Mini-Vacation to see the Biltmore Estates

We went on a little trip (6.5 hour drive) to Ashville, North Carolina to visit the Biltmore Estates. It was fantastic, amazing house, I can't imagine there were ever children and dogs running through the house. The woodwork and craftmanship was impressive and so far ahead of their time in so many ways.

It was nice for us two to get away and just walk around the grounds, the garden, talk without being interrupted by kids (not that mine would ever do that..ha!) and ordering adult meals for two with no extra napkins please.

I think we need to do this more often. We had a great time!

Notice the picture of the moon and sunset. They were taken at exactly the same time on our way home. That was really cool to see as well.

Take care everyone!

The birthday party....success!

Well, I'm happy to say that I pulled it off tonight.  My first born girl had her birthday party, she was super surprised and they all had a great time and everyone behaved.  Some kids went home earlier but the doors were closed at 10:00 pm for those who were staying over night.  Yeah, I know, I'm nuts.  At first only four girls were staying and that was cool but then a few others begged to stay and since we are moving and it's unlikely we'll see these kids ever again, I said yes but with rules.  

My goal was to surprise my daughter and make sure she had a great day..that was a success!  Here are some photos from the party.  I left out the other kids to protect their privacy but I had about 16 kids in the house around the age of 15....ouch, never have a I seen so many cell phones going on at the same time.

Thanks for the well wishes, enjoy the pictures.

A napkin.

A cloth bag with candy and pink bubbles, a blue pen, a guest notebook.

A Strawberry Mouse-filled white cake with creamy frosting.

A very happy birthday girl.

"15" that is quite the number!

We still got the tiara in the mix and she wore the entire night  :-)

Pink and White long-stem roses from Daddy and Mommy.

Falling behind --just rambling

It seems that there's never enough time to do all the thing we want to do but I am determined to change that because I value my health and my time with my family.  Sometimes we get in this rut of doing the same thing everyday and getting busy with chores, homework, work, etc. that we end up not doing anything just for fun...ugh.  

In my country (Dominican Republic) the 15th birthday is like the 16th here in the U.S.  They are called Quinceañera (kin-se-a-ngiera), best I can do with the pronouciation.  Generally the party is more like a wedding then a birthday.  There are nicely dressed ushers and girls that look like brides maids and the birthday girl is dressed in a beautiful white dress with a tiara on her head.  They usually have a ceremony at a church or the priest comes to the house where the young girl and the family is blessed.  It's like a right of passage.  After all that the party begins and it's like a prom.  They spend a lot of money on the girl and her event.  We're not doing all that.  

This weekend is my daughter's 15th birthday and we are hosting a surprise birthday party for her on Saturday.  Somehow I have managed to keep it a secret with some close calls.  I haven't ordered the balloons or the cake; I want to have something to give her guests as they leave and I haven't bought her present yet. I found out that they have a 1/2 day at school today which might make things easier since I can leave without the younger kids and get more done in two hours than I have all week, so this could be a good thing.  While she may not have a "quinceanera" like party, I know she will have a great time with her friends.

The there's my reading time.  I have to read early in the morning because the day is full of kids, work, chores, noise, and by night time I'm done.  Last night I read 1 page three times then I decided it was time to call it quits.  I am making progress with my first book and I think I'll pick up momentum once my new habit of reading early in the morning kicks in.

Next week, hubby and I are going on a mini vacation to visit the Biltmore Estates.  We rarely do anything together without the kids anymore.  The initial plan was for all of us to go but my teen boy has to work, my teen girl would rather spend that time with her friends, and traveling with little kids to go see a house is just no fun.  My teen son suggested we go alone.  WOW, what a concept!  So I made reservations at a hotel that offers a sweet package deal - we get the hotel, breakfast, lunch at the estates, a pass to visit all day the first day and the next day, and some other cool amenities.  I'm excited!!  Hey if you've been there, besides the estates, is there anything in particular we should see, do or a good place to eat, let me know :-)

Well, I'm done rambling for today.  I might participate in some foodie Friday fun if I can remember to take pictures later.  I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!