Soleil

Destin, Florida Beach Vacation – July 23-24, 2010

by dlcasas on August 6, 2010

7-23-10 Pretty Destin water behind Eliana

Friends:

After a breakneck three days at Universal Studios, it was time for some down time at the beach. We went to Destin, Florida for the pretty water and sugar white sands, still unspoiled by BP Oil.

7-23-10 Eliana builds a sand castle at Destin Beach, Florida

On our first day at the beach, the water was pretty nice. We swam, played in the sand, and relaxed.

7-23-10 Soleil and Eliana chill at the beach

Unfortunately, the second day at the beach wasn’t as great. Tropical Storm Bonnie was off the coast of Miami and wreaking havoc with the Gulf. The water was choppy, currents were strong, and I nearly drowned in an undertow. There was also a TON of slimy seaweed. I looked like the creature from the Black Lagoon. Ugh. But not in this picture! hahahaha

7-24-10 Because of Tropical Storm Bonnie, the water is rough and there is lots of seaweed

Here is Eliana chillin’ in her cute pink two-piece, listening to her jams.

7-24-10 Eliana chills with her music. What a cute bathing suit!

Here, you can see how dark and green the water is behind Eliana.

7-24-10 Eliana is a pretty pink beach bunny

But Soleil and Eliana made the most of their time at the beach, constructing a giant, bigger-than-lifesize, mermaid out of sand and seaweed.

7-24-10 Soleil and Eliana build a massive sand mermaid with seaweed hair

Here is a close-up of the seaweed goddess…

7-24-20 A close-up of Soleil's mermaid

Still, we had a wonderful time at the beach, my favorite place in the world to relax.

7-24-10 The classic Florida beach picture

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida – Thursday, July 22, 2010

by dlcasas on August 6, 2010

7-22-10 Family picture time!

Friends:

On our third and final day at Universal Studios, we did the regular park. Eliana took a picture with Digger, the NASCAR mascot. Vroooom!

7-22-10 Eliana and the NASCAR mascot, Digger

Our first stop was the Shrek 3D show. It was a lot of fun. Then we landed in Wakita, Kansas, home of the monster Twister!

7-22-10 Soleil & Eliana, watch out for those Twisters!

Then it was on to the Revenge of the Mummy ride. It was a great roller coaster ride through the Egyptian tombs. Eliana was screaming! Too bad I didn’t get a picture of that! Instead, here is a cutie patootie picture of Eliana Boop.

7-22-10 Eliana's red carpet moment

Afterwards, we stopped in New York for some pictures. Here is Antonio in front of his restaurant. LOL

7-22-10 Antonio in front of Antonio Calas Restaurant

Then it was time for a stop at the New York Public Library. Can you see me?

7-22-20 Dianne in front of the New York Public Library (set)

Then the girls traveled on to San Francisco…

7-22-10 Traversing the U.S., the girls are now in San Francisco

From there, we went to Amity, New York, home of JAWS!! Eliana was so scared on this ride. It really freaked her out. She sat on the side of the boat where Jaws came ripping out of the water, his jaws opening at us. We had the perfect spot but Eliana didn’t think so! This was the calm before the ride…

7-22-10 Oh No! It's JAWS!!

We ended our day in the park at the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Me, the big roller coaster scaredy cat, decided to ride. Eliana waited in the child swap. OMG. It was the scariest ride I’ve ever been on. I felt like I was going to fall out of my chair on the way up. The only cool thing about the ride was being able to pick your music to listen to. I was listening to the Black Eyed Peas – “No, no, no… don’t let me fall out!” was what I was singing!! Okay, never again! I was woozy and faint. Soleil and Antonio LOVED it. Soleil rode it TWICE!

7-22-10 Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket Roller Coaster

To finish the day, we had a wonderful meal at Emeril’s. The food was delicious and Eliana had FILET MIGNON from the kids’ menu!! She got to meet the executive sous chef and even tour the kitchen. That was the highlight of our little chef’s day! :)

7-22-10 Eliana eats filet migon from the kids' menu at Emeril's!

After that, we headed to Destin, Florida for a couple of relaxing days on the beach. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Soleil Moves Back into the LSU Dorm – Saturday, August 22, 2009

by dlcasas on August 22, 2009

8-22-09 Overlooking the lake

8-22-09 Overlooking the lake

Friends:

My 19 year old daughter moved back into the LSU dorms today. This dorm is significantly better than last year’s dorm, which was a barracks. Soleil was on the 3rd floor with no elevator and no lobby! This year, there is a lobby and it is spacious, with plenty of table for eating and studying. There is also an elevator, which made loading in so much easier. The dorms overlook a beautiful lake and is next door to the best dining hall (designed like a restaurant) on campus.

8-22-09 The lobby

8-22-09 The lobby

By default, I was given the job of organization. My mom brought my brother’s three girls and, along with Eliana and my hubby, helped unload the vehicles stuffed with Soleil’s belongings.

8-22-09 Nana and the girls

8-22-09 Nana and the girls

This room is also significantly better than last year’s room, with only one other roommate (she had two last year). While the room itself is smaller, there is plenty of deep, built-in storage. Soleil has one and a half closets and I took advantage of these closets by first creating a pantry in the half closet.

8-22-09 Pantry

8-22-09 Pantry

The other closet was organized and turned into clothes storage.

