Baby Powder

When I was little, my family always made sure to keep the baby powder out of my reach. If they didn't, I was likely to dump an entire bottle all over the floor or, as my Viejita remembers, squeeze the bottle tightly while aiming towards the sky in an attempt to make it snow. Seriously, I get near a bottle these days and my heart still flutter with the possibilities.

Well, it seems a little golden haired boy I know has inherited this trait from his Momma. Tonight, after changing his sisters diaper he grabbed the bottle and made a break for it. SMK wasn't around and I was feeling a little nostalgic and so I let him.

First he inhaled that fresh baby scent and then he went to town. All over he floor and then in circles (he's got flare, that kid) before finally making it rain. These are some of the after pictures. There was a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards but it was definitely worth the clean up.

A (Re)Introduction

Hello Blogworld!

I've been here for years with several different nom de plums. But, when you've been blogging since high school (omg- did I seriously go by "Palm Springs Preppy?" Gag me!) there are bound to be more than a few things that make me shake my head in disgust. So, with a fresh new blog I am back again to share my todays.

I was going to write a little introduction- nothing too deep- just a quick hello before I got into the stories and annectdotes. But when I logged onto my google reader this morning, one of my favorite blogs, In the Trenches of Mommyhood had this great post about where she was from. It's a writing exercise (with a template) that I (more or less) followed that describes who I am pretty well. So here it is- my first post on my brand new blog.

Where I'm From
I am from the beautiful mountains of a hot California desert, from palm trees and bouganvilleas and a frozen lemonade on a dry summer day.

I am from the words of a Jose Marti poem, the smell of a sofrito cooking, the sounds of crickets announcing their presense on a sandy floor.

I am from Noche Buena celebrations, a pork roast in the oven, a flan cooling in the fridge. From Rubidia and Ramona. From Asterio's eyes and a Simon personality.

I am from the creativity of Santana and the determination of Hernandez. The daughter of Ruby, the apple of Rubidia's eye. The first niece of Yami, Dago and Turi. A lifetime of Hawaiian vacations, Griffith Park adventures, Disneyland memories.

A camel ride in Morocco, a flamenco lesson in Seville. From a sprained ankle in Athens, a frightened journey up the Eiffel Tower.

From "que sea la ultima vez" and "que Dios te bendiga." From "besale el culito" to a well placed, "pal carajo."

I am from a Tolstoyan way of thinking- A 'Kingdom of God is within you' mentality. A Christian school education but a we don't need a church to feel God's love attitude.

I'm from a California Dream and a Cuban family. From black beans and fried plantains. From life is too short, a hand me down Louis Vuitton.

From the stories of a sincere man from where the palm trees grow, the love of baseball and the sounds of dominos being mixed while a strong espresso brews.

I am from heavy cherry wood albums, bursting with memories. From passed down scribbled copies of Dostoevsky and Maugham.
I am me, because of them.


This is my family- my mom, dad, Viejita, brother and my babies- Patrick and Natalie.