Immersion Preschooling

When we moved to San Antonio, Jax had just turned a year old. In my own way I had been homeschooling him since he was born, but Steven and I decided that it was time for him to be around children and have a better education. We really wanted to find a school that was diverse in race, included art & music, a Montessori style of teaching and second language education. A friend of mine introduced me to immersion schools here in Los Angeles when she enrolled her son in a French Immersion Preschool. The idea sounded great to me and Steven. It would be a very efficient way of learning a second language. We also read that children who become fluent in a second language at a very young age tend to score higher in Math & Science. The common fear is that children will lose their primary language or not have the ability to learn in their native language. This is untrue. Children have a greater capacity for learning and comprehension than we really know. Children can’t lose their native language if they are at home speaking their native language.

Being fluent in a second language that is commonly used such as Spanish or French, will help your child in any field they choose to go into as we become immersed in a fast-moving global economy where we are no longer on top. It’s time to broaden our horizons and embrace other cultures. So, I did the very hollywood thing and decided to enroll my kid in a private full spanish immersion school. For this adventure, Steven and I chose The Pineapple School in NW San Antonio, Tx. This place was truly a little piece of heaven in the south surrounded by churches and drive thru bbq restaurants.

The Pineapple School is a small school that is family owned in a partial green facility that not only opens children up to the language of Spanish, but the latino culture in a whole! The teachers are amazing women that are warm, friendly, communicative and fun! The moment Steven and I walked in, we were sold. Krisiana, is the principle of the school, and her son also attends. Her mother Susan runs it along with her, her father built the facility and her sister helps create the curriculum. From the large flat screen in the front where all the classrooms are being monitored 247, the organic latino themed lunches & snacks, the cleanliness, to the daily notes from the teacher about what your child learned, how they slept, how they ate and words they learned… We couldn’t get our son enrolled fast enough. they go from 6 months to 4/5 years old. I was just impressed with how CLEAN and secure this place was. And once you were there it was like all the teachers and staff knew who you were and who you’re kid was, so you never felt like someone could get through the monitored door, sign your kid out with their finger prints, walk to their classroom, and sign them out again with a code when they left, because the woman at the front door knew that that person was not Jax’s parents!

So how did Jaxon do in the program? He flourished! I truly believe that it not only helped him with his social skills and of course he learned things in spanish, but I know that it has been direct influence on how he has moved along in his education. They way he comprehends things and picks up on things is exactly how children I read about who had been involved in learning in a second language. But I also believe that the environment they have created at The Pineapple school was a big deal. Jax fell in love with his teacher, Ms.Nanis right away! In fact he would associate spanish with her. He was allowed to dance and encouraged to sing. By the end of the first week, he was able to tell me and Steven where his Head, Eyes, Nose & Mouth were in spanish. He also would greet us in Spanish everyday and looked forward to going to school! IT WORKS I TELL YA! IT WORKS!!!

One of the hardest things about leaving San Antonio was leaving the Pineapple School and trying to find its replacement here in Los Angeles! The way he learned and things he learned while there, were just amazing! They teach in a very social, Montessori way with songs, interaction, expression and art! Well, I am on the hunt for my little Pineapple School equivalent here in Los Angeles… Can anyone help me? I mean I know it won’t compare to my first love… but I’m sure I can love again, if it’s the right fit! Qualifications? Spanish Immersion, Montessori Style Teaching, Clean, Small Staff, Monitored Rooms, Organic lunches & snacks, Music & Arts Programs. That’s it! That’s all! I’m not asking for much, just the perfect preschool for a reasonable price! LOL! Okay… maybe I am asking for too much!

So if you live in San Antonio or New Braunfels and are looking for a great preschool please check out the Pineapple School and tell Krisiana that Jax & Brooke sent you! And if you’re in LA… got any suggestions?! LOL!

The Pineapple School

(210) 694-0740
info@pineappleschool.com

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, Single Mommy, toddler, Budget, living green, family, single woman, baby, Mommy, jax, education, single dad, single, kid friendly, The Pineapple School, Spanish Immersion, African-American, San Antonio Preschool, Texas Preschool, Spanish Immersion Preschool, Good Preschools in San Antonio, Second Language, Spanish speaking toddler, Krisiana Puccio, Infant Childcare, Childcare in San Antonio, Reasonably priced preschool, teaching latin culture

Happy Valentine’s Day To Me

This year was a different kind of Valentine’s Day. For the first time I was without some sort of date, card or flowers. Well, actually I did get a couple of nice Happy Valentine’s Day messages from some special folk, haha! But for the most part it was quiet. It’s my first Valentine in three years without Steven, being in love and no card from my little munchkin Jax. It wasn’t like a sad, eat a bunch of ice cream and drown in tears type of day, either. But my perspective on Valentine’s Day completely changed.

