What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

The many faces of Alyssa

15 month old Alyssa is very animated! She is like a cartoon character with so many facial expressions! She is the light of our home. Her presence gives joy to all of us. :-)

Remembering Marites

She would grace parent-teacher conferences, come to school gatherings and bring her boys to school wearing her signature bandana. No, she wasn't making a fashion statement. It was to cover her falling hair, a well-known effect from her chemotherapy. She was undergoing treatment for a recurrence of her breast cancer. This was last year when her twin boys, Kenneth and Kevin, were classmates of Nadine in preschool.

In May this year, she was asking me for advice about sending her boys to a different school. Because of her aching back, her doctors did a bone scan and discovered another tumor. This would entail another round of chemotherapy, another set of expenses.

I got to visit her sometime in July with some other mothers from the school. It was a nice morning of chatting and eating. She seemed in high spirits and would talk about her pain but never dwelling on it. She was always smiling, always active. You wouldn’t think that something was bothering her. She would only ask for prayers.

Since then I would constantly think about her and say a prayer for her. Though her boys went to another school, she would ask me about dentist appointments and I would text her about party happenings. I had always planned to see her again but never really got the chance. I know I should have done it.

Last Friday, Mier informed me that Marites was brought to the hospital earlier that week and was in a bad shape already. We decided to visit her that same night. I called up a fellow parent and immediately asked for a phone brigade to say a prayer for Marites.

When we got to the hospital, nothing prepared me to see her in her bed with different tubes attached to her and a respirator helping her breathe. Her eyes were dilated, probably from the morphine that helped her deal with her pain. I got teary eyed right away to see her like that. Gone was her smile.

We stayed awhile and met her sister who just arrived from the US. We chatted with some other relatives and her helper just to ask how she’s doing and how the boys were.

And then all of a sudden there was a commotion. Some relatives came and were checking on her only to realize that she had stopped breathing. They checked her pulse and felt her clammy skin. Then reality set in --- she passed away amidst all the people in the room, with no fanfare, no attention to herself. She left quietly, so typical of Marites.

As relatives broke down and started weeping in the room, I tried to be strong and did my best in hugging and consoling them. I hardly knew them but we were all one in our grief. I looked at her boys who had just lost their mother and my heart just went out to them. So young to experience all this! It was only when we left the room to go home did I allow myself to let the tears flow. I cried for her. I cried for her life lost at such a young age. I cried for her motherless boys.

I will miss her. I will miss her smile and her sweet nature. But I know she is in peace now in the bosom of Jesus. No more pain, no more suffering. Only joy and bliss! And I am consoled.

Just Be Yourself

The 3rd Kaya Challenge for the month of November is to use distressing techniques on your layout. I thought this challenge is perfect for a personal layout for my 2nd daughter, Raya. At five years old, her strong character and personality are more evident now. I have seen how this is manifested in her relationship with her sisters. I have always worried about her having the middle child syndrome but so far I see that she is able to assert herself in some way while still valuing her sisters. She is such a great person! This is my tribute for her.

I used the Studio Azul October kit for this layout. I love the SA kits! (Hi Tin!)  I feel so deprived here in Cagayan de Oro of new scrapbook items so subscribing to their kits have made me a little more up to date with new products and materials. :-)

By the way, I took the photo using my Nikon D60 camera and an 18-55mm lens. :-)


Title: Just Be Yourself

Materials: American Crafts and Prima papers, American Crafts alphabet thickers, Prima Essential 4 flowers, Chinese button, Scenic Route Butterfly Chipboard, All About Scrapbooking brads, Letter Rub Ons, Whispers Archival Ink, Staedler Pen

Journaling: I realize now that it isn't easy being the middle of three sisters. I watch you as you patiently deal with Nadine's wants and Alyssa's demands and I admire you for being so understanding. But you are not a pushover! You assert yourself, at times, with dignity and strength when you feel you need to. You are a beautiful person, Raya! And I love you very much! Always remember that! Raya - age 5

The Dancing Castrillos

Yup! We've been practicing the whole year round. Finally, we can show you our talent! Presenting the dancing Castrillos!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/BGLF0MsAZlAmqG7zwFiw

And just to make you enjoy the holidays more, here's another one:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/DxAZeli3IigRUd3QG7Xf

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Cost of Having Children

A few years back I did research and wrote an article on how much it would cost to be having children. At that time the price of gas and rice have not gone up yet but the overall outcome was still pretty high.

