Peppa Pig Impersonation Brought to You By Gia - My Flashback Friday 3/7/14

Our 7 year old daughter has always been our animated child. She loves to pretend to model, go into 'character', change her accent, and say and do some of the quirkiest things you can imagine. When she was 5 years old she loved to watch Peppa Pig and was a bit obsessed with it. Here is a clip of her in 'character'.

She has my vote for the best Peppa Pig/Suzy Sheep impersonation!

Written by: Aimee Fauci

A&E's 'Bates Motel' Season 1 Review

Recently I kept seeing the trailor for A&E's Bates Motel Season 2:

My first thought was 'Oh I like that song!' and then my second thought was 'How are they going to pull this show off?' Since I am a Netflix junkie I decided to find out for myself, so I looked up 'Bates Motel' Season 1 on Netflix. It only took me 1 1/2 days to watch the 10 episodes of the first season. 

I LOVED every episode and the producers put together an awesome cast. Each cast member did an amazing job portraying their character. Freddie Highmore plays Norman Bates and did a superb job with showing the different personalities that Norman has throughout his life; from his calm demeanor to the moments he snaps.Vera Farmiga plays Norma Bates and did a fascinating job at being the somewhat strong, but at times, troubled widow and at being the overbearing and over controlling mother to Norman. Then you have the quiet and respected Sheriff Zach Shelby who is played by Mike Vogel. Sheriff Shelby is portrayed as Norma's protector and someone she can trust; or can she. 

Bates Motel is a series that takes you back to the life of young Norman Bates, set in today's era. The first episode shows the death of Norman's father and how Norman and his mother came to purchase The Bates Motel. It is set in a small town called White Pine Bay, where everyone knows each other, talks about each other and the police are questionable. Norma's most important concern in her life is her son Norman; some would say their relationship is a bit sickening. It also seems as if Norman has an obsession over his mother as well; a type of obsession that prevents him from socializing properly with his peers. He is always worried about 'What Mother will think.'. 

Each episode keeps you waiting and wanting more. There is excitement and quite a bit of suspense. As I sat and watched each episode I kept asking myself if Norman was obsessed with his mother or if it was the other way around. I kept trying to figure out if Norman was just going through those odd teenage years or if he was actually a sick and twisted kid. As the season ends, you will be able to find these questions out. 

My review of the 'Bates Motel' Season 1 is a thumbs up. Like I stated, I enjoyed every episode and it had me on the edge of my seat. Season 1 is currently on Netflix and Season 2 is on A&E and can even be watched online at http://www.aetv.com/bates-motel. 

Let me know if you've watched and what you think.

Written by: Aimee Fauci

Our Texas Way of Attempting to Celebrate Fat Tuesday

Since I left the corporate world I have a tendency to forget about certain celebrations that happen in this huge world we live in. I would love to get myself in gear and make a conscious effort to begin to bring traditions related to certain celebrations into our home so that my girls can have awesome and fun family memories but at the same time learn.

The other day I walked into my girl's bedroom and my oldest said, 'Mommy, I am teaching Gia about Mari Gras (she said it with the 's').' She informed me that on Mardi Gras they wore awesome masks and beads. As she was educating me she was listening to a cable music channel that actually had Mardi Gras music and cool facts about the celebration.  It was after this conversation that I decided to try and have a mini Fat Tuesday celebration, but Texas style.

I cooked up some Jambalaya, but instead of using sausage I used turkey. Unfortunately, I was out of sausage and was too cheap to go to the store. SN- I secretly took out the red pepper chunk that is included in the rice mix. My husband did not say anything but instead grabbed the tabasco sauce and my oldest daughter LOVED it! 

I surprised my girls with a King Cake from HEB. I know to get the true experience of a King Cake I should have ordered one from a bakery, but this was last minute and like I said before, I can be cheap. Maybe next year I will have to try and make one from scratch. 

The girls were not a fan of the cake; they did not hate it but they did not rave over it. They complained of a jelly like flavor, but they liked the sugar. It is possible they were not a fan because it was store bought and did not have that fresh to order taste. 

