Treasured MOM-ents

Daniel's Soccer Birthday Party

2013-06-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

This was the first invite we got for a Boy's Themed Party.

Thanks to Kimmee (Daniel's mom), we were able to catch a glimpse of a boy's party which was a world of difference from the girl's party we have attended.

* Kimi doing soccer for the first time

The first part of the party was spent on the field with a game of free play...

* Kimi in action

* Dads as goalie

Then teams were formed for a friendly game of soccer.

* Red Team :)

The girls decided that it was too much for them and decided to stay on the sidelines for a breath of fresh air.

* Avril, Kimi and Natalia

* Pretending to be spiders in a web ;)

* Uhmm... trying out their spider senses

* Group Picture

Snacks were served inside. Pizzas, chips, juice and more to feed the tired players.

The main event was the unveiling of the cake. A big expectation since Daniel's mom is a cake instructor :)

* Fondant with the ball made up of cake all through

* Lemon flavoured cake for the base and chocolate cake for the ball

* Daniel with Mom and Dad

* * * * *

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY

DANIEL

Amaya's Art Birthday Party

2013-06-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Amaya celebrated turning 6 in the 4Cats South Burnaby Branch.

All the girls in class were invited and it was a really a fun party.

* A bit of rules to follow

* Canvas background to paint

Clays were formed into little ballerinas. The little clays went into the oven and the canvases were painted to await the mini ballerinas.

* A bit of snack

Snacks were served while the clays were being baked.

* Kimi's baked ~~good~~ art

* Loots for take home

* with Amaya, the Birthday Girl

* * * * *

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY

AMAYA

Thriving Family Summer 2013

2013-05-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

I love Thriving Family and has been a subscriber for quite a while. I heard about them through my daily podcast of Focus on the Family and has been reading their magazine to help me with paenting my two munchkins.

It is a great read for parents on how to raise kids in faith and I am so happy to see that for the latest edition, Kenzo's picture was included in one of the inserts in coloured print...

* My Little Boy in print :)

The website also has his picture as an icon :)

* * * * *

THRIVING FAMILY

Summer 2013

Avril's Strawberry Shortcake Birthday

2013-05-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day for an outdoor/indoor party and Avril's parents did a wonderful job with making it special with personal touches.

* Cakes made with love..

* Strawberry-licious

* Sweet Bar

Craft time was the first in the agenda...

* Kimi's work of art

Some games...

* Duck Goose

Pinata was a big hit with the kids... we learn a new song to go with the game too

* Lining up for a chance to hit on the piñata

* Song that goes with the game,

when the song is done so is the player's turn at hitting the pinata

* Load of Goodies

* Hat full :)

* Gifts from friends...

* Personalized card from Kimi

* Birthday song

* * * * *

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY

AVRIL

Thea's 6th Princess Party

2013-05-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

This year, Kimi started at SFDS and with new friends, came new invitation to various parties.

The first party outside school she attended for the year is from Thea.

It was obvious that Thea's parent planned the party well that was fit for their little princess...

* The Sweets...

* The Princess Doll Cake

* Sugar Rush :)

* Nicely Packaged Loots... Pearls for each little guests....

* Princess Aurora doing a mini makeover

* Kimi got to borrow a costume from the Brave movie for the party...

* Princesses in training...

* Happy Guest

* Princess Celebrant of the day and

one of Kimi's closest friend in school

* * * * *

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY THEA

Baby Shower for Ronin Eisner Tio

2013-04-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Surprise! Surprise!

It's a shower to get the moms together to celebrate the arrival of our latest baby (from an extended family :) )

* Finger Foods by Mommy Joy

* Sago at Gulaman by Mommy Sarah

* Lumpia by Mommy Aida

* Dessert by Mommy Mel

*Taho by Mommy G

Since we all share a ~~talent~~ love for singing, we did a karaoke showdown after the finger food AYCE...