Then a few days back I got this forwarded email from my sister saying that the government “recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 of age and came up with P5,404,725.00 for a middle income family.” Oh my goodness! That doesn’t even include college tution!

Then it breaks down the amount and comes up with P300,262.50 a year or P25,021.88 a month or P6,255.50 a week. So that’s P893.64 a day or just over P37.23 an hour.

But instead of dissuading people from having children because of the “costs” there are still so much more you get for that amount. The email lists the following perks:

        * Naming rights. First, middle, and last!

        * Glimpses of God every day.

        * Giggles under the covers every night.

        * More love than your heart can hold.

        * Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.

        * Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.

        * A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.

        * A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.

        * Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

What else can you get for P5,404,725.00? You never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, mess about with paints and clay, play hide-and-seek and catch dragonflies and butterflies.

You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watch Saturday morning cartoons, go to Disney movies, and wish on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray-painted-noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere P893.64 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a dog off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off a bike, removing a splinter, filling a wading pool, changing the clothes of the Barbie dolls.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

   That is quite a deal for the price! So love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren! It's the best investment you'll make!

First Honors

Mier and I attended a parent-teacher conference (PTC) this morning and I'm so proud to announce that both girls are doing very well in school! Both their grades have improved tremendously from the last quarter. Nadine was especially proud for making it to the first honor roll this quarter. During the first quarter she was second honors and was determined to do better and be first honors for the second quarter. I'm so happy that her efforts have paid off. Here's her report card:
Raya's grades all went up too and she's reading very well now. Her teacher commented that she gets along well with teachers and classmates and have learned to do things on her own. These are her report cards:

I'm so proud of them! :-) :-) :-)

Alyssa at 14 months

Here are some shots of my Alyssa at 14 months. Can you tell how much I love my Nikon D60? Hahaha!

Love that Lolly

I usually discourage my girls to eat sweets at a young age. But as I learned from Raya before, it is difficult to allow one and not the other just because of age. So when Alyssa saw Raya eating a lollipop, she insisted on one too.

Funny because Alyssa didn't know how to eat the lollipop! She didn't know how to suck it and just bit into it as you can see in the first few pictures. Only after watching Raya did she get the picture. Definitely a fast learner.

Sorry if the pictures are not that good. I'm still learning the ins and outs of my camera. But I have better pictures of Alyssa which I will upload soon. :-) Thanks for looking!

Raya's 5th Birthday Party in School

Found these cute tumblers. I filled it up with candies and placed toothbrushes also inside. :-)

Raya turned 5 years old today. Can't believe my baby is already Five! We decided to serve pancakes and hot choco for her party. Great idea, says Teacher Honey! Usually the kids don't eat (or finish) the spaghetti, chicken and burger that others bring. The pancakes were a hit! And everyone loved the hot choco. The yummy choco cake was made by the mom of Tito Mackie. We placed Raya and Nadine's pet shoppe toys as decors. Some classmates thought they were giveaways! Uh oh! Hehehe!

In Cavite

We spent the girls' semestral break in Cavite from Oct 25 to Nov 1. We were there for Lolo Ed's birthday celebration on Oct 31 and Sabine's christening and Raya's advance birthday party on the same day.

Proud owner of a Nikon D60 kit

Yup! That's me! When we got to Manila last Sunday, Mier surprised me with this. Ooooh! I love it! And I love him! :-)

Girly Girl Alyssa

Can you see her ears? Finally had them pierced yesterday. :-)

Nadine and Raya's pedia in Manila, Dr. Eileen Cuajunco, is such a girly girl that as soon as the girls turned 3 months, she would be the one who'd suggest to put earrings already. Although I think Alyssa's pedia here is great, he's a guy! So I kept on putting of her earrings until I realized she's already a year old! :-(

I texted him last Sunday asking if he pierces ears and he replied he used to but stopped because "hindi pantay" Yikes! He recommended another pedia to do it and yesterday we finally had it done.