My middle child was spirited and wore a purple, gold and green shirt along with the beads that came with the cake. I hot glued the 'baby' onto one of the bead strands to really add a Mardi Gras theme. I am sure she will have a lot of explaining to do at school with what that baby represents. 

Now I need to find a good King Cake recipe for next year.. must be prepared! 

Written by: Aimee Fauci

Before You Post.. Ask Yourself.. What Would My Mama Think?

Have you ever heard the phrase 'Think Before You Speak' or 'Be Careful With Your Words. Once They Are Said, They Can Only Be Forgiven Not Forgotten'?

We now live in the technology age, so we must also consider:

I will be the first to admit that I have posted stupid stuff on the internet via Facebook, but I try to learn from my mistakes. Sadly, too many people of all ages, preteens to senior citizens, do not always think before they post. Too often I see hate talk, be it against their own family, peers, classes or groups of people or against a person they are having a disagreement with. At times I also see snide comments about a particular person or inside jokes (that are not really inside but obvious) that are disgusting and hateful and so unnecessary. Why do people think this is necessary to do this? Do they feel like it makes them a bigger person? Does it make them feel stronger?

Often times I see or hear people say, 'It's my Wall, if you don't like it then delete me as a friend or don't look.' Sadly, this is not true, because 'your wall' is a public forum and many people see it and your mean words can affect families and friends of not only those that you are being mean to but to your own friends and family. 

How can my mean words affect my friends and family? The answer is simple- 

With all of this said, THINK before you not only speak, but before you tweet, facebook, blog or text. No matter your age you could find yourself in a situation that may tempt you to not think of other's feelings.  

If you can't THINK before you speak, tweet, facebook, blog, or text, then do the next best thing and ask yourself, 'What would my Mama think?'. 

Written by: Aimee Fauci

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins With a Dash of Cinnamon

I love to buy bananas so that I can watch them turn black and have a reason to make my world's famous Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins with a dash of Cinnamon! These muffins are dangerously addictive and are not healthy at all, but they are so good. When I make a batch of them I try to find people to give them away to, so my bottom won't outgrow my pants.

Please enjoy my world's famous recipe. You will thank me, but please be careful and try to have self control.

1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

2- Mash up 3-4 black bananas in a bowl.

3- Mix the ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, dash of salt, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of sugar,  1/3 cup melted butter

4- Add my SECRET ingredients- 1 tsp vanilla and a tbsp of ground cinnamon 

5- After you mix the ingredients add as many chocolate chips as you want because you can and you deserve it! I normally mix around 1 - 1 1/2 cups. 

6- Fill muffin cups halfway and bake for 23-30 minutes

7- When you smell the delicious aroma of chocolate and cinnamon and the muffins start to spring from the cup.. you will know they are done! When in doubt you can use the toothpick test that all mama's in America live by. Insert toothpick and if it comes out clean.. it's ready.

I hope you enjoy these, feel free to share this recipe, or pin this recipe for a later date. It's a guaranteed deliciousness in your belly!

Written by: Aimee Fauci

Vivien Thomas -- In Honor of Black History Month

Vivien Thomas

Where would my daughter be if it had not been for Vivien Thomas?

Here are some facts about Vivien Thomas:

• He grew up in Nashville and had hopes of becoming a doctor, but unfortunately the Great Depression changed his plans. He had to put his education on hold and he became a carpenter. 
• In 1930 he secured a job as a surgical research technician with Dr Alfred Blalock; however was classified and paid as a janitor. 
• On his first day of work, Thomas assisted Blalock on a surgical experiment on a dog. Quickly after, Thomas was beginning surgeries on his own. 
• By the mid 30's Thomas was doing the work of a postdoctoral researcher in the lab.
• In 1940 Blalock was offered the position of Chief of Surgery at John Hopkins and he requested that Thomas follow him. Many heads were turned as Vivien Thomas wore his white lab coat and walked past them in the halls of Hopkins.

