For San Valentine Or Anytime, @ViajaSanAgustin #floridashistoriccoast hosted

This trip was sponsored/hosted by the Bella Gente de Viaja San Agustin & @FlHistoricCoast ,

 pero all opinions and fun times were BB y Sweetie's. 

Never too old to learn and love

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

If you've been following Babushka for a while you know she's gone to St. Augustine many times. Besides visitng when she was bb (first trip age 11), there were notable trips such as the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip and all the performances with TWAM , and though they were all fun and good trips, they were business and the city called to the soul for a more personal visita.  La belleza natural, la historia, la cultura, de San Agustin makes it easy to explain its over 400 years of existence and why one never tires of visiting. There are so many different "tours" and interests you can experience in St. Augustine, that every time truly can be a totally nuevo experience. This visit was one tailored for BB & Sweetie, a couples call, with a little bit of everything. 

1st night-Primera Noche

Por supuesto the wonderful folks of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches

Visitors and Convention Bureau had a wonderful 3 day itinerary planned for us, and also por supuesto BB was running Cubantime and we didn't arrive until nightfall. Oh, but we knew all was fine and well planned when we saw our casa for the next few days, the Jaybird's Inn. 

2700 N Ponce de Leon Blvd Saint Augustine, Florida

Que Entrada!! 

Spacious with nods to the town's history, nos encanto.

Rapidito we checked in, dropped the equipaje and went to meet our hostess Barbara del visitor's bureau who was waiting for us at a local favorite restaurant, The Raintree.  Located in an 1829 Victorian Home, winner of numerous awards, and offering over 350 wine labels, BB & Sweetie couldn't have asked for a better place to enjoy our first cena en San Agustin.

102 San Marco Ave Saint Augustine, Florida

Que Belleza y detalles verdad? And if you think that's algo Beautifuls, wait 'till you see the comida!!

Sweetie thoroughly enjoying the pampering and the plates. House salad and the day's special, Flounder stuffed with crabmeat, fresh  vegetables and angel hair with mushroom Alfredo sauce.

Y hablando about Detalles y Belleza, you KNOW Babushka HAD to try some of their award winning postres. Made fresh and to order tambien, the combinaciones delectable, delightful y deliciosos!

Banana Crepe filled w/vanilla ice cream, Dessert chef, Chef Matt Berg, Barbara Golden, BB, Sweetie, Mgr Zack Fraser.


Of course we all had to give the dinner a great big ESO!!
Despues de la llenura of estomago, sights and senses it was time to call it a noche.

In our suite we found a sampling of what was to come.

Wineries, Fountain of Youth, Pirate's Museum, y mucho mas.

Hope you come back to see the rest of BB & Sweetie's @ViajaSanAgustin .

BB2U

FB San Agustin Album

I Love Family Travel Launch Tweety Fiesta!!

Sponsored

TWEETY FIESTA!!!

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!!

It's a New Year and a New Website! 

Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! Ok si, it's the end of February, but we're still celebrating the Chinese New Year, and for Babushka that's the one that counts. What also counts is familia, and BB's so very feliz to be part of this new site. Any place that helps me plan enjoyable time with family definitely gets an ESO!!! 

"Join Blog­gin Mamas as we host the I Love Family Travel Launch Twit­ter Party #FamilyTravelChat on Thu, 2/26/15 at 9p EST! We will be celebrating the launch of our sister site dedicated to all things Family Travel.

Date: Thursday, February 26th, 2015

Time: 9:00–10:00pm EST / 6:00–7:00pm PST

Hash­tag: #FamilyTravelChat

Pre­sented by: @BlogginMamas & @ILvFamilyTravel

Sponsored by: @BeachesResorts, @Travel _Tubes, @Pawdpet @shavetech @zerowaterfilter #Arganesse

Mod­er­a­tors: Eng­lish– @HeLoEnterprises Span­ish– @BBabushka

Co-hosts: @TravelWitBender @Enzasbargains @MamasMission @RuralMoms @MakeItAllWork

Prizes:

Beaches Prize Pack, including: One (1) beach bag, One (1) Beaches-branded sunglasses, One (1) coffee mug, One (1) t-shirt, One (1) koozie and One (1) notepad

PawdPet Prize Pack, including One(1) Small PawdPet (any animal of your choice) and One (1) Tablet PawdPet (any animal of your choice) - ARV $95.

