Year Ender

The month of December is always busy for most people. Everyone's trying to finish certain things before the year ends. Not to mention Christmas and New Year's Day, two most important holidays of the year, the latter coming within a week's gap from the former. Those reunions, parties, gatherings, and the cannot-turn-down Christmas luncheon invitations from friends were really time and energy-consuming. But don't get me wrong. This is still the most exciting and my favorite season of the year. In fact, on Christmas Day, I'm glad to know that I still have that child-like anticipation of waking up to Christmas morn, not excited about the presents to receive, or the food to eat but with deep appreciation what Christmas truly is.

Here are our holiday whereabouts...

Aside from visiting Ashrie’s two godmothers, one in Ang Mo Kio and one in Boon Lay (and we still have one to visit next year), we attended three Christmas church gatherings and two lunch invitations during the week. And in between, we also made sure that we have our own celebration at home so we cooked for both Christmas and New Year Dinner.

Our simple Christmas spread

Ashrie at the
A Christmas to Remember Event

A Christmas to Remember, an event attended by
Filipino expats at Evangel Family Church

We did this glass mosaic at the W-Party.
This is actually 1tile out of 99 more pieces
for a project at church.

What a fitting way to end the year than to thank JESUS for His sufficient grace and providence that help us through the year 2011. To all, a very Happy New Year!

Pink!

It's a well known fact that boys would veer towards the color blue while little girls would pick red or purple and of course, pink!

Lately, we've been noticing that Ashrie has been choosing the color pink above any other color. She would prefer strawberry ice cream because it's pink. She likes strawberry Pocky, pink gummy bears (or should I say Marks & Spencer's pink gummy pigs), she loves her pink toys, and if there is a pink color option of anything she would surely pick that.

I think that's the same reason why she chose these three:

Converse All-Star for Kids

Flower Gem Ballet Flats by GAP Kids

Lil Lady from the
Twinkle Toes Collection by Skechers

For the sneakers, we would definitely opt for the red or violet but you guessed it right, she chose pink. But for the shoes, we think that no other color would be perfect than pink!

Little Tikes Spray & Rescue Fire Truck

Ashrie opened up her first Christmas present (as promised to her by her mom), after my parents arrived in Singapore a few days back. The box is taking too much space in the living room and it really seems awkward to see a humongous box in the corner. It's almost the size of a mini refrigerator or even taller (no exaggerations!)

It might be a bit "boyish" for our princess but it's free so it's just fine. A few weeks back, Huggies Singapore together with FairPrice launched their Christmas promotion of giving away Little Tikes Spray & Rescue Fire Trucks which is worth $199 to the first 1000 customers who would send their receipts of $150 worth of participating Huggies products. And of course we were in.

Good thing a handyman (my dad) was in the house during the time of the opening because it's a bit challenging to assemble. Without him, I would probably take a longer time to fix it. Thanks Dad!

That's the story of the red fire truck. Note that it is operated by foot to floor action, meaning your tot needs to use her feet to pedal through the house or your yard. And make sure that the water container is empty if you don't want your house or yourselves to get wet.

Watercolor on Paper

Presenting Ashrie's latest artwork! It's her best painting to date. It's composed of a colorful palette of blues and purple, orange and yellows, with delicate scrapings which create (what seems to be) a flock of birds (or bats) hovering in the sky.

The following are the "before and after framing" photos, and her two latest artworks side by side.

Mortimer's Christmas Manger

If you are looking for a short story to read to your children this Christmas, well I've got one recommendation. Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman is a joy to read and a very appropriate one on Christmas Eve, indeed!

When we borrowed this book from the library, we thought it was just an ordinary book about Christmas trees, and holiday decorations. But there is simply so much more.

Mortimer (nice name for a mouse, by the way) was unhappy in his dirty, cramped mouse hole so he decided to take a stroll. He found the Nativity Scene, or the manger specifically as a cozy replacement. Enjoying the warm hay every night he had a change of heart when he discovers to whom it really belongs.

Be reminded and be blessed this Christmas with this heart-warming, thought-provoking little treasure. And may all of us have a Mortimer-like realization of what Christmas is truly all about.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Bonus

No, not that one, Christmas Kidscraft Bonus! That's what I meant.

