School Party

Yesterday, we celebrated our school Christmas party and it was successful. The parents (this time i am from the other side of the fence, since i am now a teacher .. hehehe) had a great time watching their children perform dance and song numbers. Our yearly exchange gift was a blast and everyone was happy since we changed the mechanics and drawed names days before the party so the gifts are more personalized and not just get a unisex (usually a towel, lol!) gift. The kids loved their gifts and were playing with them aready even before the party ended.

Vacation time officially starts!

Yey!

Gifts Gifts Gifts

My Christmas shopping is in full swing and hopefully by the tomorrow i am done. Whew. I love buying things for my kids and would love to see their reactions when they receive them, makes all the lining up at the cashier worth it! I am doubly excited to see Christian's face when he opens his gift ... i got him an iphone that he has been eyeing on for some time. It really will surprise him because i am not showing any interest when he is telling me the features of the phone ... hahaha! I love giving gifts than receiving them ... maybe it becomes like that when you have kids and an endearing unsuspecting husband. lol!

In just a few days .... Christmas is here!

Chess Master

Vin has been asking me to buy him a chess board. I look at him and think this is another spur of the moment i like the picture on the box kind of thing, lol! He is only six years old and a chess game has a lot of rules so i never took him seriously.

Yesterday, after being bombarded with requests to please buy him one, i gave in. The moment we got home he said, "Mama, i will challenge you, okay?" I said, "Sure, Vin. I will just wash up then i will follow you in the room to play one game." Boy, was i suprised to see the board and chess pieces laid out and set up in the right positions! He even said "You can be white, and white always moves first." Whoa!

It turns out my papa taught him to play chess once when we visited them, and he never forgot it. I felt so proud and kind of ashamed with myself ...tee hee!

I may be having a future chess master and i did not even know it.

He won our game by the way.

We played again and this time i won ... hahaha! Bad mama!

Mais Con Hielo

Yummy!

Christian and i made our very own chilling dessert at home. We bought milk and cream style corn, crushed some ice and presto a very sweet and cool ending to our meal. I am thinking of bringing some for our weekend get together at my sister's house too. I wonder who will be able to steer away from it even if my cousins have vowed to get some serious weight loss this year, hahaha! But with all the Christmas reunions and parties coming i doubt they will be able to hold on their promise. There is always next year to take it up, or as i would always say, everything in moderation so everybody happy!

Morning Mass

"Simbang Gabi" is nearing ... it's our traditional early morning (4:30 am) mass that will start on December 16 and will go on for nine consecutive days. It is a feat if you can complete the nine day masses all the way up to Christmas. I have completed it when i was younger and this time i want to do it again this time with Bea and Sam. I want them to experience it as this is a tradition that we Filipinos celebrate. After the mass there are traditional bibingka and puto bumbong (sweet rice cakes) being sold with hot chocolate or tea to make you feel warm and combat the crisp and chilly morning breeze.

I will ask the kids if they want to do it with me this year. I am sure this is something we will always remember.

Dream Kitchen

Who doesn't have one?

All homemakers and even some men (that i personally know) has an ultimate dream to have a fully equipped state of the art kitchen area. I actually have some pieces that i already want to have from the tiles to be used, kitchen faucets, stove and cutlery. I want a sparkling white work area where i can have everything i need within my reach and ready to be used. I love to cook and i would really have a ball if i had my dream kitchen to reality.

Someday .... soon!

Tanned

Bea has been going to soccer games for three consecutive weekends and she her skin has turned dark. Her skin is not like mine that do not tan but burn and then back to white ... she on the other hand tans then darkens some more. My sister who has not seen for a while noticed Bea's change in skin color the moment they saw each other. I should apply sunscreen lotion on her and maybe get a Sun Hat to shield the harmful rays and still have fun. It is such a refreshing change to see Bea play outdoor and not just be in front of the televesion or the computer ... kids are made to play in the sun and have fun!

Its In The Air

Christmas is in the air!

I love this time of the year!

Just seeing the Christmas lights, christmas garland, colorful window displays plus the accompaniment of well-loved Christmas carols is enough to keep me festive amidst the long queues at the the cashier. This is really the season where one can smile at each other and wish each other well. Whenever we are going home and we pass by people with Christmas baskets and goodies you will know that they have just been to their office parties and that indedd the big day is coming really soon.

I wonder what Santa will give the kids this year ... have to be creative!