Two sets of 2 Travel Tubes for one (1) winner.- ARV $36

Two (2) Prize Packs, each including One (1) ZeroWater Tumbler and One (1) Shavetech Razor- ARV $45

RSVP Prize: One(1) Bottle of Arganesse- ARV $99

18+ US and CA

RSVP: http://bit.ly/famtravelchat   "

Disclosure: I am being compensated as a twitter party cohost. All opinions expressed are my own.

Be ready to dance fast and hard Beautifuls- 

Babushka's making a pot of espresso for this one.

; )

BB2U

A Dream Realized and Hopefully a Lesson About #Bullying Learned- @LegoLandFlorida & El Dr.

To the good folks of the FTC- Legoland sent 2 park entrances to BB when the story of El Dr's school year was shared. 

That was the "monetary" compensation for this post;the actual emotional compensation is priceless.

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

Babushka and El Dr. all smiles at LegoLand Florida. A nice picture verdad? Pity the story behind it isn't.

 If you read the FTC disclosure, BB hinted about my grandson's school year. My dear, baby loving, self entertained, inquisitive grandson was being mocked for all the things we love about him, and this shook the very core of his being, questioning if perhaps his family had been untruthful to him and that tal vez his new environment was the truth.  As soon as his parents found out, they changed schools and are ever vigilant that it doesn't happen again, but that didn't erase his hurt or his doubts. Was Babushka going to let those bullies win, let them change my querido nieto? JU SO FONII!!! Y'all know BB takes situations and finds/sees the positive in them, and if a Twofer can be made - a definite ESO! Such was the case of this years summer vacation choice with El Dr.; we would combine the dream he had of visiting Legoland and the life lesson of " playing alone,"nerdiness" is really not a bad thing."

And so we went to Legloland Florida- let the learning & fun begin!

Vieron the size of the park?? Where to go, where to start? 

 Bueno, The Beginning is always a good place...

That was just the entrance! Ahora My Beautifuls, you know BB does not usually travel the typical straight path, but in the name of poetic license, and for the sake of your sanity, let's follow the left side of the map.

FUN TOWN

Por supuesto and But Of Course, the FIRST thing that caught El Dr.'s eyes??

Unfortunately, fortunately it wasn't open- closed for refurbishment. This brings me to several points. Check the daily printouts for closed rides and daily showtimes, they really do help keep the frustration levels down.  The second point, don't be surprised by the amount of Lego products and shops that carry them. BB let El Dr. look at all of them- Quee?? Soy Abuela, that's one of the perks. Besides, they had AC.  Continuing; he gets to look at all so he can see which one he truly wanted to take home.  Vieron? Grandma gets to look benevolent without having to lug souvenirs all over AND gets to cool off in the shops AC. This takes me to the last point here- TAKE SUNBLOCK, KEEP YOURSELF COOL.  If you need help on that you can watch Babushka's YouTube Video for tips. 

FUN TOWN had several neat places, but for BB Fun Town Slushies (see prior sentences for why this is a given) and the Fresh From Florida Greenhouse Exhibit were the favorites. Si yo se, Babushka's such a fan of the state- love learning about it; hope all the grands do the same. A bit of learnin' between the fun.

BB's Hometown Miami Dade County and BB's Home town Wakulla County

Really am an extremist huh?

Got such a kick out of seeing them- but wait, there's another "home" surprise in a bit...

Continuing.

El Dr.'s favorite spots in FUN TOWN were the Grand Carousel and the  Wells Fargo 4D Theater,
which he agreed with Babushka on the 4D movie .  BUENISIMO!!!

 He also enjoyed the characters around the park.

What can I say? El Dr. is BB's grandson; he likes bad jokes.

