We Got the Keys!

Poco a poquito, con mucho amor.

Can you believe we're already halfway through October?! Oh boy, where has the time gone?!

September was a special month for our family. We officially signed the lease for Solecito Play Café, and just like that, October brought us the keys to our little dream!

There is still paperwork to complete, permits to work through, and plenty of things happening behind the scenes. But all in due time. I truly can't complain about the process. Along the way, we've met some wonderful people who have offered guidance, patience, and understanding as I navigate this journey as a first-time business owner. For that, I'm incredibly grateful.

The Moment It Became Real

I'll never forget the feeling of walking into our space with our girls and seeing them realize, this is it! This is where Solecito will come to life!

Their excitement was contagious! What warmed my heart the most wasn't that they were imagining all the playing they would get to do. Instead, they were already talking about helping, welcoming families, and bringing smiles to others. Not once was it about "We're going to play here all day!" It was about "We're going to help!"

And that, to me, speaks volumes about the little people they are becoming.

For a few minutes, there were curls bouncing, laughter, and a little game of hide-and-seek. Their voices echoed through the empty space. No furniture, no play structures, no colorful walls just yet. Just an empty room filled with positive vibes, love, and laughter.

Someday, that same space will be filled with children making memories of their own. But for that moment, it was ours, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

A Warm Welcome to the Neighborhood

Another special part of that week was meeting our neighbors! If you've been a Plainfield resident for a while, you might already know exactly where our little sun will shine. We're nestled between some wonderful local businesses, including Beggars Pizza and Carobright Beauty Supply & Braiding.

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan from Beggars Pizza and Caro, owner of Carobright Beauty Supply & Braiding. How humbling it was to find myself surrounded by women entrepreneurs who have been serving their community for years!

Both took a little time to share their stories, experiences, and words of wisdom. One message that stayed with me was the importance of family and never losing sight of what matters most. Family first. Always.

Those conversations filled my heart with joy and gratitude. As someone just beginning this chapter, it meant so much to receive such a warm welcome. And it reminded me of something I've believed from the beginning: Solecito isn't just about opening a business. It's about becoming part of a community, building relationships, and creating a place where families feel they belong.

A Little Moment of Gratitude

That week was full of emotions, and we wanted to take a moment to soak it all in. We made our way to St. Mary Immaculate Church, where we spent some quiet time in the chapel giving thanks for our blessings and praying for everything and everyone.

Sometimes, with everything happening in our world, it can be difficult not to think about the scary or uncertain parts of life. But un poquito de amor, faith, and hope for a better world can go a long way. At the end of the day, that's what we want to do. Live a life where we can make positive changes, however small they may be. Pasito a pasito. Every day is a blessing.

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. As we walked out that evening, we caught a glimpse of the sun setting in the west. What a view! One of those simple moments that makes you stop and appreciate everything around you.

To my girls, thank you for your patience, your enthusiasm, and for reminding us to enjoy the little moments along the way. We ended our day with dinner and a little cheer to celebrate. We knew things were about to get busier, but for that evening, we simply enjoyed how far we'd come.

One Thing at a Time, One Day at a Time

Having worked as an administrative assistant for many years, I've learned that staying organized can make all the difference. And oh boy, has that come in handy lately!

Between homeschooling, work, family life, permits, phone calls, follow-ups, and the never-ending to-do lists, there's always something waiting to be done. But I've reminded myself that not everything needs to happen in one day. One task at a time. One follow-up at a time. One little step closer.

We're learning to embrace the process rather than rush through it.

From Keys to Colors... and Flooring!

The following week brought one of the fun parts: COLOR! Our girls were all in for this one! Paintbrushes in hand, they enjoyed exploring the bright, vibrant colors that will soon bring Solecito to life. Orange, yellow, turquoise, pink, and blue! A little bit of sunshine, a little bit of our culture, and a whole lot of personality.

Then came the flooring adventure! Let's just say this wasn't their favorite part of the process. LOL! It was a long day that started early with T-ball, followed by trips to different locations to pick up flooring. Of course, they managed to find their own entertainment running down the aisles! A late lunch and some chocolate cookies were definitely the highlights of their day. But they pulled through, and we made another little step forward.

And now, here we are, halfway through October! This week's agenda? CLEANUP TIME! Bring on the buckets, gloves, cleaning supplies, and most importantly... the ENERGY! ¡Ay, ay, ay! ¡Vámonos!

Our Little Sun Is Getting Ready to Shine

There's still a lot to do before we can officially welcome families through our doors. Some days will be exciting, some will be exhausting, and I'm sure there will be plenty of unexpected moments in between. But every little step is part of the story.

When I think about that first day with our keys, I don't think about the empty walls or everything that still needs to be done. I think about the laughter echoing through the room, the warm welcome from our neighbors, the quiet moment of gratitude in the chapel, and the two little girls who are already so excited to help bring smiles to others.

Those are the memories I want to hold on to.

To everyone who has encouraged us, shared advice, offered a helping hand, or simply followed along on this journey, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We're getting closer, and we couldn't be more grateful.

Poco a poquito, con mucho amor. Our little sun is on the rise, Plainfield!

With love, Nadia & the Solecito Family

Play. Learn. Celebrate. 📍 Coming Soon | Plainfield, Illinois