Mommy-Daughter trip to Mexico

Mommy and Emma took a one-week trip to Mexico this month.  It was such an enjoyable time with my little girl.  She was such a trooper, with late nights and no naps.  She played well with her Oma, tagged along Mommy while I visited with friends and family.  All in all, a sweet trip.

At Atlanta airport, ready to leave.

 I packed her bookbag with coloring books, work books and notebooks.  She enjoyed herself so much doing that.  But don't be too impressed.  She watched her fair share of movies on the iPad as well.

Oma greeted us at the Cancun airport with yummy watermelon.

It was mango season, which means Emma got to enjoy mangos for literally breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Emma enjoyed picking fruit with Oma most mornings. 

The heat was brutal.  High 90's every day.  My fair skinned girl got blushed so so easily.

Picking mameys with Oma.

Family pic.  Three generations of women.

Emma and her basket full of mameys. 

Mooooore mangos!

Pool time with Oma.

Playing Candy Land.  She is quite good at it.

Post Candy Land selfie.

Playing with play doh.

One morning I took Emma to the mall with me.  We rode the indoor train and had a sweet, great time together.

And of course, I had to get my weekly Costco fix :)

Got to see some family.  With my cousin Sihan.

And with about half of my cousins (some with their special somebodies).

This is the fish tank that wooed Emma into becoming the fish-loving girl she is.

Our last day in Mexico, waiting for our bus to drive us to Cancun to catch our plane.  Emma and Oma wasted no time and read lots and lots of books during the wait.

Getting our home ready for sale

Daddy did some landscaping in our front lawn to help get our home ready for sale.  Home has been on the market for three weeks.  Shown five time already.  No offers yet.

Kids were happy to be outdoors "helping" daddy.

WHY-Wednesday: Why I don't celebrate Cinco de Mayo

It seems like for the last couple of years on May 5th I've posted some snarky remark on Facebook "educating" the American community about Cinco de Mayo.  I really don't know why I feel so compelled to do so, other than the fact that I am plain ol' embarrassed by the whole affair.

You see, us Mexicans love to party.  Just last week (April 30th) all schools across the country suspended regular activities in order to party.  What was the great occasion, you may ask?  Children's Day.  That's right, Children's Day!  The fact that I have to look up on Wikipedia what Cinco de Mayo celebrates should in itself drive my point home -- it's not that big of a deal.

Yes, yes, some parts of Mexico do make a big deal over it.  Yes, yes, some cities even have a big parade and dress-up and what-not.  Yes, yes, we did win a battle, against the French, over something I'm not entirely sure about.  And I'm thankful for those who sacrificed their lives for it.

But it is not a holiday equally celebrated throughout the country.  In my 18 years of life growing up in Mexico, I never once remember celebrating it, commemorating it, or missing school because of it. 

But here is a list of some of the holidays I do remember celebrating, commemorating, and/or missing school because of:

- Constitution Day (February 5th)

- Flag Day (February 24th)

-  Carnival (February-ish)

- Benito Juarez's birthday (March 16th)

- Labor day (May 1st)

- Independance Day (September 16th)

-  Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd)

- Revolution Day (November 20th)

-  Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (December 12th)

But don't get me wrong.  I think Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a Hispanic Heritage Day, which is very much OK.  I just wish it was called that instead of Cinco de Mayo.  I believe that over the years Cinco de Mayo has become more of an American holiday, rather than a Mexican holiday. 

But I feel like I owe the gringo community a social service here by educating them -- Cinco de Mayo is not Independence Day, so don't congratulate a Mexican because of it (or worse yet, a non-Mexican Latin American).  If you still feel like enjoying the day with an extra large margarita, then by all means.  Thanks for giving the Mexican restaurants in town some business. 

Needless to say -- !VIVA MEXICO!