Christmas Came Too Early for Us

This blog post is supposed to be last last week pa... pero, as usual, nabaon lang sa aking drafts folder. Super duper busy talaga (yun naman talaga ang ultimate reason ko why I haven't blogged that much the past few months eh) plus I'm still adjusting my schedule since the birth of Ina plus Christmas season pa. Huhuhu! Kulang talaga ang 24 hours eh...


Anyway, I think we've been good this year. Ang aga kasing dumating ng pasko sa amin eh. Specially to my boys.


Bakit kamo? One Sunday, bigla na lang naisipan ng kanilang Papa G na ipagshopping sila...


Here are their gifts from their Papa G:


Light sabers and Spiderman figures for the twins and Darthvader Mr. Potato Head for Christoff...

Tablets for the boys...

Mahabang kwento yan kaya nabigyan ng mga tablets ang mga boys. Actually, gusto ko talaga irequest kay Papa G na tablets na lang ang ibigay na Christmas gift sa twins. They'll be using it kasi for their studies eh. As homeschoolers, they'll be having portfolio reviews (A portfolio review is equivalent to an examination). Since it's too much, na shy shy ako magrequest. Kaya, instead of requesting for a new one, nagtanong na lang ako sa kanya if he is still using his tablet PC...

Me: Daddy, yung tablet PC na pareho kayo ni mommy ginagamit mo pa ba?

Papa G: Oo, bakit?

Me: Ah... akala ko hindi mo na ginagamit. hihingin ko na lang sana kasi para sa kambal, gagamitin kasi nila sa school para sa portfolio review presentation nila. Yung iPad ko sana ang ipapagamit ko kaso lang bumigay na, biglang ayaw na mag-on.

Papa G: Meron ako yung Galaxy Tab, yun na lang. Ipaalala mo sa akin para madala ko.

Me: Ok. Thank you daddy!

So nung binigay na niya sa akin yung Galaxy Tab, I immediately installed some educational apps then pinagamit ko na sa mga boys. Nung nakita ni Papa G na all the 3 boys are taking turns sa pag gamit ng tablet, bigla na lang sinabi na bibilhan na lang niya yung kambal ng tablets para isa isa na sila and para di mag-away. Pero may condition yun, dapat may oras ang pag gamit and hindi madalas. Siyempre, I agreed to the condition kasi personally ganun naman talaga ang gagawin ko. Ayaw ko siyempre masanay sila sa video games and mas maganda pa rin yung may physical interaction.

Wait! Wait! May naalala lang ako. May funny conversation kami ng dad ko while buying the tablets.

Me: Grabe talaga ha, nung bata kami,

Papa G: ngingiti ngiti

Me: Bakit ka ngingiti ngiti daddy?

Papa G: Wala... Ang lakas mo talaga sa akin... May toys and tablets na ang mga anak tapos may kotse ka pa!

Me: Hmmm... Ang lakas kamo ng mga apo mo sa iyo!

Octagon OIC: Pwede po bang maging apo niyo na rin ako sir?

Hahaha! Nakakatawa yung OIC ng Octagon, nag-papaampon! Tapos si daddy, ako raw itong malakas sa kanya, pero sa totoo yung mga apo naman talaga niya ang malakas sa kanya at di matiis. =)

Then nung pabalik na kami ng parking, biglang naglambing si Ian kay Papa G. Ayaw sumama sa amin, gusto kay Papa G lang. Eh may dinner parents ko with my Ninong at City of Dreams. Di niya natiis ang apo niya, isasama na lang daw niya. Eh sabi ko paano yun, walang dalang extra clothes, ibibili na lang daw niya. Kaya ayan, may new polo si Ian at pati si Chris binilhan din...

And may pahabol pa, toy cars from Petron...



Kaya look at my boys, they were very happy with the gifts that they received from Papa G that day...

Of course, ako rin may blessing... naging maaga rin ang pasko ko... kasi my brother gave me a new cellphone... Akala ko nagbibiro lang, serioso pala...

