soccer mom.

Or at least I really want to be. After a failed attempt at introducing my daughter Hadley to soccer a couple of years ago, the dream was dead. I vowed I would only enroll her again if she asked.

That blessed day came a couple of months ago. Within an hour of her proclamation, I had her enrolled in a clinic to hone her skills, was counting down the days until I could register her on a team in the fall and had already plotted out her college team.

Evidently, I don’t do “casual” well.

The Little Kickers clinic consisted of an adorable yet eclectic crew of 4-6-yr-olds. Some wanted to be there, others looked around like they’d landed on another planet and a few deserters simply hit the playground. Coach Robin instituted some rules including “No carrying the ball and no sitting down in soccer.”

Talk about a hard-core boot camp.

The coach was overwhelmed by all the kids so I offered to help, which allowed 3-year-old Bode to join in the action. For seven classes, they did fun drills, learned to dribble and bonded during rain storms.

Well, most of them. The playground deserters and alien planet kids had long since dropped out.

The final day was the ultimate showdown: kids vs. parents. There were about nine kids vs. six grown-ups. One of the dads even showed up decked out in his cleats.

I didn’t have the heart to break it to him that we were playing a bunch of preschoolers.

It was the kids’ first “real” game and they traveled in swarms. With no less than five kids attacking the ball at a time, they were their own worst enemies and the parents barely needed to play defense.

I volunteered to be goalie and vowed to let one of the kids score. As luck would have it, Hadley got a breakaway. When she was a few feet away from me, she wound up. And then wound up again. I knew I had to make it look convincing with this much of a build-up,

And convincing I was. When she finally got around to kicking the ball into the goal, I hesitated just long enough before diving in a move so credible you would have sworn I was in the World Cup.

Hadley went on to score two goals and her brother melted down because “da kids aren’t sharing.” In the end, the parents let the kids win. I was thrilled for their victory until Hadley started smack-talking on the drive home.

“Hmmm. I guess the grown-ups aren’t so good, after all.”

I grimaced and took it but rest assured, she’s going down in Little Kickers II.

And I may even wear my cleats for the occasion.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor

Almost reaching perfection at the San Juan Marriott Resort

July 23, 2010 By

Ever had the perfect day?

Me neither (this is me we’re talking about). But my first day in Puerto Rico was pretty darn close.

Perfect

I woke up Hadley at 4:30 a.m. for our flight and did not arrive in San Juan until 7 p.m. She had every reason to be exhausted and moody, especially given her recent premature descent into the irascible teenage years. But I was proud of my intrepid traveler who was accommodating and delightful the entire time.

Not perfect

The torrential downpour that greeted us in San Juan. Sure, we’re in the rainforest but is all that rain really necessary?

Perfect

*The fully modern and efficient San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport and the gloriously easy 10-minute shuttle to the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

*Checking into our gorgeous room and discovering a treasure-trove of candy awaiting us, which prompted Hadley to squeal, “I’m gonna like it here!”

*Meeting the other travel bloggers and their children while previewing the menu at Marriott’s soon-to-be renovated La Vista Latin Grill. Favorites included the black eye bean fritters with spicy mango salsa, shrimp with coconut, grilled sirloin steak with yucca fries and the Brazilian Moqueca, a traditional seafood stew with vegetables, coconut milk and rice.

Not perfect

The chef refused to come home with me.

Perfect

*Exploring the Marriott and watching Hadley and her new friend Megan boogie on the Lobby Lounge’s dance floor.

*Tasting Hadley’s thrill of anticipation as we checked out the pool and waterside and played in the surf on Condono Beach.

*Listening to the plaintive chorus of the tree frogs piercing the darkness.

NOT PERFECT

Taking umpteen perfect photos on the moonlit beach…and having Hadley accidentally knock the camera into the ocean.

Stay tuned for my picture-less perfection as we take on San Juan tomorrow!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Hadley, Humor, travel Tagged With:

A veritable cut of promontory paradise

July 22, 2010 By

Haddie and I are en route to Puerto Rico for a press trip at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino so my next post will be from our oceanfront Shangri-la.