Bigger than Life.  Now let's go the opposite way.


MINILAND USA

Not too mini actually. Bueno, considering the cities they've recreated, they really can't be.

They have 8 major places represented. Naturally they had Florida; BB showed the wildlife- both natural and the ones tanning in Miami Beach. Do you remember when I wrote earlier about another "home" surprise?

OH SI THEY DID!!!

LITTLE HAVANA 

 AHORA SI- BB ♥ LEGOLAND!

And as if it couldn't get any better...

A COOL OFF MACHINE!!!!

And talking about cool...

LEGO STAR WARS

BB's brush with the Dark Side-  Darth Vader

Y que me dicen, what says you about El Dr. & Arturito??

Yeah, as you can see, his eyes rolled too when I said that.

Pirate's Cove, LEGO Technic, Imagination Zone

IMAGINATION ZONE

At this point the post should be titled- Back off Bullies, I'm in the Zone. And he truly was.

First, the WB Zone.

Where he got to play games and got to meet the stars of his latest favorite film.

But most entrancing to him of all-

LEGO Hero Factory 

Are you seeing that face of total contentment? 

 Just tell me if that isn't the stare of someone "in the zone".

It took a lot of convincing to get him away from there, pero 1.5 hours era suficiente,

there were more things to see and lands to visit.

LEGO CITY 

The one school El Dr. didn't mind going to? Driving School!!

Si, Gracias to Ford, my grandson was going to get his license before the day was through.

Always said it- we're  Una Familia Pa' Ford!



LEGO KINGDOMS

El Dr. had seen the castle from the parking lot and it was one of the "must go to" points of Legoland. When he realized it housed a roller coaster he passed on it, but he loved the food, the joust, and the chance to win prizes.  FYI bring cash, 'cause you're gonna wanna play!! 

WORLD OF CHIMA

The LEGO World of Chima, presented by Cartoon Network, features an immersive family experience with an interactive water ride, The Quest for CHI, a super-charged SpeedorzTM Arena, Cragger’s Swamp water play area, a new 4D movie experience and character meet-n-greet sessions.

El Dr. had a great time playing with the water squirters and seeing the characters of a favorite cartoon series; Babushka was thankful for the cool water soaking the days heat away.

By this time we were getting a little tired, but there was one more section Babushka had to visit.

Legoland stock photo

DUPLO VALLEY

When we first entered the park BB had suggested visiting this and he said no, it was for little kids. After a day of being at Legoland he realized it was ok to like what he liked, that he wasn't the only one who could live in this type of world, and that being with those younger than himself was nothing to be ashamed of.  We had come full circle; he wanted to go in.

If the Imagination Zone was his Intellectual side, then Duplo Valley was his emotional side.

 Here too he felt at home.

So did Babushka really have to go all the way to Legoland to prove bullies wrong? 

A little extreme perhaps, but I'm a Cuban Grandma and that's just our way.

Y despues de ver, after seeing and sharing these moments

It's the only way to be.

BB2U

p.s.  There are 2 other sections BB didn't include here, but the pics will be on Google + and Feibu.

 p.p.s.Right now there's a BOGO deal for all Florida Residents that's definitely worth using.

Because Babushka doesn't want any disappointed fans, the VIP Points program is not honored at the park. You truly can get any and all types of Legos here, but the company that makes Legos NO es dueño, is NOT the owner of Legoland, so don't expect to use or get Lego points for any purchases.

What you CAN expect is a wonderful experience that needs at least 2 days for the park, 1 day for the waterpark, and once the hotel opens in 2015 at least 2 days more days there just to recover.

; )

Tala HA si - Here We Come!

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, Sweetie drove into Miami.  At 5 a.m. the following morning Babushka was driving to Orlando with him and my 7 year old grandson.  Here started my week with  El Dr.- an adventure I look back at with smiles, laughs, and gratitude for family, cafe, y multi-vitamins.