* Photo from Sarah's Camera+ Self Timer

* Photo Courtesy of Charlie

* Photo from Sony Bloggie

* * * * *
CONGRATULATIONS
REX and JO

Spring Fair 2013

2013-04-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Attraction:

* * * * *

SPRING FAIR 2013

May 25, 2013

Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm

It Takes a Man and a Woman

2013-04-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

It was not planned but I am so glad we went ahead with this movie date.

I was expecting a lot of laughter but was surprised to find myself crying on various scenes from the movie...

* Empire Theatre, Surrey B.C.

* It Takes a Man and a Woman

“Today I realized I won’t be making any vows in my wedding… Because this is not the day for promises. Today I stand here in front of you in complete surrender. I have no worries. I have no fear because I know… I am sure I’m yours.”

* * * * *

I know it was not your cup of tea but,

Thank you hubby for watching it with me...

You're the BEST :)

Once upon a Kingdom...

2013-04-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Finally started on finding summer activities for the kids.

For Kimi, I decided to register a week in a daycamp that will hopefully result in a deeper understanding of God's word and His Love for us...

Interested? Click Here

* * * * *

ONCE UPON A KINGDOM

Summer Daycamp 2013

July 8-12; July 15-19; July 22-26, 2013

A Taste of Cambodian... Phnom Penh

2013-04-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

A great find...

Hubby's new favourite spot to eat.

* Phnom Penh

* Awards for the restaurant

* Beef Luc Luc with Fried Egg

* Deep Fried Chicken Wings

* Butter Beef

* Happy Customers :)

* * * * *

PHNOM PENH

Vancouver, B.C.

The Chuas meet The Croods

2013-04-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

We weren't planning on doing a movie especially with Kenzo in tow but hubby decided to try and see if Kenzo will finally behave and be able to sit still for a whole movie.

We couldn't find The Croods poster so we posed on the Monster University Decor for a bit of photo fun.

* New Student? Monster University

* Lovey Dovey

* Kenzo was digging the one eyed monster

It's his first time inside the movie and good thing he wasn't scared when we showed him the dimly lit theatre...

With a popcorn as a bribe to keep him still, he was okay for the most part, except for the occasional times that he lost his toy cars while the movie was playing and we had to use our mobile to light up the floor to find his precious cars.

The movie was funny with moments that actually got me teary eyed on some parts...

* * * * *

Eep: Dad, you have to stop worrying about us.

Grug: But it's my job to worry! It's my job to follow our traditions.

Eep: Those traditions don't work out here.

Grug: They've been keeping us alive.

Eep: That was not LIVING! It was "Not Dying"! There's a difference.

Mini Candy Craze

2013-04-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

It started with the DIY Sushi...

It tasted like gummy but looks like sushi...

Just mix the packs included and form them with the use of the moulds and VOILA!

* Fool Proof Sushi safe for the kids :)

...and it was so darn cute plus a chance to bond with Kimi

The Burger was easier. It was just stacking up the gummy included in the pack and putting the wafer bun on both ends... This set was cheaper too!

* Burger Jr.

Next, we found the ice cream kit that worked like a play dough with a small icing bag to make the ice cream swirls... The cones was included as is.

* Lukewarm Ice cream anyone?

The donut kit is fairly easy with just mixing and moulding to do the kit. It was really yummy and the icings were really a hit with the kids...

* Baker's Dozen

This next kit required the use of a microwave. We mixed the dough and put the in the microwave to bake :) Still easy and it came out so pretty and not to mention, yummy!

* Mini Two Tier Cake

It was weird to eat curry in miniature, knowing it was candy but tasting like curry and chicken nuggets. It was good though and Kimi liked her late night snack until it was all wiped out.

* Curry Good!

I wonder what our next candy adventure would be?

Till our next candy craft :)

The Grotto

2013-03-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

We decided to spend our Easter on a long journey to visit The Grotto in Portland, Oregon.

