Donating My Hair to Cancer Patients Through Pantene!

Back in December, my sis-in-law told me she was cutting her hair and donating it.   I decided to join her and get rid of my long locks too.  I had been wanting to cut my hair for months.  It is always in a bun or ponytail, which is great, but every time I washed it (which honestly, was not very often) it was a tangled mess.  Ain't nobody got time for that!

Short story short, we never got to the salon together over Christmas and ended up getting it done separately and sending pictures! Our hair was pretty much the same length. I donated 10 inches and she did 12.

We got the same shots and texted them to each other!

No I didn't get my hair colored, but it does look much darker in the after shot, doesn't it?  It's got to be the lighting in salon.

For some reason, every time I am about to get my cut my hair,  I wear my hair down and decide that I like it long.   Should I just get a little trim?  I quickly think about the knots I combed out the day before and how I just don't want to mess with it anymore.  NOOOOOOOOOOO

When I say that I felt better the second it was cut off I mean it.  To be able to swing my hair now is EVERYTHING!
I have gone to Helmet for years, (although not recently) so when I saw a Groupon for a cut and style, I jumped on it.

Anne did a fabulous job and I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks.  God, did I need that!!

Of course I have not used a blowdryer (or done anything!) to my hair ever since my cut, but I am still loving my short carefree hair!  NO MORE DREADLOCKS TANGLES! 

If you are interested in donating your hair, there are a plethora of organizations which accept them.
 Pantene Beautiful Lengths has partnered with the American Cancer Society to make wigs for women battling cancer and they have donated over 42,000 real-hair wigs to ACS wig bank.

Although a lot of donated hair is not able to be used for a wig (for a variety of reasons) I am hoping my healthy, never-did-anything-to-it hair will be part of a wig that helps someone!

You can learn more about the program by reading the Frequently Asked Questions.  It was a very easy process.  I read about preparing your hair and making the cut. Then I mailed in my locks.

Have you ever donated your hair?  Would you consider it?  

Our New Van + Buying through CARVANA

Guys!  Have you heard of Carvana? We just bought a new car through them TOTALLY ONLINE and it was a wonderful experience!!

After driving around a rented mini-van for a week last November, I finally succumbed to the family pressure fact that our family would be a good candidate for one. (plus, I was driving said rental due to a broken rear axel of our trusted SUV.   It had been a GREAT reliable car, but it was a 2004 and we felt like we should sell).

Looking back to when we bought our Lexus SUV almost 6 years ago,  I would say we got screwed at the dealership [somewhere in an Atlanta suburb]. We thought they were giving us a good deal with the trade-in, but really what they do is adjust the cost of the car you are buying, etc.  PLUS, the whole process took us ALL afternoon.  Ain't nobody got time for that! 

A friend of mine had been driving around her black Honda Odyssey and it was growing on me. She visited several dealerships looking for the right car/deal. 

She said "if I ever buy another car, I will do what my neighbors did and buy from Carvana.  They didn't even have to leave the house.  They bought the car online and it was delivered to their house."

Yes! That sounded easy.  I told Ernesto that I wanted a BLACK Odyssey and this is how our car buying discussion went:

The first thing I did on the Carvana site, was type in the VIN number of our Lexus. I checked the boxes of any extra features that were not identified with the VIN, and in a couple minutes, I was told EXACTLY how much they would give me for the trade in!  This is too easy.....

WHAAAAT?  $7400 for a 2004?! Hell yeah!!

Searching was super easy too.  Our trade-in value was already applied towards new purchase price PLUS we scored a $500 off referral bonus from my friend neighbor.  (He got $100 cash for giving us the referral-isn't that awesome?)

In the search I specified:  mini-van > Honda > Black
Several options popped up.

  We didn't look anywhere else.  I guess we aren't a researching kind of couple.  BUT! The prices were straight forward and when you are buying a new car, pricing is pretty much the same, unless the car has issues.   PLUS,  there was not a person there to confuse things.

