Miro Kitchen in Fairfield Family Fun American Dishes With an Asian Flair

Picture walking into a restaurant you would go to on date night with your spouse and not having to pay a sitter because your kids will be with you and they would actually enjoy their meal too?! Well that's Miro Kitchen in Fairfield and it is oh so delicious. Check them out at www.mirokitchen.com

I had the pleasure of coming in and checking out their new kid menu with my oldest daughter and as we ended our meal she asked if we can come back on her birthday. 

The ambiance is so classy. Bar has a huge flat screen TV and full stock of liquor. The restaurant is bright and cozy. 

Their menu contains American Classic dishes with an Asian flair to it. I got the sticky ribs and short ribs taco. The meat was so tender and I could smell these dishes walking into the restaurant so had to order them. 

My daughter ordered their fried noodles and chicken fingers meal. The serving sizes are huge. Their fried noodles are like plain Lomein with a little soy sauce and butter. Very lite and tasty. She finished her bowl. 

Their new and improved kids menu gives parents the opportunity to enjoy tasty food while their children get to pick from a kid friendly menu. 

Then there's dessert. Oh my I can see this being a problem because I already wish I had more of the purple Undi ice cream that came with the dessert sampler. And how about their Apple pie egg rolls with jack fruit inside- amazing!

What's the sampler you ask? Well

it's a little bit of everything on their dessert menu and trust me you'll be happy you picked it. 

The owner Eugene and his staff were super friendly and took the time to explain what things were to my daughter. She really enjoyed it and gave it a thumbs up! We can't wait to go back with the whole family!

Ice Festival In NYC Feb 11th 2017

Art is amazing because you can take something and totally make it into something else-like ice. The Ice Festival in NYC looks amazing.  Artists transform a simple block of ice into a master piece infront of a live audience.  

Details:

February 11th 3:00-7:00 pm

Central Park: Naumburg Bandshell which is Mid-park from 66th to 72nd Street

Open to the public for FREE 

Learn more here: 

http://www.centralparknyc.org/events/individual-events/ice-festival-2017.html

Lunchables For Moms

First Snow Storm Of 2017 Is Here

Last night I went to let my dog out and looked up to see a ring around the moon. The shadowing was brownish and blue and almost like a rainbow ring. I was in awe. I looked it up and they say when you see a "halo" around the moon it's a sign a storm is coming. Sure enough a storm is here. I couldn't get a clear picture but I stood outside for a good 10 minutes just amazed. 

It's amazing how the earth gives us signals. I guess this is how people predicted storms would be arriving prior to having television and weather stations. 

Have you ever witness a "halo" around the moon?

Something To Remember...Always A Part Of Us

When my grandparents passed I remember we all went to clean their house and sort through stuff. My grandparents had this little

Wooden holder they filled with grated parmigiana that every time we ate there they took out. Every party I have I like to take it out to remember them. It makes me feel like a piece of them are there. 

When my husband's grandfather passed away I said I couldn't be at the house to sort through things but told him to grab something he could look at and remember them like what I did with my grandparents wooden cheese holder. Not financial value just pure sentimental value. He grabbed some stuff and as he went through it today showing me he pulls out his grandparents parmigiana cheese wood holder. I couldn't believe it. I smiled and said he didn't need to show me anything else because this was more sentimental then anything else. 

Now every party we can have both sets of our grandparents memory there. 

How To Deal With The Cold Weather in CT

Winter is here. There's a cold front coming so brace yourselves this weekend. And please please parents with babies make sure to always have a hat and socks on them!

Source: Sun-Gazing on Facebook

Basketball Camp Jan 16th in Norwalk

PAW Patrol Live Is Coming to CT in April 2017

All you PAW Patrol lovers now's your chance to see them live. April 22nd and 23rd in Hartford at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center. 

Purchase tickets here: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=41449&schedule=list&group_id=658958

Disney On Ice This Week and Next Week In CT

Learn more here: http://danbury.macaronikid.com/article/1405675/event-disney-on-ice-webster-bank-arena-jan-5-8

Prepare For The Holidays Starting Now

Stop Living Your Life Trying To Please Others

I need this tattooed to my arm so I can constantly remind myself! Stop living your life to please others. Live your life for you regardless of what others want or think you should do or be! At that moment is when you'll find true peace. 

Tuesday Motivation: New Beginnings

All Good Things Do Come To An End..

This Christmas break from school has been a roller coaster ride with my dog passing, my husband's grandfather passing  and my dad in and out of the hospital. But there's something about having my kids home with me that makes dealing with everything easier even when they drive me a little crazy. 

