TBT: Mexico Edition

Spending the week at the Ecksteins' residence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was the trip of a lifetime to say the least. 

Waking up every morning with fresh coffee and an endless menu of breakfast items awaiting,

lounging in the pool while platters of your drink of choice being brought to your side,

being serenaded by a mariachi band and having a real mexican fiesta in your own backyard...

ya, it was like a dream come true. 

Except for one bright and sunny day.... 

It was the morning of March 16, 2011. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and the waves were freaking tsunamis. Our sweet, surfer bra guy friends paddle out on their styrofoam surf boards in attempt to capture the 10 ft waves. Being the adventurers we are, Alix and I decided that we should probably join in with all the excitement. So we grabbed the ONLY boogie board we had… no string and all… and set sail on the ocean blue. It was all fun and games… until about 10 yards off shore. Then shit started to hit the fan. The next 10 minutes of our precious lives were spent under water… being plummeted by wave after wave after wave. Meanwhile, our boogie board was taken out from underneath us and was no where in sight. The next thing I knew, we were a mile off of the Mexican shore, no one near, and treading water as if we were on a bike being chased by a mountain lion. Alix was still having the time of her life (I’m convinced she chugged an espresso shot and shotgunned a Red Bull before we set sail). I, on the other hand, was quickly running out of energy.

What happens next… I will never forget. Alix continued to ramble on about whoever the HELL she could be talking about at a time like this when I looked at her, started crying and said “ALIX. WE CANNOT DO THIS ANY LONGER. I AM ABOUT TO DROWN” (at this point we had drifted another half mile off shore). Thank the Lord she finally took notice how serious our situation was. I mean.. think about that… a mile and a half off the shore being constantly rocked by huge waves with NOTHING to hold on to. Our poor legs felt like they belonged to Gumby. 

The next 5 minutes are a blur… I balled my eyes out as Alix realized the end was near for us.

Then, all of the sudden, Clare Helow came floating up like an angel on a cloud, laughing,  ON ALIX AND I’S LONG LOST BOOGIE BOARD.

The first thing she said to us?

“Erin, you look so ‘Blue Crush’ right now” 

Ya. Imagine how funny that was to me. Anyways… I shared a few not-so-very-nice words with her as I continued to cry and the three of us made our way back to solid ground (on the leash-less boogie board).

After we finished kissing the mexican sand once we touched the surface, our feeble legs had to continue on the trek back to the house. Once we met our destination, I immediately ordered a cheeseburger with a side of fries and a cheese quesadilla for dessert. I mean, think about it… we probably burned at least 800 calories. 

(WARNING: do not eat a 3 cheese quesadilla while "relaxing" in a hut tub. You will soon be face first in the toilet, throwing up what closely resembles a napkin for the next 30 minutes.)

Post Drowing... Pre Munching

Mariachi Band

                                   

Result of Bennett eating a taquito  

                                         
                                     

Dougie-ing with Mr. Eckstein 

                               

Just buying some Mexican Rosary's... 

Mariachi Dance Party

Trifecta

Good times.

Babies, Birthdays, Hat Parties, Croquet Games and Such

The past few weeks, my schedule has been obnoxiously busy.

The word "available" has started to make me cringe and I get super bad anxiety.

"Are you available tonight?"

"Are you available this Friday through Sunday?"

"Are you available next Wednesday all day?"

"Are you available next November 23?"

ok... you get the point.

Not to mention the three families I already sit for on the reg...

My biggest problem is... I hate saying no.

I also hate canceling on people.

So you can only imagine the stress running through my mind last week when my entire calendar on my phone was randomly GONE. Literally.

I PUT EVERY DATE, JOB, EVENT, ETC. ON THERE AND IT WAS ALL GONE.

I almost threw up. 

To make matters worse... I kept getting asked if I was "available" BUT I HAD NO IDEA IF I WAS OR NOT.