We attended the Good Friday liturgy. It was an experience and you would have thought that you were in the Philippines with all the Filipinos from British Columbia that attended that particular mass. It was a standing room for us even if we were a good 20 minutes early entering the church.

I especially loved the lifelike sculpture near the church's gift shop. It was eerie how real it looks despite the glass enclosure.

* * * * *

HAPPY EASTER

and cheers to new beginnings

Playdome 2013

2013-03-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sure, the weather is still cold for the kids to enjoy the outdoors but the fun is indoors with this year's Indoor Carnival.

We started Spring Break with a day at the BC Place which probably made the kids expectation for activities a bit higher for the whole week ;)

* Are you ready for some indoor fun?

It's nice that the kids are all together to do some kind of good peer pressure which led them to try rides they wouldn't try by themselves

* This was the first ride that Kimi was scared of on her first try

* By this time, she learned to scream and let it out...

* This ride was kinda dizzying as well...

Kenzo loved the fast rides but I was ind of on edge because he has no sense of fear and wants to stand up while the ride is ongoing. The seatbelt are not as tight as I'd like it to be...

* Fishies out of the water

(Photo Courtesy of Charlie Ng)

* Mini Roller Coaster

(Photo Courtesy of Charlie Ng)

While some rides are a no no for Kenzo....

* Waiting by the sidelines...

* Or getting a little smooch a fest with papa

* * * * *

PLAYDOME 2013

BC Place, Vancouver B.C.

MArch 16-24, 2012

Strong Start for a Strong Finish

2013-03-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

I started Kenzo with Strongstart program starting January for the reason of getting him used to the school setting and hopefully be confident enough when it is time for him to start school in September. It is a Parent Participation Program but it has done wonders for my little Kenzo after 2 months of going there on my free days from work.

* DIY play dough

* Non Toxic :) Smells really yummy

but no, this is not a real ice cream

I love how personal and affectionate the teacher (Lillan) on the 12th Ave Strongstart with her approach and how she has fresh ideas for the kids each time we come in. I know that running a school day in day out can be exhausting and I really appreciate how she makes each day fun for the kids and making everything a learning opportunity. I also like the fact that this particular branch is bigger than the one near our home.

THE BASICS: NUMBERS AND ALPHABETS

* Number foam blocks

* Alphabet Foams

* Sand Box with alphabets

There is also a place for the artsy little kids. Even though Kenzo loves to play with the toys that moves, he had his turn on the easel as well...

ARTS: COLORS

* Washable Paints (Whew!)... Don't forget to wear the smock!

PUZZLES

* Buses, Trains and Transpotation Magnetic Board

* Tracks, Rail and Train Stations

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: TAKING CARE OF SOMEONE

12th Ave Strongstart also got an In-house Guinea Pig name Chestnut. Kenzo loves to say Hi (from a safe distant). It was nice having a guinea pig in the vicinity to feed and take care of. The kids learned to pet Chestnut and be gentle when hey got a chance to hold him.

* Feed the Guinea Pig

SCIENCE: CONCLUSION?

There is a fly inside the container... Little Scientist observing from the outside.

* Science Experiments... Observing a fly

* * * * *

STRONGSTART BURNABY

12th Ave, Burnaby

B.C.

A Tribute to my Grandparents

2013-03-02T22:23:00.001-08:00

All my memories of my grandparents are of them together.

We lived quite far away from each other and for those few times that they do visit and stayed at our place. I was always amazed how they made being married look so natural and something that I'd like for myself. If one of them enters the room, you can definitely count on the fact that the other one would be there a few minutes later. They just love being in each other's company.

When I got word that my grandmother passed away. I immediately thought of my grandfather and how he must be feeling. A little over 2 weeks after her death, my grandfather also passed away. It was sad but I also felt that they just could't bear being apart and it was how they'd want it... together, right until the end.