Honestly, there was a time during the “making” of the KidsCraft Series that I doubted that we can actually accomplish it. But we did. And today I will actually share a bonus craft! Christmas is coming and I’m sure many kids are excited to wake up on Christmas morning where they can finally open the beautifully-wrapped, name-tagged presents under the Christmas tree, presents which have been enticing them since the day you placed them there.

And to make the Christmas experience extra special, I hope this easy-to-do craft would help.

You will need:
Felt fabric
Buttons
Thread
String or Ribbon
Needle and Scissors
Pen or Pencil

Here’s how:
1. Trace the “stocking” shape on two sheets of felt fabric. (Front and back)
2. Create an accent. For us, we chose holly leaves and buttons for the berries.
3. Stitch the accents first and then seal all the sides together leaving an opening at the top.
4. Place a ribbon as a hanger.

Here’s how it works:
With all due respect to Santa, and for personal reasons, we as parents would not create the illusion that he is the one putting the stuff into our child’s stockings. Rather, on Christmas Eve, we will let her placed the stockings on our home’s bedroom doors and would request the room’s occupier to fill it with goodies for her. She would still have the anticipation, something to expect and look forward to, but on a more realistic sense. Call us what you want but it’s our plan.

You know what, I even know of parents who told their kids that Jesus would come and put something on their stockings. Some say an angel would appear in the night to fill those up and still others say fairies. The list goes on and on but for us, we just want to keep it straight and simple.

I’ll be updating you on how it went… soon.

Eleven

Yes. We’re still celebrating “monthsaries” every now and then. And today (if my calculations are right) is our 132nd monthsary! 11 years since the day we officially became BF and GF.

Sometimes, I missed those times…

On Visits

"Visitors, like fish smell in three days". Benjamin Franklin

Not so when you like your visitors, or they're family, or when you put them on the fridge, the fish that is.

Anne, Jane's sister was here the past month and it has been quite a busy month for us. You see, having visitors sometimes require you to be a tour guide. That means we have to do a lot of walking and "tourist spots visiting". It's fun to share information to first time visitors, and as you share what you know about the place you're going, you'll be amazed as their eyes widen in interest with their new found knowledge. Like a kid who doesn't want to blink an eye because they do not want to miss a thing. I'm exaggerating but it's actually something like that. Tiring? Indeed! But rewarding because we have extra hands to help us in the house and look after Ashrie since we don't have a helper. So for her arrival, Jane and I finally managed to have an afternoon date (we just had dinner at a Japanese restaurant, we cannot afford the time to see a movie) at a nearby mall after more than two years! That really meant something for us.

My Parents' 2009 Visit

This month, after more than two years, my folks will be back to Singapore to spend the holidays with us. Both my brother and I are already staying here so it is best for them just to visit us here rather than us visiting them back home.

They were here for a month (two weeks only for my Dad) when Jane gave birth so it's more of a "support trip" to say the least. This time hopefully they will be able to see more places, visit more parks and just have some quality bonding time with their first and only grandchild.

More updates on their visit soon and more Christmas posts, probably.

Hmmm, it's the 6th of December already. Aren't you excited for Christmas? Well we are. Have a Merry Christmas!

Impressive Service From Filipinos

On behalf of my fellowmen, I thank thee, Mr. Geoff Tan for your kind and generous comments on your article published today at mypaper. This has made my crowded, morning train ride a happy one. That, and so much more.

Kid's Say the Darndest Things!

Very true with Ashrie.

Scenario 1: Just last night, while she was pushing a cushion on the floor to our bedside (this serves as buffer in case she falls on our wood laminated floors), she said to my bedroom slippers, "Excuse me Daddy's slippers!"

I answered kiddingly, "My slippers said NO!"

She replied, "But the slippers does not have a mouth, Daddy!

Scenario 2: A few weeks back while we were on the playground and Ashrie was sliding, (down the slide) there was a stray cat in the playground. Her mom asked, "Can the cat slide too?"

Well, she answered confidently, "Of course! She has a butt too!

A Smurfy Christmas!

Looky! It's White Christmas at The Smurfs' Village! You can buy seasonal items like Christmas trees (with and without ornaments), snowman, snowballs, candy canes, and a lot more. The Smurfs are also dressed up for the holidays with ear muffs, scarves, and gloves but they are still not wearing any shirts! And Smurfette is visiting again to give extra XP. Sometimes, it's even snowing!