Done and Done.  Carvana told me "YOU'RE A CAR BUYING GENIUS!"  and two days later, this nice lady pulled up in our driveway with our new car!

The kids were super excited and ran outside.  We all did.  It WAS exciting!

She took our trade-in for a quick spin down the road and that was that! "Looks good!"

We went over the paperwork and she reminded us that we had 7 days to return the car with NO PENTALTIES or questions asked.  (Basically a week test drive, if you will.)

In less than 30 minutes, she drove our old car off into the Sunset.....

...and our new car turned into an Imaginext playground.  Seriously.  The boys played here the rest of the night.

I have only driven it to target (a mile away), but Ernesto did all of the carting of kids today and said it was AWESOME!  What a difference!   Ok, if driving a new car with bluetooth, keyless entry and auto everything gives me the title of "soccer mom" Ill take it.  I am surprisingly not feeling like I have "given up" but I'm seriously going to have to step up my MILF game. LOL

Anyhoo, if any of you are in the market for a new car, I highly recommend buying through Carvana AND don't forget to contact me so I can send you a referral code for $500 off your purchase.

SIXTEEN MONTHS {Paloma's Monthly Photo}

Oh my beautiful baby girl! This picture cracks me up.  You are a character for sure.  Learning new things all the time.  Making us laugh daily....And boy, you are on the move!  I wanted to get a sweet smiling picture, but you would not stay in that darn chair long enough for me to get it.  Silly face it is.  Sweet silly smiling face. I don't think I could even count how many times a day I kiss those cheeks. 

*  You are ALMOST not a baby anymore!!!  But yet you will always be my baby!

*  Your hair is growing at record speed and we are loving the "mexi-mullet" that you are sporting. (same as your brothers did-and your papi for that matter)

*  4 teeth on top and 4 on the bottom

* You are NOT talking up a storm, but your communications skills are highly effective.  Pointing and saying "da" (translation: that) gets you pretty much everything you want.  You do ask for "agua" by name.

*  You are slowly easing away from the hand signal for "mas" and just yelling in rapid fire succession "MA[S], MA[S], MA[S]"  until we comply with your wishes.

*  You are an eating machine and pack away meat, chicken, beans, cheese sticks, fruits and veges by the tray full.  Current faves include:  blueberries. avocados, frozen peas, apples, cucumbers, beans, cheese, cheese and more cheese.  Also I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you love dipping chips in salsa [with a little kick].  Yes so cliche for a mexicana, but ....

* Most favorite thing by far though is still breast milk. "chichi" is the first word out of your mouth every morning... and I am happy to give it to you baby girl.  I'm *thinking* about weaning to just morning an night but darn it, if you are not persistent, then I don't know who is. ha!

*  You are absolutely and undeniably IN LOVE with your papi.  When I say papi is coming home, you run to the window to see if his truck has pulled in the carport and then wait for him at the top of the entry stairs.

*  Your dancing skills are on point.  I mean seriously.  Rhythm and everything.  You have got Gangnam Style (your favorite song) down and request it by breaking out in the famous arm motion that made this song famous.  You bring me my phone and if you don't break out in Gangnam moves, I have to guess what song you want.  You emphatically nod your head when I guess the right one.  Usually Can't Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake) or Don't Wanna Know (Maroon 5)

* The book reading could go on forever.  My little book worm.  Pajama Time has been your FAVORITE since day one.  Other favorites, Spider Tea Party, Jamberry, Opuestos, Night Night Pookie

*  You want to kiss everyone before leaving for mimis (another Mexicana tradition - your abuelos are going to be very impressed!)

* You love to try and keep up with your hermanos when they are running around, and even though you are frequently plowed down, you are a tough cookie and join back in.

* Besides your tried and true entertainment of mixing bowls and whisks, taking apart mami's Russian nesting dolls, licking the lime and salt from papi's empty beer cans [that you dig out of the recycling -yuck!], your latest hobby is climbing stools (or pushing your chair close) so you can flick the lights on and off. Off and on.  On.  And.  Off already! 

It's a Happy New Year Up In Here 2017!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Yes, it's the end of January, but better late than never, right?

I would have loved to have posted something at the beginning of the month saying how I would be starting fresh this year and that BLOGGING would be happening AT LEAST every week, but alas
"I just don't have time"  it has not been a priority.  It KILLS me to say that, but I read recently (and I can't remember where) that you should try replacing those two phrases and see how it effects you.

And it makes sense, because when you say "I don't have time," what you really mean that it is NOT your priority.  You get done what you want/need to get done, right?

This is a bitter pill to swallow since I am constantly whining to Ernesto about not having enough time to blog.  In the evenings I guess sleep is the priority.  And during the day if/when I have a chance to sit down on my computer I think - I'll blog right AFTER I read my favorite blog and right after I search Craigslist reeeeally quick.

Anyhoo, yeah.  Well, here is a nice recap of January, since that is all I had time for  I didn't prioritize this blog post for earlier in the month.

New years Eve was nice, but uneventful.  Celebrations started early with noise makers, light up glasses and hats.

Where are the boys you ask?  Running in circles with the noise makers, driving us batty.  (Those noisemakers were thrown in the trash that night.)

We ate a tasty steak dinner and had the kids in bed by 9p.  We paused The Affair (#sogood) to watch the ball drop, kiss and take a selfie.  After which we went back to watching The Affair (#seriouslywatchit) and turned in around 1am.

Lighting season was the longest ever! Ugh.  We (meaning Ernesto and crew) worked longer than usual to get all the lights down.  On top of just having more customers than ever before, the weather slowed us down.  It's a funny thing, but just try, TRY to find guys that like working outside in FREEZING weather. Not gonna happen!

It was big news in Atlanta.  You may have even heard about it elsewhere in the country.  Freezing weather in the south! Snow! Icy conditions! Don't go out of your house unless you absolutely have to!  Well, I was not thinking about stocking up on necessities for the "winter storm" but we were out of coffee and that is the ONE thing that we can NOT be without in Casa Espinoza.

Kroger was an absolute ZOO. As soon as I stepped in I considered turning around and walking out of the store.

 But, you know, COFFEE!  Yep.  And I had all three kids in line with me. 30 minutes.

One a side note:  Do you guys open food in the grocery store and eat it?  Yeah, we do too.  Every. Time.

Well, we survived the freezing temperatures SOMEHOW (blazing fireplace anyone?) and wouldn't you know a week later we were running around in short sleeves.  Wacky weather.

This is at Mason Mill Park.  Its a really great trail that connects North Druid Hills to Medlock park in Decatur and eventually will link up with the Beltline.  

Speaking of.....The beltline is still one of my favorite ways to pass the day in Atlanta.

no agenda, no timeline, just let the kids run and stop anywhere and everywhere!

Plus you can't beat the photo-ops with all the graffiti artwork!

Who is that cool dude?

Oh! It's this cool dudes brother!

We actually came across our first "tiny door" too.  

We also stopped in at our old 'hood one day after school and visited with the Richardsons (whom we miss dearly). 

I have to add this picture, because it just cracks me up.

The cornstarch? Really?  Luckily I had just received my new rechargeable Dyson stick vacuum (thanks for the reco Fred!) and that thing worked like a charm!  I could've been on a Dyson commercial with this situation. This did not cause me to yell or anything! HA (of course, baby girl can do no wrong anyway!)  I laughed at her, took this pic and calmly swept this mess up in less than 2 minutes.  Can you see me in the commercial?  With a tagline something like this "Dyson can make you a nicer mom too!"

These two get a lot of brother-sister time on the days Marcelo is home. (Tuesday & Thursday) I would not say they actually "play" together yet, but they have some cute moments-that is for sure.
They love taking baths and lingering until the water is cold.

