Green is the Color of Christmas

Our family likes to color coordinate our clothes every Christmas. We had red, green, yellow, and pink from the past Christmases. This year I suggested black because we're sort of gloomy because we're separated from each other. They didn't like the idea. Then I tried on blue because we're bluer than blue (again because of our separation from our mother) they didn't like it either. Ate suggested green because they all have clothing in that hue. I said there's got to be a meaning why we chose green. She said its green because we're green minded people! Haha! Nice one ate!

We're not green minded people but we all agreed on it because green means GO. Go follow your dreams. Go take a vacation. Go explore the world. Go spread some love! That's what we did this year and from my family to yours, GO have a Merry Christmas!

♥09122012♥

Needless to say that time passes by ever so quickly, because here we are again celebrating my Riley's second birthday! It's been a fun year. We became closer and I never ever regret not working (full time that is) because I would never trade the precious time we've shared together. And I intend to add more wonderful moments with him in the coming years. Ok, enough with the preamble, here's the pictures of the birthday boy on his special day!

I think Riley knows it's his birthday! He is unbelievably in a good mood the whole day. He wakes up with a smile on his face and when I greeted him "Happy Birthday" he said "two." He even pretended to blow a candle. Oh yes, he knows it's his birthday!

His shirt says "I'm two, what's your excuse?" :D Kids will always be kids! And at this stage, it's their nature to be makulit! Please grant me patience, God. Lots of it! 

We eat out at Max's Restaurant. My treat to the loving and supporting family Riley and I have. My favorite part - blowing of his birthday cake!

Just look at that face! LOL. Ang tagal namin prinaktis ang pgblow ng candle nya pero ni hindi man lang nya napatay ang apoy. Hehe. 

Happy second birthday! We'll have more birthdays to celebrate. More moments to cherish. And more love to  share! I love you!

Mother's Day Special

Belated Happy Mother's Day! How did you spend it? We just spend it in our home and had a simple celebration.

the simple feast we shared

I baked oatmeal cookies

No! I didn't bake this. 

We just bought this for the wonderful lady there ↓

we will never stop honoring her ♥

My gift to myself! :)

I always find excuses to buy myself a gift!

I am one proud mama and I  ♥  it!

Motherhood is the best thing ever! 

And the reward of a kiss from my son is the sweetest!

Christmas Goodies

This Christmas I'm giving away sweets, chocolates, and candies! And not just for the kids but for the kids at heart as well! :)

Christmas goodies, anyone?

yema square

chocolates

candy chocolates

and candies that my son helps me to pack!

a simple gift to show appreciation for all the love that Riley gets :)

Christmas is the season of giving! Have a Merry Merry Christmas! and Hope you like our gifts! Love, Joyce and Riley :)

i love halloween!

I love Halloween! From now on, it will be right next to Christmas and New Year as my favorite holiday. :) There's something about dressing up and making costumes that makes me super excited for my boy! Hehe. It's so fun watching kids in their costumes of scary and fairy tale characters that they choose to imitate. I really wish Trick or Treat in the Philippines would blossom and that EVERYONE would participate. It doesn't need to spend a lot of money in your costumes, the only thing we need is our imagination and creativity!

Riley as "little devil" & me as "mickey mouse" (duh!)

My mom as a witch

Rapunzel

witch

a cute bumblebee

minnie mouse

a princess

a "possessed" spiderman :p

astronauts

a lost fairy

AND

Riley (again) as Lt. Riley "the soldier" :)

Riley's First Birthday Party

My son turns 1 recently. It’s a one day event but planning it started 3 to 4 months ago. (Talking about an overexcited mom! hehe) This is A big event for me because it marks our first year together and Riley’s one wonderful year with us. So it had to be some kind of extravagant celebration! First decision would have to be the venue. Riley loves water so it’s easy to go for a swimming party. Next the menu, the guest, the invitations, the cake, who to get for entertainment, where to rent chairs and tables, the loot bags etc, etc etc. Hehe. It’s not easy putting up a party! And everything has to be ON a budget! I guess that’s the hardest part of all. To determine which are worth spending the money and which are not that important. And even if I have the means for it, I would not throw away money for lavish things. Anyway, one by one everything has been decided, it all fit together and finally, Riley's BIG day arrives!

I can't decide which of the four to be the invitation so I print all of them! 

the stage

the birthday cake

the magician

the photobooth area

the guests and the food

the birthday boy! :)

There are some flaws that came up (which is normal in any event) but overall, I was happy the way it came out. I was satisfied  that I pull it off nicely and everyone enjoyed it as much as I enjoy it. But what’s more important is that my son enjoys it too!

I love every bit of it and it would forever be in my memory how we celebrate his first birthday. However, on his 2nd birthday, I think I would choose Jollibee or Mcdo. Where all I have to do is pay them and they will take care of the rest! ^_^

To everyone that celebrated with us, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! from the bottom of my heart :)

unleashing the inner cook in me

Last month, we went to Gerry’s Grill to celebrate my son’s 5th month birthday. We really had a great time, except that towards the end, riley got irritated and impatient. When it’s time to blow his candle, he is crying all over the place! Lol. Yesterday, as he turned 6th month in the world, I wanted to make it special without the hassle of going out. So I decided to bring the resto feeling in the comfort of our home. I decided to cook for him the seafood way!

Allow me to present the dishes I prepared...

tuna spaghetti in penne pasta with basil leaves and parsley on top! 

(kulang na lang isama ko lahat ng ingredients sa title. Haha!)

tempura-do 

baked tahong with cheese that didn't melt quick
(hindi kasi quickmelt cheese nalagay ko)

crab rice ala gerry's grill (how i wish!) 

tira-tiramisu (tira-mo-ko)

HAyyyy. Kapagod magprepare lahat. Na-wa-poise ako! hehe

Pero okey lang, kung para sa bunso ko, I'll willingly do it again.
Anu kaya masarap n iprepare next tym???