A Post-Christmas (Pre-New Year) Post

Inspired by Maqui's post on wanting to start 2013 with fresh, new entries, allow me to cram and type away some of the stuff I've been meaning to blog about since last month.

First off.. something holidays-related.  If last year I said christmas wasn't felt as much as it used to (did I really say that?), this year beats that record.  The first days of December became so busy and has carried over until, well, today.  The sad part is that all (save one) of the get-togethers I expected never happened.  There are still two post-holiday "parties" lined up for January though.  Still, I miss family and friends!

Here are some of the photos I gathered from christmas week which summarizes how it was spent.  These were at the Santa's Village in Eton City.  Good marketing strategy here!

We spent 24th and 25th mostly at home (we were just tired to do anything else!), we just went out out of boredom.  Haha!

Two words to describe our christmas this year - TIRED and LAZY.  Babawi na lang kami next year.  Hehe.  But nevertheless, it's still filled with LOVE. :) Hope you all had a great one!

Holiday Greeting

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

Marcus-isms

Little Dude playing bowling (he's sooo addicted to this lately) in our room while the hubster is sleeping. Getting annoyed with all the noise, hubster sits up and asks his son to stop playing.

Dad: (grabs some pins) Marcus, no more.
Marcus: (points to the bed) No, dad. Go back to sleep!

So, who's the boss now? Hihi

-

While I was busy munching on chestnuts, little dude gets my hand and insists on "fixing" the pins, which actually meant positioning them into a triangle for him to, again, play bowling.

Marcus: Mom, arrange please!
Me: Wait, baby. Mom's eating.
After a few minutes...
Marcus: Mom, that's enough!

Did my son just imply his mom's matakaw?!!!

---

Little Dude wakes up before mommy does, surprised to find out that he doesn't have pajamas on (I removed it because he peed in his pants that night.)

Marcus: Uh-oh. What's this?! (Gets up and heads to the door)
Me: Marcus, why? Where are you going?
Marcus: Get pants. Wait lang, Ma. Don't move ha. Stay there.
Me: (thinking - alam kaya nya where to get his pajamas?)

-

One day while we were watching Avengers on DVD...

Dad: (pointing to the TV) Marcus, who's that? Do you know them? Ironman... Thor...
Marcus: Gangnam style?!

Wahahahahahahahaha!!!

Mom's Tears

Yesterday morning, I shed mother's tears.

Since about two months ago, the Little Dude doesn't run after us when we leave for work anymore.  He'd just give us kisses and hugs and say "take care! love you!" before he waves goodbye from our front door.  It made me less guilty that I had to leave him with just his yaya because, well, he just looked happy and looking forward to school.

Yesterday, however, as we started the car, I saw his eyes well up.  It was a look he always has when he's trying to hold back tears.  (I am still amazed at how "grown up" he's acting like.  Sometimes when he's hurt or when we get mad at him, he'd deny he's sad but you can see his eyes becoming watery.)  I knew in my heart that he misses me and didn't want me to go.  It broke my heart into tiny little pieces.

You see, for the last 8 days, I've been leaving the house earlier than usual (once he was still asleep!) and going home later in the evening.  We only have about 2 hours of time together daily to make the most out of. I really wish there was some way I could stretch the 24 hours in a day to make time for all the fun things I would've wanted to do with Marcus.

Oh, my baby, I hope you know I have to do this for you, so that someday mommy doesn't need to be away from you ever.  I miss you too.  Terribly.

Cousins

When I was younger, I was close to my cousins from my mother's side.  I'd stay at their house during summer vacation.  I don't have female cousins who are the same age as me though, so I always end up spending time with the boys until I became an adolescent and my older ate's tagged me along their dates with their boyfriends.  Hahaha!

However, my other female cousins (there's only four of us) have migrated abroad or is busy doing college stuff now.  It's actually a bit sad that I don't get to spend time to gossip and share stuff with them unlike before. The only bright side is that when we meet, it's like picking up exactly where we left off!

