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A Family Field Day thanks to @EscapePR

April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Payasos en A Jugar en Familia

I remember as a Kid how much I looked forward to having the annual field day. It happened one day a year and it created some enjoyable moments where we all exercised, competed, and had fun while our parents and teachers where present.

Living in Bridgeport, Connecticut being outdoors with your elementary school classmates and family members was a privilege, not only was the cold weather a factor Bridgeport had a very high crime rate which was a bigger threat. Staying indoors as much as possible was the best thing anyone could do especially if you lived in a high crime area like I did.

The Outdoors

I moved  back to Puerto Rico when I was 12 because my parents wanted a better style of life for us. Moving back really helped me enjoy the outdoors. I had the liberty of taking my bike out, running, playing sports, and other games as long as I informed mom and dad where I was.

Clown mom To be

Clown mom To be Posing

Now that I run my own business on many occasions I want to go outdoors but I get caught stuck indoors, building websites and applications, and performing administrative tasks.

In an effort to get out of the office, I attended an event a week ago called “A Jugar en Familia” created for the benefit of a Non For Profit called Escape.

A Jugar en Familia A Family Field Day

We arrived at El Morro a little just after the rain had stopped. Curious enough we drove in the rain for 85% of the 1 hour+ drive up to San Juan and we where happy that it stopped so the event could go on.

A Jugar en Familia is an event built to unite families to play together  while enjoying the games we used to play as kids. Games like 1,2,3 Pescáo, Tug-o- War, and Sack Races.  Although competition seems to be in everyone’s nature, it was great to see how people competed and  connected with complete strangers while playing along with their families as if they had known each other for quite some time.

Games Played

The games where well organized and the folks of Party Creators did an awesome job at keeping the energy up and making everyone feel involved. I admire the talent of the folks that made it look like it was something easy to take upon. Having run an event just last month I know from experience that what they were doing involved lots of planning and good management of logistics.

They also had a Group of Clowns who involved the kids and the crowd during the show. These clowns triggered one of my childhood memories since one of the skits was choreography of Iris Chacon’s entrance to her old school show. As a kid for some strange reason it was appropriate for families to sit down and watch the Iris Chacon show. Looking back their where many hidden messages that where probably best for an adult audience.

I had an old neighbor ,called don Siso, who at an early age taught me geography, history, and a few lessons that would carry with me for the rest of the 32 years I celebrated yesterday. For some reason he and his wife would not miss Iris Chacon’s show. Watching these clowns with their kid friendly skit transported me back to the 80’s where Don Siso (an Iris Chacon fan who passed away when I was about 8 years old) played a key role teaching me at an early age many lessons I would continue to use.

The Sponsors Enhanced the Experience

The sponsors of the event “ A Jugar en Familia” provided services that where needed. Similac had a tent with some shade, fans, changing tables and comfortable seats so mothers could breastfeed (something Lucy took advantage of). Being that Similac is baby formula I have to applaud them on creating a place to promote breastfeeding. Tying sponsors to making the event more enjoyable was something I applaud the folks from Escape for doing.

Scavenger Hunt

ATT Puerto Rico also mixed a bit of history with some QR codes and put up 5 stations where you would have to move from station to station based on the clues.

The setup was challenging for an adult to think a bit but easily done when an adult and kid would pair up.  Since our daughter at 15 months was small for most of the games, she enjoyed playing and walking on the grass while I went to complete the five stations.

Family First

Overall we had an awesome time in a relaxed environment. We also had our First Family Picnic. I am waiting for the next invite of similar events. But until that happens I am looking forward to researching Escape and looking for ways I can support more organizations like  Escape.

It’s Never Too Late

If you did not make it to the event, take an hour this week and take your children, nephews, or family members outdoors and play some 1,2,3 Pescao and then stop by the Escape website and make a small donation to support their efforts.

If  you would like to be notified about future events like this one, feel free to subscribe to the Papaheroes newsletter and we will gladly contact you in your email.

For now feel free to hug someone near you!

Free Hugs

Filed Under: Events, Papá Heroes Tagged With: , , , ,

Earth Day everyday in Puerto Rico

April 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

My immediate and extended family has always been known to plant and grow flowers, vegetable, and fruits. I remember my mom nurtured a banana tree in our home and went it got too big, she donated the tree to the school she worked at where they made it a science project.

Earth Day in Puerto Rico

I have never been a plant person or cared for them really. I think I sabotaged many of my mom’s growing efforts as a kid by breaking some leaves and  was never committed to watering anything. I never liked when guys attempted to give me flowers. Yes I am weird that way.

Putting a joke into Practice

My cousin Elena lives in New Jersey and she grows plants in and outdoors. She posted pictures of her plants one day and I told her I had a brown thumb. She was a bit surprised to know that the Martinez Green Thumb had passed me by but encouraged me to start growing plants.

Elena's outdoor garden from a previous year.