Blue Baby Syndrome, aka Tetralogy of Fallot (SN- for those that read my blog during CHD Awareness Week you may remember my daughter was born with this.. read more here):

• In infants born with this defect, blood is shunted past the lungs, therefore creating oxygen deprivation and a blue appearance (hence blue baby).
• Blalock was approached by another cardiologist to find a solution.
• Thomas was assigned to create the same blue like condition in a dog and then correcting it. After around 200 dogs in two years, Thomas was able to replicate 2 of the 4 cardiac anomalies involved with Tetralogy of Fallot. 
• Even though Thomas was not allowed to operate on patients he still followed Blalock's rules and assisted him during surgeries. 
• Together as a team, Blalock and Thomas created a shunt, performed operations on more than 200 patients with the first year and had patients travel thousands of miles. 

There are so many interesting facts that surround the work and personal relationship with Vivien Thomas and Alfred Blalock; I could not possibly put them all on here. There is an HBO movie based on the life of Vivien Thomas called 'Something the Lord Made'. It is an amazing movies that details the life, the stresses and the successes of Vivien Thomas. Below is a clip of the movie:

I encourage each of you to take the time to watch this movie. This movie does an excellent job portraying an amazing human being and the miracle that he created with his two hands. Like I said above, where would my daughter be if it had not been for Vivien Thomas. 

Good news--- you can watch the full movie on Youtube.. click here!

Let me know what you think....

Written by: Aimee Fauci

My Review of the Show 'Weeds'.. I'm a Netflix Junkie

What can I say, I am a Netflix Junkie and I am behind the times. I am currently playing catch up on a lot of great shows that no one bothered to tell me about throughout the years.

My first television show series review will be on the American, dark comedy 'Weeds' that stars the beautiful and talented Mary-Louise Parker. (SN- some say Mary Louise Parker and I resemble one another)

Let me start by saying I can be oblivious to things, some would call me slow, dingy, or even 'air headish'; I prefer clueless. When I first decided to watch 'Weeds' I had no idea what the show was going to be about, but it did not take long (just a few minutes into the first episode) to figure it out ... Marijuana (hence the weed symbol next to the show title). 

Without giving too much away, if anything, the show is based on a suburban soccer mom named Nancy Botwin (Mary- Louise Parker). Her husband passes away suddenly and she is left to raise her two sons by herself, while jobless and still feeling obligated to continue to pay her housekeeper. So instead of trying to find a 9 to 5 job she begins to deal marijuana to her soccer dads, friends and anyone else that will buy from her.

Of course when you are in the drug dealing business there has to be excitement, near death experiences, a lot of 'adult' hanky panky, and edge of your seat moments. In addition, in the drug dealing business you never know who you can trust; one minute your friend will be your enemy and they will try and kill you for narking on them.

This show has a lot of interesting characters. Some of my favorite include: Isabelle (played by Allie Grant)- the over weight daughter of over bearing mom Celia (played by Elizabeth Perkins). Helia James (played by Tonye Patano)- a marijuana wholesaler that sells to Nancy and is very serious about what she does. Andy Bowtin (played by Justin Kirk)- Nancy's brother in law that moves himself in to Nancy's home and begins to try and becoome part of the marijuana business while trying to hide his feelings for his sister in law. There are a lot of great characters in this show; many that appear and then disappear and then reappear in later seasons.

There are 8 seasons of 'Weeds' and the first season aired in 2005 and the last in 2012. The first 6 episodes had me hooked completely, however the last 2 episodes dragged. I could tell that the show needed to come to an end during season 6.

For the first few seasons and the last few seasons of 'Weeds', the opening of the television show was great. The show opened with a song called 'Little Boxes'; which was sung by a variety of different people throughout the seasons. Here is a sample of the song sung by Malvina Reynolds.

I have to say that I am very glad that I finally took the time (approx 3 weeks) to watch 'Weeds'. With all of the drama and craziness of this cast of characters, it was overall a great show. That probably explains why the show lasted so long.

My name is Aimee and this is my review of 'Weeds' and I am a Netflix Junkie!

Let me know if you have watched this and what your thoughts are. Also let me know if you decide to watch; I promise, you will enjoy it!

Written by: Aimee Fauci