2015 YearEnder Party

Christmas flew just by but the memories one occasion makes will stay forever. That is why I blog in the first place, to record special memoirs of our family life.

The girls (and us) opened our presents on Christmas Eve. Lia was delighted with her little bike. Ashrie was surprised because the ones she thought were dummy or decorative presents were actually presents for her. And both Jane and I, who for the longest time were saying that we will not buy gifts each other, actually have surprises too!

 
Two days after, it's the Year-End Party at the casa where we've prepared a simple dinner party for friends. This has been the third year we are hosting this event.

We agreed to wear the same color that night and all showed up in various shades of green. Dressing up in one color was both fun and interesting and it set the mood for the party.

The girls, Ashrie and Lia donned neon green clothes while Jane and I wore the darkest shades of the color. We were able to take a few snaps before our guests arrive. 

     

For the table, we've decided that it'll be a buffet setup this year. I made use of my newly bought dinnerware, propped in some fresh branches, pine cones, and bamboo mats. We opted for a no-disposable tableware. All in all, it was very casual but still stylish. 

   

Here's our menu:

After dinner, we had a small gift exchange. One that is prepared ahead of time and we had a Secret Santa. The funny thing is, because the adults were just six, we kinda guessed each other's giftee even before the event. But it was sure fun. We did an online draw app weeks before and Jane was actually assigned to be my Santa.

And guess who had a blast? the kiddos of course. Ashrie, Lia and Danah had an awesome time playing. They did a lot in such a short time. They open gifts, play with the gifts, do Play-Doh, read, and color. They also ran and jumped as though they have a quota to finish before the year ends.

We finished almost before midnight and bade sweet farewell.

Like what we will do in a few days time as this is the last week of 2015. This year has been very challenging for us and we are grateful to God for everything. We hope and pray that 2016 will be a better year for all of us. 

See you in 2016!

Christmas At The Casa 2015

As you might have peeked on how we decorated for Christmas this year on my previous post, well this post is all about that entirely. 

This year, we're decking the halls with the classic Christmas colors of red, green, and gold. We used glittered cone trees, a Fa La La La La garland and small presents on top of the HEMNES bureau, which I always consider as a mantel. Those boxes really have gifts for friends inside. So a good tip would be to wrap your presents beautifully and in the same color-theme so you'll have an instant additional decor for the holidays.

I also made a Christmas Card garland for the dining area which were actually Christmas art prints because nobody's mailing cards anymore these days. And if there are people who still do, I am not receiving any. :(

The tree is adorned with our old gold, silver and crystal ornaments and accented with a new red ones. All our presents are either in glossy and matte red or brown paper packages tied up with a nice bow. We also moved the tree from its yearly corner location to this space between the living and dining areas. We love its new place so we can enjoy a closer view while dining and how it welcomes you with a great vista from the main door and from the bedrooms. 

And hey, it's actually three sleeps before Christmas. Merry Christmas to one and all!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" ~ Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Tito AR's Despedida

Last night, we hosted a casual dinner for my brother's departure to the Philippines. Finally, after five long years in Singapore and frequent travels to many countries in Asia, it's his homecoming. Our parents would be so happy to spend the Christmas holidays with him.

We served Jane's Spaghetti, Fried Chicken Wings and Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. I set the table simply with white dinnerware, silver cutlery and napkin rings, blue and pink serviettes, and placed a fresh, blooming African Violet plant as a centerpiece.

We have the Titas as special guests which were our housemates when AR was still staying with us. The get-together lasted until almost midnight and we had loads of laughter.

Until next time Tito AR!

We still have a year-ender party to host next week and we are looking forward to that. But for now, let Me&MyGirls greet you a very Merry Christmas.

Pine Cone Wreath DIY

Here's a very easy DIY project that we did for the Christmas Season. So simple, you can finish this craft in fifteen minutes! No kidding. And all I spent for this was just $4 SGD, because I used the leftover spray paint from my Sunburst Mirror DIY.

I bought my two prefab wreaths from DAISO at Ion Orchard B4, and all I did was the assembly into a single wreath and painting.