I remember telling her in January when I got our first plants of coriander, chives, and a collard green plant that I was going to start growing. I also decided to grow, from seeds, collard greens and basil. She encouraged me to turn my brown thumb into a green one. Many of the seeds and plants in our garden have been purchased at the Organic Farmer’s Market in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Planting with Daniela

Since January I have been committed to watering my plants everyday. I added a Moringa plant to the bunch and had some other plants that look like cactus and grow flowers on the top. I also had another plant that my godmother gave me about a year ago that miraculously survived our move and no water.

Planting coriander seeds at our home.

We planted some Coriander seeds with Daniela so she could continue to learn how to plant and grow her own herbs. I took the seeds right from our plant.

Coriander seeds waiting to be planted

 

Coconut Husk Cup

We also visited the Organic Market in San Juan, Puerto Rico where the farmers and customers were celebrating Earth Day. There was Kirtan music, dancing, and poems read thanking the Earth for all of the bountiful fruits and vegetables the farmer’s have grown throughout the year. As one gentleman put it, for him everyday is Earth Day.

Cutting coconuts at the Organic Farmer's Market

 

There was an activity for the children organized by one of the parents whose husband sells all sorts of natural juices and fresh coconuts. You get to buy a coconut, drink the water, and then eat the pulp. The mom gave a brief explanation of the activity and asked who wanted to use the coconut husk as a planter or cup. I chose a cup for Daniela and we decided to take it home to paint.

 

Children at the Farmer's Market painting coconut husks

 

I had her fingerpaint some of the coconut husk and I finished the rest for her since she was more interested in playing with the rocks outside. Since we did this morning I am going to let it dry and she can use it later on to drink or even eat snacks out of it.

In our house we always say we celebrate everday in Puerto Rico and Earth Day should be everyday.

What types of activities are you teaching your children about helping maintain a healthy Earth?

Thanks to my cousin Elena Tirado for her photo.

All other photos were taken by Lucy Feliciano and Raul Colon.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Art, Crafts, Education, Events, Papá Heroes Tagged With: , , ,

Three Kings Day in the Caribbean

January 5, 2012 by 3 Comments

 

Happy New Year to all who read us at PapaHeroes and beyond! Thanks for your support during the year with your comments on Facebook, Twitter, and this site. We hope you begin your year filled with a positive attitude!

Three Kings Day or Día de Los Reyes

We are still celebrating on the island of Puerto Rico with the holiday of The Epiphany , Three Kings Day or in Spanish Dia de Los Reyes, which is January 6th. The Epiphany is celebrated throughout certain European countries, Latin American countries, and those in certain Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico! As children we are told to put hay under our beds in a box so when the Three Kings come to leave gifts, their camels will have something to eat. The Epiphany is a religious holiday where Kings Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar traveled to bring gifts to Baby Jesus by following the North Star. For more historical facts you can go here.

Puerto Rico’s Three Kings Caravan

Last year Daniela was just days old when her grandparents, great-grandmother, and uncle came bearing gifts to receive her into this new tradition of celebrating The Epiphany. On Wednesday night we heard sirens and music playing around our neighborhood and we knew that the caravan of The Three Kings was close by.

As a gift to the boys and girls, the Mayor of the towns will have men dress up as the Three Kings, play music, and bring gifts in the form of balls and candy to the children. When we heard the caravan coming near our neighborhood, I went outside with Daniela and hurried down the street to see the Three Kings tossing treats for all. We actually waited to see them come back up the street and Daniela received a red ball and some candies. The best part was seeing Daniela dance to the tropical beats emanating from the huge speakers. Our dog JuanGa was super excited to see the ball bouncing about and Raul had to keep him calm.

Castillo Serrallés Ponce, Puerto Rico

Last night we joined Raul’s Uncle Irving and Grandmother Lydia in Ponce, Puerto Rico to take pictures with the Three Kings and tour the grounds of the old Castillo Serrallés. The Castillo Serrallés was once the house of a very prominent family in the town of Ponce, Puerto Rico. They are also the originators of creating Puerto Rican Rum called Don Q. The house sits atop of a mountain over looking the center of town or el pueblo. During the day you can see the ocean and at one point in time, the cargo ships coming into port from all over the world.

 

They had traditional Puerto Rican music which my daughter enjoyed. She was dancing as soon as we got to where the band was playing. They had popcorn for the kids, face painting, a table where you could write your wish to the Three Kings, access to the beautiful gardens, and a photo opportunity with the Three Kings. There was also a display of a Winter Wonderland inside of the Castillo Serrallés. It depicted the village from the Polar Express movie as was explained to us by the tour guide.

We were entertained by a musician and to end  the evening, there was a show of lights coordinated by the staff who work at the Castillo Serrallés. As my daughter gets older, she will appreciate this tradition of the Three Kings as her Uncle Irving has an extensive collection between paintings and figurines.

Daniela helped decorate the box this evening

Tonight we will decorate a box and fill it with some grass from the yard. We will put it under Daniela’s crib and count our blessings that our close family and friends celebrated the holidays this year with us in Puerto Rico.

As the holidays come to an end, what memories did you or your families enjoy the most?

What tradition(s) did you start with your children this year?

 

 

Filed Under: Family, Papá Heroes, Traditions Tagged With: , , , , ,