 These two will hear water and come running.  Ill ask baby girl if she wants to get in the water and she bee-lines for the bathroom.

Big brother usually takes some convincing for baths, but he still gets his sister time in.  

Although I don't follow football, all of the Superbowl hype was pretty exciting for Atlanta.  

 Ok, real quick.  Take a look at Marcelos hair.  You probably didn't notice in the photo above, but his cut was MESSED UP.  

First.  He took the scissors to the top and side of his hair and said "I want to have hair like grandpa."

Then I actually tried to cut in some more layers to blend and CLEARLY this didn't not work.
HORRIBLE.  We drove straight to Supercuts!  (only the best for my kids!) But hey!  They did a wonderful job and actually left longer layers like I requested, which has NEVER happened.

God, he is the cutest 3 year old I know.  #biased  My big brown eyed blondie!

In other breaking news, I have been on such a house plant kick.

Buying six cactus, zz plants and snake plants (or mother-in-laws tongue) and propagating a ton of babies from all my succulents.  It's so satisfying seeing them sprout.  The big succs are looking leggy reaching for the sun, but the babies get just enough sitting close to a window.

 If you are in Atlanta and want some, I really have too many.  I just can't throw them out though, you know?  So hit me up if you are a plant lover!

Mateo's school is one block from Martin Luther King's house, so Tuesday (after the holiday) we stayed after for a little history lesson.  Mateo had been asking questions all week.  With the upcoming holiday, they were talking about the King at school.  It is HARD explaining this very important part of history to a 5 year old.  Have you been through this already?
We have this cute little board book which tells the story beautifully for toddlers.  It's a simple and accurate account of his life starting from his childhood to the "I have a dream" speech.

These concepts, however, come with MANY questions:  Dead.  Killed.  Shot.  Guns.  Bad man.  Prison.  Inequality.  I had to ask Siri several questions about certain facts and even some details of the shooting to satisfy Mateo's curiosity.
The WHY part was even harder.    Coming from a 5 year old boy who sees no color yet, I hated to actually point out the ignorance of this country.  I know he will be aware of rasicim at some point, but I love that right now he is oblivious.  He is one of four non - African Americans in his class and has never, even once, mentioned skin color.  It's a beautiful thing.

We visited the house where the King grew up...

 ...and made our way over to where he is buried.

 You see how that officer is looking at my kids hanging over the wall?  Yeah...we were reprimanded one second later.
At the end of Martin's Street (Auburn Ave) there is a sweet little place called LottaFrutta.

Smoothies to die for.  Guanabana and passionfruit?  Uh, yes, have some! These kids slurped it down while munching on some plantain chips.

A perfect afternoon snack.

We were called by the Atlanta History Museum to put in a bid for this years lighting season.  What a GORGEOUS venue.  Can you imagine the bride coming down these stairs?!?

Oh mami...maybe she can get married here one day....

But I seriously don't think her papi is going to let you go.
Also, I don't think her mami will spend that much for a wedding venue. LOL

JK.  We should be millionaires by then. Ha!  Also,  her papi loves to tell her "whatever my baby girl wants, my baby girl gets"   So there is that. Yes, she pretty much has him wrapped around his little finger.

Of course, as crazy as these guys are, they still know how to turn on the charm and get what they want too.

I noticed that my friend Lucy had joined a Photo-a-day challenge on Instagram and after looking at the daily prompts, I wanted to give it a try too.

It couldn't be easier.  Look at that days prompt, post a picture on Instagram and tag the creator FatMumSlim (a popular Australian blog).  Having to get creative (if even for just a moment every day) has been fun! Check out the full directions here!

Whew!  Who is still with me??  I would love to hear from you.  Say hi in the comments if you are a faithful reader or even if you just popped in to see a picture of my succulents:)

FIFTEEN MONTHS {Paloma's Monthly Photo}