it's a bird, it's a plane...... it's a SUPER MOON

Today is El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla otherwise known as Cinco de Mayo...... a day of Mexican heritage and pride.

We're not of Mexican heritage but we love to join in on the many festivities in New Mexico. 

There are many events with mariachi bands, Baile Folklorico dancers, music, drinks, food and more food.

After a day of fun, we came home to relax a bit before the big show.....

Tonight is the night of the Super Moon.

The night when the moon has its closest approach to the Earth on its elliptical orbit resulting in the largest apparent size of the moon and brightest.

We brought out the lawn chairs and had dinner in the light of the super moon.

Incredibly bright and beautiful SUPER MOON  over our head

SUPER MOON over our house 

The same SUPER MOON by Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro
(I found this one on the internet----beautiful photo right??) 

Hope you had a Super Cinco de Mayo today.....I know we did

fans forever....

Today is May the 4th......... therefore May the Fourth be with you.

Yes, we do have a collection of family light sabers.... 

;-)

creative minds at work....

CRAYONS

 PAINTBRUSHES

The art-teese (my fancy way of saying artist) in us.... wants to come out and create.

We have our tools but the inspiration is yet to come across our minds

What should we do?? I'm thinking a family project of some sort.....

time to hit pinterest!!

Diego to the third power

Here we are at the party store once again.
Last time we were here we had so many laughs (click here to revisit that blog)

Once again we perused the many themes to see what might spark our imaginations....


                                                  There was the Western Cowgirl theme

                                                         The Rock and Rock 50's theme

                                                          The Roaring 40's theme

                                                       The Teen pop star theme

Then there was the 

                                            Go, Diego, Go theme...............creeeeepy!

Guess who......

high beam eyeballs

Cookie and I were sitting out on the porch talking about our day when our cat came strutting home.

"Mommy, Moxie is coming back from a long day at work." says Cookie.

headlight eyes

"Where does he work?" I ask.

Cookie replies, "Ohhhh, He's a scientist at Kirtland Airforce Base..... very TOP SECRET."

!!!!!!!!!

It all makes sense now----that explains his high tech headlight eyeballs.....

Royal Memories

Real life Fairy Tale.....  

One year ago, yesterday, Prince William and Kate wed in London.

We woke 3 AM to watch the Royal wedding.......Cray-zy 

we loved it!

It was the fairy tale we all grew up hearing.

Prince Charming and the beautiful Cinderella.

Disney had us all hooked from birth.

Prince William and Kate's Royal wedding was Historic and EPIC..... we had to see this.

We planned an early morning ROYAL WEDDING breakfast party....... just for us.

We had English tea, crumpets, mini breakfast quiche, fruit, yogurt and toast.

As a family we made decorations of Union Jack flags, Will and Kate tea bag bobbles and centerpieces.

It was FUN.

It was ROYALLY FUN. (hahaha)

We had tiaras, facinators and a top hats for everyone.....even our dogs were dressed for the occasion. 

I think it was the most fun we had....one year ago....at 3 AM!!!!

The decorations from our Royal Wedding Party still hang in our home to this day!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

All Native SK-8 Jam

We headed to the All Nations Skate Jam at Los Altos today.

We thought we'd check out the skaters on this Gathering of Nations weekend.

Bam brought his skateboard..... 

"Better to be prepared"

Super Fun Family Event.....

There were mostly native skaters at this skating competition...making it an AWESOME extension for the youth stemming from the Gathering of Nations Powwow.

There were so many super-experienced skaters competing at this event.

The female skaters were AWESOME!

(....the guys were too) 

I enjoy bringing my kids to safe, family-friendly skating events like the 

All Nations Skate Jam

(Most events aren't like this one!!)

GON volunteering

Tonight is an important night..... volunteering at Gathering of Nations.

NO PICTURES PLEASE.....

Here's a few very nice snaps of 

NORTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST POWWOW

Enjoy......

(click here for Blog about setup)

enjoying the magic

Community Night at Fifi's school

Sweetheart, Fifi and Cookie taking it all in at Community Night

That's us at Community Night.....

Community night is when local organizations, businesses and educational tours provide information about their services, entertainment and educational opportunities in one location...... Tonight its at Fifi's school.