Thank you to Mama Flory for the pretty sapphire earrings, Alyssa's birthstone. No, she didn't cry much. Just a little because the piercing gun surprised her. But as soon as I held her, she was quiet na. Doesn't she look like a girly girl now??? :-) Adorable little tyke!

Little Love Notes

I love it that Nadine can now read and write. She leaves me little notes around the house and surprises me with letters and even mini books. Last night, she gave me this before going to bed. She is such a sweetie, really! What a joy to receive something like this!

If you can't read it, the note says, "Dear Mom, You're as good as the best, And I love you so much. It's nice that your here by my side. I love you. Mom, I can't stop loving you. Nadine"

Sino ba naman ang di maiiyak sa ganyan??? :-)

Stroganoff

Description:
Have been trying new recipes lately to spice up our menu. We had this for dinner tonight and I got raves from Mier and Yaya Annie. Hay! Nothing is more satisfying than an appreciated meal. :-) I still should have taken a picture, I know. Hehehe! Naunahan kami ng mga tiyan namin. :-)

Ingredients:
1/2k beef or pork tenderloin (I used pork bec that was available)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped lengthwise
butter for frying
tomato sauce
worcestershire sauce
cream
cheese
fettucine pasta

Directions:
Cook fettucine pasta according to directions then set aside.
Cut the pork loin into strips.
Marinate in worcestershire sauce overnight.
Stir fry garlic and onions in butter.
Add pork loin and continue stir frying til cooked.
Add the tomato sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the cream.
Top sauce on fettucine pasta.
Add grated cheese on top.
Serve and enjoy!

Checkmate!

For Nadine's Grade One PE class this quarter, they are learning to play chess. Last Friday, she had a test about the game. I reviewed her with each piece move and Mier told her that they can play one of these days. They tried to play but Nadine is still too young, I think, and doesn't have the patience for it. So for the past days, Mier and I have been playing chess. :-) So far, he has won all games we played but he said I am a fast learner and have been aggressive with my moves since we started playing. In the second game, I was able to get his queen and he said he felt a little intimidated but he still won the game queenless. :-) So far, I am enjoying our games and getting challenged. Maybe next time I'll win? I'll let you know. :-)

Go Fish!

We had a very busy and fun Sunday yesterday. We left the house at 6am to be able to make it the 8am mass at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon. We got there just in time. After mass, the monks prepared breakfast for a fee. Mier bumped into his high school classmate, Joel Santos, who was there from Manila for a vacation. It was nice seeing him and having him join us for breakfast.

After breakfast we went to Palaisdaan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon to try our luck in fishing. You can fish Tilapia and Hito in their ponds and have them cooked for you. Unfortunately, the fish we caught were really small ones so we just tossed them back in the ponds.

We went to Del Monte Cawayanon instead for their yummy roast beef sandwich. It was a tiring but fun day. Lots of bonding with each other. :-)

Parental Responsibilities

Over the course of a conversation, someone once observed to me that there are courses, diplomas and trainings for careers and jobs. There are even board exams for some professionals. Other people take up masters and PhD’s to further their studies. But there is really nothing that can prepare one into becoming a parent.

This is true. When your child is born, then you become a parent by default. There are no lessons and courses in any school that can teach you how to be a good parent. Maybe basic sociology on the family may give an eye view but nothing can really prepare you into becoming a parent.

Yes, there are numerous self help books, so-called parenting gurus and now even countless Internet information. But can they really tell you what to do on how to raise your child effectively? Books and information may be good guidelines and all but each child is different and each child should be handled differently. And sometimes what works for one does not necessarily work for the other.