But first things first: an update about my cut of heaven in the mountains.

If there is a must-visit destination in Colorado, it is Crested Butte in July. I finally wrote about our paradisaical vacation that included the Crested Butte Music Festival, nature camp at one of the most renowned high-altitude field stations in the United States, a gravity-defying Adventure Park and my own backcountry explorations wherein I did not get lost.

You can get up off the floor now.

And fear not because I got lost on a different adventure. I have wanted to hike Snodgrass Mountain since I drove by the trailhead last summer and finally got my chance. One morning, I hit the trail at dawn and was delighted to find myself completely alone.

This would later prove to be a wee bit problematic because I kinda needed to ask directions.

The 5-mile hike started out on an old service road that climbed to a plateau. At one point, I stopped to catch my breath but it never happened. The reason? The breathtaking scene that unfolded was taken from the exact place as a professional photograph that was sent to me last summer by Crested Butte’s publicist.



Here is the picture I took.



My attempt does not even come close to capturing the mountain’s majesty. It is not difficult to figure out why Crested Butte was christened the official Wildflower Capital of Colorado and holds an annual Wildflower Festival.

I felt like I was in a dream as I ascended until I encountered a fork in the trail. I could continue on the service road or follow the Snodgrass Trail singletrack through an aspen grove and Monet canvas of wildflowers.

I chose the latter.

Several minutes later, I ran into another intersection. One trail dipped down and indicated it led to Washington Gulch. Another was unmarked and headed straight up the mountain. I was at a crossroads. Should I follow the marked trail to an unknown destination or follow the unmarked path?



In a decidedly Robert Browning moment, I chose the road less traveled. But here’s the thing the dude never says in his poem:

He never made it to the summit.

But on that day, with the fuchsia pinks, sunny yellows and majestic purples of the lupines, Aspen sunflowers and mule’s ears, not caring made all the difference.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, hiking, Humor, outdoors Tagged With:

Birthday Wrap

July 20, 2010 By

One of the great things about having your birthday party on a different day than your actual birthday is you get multiple opportunities to party. That was definitely the case with Bode.

Friday was his actual birthday party and on Saturday, we went to see Toy Story 3.

And yes, I wept like a baby at the end.

Anyone who doesn’t does not have a soul.

That night, we joined many of our church friends at our favorite picnic and hiking areas, Lair ‘o the Bear. The temperature was 102 degrees that day so the kids cooled down by playing the creek and we roasted hot dogs and s’mores as the weather cooled to a brisk 85 degrees.

And yes, I did just say that 85 degrees was “brisk.” The relentless summer heat is making this Canuck soft.

Bode’s actual birthday was on Sunday and we played games, watched movies and had a fun family dinner. That night as we were saying our prayers, I suggested we each say something we love about him.

Now, here is a bit of background. Hadley isn’t exactly the sentimental type and we’re currently enduring a bad-attitude phase that is making me prep my sack cloth and ashes mourning gear for when her hormones really kick in during The Teenage Years.

Just last night she threw such a fit on a family bike ride that Jamie turned around and took her home. Bode and I continued to the playground where he gleefully pranced around and belted out, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!”

I could not have had two more different kids if I tried.

Anyway, back to our professions of love on Bode’s birthday.

Jamie loves that Bode is kind.

I love that he is sweet and thoughtful.

We all held our breath when it came to Hadley’s turn.

“What do I love about Bode?” she contemplated. And then her face lit up. “I love that he got Mario Galaxy 2 and Mario Kart for his birthday!”

At least the girl is never out of character.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor

Why Bode’s 4th Birthday Party Was the Bestestest Ever

July 19, 2010 By

Parents over-think birthday parties. I understand putting more thought, effort and money into birthday parties when kids get older but when they’re young? A complete waste.

Little kids want four simple things: food, friends, fun and presents. Parents who go over-the-top for baby/toddler birthdays are doing it to impress their peers more than the child.