Materials:

1 Big Pine Cone Wreath

1 Small Pine Cone Wreath

KRYLON Metallic Paint in Gold Foil

Procedure:

1. The sizes of the two wreaths fit perfectly together. So without any fasteners or glue, attach the small wreath onto the big wreath by gently intertwining their bracks. Make sure the hanging strings are both on one side. You need to tie them together so that the smaller wreath will also be supported when hung.

2. Spray paint the wreath making sure every nook and cranny is painted. It is better to do layers of light coats than a quick thick spray.

3. Air-dry and hang. 

Enjoy crafting and Merry Christmas!

Ashrie's Graduation Ceremony

Last Saturday was Ashrie's Graduation Ceremony. I guess I have been expecting too much because I'm kinda disappointed with what happened. For me, the event would have been better had it been reworded as Graduation Photo Session and not Ceremony. You see, I did not hear any Aida March, nor the National Anthem, or even one of the student's names or even their teacher's names. The student's didn't even held their diploma.

Here's what happened. The parents sent their children to PCF Blk 677 an hour before the event time which was very near the Graduation venue, Woodlands Galaxy Community Club. The parents then waited in the hall for the event to start. The ceremony was basically a speech from the current MP and then the K2 classes were called one by one. The MP shook their hands as they made their way to their seats. One student held a tray of rolled "diplomas". And they pose for a Graduation class photo, one in a serious face, and one in a showing a hand "peace" sign.

And then after the shoot, they took off their togas so that the other class can wear it. I picked Ashrie up and we headed home. That's it.

Looking on the brighter side, all these doesn't negate the fact that Ashrie has leveled up and come next year, she will attend the big school. And as simple and unceremonious it all might have been, Congratulations to our dear daughter. And God bless you on entering Primary School. 

Second Year Housesary

Today we are celebrating the beginning of our third year in the casa. Since August this year, we have child-proofed the living room but last weekend, we started rearranging again. You know us, we always shake things up.

We took the padding off the coffee table revealing its old walnut veneer and letting it breathe again. We started introducing some accessories for the table tops and sort of testing the waters if it will last a day with an ever-so-energetic toddler around. And guess what? Lia seems to be cooperating well. But we are still checking which arrangement works best for all of us.

I think corralling the potted plants in a tray helped a lot in creating a safe boundary for little hands. We also made sure that if she ever got curious, we intentionally did not put any glass items that might break into little pieces and hurt her. And we kept everything tidy and minimal.

We also dotted our interiors with air-purifying indoor plants as the haze seems to be enjoying its stay here in Singapore, much to our burden. Actually, we have turned the haze situation into an inspiration and started container gardening both inside and outside the casa.

Renovation-wise, we are still making do of our old kitchen and toilets for now. Ashrie's Room has been turned around regularly to fit her growing needs, the Master Bedroom remains the same as Lia has been co-sleeping with us on her own bed. We have done a little makeover in the Dining Room and I will share the changes soon.

We are just so grateful for another year. We thank God for His providence, His loving mercy, and His grace that brought us through another year. We look forward for better and improved days and more happy years in the casa.

God bless our home!

Ashrie's K2 Graduation Concert

Last month, we watched Ashrie, her class, and all the other K2 classes in the neighborhood for their K2 Graduation Concert held at The Republic Cultural Centre, in Republic Polytechnic in Woodlands. It was a special night for them as they were practicing for this event for weeks. They even had a dress rehearsal.

The auditorium was filled to the brim and the kids dressed to the nines. All were excited and the kids did not disappoint and have put up a good show.

Ashrie and her classmates did a musical number to the tune of The Wheels of the Bus and LOVE (popularized by Hi-5). They also did some other nursery rhymes.

This coming Saturday, they will be having their Graduation Ceremony. Where (I think) they will be receiving their diplomas and wear their togas. What intrigues me is that they are not preparing for this event, or that's what I know. Anyway, I think I'll just have to wait and see.

In other news, Halloween 2015 is coming. It only means one thing for me, that we will be celebrating the beginning of our third year in the casa. We still have lots of house improvements to do and slowly they are all coming to place - one by one. 

Christmas 2015 is also just around the bend and we're gearing up for the holidays. Busy days ahead, indeed!