Before I met Steven, Valentine’s Day was for me as it is for most women. A day to expect a nice dinner, frivolous thoughtless gifts, and a perfunctory bunch of flowers and romantic cards from someone you like a little more than the other guys you talk to. But then three years ago I had my first Valentine’s Day as someone really in love with someone and it kind of made all those Valentine’s Day that happened before seem trivial and mute. Spending Valentine’s Day in love with the one you love just doesn’t compare to anything else. Then when you expand on that by adding a baby in there, it just adds an element of romance you can’t compare. This year I am single and dating and enjoying liking and being free. But spending Valentine’s Day fawning over someone I am in like with just didn’t seem like a top priority. Does it sound ridiculous to not want to spend another Valentine’s Day in like, but in love? I mean it just seems like you’re going backwards. Why do something half assed, when you know how great it can be on the other side? It almost seems like a waste of money on one day.

So how did I spend my Valentine’s Day? I spent it with my family. My small little family of Jax and BamBam. I got cards and candy for my siblings from Jax. Spoke with Jax about Valentine’s Day, had family dinner with my mom and brothers. Did a little decorating with a blue heart-shaped place mat for Jax and cards and heart-shaped candy for Jax. Then we snuggled and watched The Charlie Brown Valentine’s Day special, shared laughed and popcorn!

Now I’m not trying to sound like a sappy old maid, I did go out and have some adult time. My younger brothers of Jake&Papa had a show celebrating the release of their mixtape “Somethin’ Soulful” in Los Angeles at The Mint. So I pulled out my sexy shoes, Kai Fragrance, greased up my legs and enjoyed the evening laughing with girlfriends and watching my brother put on one of their best performances. A night of music, wine, sexy texts and harmless flirting made my first Valentine’s Day as a single mom peaceful and fun. A stark difference from last year. Last year was a day of being driven around in a chauffeured car to get my nails done, an amazing massage, an amazing dinner of foie gras, scallops, champagne and chocolates gifted to me because I had been a good mother & partner. We shared dreams and hopes for the future, practiced our characters, “Retired Steven” & “Retired Brooke”. Then we went home, made love, cuddled and woke up the next morning to a happy smiling baby we shared Kolaches & donuts with while we watched a new episode of Olivia together as a family. How could a date out based on the need to have one for the simple fact it was Valentine’s Day compare to sharing love and a family with a partner? How can it compare to giving a piece of yourself, sharing love and showing your appreciation to this person on this day as much as you do or should on any other day? It doesn’t. So, I’m holding out on Valentine’s until cupid pricks me on the tushy again! Could be next year, could be the year after next. Until then, Jax and I will continue our tradition of wonderfully home cooked dinners, popcorn & heart shaped candies, warm milkies and laughing at Charlie Brown’s Valentine’s Day misery!

Not to say that I will turn down a dinner or drinks on this day… but until the words I Love You cross my lips and fall on another man’s ears, you probably won’t catch my house decorated in candles, flowers & hearts from the Martha Stewarts Arts & Crafts kits. Next time I celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’m looking forward to enjoying it with my mate. I guess I’m in a place where it’s time for some substance. I’d like things to mean things and go places and be something real. Is that too much? I don’t know. It’s like all of a sudden I’m standing and looking at 30 with a child holding my hand and realizing that there are things I want out of life and it’s time to start living for those things. I feel like it’s time to start dating for love. I’m kind too old to keep window shopping, don’t you think?

Tags: baby, break up, Charlie Brown Valentine's Day, couple, Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Date Night, family, Hot Dates, Jake&Papa, Jakeandpapa.com, love, Martha Stewart's Arts & Craft's, Mommy, single, single dad, Single Mommy, Single Valentine's Day, single woman, Somethin' Soulful, The Mint Los Angeles, toddler, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day with family

Embarrassed Much?!

