Socamom.com... because motherhood is CAH-NEE-VAL!

Three of the Trinidadian Sextuplets Have Gone Home; Two Have Died

Just a two months ago, I shared the Trinidad and Tobago government's plans to "co-parent" the first sextuplets born in the Caribbean (en/news/814-first-sextuplets-in-the-caribbean-born-in-trinidad). As co-parents of these national treasures, I am sure they share in the mourning of the babies' biological parents, Petra Lee Foon, a teacher, and Kieron Cummings, a bank employee. Paeton Christopher Lee Foon Cummings, the youngest of...

Kids and Culture Camp 2013 in Washington, DC

This year, Kids and Culture Camp will be held in Washington DC from June 24th to July 19th. All of the 3 to 5 age class is full, there are a few spaces in the 6 to 8 class, and a few spaces, as well as scholarships, available for the 9 to 12 year old group. Egypt, Hawaii, Mexico, and India...

Homeschooling Resources from the Titus 2:1 Conference

This weekend I am at the Titus 2:1 Conference - a Christian Homeschooling Blogging Conference (http://www.2to1conference.com/)… yes, there really is a conference for everything. I found it last year during a Google Search, and rushed to call my husband to find out if it was cool if I went on such short notice. His reply was, “I guess that would...

Interview with Socially Diverse: Eva Chats with James Walker About Being a Caribbean Parenting Blogger

Recently, I was featured on fellow Caribbean American, PR professional, and social media enthusiast James Walker's blog, Socially Diverse (http://sociallydiverse.posterous.com/add-a-touch-of-culture-to-family-life-with-so) (@jaywalk1 on Twitter). The thing that I love about doing interviews is that they make me think about things that I haven't really considered before. A lot of times, you don't really acknowledge what you feel about certain issues until someone...

Can You Hear Me? I Love You: Oprah's Lifeclass with Dr. Gary Chapman, Author of...

Image: Oprah Winfrey Network's Lifeclass with Dr. Gary Chapman This Valentine's Day, I'll bet somebody received diamonds, when they'd rather have had some quality time on the couch watching a movie. Someone got quality time on the couch watching a movie, when they'd rather have had the dishes washed and put away. Someone else got the house cleaned from top to...

Choubles Introduced in #Trinidad - Chinese Doubles?

Photo: Screen Capture from Choubles Promo Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnBPU8xwfpo) Russell Aching and his wife, Joelle Bellemare-Aching, head up the advertising agency Saga Studios (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saga-Studios/138293076195547). Choubles started as a quick question to friends and has become yet another step evolution of doubles, a popular food in Trinidad. When speaking with the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2013-02-27/food-fusion-brings-cultures-together-double-chouble), Russel Aching says, “We do a lot of out-of-the-box creative stuff for our...

10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Connected to Caribbean Culture on Outlish.com

I am always looking for opportunities to connect my children to their Caribbean roots, through food, music, history, and activities. The SocaMom.com article I wrote about how I keep my kids connected to Caribbean culture has been published on Outlish.com! If you haven't read it already - check it out on Outlish.com (http://www.outlish.com/10-ways-to-keep-your-kids-connected-to-caribbean-culture/).

New Free Download! Caribbean Word Search Activity Page

One of my missions is to provide ways to help parents keep their kids (or get their kids) connected to Caribbean culture. If you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooling parent, you can use our activity pages to introduce your children to the Caribbean region. One great way to familiarize your children, students, or yourself with a region, is to...

Making a Carnival Headpiece for Your Child!

With Carnival happening all over the world, from Trinidad to Toronto, there are many opportunities throughout the year to introduce your children to one of the most recognizable and entertaining facets of Caribbean culture. Here is a fun craft project to get you and your child involved in the festivities. Anyone who has taken kids to a Disney theme park knows...