Here is a snapshot of my Smurf's Village, Christmas Edition.

And I also need to share this Smurf's Christmas Special.

Have a fun-filled Christmas, Smurf-loving friends!

Poinsettia Tree-Topper

We are very pleased to post the final installment of our very own 12 Days of Christmas KidsCraft Series. Number 12 at that, is a simple craft made from crumpled paper (you can buy this from craft stores) and some strips of double adhesive tape.

If you are tired of seeing a star or an angel atop your tree, here's how you can spruce up that old Christmas tree with something unique, handmade and one of a kind tree-topper.

Prepare 8 or more of this "paper bag-like" pieces.

Cut the ends into a petal shape form,
paste side by side and open up like a fan.

Place a stick at the bottom
and use as a tree-topper!

It literally adds height to our tree!

So glad that we finally made it through! And oh, A Merry Christmas to one and all! =)

Christmas Tree Pillow

Number 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas KidsCraft Series is here! Something to cuddle this cold season, more so if you are experiencing winter in your country. So before I dream of a White Christmas in Singapore, here's our craft of the day.

Materials:

Felt Fabric (in red, white and green)

Buttons

Thread

Pillow Polyfill

Scissors

Procedure:

1. Trace the tree and star shapes. Make two of these, one for the front and one for the back of the pillow. Make snow shapes too to accentuate the tree's foliage.

2. Sew the buttons and  the snow on the front side.

3. Sew all the way to the bottom but don't forget to fill with pillow polyfill as you sew and before you close the pillow.

For variations, you can try making a gingerbread man, a snowman, Santa, a candy cane, a bell... or anything! 

And here are the photos!

 One more to go! You better watch out! =)

Christmas Cookies

Third to the last installment of the 12 Days of Christmas KidsCraft is here!

The young ones and the "young once" will surely enjoy making this craft. Not only that they will enjoy doing it, they will also enjoy eating it afterwards.

A few weeks ago, we bought Yummy Dough, the first moldable clay that you can bake and eat. And it was a blast, quite difficult for inexperienced sculptors like us but it turned out to be a fun activity. The cookie when cooked ain't bad as well, not so sweet, not so hard, just right to the bite.

And here are some quick bites! Enjoy!

Abstract Painting

It's painting time once again in our home (but not the renovation thing). Rather, it's Ashrie doing some abstract painting. She has done a lot the past few months but I think this one is exceptional. Here are some photos, be the judge.

Like! :-)

Two and a Half

Time flies! Our toddler is now two and a half years old. She'll start attending a playgroup early next year and come April she'll be three! :-)

Happy 30th Month Ashrie! We love you dearly!

Nativity Sets

When it rain, it pours…

When the ‘ber’ months kicked in, we started looking for a nativity set for our Christmas decorations. We couldn’t find the perfect size for our console table. Actually, we couldn’t find any this early! So we “commissioned” my mom to buy one for us from the Philippines. Well, she did! And it was a great choice. My dad fashioned a stable because the 11-piece nativity set my mom bought contains figurines only. Fortunately, my sister-in-law visited us here in Singapore so we saved a lot on shipping cost.

But even before our guest was able to bring the package, we saw this adorable nativity set by Precious Moments. Enchanted by its delicate details (even though Joseph looks more like a shepherd than a carpenter) we bought it right away!

And lastly, we also did this nativity craft that we found on the web. It’s way much cuter than the one we made last year (here’s the link). And it comes in color and black and white options. You can download the free template here.

Christmas Luminaries

Let there be light!

This would probably be one of the easiest KidsCrafts that we will share here. So easy that you can quickly finish it in minutes, just in time for Christmas dinner. It may also be used on different occasions by changing the theme.

You will need:

Pasta Sauce Bottles (or any wide-mouth glass bottle)
Printed Gift Wrappers
Glue
Scissors
Small Candle or Tea Lights

It’s as simple as this:
1. Cut and paste the printed design of the gift wrappers onto the pasta sauce bottles.
2. Place a small candle inside the luminary, light it up and you’re done.

Nothing can be quicker than that. But the completed project is simply stunning! Here (of course) are the photos.

And there was light!