If there’s one thing I learned about raising a toddler, is that outside of joy and glee, you tend to stay in a state of embarrassment. I believe that toddlers find it secretly amusing to make their parents turn the shade of red they turn when they shout out that they’ve just pooped in a restaurant full of people. Or they way you fall over themselves trying to prevent them from eating out of your friend’s cat’s bowl. The sound of the high pitch “NOOOO!!” you scream when they coming running out of their room naked with your purse, a cowboy hat and their yo gabba gabba vans on their feet to greet your dinner guests! Embarrassment! Usually everyday they find a way to top themselves too! Seriously! I feel like my kid is in competition with himself on how he can embarrass me the most in front of people!

Over the past year we’ve gone past the farting in someone’s face, spraying someone while they change him, pull my shirt down and expose me to the masses. We’ve raised the bar with such doozies as going to eat Sushi in his doctor’s costume & Brobee knit cap. Announcing to that same restaurant that he just pooped in the potty. There has been the barking at people passing him by while he rides on his bike. Or the dropping his spoon of ice cream and yelling out, “OH SH*T!! I drop it! F**K!” And lets not forget him licking my friend like he was a puppy! However last night……oh last night! I think last night takes the cake! You see it wasn’t just embarrassing. It was also correct in context! Funny! Confusing! And to be honest, I didn’t know if I scold him, laugh at him, change the subject or run away screaming!

So lately Jax has been obsessed with babies. He’s starting to understand that he is no longer a baby, but a big boy and with all the small babies around him, he has just become obsessed. He tells me babies poop in diaper and big boys poop in potty. Babies have bottle, big boys eat coffee… I know, I know, don’t ask! Okay, so you get it. He knows the difference between big boys and babies. And now because he’s around all these new babies, he will sometimes like to say he is a baby. He’ll crawl into my lap, create this little whiny voice, inform me he is a baby and then start doing this cry that sounds more like a meow while asking for a bottle. Last night was no different. He crawled into my lap, I rocked him and he did his little baby act. Then I put him to bed. After asking God to bless Mommy, Daddy, UmMa, BamBam and Daddy’s Car he crawled into bed.

About 20 minutes later the bedtime stall song and dance began. “Mommy, I water pee-shh!” Mommy I poop!” “Mommy I watch George?” “Mommy, finger!” Then came the mama-jama of them all. He comes out again and comes over like a baby. And in his baby voice he tells me he’s hungry. I start laughing and say, “You’re hungry? Now you’re hungry?” He says, “Yea. I hungry, mommy…” and then he gives me a solution to curb his baby hunger…wait for it…wait for it… “…I some boobie. I hungry.” My sister and brother were with me sitting on the couch and it seems like the needle scratched on the record and time moved incredibly slow as we all looked at the toddler who couldn’t have just said what I think he said.

“What did you say?” I could hear myself say. “I hungry. Some Boobie, pee-ssh?” Yes, yes, you read that right! My two-year old son who is the first-born, only child who hasn’t been breastfed in over 16 months informed me that he was a baby who needed to be fed from and I quote, “Some Boobie”… Some…BOOBIE!! First thought is, why and how does he know what a BOOBIE is?!? You’re probably wondering why does my 2-year-old who is the first-born and only child associate breasts with a infant’s nutrition. Well I’m come from a household where parents answered questions with an age appropriate honest answer. So I’ve continued that tradition with my son. A non answer or confusion can lead to frustration. So I’ve always tried to answer questions and make things clear. And when he saw some pictures of me breastfeeding him and asked what was Baby Jaxon doing, I tried to answer as best I could. I told him that little little babies get milk from their mommy’s breasts and baby bottles. Then when they get bigger they start eating regular food. So I’m guessing that he understand all that I said because last night, while he was pretending he was a baby he figured he could stall going to sleep by pretending to be hungry and eating some boobie!! I honestly blacked out after that and mumbled something about, “No you can’t! Go to bed, Jax!”

That definitely tops it!! I think he embarrassed me in front of MYself! HAHAHAHA!!! I’m still shell-shocked! I think it also sterilized my brother and sister! They were still reeling by some of the “WHY” questions he had asked earlier that day. I remember my mom saying that she hadn’t laughed as much and prayed as much as she did until she started having children! Well, Mother, I co-sign!

End Scene!

Tags: baby, bedtime, bedtime blues, breastfeeding, Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, embarrassing toddler moments, family, jax, regressing back to a baby, toddler

Lattes & Hooligans

I’m not sure if there really is a great side to being a single parent, but there are those moments when it’s just you and your kid(s) bonding over Milk & Lattes. I live for these moments. I love my latte mornings with my hooligan. Sometimes he’s in a costume, sometimes it’s after a long walk or over a weekend breakfast. These are moments to cherish! I feel like there needs to be a moment where you just take the time to catch up with your kid. Put the phone, iPad & Laptop away and engage them. Sometimes we talk, sing a song, play a little game, mostly I just let him chat his little face off. And when we leave, my little Hooligan has an extra pep in his step.

I thoroughly suggest you make a little latte or tea time with your little one. If not for the interesting conversation about what happened on Sesame Street, then for the simple fact that in a few years he won’t want to be seen with me. Right now I am absolutely awesome to be around. My son runs to me when I walk through the door still! I know that I am on the countdown until the day comes when I ask him to go to our Latte & Milk breakfast and he’ll tell me he has plans with his friends…and I’m not invited! I don’t think you’ve ever felt rejection until you’ve been rejected by your child, niece or nephew. It’s worse than the rejection from the teenage mean girls click… way worse! You go from being this untouchable glowing God-like figure that knows everything and can do no wrong, to the person that doesn’t know anything and does everything wrong! Everyday you breathe is a day that you find a way to ruin their lives and embarrass them!

So for now I’ll take my little random mornings with my toddler, steamed milk, lattes, and toddler spreukin with a large glorious smile!

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, Single Mommy, toddler, Budget, family, single woman, love, baby, Mommy, kid fun, jax, single dad, single, kid friendly, African-American, coffee dates, dates with your kids, family time, breakfast time with your kids, bonding, bonding with your kids

Tacos That Go Gobble Gobble

I love Tacos!! No, I don’t think you understand I love Tacos! In fact if you are subscriber to my blog you may find that there will be a ton of recipes for tacos with steak, brisket, fish, shrimp, tofu, lamb… (oh yes I once made a ground lamb meat taco and it was unbelievable), pork and chicken. But tonight, lets talk Turkey! I’m not one of those seasoning packet kind of girls, some of my recipes take a little time and little bit of cooking and browning. But the outcome, oh my, the outcome. I mean I’m not gonna sit here and toot my own horn, but my ex literally came over the next day all the way from working way out in Diamond Bar to come have a second helping of tacos when we started dating. I would have to use at least 2-3lbs of meat so he could have left overs from then on. They are kid friendly, as I have made them for a ton of kids I have babysat for and their parents. Okay so here goes!

Mommy’s Taca Turkey Tacos

(Why the Taca? Well my Aunt Nannie was creole and you know creole people make up all kinds of names for things, especially when they get old. She called Tacos, Tacas with an ‘A’. LOL! I miss her so, that I use some of her sayings to feel better)

Ground Turkey (White Meat)

Olive Oil

Cilantro

Fresh Garlic

White Onion

Roasted Salsa

Salt

Lemon Pepper

Cumin

Oregano

Chili Powder

Black Pepper

Mince your onions & garlic. Roughly chop the cilantro. Saute onions & garlic in olive oil. (I use a big pot because I use a lot of meat. I also add a little salt to my onions & garlic to open up the flavors a bit). Saute until the onions are translucent and add cilantro. Saute and then add ground turkey. Add all seasonings. With turkey, you may need to add more seasonings because the meat is very bland. Once the meat is brown and crumbly add your salsa. Stir and let simmer for a bit.

Now as far as trimmings I don’t use the average stuff. For the lettuce topping I’ll replace it with shredded cabbage or dark leafy greens. I like thinly shredded colby or white crumbly queso.  I chop avocados, no tomatoes. When in LA, I use a variety of tortillas. I love the handmade tortillas my grandma gets in East LA. I also love the Brown Rice Tortillas from Trader Joes. When I was in Texas HEB had these handmade small corn & flour tortillas they made fresh. They didn’t last long, not a lot of preservatives in them, but you end up eating them up before they go bad anyway! HEB also has a mild Roasted Salsa I LOVE!! When in LA I get my salsa from Deli-Mex. Ask for Abraham, tell him Valerie’s daughter sent you! His salsa is made fresh daily and is the best salsa I’ve ever had. When we lived in Monrovia, and we came to the valley to see my mom, Steven had to stop there or he would make me stop and bring some back home! And then he would just eat it straight with chips for a meal!! LOL! In Atlanta, a store called Boxcar Grocer has a really good brand they sell called Zocalo Salsas. They have a really good Chipotle Salsa. Spicy and delish!

If you are having a dinner party a great little set up is making up a taco bar. Have a big bowl of salad with some of my homemade dressing (see recipe below), black beans, rice and the fixings. You can spray the tortillas with a little of the Pam’s Organic Olive Oil Spray and place them in the oven for a few minutes to warm them up. Then cover them and put out for self-serve.

Homemade Salad Dressing (I stole this from my big sis, Essence)

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Honey

Flax Seeds or Poppy Seeds (for texture)

Combine Olive Oil, Balsamic vinaigrette & Honey in microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and then whisk together. The heat helps it mix. Everything is to taste. If you like a sweet dressing, more honey & less vinegar. If you like a savory, tart dressing, less honey & more vinegar.

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, Single Mommy, Budget, organic, family, single woman, brooklynbites, Mommy, picky eater, cooking, Date Night, single dad, family dinner, single, kid friendly, Trader Joe's, couple, Health, dinner party, taco night, taco tuesday, easy dinner, quick dinner, Deli Mex Sherman Oaks, HEB Market, Boxcar Grocer, Boxcar Grocer Atlanta, Deli-Mex, Roberta Paul, Roberta "Nannie" Paul

Batman Visits The KidSpace Museum

Last night my friend Joelle & I took our sons to the KidSpace Museum in Pasadena for their Monthly Free Family Fun Night. Last night was Black History Month Themed and so they had an African Drum workshop. It was great! The Boys absolutely loved it! The great thing is to watch them enjoy it differently. Joden, Joelle’s son, is almost 11 months old and is trying to walk. He was so excited to see all the kids and to play with Jaxon, I think the added bonus was that there was live music. And Mr. Social I Love To Party Jaxon was damn near break dancing in his Batman raincoat when he wasn’t trying to explain things to Joden in his “I’m the big cousin” voice!

Seeing Jaxon and Joden being so excited to see one another and enjoying every minute they are together makes me feel so warm and excited inside for two reasons. A. Joelle and I have been friends since before we were born! Joelle’s mother, Lucy and my grandmother, Cleonia have been BFF’s since they were 5 & 6 years old! Our families are from New Orleans and both settled in Los Angeles around the same time. Lucy & Cleonia grew up down the street from one another, our families were connected in what some people refer to as the great Creole Migration! Joelle is the youngest of her parent’s two children and is only a few years older than me. Because of this, Joelle and I would play together on the weekends I was at my grandmother’s house. Now we have both had our first children a little over a year apart from one another and THEY love each other. It’s a pretty awesome exciting feeling, most of all for Cleonia & Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy passed away in early 2011, but I know she’s watching the boys from afar enjoying every minute. On another bittersweet note, now was around the time that Steven and I had marked as the time we would start having more children. Of course now that we are not together, those plans have been scratched and placed on the back burner until I find Mr. Right. But I see how great of a big brother Jax would have been, will be I should say. That’s always a good feeling.

Now back to the museum. Last night was a lot of fun. Basically, every month they put on a special themed night that is free from 4-8pm. They have some kind of main activity and then they keep their baby playroom & big kid exploring rooms open for free play. Last night because of the rain their program was pushed indoors, but it was still just as fun. They had a little workshop where the kids rotated in and out playing activities & singing songs around African Drums led by a man in traditional African attire. Now my kid heard the music and wasn’t trying to sit and watch, he was up dancing and singing! Once we stayed for a few sessions of the drums, we then walked over to the play area where Jax ran around exploring each exhibit with his cape flapping behind him!

I can’t wait to take Jaxon & Joden during the day when we can explore The Trike Track, Kirby’s Kid’s Corner, The Arroyo and Gardens! There is so much for kids to do there at all stages! The baby play section is a sock only zone and babies are free to crawl around and enjoy one another and then venture outside with the bigger kids in Kirby’s Kids Corner. It’s the perfect place if you have multiples at different stages. They also have Baby, Toddler & Kid’s classes throughout the week that combine music, socia skills and other necessary lessons of learning. I encourage you to check it out!

KIDSPACEMUSEUM

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, Single Mommy, toddler, Budget, family, baby, brooklynbites, Mommy, kid fun, family fun, jax, autism, education, single dad, kid friendly, African-American, family night, kidspace museum, free family activities, kid museum, kid museum los angeles, pasadena, family things to do

Super Recipes for Super Bowl

Super Bowl combines a few of my favorite things: Football, Food, Family/Friends and Booze!!! Here are some of my favorite little recipes for a great party:

Brookie Brookie Super Yummy Super Bowl Queso

Ground Beef (Or you can use Turkey, chicken, pork or lamb. With Chicken or Turkey, use an extra bay leaf and cumin)

Pepper Jack Cheese

Sharp Cheddar

Velveeta

Chopped Green Chiles

Roasted Salsa or Pico De Gallo (I use mild because I’m not a big fan of spicy food)

Limes

Chili Powder

Garlic Powder

Bay Leaf

Black Pepper

Salt

Cumin

Green Onions

Fresh garlic

Fresh Onion

 

Chop garlic and onion. In one pot melt your Velveeta, Pepper Jack & Cheddar cheeses. Keep fire on low and stir until all cheese is melted together. Brown ground meat and shake in your salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder & garlic powder seasonings. Add your bay leaf, onions & garlic to the meat. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice. Brown and then drain excess oil. Add meat, salsa & green chillies and stir. Let sit for a little bit before serving so flavors marry. Chop up some green onions and place on top for color. You can add as many or very little chilies to your salsa depending on your taste. You can also use your own preferred taste when it comes to the salsa heat.

 

Mommy’s Master Wings

Drummettes

Salt

Pepper

Lemon

Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce

Butter (2 sticks… Yes I know! I’m going Paula Dean on you!)

Tomato Paste

Tabasco Sauce

Honey

Marmalade Jam

Grapeseed or Vegetable Oil

 

Heat up your oil in a pot to fry the wings. Salt & Pepper your wings, then fry. No dredging or flour needed. Fry until they’re brown and crispy. In a pot melt a sticks of butter (you may need more depending on how much sauce you like or if you have a bunch of wings. This is for about 24 medium sauced wings.) and then add can of tomato paste. Stir in some salt and Lemon juice. Whisk in a couple teaspoons of marmalade and honey. Add your bottle of Frank’s Buffalo Sauce and half a bottle of Tabasco sauce. Take your fried & drained wings and stir into sauce and serve. I use add wings to a pan, our sauce over and then mix around.

 

Yummy Roasted Corn

Ears of Fresh White Corn

Olive Oil (I like the organic olive oil Pam so it’s a light spray)

White Crumbly Queso

Lime

Chili powder

Mayo

 

Lightly cover your corn with olive oil and roast in the oven or grill, turning over occasionally. Mix Mayo, Chili Powder, Lime Juice & Lime zest together. Remove roasted and slather (yes I said, slather) your mayo mixture on the corn. Lastly sprinkle the crumbly queso on top. You will need some corn holders & napkins with this one!

 

Those are my little homemade favorites. I try to keep as many little snack around as possible. I use White Corn, Blue Corn & Lime Flavored Tortilla chips to  add a little color and zing to chip collection. Salsa is usually a roasted salsa. Of course you must have guacamole. My veggie platter consists of baby carrots, baby corn, zucchini strips, red bell pepper, jicama, cucumbers with a spinach dip. My ex was a big popcorn fan so a little variety of flavored popcorn. Baked beans, Macaroni Cheese, Green Salad (all of which I will post recipes for later on). A pitcher of margaritas (two different flavors), a non alcoholic spritzer, Coke, 7-up, an array of beer. And of course you have to add a bottle of Pinot Noir or Shiraz!

Tags: Brooke Abbott, brooklynbites, cooking, Crazy Creole Mommy, dinner party, entertaining, family night, recipes, super bowl, super bowl party, yum

My Toddler…My Accessory…??

Someone said something to me the other day that kind of offended me. Well, actually I was exactly sure how to feel. I wasn’t sure if they meant it as a compliment in the sense that my kid is stylish and hip or if they were trying to call me a weirdo and bad parent. This person, who shall remain nameless, said, “Jax is so cute with his little outfits and attitude. He’s like your little accessory! You should get him one of those cute bags like Paris Hilton has for her dogs and take him with you everywhere!” ummmm… well the first thing I did was completely ignore the part where she compared my human child to Paris Hilton’s mini Chihuahua. She’s single, childless and young…therefore clueless! What stood out to me was, accessory. Am I really one of those parents who treats their kid like an accessory? Why because I dress my kid with a little bit of style?

Here’s the thing, once kids get to a certain age where they aren’t soiling the front of their clothes every five seconds with breast milk and formula, it becomes fun to dress them up. Dare I say like little dolls? Boys or girls, really! I mean they just have the cutest mini skinny jeans, ties, vests, graphic T’s & tennis shoes. And my kid loves it when he gets all dressed up! Lots of people without kids don’t realize this, but for the most part raising kids is FUN! Yes, there are lots of sleepless nights, lots of moments you may wanna scream, and you have to schedule in sex.But the joy of parenthood and all the great fun stuff you do with your kids outweigh that stuff FOR SURE! Kids are amazing little people who soak up knowledge and spread love in a way us adults just can’t do, so it’s unbelievable to watch the world turn through their eyes. I’ve never had this much fun in my whole life! I don’t think I’ve laughed and loved this much in my whole life. And to be honest dressing your kid up for an outing is apart of that fun! Especially when they start having opinions about what it is they’d like to pair up for each event! And to kids, EVERYTHING is an event!

Now not to say that my girlfriend meant what she said in a negative way, but I’ve found that people seem to be very very eager to offer their opinion about your parenting skills! And usually they are folks without children! I had some old dried up bitter prune pass me and my sister in Starbucks the other day and say loud enough in passing, “Maybe if someone would pay attention to him he wouldn’t make so much noise!” The best thing she could have done was cowardly walk away as she said this. First of all, clearly you don’t have children if you take my son asking for the milk that isn’t ready yet and for the banana I am trying to peel as someone not paying attention to him. You see after you’ve said 10 times, that it’s not ready and they continue to ask, you just stop answering because the only thing that is gonna shut them up is the thing they want… THAT ISN’T READY YET! But if you had a toddler, I’m sure you could recognize the difference between a toddler’s impatient attitude and parents not paying attention to their child’s needs!

But really, where do you get off? Now I see how my mom would get snappy with strangers coming to our rescue and trying to hand us the chocolate sample we wanted and mom barked we couldn’t have. People are too damn nosey and opinionated!If I wanna let my kid ride his bike to the coffee shop in his doctor’s outfit and drink his milk out of a Starbucks cup like his mom, then what business is that of yours? If he grows up to be a pretentious little know it all because he drank out of Starbucks cup at 2…well then, my bad! But at the end of the day, he’ll be my pretentious little know it all! And if I wanna dress him in skinny jeans, vans & a button down & my Ray-Ban wayfarers to match his outfit, then so be it! He’s my kid and deep down inside, I realize, you just wish you were as cool as my toddler! What can I say, the skinny jean diaper look just isn’t for everyone!

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, toddler, family, baby, brooklynbites, jax, parenting, parenthood, Ray-Ban, Wayfarer, Kid's Ray-Ban, Sunglasses, Baby Fashion, Toddler Fashion Style, Hip Toddler

They’re All Gonna Laugh At You…

I thought I was all done posting for the day when I look up to find my kid in my Ray-Bans, Brobee T-Shirt, Sans the pants, two socks and one shoe! Oh yes, he did and he is! What I am most surprised about with this outfit is that the pants are not on my kid’s head where he can whip it around like Willow Smith! By now you are probably on the floor laughing at the thought of my 2 year old with a big round belly, who is the size of a 4 year old looking at me like, “What? Is there something wrong with my outfit?”! And that’s okay, because if you are a parent who is laughing then you have a kid that will probably do this very same thing tomorrow. And if you are a single person without children, you will get your day! Oh don’t you worry, you will get yours!!

One day you single childless person will be that person pushing a mini pirate around in a grocery cart. Or you’ll be walking a real dog on a leash down the street with a toddler puppy in the stroller! Oh yea! Even you will fall victim to an amazingly wonderful embarrassing imaginative toddler! You too will hear your child announce to the sushi bar that they have pooped! Oh yea! You see you think you are laughing at us and our embarrassment, lack of sleep or sex, and plates of cold food. But really I am here to tell you, us parents are laughing at you. Laughing the most sinister evil laugh that it would put Disney villains to shame! We laugh because we know that one day you will be us looking like scared goats being sent up for the slaughter when your kid insists on wearing a winter knit cap, a colorful tutu, striped leggings, a lab coat and rain boots to go to the movies and you will not be able to convince them otherwise. I look at my single childless siblings and I rub my hands together laughing, waiting for the day when Jax is wearing all of his clothes at one time and their kid as undressed at the sushi bar and refuses to put their clothes back on!

Now if you will excuse me, I have to get my son and dog out of the window and stop them from barking at passerby’s!