I recall a few years back how I felt confident in having Raya because we had Nadine and she was turning out pretty well. Then as Raya was growing older, I noticed that the stuff I used to do that worked with Nadine did not work with Raya. I realized that because of their different personalities their wants and needs are different too. And with that realization, I felt I needed to get to know Raya well in order to know how to handle her well too.

As parents, we all strive to do our best in raising our children to be upstanding citizens and basically good people. It isn’t easy but we do what we can using our parents as examples of how they raised us and maybe combined with some other stuff that we learn from books and other people. I guess we all try to do the best we can.

It’s just that sometimes the task can be quite daunting. Unlike our projects and work for companies, when we make a mistake, we can always alter or change stuff to make it better. As parents, we are responsible for other persons --- our children. We are tasked to mold and shape minds and personalities of our children. In a way, their lives are in our hands. They depend on us not only for the basic necessities in life but also for emotional and psychological stability too.

Being a parent is no joke. Having children is definitely a joy. But making sure that they are well-rounded people can be a challenge. I think the best thing we can do is be attuned to each child. Know their personalities, their characters and deal with them from there. Eventually they will learn to trust us and our judgment in knowing them well enough and their needs and believing that what we are doing is for their best interest. I just pray that with God’s guidance, we will know what is best for each of them.

So Cute Alyssa!

Alyssa Gets a Passport

Went to DFA this morning to have my passport renewed and to get Alyssa a passport too. Raya was one year old when I applied for her passport back in 2005 so this is more or less the same age of Alyssa.

It was so easy! I downloaded application forms already the night before and filled these up before going to DFA. You can have your picture taken there too so you can be sure they're within DFA requirements. Everything took about one and a half hours only. We got there at 830am and by 10am we were done. I think there was no fuss getting Alyssa's passport because I was applying for my renewal too. It's usually easier when with a parent.

Alyssa is so cute in her picture! Will scan the passport when we get it next month. :-)

Dinner at my Mom's house

My mom hosted dinner at her house last September 1, 2008 for all the balikbayans: the Castrillos, Marla and Gerry, Lola Cely and Lola Lulu and Tita Rina and Tito Jojo. Alyssa was the star of the night with her dance steps. :-)

Nadine's 7th and Alyssa's 1st Birthday Party

We celebrated Nadine's 7th and Alyssa's 1st birthday party last August 31, 2008 at Apple Tree Resort and Hotel (formerly Lauremar Beach Hotel). We had a blast! Lolo Ed, Lola Rona, Tita Ovvian, Tita Rina, Tita Marla and Tito Gerry, Lola Cely and Lola Lulu came from Manila to celebrate with us. Nadine invited her whole class and some other friends and they all had fun swimming in the pool. Alyssa enjoyed playing in the sand.

Mama's 60th Birthday Party

My mom turned 60 years old last September 2, 2008. My sister, Marla, and her husband, Gerry, as well as my Lola Cely and her sister, Lola Lulu surprised her by coming over to celebrate with her. We had a grand time at the floating restaurant, Reyna del Rio, where we feasted with yummy food including the famous Cagayan de Oro lechon. By the way, pictures are courtesy of James and his new Nikon D40X. :-)

White Water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro River

We went White Water Rafting with Ovvian, Mier's sister, and my brother James last Sunday Spetember 7. The girls had so much fun! Well, I think we all did. :-)

Alyssa is now One!

Can't believe that the Little One is now one year old! Was it just last year when I had to go to the delivery room because of back pains and they didn't let me out anymore? I still remember how we all thought that she would come out on Mier's birthday but she waited til 2am to be born. :-) She is such an adorable little tyke who brightens everyone's day.

Side kwento about Raya on Alyssa's 1st year: I woke Raya up this morning and told her that Alyssa is 1 year old today. And she looked at me in disbelief. "Can I see her?" she asked. "Yes," I said but was wondering what was going on in her mind. She looked at Alyssa and said to me, "She doesn't look different. She still look 11 months." Hahaha! My Raya Girl thought that Alyssa would grow up overnight!