So my worst nightmare came true, in fact several times, when I finally figured out how to get my calendar back. 

I had to change around my nanny schedule to suit other things such as a MATH test (which I had completely forgot about), I doubled booked myself for evening jobs, had to cancel on one, and find someone to replace me, canceled two days with my oldest nanny clients in which she had asked me about a loooong time ago... because I made plans to visit my grandparents.  

Seriously..........

Sometimes I think people forget I actually have a life.

But don't fret...

I still get to have my fun.

March 27 was my Birthday. For once, I actually took the day off. I was soooo looking forward to having absolutely nothing to do all day and just relax.

BUT... that's not exactly how it went.

Since my birthday began at midnight, Hank and I went to mojo's to have a drink.

"A DRINK" quickly turned into me being tricked into taking a Chartreuse shot once the clocked struck 12. 

Post Chartreuse

Let me just say for those of you who don't know what that is... stay far, far away.

And if you do happen to get forced into taking one... don't. It is NOT "just like whiskey".

I was drunk for the next 12 hours.

So on my actual birthday, it wasn't until I had a glass of wine and walked around the mall for awhile until I finally felt normal again. Later that night, we celebrated at Al's Pizza then walked across the street to Blacksheep for drinks. All in all, it turned out to be an awesome birthday.

Hattie was so thrilled

Mandis' delicious surprise at dinner

Blacksheep

I have the best sister

From my birthday on was pretty much a weekend full of fun. Hank Jr.'s mom cooked us a fabulous surf and turf dinner... we had Hurricanes with my dad... and on Saturday, we got to dress up like preppy bitches in big hats and drink free beer for a few hours while listening to live music and enjoying the beautiful weather:

The following day was Easter Sunday, so clearly the party continued. 

Hank Jr.'s mom hosts a big lawn party. We spent the day drinking Bloody Mary's and beer, "playing" croquet (I lost severely) and of course celebrating our Lord. 

Next week, I am taking the whole week off of work and going to visit my grandparents with Hank while he takes a course for his job. Needless to say, I am extremely excited.

CRR

6 years ago today, the world lost an incredible soul.

It is hard to find the words to even begin this post, 

as it is one of the most memorable yet heart wrenching moments of my life...

and it will never leave me.

rewind to March 16th, 2007:

Clay was almost exactly a year older than me. His 18th birthday was on a Friday and it just so happened that our last class of the day had been across the hall from each other, mine being German and his was Speech. The bell rang and everyone flooded the hall. Had I known screaming 'Happy Birthday' and basically tackling him in the hallway would have been the last time... 

Since Clay did family things that Friday night, we decided to celebrate the following night.

Had I known that night would change my life forever...

Clay fell 4 stories down from a condo complex that night.

Me and 5 other of his closest friends witnessed.

It's so amazing how every minute, every little detail of that afternoon and night becomes such a vivid memory that will always seem like it was just yesterday.

Clay suffered major head injuries and spent the next 3 days on a ventilator fighting for his life.

We were all very hopefully in his recovery as we had heard nothing but good news about his progress

...until things took a turn for the worst. 

On March 21st, 2007, Clay passed away. 

The minutes following... the hours... the days...

it didn't matter. What mattered was that this perfect, amazing family had lost their perfectly innocent child and for some reason, I was one of the last people he saw.
These vivid images will never leave me because of that.

I was and will forever be deeply saddened but honored, in a way

and will always know he is watching us all and laughing his hilarious, uncontrollable laugh at all the dumb things we are doing down here.

A week after his passing, hundreds of people joined together to celebrate his life and lay him to rest.
It was my 17th Birthday. 

6 years ago today, Heaven gained one hell of an angel.

R.I.P. Clayton. Only the good die young.

Gawk me

Aside from wiping babies butts for a living, I like to think of myself as a Professional Foodgawker-er.  

For those of you who don't know of this magical net-land, it is and has been my addiction for ehhh probably about 3 years now. 

