Family Dinner

Dinner with the family is something I look forward to.  We have been doing it since we were kids.  We wait for each other to get home and we eat our dinner together.

It would have been better if my sisters are here but we have to content ourselves with overseas communications.  For us in the Philippines, while we eat dinner together, we enjoy it more on weekends, when everyone are present and not in a rush.  I believe that the family that eats together, stays together, or the saying goes! Haha! :) 

Meal times together are the time that we can discuss matters or simply talk and bond.

In one of my trips to our kitchen, I saw this bag of chips which has been in the counter for weeks already.  While I wanted to open the bag to taste for myself this unique blend of salt and pepper, I hesitated after checking the fridge.  I would want to pair it with Salsa or Jalapeno Cheese Dip but our supplies are gone!

While dinner was being prepared, I found a use for the chips.  As a side-dish it is! :)

Dinner is Philly Cheesesteak! The sirloin strips were cooked in olive oil + spices, placed on warm bread, and topped with caramelized onion and cheese!  It was served with Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Potato Chips, and salad greens + cucumber + tomatoes with Caesar Dressing.

Family meals are the perfect time for parents to talk to their kids and to listen to what’s on their mind.  We are often reminded that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs.  And kids who eat with their families are more likely to get better grades in school.

Can't wait for another family dinner wherein we can eat, talk, and laugh together! :)

First Communion

I grew up a Catholic and I was sent to a Catholic School until college, and even up to my post graduate studies!

When I was in Grade Two, I had my First Communion.  But prior to that, days, or even weeks, were spent on "practices".  "Practices" meaning that of gathering all the Grade Two students and having them pretend-play that they are in a mass and they would be receiving their communion for the first time.

We would then form lines in the order we were seated and we would practice how to open our mouth and receive the host.  We did that repeatedly until everything's perfect.

For those "practices", we used Haw Flakes.

Fast forward, my hubby and I spotted this and he couldn't resist from buying.  He was like a little kid wanting his candies!

While my hubby is enjoying his Haw Flakes, I am reminiscing the memories that goes with eating these treats that traces back to more than two decades ago.

And I do remember my then best friend RMP -- the exchange of stationery, stickers, food, and even shoes!

Oh, I love being in Grade School.  No stress and no obligations, and life is more simpler with no e-mails and text messages but landline phone conversations, handwritten notes and cards, and snail mails!


Edit:  I was surprise to see that this goodness is also being sold at Amazon!

Sunday Meeting

As working parents, H and I treat our weekends sacredly.  We devout it to our kids and if we have to do errands, we see to it that we bring them with us.  Saturdays and Sundays are our time to bond with them.  We read books, play games, and watch videos together.  I leave the dancing and singing to my hubby. Through these bonding moments, we get to know our kids more and we get to instill moral values on them.

Rarely do we leave on weekends without the kids. 

This morning is an exception.  I have to accompany dad to his early Sunday morning meeting at Starbucks-Rockwell.  Since I know it wont take long, I did not bring the kids anymore because H also needs to stay home to finish some work.  My dad and I got there early and we ordered our dose of coffee.  I got Caramel Macchiato and Macadamia Dark Chocolate Cookie, the cookie for K1 as my surprisee.  I sat down and opened my bag to get my camera and to my surprise, the little toy car which K2 got as his reward from Cuts for Tots was inside.

You can read K2's reward here.

This is not the first time that my kids' toys invade my bag.  Look at the cute little car --

After our meeting, I took a second look at the breads and pastries on display to have something for H.  I then spotted a Spinach, Artichoke, Mushroom, and Mozzarella on Rye Bread, the same thing I ordered when I was at Starbucks-Iloilo (wrote about it here) and which became my instant favorite!

When I got home, I heated the sandwich and served it with coffee.  Oops! The oven toaster burned the top of the bread. 

H was happy with his meal.  For the label, it went to the trash to erase any evidence that the sandwich was store-bought!  Haha!

By the way, at least H did not ask.  He pretended that I was the one who prepared it even if he knows that I do not cook, or prepare, meals!  :)

Since we got home early, I still have time to bond with my kiddos.  K2 got his cookie and K1 got a kiss and a hug from me!  When little boys grow up, they tend to run away when you offer your kiss and hug!

Happy Sunday everyone!

First Hair Cut

K2 recently turned 1 and we decided to bring him to Cuts for Tots for his first hair cut.  Unlike his older brother K1, K2 seems to be enjoying the place and he was not bothered by the crying kids who were having their hair cuts.  Look at K1 jumping --

K2, on the other hand, ran to the play area.  He seems unmindful of the crying kids around him.  After all, he knows that it will only be K2 who will have a haircut.

After about 15 minutes of waiting, it was K2's turn.  Look at how behave he was --

While I wanted an apple cut for K1, H wants a crew cut.  As a compromise, we just had it trimmed and he still has his bangs which we put on the side.  Haha! He's like a Korean Pop Star! :)

K2 sure enjoyed his first haircut.  He was smiling and playing all the time.  By the way, K2 was given a reward -- a small plastic toy car!