Meet Santina Brienne "Sabine" S. Castrillo!

Finally, Sabine is here! My kids have been the only grandkids of my in-laws for years now and so we all have been looking forward to the birth of Sabine. Sherly had a long and hard labor so the doctor decided on a C-section this afternoon. Both Sherly and Sabine are doing fine. Isn't she adorable? Can't wait to hold her and cradle her!

Mother-Daughter Bond Camp

Nadine, Raya and I attended the Mother-Daughter Bond Camp of Rosevale School yesterday. The theme was fairies and we had a grand time dressing up, getting ready and creating our memory collage.

Raya as a Carrot

For Raya's costume in their culminating activity of Nutrition Month, we decided to make her a carrot costume. The instructions were specific that it should be made of recycled materials. So when I went shopping at Makro, I bought 2 extra plastic bags for Raya's costume. Mier glued these together and created a dress for her. Annie and I created her leaves head gear by cutting the form from a cereals box a placing "leaves" made of more cardboard and Gaisano plastic bags. She looked so cute in it! In school, she dance to the tune of "Makulay ang Buhay" and was so enthusiastic about it. So cute!

What I love about Raya is that she was so appreciative with our efforts. She kept on thanking me and saying that she loves me super duper daw. It made all our efforts worth while. :-)

Also Known As

Here is my first DT submission to Journaling Junkie. I love Stefanie's challenge to document nicknames. All my kids have their own special names aside from their given names and I'd like them remember these when they're all grown up. :-)

Title: A.K.A.

Materials: DCWV cardstock, Bazzil Decorative Edges, My Mind's Eye Journaling Paper, SEI Word Paper (Little Angel), Scenic Route Paper, Prima Flowers, Queen & Co. Brads, AMM Brad, Autumn Leaves Stamps, Colorbox Ink, Joann Alphabet Stamps, Staedler pen, Round-A-Bout Sizzlits on Foam, Carl, Corner Rounder Puncher, Others: Ribbon, Rub Ons, Plastic Flower, Button

Journaling:
Also Known As
Ching ching to Daddy
Lovey to Mommy
Bestfriend to Abu
Ali ali to Mama Flory
Baby girl to Raya and Nadine

Early Reader

Reading is a passion in our house and Alyssa is no exception. She would pick up her book and would pretend to read it complete with voices and sounds. Looks like we'll really need to put up a library. She is so adorable! (I think I've said that already) Hahaha!

Batman - The Dark Knight

It has been ages since Mier and I have seen a movie, just the two of us. So when we saw the trailer of The Dark Knight, the new Batman movie, we vowed to each other that we'll watch the movie together. Nadine and Raya have been wanting to sleep over with my sister, Mabel, so this was the best opportunity to watch the movie. We left Alyssa with them for a while and just picked her up again on our way home.

If the first Batman Begins was dark, this was definitely darker and more violent. The movie was really intense from beginning to end; intense with emotion and action. And Heath Ledger was spooky; really really spooky. I think he'll win a posthumous award for this role.

I really love these Batman movies with Christian Bale in the title role. I think these have more depth than the ones of George Clooney or Michael Keaton. I liked the one of Val Kilmer too because I think he did try to bring out the characeter of Batman but Christian Bale is definitely THE Batman. :-)

Homemade Pork and Beans

Description:
My mom bought a new slow cooker for herself and gave me her old one. The slow cooker makes cooking so easy. Just put everything inside and leave it be. Sorry that my ingredients don't have measurements. I usually just toss the ingredients in and taste and see. :-)

As you can see, my pork and beans has more pork. :D

Ingredients:
a pack of white beans
1/2 k pork liempo cut into pieces
sugar
salt
pepper
tomato sauce
a little water
pork cube (optional)

Directions:
1. Soak the beans the night before.
2. Put all ingredients in slow cooker except liempo and turn on high heat.
3. Cook til beans are soft. Add a little water if sauce turns dry.
4. Add liempo when beans are soft.
5. Turn off when liempo is soft and fat melts in the mouth.

