Glad Tidings and looking forward to Twenty 12

Omg, we are down to the wire folks. Down to the wire. To all those I did not get an opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (to my non-Catholic friends) to, hope you had a wonderful weekend (or week, for that matter) full of love, laughter, and glad tidings.

testing out our fireplace--first use

This year, my family and I hosted my Dad's side of the family for Christmas. We comfortably fit 30 people in our humble abode.  A bit comfier than the almost 80 people we had in our house for Micron's baptism (gasp!! and that's when we hadn't even finished unpacking from moving in and had one small sofa). It was festive with lots of merry-making in our house and lit up a fire in our fireplace (shhh--no telling on us). Vino was flowing, there was a multitude of dishes and desserts to choose from, and our Christmas tree looking like it threw up a bajillion gifts. No complaints there!

I'll never forget this Christmas as it was the first that Micro TRULY exhibited excitement about gifts. Not to take away the true meaning of Christmas, which is to celebrate Jesus' birth and God's blessings, but Mr. Fliz and I couldn't help marvel at his every giggle and awe with everything Christmas. We wrote his letter to Santa and mailed it. Last minute, though. 

We started off the season with Zoo Lights at Oakland Zoo, cozy nights recording and watching Christmas movies together, hiding gifts all throughout the house, and Mr. Fliz putting up lights this year around our house. His special assistant for the chore, none other than, Micro. And what a great helper he was. Daddy has his "Russ." Looking forward to many years of this. We paid two visits to Santa--both successful for Micro, but not for Micron. She'll wave to him and smile from afar. And that's about it. 

Our Christmas party 2011 was very fun, and though the hardest part was prepping our house and cleaning up, Mr. Fliz and I would be happy to do it again. Hopefully, the kids will be LOADS more helpful ;) Santa was very generous this year, despite some difficult economic times.

Maraming salamat to our good friends and family, because this year would not be much of anything, if it weren't for their continued love, friendship, and support. A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful husband of five and a half years (going on 8 years together!), who has been my pillar to lean on during tough times, my greatest cheerleader, and love of my life (sound vaguely familiar like my wedding speech? ha!ha!). To the other loves of my life--Micro & Micron--this year, I received the most awesome gifts--many memorable moments of watching you two grow closer and closer and loving each other like besties.

 

This is only the first batch of gifts from the hub's family

A different Christmas list

As some of you parents out there know already, the best part of the holiday season is reliving your own childhood memories and creating new ones with your kids. Having little ones around (whether you're a parent or not) gives plenty of excuse to watch classic favorites such as, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story (one of my faves)," and plenty of others. If you're an avid reader of The Poop, then you won't be offended by Hartlaub's silly and somewhat pretty awesome list of "Best Christmas Movies of All Time." 

In fact, Peter, if you're reading this, my husband and you, really should be friends. He in fact, has a running list in his head of Christmas movies, that don't necessarily scream Christmas. I see some overlap in your list and his. I thought I'd share with everyone else Peter Hartlaub's post on this and have you guys thinking what your favorite holiday/Christmas movies are. 

In our household, we like to start Christmas early. That entails getting our tree right after Thanksgiving, and blasting the Christmas music all season long. Christmas is big for my husband, and since I've had kids, it's big for me too. It's not just spending quality time with family and good friends, but watching "Elf" like a bazillion times (guess what we're all watching again on Christmas, family! muahaahaa!!), drinking hot chocolate and cider, and lots, and lots of lights.

Then again, Christmas really is giving God thanks for his many blessings and celebrating him. But that doesn't mean you can't watch a little "Die Hard" either.

Oh you pretty things

I am an avid blog reader when I find time to go online. Currently, my "obsessive" blog readings tends to favor fashion and graphic designer blogs. Eye candy is so important to me. I would love, love to hire a graphic designer to restructure the layout and look of my two blogs. Until I can afford to do that, I'm ok with how my blogs look. But I thought I'd share a few favorite posts I've come across recently while surfing the internet. 

Her posts always feature such pretty things, and her love of design and color force me to be more creative in my life and wardrobe. This post (ok, the entire blog, really) inspired me in more ways than one. I'd really like to cut down on the amount of clutter that seeps its way into my life. My husband, who is an absolute neat freak (yes, he's one of those people that will spend THREE HOURS cleaning up his office before he'll begin working), has forced me to be more organized. Our house is fairly clean about 70% of the time, but I'd love for it to be more like 87.3% ;) I absolutely see the value of organization and appreciate the effectiveness and practicality of it in everyday life. However, I have two small kids that lack that kind of insight, so it goes without saying, my life is full of clutter. I'm hoping to achieve an organized closet in my future. Sooner than later.