Not chez moi. My friends are used to being unimpressed with me.

Bode was undecided about how he wanted to spend his fourth birthday so I made the decision for him. Last year’s PJ & Pancake Party was such an easy, fun idea that I proclaimed we make it an “annual” event.

This is just a nice way of saying you’re too lazy to think of something different.

All the kids had a blast and our family each had our favorite moments.

Me:

I loved 1) hanging out with my friends as the kids ran wild and 2) actually getting a semi-presentable group picture.


Well, with the exception of Noah picking his nose behind Bode.

Hadley:

Loved the “Best Bed Head Contest.”


Hangin’ with the girls
..and covertly hooking up the new Buzz Lightyear Rock Blast Sprinkler while the moms were ignoring them engaged in pressing matters.

Bode:

He loved his presents that included Transformers, Toy Story 3 EVERYTHING a movie and games.


Another big hit was having full liberty to decorate his pancakes however he wanted. Choices included gummy bears and worms, chocolate chips, whipped cream, fruit and every kind of syrup on the market.


Hangin’ with his boys wasn’t too bad either.
After livin’ it up in the bouncy castle, my little party animal turned his PJ & Pancake Party into a wet T-shirt PJ contest with good ol’ Buzz Lightyear Rock Blast Sprinkler.

I didn’t have the heart to break it to him I used the same thing in France. It was called a bidet.

Jamie:

Did not love staying up working until 3:30 a.m. the night prior.

Did love that after I spent an afternoon baking oatmeal chocolate chip cream cheese cookies for the goody bags, I forgot to distribute them.

Everybody was a winner.

Comments still closed thanks to crazy Asian spammers. So sorry–I’m working on the problem!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor

Crested Butte Family Travel Report: Musical Mayhem in the Mountains

July 18, 2010 By

(Originally published at Mile High Mamas).

We all have our happy places and Crested Butte is mine. With this week’s staggering triple-digit-temperatures, Crested Butte’s crisp mountain air has never sounded so good.

A world-class music festival and a bounteous recreational playground don’t sound too bad, either.

A few highlights of my family’s recent trip to this gorgeous mountain hamlet included:

Crested Butte Music Festival

My kids are not musical aficionados but the CMMF’s Divine Family Young People’s Concerts may just make a convert out of them. Designed for kids ages 4-12, these free concerts are held every Saturday at 11 a.m. during the festival. My kids raced around the lawn at the base of Mt. Crested Butte dancing and singing to the Barefoot Bluegrass Band’s foot-stomping tunes. But it didn’t stop there. The new Trailhead Children’s Museum (a definite must-visit) also offered free face painting, art projects, bubbles and more.

The Crested Butte Music Festival’s impressive line-up of world-class musicians will be performing in paradise until August 5, 2010.

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

I am in love with one of the nation’s most renowned high-altitude field stations in Gothic, just 4 miles from Crested Butte. My kids spent a morning in RMBL’s sold-out Nature Camp and are still raving about the fox, deer, marmot and bird sightings. The counselors are real professionals and the curriculum’s activities delve deeply into the surrounding ecosystems. That day, my children made their own microbes out of recycled materials.

Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out what the heck a microbe is.

Gothic Valley

While the kids were in Nature Camp, I explored Gothic Valley’s backcountry. Mountain bikers populated Gothic Road in their pilgrimage to their famous Mecca: Trail 401. The main drag connects to Aspen via Schofield Pass, a precarious four-wheel drive road.

I followed the dirt road for several miles but when it began a fractured ascent, I ditched my car and started hiking. Stubborn snowfields produced a cascade of waterfalls, a breeze stroked the velvet greenery and I played on a snow cap that blocked the road. My reward was a true jewel: Emerald Lake.

Spending a few hours sans kids in tow wasn’t too bad, either. :-)

Adventure Park

Located at the base of Mt. Crested Butte, the Adventure Park is a must-visit. We soared up the Red Lady Express Lift and hiked around the summit with sweeping views of the West Elk mountain range. My 3-year-old son dominated the 18-hole miniature golf course by averaging 10 strokes (per hole), my daughter conquered the 28-foot Climbing Pinnacle and I made a failed attempt at a double-back flip on the turbo-charged, gravity-defying bungee trampoline.

