Easter Sunday 2011

Growing up Catholic in the Philippines is very different, most evidently during the so called Holy Week. Filipinos tend to focus more on Black Friday, mourning the death of Christ with such cultural flare, great pageantry and religious activities combined. Catholics/Christians here in the US put greater emphasis on Easter Sunday, Christ's resurrection. Easter Sunday is one of the holy days I observed ( as a Catholic immigrant in this great nation) where the Church is packed ( no pun intended). Much like Christmas.

So, after our Spring break vacation ( which I still need to write 2 more posts), we geared up for Easter.

Here's what we did.

The family loves it when the Llaga(s) of Presidential Estate visit, but we love it more when Ice bakes cookies with us. She is such a sweetheart---always respectful and very neat. We made egg shaped vanilla cookies and while preparing the dough, Ice keeps eating it and telling us how.."Mamu, it's good as it is... really." Would you believe it if I told you it was NOT there for Easter? Yup, it was that good.

The kiddos wanted to add that star cookie shaper---because WE are stars!

It warms my heart when I see them enjoy the fruits of their labor, and the bonding time they have as cousins...PRICELESS. Clean up is a different story altogether. Ha!

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Of course, Pherry did not HELP--- wait, he helped EAT the cookies. My two assistants in baking? Ice and Josh. These 2 are the best! They finish the work, you know how kids love to start something and when interest wanes, poof? Not my 2 favorites. They really enjoy it. I guess that's the way it is... the younger kids work and the older kids eat. Maybe just in my house, ha?


Here's Pherry dipping his cookies in a glass of milk. My style-- I dip my bread in my coffee cup--Pinoy style at it's best.

Then, it was my time with KC-- we dyed the Easter eggs! I try to involve the kids with everything I do. Here's what we came up with. I was going to make more elaborate ones but I was just tired from our Philadelphia trip that I just came up with these.

Sunday, we attended St. Joseph's Easter Sunday celebration. Of course with The Llagas of PE and Surwez of Avalon ---and a surprise guest, my sister HG. Woohoo!

Here's Josh, handsome as ver, running away from me is what he does now, taking cue from big bro--no pictures Ma!

 My pretty passengers...

Aren't they the most adorable duo? They love each other and they truly enjoy one another. My hope is that when they grow up, they are still very close---my kids and their cousins

Finally, I was able to take a picture of YOU! I love dressing up my boys with pinks and whites during the spring/summer time. So clean and fresh! Notice Pherry's crisp shirt--pink and white baby! My God, looking at this picture reminds me that I have a 12 year old son! My baby is going to be 13! That must be why we have been fighting a lot, ha? Duh!

And these beautiful kids my friends, is why I consider myself so blessed! On Easter Sunday, I am blessed by God and just having them reminds me of His big great love for all of us.

Here's Josh again. I took this picture for his First Communion invitation cards

 My baby boy Josh. He quips, " We need to take pictures, I know, I know...". Smart boy, don't you think?
Here she is, my little darling grand niece.. Precious Gabrielle.....or Ice.

 Ice!!! Ice!!! My favorite girl in the whole wide world! Very neat, intelligent and respectful. I love you Ice~~~

Extra point to anyone who can spy the purple and yellow eggs in this picture. For reals, they are there! But this shot is mostly to show you how beautiful my yard is... the gah-den ( garden) as Bostonians would say, is in full bloom. Come visit and you will see an array of beautiful colors.

This is our Spring table. The food is mostly seafood except for the pork barbecue. The reason I love my friends? They are troopers. They come armed with FOOD! I can ask them to come and know that  I need not worry about what to feed them.

Isn't she the prettiest mow-del like niece you can ever wish for? Extra point for me for saying that. Winky! Her amazing cooking ability is just a bonus. My kitchen is always abuzz with cooking clutter but I love it! You should see HG cook her shrimp in olive oil with pepper. Ok, HG I'll change that ... shrimp with Extra olive oil... extra olive oil is essential she says. Here's a picture of that delectable shrimp...

Here's Mr. Hubbs doing what he does best, barbecue. I love how he meticulously prepare food.

But of course, for the kids, we got to do EGG HUNTING!!!
Here's my list of rules...


Here's the troop that day... so, so adorable troop I got last Easter.

Let the fun begin....





Here's the group after... Tita Sol is sure enjoting herself! You probably guessed who got the most eggs by now...

...and our big winner, Angelica!!! She probably got $30.00 from all her prizes.

WHeeew! After the excitement outside, we went in again to decorate the dyed egss and Jojo picked 2 awardees foe Most Artistic because " I can't pick, they are all so beautiful". This, after SisSol gave up the judging post because " I can't pick, I saw them all do it and they are all good". Yes indeed!  The kids made such beautiful eggs by putting on stickers, chalk, glitters and other decorations. Boy am I glad I did not have to do it. Meanwhile, HG is sleeping! Oh sister!

Then off to watch the Celtics sweep the poor NY Knicks! What a Bostonian Easter we had! Family and friends peeps, family and friends make everything beautiful! Good morning!