SSS #264: October 2024 Recap

Livin' La Vida Luna y Luca

Pro Tip: When your kids are actin' a fool in the coffee shop, throw them on chairs so high they can't get down and walk away. Problem solved.

Last month was productive, but I've been too focused on business.

Let's catch up on some personal happenings.

We started the month off on the wrong foot.

We had to say goodbye to my Mami (Mom's Brother's Wife), Heena Tamakuwala.

I lacked the courage to speak at her funeral, but I sent what I would have said to my cousin through text.

I'll only share the last part:

I won't bore you with the details of our 5-day trip to Mexico.

I will, however, share a few takeaways from this trip that I want to remember for next time.

5 days is the perfect amount of time. Last year we went for 2 weeks and Dia caught me checking the United App for how much it would cost to come back sooner. That fight lasted longer than I care to admit. 😬
Independence is the ultimate luxury. I had trouble enjoying last year's trip because we were too dependent on Dia's family to do anything. This year, we nipped that in the bud. We kept the keys of the car with car seats and moved about as we pleased. We informed everyone about our whereabouts via the family group chat and whoever wanted to join, joined. Being in control >>>
Weather conditions can make or break a vacation. Last year we went in July. It was 80+ degrees at night and there was no A/C so we slept with the windows open. Those Mexican mosquitos prefer American blood. The kids and I got eaten alive. Dia went untouched. October, however, was perfect. 50/60s at night and mid-to-high 70s during the day.
Try to do something out of the ordinary. We did a full family photo shoot in Coyoacan. It was the first time Dia's family did something like that and the pics came out so well. We also celebrated our 9-year wedding anniversary with friends at a pretty sweet sushi restaurant. 10/10 recommend both.

Maintain accretive relationships. The other guy in this picture is Jorge. He was my roommate for the entirety of the study abroad trip where Dia and I met. We've seen each other maybe once a year since, but each meeting is like no time passed since the last. Feel v lucky to have maintained this friendship.

Again, I'm not going to bore you with the details of the trip. Just want to share a few takeaways.

You can't un-see or un-experience a thing. Our friends booked an amazing beachfront AirBnB in what seemed to be the center of everything. They also rented a 6-pax golf cart to get around the island. They also arranged for Cape May swag and matching pajamas for everyone in the house upon arrival. Every "surprise & delight" moment left me with this feeling of... "So this is what it looks like when you crank the "how to be a good host dial" to 12/10." It was a masterclass and I feel compelled to step my game up.
Seeing other people love and take care of your children never gets old. Our kids all but traded us in for the weekend. Luna and Aunt Amanda were attached at the hip while Luca put Uncle Gabe's lower back to the test with all the tossing and climbing. The number of secure attachments a child has is integral to their emotional, mental, and social well-being. We're so grateful our kids had the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with "Hannamanna" & "Uncle Gabey" over a long weekend in paradise.