Ines and Rio celebrate Hallows Day

Ines starts her day in costume with her fellow classmates and teachers, Ms. Jolene and Ms. Jaquetta.

Scene: Ines wears Disney's Deluxe Tinker Bell costume and Fairies light-up wings, Circo Silver Misaye Mary Janes, Target. Location: Wilson Montessori School, Houston, TX.

Ines gleefully shows her Peter Pan book to her friend Maha while settling down for storytime with Ms. Jolene. Storytime book: Stellaluna.

Back at home, Rio tries to stay in character as Bert, the chimney sweeper, to Mama's Halloween character Mary Poppins.Scene: Rio wears H&M black long-sleeve shirt, Carter's navy overalls w/embroidered puppies; Stride Rite navy and beige Bear slippers.
Rio stands in the tub ready for a full bath after spilling a full bottle of Black acrylic water-based, non-toxic paint all over himself, the living room floor, books and bookshelf.

Hallow's Eve Links:

Fun Paper folding projects: Halloween Origami.
Trick or Vote: Monster Interviews.
Scary movies with Bunnies: Bunnies: Scream; Bunnies: The Shining.
Learn how to do the Thriller: Dancin Kim shows us the moves to Thriller.

Phillipinos re-enact Thriller: 1,500+ CPDRC inmates version of Thriller.
Indians re-enact Thriller: Indian version of Thriller.
Classic MJ video: Thriller.

No Reason -Whatsoever-Shout Out!

Ines and Rio would like to send a No Reason Shout Out to Nunu!Scene: Ines wears Shin Choi pink wool sweater, American Apparel green T-shirt, Garanimals red pants, Salmon knit cap by Wiwi. Location: Alfaro-Rodriguez residence, Houston.

Ines struts her stuff in a cozy Nunu gift.

Wonder where Rio is? He's busy trying to climb his Persimmon tree in the backyard while Ines continues to exude some 'tude in her Nunu threads.

For Nunu Links:

A Classic cat skit: Laser Cats!
The upside of Dogs: Upside Down Dogs.
Sneaky Kitty: Ninja Cat.
Natural Foodie Tips: Build a Natural Foods Pantry.
Latest Foodie Tour: Spain - On The Road Again.

Early Voting with Mami

Ines and Rio accompanied Mami to their local voting location to cast their vote!Scene: Rio wears BabyYak romper in red with Roots blue kicks; Ines wears Green Cotton red-and-pink striped hoodie, a Circo black skirt, and Circo Silver Misay Mary Janes. Location: Ripley House, Houston.

Moments after voting, the Pep and Rio bask amongst the political signs with Mami. Cast your votes! Watch the Obama campaign's primetime ads tomorrow with the Pep and Rio on CBS and NBC. Catch a couple of laughs with Jon Stewart and Obama tonight on The Daily Show.

Political Links:

Look for your voting location!: Google's 2008 voting locator.
5th grade talking heads: Kiddie politicos on CBS.
Stop Hating become aware: Misonceptions on Obama fuel McCain supporters.
Colin Powell supports: Colin, a vote for Obama!
Debates Synch up!: Watch all the debates at once.

Pep Curries Rainbow + The Dashing Rio

A quick review of the latest Fall activities with the Pep and Rio. The highlight for Ines was the pony rides while attending St. Anne's Fall Fiesta. She instantly bonded with her pony whom she named "Rainbow," in honor of her favorite MLP Rainbow Dash.Scene: Ines wears a Fun to the 4th Star-studded Red T-shirt and Disney Yellow skirt; St. Anne Catholic School.
Ines curries Rainbow as she sadly bids him farewell.

Scene: Ines wears Fun to the 4th Red Tshirt and Goody contour barrettes; Eastwood Park.
A very happy Pep romps around the playground while her li'l bro Rio tackles the slippery slide.

Scene: Rio wears Baby Gap Blue Striped Romper; Settegast Park.
Rio conquers the act of sliding with the help of Papa.

Scene: Rio wears Junk Food Green "The Beatles" cartoon T-shirt; OshKosh B'Gosh denim pants.
The dashing Rio strikes a smile as Papa helps him climb a tree on the San Jacinto Monument grounds.

Fun Links:

Fave Political Cartoon: Latest Family Guy episiode takes a critical stab at the Republicans.
Bizarre but brilliant Comedy: SNL's Palin Rap.
Fave Song-and-Dance Animation: The ever catchy Parrot Palin.
Fave Movie Trailer Spoof: Sarah Palin Disney Trailer, Head of Skate.
Calculate your Taxes: Crunch numbers on the Obama-Biden Calculator.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Titi Rebecca!

Inés and Rio wishes their Titi Rebecca a great big Feliz Cumpleaños!