In two weeks, we will be claiming his Certificate which includes his name, date of first hair cut, and where he had it.  It also has his before and after picture and a few strands of his cut hair. For posterity's sake! :)

Disney's Cars

Disney Pixar Cars is on of my kids' favorites.  Since they are only 1 and 2ish years olds, it might not be because of the movie but because of the toys.  My sister DM gave us this sippy cup with a water globe under from Disneyland --

And these toothbrush heads I got from HK Watsons for HK$89 or about P500.00 for two heads.  It's a holdup considering that in the same store, the Braun body with a brush head is currently on sale for about the same price! 

Last 10 September 2011, K1 first set foot at a movie house.  What better way to make it memorable? Yup, we watched Cars 2.  K1 enjoyed the movie but he was not able to utilize his seat since it folds up every time he sits.  He's too small for such a big seat.  He ended up sitting on my lap.

By the way, we only paid P2.00 per seat since we got free passes from Columbia/Disney Pictures.  We watched at SM City The Block.

Oh, and recently, my kids can't have enough of Cars.  They love their Cars book and toys which my SIL GE sent them.  From Canada with love --

Oh, here is K1 with his Cars --

He insisted on wearing his shirt and he even asked me to take his picture.  Such a cutie! --

K1's current favorite from the group is Uncle Toppolino.  He likes repeating the Italian name.  K1 can now identify all the characters from the movie, even the spy who was not named .  I guess I will be hearing much about Cars this week.  Last week it was Toy Story! :)

Island Vacation

It's weekend! Meaning, time to unwind and relax.  I'm thinking of --

http://www.hawaiiislandsphoto.com

http://urban-review.com

http://www.vacationidea.com

What's yours?  Happy weekend everyone! :)

Rinds, Anyone?

One of our office staff was giving away "pasalubong" to all the other employees of the Firm. I was given my share too.  It says "Bucheron".

I thought it is just the ordinary pork rinds or "chicharon" only to find out that they are chicken intestines.  It's my first time to see "chicharon" of this kind. I wonder how they clean each and every piece.  Should I or should I not?

Out of Town Work

I went to Iloilo City yesterday for work.  Good thing flight is at 12:15 P.M.; ergo, I need not wake up really early.

Had an early lunch at Cafe France inside Terminal 2.  As usual, bread and coffee!  I had Vegetable Pizza Baguette and Brewed Coffee.  I need a light meal but plenty on caffeine to keep me going.

When I reached Iloilo, I went straight to the Hall of Justice and after my hearing, I killed time at the newly opened Starbucks in Manduriao.  Had Zen Iced Tea and a heated Spinach, Mushroom, and Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich a.k.a. Vegetarian Sandwich --

The sandwich could be mistaken as a Vegetarian Pizza sans the Tomato/Pizza Sauce.  I like it.  I wouldn't mind ordering it again but I don't see this kind of sandwich in the Luzon outlets of Starbucks.

Brought out the iPad from my big bag and I played Scrabble, a fave from long time ago.  My sisters and I used to play this when we were kids.  Since Scrabble now is electronic, I cannot cheat. Haha!

I was still in Iloilo Airport but H was already at Terminal 2 Parking in Manila waiting for my return.

Flight back is at 7:50 P.M. but since all the passengers checked in already, we left Iloilo at 7:30 P.M. I didn't know they could do that.  I thought they can leave late but they cannot leave earlier than the scheduled time.  Yey!

What a tiring day.  In a couple of weeks, I will again be in Iloilo! :(

Bullbars

Do you consider having bullbars for your trucks?

http://truckbumpers.org/aries-bumpers-or-bull-bars/

How about this one?

http://www.bullbars.net.au/man.html

Bullbars are intended to protect your bumbers, right?

The other day, I saw bullbars along the streets of Pasig.  I didn't know bullbars can be used to protect the "islands" or the barriers?  --

Kidding aside, any other barrier can serve the purpose.  Esthetics + function should have been considered.

Tsk, tsk! Only in Pasig!

Baby Supplies

My one-year old nephew NM stayed in the Philippines for a month  before they flew back to the US.  NM being home, there were three toddlers plus three nannies running around the house.  This is how K1 and K2's cart looks like with NM's milk and diapers --

Three kinds of milk, three kinds of diapers, and different sets of bottles.  Missing the little boy and his "frowns".

Off topic, that cart has been with us for ages now.  It has been with my mom since we were little.  My mom now found a use for it as storage for baby supplies.

NM and K2 with their respective nannie

See you next year NM.  K1 and K2 can't wait to play with you!

Tooth Fairy

My niece CM's tooth started moving and her dad helped her pull it out.  Talk about the classic story of tying the tooth with a thread and attaching it to the door.  Good thing that is not how her dad removed it.

Here are her wacky pictures.  And they are indeed wacky! :)

Picture sent by my sister MC

Picture sent by my sister MC

Don't forget to keep your tooth, CM! Or ask your mom to keep it for you.  I remember keeping my tooth but I can't seem to find it now.  All I have are my retainers and bionators from long time ago.  What a topic. Hehe!

Anyway, CM is such a brave little girl!  We love you our little princess! *wink*

EDIT:  The tooth fairy took her tooth in exchange of a dollar! :)