Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, a great reason to fly the American flag and sing the Star Spangled Banner.

Here are 2 of my favorite renditions of our National Anthem.

Morris at 22 months old, and Whitney Houston.

Both of them give me chills.

Which one is your favorite?

It's official: this guy loves me!

Who is he?

• Full Name: Fernando Torres
• Squad No: 9
• Position: Forward
• Age: 26
• Birth Date: Mar 20, 1984
• Birth Place: Fuenlabrada, Madrid
• Height: 6' 1'' (1.85m)
• Weight: 174 lbs (78.7 kg)

What better way to profess your love for someone than tatting their name on your body?

He has "nora" tatted on his right forearm.

After shielding numerous calls from espn and tmz inquiring about my connection with Torres (not really, I'm totally lying), I did some research and discovered that Nora is the name of his daughter. He has his wife's name, Olalla on his opposite arm.

Still gotta love it. 

He's on the far left...note the "NORA" tatt on his right arm

Fernando, his wife, and the "other" Nora

As a mom, I try to make the holidays fun for the kids.

I want them to enjoy childhood and the innocence and fun of being a kid.

So, when the Fourth of July started rolling around, I started thinking about a fun family tradition.

Fireworks came to mind, but then I remembered I have an insane, rough and tough 5 year old and a curious 1 year old. Matches, fire, and explosions are probably not the best thing for us to be experimenting with in the backyard.

Baking is fun and easy. Sugar is a key ingredient, and it requires minimal use of knives and a hot oven. Maybe Morris will be game.

The "Flag Cake" seemed like a very appropriate recipe for celebrating the Fourth. It's a recipe from Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network). I love her style of classic elegance. I was ready to take it on.

Before I proceed I must warn you that I have a cooking dysfunction. I am "recipe intolerant." This means that no matter what the recipe says, I never follow it completely. I don't know why. But for some reason, butter, cream cheese, and sugar always seem to make their way into everything I cook (even if it's mac and cheese).Since these were already in the recipe, it seemed like a winner.

This recipe was for a very large cake. Immediately I strayed from Ina's instructions. I cut the recipe in half to make a smaller version. Well, I sort of threw in extra butter, sugar, and vanilla. As for the icing, I used the same ingredients, but again I did my own thing as far as the portions go.

I also changed the flag "toppings". She used blueberries and raspberries. I used blackberries and strawberries. Subtle differences to accommodate my picky palette.

Nonetheless, it turned out great. The cake has pretty thick texture similar to a pound cake. I made the traditional cream cheese icing (the same one I use for Hummingbird Cake, Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake).

I had fun making and eating it with the boys. We will definitely add it to our 4th of July family traditions.

And just for added fun, we lit candles and sang happy birthday to America.

Alicia Keys is preggers by her fiance, Swizz Beatz.

She looks beautiful pregnant. I think this is the prettiest I've ever seen her. Her skin is flawless and she looks so happy.

I'm just wondering how she's gonna keep her highlights up. I remember everyone chewing me out about hair dye when I was pregnant with Mo (Not that I followed all the rules, just an observation). Maybe it's an entertainment industry secret or some "natural" dye. Do tell!!!!

I predict and will anxiously anticipate an album about motherhood in her future. Motherhood changes you, Alicia. Welcome to the club!!!!

Check her out 5 months pregnant (and glowing) performing on Good Morning America. Cute lil baby bump. Go Alicia!

Great hair

Tons of personality

Endurance

Heart

6-packs and pecs

What's NOT to love about the FIFA World Cup?!

Gotta love soccer players.

I am having such a ball watching the World Cup. Yeah, I watch the World Cup like men read Playboy for the articles. But hey, I played soccer as a kid so somewhere I think the fundamentals and true love for the game got instilled in me.

The best part of the World Cup? The post-match tradition of players exchanging sweat-soaked shirts with members of the opposing team. Well, that's the 2nd best part. The bestest part is when it is recorded, documented and shown on my 40 inch HD tv screen. YEAH BOIIIII!

This display of  sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie should be a general practice that all men do when they meet. How do I get this bill to Washington????

I'm lovin the 2010 FIFA World Cup!!!!

Today is my mom's birthday.

There would be no Hot Mama without Hot Mama's Mama.

Wishing her a happy happy birthday!!!!!

3 Gemini and an Aries.

i am not a makeup junkie. A little lipgloss, a little mascara, a good moisturizer and viola'. So, this allows me to really focus on my staples. I finally found a great lipgloss that I am in love with. The YSL gloss pur line is my favorite!

*it smells like mango

*it isn't sticky and chunky

*there are amazing colors

I really hate when I wear my hair down and a few strands grace my lips then my hair is just glued to my mouth. Yuck. So disgusting. And my hair is usually dirty since I only wash it a few times a month. Anyway, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) makes the best lipgloss. It's a little pricey at $30 but well worth it. 

And for you flashier moms, there are a few colors that have real 24K gold flakes in it for that extra shine. 

ENJOY!

Morris and Bronson are 4 years apart, but their birthdays are 2 weeks apart. So, the summer is a busy time.

Bronson is 2 today, and the 2nd one definitely goes by quicker.

Happy Birthday to my little "B"...

Look at that great penmanship and precision of the letters...

I love public school!

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and respect for those that have died serving our nation.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

As a mom, my heart goes out the many moms that have children in the armed forces as well as the many moms serving our country.

Recently, Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, was photographed in his pink "I Love NY" boxers and flip flops. He rushed from his sleeping quarters on to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions.

These men and women have so much pride, honor, courage, and integrity.

No matter what your stance is on the war, or your political affiliation, please take a moment to remember and honor those that have died fighting for our many freedoms.

A special Memorial Day honor to my dad, Retired Reserve Army Lt. Colonel Gus Strassburger and one of my BFF's (and Hot Mama) Air Force Major L.B Slade.

THANK YOU