Thank you Papa G and to my brother Paolo dahil napaaga niyo ang pasko naming mag-iina! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! =)





Kulilits Moment: Random Conversations with the Twins

Scenario 1: On Having a Kid

While we were in the car...

Doc Padu: I think I'm hungry for a pwet!
Chris: No!
Doc Padu: Can I bite your pwet?
Chris: No! When I'll have my own kids, I will not bite their pwet!
Doc Padu: Anak naman, don't grow up too fast! You're thinking about having a kid na!



Talaga nga naman oh. Ang advance talaga ng utak eh, pagkakaroon na ng anak ang iniisip eh!


Scenario 2: Death

On the way to Sonya's garden for my MIL's birthday dinner...

Chris: Mommy, if I die, will people miss me?
Me (surprised): What? Anak, why are you talking about death? You'll not die yet.
Chris: Ooopsss sorry... That is when I became old...



Haaayyy nakuk anak, ano ba naman yang mga tanong mo! Nakakaloka at the same time nakakatakot! Ang morbid!


Scenario 3: Playing Safe


Me: Mga anak, who is more handsome, Tito Ninong Paolo or Tito Ninong Raph?
Ian: deadma lang
Chris: Tito Ninong Paolo and Tito Ninong Raph! They are both handsome!


O di ba? Playing safe ang anak ko. Hahaha!


Scenario 4: Favorite Tito Ninong


Me: Who is your favorite Tito Ninong Boys?
Chris: Tito Ninong Paolo!
Me: How about you Ian?
Ian: My real favorite Tito Ninong?
Me: Yes.
Ian: My real favorite Tito Ninong is Tito Ninong Rap Rap!
Me: Why?
Ian: Because he has a Minion pjs!


Mga anak ko talaga o, paiba iba ng favorite. Pero natawa talaga ako kay Ian eh, super babaw lang ng reason kung bakit niya nagging favorite si Rap Rap. Hahaha!

My Children: Blessing and Gift from God

In the Bible, it is written in Psalm 127:3 that children are a blessing and gift from the Lord. That is really true and I can attest to that! =)

To give you a brief background, my husband and I were having a hard time conceiving during our first few years as a married couple. It came to the point that we had ourselves tested which made us somehow lose our hope of having a child because we found out that I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and hubby has a low sperm count.

Then on our fourth year as a married couple, a BIG surprise came. I couldn't believe it that we were already pregnant not only with one but two babies. Alam niyo yun, sobrang nakakaiyak kasi we were only asking for one but God gave us two kaagad unexpectedly because, honestly speaking, we weren't trying anymore. And guess what? They came out on February 1. A perfect gift for our 5th year wedding anniversary.

For our next baby naman, come what may na ang thinking namin because I'm not sure again if I could still conceive kasi nga hirap kami gumawa before. Surprisingly, after 2 years, we became pregnant again. We were really hoping for a baby girl para sana quota na dahil nga tumatanda na kami. But I think God has another plan for us that's why he gave us another boy. And guess what? He came out on December 16. A perfect Christmas gift to us!

For our "last" baby ("last" kasi di pa sure kung last na talaga. LOL!), medyo napaaga kasi ang dating niya. Pangit man pakinggan, siya ay unplanned. Ayaw ko pa sana sundan si Christoff eh kasi wala pang 2 y/o. Iniisip ko kasi na baka di ko siya masyadong matutukan or baka mabale wala ko dahil busy ako sa pag-homeschool sa twins tapos siyempre ang baby alagain din. Pero siyempre, sino naman ako para magreklamo di ba? Ang baby blessing yan. Malay natin, maging future president yan o di kaya ang maging suwerte sa buhay namin. Anyway, our last baby is finally a girl. Katuparan din ng wish namin mag-asawa. And guess what? She came out on October 22. Of course, a perfect birthday gift for me. And hindi lang yun, magkabirthday pa kami!