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Sandy Leaves the Caribbean and Heads for the East Coast

Friday, 26 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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Image from Weather.gov

When we emigrate from the Caribbean, we may leave behind family, friends, and depending where you live, great food - but one thing that follows us when we move to New York, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida... hurricanes.

As I type this, it still looks like 4 am, because the sky is dark, and all is quiet. It's 8:15. Early - but not at all bright.

Find this and about 80 more videos on severe weather preparedness at http://www.youtube.com/user/usweathergov. Visit Weather.gov for more information on getting ready for Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy is on its way. I looked into the fridge this morning to get breakfast, and it is definitely not hurricane ready - or is it? Our local power company is known for its weeks long outages, so maybe an empty fridge is best. High winds, rain, flooding, and falling rocks have killed at least 21 people in the Caribbean, and people on the east coast here in the US, especially the mid-Atlantic states, are bracing for what is becoming known as the "Franken-storm". Usually when something gets named BEFORE the storm hits - it's not a big deal. When it is named afterwards, a la "Snowmageddon" - it is pretty bad (I ended up stranded in Aruba during that one... I could think of worse places to be stranded). Not sure which one this will be, but it sure is quiet. Calm before the storm?

Seems as though the weather conditions for this particular storm are unusual, sending my fellow East Coasters into a serious, and most likely necessary, panic. No time like the present to visit the midwest?

Yesterday, Sandy was blowing rooftops off of homes, dropping trees, and collapsing buildings from Cuba to the Bahamas. Haiti was not hit directly, but it blames nine deaths on the storm. Day before yesterday, falling rocks killed one person in Jamaica. South Florida, which is seen by some as the second Caribbean because of its large population of people of Caribbean descent, is feeling the effects of Sandy too.

The Bahamas seem to be getting the worst of Sandy. Power outages and damaged buildings have plagued the island chain since Wednesday. Today's the day that Sandy is expected to end her Caribbean tour, and land in New York and/or Boston. Landfall by the slower moving Sandy is predicted to have a significant financial impact on the East coast even though it isn't as strong as previous storms that have caused major damage.

Are you ready for Sandy? If your community is in Sandy's path, watch the videos on severe weather preparedness at http://www.youtube.com/user/usweathergov. Visit Weather.gov for more information on getting ready for Sandy's arrival.

Stay safe everyone!

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

The War on Germs...

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Eva Wilson

I'm sick. So my house smells like all kindsa cleaning products - none of them "green" - I have to get over my need for things to SMELL clean (not that I would know because I really can't smell anything right now).

Anytime a parent gets sick, we secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) blame our kids for bringing something yucky home to share. When I am out with the kids - it is war time.

I don't think I'm that old. I do remember when there was no such thing as anti-bacterial soap, outside of hospitals. I also remember when hand sanitizer didn't exist for the general public. Now it is a staple in classrooms, grocery stores, desk drawers, and pocketbooks everywhere.

So the kids know mommy has "issues". I do battle with germs on the daily... sometimes in my mind - sometimes with the Clorox wipes. Yep, I have issues.

I LOVE the smell of Dettol. Sounds crazy, I know - but it just means clean to me, like the smell of bleach equates clean in America.

Now, am I that crazy mom running behind her kids with wipes? No... not that anyone can see - and I definitely don't run, but I am on the look out for ways to keep my kids from getting sick. As a homeschooling mom, the show must go on when one kid gets sick, so prevention for me is key. Homeschool doesn't mean always home for us though.

The boys have soccer, baby girl has ballet, and both have the potential to expose them to infection in locker rooms and on the soccer field. One of the most difficult infections to treat in kids and adults is MRSA. Here's what the National Library of Medicine's website says about MRSA:

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

The Best Part of Being Sick - @CiaoBellaGelato

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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I'm sick.

It's not something that I am usually willing to admit to, but the charade is over. It started yesterday when I found myself getting the scratchy throat and chills. I don't do sick. I have too much to do to be sick. I can't be sick. I have kids to teach, a house to try to clean, writing to do.