In simplest terms: It's food porn. 

Pages and pages and pages of food porn. 

As soon as I get any quiet time during my day, I find myself scrolling through picture after picture of the best looking burgers and sandwiches and chicken and fries and veggies and cupcakes imaginable. 

My amazing experience as a foodgawker-er has led me to favoriting over 600 glorious foods of all flavors and categories.  

Seriously, this wonderful creation has turned me into the foodie I am today.

Thanks to my gawking discovery, one of my most favorite things to do is to cook for the ones I love.

Allow me...

This is my babe: 

We love to eat.

In fact... eating is our favorite thing to do together.

Fortunately enough for us, we have good genes.

We try to limit ourselves to eating out only on the weekends.

You know... save a few cals and money...

So I've been cooking

Enjoy:

Hanks creation: Chicken Apple and Kale Salad

Amazing Avocado and Spinach Wrap

Healthy Turkey and Bean Enchiladas

 ...Enchiladas 

Hanks Fave Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Steak Mash and Beans

Kale Caesar 

3way Shrimp on the grill: Creole, Lemon Pep, & BBQ

Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon & Kale

...

Recipes to come.

(But if they look too incredible and you just can't wait... just ask)

Successful Saturday

A.K.A

Mandi and I survived yet another overnight/day with the twins.

(and for those of you who don't know... 'the twins' = two 3year olds and two 9month olds. 

Yup, alllll from the same fam.)

It all started yesterday around 10 a.m. Mandi was still getting her shit together while I had arrangements to meet with half of our clients. Granted, they were asleep when I arrived

but of course, the moment their primary caretakers left the house, they awoke from their slumbers. 

They felt my presence... I just know it.

As I proceeded to feed them their gourmet lunch of cheerios, grinded up chicken and mac&cheese, some almond butter sammies and a buddy fruit, Hayes and Mandi showed up to relieve me only so I could go pick up the other half of our cliental. 

When I got back home from picking the older boys up from Pre-K... it was strictly nap time, as Hayes, Mandles and I had important business to attend to:

INSANITY.

They are die hard insanitarians. This was only my second time.

With the older 2 in bed, we caged the babes in the "playroom" and began what would soon be the death of us. 

After 40 minutes of heart-wrenching cardio, we were nasty, sweaty, and hungry.

Of course, we had to wait for the munchkins to wake before we could go anywhere... 

but when they FINALLY did (around 5pm) we packed up the troops and went straight to Players Grille.

All 4 kiddos were SO well behaved... it was unbelievable. 

Nothing else cool happened that night... we put all twinzies to bed and watched a couple movies.

Only to be woken up the next morning at 6.a.m.

I mean seriously... I haven't woken up that early since the 7th grade.

But hey, what are you supposed do when all 4 kids wake up ready party?

(very)Long day short, Moondles, Hayes and I took the twinsomes to the Avenues Mall.

After we all ate our fair share of Chick-fil-a, Subway, and Mandarin Express

we headed for Forever 21. 

To the public, I am sure it seemed as if Mandi was a mother of 2 baby twins, and Hayes and I both brought along our 3 year old sons as some sort of "play-date".

All went well until Hayes's child (for the day) and my child (for the moment) started stripping clothes from the hangers and looking up the mannequins skirt while proceeding to kick each other in the shins and screaming as loud as they could.

Needless to say..
it was time to go.

By the time we got home, it was 2 p.m. and to be honest... I couldn't tell who needed a nap more:  Moonsie and I or the boys and babies.

 As soon as we walked in the door, all hell broke loose. 

I won't go in to detail but it was not pretty on both accounts. 

But fear not... it was a quiet house by 2:30.

And it was all smooth sailing from there.

So here we are now... 10:10 p.m. sitting on the couch enjoying a TALL glass (or bottle) of Pinot, eating our weight in cookies and popcorn while watching our 2nd movie of the night.

Don't believe me? 

See for yourself: