Spanish Themed Dollhouses

Wow. Can you believe this? I would have died for such a cool dollhouse like this one when I was una chiquitica. In fact, I would have to admit that I started squealing when I saw this on etsy. It is by Adobe Dollhouse Shop. They have two listed and I couldn't quite decide which one I love more. I think maybe the Southwest Mexican Dollhouse because I am such a sucker for arches. How about you? Southwest Mexican (right) or Southwest Spanish (left)?

And on the inside, both houses have a little tiny fireplace (Oooo!) and stained doors and stairways (Aaahhh!) Who knew anything so neat existed? I thought about buying one right away, but then realized, my kids are still too little and might break something which would cause me intense mental and emotional anguish. Perhaps I will wait just a little while longer. Or perhaps, I will have to buy and take care of it myself until they are older....much, much older.

They are a little pricey, but certainly worth it, I would think. On the other hand, wouldn't this make a super science project? Have the kids research different types of structures and then create their own. Hmmmm......

But, if you are like me, then you should just scoot on over to etsy. You can buy one here.

Bilingual Magnets Add Poetry to La Vida

It has been a very busy few days with wonderful ideas blossoming since my last post. I have a big announcement coming up soon, but to tide you all over, I am featuring a new item that I discovered and love, Love, LOVE!

Magnetic Poetry has the neatest little pack of double-sided magnets for the refrigerator. With a Spanish word on one side and the English equivalent on the other, these little magnets are a great teaching tool. The kit comes with over 200 bilingual tiles!

I would definitely recommend this for older kids and adults. If you are concerned about buying magnets for your children and want more information on the type that Magnetic Poetry uses, check out their Safety Info page.

To purchase Magnetic Poetry's Kids' Spanish Kit, click here.

Life "On the Pampas" Captures el Corazón

Not too long ago, a friend gave me a copy of "On the Pampas" by María Cristina Brusca. Instantly, it became my daughter's favorite and I must have read it five dozen times by now - at least once a day, sometimes twice. Normally, I would get tired of a new "favorite" after a few nights in a row and try to suggest a new one that we haven't read, but this sweet classic has definitely caught my heart.

I don't know of any little girls (or boys, for that matter) that don't like a good story about horses and life on the ranch. I certainly devoured books on this topic when I was a child. And since their infancy, I have seen this burgeoning love and affection for all things equine consume my children.

But for me, "Pampas" has sky-rocketed to the top of our favorite book list because it not only tells a great story about a girl's summer vacation on the family ranch - it tells about una niña's summer adventure on an Argentine estancia. So much of this story brings back childhood memories of times when I visited my father's familia in Spain and enjoyed the innocence, joy and passion of la vida española. I wish that every child could be able to experience the adventure of living in the country and discover the passion for living that the Hispanic culture embodies.

Unfortunately, Amazon only seems to have 9 used copies left, but if I were you, I would boogie on over there and get one. You can find them here.

You will not regret the purchase after you read this wonderful book with your child. Both of mine are totally enthralled from beginning to end. And the illustrations are excellent, as well. I had a hard time picking one out from the book, so I wound up using my two favorites (not in sequential order.)

It is also an excellent tool for teaching your children about the differences and similarities of another culture. After reading the book, take a moment to show your children where Argentina is and, if they are old enough, have them write a report about the country. Better yet, how about a little family vacation? I'm free this July, so just give me a call when you're ready...

And to compliment the book, I am including a recipe of Carbonada (mentioned in the book) which is a typical Argentine stew of meat and vegetables. It is fairly simple and straightforward, so you might even have the kids give you a hand putting it together....

Carbonada Criolla

from globalgourmet.com

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds stewing beef, in 1-inch chunks

4 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 green pepper, coarsely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon oregano, crushed

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups chicken stock

1 cup white wine

3 baking potatoes, 1 inch dice

3 sweet potatoes, 1 inch dice

2 ears corn, cut into 1 inch widths

2 zucchini or yellow squash, in 1/2 inch dice

2 peaches in 1/2 inch dice

2 pears in 1/2 inch dice

Heat oil in heavy pot. Brown beef in batches. Remove from pan and set aside. Cook tomatoes, pepper, onion and garlic until soft. Add seasonings, stock and wine. Bring to boil scraping up browned bits, then return beef to pot with potatoes and sweet potatoes. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in corn and squash. Simmer 10 more minutes, until vegetables are almost fully tender, then add fruits and cook only 5 minutes more.

