Christmas Eve 2016

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!

Music Event at A Senior's Place

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.

Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure @BuschGardens

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!  

Music Program in School

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.  

Fun Time at the Beach in Jamestown, Virginia

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.  

Reasons Why You Should Subscribe to Shopping Catalogues

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.

Computer Savvy KIds

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.