Their memorial service was held today at Dallas, Texas. I wish I was there to be with them for the last time, I did a presentation for their memorial service/ viewing and it was really emotional doing this little video for them.

Thank you Grandparents for being such a role model,

I look to you both... I Love You

* * * * *

GOODBYE ANGKONG and AMAH

WE WILL MISS YOU A LOT

...to my Valentine

2013-02-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

It's not the numerous little things that we are different,

but the few important ones that we are the same.

It's not the sweet words uttered,

but the actions that comes with it.

Thank you for being my partner

but most of all thank you for being my best friend as well.

I love you more and more each day...

(and) Thank you for loving me despite all my imperfections(sssss).

I can't thank God enough for bringing you into my life...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY BIBI

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH

BC Family Day

2013-02-11T12:19:00.000-08:00

There is a new holiday in Canada starting this year dedicated to one of the most important relationship we have- FAMILY

From our family to yours,

Happy Family Day

CNY @ Aberdeen

2013-02-10T22:19:00.000-08:00

We wanted to experience the Chinese New Year but wanted it indoor because we wanted to be warm and comfortable as well.

Aberdeen was the best bet in experiencing the event and the rest of Richmond had the same idea, because I've never seen Aberdeen with this much people

* Stage Design for the Chinese New Year

There was a variety of entertainment available throughout the day for the enjoyment of the shoppers from dragon dance performing from store to store and different acrobatic dances showcasing their moves onstage.

The wide walkway was cramped with makeshift stalls that sells Chinese desserts, trinkets and decors just for the event. There were also posters with Chinese sayings as giveaways for those who want something of the event to remember by.

* Little Kiosks

* Lucy charms, Gold Statues and Dragon puppets

...there was also face painting from the Shaw booth that face paints your sign... or whatever animals you wanted.

* Face Painting

* Wear you sign...

It was a bit of a wait but the result was well worth it :)

* Dragon Heads

* My Little Dragon Girl

* Mimicking the dance

* Hooray for the dragon dancer!

* * * * *

CHEERS TO THE

YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Chinese New Year Dinner- Kimi's duet with Grandpa

2013-02-09T22:48:00.000-08:00

Father in law invited us to a Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Filipino Chinese Association in B.C.

We decided to go since we don't have anything planned plus FIL is doing a number so we would like to show our support as well.

* The Programme

FIL was practicing for his song number and decided to let Kimi join him so the solo became a duet. I was especially worried because I don't know if Kimi will freak out when she sang with a mic and hear her voice out loud plus a real audience in front of her. She did better than I was expecting especially for her first time singing live. :)

GOOD JOB KIMIKINS

* Kimi sings 祝你新年快乐 with Grandpa

Kenzo, on the other hand, found himself a new friend...

* Kenzo, Reese and Nana

* * * * *

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Ice Skating Field Trip @ Bill Copeland

2013-02-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

Museums were the natural choices for a field trip in Manila back when I was younger.

Here? It varies from museums to sporty activities such as ice skating like the one we recently had in Kimi's class.

* Bill Copeland Sport Centre

* The Rink

* Fully Geared

* Friends from K :)

A lot of the Kindergarteners started with a walker and it was cute watching little guys and girls racing inside the ice rink with their walkers...

* Active skaters

It was fun while it lasted and it was a great end for the week.

* Kimi after her skating field trip

* * * * *

HAPPY LONG WEEKEND :)

We Love our Families

2013-02-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

The assignment was to decorate their own frames and say a bit about their family for February's I Love our Families Themed Board.

We decided to use up old supplies from old craft supplies and Kimi set to work on her frame

* Kindergarten's Love Board

...and look what I found amidst all the hearts in the board

* Our very own HEART :)

Tobogganing at Mt. Seymour 2013

2013-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. It does takes awhile but now I learned to enjoy the 4 season that we have here in Vancouver, Canada. We do have our favourite but there is a certain excitement in waiting for the next one to arrive and to prepare the kids in their next adventure for the season.

