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!