I hope little dude and his cousin, Jaela, who's the daughter of my only brother, grows up to be close like a barkada until they get old.  It's challenging though because my bro's family is based in Singapore and they only get to see each other on special ocassions.  I hope, too, that Marcus has more cousins in the future.  Or maybe a sister or another brother too? #iWish

Look at this photo, which was taken when we picked them up from the airport.  Notice that they're holding hands?  Well at least my little one is, the girl is a suplada here.  Hehe.

The Last Day of November

Where did November go?!! Days are flying by so fast these days, I want to just scream and say "freeeeeeeze"! A lot has been happening (and bound to change!) lately it's a wonder I'm still able to get my act together. Well, somehow.

This month, I have:
1. Been chief coordinator for a very good friend's wedding
2. Made arrangements for the floor plan and drawings of our future house
3. Trained and turned over 4 years worth of "stuff"
4. Done some christmas shopping
5. Attended a house blessing for the same friend in #1
6. Drafted a script and shot scenes for my team's year-end presentation
7. Met new people over at my soon-to-be new world

The rest of my year is almost full as well! So far our family calendar says we have 2 kiddie parties and 4 christmas parties to go to. My brother's family and my best friend is coming home from Singapore too, so a lot of get togethers are bound to happen. And then there's christmas, my dad's birthday, new year, and little dude's 3rd birthday. Wheeew! I already got tired just enumerating those. I need all the superwifey (and supermommy) energy I can have!

Today, the last day of the month, however, allow me to get a little sentimental. I feel like I just broke up with a boyfriend. This morning, it dawned on me with a few tears in my eyes. Words fail me for now but I promise to blog about it soon. Don't worry, it's just a little sad, not bad. :)

Christmas Wishlist

This year, I vowed to be a wise superwifey (and supermommy, of course) by not cramming for christmas presents. For years, that has been the case but this time around my planning skills will make sure it doesn't happen again. It should save me from all the last-minute stress of having to make my way to a long line at the cashier, of not getting what exactly I want because it's out of stock, of staying up late to wrap gifts, and of ending up going overbudget.

So far, I've already managed to buy stuff for some of our tita's, neighbors, and little dude's classmates and teachers. Not bad, right? Next week, I'll be hunting gifts for the younger ones. I'm so proud of myself for coming up with a list categorized by gender and age. Hihi.

Now, off to my subject. Here are some of the things I'd love to get (not necessarily as a gift but could be something I'd buy for myself) this christmas:

1. A 3-in-1 printer, photocopier, and scanner for my DIY projects. Thanks to Pinterest, I've got a ton of things I'd like to make at home. This is for the Martha in me. :)

2. New scent - this one I'll probably buy for myself at a discounted rate (wink!)p

3. Cardigans, coats, and cover-ups I can use with my office clothes (again, wink!)

4. A new bag. Just so.

5. Mommy planner for 2013 either from momme or mommymundo. I'd really want to efficiently juggle mommy life and career life so being organized is key.

7. Magic Sing - ok ok let me explain. I'm not a singer. But I'd love to be. Feeling ko kulang lang ako sa practice e. Hahaha! But seriously, I'm thinking it's a good and enjoyable (for me, that is) way to introduce singing to little dude.

How about you, what are your wishlists like? :)

Wedding Anniversary Celeb at Canyon Cove

Last month, Jax and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary (also our ninth as a couple).  Yes, it's been THAT long but sometimes it felt as if it was just yesterday. :)

Even way back when we were just boyfriend-girlfriend, we take turns planning our getaway.  This year, it was Hubby's turn.  I was already getting a little irritated disappointed when a week before, he still hasn't figured out where we're going to celebrate.  He just said he wanted to go to the beach since little dude has not been to one, but he still has not made any reservations.

Finally, three days before the weekend of our anniversary, Jax made a booking at Canyon Cove.  He was initially looking at Virgin Beach but when I reminded him that he mentioned he wanted to take us to Canyon Cove when he went there with his officemates for a teambuilding months ago, he decided we should go there instead.

It took us about two hours to get to our beach destination.  The trip was fast and smooth except that we had to stop a few times because little dude would throw up.  He's like that, getting dizzy on long rides, that's why we always have a plastic barf bag ready.