Squash (or Pumpkin) Soup

As requested by Olive, here is my squash (or pumpkin) soup that my girls just love. Even Alyssa smacks her lips everytime she eats this. :-)

1. Peel and cut up the squash into cubes.
2. Put the squash in a cooking pot and fill with water just enough to cover it. Add a beef or pork cube. Boil til squash is really soft.
3. Place boiled squash including the soup in a blender and puree.
4. Add milk and season with salt and pepper to your taste. You can also add all-purpose cream.
5. Top with crispy bacon bits.

Painting the Cabinet

Mier, Nadine and Raya spent the afternoon painting the cabinet from cream to blue. The girls had so much fun with the roller paints. They dressed up in old clothes in case they get paint on themselves. It was a fun afternoon. :-)

Affirmed

I pride myself in being a simple scrapper. With three kids in tow all the time (and one still a baby!) I barely have enough time for myself, much less to scrap! I scrap because I want to remember how things are. I want to look back and see how I felt at that particular time. I guess that's why my layouts are usually heavy with journaling. I've joined contests and challenges but I've never really won any of them. I think because sometimes my layouts can be very simple. Does it bother me? No. I join for the heck of it; because it forces me to scrap; it allows me to be creative on my own. If I win, then great. It's the icing on the cake. I'm just happy that I was able to create something and leave a part of me in the process.

So when I stumbled into this comment and this comment (scroll down to see it) in the Simple Scrapbooks Gallery on my layouts,  it really made my day. And they are from people I do not know at all. :-) How nice it is to have one's work recognized!

Say Whaat??

I picked up Raya from school today and she told me right away that her teacher is not in the classroom anymore.

Me: Oh? Where is Teacher Honey?
Raya: She's in the FACTORY ROOM.

Whaat? Oh! She meant FACULTY ROOM. Har har har!

Crazy for Alyssa

The two lolas (Mama Flory and Lola Rona) feeding Alyssa her lunch. :-) Isn't it obvious how crazy they are for her? :-)

My School Girls

How nice that they love their school! They love learning new things and meeting friends. I hope that they continue this love for knowledge.

I survived the first week of school!

Because of the increase of gas prices, the fees for the school bus increased too. Double actually! So Mier and I thought that maybe we'd be able to save more if I bring the girls to school everyday and pick them up too. Since the girls are now in the morning class, we have to wake up a little earlier to get ready for school. So far, so good. With the first week, the excitement of school is still there so waking up isn't that difficult -- just yet. I found a way to make them get up --- let Alyssa do it! Hehehe! How they love waking up to her kisses and touch! Makes everything so much easier. Such a joy having a baby in the house!

Mier and I bring the girls to school, then off we go to Mier's office so I can drop him off. I then go home to bathe Alyssa and put her down for her nap (that is, if Yaya Annie hasn't put her to sleep first. Sometimes, she gets so cranky and sleepy na eh, especially if she wakes up early). It's nice to have the whole morning for myself while Alyssa naps and the girls are in school.

Raya's class ends at 11am but Nadine's is at 12nn. Good thing Raya doesn't mind waiting for an hour for her sister. She just plays in the classroom with a classmate who also waits for her brother in Grade 1.

Last Wednesday, Nadine came home with assignment. She wrote the activity by herself in her notebook. How proud I was! The next day, another mommy was complaining that her son didn't write the homework and I was so proud to say that my girl did. Turned out that my pride was short lived because when I checked on her before leaving, she only wrote 1/3 of the assignment of the day. Hahaha! (Well, the other mommy's son had nothing so I'm still better off.) So I gently but firmly told her that she needs to write the assignment and that Raya and I will wait for her. She did naman write it right away. I think she gets distracted with her classmates that's why she writes slow when they're around. :-) But she does need to practice writing and concentrating on the tasks on hand.