Of course from 9 - 11:30 pm we had to shop for supplies.  Queee???  BB go on a trip without her Popa purse full of snacks? JU SO FONII!!!  Pobre Sweetie had never gone on a trip shopping spree with Babushka PLUS he had never had children, so add the supplies needed for that to our spree.  Talk about baptism by fire!  Don't know if his eyes were bulging because of the long hours he had driven or because of the final shopping tally.

The next morning El Dr. was so excited about his trip to Tala HA si, that a 5 a.m. wake up call was greeted with smiles and no objections.  His dad said we should have videotaped that as proof during the school year that he WAS capable of waking up early.  Now BB, though just as happy as my grandson to be going back home to Tala HA si, needed some extra energy, and since breakfast is the most important meal of the day...

Ok si, maybe not what the nutritionists would prefer we have, but between the sugar & the fresh cafe, 

I knew the drive was going to be sweeter on every level.

Now El Dr. tried to follow suggestions to sleep

but instead kept us entertained and awake with questions and stories.

Not sure if it was excitement, or the knowledge that he had a captive audience, but the child didn't stop for 2 hours.  De veras.  We clocked it.

And we loved it.

El Dr. brought a new dimension and meaning into our lives and routine. 

Imagination, curiosity, and innocent, loving, never ending energy.

Questions that took us by surprise by their depth and honesty.

Stories that had us smiling, sniffling and stupified.

Grandparenting- it ain't for the slight of spirit.

Camping/Sleeping in our room in Tala Ha si

Matter of fact, when I asked the newly initiated Sweetie how he liked being called "Grandpa"  he said-

"I liked it.  I think I'm gonna be a good one."

MyCountrycottage.net

After a week of full time grandparenting,

El Dr & BB think so too.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. Tala HA si  is how El Dr. pronounces the city of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida. Not quite where BB and Grandpa Sweetie live, but close enough.

P.P.S. This is the final post on my week with El Dr. Go back and read Part 1 & Part 2, because you know you can't get enough of my grandson's cuteness.  ; )

A Breakesito from Blogging

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!  I know BB said she was going to be taking a "breakesito from blogging" until the 9th (or 16th), but what you are reading is a pre programmed post written on the first of January- thanks to an inspiration from Kristen at Monday's with Mac.  For those of you who are not familiar with this super,uber talented lady I suggest you look at the .post that inspired me.

She had a countdown of the Top Ten Posts of 2012 using the pageview numbers as guides.  Babushka doesn't work that hard, those are already listed at the bottom of all my posts.  Ok si, the computer generated list is of "all times" , but I'll be listing my favs of 2012 here.  Why didn't I do a list in 2011?  JU SO FONII!!!  Because Kristen hadn't thought of it back then!  Continuing.

My list is in chronological order because as any blogger knows, all posts are our babies and how can we really rate them objectively??

Jan.   25    Chinese New Year

Mar. 28    Harrooo duh Duh Duh Goodbye  

Apr.  4     Life is but a Dream

Aprl  25   Right on Target

May  16   My Son, Madre's Day & The Miami Tunnel 

June  13   A Day without Feibu or Tweety 

June  20   Cubanos,Comidas y Chistes - La Tata's 90th? 

Oct.  30   La Gallina Vieja Flies Solo

Nov. 3     Pushing My Comfort Zone

Nov. 5     Groaners

Now these two are Honorable Mentions.  

An Oldie but a Goody

Understanding BB 

The first is a 2012 repost of a 2011 post, but My Little One still laughs about it.

The 2nd is always showing on my blog, but por sea- a Reader's Digest version of who BB is.

Do you know what I just noticed?  2012 had exactly 100 posts.

  ESO!!!

Thanks to all of you for dancing with Babushka and I hope you enjoy the posts.

Bailamos con algo nuevo on the 9th (or the 16th) until then-

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Midnite Muse

Midnite, la medianoche, on Tuesdays, this is the time my Muse decides to be a minx and starts to meander in my mind.

Never mind that I know BB's blog comes out every Wednesday. Never you mind I need complete quiet... maybe that's part of the problem. Complete quiet? In a Cuban household? All together now- JU SO FONI !!!