Winter. It is still quite cold here but not snowy and the mommies decided to give the kids a nice surprise by planning a Winter Tobogganing Event right at the beginning of February at Mt Seymour. We kept everything under wrap for the reason that we wanted our sanity intact before the event and I don't think the kids can contain the excitement once they found out what is waiting for them. One more reason was that a few weeks before our event, kids are coming down with fever coughs and colds and we were keeping our fingers crossed that we will make it in time without anyone missing the fun or having to cancel the whole plan. Lucky me, Kenzo got fever 4 days before and Kimi 2 days before and I was actually thinking that we might be left behind... BUT, we were there and everyone was COMPLETE! (Double Hooray!)

* Getting comfortable sitting on the snow

It was my first time to do Tobogganing and I was more ~~scared~~ excited than scared until I saw the slope that we were going to slide from and the oversize plastic folder that were available for rent to rest our butt in as we go down the icy slide... Now, it was too late to make an excuse and I had to be brave especially since the Kimi and Kenzo saw their playmates and were quite excited at the prospect of sliding like their friends were doing.... Talk about good peer pressure.

I found a sturdier mat (Thanks Jo!) and with a bit of encouragement, I got Kimi to go the first slide with me and I actually went straight for the Starting flag with a loud Thump.... Oooh my pride hurt more than anything and I went up with a sigh and turned to find everyone looking at my nice start. I decided to sit it out a bit and ~~sulk~~ pretend nothing happened out of the ordinary hehe!

Picture taking seems like a good idea so,

* Eron, Hubby and Kenzo

Hubby decided to finally try it with Kenzo and he actually did a whole lot better than me (Hmph!)

* Eron, Kenzo and Kimi

I finally got the courage as soon as I saw kids half my size doing it on their own.

* Mel and Kenzo

I got Kenzo which was wiggling all the way down. I was holding onto him and screaming all the way down hoping that I can stay in the mat without holding anything except an overzealous toddler... and I DID! (Pat on the back)

Several more slides and I was getting more confident but the hike up was really tiring me down and Kenzo wanted me to carry him every time it was uphill (Double Sigh)

Kimi finally got the confidence and decided to try it be herself...

* Kimi's First Attempt by Herself...

She did tumble on the second attempt but she went on as if nothing happened (Atta Girl!)

Uncle Warren and Rex was going up and down the hill fetching the kids and sliding with them...I don't know where they got the stamina. Uncle Charlie and Steve held on to their cameras in between slides to make sure they got everything captured. I was so glad Eron was there to help with Kenzo as well.

* Uncle Warren, Ryker and Justin

* Uncle Rex and Kenzo

* Papa Karl and Kimi

* Kenzo pouting over waiting for his turn...

...more picture taking in between slides

* A Bit of relaxation

* Group Picture

...and last but not the least,

* Picture with my favourite girls...

...must be the age, my back is still hurting from all the activity that Saturday... BUT Totally Worth it and would definitely do it again! Cheers to the next event ;)

* * * * *

TOBOGGANING 2013

Mt. Seymour @ North Vancouver

Kindergarten's take on Hip Hop

2013-02-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

We were invited to a Hip Hop performance at Kimi's school and I was more than excited to be a part of the audience.

I've never seen Kimi do Hip Hop and it was such a treat just to watch her stray from the ballet dance to something that is way different.

* SFDS Kindergarteners

It was a simple dance step and Kimi was not in her element but momma was really proud of her and her first attempt with it...

* A Short Video

They had 5 days to prepare for this. Such a short preparation and everyone did such a great performance. It was fun hearing the 90's music from my youth. Great Job SFDS-ers!

For the Clinique Lover...

2013-01-31T13:25:00.001-08:00

I was quite busy and wasn't able to post for a month.

Let's just call it sort of online fasting but I am so glad to be back :)

Interested in this box? Click Prive Clinique Box to get your own.

January Topbox was Clinique Month