Back to reality tomorrow, packing lunches and snacks. Warming up the car early enough to make it in time to two drop offs. Homework. After school activites. Okay okay sounds like a lot but one lesson I learned during Christmas break is that life is short. No two days are ever the same and unexpected events take place and you have to be strong and deal with it. 

Wishing you all a great day back and try to find happiness in your realities. 

It's Good To Have Goals...

Monday Motivation: Believe In Yourself

Source: The Good Quote

It's Started Bad & Ended Worse

I kept thinking maybe it's just life. Maybe the year sucked to teach us all something. Then yesterday my husband's grandfather died. 

He was in the hospital less than a week. It's bittersweet because he was heart broken when his wife died that you think well at least they can now be together. But then you see someone coping with the loss of a parent and grandparent and you see the hurt and pain and it makes you realize how everything truly comes to an end. That we are all here temporary. 

Even though he lived a long life things changed. When he lost his wife he lost a huge part of himself. We all will go one day. You don't live forever. None of us 

do. Try spending it with those that make your heart happy. Try to embrace those who make you feel good and loved. 

Happy New Year! Fun Tip!

Be An Example!

Goals For 2017...

What would you add?

Motherhood: Not Sure How We Do It!

Don't Wait To Be Confident To Do Something!

To Have A True Fresh Start You Have To Let Some Things Go

Terrible Two's Has Hit My Home Again & I Just Can't This Time Around

Three times a charm does not apply this time. My youngest has a bad case of terrible twos and I have lost tolerance for it. It's been going on for a month now that she had been acting out, not listing, rude, tantrums, power struggle. Then it dawned on me she's battling the terrible twos and winning while me on the other hand am losing it. 

I notice the "been there done that dealt with that and don't want to again" has been taking place with me. Third time you would think I would understand the signs and handle it like a pro NOPE. 

The time outs don't work, silent treatment, pretending to cry...you name it she will not pudge no matter what I try. So I take deep breathes. Walk away. Use the time out method and even yell at times. The only good thing is my three year old looks at me and says "I being good". Yep these tantrums make the other girls look like saints. 

Hoping this passes real soon!

It's Like Reliving 1987 All Over Again!

Barbie Dream House

I used to LOVE playing with Barbies as a kid and it's funny to see my girls now playing with them too. 

Easy Bake Oven

This was the coolest concept as a kid especially since my mom didn't always let me bake with her. My bestfriend had one and we loved using it at play dates. Now my girls have a couple and it's funny because I let them really bake with me but they still get excited using this. 

The items are super small. Like you can eat a whole tray but it's fun for the kids to use. Just wish it was easier to store and not so large. 

Oh 2016...

No Santa Didn't Bring You A Xbox 1 & It's Ok

My eight year old asked for an Xbox 1. Therefore all season long her little sisters said they wanted one too. Every Santa they met they all said they wanted the Xbox and no Santa didn't bring it and here's why...

We live in this society that we are easily influenced by our surroundings, trends, fads. Not sure where my daughter even saw one but when she made a list I asked her why. She said it's fun mom. I asked what game would be appropriate for her to play with her little sisters and she couldn't answer it. She also put a Barbie dream house on her list. 

Now here's the comparable views on these two gifts:

The Barbie dream house enforces imaginable play. You use your creativity and play. You stimulate the brain to use a part of it that you do not use all the time. Now with this all being said I have nothing against parents who bought a gaming device for their children. Mine are too young. I still have a year or two before the gaming devices take over my household. We already have a Wii. We also already have iPads and tablets and computers that they use. I can monitor what they do on them and I have downloaded educational apps. 

Christmas Eve my husband said you know she will be disappointed when she doesn't get it. So Santa wrote her and her sisters a note. The note said they have been good and they hope they like everything they got. It also said whatever they didn't receive they will get next year. 

My daughter opened her Barbie dream house and freaked with excitement. My husband set it up and the kids played with it. I asked her if she was upset she didn't get an Xbox and she said no and that Santa said maybe next year she will get the other things on her list. 

I stood strong by my decision so much that I said to my husband if Santa surprises us with one I will walk out Christmas morning. Is that the right approach? No! But I am entitled to have them hang on to their youth for as long as they can and I can encourage them to use imaginary play for as long as they can too. 

We will see what next year will bring but for now I am proud of myself for sticking to my decision and to be honest I think my little girls are too!

Merry Christmas

I hope you had a great holiday!

