Christmas Greetings 2008

Christmas Eve: What's on the Menu?

Have you planned your Noche Buena menu?

It has always been a tradition of our family to spend Christmas Eve all together in our parents’ house in Kamias. We make every Noche Buena a feast. Two Christmases ago we had Lechón Baboy (roasted pig) -- it was a gift from my sister’s client. Last year we had Filipino Style Spaghetti, Roasted Whole Chicken, Gising-Gising, Humba (Braised Pork Belly), Lumpiang Shanghai (spring rolls), Oven-cooked Tuna Panga, and for dessert we had Fruit Salad and Leche Flan (as always requested by hubby) and Chocolate Brownies.

On Christmas Eve 2008 we will all hear the Misa De Gallo (Midnight Mass) in Holy Family Parish. After which we will feast on the food each family will prepare:

* Pasta c/o Timi and family - Spaghetti (with 2-4 different sauces) or Baked Mac/Lasagna
* Pochero c/o JB and family (Rheez will be the cook for sure…hehe)
* Seafood variety c/o Tues & Cris – Tulingan, Lapu-Lapu, Prawns, Lobsters (could be any of those, could be all…WOW!)
* Lumpiang Shanghai by me & family - Due to insistent public demand. LOL
* Hamon
* Mango Float by me again. This is going to be my first time to prepare this so wish me all the luck.
* Caramel Cake by Estrel’s with “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!” on it. Of course, all of these are for Jesus’ birthday celebration.
* Maybe we’ll all have wine later. *big grin*

Now we’re having a hard time thinking which should go first, opening of gifts or the food fest? Both are just überly exciting. :)

All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

Finally! Janus’ first tooth (or teeth) finally came out Monday Dec 8. I noticed it but was in denial. Even asked Vhic to check and if it was not just my imagination. I’ve been waiting for it since he was 6 months and when he was 8 months his gums were starting to look swollen, which is part of the teething process. That’s why when (I think) I saw a little part of his teeth I thought I might be again just convincing myself…LOL! He’s 11 months today, I thought they’d never come out until he turns 1. :( Our pedia said that if they come out all at the same time, Janus can get a slight fever or feel a little pain. It’s going to be a hard time for him, she said and I don’t want my son to go through all that. I am super happy to see his 2 front lower teeth, just in time for Christmas. Thank God for his teeth! =D

Top 5 Gift List for Girls This Christmas 2008

This Christmas, the most popular toys for girls follow a pattern. Girls love dolls, stuffed toys and make-up, but they also love electronic and video games and lifelike puppies!

Here is the Top 5 gift list for girls this Christmas 2008:

High School Musical Three Dance Mat
Songs from the popular High School Musical series of movies are featured here. This is the perfect gift for any High School Musical fan; the High School Musical 3 dance mat will shake your body in your own private spotlight in a style that will make you want to be any favorite character of it.



Baby Born with Magic Potty
For your little girl who loves to play with dolls, the Baby Born with Magic Potty is a perfect gift. When you feed her or give her something to drink, she needs to use the potty! When you place the pacifier with in her mouth, she'll close her eyes.


Barbie Dolls
Barbie dolls and their accessories are the best-selling fashion doll of all times. It gives little girls a chance to play pretend with fashion, houses, furniture, cars and other "real life" toys.


My Life
With My Life Handheld, you choose and care for a pet, play fun games and go on fabulous shopping trips, all in the palm of your hand You can customize your character, choose your size, style, fashion and look, right down to the color of your eyes. Build relationships with virtual friends, family and pets.


FurReal Biscuit, My Lovin' Pup
The lovable mutt features voice recognition and obeying six commands, including, "Sit", "Speak", and "Lie down". Biscuit uses sensors to respond to your child's voice and touch. Biscuit wags his tail and barks, too, to let you know he's ready to play, he even "shake" at your command, lifting his paw to your hand or sit up and beg, just like a real pup

It also goes with Plush pup, collar, tag, plastic brush, plastic bone, and adoption certificate.