OK, admittedly the single-back didn’t go too well, either.

Area Recreation

You could spend a lifetime exploring Crested Butte’s backcountry splendors. One morning, I arose at dawn to hike the famed Snodgrass Mountain (5 miles round-trip), which offers some of the most epic views of the area. If you have small children, be sure to do the Lower Loop Trail to cobalt-blue Peanut Lake, which has the glorious Paradise Divide mountain range as the backdrop.

One day, I biked 5.4 miles on the paved path from Mt. Crested Butte down into town. And yes, that which goes down must go back up. Very slowly.

Shopping

If the outer-world beauty of the surrounding peaks doesn’t make you feel like you’re on another planet, a stroll through Crested Butte will. This quirky, multi-hued town is a National Historic District and boasts anomalies such as a two-story outhouse. The local’s mode of transportation is funky cruiser bikes. There are so many hanging baskets of burgeoning flowers that you’ll swear it must be a city ordinance.

LAVISH is a hip accessory shop for moms and daughters will love LAVISH PETITE in the back of the store. Toy store Pooh’s Corner delighted my kids for over an hour.

Eating

For breakfast, be sure to try Izzy’s breakfast burrito with Indian spices. Dine creek-side but expect a long wait on the weekends. The Secret Stash pizzeria redefines eclectic with decor showcasing the owner’s world travels. Service is friendly, the kitchen is slow but Asher’s Pie (with a BBQ sauce and chipotle base, Canadian bacon, and grilled chicken) made it worth it.

One night must be dedicated to indulging at django’s, a restaurant and wine bar I discovered last summer. Admittedly, this Brussells-sprout-despising gal spent an entire year craving this dish with apples, crème fraîche, apple cider reduction and pistachios. A new fan favorite: seared rocky mountain elk tenderloin with blackberry sauce and a dash of heaven.

Lodge at Mountaineer Square

There are many great lodging deals in Crested Butte and the surrounding areas. Our personal favorite is the Lodge at Mountaineer Square. Conveniently located a stone’s throw away from the Adventure Park and a bevvy of restaurants and shops, their luxurious rooms vary in size from the King Room to four-bedroom suites. After a morning of adventure, my family spent every afternoon playing in the indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and soaking in the hot tub. The Lodge offers 15% off lodging during festivals and you can save 25% on lodging this fall.

For additional information, go to crestedbuttemusicfestival.com and gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Happy Fourth Birthday to Little Man Ice Cream!

July 16, 2010 By

Dear Bode,

I’ll admit it: I dreaded it when you turned three. And who could blame me? The Terrible Threes represented your sister’s descent into the fiery furnace and only when she turned four did she become human again.

But you remained delightful this past year. Sure, you were known to throw the occasional fit but really, who wouldn’t given the unjust world we live in? That’s the nice thing about you. You’re even-keeled and easy-going except for when under extreme diress, like when Hadley kills you off in Super Mario on the Wii.

Because death is no laughing matter.

You’re a really sensitive, sweet soul who responds differently to every new situation you are placed in. For this reason we did not know how you would take to skiing. But from the moment Mommy and Daddy joyfully dumped you off lovingly enrolled you in ski school you took to the slopes like your namesake Bode Miller. The snowplow was for woosies and you quickly acclimated to weaving in and out of traffic doing the tuck.

The same could be said of your bike-riding prowess. We’re not quite ready to let you ditch the training wheels but that doesn’t hold you back: you’ve already hit the local skate park, love putting your feet up on the bar and often out-ride your sister. You also left her in your dust whilst hiking the steep St. Mary’s Glacier a couple of weeks ago.

And yes, in this particular instance “Boys rule, girls drool” as you so kindly reminded us.

You just completed your first year of preschool. You have a real gift for math and were beloved by your classmates. You were particularly sweet to a developmentally-delayed boy who, every time he saw you, would scream out, “BODE BOY!” as he ran to hug you.