8-22-09 Clothes closet

8-22-09 Clothes closet

She has a shared desk area. It is long desk with two chairs and 2 shelves above. We decorated our side. :)

8-22-09 The desk

8-22-09 The desk

There wasn’t much room for the refrigerator so we had to place it in the corner behind the desk. It’s Soleil’s kitchenette center.

8-22-09 Kitchenette Center

8-22-09 Kitchenette Center

Finally, we come to the bed area. The extra long twin had plenty of underbed storage. I used this to store 4 large Rubbermaid tubs (three empty and one full of shoes) so there is plenty of room for growth. On the other side of the wall behind Soleil’s bed is the desk. We used last year’s color scheme – hot pink, black and white. It came out so cute. Command Strips and Command Strips hooks were used to affix the wall art. (Yes, she loves Marilyn.)

8-22-09 Soleil's bed

8-22-09 Soleil's bed

So that’s it. We survived last year, which was her first year in the dorms. This year is already going to be better (her room is right by the hall bathroom, which sports a nice size shower area and multiple sinks). Go Tigers and Go Soleil!

7-25-09 Soleil & Eliana in Cancun

7-25-09 Soleil & Eliana in Cancun

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 – Cooking Brings Us Together

by Dianne on September 24, 2008

Eliana Making Original Recipe - Ladybug Pizzettas

Eliana Making Original Recipe - Ladybug Pizzettas

Friends:

It’s been a few days since my last blog. I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen with my 8 year old daughter, Eliana. What a delight she is. I love being around her – her enthusiasm is contagious. Since we began her blog, Eliana Cooks! A Creative Kid in the Kitchen, Eliana has been working hard at her craft in the kitchen. We plan menus together, shop together, cook together, and blog together. Eliana has even started writing her very own recipes. She keeps a “Food Notes” journal. Her delight has inspired me to “get creative in the kitchen.” I cooked this meal for my famiy: grilled portabellas with chorizo stuffing in a chipotle adobo cream sauce, grilled stuffed Anaheim peppers, roasted sweet corn, and homemade salsa for a fabulous Fiesta dinner last night.

Portabella with chorizo stuffing in chipote adobo cream sauce, stuffed anaheim pepper, roasted sweet corn, and homemade salsa

Portabella with chorizo stuffing in chipote adobo cream sauce, stuffed anaheim pepper, roasted sweet corn, and homemade salsa

The past couple of days have been tough ones. Yesterday, we found out that my husband’s 55 year old uncle died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Our family is saddened and in shock. My husband just lost his father three months ago so this news came as a big blow. Please keep our family in your prayers.

I have some medical issues I am dealing with and had to have minor surgery today. I am okay – now awaiting test results, which is always nerve-wracking. But this little face helps to keep me going. What a sweetie!

Eliana Making Cream Soda Floats

Eliana Making Cream Soda Floats

Tonight, Eliana made me dinner since I had to take it easy. She made her original “Ladybug Pizzettas.” These mini pizzas were absolutely delicious. I would serve them at a party! Eliana and I plan to write a cookbook together, Cool Kids Cook! We look forward to developing recipes and spending more time cooking in the kitchen together. Eliana will post her recipe on her blog, Eliana Cooks! Check it out.

Eliana\'s Ladybug Pizzettas on the Plate

Eliana's Ladybug Pizzettas on the Plate

I am looking forward to tomorrow. I visit my 18 year old daughter, Soleil, in Baton Rouge. She will be accompanying me to the Baton Rouge Library’s Author-Illustrator program featuring Tedd Arnold. We are both very excited.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Loyola Day for Soleil; Saturday, April 5, 2008

by Dianne on April 6, 2008

Loyola Day - Student Affairs Panel 4-5-08

Friends:

On Saturday, we accompanied Soleil to Loyola University New Orleans for an introduction to the college. Soleil received a $72,000 scholarship offer from the university so we wanted to see if Loyola would be a good fit for Soleil. We attended panels and information sessions throughout the morning. In the early afternoon, we toured the Visual Arts building.

Loyola Day - Visual Arts Building 4-5-08

We met the department chair and faculty of the Visual Arts program. While Loyola is a beautiful college with a small, intimate campus set in the heart of the Garden District of New Orleans, we discovered that it wasn’t quite the right fit for Soleil. Soleil felt that the Visual Arts program was too small and they didn’t offer a major in illustration, which is what she is interested in. We will also be looking at the School of Visual Arts at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge). They also offered Soleil a substantial scholarship and financial aid package.

After Loyola, we ate at Slice, a delicious pizzeria on Magazine Street uptown. You can order pizza by the slice and the pieces are HUGE and yummy. Soleil discovered a “funny” on our receipt. See if you can catch it…

Loyola Day - Slice 4-5-08

Yes, that’s right. We had a slice of “ASS” for just $3.25! “ASS” stands for Artichoke, Spinach and Sun-dried tomatoes. Yes, the staff at Slice has a sense of humor…

Here is a picture of beautiful Soleil with her Dad.

Loyola Day - Soleil & Antonio 4-5-08

And Soleil with me…

Loyola Day - Soleil & Dianne 4-5-08

It’s hard to believe that my “baby” is all grown up now and going off to college… Sniffle! Graduation is just a few weeks away! But I know that wherever Soleil ends up going to college, she will not just survive, but thrive because she is that kind of person. Smart, caring, and incredibly talented. Not to mention gorgeous! Soleil, Dad and I will always be behind you, no matter what. You will reach the stars – skies the limit for you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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