I actually was able to have a post written a week before time, but that's like losing 5 pounds before the holidays. You lose it to look good but then start partying and gain back the 5 plus an extra 10 pounds. The time I wrote the early post I was up South, but I've been with family in Miami for almost a month now so I've gained those 10 pounds figuratively and literally.

Seriously though, what is it about waiting until the last momento? Is it perspiration over procastination that thrills me, or am I waiting for a better subject for my post? Perhaps it's both. I'm Cuban, so I'm always in a hurry to savor the good things in life. I know, Extreming.

My Midnite Muse- of course being Cuban she isn't always punctual. If I'm lucky she'll be running on time (which for Cubans is an hour late), if it's a milagro she'll be running American time (which is the actual time specified) but for the most part she starts cooking around 2 a.m. Si, 2 a.m. This is the hour she's had her cafecito and is positive hers is the only voice I hear.

Aha, a true CAP pero que vamos hacer?

Es mia, she's mine-

and besides, she's brilliant.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

My Miami Vacation - Revel, Relive, Recover

Revel, Relive, Recover.  Yeap, that's my Miami vacation in a nutshell.

Numero Uno- Revel.  How can I not revel in my family's love and attention?  Rinquincaya and PicaPica were counting the days until I got there.  How precious is that?  Not only did I spend time with my two eldest children, their families, my grandmother, my comadre/cousin, my father, my aunt and uncle, and medio Miami, I got to catch up with my two bestest beasties BFGF  (Best Friend Girl Friend).  It's been years since we've chilled.  Even though chilled is not a word used too often in Miami- in any sense of the word.

Numero Dos- Relive.  Went to Miami with My Sweetie, so I was the designated driver.  Not because he was drinking, but because it was Miami and everyone there thinks they're the sons of Fangio.  This was where I learned to drive and it's amazing how fast I got back into the Miami madness mindset.  Sweetie learned very quickly to look at the sights instead of the road.

Oh- and what sights we saw!  In the course of 7 days I tried to relive the best of almost 40 years.  The first day there I took him to a beach.  Note I said A beach- not THE beach.  We did not go to South Beach where "the beautiful people" hang out.  You thought I'd purposely expose him to that land of dental floss wearing dainties who didn't have detailed body dimples/dunes acquired so lovingly from time and childbirth? JU SO FONII !!! >No, no, no.  We went to a "family" playita.  Babushka believes in keeping it real.  

I showed him Miami Lakes where I grew up, Kendall where I raised my trio, Flagler where my grandmother had lived,and Dadeland, where while in college he had lived.   Not only did we relive places, we had to relive plates.  As in food, lots of it- in every visita and in every corner.  Sweetie was mesmerized that every block had a bakery and a restaurant.  El es flaco, but loves to eat; he looked like a kid in a candy shop.  How precious is that?  

Pero 7 days of non stop food,fanaticism,and heat takes a toll.  Oh si, I was reliving Miami- for sure, for sure. This was too far South for us Southerners. Ok, ok- he's originally from Pennsylvania and I grew up in Miami, pero ya yo estaba fuera de practica- I was out of practice and he was out of sunscreen. Time to go home- back North to the South.

Numero 3- Recovery.    Having been through many tearful goodbyes -esta bien- it wasn't that many, but when you're a grandmother even one is excessive,  I bribed them with a goodbye goodie which I would leave on the table if they didn't cry.  They promised they wouldn't cry.  Por supuesto that made me want to cry double.

We left Miami at 7 a.m..  Of course we had to stop at a bakery to take home some pastelitos and Cuban bread.  We hoped the 6 loaves would make it home.  After all, it was a 9 hour trip...


Making it home in record time, si, ok, I was still driving Miami style, Sweetie started unloading the car while I made sure the air conditioner in the house was working and set to 60 degrees.  Oh yeah, you betcha.  I was going to make up for that Miami heat y el traqueteo.  I was going to rest.  Rest, relax, and recover  in cold and silence.

How precious is that?

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.