Our cat Remy says the same thing but runs in the other direction.

You love dinosaurs, Transformers, and watching Scooby Doo but your most treasured toy is a Webkinz named Tabby. This orange cat used to be Hadley’s and has undergone some pretty amazing transformations, including a se*x change when she miraculously turned into a boy after you adopted him.

Tabby went missing a while back and you prayed for his return day and night. If the rest of the family forgot to pray for Tabby, you would interrupt us to include him in our prayers. Mommy and Daddy thought you’d just move on but you prayed unceasingly…and after a few months you discovered him in a desk downstairs. We learned a few things from this experience 1) You have a lot of faith 2) You’re really stubborn and 3) You never forget.

I wish your future wife a lot of luck.

Everything makes you tired these days (or at least that is your excuse to get out of working). Of course, being three is hard. Imagine having to dress yourself. Pick up your toys. Brush your teeth. Eat the food your parents prepared for you. Get waited on hand and foot.

Trust me, being four will be that much better. You’re still in preschool so the rigors of academia have not set in and your main responsibilities will be to play, laugh and learn. Of course, managing the two Type A women in your life is no small feat but you are a patient, loving and joyful little guy who is a delight to be around.

Except for when you accuse the girls of drooling.

Love,
Mommy

P.S. For a stroll down memory lane: Birthday letters three, two and one.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor

A glimpse at Bode’s brilliance

July 14, 2010 By

Despite all the travels and glorious chaos, I have tried to keep some semblance of structure by carving out some time everyday for the kids to do schoolwork.

With Bode, I am trying to improve his fine motor skills. We have been working extensively on holding his pen correctly and writing letters.

He hates it.

After correcting him for the 1,000th time, he looked at me and exasperatingly exclaimed,

“Mommy, you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.”

Can’t argue with that logic.

Note: Comments temporarily closed due to lame Asian spammers.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor

Literally chalking up yet another crafting failure

July 12, 2010 By

The kids and I recently made sidewalk chalk.

I know. Such ambition chalks shocks even me.

You see, I hate crafts. Always have. And despite my best efforts to be THAT mom, I always will.

I grew up with a domestic goddess mother so renowned that she opened the most acclaimed English tea rooms and gift shops in the city. Such domesticity must have skipped a generation because my daughter Hadley shares my mom’s talent. In an effort to support her ambitions, I recently sent her to art camp.

You know. So I wouldn’t have to do it with her.

Hadley had her birthday late-May and when people asked me what to buy, I cheerfully replied, “Get her anything to do with crafts.” This plan completely flopped because I forgot to include the important provision that “No parental involvement should be required.”

Every single one of her projects requires major supervision.

I’m ashamed to admit her beloved presents have sat all summer until one morning, I waxed ambitious. “Let’s make sidewalk chalk!” I proclaimed, pointing to her kit. “Really?” Hadley suspiciously queried, looking like the world must be coming to an end for me to be volunteering my services.

How tough could it be? The kit contained colorful powders and all we had to do was add water, shake the bottle and pour it into some cute butterfly-shaped molds.

Evidently, I can’t even handle just-add-water directions.

Part of the problem is Hadley, being an artist, wanted to have a kaleidoscope of colors within each mold. This would have been fine except the solution was fast-drying and if not poured immediately, it would become lumpy.

We found that out the hard way with Yellow.

That was the beginning of the end.

I suggested she add some more water to the bottle, put the lid on it and shake it up again. This may have been a seamless solution if she had adequately screwed the lid on.

Yellow paint shot all over the table, Hadley’s face and the ground.

I rushed her inside to cleanup but by the time she had returned, the other bottles had dried up and we were in the same predicament as before. A frenzy followed as we tried to revive the other colors.

In the end, we looked like a rainbow threw up on us but miraculously, THE END RESULT WAS ACTUAL SIDEWALK CHALK.

You know. The same stuff we could have bought at the Dollar Store.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Hadley, Humor
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