Christmas-ready Chandy and Window

Ok, if our media center got a Christmas upgrade, for sure even our chandy will too!!!!! I usually hang ornaments to the chandy. This year is no different. Take a look...

"let it snow.."

Let it snow...

I used red snowflake garland bought from Menards 3 years ago. Then hung a big silver Dollar tree snowflake (bought 4 years ago) in the middle. The other glitter snowflakes were from Opryland I bought last year on clearance.

Our Dining room window joined in on the fun too! Here she is...

Ready to party

Ornaments galore

another view

I just hung old ornaments using red ribbon in different widths and lengths. Then I added my old silver ball garlands bought form Marshalls a few years ago. 

I don't have drapes yet in my dining because it is still under "construction" - meaning, I still haven't decide what to do with the overall decor there. So for the holidays, I'm going all out in this room since it does not follow any specific color scheme yet.

My theme for this Holiday season is Sparkling Christmas with lots of reds,silver and snowflakes and reindeers!

Anyway, I will post my Christmas-ready Dining room set-up soon!!!

An open letter to my son Aidan

Dearest Aidan,


I know that it may be many years before you get to read this letter, but I'm writing it anyway since I am just overflowing with pride and joy at what you have just accomplished.


You are now in first grade at your new school and yesterday you brought home your progress report card with straight A's and all S's. I and your daddy and kuya, are all so proud of this because we know how hard you worked for this.


Everyday, when you get home from school, the very first thing you do is go to your little desk in our kitchen and pull out all your homework and call me "Mommy, you need to help me with this!". You do this on your own, without any prompts from us, without any questions. You just knew that you gotta do what you gotta do. I think that what makes me so proud is this attitude of yours which I hope will linger on throughout your life and also, rub off on me too.


Your initial struggles with reading was very frustrating. So frustrating that it made you really anxious about school and brought out a transient tic in you. We felt the stress and your wanting to learn and please everyone, and so we all worked together to get your reading at par with your peers. Everyday, we would go thru all the vocabulary words you get from school -  From week 1 to now week 12 ( that's about 150 words now including the extras I put in your word box) and you would read these words to me automatically, without any complaints, without any questions. I feel your complete trust that this repetitive exercise will help you with your reading - and it did.


Now, its math we're "struggling " with. We realized how much we neglected you during all those years your nanny was with us. We are reviewing the basics of numbers again on top of your current math work in school of addition and subtraction. It is difficult and challenging, you cry sometimes because you know you couldn't get it sometimes. I am at fault too for loosing my temper so often that all I could do is apologize for my impatience and shortcomings to you before I say good night. I thank you Aidan for being so understanding of your mom who does not have the same patience and trust as you do.


I know its going to be a long haul. But you know what, this progress report of yours only shows that with the way you are right now, with your inherent admirable attitude, I strongly believe you can overcome your difficulty with math.


And with that, I am also equally confident that someday, when things are not going well for you, wether be it about middle school work or a college thesis, or about your life in general, WE KNOW you will be alright in the end.


Thank you anak, for showing me and teaching me and assuring me everyday, that things will be alright.


Thank you for teaching me the importance of hard work and perseverance in your own little way. 


Thank you for showing me how to trust unconditionally. 


But most of all thank you for your patience with mommy and daddy. We love you so much anak!




Your number 1 fan,
Mommy


PS: I just heard mass at your school today, and I thanked GOD for YOU and who YOU ARE!

FLASHBACK: Aidan's 6th Birthday

We had a fun-filled party during Aidan's 6th birthday. And I just wanted to share some of the details about it here!

The theme is "Toy Story". This was actually the 2nd Toy Story party I've come up with, the first one was for Nio when he turned 3. So I know this was gonna be a very fun party to set-up!

6-Cake

The cake was just plain blue. I added the Toy Story-themed sprinkles I bought at Walmart. The toy belonged to Aidan and I just placed it on the corner to some accent.

Souvenirs

I bought the boxes from "Party City" and filled it with goodies. I placed Aidan's picture and with the help of an Ipad App called GLOW DRAW. I made the picture card just to make these store-bought boxes more personalized.

Garage Set-up

Prizes

His birthday is January and being too cold to be outside. we set-up the game area in the garage. Patio heater, some table covers in coordinating colors to cover the mess and Viola - a party/game room!

Pabitin

It is a Filipino tradition to have a contraption such as this during kids parties. The PABITIN goes up and down, up and down while the eager kids await to try getting the toy they want! Such fun!

Dessert and Kiddie food set-up

I used a clearance table cover from Pier 1 and added purple napkins and lime green drawer liners to give the table more color.

I got the Star shaped bowls from Kohls on clearance after Christmas. Chocolates and fruits and cupcakes complete the desserts. The kiddie food consisted of pizza, chicken nuggets, veggies and chips.

Drinks on one side, adult food on the other

Tribute to the celebrant

Grown-up food

The buffet consisted of Beef with broccoli, Hunan Chicken, Chopsuey, Spring rolls, Palabok, Baked Mac and Congee or lugaw with all the extras and Fried tofu!

Balloons for the bday boy

More on the celebrant

I displayed a lot of Aidan's art around and his pictures to make the room feel like it's really FOR HIM!

Toy Story toys everywhere

Proud Birthday Buzz Boy!