and now it's snowing...

here it comes, snow!

not happy about it but the kids are excited...

let it snow, let it snow! even I don't want to.




kids are glad, they can have snow balls and snow man, and white christmas.

untitled

and now they are singing Xmas carols!

i wish...

2nd daughter: "I wish I have the face of Ate"

Me: "Why???"

2nd daughter: "Because I love her face!"

Me: "Why you don't love your face???" hmmm, she's starting to compare her looks to her Ate.
"Don't you like your face? because I love yours..."

2nd daughter: "I do."

Son: "People are different, Ate. We have different faces even twins they are different."

Ate: " Yeah, even twins!"

And conversations go on...while eating our favorite chips- CLOVER CHIPS



Small bonding moments of the three kiddos...

be thankful

Good morning!

Time really flies and days go by. And now it's Friday again. It's PD day again and my kids are here. I woke up and I learned that they had their breakfast already. They had pandesal with butter (Filipino sweet bread that I bought yesterday). Thanks to "Ate"- Filipino term for eldest sister, she knows how to feed her siblings if I'm sleeping or not available to them. It's always like that every weekend where I wake up late. They know that I have to rest since I work in afternoon shift.

At their young age they learn to be independent. Ate dresses my son every morning while I'm cooking or preparing breakfast, 2nd daughter knows how to take a shower on her own. You see in the Philippines we had a nanny or we call her "yaya". She takes care of my kids feeding them, help them dressing up, give them baths, every care she can give to my kids. I was a working mom already back home so I need someone to take care of the kids.

Now we cannot afford to have a nanny because it's so expensive. We just have a babysitter for few hours when we are at work. You have to do all on your own, do household chores, takes care of the kids, cook, do the laundry,everything because you have nobody else to it for you, it's only you and your husband. Back home we can afford to have a house help or kasambahay aside from the nanny. They will do chores in the house, so after work you're not rushing to cook dinner or worry to do a thing, you just sit down and relax.

If we're still there, my kids will not be as independent as they are now. They understand now that its only themselves that they can depend to. And I'm thankful that they are smart to understand things that they are to young for. And they are willing to help me in chores especially arranging their closets, cleaning up their mess after playing even though you have to remind them for the nth time. At least they are doing it...

And one thing that I'm really thankful and grateful is making us closer and stronger. My relationship now with my hubby is better compared when we're back home. As I have mentioned, we have a house help so my hubby did not do any single chore in the house. Now, it's division of labor in the house. My friend Pearl even mentioned to me she can't imagine my hubby being domesticated! Well, new place changes everything. You have to adapt and adjust, because you have to.

And if you'll ask me which is better? Well I like it now. As days pass by, we mature and learn from mistakes. Be grateful that we have a house, a job, food to eat and have things that we can afford to buy. And especially having a family that you love and loves you!

my today's song

a classic, cool song by frente!

in-laws

Last Saturday, I had a chance to talk to my mother-in-law via long distance call. Usually we talked about how's life here and there, tell her stories about her grand kids. She really missed the kids.

We lived with her for 7 years. Before it's just the three of them my parents-in-law and hubby living in the old house plus one house help. My husband and I stayed there after we got married. Then came our daughter no.1, then no.2 and then our son. For 7 years the house was full of noise made by the three kids. The house was really organized, free of clutter and mess since my MIL is a retired elementary teacher. But when the kids were born, the house was different.

MIL is so kind to me, it's like I'm the daughter. But still mother and daughter in law relationship has it flaws. We don't fight but there are instances that we have misunderstanding. And usually we always had different views on everything maybe because of the age gap. She's old school and I ,a young and modern mom.

And then we migrated here. Now the house is organized and clean, no more mess, clutter free. Of course, no more kids there, no more yelling, running, crying. It's the same as before. Only my parents in law and two house help in the house. My mom (my own mother) told me that it's so silent there unlike before.

I miss the house, and I miss my in-laws especially MIL. If I have the time to talk to her, I really give her a nice conversation with me. Unlike her daughters (sisters-in-law) and son(my hubby), they don't have the patience to have a chitchat. After few minutes they will give the phone to me. It's so weird how they talk to their mother, it's different compared to me when I was talking to my own mom.