From Joann+Ismael's Wedding

Scene: Rebecca and Rio comiserate at Joann+Ismael's wedding. Titi Rebecca wears a black lace print dress; Rio snuggles in a white w/brown trim linen shirt 2 pc. romper, Baby Graziella.

Rio cuddles hard with Titi Rebecca during the wedding reception of Titi Joann and Tio Ismael. In hopes that Titi Rebecca and Tio Willie are settling into their new adopted city, San Francisco, Ines and Rio hope these links may help. XOXO.

Bay Area Links:

*PR club of San Francisco: El Club Puertorriqueno de San Francisco, Inc.
*PR Organization United for Development, Modesto: Email: Maria@caccu.org; Contact: María Gredel Morales, 209-576-0689; empahsis on teaching and education.

My First Murnau

Ines and Rio watched their first spooky movie, albeit silent, Nosferatu proved to be just a little scary and kooky too! Scene: Papa and Ines cuddle while intently watching Nosferatu; Discovery Green Park.
We enjoyed watching the live quartet, Golden Arm Trio, play their own soundtrack for the movie. Ines quickly named the main protagonists as the "Prince" the "Princess," and the villain as the "Monster."

Scene: Rio frolics on the green while attending the KUHF Classic Film Concert; Discovery Green Park.

Rio figures he'll wing it and not take any notes from Nosferatu for his upcoming appearance as the littlest Dracula on Halloween. The squirrelly Rio could care less about the film or live music but was rather fascinated at the opportunity to climb and crawl throughout our picnic layout.

Kooky Links:

*Monkey waiters: "Monkey Business in Japan"
*McCain Rap video: "McCain Be Old" by Jelly Donut.
*A new way to eat out: "Eating from your toilet bowl."

Idea leuconoe and Rio

Rio has a quiet moment with a Paper Kite butterfly at the Cockrell Butterfly Center.

Scene: Rio wears a white w/colored stripes romper, H&M; and rides in a blue mesh Pouch sling, MamanKangourou. Photo by Maria Paz Martinez Mendez.

He thoroughly enjoyed watching the butterflies flutter their wings and truly thought he could catch one. Remarkably he kept still long enough to capture this moment.

Debate Fun Facts:

*Who dolls up who: Beauty Tricks of the Candidates.

*Obama loves babies: Yes We Can (hold babies).
*Get your daily Obama fix: Obama Pics Daily.
*Palin avoiding the question: Ifill: Palin "Blew Me Off".

Lolita Dorty, Lolita Princess, Lolita Goth, Lolita Pink

Ines has a penchant for costumes and consistently has fun dressing up as her favorite characters. Her Papa realizing she has struck upon a growing fashion trend called "Lolita" is glad to share her costume transformations with us all...

Scene: Ines checks her Dorothy costume in the mirror; Alfaro-Rodriguez residence.
Ines checks her Dorothy-costumed image. Since this picture was taken, she has outgrown this particular dress but a larger size was recently purchased just in time for Halloween.Scene: Ines closes her eyes and dreams; Houston's underground tunnel system (Shell Oil building).
She clearly loves to imitate her favorite princesses as she imitates Giselle in a scene from Enchanted. Scene: Ines strikes a pose wile Papa props her up.
Ines took the opportunity to make-believe she was a Goth grande dame in a Manon Lescaut (Puccini) costume during a Houston Grand Opera backstage tour.Scene: Pep models princess wares gifted by her cousin Carmen and Titi Karen; Kinney-Morrow residence.
Ines is all smiles when she wears her pink tutu and pink-petaled crown. She gladly shows support for Breast Cancer Awareness and her love for all things pink. Kawaii!

Lolita links:

*NY Times article: "A New Generation of Lolitas..."
*Guanabee article: "New York Lolitas..."
*IMF Music, Local Feed interview: Video interview with Lolita Princess Nana Kitada.

Bouncing Buddies

Rio and Miller became quick friends while their parents lived in an impromptu commune due to the Houston-wide power outage. During this period they would mutually observe, babble and giggle over the curious state of events.Scene: Miller plays in BabyBjorn Baby Sitter 1-2-3 while Rio holds her hand.

Miller hams it up for the camera while sitting in the "captain's chair" and Rio worries about his next Kashi "O" cereal ration.

Scene: Miller plays in a Graco Baby Einstein Activity Center at the Kinney Morrow residence.
These Boucing Buddies will continue their camaraderie on Thursday's VP debate. Perhaps Palin's comedic blunders will place a dimple or two on Miller's face and bring a hysterical yelp out of Rio.

Parenting Links OTD:

*Most Outrageous Parental news: Sharon Stone Wanted to Botox Her Son.
*Toddler Tats with a Purpose: Since kids like to play and the Holidays are coming, SafetyTats are a must!
*Bling Babies Love: Dr. Bloom's Chewable Jewelry or SmartMom Jewelry!
*Parent-Approved Mooching: BookMooch, now you can swap books for trees with Eco-Libris!