A FitBit Saved My Dad's Life Today!

This is for all readers who have heart problems or know someone who does go buy a FitBit. My Dad's FitBit saved his life today.

After his heart surgery last week I ordered him one. He wore it all week and noticed at home his Heart Rate was high again. He tracked it and called his cardiologist. "Go back to the ER."  Sure enough the FitBit was right. His heart rate was at 177. Like he ran a marathon. 

This morning they shocked his heart again to get back into rythem. His doctor told him this device saved his life. 

For those who don't know what a Fitbit is its a watch like tracking device that you wear like a watch and it tracks your steps, heart rate, sleep patterns etc. It's extremely inexpensive. I got him the Fitbit Charge HR off Groupon. https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-fitbit-charge-hr-wireless-activity-wristband

You download a free app and it tracks your heart rate, sleep, steps, execerise etc. It's extremely comfortable and easy to read. 

The doctors were amazed. My Dad was feeling fine. If it wasn't for the FitBit he wouldn't have even known that his heart rate was so elevated.

Thank You FitBit!

Rest In Peace My Sweet Sam!

When I was in 9th grade I went to Florida with my best friend. We flew alone and stayed at her grandparents house. They had this dog named Sam who had twiggy rough fur and a bark that would wake the neighborhood. When we would sneak in her grandparents house after hanging with her Cousins my best friend would make me pet him so he would stop barking. 

Of course when my husband brought me a male dog 10 years later I had to name him Sam. My Poor Sweet Sammy died today and I am heartbroken. 

My Sam didn't have twiggy rough fur but he did have a big loud bark for a tiny long haired chihuahua. He fit in my hand for months then his love for food caught up with him so he grew fast. People couldn't believe he was a chihuahua. He was 12 1/2 years old. 

He came into my life before my children did. He was like my child. He was always by my side and waited to die until I got home to be with him. 

I never understood dog people. I mean I had two dogs but some people treat dogs better than humans. Now I get it. Sammy always was loyal to me. He was so great to my girls and gentle. I kept telling him what a great boy he was and I loved him. Once we agreed to put him down he died within seconds. My heart aches my husband and kids ache. We lost a member of our family. Now I get it dog people. 

Rest in peace my sweet Sammy Boy!

Yelling Isn't Always A Bad Sign...

So true Reese Witherspoon. 

Why You Can't Wrap Gifts Or Have...

Enjoy the laugh!

Sista Sista...

Sister time rocks. We originally wanted to go to a movie but it wasn't playing so we said let's grab food and drinks. Um only on one term I said manicures first. I needed one badly and when I go I like getting the sparkle kind. Just dresses up the hands more.

We have been going to Iris Nail Salon in Darien. It's amazing. So nice inside. Like a spa and everyone is so sweet. Very class. Manicures are $12.95. Can't beat the price!

I went with holiday colors and of course glitter in it. 

Then we stopped for apps and drinks at Center Street Public House. Was so good and the waitress Deb was awesome. Really sweet. The price are so reasonable. $10 on Mondays fish and chips with a draft beer- can't beat it. http://centerstreetpub.com

After last week dealing with the episode my dad went through it was nice to get together and share some laughs. I love these girls. Truly with all my heart. Only thing that is better than having a sister is having two!

He's Making A List...

Time To Think Of Your Delivery People Too

Cute idea to leave a care package for them at your front door. 

Read more here:

http://www.scarymommy.com/gift-box-ups-viral-facebook-post/

Pageant Is Over... I Can Now Relax and Cry

I know kids will be kids but they are my kids and well I always get a little anxious when they are involved in something. My kids are 2, 3 1/2 and 8. Of course the little ones want to do what their big sister does. 

So last week at rehersal my two year old puts on a costume and marches down the aisle during practice. Then she shouts my name and runs back and forth. Practice was canceled yesterday due to snow so that meant only one more rehersal would take place the morning of the Christmas pageant. 1 hr before show time. 

I turn to the director and say I don't want the little one in the pageant. I am nervous she will run up and down the aisles too much. Her reply"so what she will be fine"

My stomach hurt but she was right. So what. She's two. She can get away with it. Needless to say everyone cracked up at her pageant moves running after her big sister to hold her hands and coming back again infront of a packed church. I was super stressed and my husband turned to me and said stop they are fine. After he was right. Just then I notice my oldest daughter joined her Chior on stage. I didn't know she was going to.  Tears filled my eyes. My babies are amazing. The rest of the day I was in awe of these three confident little girls who are mine.