Yummy.

Super Sale at Motherwear

Just a quick post to let all you mamás-to-be and nursing mothers know that one of my favorite stores is having a super sale! Check out Motherwear's web site for some great savings. Most of the clothes on sale are from their winter and fall lines, but if you know you'll be nursing this coming fall/winter, why not stock up now? You'll have to hurry, though. The clothes are going fast and several have already sold out. I don't nurse either of my kids any more, but I still wear some of the tops I bought back then because they are so versatile and the styles are such that you would never know it was designed for nursing moms. Maybe I should stock up, too?

To check out their clearance page, click here.

Keeping Los Niños Busy This Summer...

Wooh! It seems like forever since I have posted anything on this blog. I apologize for my lack of blogging, but have been spending the last week or so spending some time with my kids now that school is out for the summer. We have been busy with art projects, trips to the park, and even signed up my daughter for a fun class later this summer.

As I have mentioned before, I have been a busy little bee the last few weeks looking for projects and activities for mis niños. While surfing the web, I have found a few sites that are loaded with coloring pages and/or activities in Spanish and are perfect for preschool aged children.

So far mi favorito, hands down, is PrimeraEscuela.com. They are loaded with projects for infants and toddlers on a variety of subjects including science, art appreciation, music, nutrition and so much more! They are the Spanish site of First-School.ws, so if you are not comfortable reading directions in Spanish, but would like to start your kids on the Spanish Alphabet or just want to find the English equivalents for all the activities, you can go to either site. Although it is geared towards preschoolers, there are many activities here that even older kids might like as well.

Another simpler, less complicated site with nice coloring pages of the "Los Animales de Mexico" is Circle Time Kids. You can check it out here.

And, of course, Enchanted Learning has a giant page of printables and short books with Spanish language activities. The best web page for this is here.

Older children might prefer different and more challenging projects like the ones featured in Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities for Ages 8-12. Written by Mary C Turck, the book (pictured above) is available from Amazon.com at a reasonable price and is filled with 35 activities for kids grades 3-7. However, be warned that the book touches on sensitive political topics such as sweatshops, unions, and illegal Latino immigrants, to name a few, so you may want to review it yourself first before you hand it over to your children.

Good luck, Amigas! I'll pass more ideas along as I come upon them...

Los Pollitos Dicen...or Not?

Well, Amigas, I have to say that the past week has been full. Full of work, anticipation, activities, stress, concern, disbelief and outrage. Some of this was related to my daughter's last days of classes and our excitement that summer has arrived with new opportunities. The stress was mostly mine - worry over how to keep my kids busy and enriched. But I am looking forward to some of the neat ideas we have had (more in a later post.)

Unfortunately, the latter emotions in the above list revolve around one of my friends and a colleague in the Latin baby business world.

I have been in the business of designer children's wear for Hispanic families for about three and a half years now. Those of us who are forging a path through this relatively untapped market know each other or are, at least, aware of each other's existence and are familiar with their products. I like to think that most of us are willing to collaborate and help each other out from time to time, and I have worked together with many of my fellow business women. And I am happy to say that I am even pretty good friends with one in particular.

Carrie Ferguson Weir is the co-owner of Los Pollitos Dicen (The Little Chicks Say), a beautiful designer line of children's T-shirts. Her line is based on the Latino nursery rhyme of the same name and perfectly captures the essence of Hispanic childhood with its adorable designs. Carrie and Oscar, who also started their line about three years ago, have worked tremendously hard to create a high-quality and ORIGINAL product that is a big hit with Latino families. In fact, I am hoping to carry LPD in my boutique this summer.

We chat or email weekly (at least) and have even collaborated on a few projects. I am extremely fond of Carrie and I respect her greatly because I know the struggles and challenges she goes through as an entrepreneurial mom. I was not surprised when she wrote to tell me of another line of baby tees that has suddenly appeared on the market. However, I was completely aghast when I saw the products, because, with the exception of a few minor details, they look exactly like LPD. From a distance, the colors and even the design appear to be the same. Upon closer examination, however, the similarities and differences are obvious. The artwork is not on the same level, and instead of little chicks, the theme is some other type of baby bird. But a few of the designs are remarkably similar to LPD's. Even the font is the same (Seriously, sister, even the font??)

