Our first Christmas at the new home was so much fun. We definitely had a great family time together as my husband took a couple of days off from work so that we could spend some quality time for each other. The kids baked some chocolate crinkles, the only cookies we baked for the Christmas season. We don't really bake a lot of cookies because I hate throwing out stale cookies. We only bake what we can eat.
These two always find something to do, it's either working together or annoying each other lol. I am glad that they are growing out of picking on each other with every little thing. I hope that from this time on, they would support each other all the time.
It's been a while since I used our video camcorder so I recorded them when they were making the chocolate crinkles and of course when they were eating it. I haven't uploaded the videos but glad I did. Over the course of their holiday break from school, we spent a lot of time watching the videos that my husband and I recorded when they were babies. I don't know why we stopped doing it after we came back from overseas but I am glad we started again. It's fun to watch them.
We attended the 5 o'clock mass on Christmas eve because both of the kids joined other children from St. Joseph's choir to sing at the said mass.
We got ready super early so we had time to take some family photos.
The little man did not want to wear his tux but went casual on his outfit.
We went to church at four, we were the first one to arrive so we got to choose the front seat, yes!
There's Fr. Dennis and the music director, Ms. Bernardi.
It was so much fun watching our kiddos mingle with other kids while waiting for the mass to start. They also had time to practice all of their songs.
Rylie was part of the Bell choir as well. They played certain songs with bells.
This year's mass was different because we didn't do the Christmas pageant so the mass was short.
My daughter is so small compared to her friends. Here she is with one of her best friends.
My little lady with Hannah and Juliana.
I was lucky to get some photos after the mass. Everybody crowd in front of the altar after the mass. Here they are with the Brady kids, Sophie and Nathan. These four are Fil-Ams.
Time flies, I can't believe my daughter will be driving in 4 more years. That would be exciting and a nervous stage for me lol. We had a great first Christmas at our new home, to God be the glory. May we all have a peaceful and prosperous new year!
Last Saturday, Rylie and other music students from Torrence Music played some Christmas songs at Serra Manor, am assisted living place for seniors. It was a great afternoon of music, some could not be there because of sickness but the ones who were did a really good job in entertaining the seniors. Np one really need a used fender telecaster but my daughter said that the piano's pedal there was sticking. Her teacher praised her for not getting distracted of the pedal as she continue playing even with the pedal malfunction. I will post a separate article with the video next time.
As part of our daughter's 11th birthday celebration, we went to Busch Gardens on Williamsburg, Virginia. We were supposed to come here when she turned ten but our vacation got cancelled due to kennel issue cancelling the boarding of our dog at the last minute. We finally got to see it this year.
We went there a little early so mist of the attraction aren't even opened yet lol. The very first thing that the kids tried is the Bert and Ernie's Loch adventure. Even though it was for little kids, they went for it because it was opened.
It's amazing to see how children's preferences come in play even on rides. They used to love this kind of rides but now, they act like embarrass on getting on it because they think they are "too old" for it, lol.
The good thing about going to an amusement park early is that, there is no lines to get in but the negative part is, most of the stuff aren't even operating yet lol. I think that all parts of the park should be open when they open the entrance.
Now that we have been in Busch Gardens, I can say that it was okay. It wasn't as great as I was expecting it to be. The only thing I love about it is that, it is very clean!
It's been 6 years since my daughter started school and she has been an active member of their music program. They just started their Bell choir again this year. Thank goodness, they don't need any roland td4 or any expensive gadget, they are just re-using the ones they had last year. I love seeing my kids participate in any music event in school, it makes me very happy and proud to see them on stage and especially in church. I can't believe how time flies, she is now in 6th grade and I don't even want to think that in few years, she will be driving.
Going to the beach is such an exciting thing to do for my kids. We live very far from the beach so once we get the chance, we make the most of it. This beach trip was not in our plan but thanks to a good friend for telling us different things we can do in Virginia, we got to enjoy amazing things!
I know that they were so excited to go to the water park but nothing is compared to the beach. They told us that this was better than the water park. I can tell also because they did not want to go back to the hotel. I just wish that we would have went there earlier so they could have enjoyed it longer.
These two are like peas in a pod. One moment they bicker with each other and most of the times they are best friends. I guess it is normal for siblings. It reminds me of the times when I was growing up. MY older brother was very strict and always scolding me and giving me sermon about things but at the end of the day. he was biggest supporter, a hero and a confidante.
They are only 18 months apart in age so they are almost like twins! I am glad that they are the way they are for each other.
I love watching them when in the water because they take care of each other. They look out for each other so I am always confident when they are with each other in the water.
The fun is not complete without my husband in there. He is the biggest kid among the three hehehe.
I always thank God for introducing me to a wonderful man, the father of my children and the love of my life. I love how engage he is when it comes to our children. He will do anything for them.
One thing about my husband that not a lot of people know is that, he is the most caring person I know. Some call him names but I really don't care because what is important is how he is to us, and that's the only thing that matters.