 Some of those participating tonight include:

Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball

NM Stars Indoor American Football League 

NM Mustangs Hockey Team (NAHL)

UNM Lobo Club

Van of Enchantment

Zoo to You Van

Wildlife Rescue

Cliff's Amusement Park

Planetarium

Hawks Aloft

Sigala Taekwondo

NM Solar Energy

USDA / Fire Safety Education

Challenger Learning Center

NM Museum of Natural History and Science

Rattlesnake Museum

Ewww.... LIVE Scorpion!!!

Educational, slithery, subjects..... Ewww 

This is a LIVE rehabilitated OWL from Hawks Aloft.
"Such big eyes you have Mr. Owl
"The better to see all the children!" 

Cookie is maneuvering the Challenger Learning Center's robotic arm to pick up a leaf to drop it in the container.

Excellent Skills Cookie!!!

Great job

Look at all these walking trail maps for the area that the forestry provided....
--- hiking is fun---

Also, some clubs from the school sponsored fundraising events like:

Pie in the face 

Face Painting

Jewelry Sales 

Quilt Auction 

Garden Plants Sales

Petting zoo

Magic Show

Sweetheart assisted the science teacher
with a chemistry demonstration

This student had a vinegar reaction science experiment with story

Then the Science teacher magically transformed himself in a magician.
The children were amused at his jokes and attempts at magic.
"Abracadabra"

Pie in the face ...... winner or loser?
Depends how you look at it.

There was so much to do........We had FUN tonight.

I also had the opportunity to meet some of Fifi's friends.

Good times for all.... and to all a MAGICAL night.

The Gathering....

The annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is this weekend at the University of New Mexico Arena aka THE PIT.

This event is known as North America's Biggest Powwow.

The powwow runs April 26, 27, 28....beginning with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Isleta Pueblo. The crowing of Miss Indian World is on Saturday evening at the Pit. There will be plenty of traditional native competition dancing, traditional native music, traditional arts and craft market, powwow, and Native talent on Stage 49. We love this time of year, when many NATIVE AMERICANS and other INDIGENOUS TRIBES from other countries come to ABQ. 

It's so beautiful to see so many lovely faces around.....

In front of the Pit: the lines are already forming for tomorrows OPENING DAY

This is inside the Pit where the stage AND sound are coming together.

Many people lining up for general admission tickets as well for
vendors license for those who are selling at the Indian Market.

Looks like the local news station is here to do a expose....

This is the back area location of the Indian Traders Market and Stage 49

Why.......you ask.....am I already inside???

Well, we volunteer every year for the Gathering of Nations as crowd control manager. Basically an assistant to help those unfamiliar with the Pit to find exits, entrances, special entrances for dancers and performers, and special VIP seating. Sometimes we volunteer as counter for the dancers-- to make sure they get credit for dancing during special competition events as well.

The Gathering of Nations is so much fun to attend.... the splendor of the traditional regalia is amazing and beautiful. To be here live as the beating of the drums and chanting of the singers brings your core to harmony...... NO JOKE....REALLY.

The sight of the dancers dancing....The sound of the traditional rhythmic beats.....The smells of the traditional foods is beyond words.... PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST THIS IS A MUST.....you should attend NORTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST POWWOW.

track and field banquet night....

Tonight----I don't have to worry about what to make for dinner....

The coaches hosted a pot luck feast at the school tonight for the track and field participants and their families.

It was a type of buffet style dinner: where everyone is required to bring a main dish to share while awards were handed out.

Dinner was great! We brought in chicken.

But there was also pizza, spaghetti, assorted salads and drinks.

The school provide a HUGE decorated cake!!!

It was nice opportunity to come together... share a meal....meeting new people and families that we only briefly seen at the stadiums. 

And of course...to honor the athletes.

Princess Fifi walking steady with her plate.
While Cookie (orange shirt) is deciding on a fruit salad.

Award time.... SMILE!!

GREAT JOB PRINCESS FIFI!!!

Thank you Coaches for a great season...... see you next year!

Exciting news.... summer is almost here!

The school year is winding down....

I can't believe that school is almost out for

the SUMMER.... in just about a month.

Fifi has a spring in her step as she
 skips towards me with exciting school news

I think EXCITEMENT is in the air.....whatever it is...the children are excited!!

The weather is beautiful and smiles are everywhere....