I gave in and admitted it to the world.

Officially sick. Ugh. I hope the hubby brings home a good treat tonight, like ice cream. I need treats, access to the DVR, and Theraflu.
— SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) October 23, 2012

Ask and it will be given to you... Luke 11:9 (NIV)

Well I asked for something cold and citrus-y to soothe my sore throat and look what he brought home!

I wonder if he knows how much I loved the Ciao Bella Key Lime Graham sandwiches (Gelato Squares) that I got from BJ's last year. They were so good - I didn't share, and I look for them every time I go in to shop. Not that I need it, but I just want it.

Still haven't found them... :(

I didn't get the DVR, but I got a treat and Theraflu - 2 out of three? Not bad at all.

Right this very minute - my idea of a great party would be to drop the kids off at my cousin's house and get in the bed with what's left of my Ciao Bella Key Lime Graham Gelato, but no such luck. I am doing what I do - making meals, teaching, blogging, and making pretty pictures for people.

What's your ideal party? You can win your perfect party from Ciao Bella by pinning your ideas on Pinterest! Make your board, and then go here: https://www.facebook.com/ciaobella/app_287097404729008 to for official rules and to enter. All you need to do is include one Adonia flavor and one Ciao Bella gelato or sorbet flavor.

The sweepstakes is open now through October 26th.

If you decide to enter, put the URL to your pinterest board in the comments (not part of the contest - just so we can all check out your party board). If you win - I'll expect an invitation!

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) to be Held in Washington DC

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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For 19 years, Caribbean American visionaries have been honored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, DC. This year, the honorees include a jazz musician, football player (soccer), and the editor in chief of Essence Magazine. This year, it will be held on November 16th at the Capitol Hilton Hotel. It will be hosted by Maureen Bunyan and Neki Mohan.

The president of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson was honored earlier this year as a White House Champion of Change - I was privileged to be able to attend the event honoring Dr. Nelson and others who were being honored for their work in building bridges between the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States.

“Our 2012 list of honorees is a true reflection of the rich heritage of the region. And as we focus on the milestones of Jamaica as well as Trinidad & Tobago celebrating their 50^th Anniversary, we have been lucky to have honorees who represent some of the best talents of these two countries,” Dr. Nelson added. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating these nine individuals but also these landmarks in Caribbean history.”

Proceeds from the CARAH Awards support ICS programs including LIFESeed, a youth entrepreneurship training program; the Annual Caribbean American Legislative Week; AllSPICE during Caribbean American Heritage Month and Embassy Evenings. To learn more about the Caribbean American Heritage Awards, visit www.caribbeanheritageawards.org.

Tickets are available online only. Click here to Purchase Tickets.

More about the honorees...

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

Winter Blues? Brighten Up and Lighten Up!

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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As the days get shorter and colder, I am working vigorously to keep myself out of a fall funk.

I started after brunch with some of my favorite DC area bloggers this Sunday, with a stroll down Connecticut Ave. I used to work in the area, and I was happy to see that one of my favorite stores was still there.

It looks like I won't be able to make GHOE (the Greatest Homecoming on Earth - Aggie Pride!), but I still made a hopeful GHOE outfit purchase that made me think of fall sunshine. Most people are all on the pumpkin thing right now with oranges and browns. I did something a little different with some yellow and gray.

Photo from Gap.com

Only thing I didn't do was skip out of the store - I probably would have if I didn't have those insanely high heels on... I mean, it was brunch - high ridiculous heels are essential - am I right? Yes... Yes, I am right.

Just added some sunshine yellow to my fall wardrobe from @gap... Warm, sunny sweaters for when the days get gray! #happy
— SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) October 21, 2012

@socamomdc Glad to hear that! Everyone needs a little yellow in their wardrobe. #bebright
— Gap (@Gap) October 21, 2012

Being from the south, with Caribbean blood, being cold is not my cup of tea... ever. With each brisk wind, and each afternoon that seems darker than the last, I thought back to a trip I made to Brookstone for a blogging event last year, and a wonderful little light that could have the power to help me harness my joy - the joy that seems to hibernate in the winter. It's called the "Happy Light".

Photo from Amazon.com

When I saw it, I was thinking - why is a little happiness THIS expensive? So I checked on Amazon.com and found some that were on a super sale. You can get one for as little as around $39 ! The ones that are $89 on Brookstone.com, are only about $63 using this link - last I checked there were 10 left in stock.

Not bad...

Here's what they say about "mood, energy, and revitalization lights" on Verilux's (the manufacturer) website:

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

New Meetup Group: Brooklyn, NY!

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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We have a brand new Meetup group for Caribbean American Moms in Brooklyn, NY! This new meetup group is free to join, and is now open to new members. We have three events on the calendar, and we are looking forward to bringing together a wonderful group of moms. New to Brooklyn? This is a great way to meet moms of similar background, and keep your kids connected to Caribbean culture at the same time.

Do you love planning events? Live in or near Brooklyn? Join the meetup group and send me a message letting me know your level of interest in planning and organizing events for the Caribbean moms in your area. These events can be as simple as days in the park, to mom's nights out. All countries welcome. If you are not in the Brooklyn area, there is a meetup group in the Washington, DC area. More meetup groups coming soon. Got a Caribbean connection? Just love Caribbean culture? Join us! One Love...

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora Annual Awards Gala

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Eva Wilson

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Invites You to the

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER GALA

(Proceeds to Benefit SACD’s Scholarship Fund)

“Celebrating Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago 50th Independence and Progress”

Honorees include: Colette Cyrus-Burnette, CEO, NY Super Wings & Patrick Maitland, Publisher, Street Hype Newspaper

Saturday November 17, 2012 from 7:00PM to 12:00AM at Metcalfe Hall

Luntey Commons - Brooklyn Campus/ Long Island University (Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues)

ADMISSION: $70.00 per Guest, Children under 10 Free (Includes Food and Drinks-Buffet Style)

STUDENTS: $60.00 with ID and 1 year FREE Membership with SACD

For Information Call: 917-771-7935

Music by Shock Wave Sound!

Click here for tickets: http://sacddinnergala2012.eventbrite.com/

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Author Profile: Eva Wilson - Website

Eva is the administrator and blogger for SocaMom.com. Follow her on Twitter at @socamomdc.

West Indian Love!

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Hot Peppa Sauce

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After seeing just one comic, I was a fan.

I am not Guyanese, but a lot of these comics are universally funny - West Indian or not. Here's what they say about themselves over at Hot Peppa Sauce:

"Hot Peppa Sauce(HPS) started as a joke. A joke that turned into a comic strip.That strip was originally meant to be a drawing exercise. But now, HPS has become a project to take over the world with West Indian awesomeness. We're serious. We believe that we, along with other West Indians scattered across the globe, have something tremendously worth sharing with each other, and with the world." - Hot Peppa Sauce

We exchanged some emails, and guess what? You can check out Hot Peppa Sauce comics weekly here on SocaMom.com. How amazing is that? Here's the first one - enjoy!

Hot Peppa Sauce Comics :: hotpeppasauce.net

HPS Links - Twitter | Facebook | Website

Please note that the opinions expressed by guest bloggers and contributors may not reflect the opinions of Eva Wilson or SocaMom.com. This post may contain external links, that cause you to leave SocaMom.com. We are not responsible for the content of those links. Please visit the author's website for more information, and to read more of their work.

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Author Profile: Hot Peppa Sauce - Website

Hot Peppa Sauce(HPS) started as a joke. A joke that turned into a comic strip.That strip was originally meant to be a drawing exercise. But now, HPS has become a project to take over the world with West Indian awesomeness. We're serious. We believe that we, along with other West Indians scattered across the globe, have something tremendously worth sharing with each other, and with the world.