We're about to celebrate a WHOLE YEAR of living in our first home. Job well done family! Though we've yet to hang our picture frames and organize our garage, play room (aka "extra storage"), and a multitude of other things, I'm looking forward to decorating each of the kid's room. As with all things in my life, I take my time and I want to make sure that the rooms are a reflection of my kids and is infused with color, multi-purpose furniture, and hand-crafted decor. I can't wait to begin a project in creating a comfortable, kid-friendly space for each of them and the fun we'll have picking out furniture and decorations. I'll be looking to this blog for plenty of inspiration.

To all you colorful, creative peeps out there. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas and creations. You truly encourage and inspire me.

Sparkling Lights Everywhere. Christmas Tree Lane

As you can see in previous posts, my babies are back, and that Mr. Fliz had a very successful solo trip with them to the east coast and back. He's truly my hero. I, the lucky girl, wasn't too lucky. Though having not enough time to myself, and no rugrats to look after, I did end up watching my goddaughter and her sister for a few days. Right at the start of my "vacation." But that's ok, because it was quality time with them and I was helping out my bestie in her time of need. I did manage to enjoy some time by myself, actually go Christmas shopping using a purse and no stroller in sight, go for a run, tidy the house a bit, and sleep in. Ohh, sleeping in...how I miss you so! So, in case my bestie is reading this, I think she can watch my babies for a few hours while i do some "making up" me time for what was supposed to be a break from "mamahood."

But I couldn't wait for my family to get back because there was a little something special we were all looking forward to--driving down Christmas Tree Lane. This little part in our neck of the woods has been doing this since 1938. Though residents admit to peer pressure to join in on the fun (hey, who wants to be the Scrooge during the holiday season), they do realize how much joy and spirit they infuse to the season. Often, we'll go down Christmas Tree Lane to brighten up our uneventful night or just to keep the merriness going after a long day of being out. A thank you from my family to the residents of Christmas Tree Lane, keep bringing it strong every year.

Oakland's Zoo Lights 2011

Our only successful family photo of the night.

Less than TWO WEEKS til Christmas!! This year, we'll be hosting the party and hopefully celebrating it in comfy pj's with our kids. But regardless, we've been running around like chickens with their heads cut off, scrambling to get Christmas gifts while doing our best to enjoy all the festivities this holiday season has to offer. Including, slowing down and appreciating each other. Last week, we managed to enjoy what's easily becoming a holiday fave for my family and I. 

It was on my list of things to do this holiday season, and somehow, between 5 adults, 4 kids, and some frigid California weather, we all enjoyed Zoo Lights at the Oakland Zoo. It was chilly. And since we went earlier in the season, we managed to avoid crowds, and pretty much had the place to ourselves for a few hours. If you're going, bring or buy some hot chocolate or hot cider as you and your family stroll the zoo in darkness marveling at all the beautiful lights and festive holiday music. This is both my kids' second time (but the first at which Micron got to enjoy a bit more-since she wasn't stuck in a stroller the entire time) and went with 'Ms. E & Squid.' Thanks you guys (+Auntie Lanie) for joining us in our nighttime adventures.

We can't wait to do it again next year! 

*pardon the blurriness of the photos

Light show

Riding the "Christmas Light" train

Busy baking

When we had that spell of lots of rain a month ago, I knew my kids would get cabin fever. I needed to make sure I kept the days interesting besides letting them watch a bit of T.V. So I made use of Micron's nap time for some one on one quality time with Micro. Baking. Muffins. Brownies. Cornbread. It was a lot of fun and something I plan on doing more often with the kids as they grow older, because if you don't know by now, I looove to eat. 

Our first baking endeavor entailed making mini cornbread muffins. I really like using my mini muffin pan because it's perfect for little hands (like Micron's) to enjoy our baked goods. Allowing Micro to help me encourages his autonomy, confidence, decision-making, and eating. So, in the days that followed our first batch of mini cornbread muffins (which would've been perfect with soup, chili, or slathered with honey butter), we made brownies, and mini zucchini bread muffins. See, there were vegetables involved. Sometimes, Micro even helps to make his own breakfast--be it pancakes, butter/sugar toast, and yogurt with honey. The best part is how proud he is once our goods are done cooking and how he proudly serves it to Micron and Daddy. What have you made with your little ones lately?