Cousins' Before and After Christmas Picture

My kids and my niece's kids are very close. FYI, my niece is married to my husband's nephew, so being close to each other is easy! They hang out together all the time--- movies, library, parks, museums, beaches and even movie marathons!

Here is a picture of them when Jem was not even a year old. It was Christmas 2009 after hearing mass on Christmas Day. 

Here is the 2014 version! Crazy how time flies! 

I can't believe how our little angels are grown so fast! Hanging out with them is the highlight of my holiday season. 

How about you? What is the highlight of your Christmas?

Christmas 2014

It's been a wonderful time! I am surrounded by my loves! 

The following photos were taken before taking off to a Christmas lunch hosted by my niece Fridah!

But my favorite is...

Confession: I messed up! We were supposed to attend the 9pm mass on Christmas Eve but my brothers-in-law came and they played tong-it's with Mr.Hubbs and my closest friends came over for dinner!  Missing in the picture: Dikong Ric--photographer!

Anyway, that changed the plans. So then, I decided to do the 9am mass. Unfortunately I realized later on that Mr.Hubbs would not be home by then. Ok, let's do 6pm. Ha! We drove there and the church was closed! Hahahahah! Senior moment--- that mass was for the 24th! We hurried home and we read the gospel and readings of the day with our Advent candles lit. Also, the kids and I took turns to read. Afterwards, I asked each one to share what they love best about Christmas and we shared. Pherry said he likes that everyone in general is just happy and nice. KC said she likes gifts and Josh shared he likes reunions of family, the parties! I asked Chris and it broke my heart when he said " nothing, I just miss Nanay." 

Being home for the last few days, off this Christmas week just reiterates that I made the right decision. Yes, I don't make as much money as before but I do have lots of priviledges like taking time off when I need to. Family time is priceless! 

Soon the kids will have their own lives and all I have to hold on to are memories of this time of the year. I treasure these time with them. 

Merry Christmas my dear loves!

Brag Day

Last Wednesday, Josh asked to look over his recipe --- porkolt pot pie, apparently a Hungarian staple. It's part of their geography class. 

Thursday, I came home and I was asked to close my eyes! OPEN! 

TOP CHEF! My baby is the top chef. Is this a sign? He has been telling us he wants to go to culinary school and I have been a little reluctant. 

Yesterday, KC got her report card too and it's all As and no, that is not the brag! It is the fact that Math was A+! Unbelievable! Way to go my darlings!

Happy Saturday. #lovelovelove

So, to celebrate, we went on a date! Just the three of us! Dad is sleeping and Kuya is at a robotics competition, of which I had to drop him off at 6:30am! 

My Boys

You know how when you're young, you always fight with your siblings. Certainly, my kids are the same. But, more often than not, I see how they admire each other. 

I came home last week and Josh was like, " Mom, Wentwort sent a letter to Kuya." We've been receiving so many letters from different colleges but for some reason Chris is focused on this one school--- Wentworth Institute of Technology. I don't know if it's rebellion against my pushing him towards the well-known schools in Boston. When I gave him the look, Josh was like " Mom, don't worry, I didn't open it, I just texted him so he gets to open it himself."

Here's the text message;

Aren't they cute?