The other crazy thing is that Carrie finds out about this copycat from the other vendors and visitors at the Cuba Nostalgia in Miami. Within a matter of hours, she is getting text messages, emails and calls of alarm. Friends and customers wanting to express their outrage and warning LPD about the imposter. The past two years, Carrie has set up a booth at Cuba Nostalgia, but decided not to this year. Does she regret it? Probably!

Now, I don't know about you, but I would certainly be embarrassed to death if the whole world knew I had copied someone else's idea - que vergüenza! -even if it was accidental. And this was no accident. From various reports, the owner seemed completely aware of LPD and showed no remorse or embarassment. But who on earth would steal someone's idea and then set up a booth at THE SAME festival?!?

Only a quackpot.

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery (which is what I told Carrie), but this whole thing makes me really sad because I so strongly believe in supporting other female entrepreneurs - especially Latinas. I try not to worry too much about other Spanish baby businesses that seem to be popping up out of the woodwork lately. It's a huge country with hundreds of thousands of Latinos in it. I don't expect to corner the market or monopolize the country with my fantastico line of baby products (although it is magnifico!), and I doubt they will either. However, I do expect all the players to ethically play the game and respect each other's ideas and hard work. Am I being unreasonable?

So don't be scammed, Amigas! And if you want to show your support or are simply looking for an ORIGINAL piece of quality, designer's children's wear, visit Los Pollitos Dicen here. Or you can wait and buy some of their great products from Latin Baby later this summer (wink!)

Hopefully, this will be my one and only negative posting on Mi Cielito Lindo - though certainly well deserved.

Un abrazo fuerte a todos --- and have a great Memorial Day!

Spanish Scrabble, Anyone?

I have always been a big fan of board games. Not only do they challenge us mentally, but I believe they are wonderful bonding tools. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of playing (countless) board games with my grandfather. Triominos, backgammon, scrabble, checkers, poker...my grandparents had a pile of games that I would excitedly shuffle through and then beg my grandfather to play with me. (He was quick to agree, so not much begging was required.)

Years later, after I began dating my husband, one of his sisters was always cracking open the pictionary, taboo or cranium (my favorite!) Unfortunately, my hubby is a bit of a party-pooper and never participated, but I sure had the time of my life with his family and friends.

So needless to say, since having kids, a small collection of board games has quietly begun growing in my house. I have been saving a few of them for when my kids are old enough to play them together (or with me. ) For her birthday, the above mentioned hermana sent my daughter a bunch of Dora board games, of which her favorite is Dora Bingo. It is a great way for her to practice her colors in Spanish.

For older children I have found one that is fun but still educational - great for helping them improve their spelling and Spanish. I have to admit, I think this would be great for adults, too. Amazon is selling Spanish Scrabble at a relatively cheap price.

If you'd like to pick one up, click here.

Treasured Flamenco Doll...in Felt?

¡Ole! Check out this cute little FeltPeople Flamenco Dancer from Beesocks that I found on Etsy. She is only 10" tall and handcrafted of layered felt. At first, I felt inspired to try and create something myself, but my fingers hurt just thinking about trying to cut out such tiny pieces of felt. Although, the end result is fantastico, no?

I can see this being a really fun activity for los niños this summer - just break out the felt and let their imaginations take over. If they are not old enough to use scissors, try cutting out an assortment of shapes ahead of time. I generally have some premade shapes that I have cut which the kids use to create faces, animals, plants, houses, comida, etc.

I can certainly imagine this little señorita being a treasured favorite of any little girl....and maybe their mamá? If you'd like to purchase Macarena (as I secretly call her), click here.

Children's Crafts Blog Saves Mami's Sanity

Summer is fast approaching, so for all you mamis out there looking for ways to keep your niños occupied and happy, I am sharing one of my favorite blogs. Cassi from Bella Dia, has created a new blog that focuses mainly on crafts for children. The Crafty Crow is filled with links to hands-on projects for children of all ages. I certainly had no idea that there were so many children's crafts being blogged about on so many different blogs. I have on occasion surfed for ideas to chase away my kids' boredom, but now, Cassi does all my homework for me! All I have to do is flip through her blog to find the right project. Since it started in March, I have been a devoted reader. And I have been thinking that, perhaps, I might add a few posts to Mi Cielito Lindo with instructions for making Latino crafts as well? A nice challenge - we'll see how I do...

To check out The Crafty Crow, click here.