On Fridays, Nadine has class until 3:35pm. Last Friday, Alyssa and I picked up Raya and dropped off Nadine's lunch. We then went to SM to do the grocery and wait there til it's time to pick up Nadine. When we got home, Nadine asked if she can finish her lunch (I prepared her favorite --- rice, tocino and egg). She ate only half, probably because she was too excited to be with classmates and friends. Nadine did finish her lunch and asked for more. Raya ate rice and egg too. Nagutom! Hehehe!

About Raya, her teacher says she's so quiet in class and doesn't answer when talked to. I asked her about it, "Why are you quiet? Are you shy?" To which she replied, "Shhh, Mommy! I'm only pretending to be shy!" Hahaha! This girl can really crack me up!

It just feels good to start a routine again now that classes have begun. I love watching Nadine and Raya go to school and see them enjoy their classes and friends. Nadine was disappointed when Saturday came because no classes daw. How cute! The school year has just begun. So much to look forward to!

Can you see it?

Can you? Can you? Alyssa's first tooth is out! Hehehe! She didn't really want me to take a picture of her new tooth. So I'm just including other cutesy photos of her. :-) Thanks for looking!

Tragic

You read it on the papers, you watch in the news. You think it happens to other people and you feel sad for them. But if it happens to someone you know, then you become numb with shock. I just found out that my friend's mom and three year old daughter were killed and burned by robbers inside their home in Talayan Village. (You can read the story here.) You wonder how people can be so gruesome, how life can be so cruel. What is the world coming to? After the deaths of 10 people in the RCBC bank robbery, I've become vigilant in everything I do. You'll never know what will happen next won't you?

I feel for my friend and his wife. Their little girl was much awaited. She came ten years after her older brother. And like every child, she was innocent of what was happening, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. My friend and his wife brought her to his mom's house after her first day in school. Who would have thought this would happen? I imagine her confusion and fear during that time. I pray that she did not have to suffer much. I pray for Oman and Eileen and their son, J3. I pray for strength and peace of mind for them. It is just so tragic, so tragic.

Alyssa at 9 months

Pardon my sometimes blurry pictures. I need a new camera --- hint! hint! Hope my fairy godmother is listening. Hahaha! But just wanted to share how adorable my baby girl is. :-)

My sister is going to be a Mommy!

We are all ecstatic to know that my sister, Marla, is now pregnant with her first baby! Yehey! My kids will finally be having first cousins! (My brother in law's wife will be giving birth also in September). How fun!

Mier's New Baby

Well, no he hasn't really replaced us. Hehehe! With the blessings of his dad and brother, Mier is the new owner of a 1968 Volks Wagen Notchback. You have to admit, she's a real beauty and according to my brother in law, a pleasure to drive. And we got it at a very fair price! :-)

Back in Cagayan de Oro --- for another year

We are finally back in Cagayan de Oro after a two week vacation in Bacoor, Cavite with my in laws. We all left last April 3. Mier went back earlier after a week while the rest of us stayed for another week.

Aside from a well-rested vacation, we were there to talk to Mier s dad about us coming back to Manila. Mier s dad has an ongoing big project that is even bigger than the Statue of Liberty and he will be needing Mier especially for the technical stuff. There are also new projects cropping up so Mier s dad will definitely need all the help he can get.

Mier and I were at a dilemma about it because first of all, we like our life already here in Cagayan and we feel comfortable with how things are. Our transfer here was not a whim. Before we came, we prayed and thought about it a thousand times before making the decision to come. But we do understand the need for him to be there and so again we have thought about it and prayed about it and weighed things. We have decided to go back next year. It would be too much of a hassle to leave now since the girls will start school in June. Packing and having our stuff sent is no joke (we just got our things last January!) We have checked out Woodrose and Rosemont for Nadine and Raya respectively and with the plan to go back next year instead, we can strategize our transfer. We also plan to look for a house of our own. We prefer to live on our own already instead of living with my in laws. So far, things seem bright and hopeful. I continue to pray that if indeed this is His will, then things will go on smoothly for us.