 

Here he is, ready for the car ride to the beach!  (pre-throw up episodes)

Nice, clean, large pools for every size, shape, and form.  Hehe

at the lobby, waiting for dad to check-in

Since check-in to our room was at 12nn and we were already there by 11am, we decided to go to the beachfront. I was surprised to see that the sand was white, fine, and well-maintained.  Marcus enjoyed playing with the sand and waves!  They also have nice, spacious cabanas you can use to leave your stuff, eat, or even sleep.  (Jax and I spent some time there in the afternoon for our annual "planning".)    

I love that they're best friends. :)

Thanks, yaya, for this photo.  Haha!

 

"Dad, can we bring some of this sand home??!"

Sand, sea, and little dude.  What a pretty sight!



Shortly after, it was time to check in to our room.  We got a Deluxe Unit which was big enoughfor 3 adults and 1 kid.  We were planning to get an extra bed for yaya but the receptionist was kind enough to say that yaya can just use the daybed instead since it was big enough for one person anyway.  The room was neat and orderly but you can say from the looks (and somehow the smell) that it's already old, especially the CR.  Still, the airconditioner and TV worked fine so no complains whatsoever.   I like the balcony!

 



Elevator shot. Going up to our room!



my only photo of the room (obviously not taken upon check-in)

view from the balcony

Our overnight stay was spent lounging around, eating, swimming, playing with sand, and talking -priceless family bonding!  How I wish we could have vacations like this more often.

 

I realized this is the only couple shot we have from our camera!

The PP - pogi pose!

best friend floater taught him to wade in the water

Daddy making McQueen out of sand

three sandy pairs

family on the beach!

My Loves!

 

 

 

Our stay in Canyon Cove was short but sweet.  I'd give the resort a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for the warm & friendly service, wonderful views of the sun and waves, alert staff (especially the lifeguards, who quickly rescued the kid Marcus was playing with who fell on the pool - scary!!!), and relatively clean facilities.  What would make a perfect rating though was an improvement on their food.  Since bringing in of food weren't allowed, I expected scrumptious food, much to my dismay.  I haven't been to a lot of resorts (not so much of a beachbum ever since) but I'd still go back here for a mini-vacay though I'll probably just go out for meals.  Hehe.  

 

Thank you, Jax, for arranging our anniversary this year.  Cheers to more years together!  Hopefully next year we'd be able to cross out one item off our anniversary destination wishlist. :)



Halloween 2012

This year is Marcus' first taste of halloween.  Last year was supposed to be but we ended up spending part of the holidays in Asian Hospital.

Sick little dude and the Plants vs Zombies team of nurses at AHMD

For this year, I insisted (Jax is such a grinch on practially all forms of celebration!) that we finally get little dude a costume.  I'm so glad we did because Marcus was able to use it in two different occassions.

I've asked a few officemates to guess what we got for our little boy, with the only clue being "It's so predictable."  Guess how many of them guessed it right?  Almost 100%! Haha!  Marcus went as (whatelse?!) a racer dude.

Here's at the halloween event in his school.  Party before sem break!!!

The bad thing about this costume is that he kept on trying to remove the lock at the collar.  Must be itchy.

 

The Lightning McQueen costume came with a "helmet".

 

With some of his classmates.  He's obviously the youngest at his school.

 

Watching halloween-themed cartoons.

 

Little dude joining the musical chair game while eating chocolate

 And here's when we went trick-or-treating in our village...

See how he wants to remove the velcro in the collar?

Not scared at all!

Complete with his kart!  The dad wouldn't want him to wear the "helmet" anymore. 
The cap looked more real and champion-ish (whatever!), according to him.

We went around with Marcus on his kart.  Jax made "reinforcements" though for when the little dude gets tired of pedalling (which he eventually did).  I, on the other hand, was driving the car in case they BOTH get exhausted and needed to jump in to go home.  Hihi.

Love how the neighborhood really prepared for this.

With all the walking, part of me wished (again) little dude had friends to do this with.  The other part of me though was just happy to be the first people he gets to experiences these things with.  In a few more years, he probably wouldn't want to go anywhere with me anymore *dreading that day!* so might as well enjoy this stage.  Gosh, baby, please don't grow up so fast...