Di ba ang ganda ng mga birthday nila? Laging may special occasion na katapat. =)

Usapang Mag-Asawa: Halo Halo Cravings

Ang tagal ko na nagcracrave ng halo halo ng Aling Lucy's. If you live in Las Pinas, malamang alam niyo ang Aling Lucy's. May 2 branches sila eh. One beside Puregold Las Pinas and one near RFC. They sell kasi halo halo, mais con yelo and saging con yelo. Masarap na tapos affordable pa.

Last night, since nakakatamad magluto dahil kami lang ni hubby ang kakain, we ate dinner at Chicken Deli. Since tapat lang ng Chicken Deli ang Aling Lucy's, I had this convo with hubby...

Me: Be, parang gusto ko ng halo halo ng Aling Lucy's...

Doc Padu (looking at the ginataang halo halo picture at our table): Sure kang halo halo ang gusto mo? Hindi ginataang halo halo?

Me: Oo... Ang tagal ko na kasi gusto bumili ng halo halo sa Aling Lucy's kaso nakakatamad lang bumili eh. Bakit?

Doc Padu: Ang ironic kasi eh. Umuulan tapos gusto mo ng halo halo.

Me: Eh gusto ko ng halo halo eh, bakit ba nangingiaalam ka?

Ang sungit ko ba? Di ko siya sinusungitan that time ha. Again, normal lang talaga ang tirahan sa mga conversation namin. Hahaha!

Pakialamero ng cravings ng may cravings ano? Pero sa totoo lang, nababasa ko ang nasa isipan niya. Siya ang may gusto ng ginataang halo halo. Di pa ako sabihan ng diretso eh. Hahaha!

Thanks God for Grandmas!

Grandparents especially grandmothers are heaven sent! They tend to give their all, both material and non-material things, to their grandchildren. Totoo nga ang kasabihan, sila ang nag-sspoil ng mga apo. Hehehe!

In my case, yung mga anak ko pa lang ang mga apo both sides. Ibig sabihin, mga unang apo! Just imagine that!

Kaya ayan, lagi kami may mga blessings from the grandmas...

Just last week, eto ang mga pasalubong ng mga lola sa aking mga anakis...

From Mama G...

From Lola Es...

Again, thank you Mama G and Lola Es sa mga ito! Sobrang na-aapreciate namin. We love you! =)

Some Annoying OLX Buyers

Before we transferred to our new house and until now, I've been using OLX to sell our old things and furniture. Ok naman so far dahil kahit papaano, nabebenta naman namin yung mga gamit namin ng hindi kami masyadong talo. Pero siyempre until now, may mga gamit pa rin kami na di pa nabebenta like our rattan sala set, crib for twins (hard wood), rattan floor lamp and rattan divider. May mga nag-iinquire naman, kaso siyempre may mga bagay na di mapagkasunduan like yung price and yung place na pagkukuhaan ng item.

Since we live here in the south and it will be too hard for us to deliver the items, for pick up lang talaga siya sa house namin or if possible naman pwede makapagmeet up sa Makati area. Pero as much as possible for pick up lang talaga kasi may ibang buyer na biglang aayaw once nakita yung item. Lam niyo yun, sayang ang effort. Kung baga, "As is, where is" dapat eh!