This is far better experience that we have, it was better than the one we had in Ocean City. Jamestown beach is a lot cleaner and a lot family friendly because it wasn't too crowded. Perfect to take your kids, even pets did have fun swimming on that beach. I would love to take our pets on this beach! I wish that we can go back there again someday.
If you are drawn to online shopping
because of convenience, there is another reason why you should give it a try –
shopping catalogues.
The retail shopping industry is a massive
blackhole that lures in consumers from all demographics and it can be
overwhelming and intimidating to shop, moreso if done online, when thousands of
choices are just available right at the tips of your fingers. The uncertainty
of not being able to get a great deal, not receiving the exact item you saw
online or just plain experiencing buyer’s remorse is enough for a shopper to
not continue.
That’s why pay monthly catalogues were made for
all shoppers. It has simplified the browsing process and allows you to
conveniently shop through hundreds of items at one convenient place. Think of
being in a virtual mall – anything you need from clothes, electronics, home
furniture, appliances or gift items – can be brought at this safe place.
Still not convinced? Here are more reasons
why you should consider giving shopping catalogues a try:
1. Better options. You have hundreds of
products to choose from – that’s true – and all of them are of quality. Think
of filtered choices. Catalogues give you those choices. And one more thing –
these filtered choices have your sizes. They almost always carry complete sizes
in stock of items they offer.
2. Delivered at your doorstep. As with all
online shopping products, these are delivered right at your doorstep. There is
no need to even go out!
3. Friendly payment methods. This is what
sets shopping catalogues from the rest. When you subscribe to them, you would
need to open a credit account that allows you these options:
Load them up as you wish, and spend it
like debit (prepaid cards).
Spread your payments, depending on terms
most convenient and doable for you.
Buy now, pay later. You can also opt to
defer payments until a set number of months and start paying with interest on
the agreed time period. This is a strategic way to map out big-ticket
purchases.
4. Return for replacement or refund,
guaranteed. This is something online shoppers inadvertently experience at least
once. With shopping catalogues, you can easily return it for replacement or
refund, without no questions asked.
Raising two very different child can be quite challenging but we make it work. They have a very different personality and different interests but one thing for sure that they are very similar is being a computer savvy. They know more about computer stuff that me! Too bad, they are not here to help me out because I have no clue what korg legacy collection is lol. Sometimes, they would tell me things that they know how to do and ask me "Did you know that Mom?" Makes me feel like I was born in 1800s ha ha ha. However, their use of gadgets and computers is limited and monitored because we have to, as parents we have to stay vigilant of what our kids are doing online. They are real dangers out there and it is our responsibility to protect them.
Our son is very interested with Football. He tried to sign up last year but only 4th graders were allowed to sign up to Jr. Dons football team. So after the tennis season have ended, we signed him up for the football camp that Madonna High School offered. They offered 8-week football camp for free so he had fun with that one.
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This month, they began training for football, he is officially on the Jr. Football team which he is very excited about. They have practice everyday of the week so that is kind of tiring for him although we encourage him to stick to it since it would benefit him as he would be stronger.
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Football is something I never thought I would let my son play because based from the games I have watched, it looks very dangerous but since he is passionate about it, I am letting him try it. Besides, it's one of my husband's dream for EJ, to be a football player. He said that he really wanted to play football when he was young but since his Mom did not drive and his Dad was always at work, nobody could drive him to practice and games.
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I never could understand the rules of football before but now, I am starting to get it slowly just listening to my husband and son talk about it. Even my daughter is excited that her brother is playing.
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To play football, every player is required to have a medical certificate so we took him to Weirton Medical Center when they conducted their free exam for it. It is nice that WMC does it annually for free. We will need to buy him a sports goggles because he has an eye condition like me.
A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on
On our 13th wedding anniversary , we had to cut our dinner date because our son's team had their first scrimmage . The team from Follansbee came and played with the Jr. Dons team.
EJ was very nervous as he hasn't learn a lot of technique in playing the game but we told him to just enjoy the experience.
The coaches told us that the team they are playing against has been playing for few years now as oppose to our team who had just began training this year so we might not get the result we want in a game but he said that it is okay because they just want the kids to experience how it is to play in a game.
As expected, they did not win but it was a a great learning experience.
It was really nice to watch. I was surprised of how come I was. Usually, I get really nervous when the kids gave to perform or play a game but this time, I was calm and just totally enjoyed watching.
My daughter however was very nervous. She was scared that her little brother will get hurt but the coach assures us that no big kid will tackle the small kids which was a relief for me.
I am not sure if my so is suppose to be a wide receiver but he never got the ball, it was never pass to him. I think part of me was hoping that he would catch a ball and do a touchdown lol.
It's funny how serious other parents are from the other team. They brought cow bell and were yelling and screaming. We, on the other side was just quiet and was enjoying the game. I cringed when I heard someone screams at their kids to put the other kids in a hurt locker. I mean, they are just kids, I think we should just chill and let them play.
It was a really nice game to watch, what a way to end the day to our 13th wedding anniversary . It was very special. They will be having a game every Wednesday now so they have been training every day of the week. The kids won't be able to attend the tennis this Fall so we have been bringing them to the tennis court and play with them every chance we get. It's a great family bonding as well.