Elmo Live Doll
The Elmo Live doll is very lifelike and he talks with a moving mouth, just like a real person! Elmo Live mimics the real muppet from Sesame Street. His head bobs back and forth and he waves his arms and is very animated as he tells jokes and stories. He even crosses his legs while interacting with your child! Elmo Live does more than sit, stand and move he can sing and play games too. He's a favorite in the neighborhood and a must-have friend for children. He laughs loud yet stands proud with every little accomplishment.

** This article has been published here. **

All I Want For Christmas...

We went to the mall two consecutive weekends ago to have our usual “family day out” and we stopped over at Toy Kingdom. I was trying to get some ideas on what I can get Janus for Christmas, since this is going to be his first, and they have such a massive selection of great toys that I went a bit mad. It’s just that there are loads of toys that I want to buy him, mainly so that I’ll have an excuse to play with them myself.

As we go around we thought of buying him a few toys. There were a lot to choose from, and I mean A LOT from Fisher-Price, Playskool, VTech, Chicco, Tomy, to those not-so expensive and known brands. As the salesladies and salesmen (otherwise known as “promodizers”) started to demonstrate the toys they also started to annoy us. They were talking crazy over at each other in front of us. So Vhic and I decided to leave them and look around more.

Here are some ride-ons that Janus tried:

How about a motorcycle?

OMG! He looks more interested with
this pink cab. Nice try Daddy…. Grrrr!!!

Having a hard time choosing, Janus?

I think he likes them all...

Ah finally! This is what we got for him.
Not too big, not too high. Just right for his size.

I’m still on the search of what Christmas present I’d give Janus. Right now I am just happy that this year he is my most special, early present that I got.

My Grumpy Santa

Christmas 2008: Gift Suggestions For Boys

This Christmas, the most popular toys for boys follow a pattern. Young boys love toy figures and stuffed toys, but they also love electronic and video games and lifelike puppies.

Here are some gift suggestions for young boys this Christmas 2008:

Bandai Catcha Beast
Catcha Beast is a new kid’s electronic boy’s action game from Japan. Your kids can track and catch a number of virtual beasts. Catcha Beast utilizes advanced special technology to detect invisible imaginary beasts, enabling your kids to connect and do virtual battle against a mysterious world of creatures while at the same time your kids get healthy exercise. The Catcha Beast incorporates a special digital compass that tracks beasts as you hold the handset and move it around in the air. Spin your body until you find one, hook it, reel it in until it appears on the black and white screen, then let the battle commence. Available in Red or Blue.

Cars Walkin' Talkin' Lightning McQueen By Mattel
Among the toys, this Walkin' Talkin' Lightning McQueen captured the spirit and personality of a star. You can make him walk and talk, just like in the movie. It comes to life with light, voice and sound. Just program and set him down and watch him do his thing. Walkin' Talkin' Lightning McQueen goes one step further to bring you the fun, thrill and magic of this modern animated classic.

FurReal Biscuit, My Lovin' Pup
The lovable mutt features voice recognition and obeying six commands, including, “Sit”, “Speak”, and “Lie down”. Biscuit uses sensors to respond to your child's voice and touch. Biscuit wags his tail and barks, too, to let you know he’s ready to play, he even “shake” at your command, lifting his paw to your hand or sit up and beg, just like a real pup.It also goes with Plush pup, collar, tag, plastic brush, plastic bone, and adoption certificate.

Elmo Live Doll
The Elmo Live doll is very lifelike and he talks with a moving mouth, just like a real person. Elmo Live mimics the real muppet from Sesame Street. His head bobs back and forth and he waves his arms and is very animated as he tells jokes and stories. He even crosses his legs while interacting with your child.

Elmo Live does more than sit, stand and move he can sing and play games too. He’s a favorite in the neighborhood and a must-have friend for children. He laughs loud yet stands proud with every little accomplishment.

Transforming Wall-E Robot By Thinkway
WALL-E transforms from cube to fully poseable figure in seconds with press ‘n pop action. Free wheeling. It flips front panel down to reveal trash.

So for those who are having a hard time thinking of what to give Janus this Christmas, hope this list will make things a little easier for you. ;-)