Another Mermaid

I remember Nadine and Raya both started swimming at the age of 6 months. So we gamely let Alyssa wear her bathing suit and try the waters. Oh she loved it! What a natural she is! She enjoyed getting her face wet and treading the waters. Seems like I have another mermaid in my hands! :-)

Alyssa at 7 months

How fast time flies! Alyssa is now 7 months old! She loves to eat and enjoys squash, applesauce, sweet potatoes and tofu. Surprisingly, she doesn't like bananas. Hehehe! She has a new bathing suit and enjoys swimming with her ates. Will post pictures on that. :-) She loves to be part of the crowd and hates sleeping. She still breastfeeds and prefers mommy over everyone else. She is such a joy!

Alyssa's Baby Scrapbook Album

Finally created an initial baby album for Alyssa. Used a 5.5x7.5 album here. I also used my Crate Paper Twirl Collection for this album. Took awhile for me to decide whether to use the paper or not. Sayang eh! But I figured, if I don't use it now, eh when? :-) Love the outcome of the album! Hope Alyssa will love it when she grows up.

Christmas 2006 Scrapbook Album

This is a much delayed album! I decided to work on a 5.5x7.5 album so it would be easier to finish.

Easter 2008

We went to Steve and Irene Guico's farm in Kalakapan, just a few minutes away from the Macasandig Home. It's a beautiful place! We all enjoyed the cool breeze and fantastic view. The kids had fun during the Easter egg hunt and they decorated hard boiled eggs.

Castrillo Girls

Papa has a new camera. What better way to explore it than to take photos of his apos. Siempre kasama na din his favorite daughter. Hahaha!

Nadine's Graduation Day

March 15, 2008. Nadine is first honors and received a gold medal. She also received a ribbon for Most Honest. We are so proud of her! Lola Rona came from Manila to witness the event. Abu, Tita Mabel and Tito James were also there. She is so excited to go to Grade One. :-)

Raya's Recognition Day

March 14, 2008. Raya received two ribbons of recognition: Most Affectionate and Most Creative. She looked so adorable! She's looking forward to going to Junior Kinder (K2) next year.

6 month old Alyssa

This month Alyssa starts solid food. The girls were so excited to feed her. Mama Flory bought her organic red rice which I cook. Alyssa enjoys eating it. :-) My baby can sit up already and is a very fast crawler. She reaches out for her toys and puts them straight in her mouth. :-)

Another Daddy's Girl

Most men would insist on having a son "to carry the family name." But Mier has always assured me that he's happy with the three girls. He says he likes to be surrounded by beautiful ladies. Hehehe! And he does dote on us. I love watching him with Alyssa. And Alyssa is always ready to give him a big toothless smile, flailing arms and vigorous kicks when she sees him. She knows that he's her daddy. Definitely a Daddy's girl.

Another year

We had a simple celebration at our house that evening. Mier cooked his famous pasta with olive oil and anchovies and garlic. Yum! He also made salad and bruschetta. So yummy! (I should have taken pictures!) Earlier we brought the girls to school and had a date at our favorite hang out place when we were still dating, Manukan. So much to be thankful for! I'm making an album on it. Watch out for that!

Laguindingan

If you know our family and our penchant for adventures and out of town trips, then you wouldn't be surprised that despite the cloudy weather and rains, we were still off on a road trip. We went to Laguindingan, a town just outside Cagayan de Oro. Mier had an official business and needed to pick up seedlings for the forest. What a great opportunity for us to take a road trip! The girls enjoyed the water and the cool breeze. Even Alyssa enjoyed the trip. The girls caught starfish but returned them back to the sea. It was a fun day. These are the things that we enjoy most here in CDO.

Alyssa's 5th month

Isn't she adorable? It's so nice having a baby in the house. So many little things around not to mention, pink little things. And the older girls just love her. She is a joy to everyone! Would you believe I cooked pancit canton? My sisters doubted my capability. But I think it turned out well. Hubby is happy and that's all that counts. :-)

Gummy Kisses

Alyssa's favorite pastime is to give me gummy kisses! I think she's teething already and likes to rub her gums on anything hard. And when I'm carrying her, she likes to do so on my chin. She's such an adorable baby!