Well, it's different for every family. But I'm very lucky to part of this family. I'm really grateful because my hubby's family is so supportive, very generous, very helpful. And they treat me really as PART of their family. And love me, too. That's what you get when you gave them beautiful and adorable kids!

tjhotdog

I cooked longganiza (Filipino version of sausage) this morning as breakfast. While the kids are eating, 2nd daughter said, “I miss the red hotdog.”
Eldest said,”Me, too. Sarap nun! (It’s so delicious!)”
Son said, “Me, three!”
2nd daughter asked, ”Mom, is there red hotdogs here?”
I answered,” Naku , anak wala nun ditto, e. Sa Pilipinas lang meron. Kahit ako miss ko na rin yun. (There’s none here, it is sold I think only in the Philippines. I miss it too.)”

The red hotdog we are talking about is the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog. It’s the famous brand of hot dog in the Philippines. And tastes good nothing can imitate it or beat it. Back home it’s a staple for our family to have PTJH. I fried it with garlic so it’s really delicious. I look for it here in Canada especially in Filipino and Chinese stores but cannot find it. Maybe it’s not exported here.

And I heard the kids, “Pag-uwi ko kakain ako ng madami nun!”

a new one

in order to include my playlist in my blog, i decided to create a new one. yes, another blog.

for my new blog, this will be anything, about everything. and it will be available soon.

friday i'm in love

i so love this song!

hp7

Harry potter 7 now showing!



My kids and I are excited about it since we're fans of harry potter movies. I bought the hp 1-6 collection last year. Watching hp movies are just one of our bonding moments. I have the complete collection of the harry potter books but unfortunately I left it back home (Philippines). I got only book 7 here.


Sometimes we just chatted about harry potter and I listen to their 1001 questions and tried to answer them, especially questions from my son who is just 5 years old.

I told my eldest this morning maybe we can watch it tomorrow, can't wait for it! We seldom watch movies in theaters since it is expensive. But if we really like the movie just like this one, maybe it's worth watching it.

blogging

Entrecard sent an email to me that it's not allowed to have a playlist or auto-audio something in my blog. hmmp, i just want to share my faves. anyway i just worked on my badge. and i finally finished it. thanks to BlogHer and smilemonsters!

now you can grab my badge...

multitasking

cooking, cleaning the kitchen, folding clothes, doing the laundry, and blogwalking at the same time!

whew!!!

now it's time to post one!

My MOnday Adventure

Tell me why I don't like Mondays as the song says...

I went out early yesterday to go to Service Canada. It will take 3 buses to go there. When I reached my 2nd stop, oh my there's the 3rd bus! And there I was, running as if I'm in a track and field race. And it's so dangerous bec. it'a busy street with all the trucks, cars and buses passing. I don't know how'd I manage to cross that street, and I Made it to bus number 3.

I got off walked straight to SC office. Waiting time- 40-60 minutes. I'll be stucked here I said to myself. Then, the receptionist called me, I told her what I need and just found out that my ROE (records of employment) is submitted already electronically. What the heck??? And I thought I should submit it personally!

I went staight to the washroom, checked my appearance(what do I look will all the running), did my business there and left SC office.

There I go again, destination: bus stop again. Waiting for the bus took me 15 mins. longer than staying in SC office. Luckily, the weather yesterday is nice. But my backpack is killing me. I don't know why, I did not bring any lunch. Maybe my water bottle?

I reached the nearest mall. I still have time to eat lunch and look around.Yey! This is the part that I'm looking forward to. I can look for my Xmas tree decor.

Got the decor, went straight again to bus #2 and off to work again...

Saturday

Good day!

it's only half of the day and i'm exhausted already. I woke up late and started cleaning right away after seeing the sink(you know what's in it), loaded the laundry and started cooking. Before I finish all of these it's already 12nn. Did some good grooming to my 3 kids- cutting nails, cleaning ears, bathe my son, and soma chitchat with them. Then it's my turn to prepare myself for today's work.

My hubby, is in the mood in vacuuming but I hate it when he's cleaning because he always complain about all the mess. Hmmp, maybe he's not used to doing that.

Now I am writing this while waiting for my carpool. Relaxing and getting ready for another hard day's work.

How's your day?

gloomy friday

I don't like today. it's so gloomy actually foggy. Mr. Sun where are you?
Just want to sit down or lie down and sleep.

Hope Mr. Sun will show up and brighten my day.

No weekend off for me, will work until Friday next week. :(

kidstuff

My discoveries today,







These make me laugh! :)
Are mom and dad not allowed also?

to my bff

dear pearl,

This blog post is my gift for you.

I want to be the first to greet you a happy birthday. We've been friends for more than 10 years now, 16 years to be exact, including our freshman year in college where we first met.

Looking back to all those years, I want to thank you for being my "bestfriend" even there are years that we don't see or hear from each other. I really miss our katakawan, the dieting scheme that is not effective, study nights where we ended sleeping (Hahaha!), window shopping, watching reality bites for so many times, my sleep over, overnights in IPB for thesis experiment, the sopas of nanay luming, and treating and accepting me as part of your family.

You are so sweet and thoughtful, sending me my pregnancy book (you think I already forgot!), Lisa loeb CD, the 3rd album of Eraserheads-Circus album my favorite, and many little but simple things. I'm really grateful for that. And you also sent me books, twilight and one by mitch albom, from Hawaii!

I'm sorry I did not return the rivermaya casette tape and eraserheads magazine. I know the magazine is a collector's item now. And sorry if maybe sometime I hurt your feelings.

I am so happy now we are able to communicate (thanks YM!) almost in daily basis and catched up for the years that we don't see each other.

I thank the Lord for giving me a friend like you and one of the best.

So for you, Pearl, wish you a happy birthday. Hope you enjoy you're day and have pancit for long life. If we're neighbors I'll make a cheesecake for you.

Love you and always smile,

anSeL


remember these pictures?

lost kid

This afternoon on my way to work, as I was riding the bus and had a quick nap (20 mins. ride to my 1st stop, I was awakened by the voice of the driver talking to somebody. I sat near the front area of the bus. And when I opened my eyes, the driver wa talking to a kid, around 4-5 yrs. of age. The driver said to him to stay inside the bus until somebody picks him up. A kid is lost! Everybody was staring at the poor kid. I don't know the whole story, but I think the boy was left behind by his guardian. Poor boy! But he is calm and quiet, not frightened.

I cannot imagine my son, to be lost and left behind. IF that will happen to me, I'll go crazy!

I just wish he will be united to his parents.

then and now

Time really flies...and that means I'm getting older! Oh, no!

X'mas tReE

First week of November had passed already. December is fast approaching and this means Christmas season! We, my family are excited on having Christmas decor inside the house. So, we decided to buy a Xmas TrEE. Luckily, there's a sale in Canadian Tire Store and told my my husband to go to that store last Friday before it will be sold out. In this store, they don't offer rain checks for items that are on sale.

My kids are really excited to set up the tree. It's like I'm hearing a million times of the word PLEASe.

We set up the tree. Now we need decor for the tree.
















We bought some Xmas balls and a star for the tree. It's so hard to choose what decor, and decided to have red and gold as the motif.






We also included the ceramic Xmas decor my kids painted.
Not bad for our first Xmas TrEE. Maybe few more decor. Ribbons? Garland? few more red and balls?


Christmas is in the air in our house and we're really excited. This OUR house, our very OWN house. The Xmas tree is so simple, but we love it, our kids love it. And it's personalized with their painted decor. And they also sang Christmas carols as we put the decor on the tree.




















Can't help singing,

"O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!"

flu is all around us...

After a month of having virus inside the house (my 3 kids and had chicken pox; I was the last one to have it and the worst!), now it's stomach flu!
My 2nd daughter has it yesterday and now it's my son's turn. When will these sickness be gone in our household? It's so hard when the kids are sick.