Thursday, December 03, 2009

The Countdown Begins

... and I'm not even done with my countdown calendar yet hehehe! But we managed to put up the Christmas tree, the decorations (garlands, wreath and some Christmas stuffed toys, Christmas stockings, snow globes etc.) before December. So far, so good ... we are lovin' our house decors. Jeff and Ethan anticipates the Christmas lights every night and would even remind me if it's not lit! Perhaps I can make the calendar this weekend and have our Christmas photo shoot too.

As early as the 2nd week of November, Ethan already made his Christmas wish list and even wrote Santa all by himself! I'm a proud mom when he spelled the words without my help ... in fact, he doesn't want me to help him! I haven't photographed the list and the letter though because they were all written using a pencil. Perhaps, I can tell Ethan to trace it with colorful markers : )

Anyway, as I am writing this down, I'm sick with colds. It has been days that I've been feeling really tired but I won't listen to what my body is saying. There's so much to do the past weeks that I couldn't think of resting. (Even until now, I can see the clothes' hamper smiling at me with all those laundry and clothes to be ironed). I can go on with my to do list but that won't be Christmas related hehehe. So here I am, sniffing and a little dizzy but updating our blog.

I wanted to do the December Daily Journal by Ali Edwards but I know making the album isn't feasible at the moment. So I thought I'll just write down here my thoughts and other happenings as December unfolds. But I will not be writing each day of December, I figured out it's not that necessary. I will write as thoughts will come my way.

So for the first day of the month, I brought Ethan to his pedia. Not a good thing to start December though. Ethan has acute bronchitis and needs to take his meds - an antibiotic, a cough syrup (for asthmatics) and a cold syrup just in case he's having difficulties sleeping. I don't really like it when he has to take antibiotics and he hates the taste too!

Anyway, after having him checked by his doctor, we thought of watching the movie, "A Christmas Carol". We've been anticipating a Christmas movie but I was quite disappointed after watching it. It's not that the movie was bad. But I realized it's not a movie for his age. It was quite scary for him. It was always dark, gloomy and scary (as the story needs to be). Several times I saw Ethan feeling restless. Near the end, Ethan can no longer contain himself and finally said, "When is the movie going to be finished?" I liked Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol and so as Jim Carrey but this movie is not for Ethan, definitely.

The next day (Dec.2), I sent Ethan to school. As expected, he wasn't in the mood as he was really feeling sleepy (as a result of his meds). When we arrived school, the students were practicing and dancing to different Christmas tunes but Ethan doesn't like to join them. That's unusual for him but I understand why. I left him and prayed he'll be okay in a little while. I know he will be because when I picked him up after his classes, he was full of energy again!

Here's my layout for Scrap the Boys' Challenge for this month:

Is your Boy a Grinch or an Angel?

Xmas Angel

I used Daisy Bucket Merry Wishes, Kaisercraft, and Sassafras North Pole papers; Chatterbox chipboard, Ki Memories epoxy stickers, American Crafts Thickers, Fancy Pants rub ons and buttons, snow flakes, Shabby Green Door Twists, Zig and Uniball Signo pens.

Unfortunately this is the last blog challenge. It was great working with the blog owner, Susan, as well as with the other DTs. I'll be missing Scrap the Boys for sure.

-Pia

Thursday, November 12, 2009

We ELFed Ourselves (again)!!!

Here's a family tradition we started last year. It was so much fun that we thought we'll be practicing new dance steps each year before Christmas hehehe ...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Joyful Christmas to All!!!

-Jeff, Pia and Ethan
Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Just a Recap

It's that time of the year again. We are so excited about the holiday season because we are celebrating it on our own house for the very first time. As I put down all the Halloween decors, I'm starting to plan our Christmas decorations. Ethan has been telling me to make the countdown calendar as early as the first week of November as soon as I finished the countdown to Halloween! Anyway, I'm still thinking what to do with the Christmas calendar this time. The Halloween calendar was a hit to Ethan not to mention it was also an educational material. Since they are doing addition up to number 20 in school, the calendar was sort of a reminder of the numbers 1-20 (and even beyond that) and it was a way to teach subtraction too which they are taking up right now.

I started to put down the decorations from the wreath and I'm beginning to plan for the colors that I will use this year. I usually have a theme each year. I mean I have specific color combinations to use inside the house. Talk about OCness hehehe!

The other day, we bought our first ever Christmas tree and we are all so excited to put it up this weekend!

But before I start posting my Christmas projects for this year. Here are some photos I didn't get to post last month.

The Halloween wreath I made ...

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Big ribbon was made from crepe paper. Purple and orange balls were tied with Daisy Bucket paper ribbons. Skeletons, bats, skull, spiders are plastic toys from SM. The pirates, the zombie and monster are finger puppets ; D

... and the treat bags I made for Ethan's classmates for Trick or Treat:

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I filled the pumpkins (I bought them from Divisoria) with lollipops and chocolates. I wrapped Mentos candies, Kitkat bars and Choconut with Halloween themed patterned papers (mostly scraps). I placed all the goodies inside a plastic bag and tied it with Daisy Bucket ribbons. I made the tag shaped like a coffin and stamped Little Monsters (also from Daisy Bucket).

And here's Ethan as racer. As soon as he fitted this costume, he told me, "I want this already"!

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(sorry for the blurred photo)

I have a five year old in the house now. Ethan turned 5 last Oct. 22. We had a simple "Out of this World" birthday party at his friend's house.

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That's it for now. Christmas layouts and projects will be up ... sooner or later hehehe.

-Pia

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Turning Five

Tomorrow is another big day for Ethan. He is (no matter how I deny the fact), turning five years old! I don't know how many posts I can write about his growth on my blog ... I maybe saying the same thing over and over again each year ... that is every time he turns another year older. Sigh! He's so grown up already. He has been reading and doing addition in school. He's artistry has grown into another level too, he's getting better each day and I'm so proud of him!

Take a look at one his many drawings. He did this a few months ago, I wish I can keep and scan all his artworks. I used Prima Hello Space Boy papers to make this project from Lasting Impression.

Outer Space

Ethan loves the outer space. He's fascinated with the planet Saturn the most. He collects rockets, space shuttles, UFOs now instead of cars. He loves to look at images of the galaxy, the planets, the stars etc on the internet! And so for his 5th birthday, he wants an "Outer Space" theme!

We are having a small party tomorrow with an "Out of this World" theme. Will post pictures tomorrow! Wish me luck!

-Pia