Tags: baby, Brooke Abbott, brooklynbites, Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, embarrassing toddler moments, family, jax, love, Mommy, parenting, raising toddlers, single, single dad, Single Mommy, single woman

The Quest for Knowledge Preschool style

There are so many opinions about when is too soon or too late to start stimulating your child’s brain and get them motivated to learn. I don’t think there is a start or stop time. Kids are a lot smarter and intuitive than we think. Just because they are not verbal, doesn’t mean they are not learning. Now I’m not sure how I feel about your baby can read or posting flashcards in your child’s crib during infancy. But should acknowledge that your child has the capability of learning more than you think. This includes children with disabilities. I have seen too many children that have proven doctors & therapist wrong when it comes to some mental disabilities & handicaps. Each child should be taken by a case by case basis. Maybe your child is not good with vocabulary, but understands & loves the mechanics of things or is good with identifying things as oppose to remembering things. I just talked to my son. I took the advice of my great-aunt who was an educator for years in special education, a treated him like he was a little person. Sure maybe he didn’t grasp it all at that time, but when the time came for his brain to mature enough to understand, the memory would be there.

From day one I would just talk to him. “Jax, are you hungry? Let’s nurse for 15 mins and see how you feel, maybe you need a little more? If so we’ll get you some formula.” As he grew into an infant I would point out color, amount and sometimes spell things out. “Jax, look at that blue hippo singing on tv. Hippo starts with, H.” This was incorporated into everyday conversation that I had with him. “Would you like a bottle? Yes please, Mommy. Thank you, Mommy.” We read just about every day and every night and we sang songs everyday. I created a song that incorporated the spelling of his name, we sang the alphabet, and 123′s. It didn’t make it fun or boring, it was just apart of his everyday life and conversation. Sure enough as he began to speak he began to recognize things and repeat things eagerly, as if he had these words locked in him and now they could finally be set free. Suddenly I had a 1-year-old who was saying, “Please” & “Thank you” before he could walk well. He knew the difference between the spelling of Jax vs. Jaxon. He was reciting his numbers & letters before he was 20 months old. He seemed to feel empowered and excited every time he was able to recognize a letter out of a word on a box or a billboard. A slowly but surely as I continued this Social Learning experiment, letter recognition grew to word recognition to letter sounding out to word sounding out to now I have a two-year old reading through Hop On Pop & The Cat In The Hat! Yes, you read right, my two-year old is READING!

Now I’m not saying this all due to mommy’s magical preschool education, clearly my son is smart and quick on the pick up. However, I believe it’s my job as his mom to give him all the tools he will need to be the best little dude he can be. I at least have to figure out how to help him have a chance. It could have been that I did all that, and he didn’t begin to read early, and that would have been okay. I’m sure that it would have boosted his social skills or his motor skills or whatever. It couldn’t have hurt. He isn’t burned out from learning, in fact it’s the exact opposite. It’s almost like he’s figured out how to teach himself certain things, and I love that! He’s not just picking up a book and memorizing things, he’s learning through living! I honestly think this is the best way. It makes it easier to incorporate knowledge with life, which is what we should all be doing. Honestly we put so much emphasis on testing and semester competition, that we don’t let it sink in. Almost everything we learn in school will seem irrelevant eventually, and thus disappear. This is where we lose children through the  educational system potholes.

Now yes there are apps, books and tools that I use everyday with Jax as he grows up. In fact now we incorporate an hour each day that is broken up in 15 minute intervals that is dedicated to “Lessons” where we work on writing, matching, vocabulary, science & math. I have been using BrainQuest. I loved BrainQuest when I was a kid! My brothers and I would make games around the little quiz flip cards, not realizing we were learning things. They have now expanded their brand into Kindergarten & Preschool and have added Workbooks along with the flipcards. My son loves his workbook because he gets to color and receives stickers for his accomplishments.

Sure it could be that I’m over doing it or I’m over stimulating. Some would say that a little Gymboree & a little Nick Jr is enough for a 2-year-old. Frankly, I don’t care what people think. He enjoys being able to read things for himself, he enjoys recognizes things and having conversations with people and he’s still a very social 2-year-old. I think when it comes to your kid’s education or discipline, it’s really up to you. You know your kid. You know what you want for your kid. You know what they are capable of. A mommy or daddy instinct is the strongest thing you will ever have. It’s usually never wrong. And there is no book or “expert” that can teach you how to know Your child. You know them! You know you know them. You knew them before they took their first breath. Trust your instincts. Doing that already puts you in the “doing good” parental path.

Tags: Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, Brooke Abbott, Single Mommy, toddler, family, baby, brooklynbites, jax, education, single dad