For the price naman, we are open for negotiations naman pero siyempre may ceiling price din kami kung saan hindi naman kami magiging sobrang kawawa. Kahit papaano naman, maingat kami sa gamit and hindi naman mumurahin yung gamit na binibili namin. What annoys us is yung mga buyers na sobrang barat. As in barat talaga! Ang sarap nga minsan i-reply eh, na "sa iyo na yang pera mo, maghanap ka nga kung may mabibili kang ganyan sa halaga na tinatawad mo!" Nakakabad trip lang eh. Pero siyempre, hindi ko na pinapatulan yung mga ganung buyers, hindi na lang ako nagrereply sa message nila. Just recently, may nag-inquire ng rattan divider namin. Asking price ko is 5k. We bought it at almost 10k at Tiendesitas dun sa mga for export na furnitures dun. Hiningi sa akin yung measurements at nagrequest pa ng iba pang pictures. So eto naman ako, nag-effort na magpicture and pinameasure ko kay hubby yung divider. Nung naimessage ko na, sagot ba naman sa akin... "pgicipan ko po". Wala man lang thank you. Tapos maya maya nag-message na naman... "1k po". Aba, ano yung item ko, pang palengke? Kabwisit lang eh. Di ko na lang pinansin. Besides, hindi naman kami nagmamadali ibenta yung gamit namin and we believe na may bibili at bibili pa rin.

So yun lang, nagvent out lang ako... Kayo ba nakaka-experience din ng ganito kahit hindi sa OLX?

My Parents' 36th Wedding Anniversary

Last October 14 was a very long day for us. As in buong araw, mula umaga hanggang gabi, wala kami sa bahay.

In the morning, I had my pre-natal checkup at Sta. Rosa Hospital and Medical Center. Then we had late lunch na. Tapos at 4:00pm, diretso na kami sa Ayala Alabang Country Club for the twins' football class.

After the football class, we met with Papa G near ATC (since hubby is still at his clinic) then we went to SM Southmall to buy flowers and stuffed toy for Mama G. 36th wedding anniversary kasi nila eh so kailangan magpa-sweet si Papa G. Hehe.

After that, we went to my parents' house to give the gifts to Mama G and at the same time to pick her up because we are going to have a dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Here's the picture of Mama G with the surprise of Papa G...

Picture of the sweet couple...

O di ba? Tumi-teenager lang silang dalawa? Hahaha!

Since my brother and his fiance is at VCF Alabang for their engagement seminar and they'll finish at 9:30pm pa, my parents chose to have dinner at RED Kitchen + Bar at Filinvest. Ok ang place ha. May pagkaformal tapos may band pa. =)

Here are what we ordered:

For our appetizer, we ordered Jack Stones (Monterey Jack cheese poppers with marinara dip)...

and Crispy Smashed POS (Fried and pinched marble potatoes)...

For our main course, we ordered:

Chicks and 'Cakes (Two boneless chicken steaks & fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and anchovy butter)...

This order is for the twins kaya pina-split ko into two. Just imagine 2x niyan ang whole order, ang laki di ba?

Truffle Shitake (Flavorful cream sauce of dark mushroom and truffle)...

My dad and I ordered this. Sana 1 order lang ang kinuha namin kasi ang dami and nakakabusog. I didn't like it that much. Medyo natatabangan kasi ako. Parang may kulang sa lasa eh. Sabi ko nga kay hubby, yung best na truffle pasta na natikman ko is yung sa Maple.

English Fish and Chips (Beer-battered fish and fries with wasabi mayo and lemon)...

Hubby ordered this. Ang laki and dami! Pero, in fairness ha, naubos pa rin ni hubby! Hahaha!

Hanger Bistro Steak (Grilled hanging tender Certified Angus Beef with chimichurri, anchovy butter, mustard and side vegetables)...

My mom ordered this for my brother's fiance.

Surf N' Turf (Combination of U.S. beef tenderloin and tiger prawns with anchovy butter and cherry glaze served with potato and vegetable sandwich)...

My mom ordered 2 of these for her and my brother.

For our desserts, we ordered Truffle Creme Brulee (Rich burnt truffled custard) and Apple Crostata A La Mode (Baked apple croissant tart with vanilla ice cream). Sorry, I forgot na to take pictures of our desserts. Haha!

And of course, our obligatory family picture...

Great food, great ambiance, great music and great company mean that we had a great night at RED Kitchen + Bar! One thing that matters most is that my parents had fun and enjoyed their anniversary celebration with us! =)

Kulilits Moments: Ian Kulit

Scenario 1: Drawing object for each beginning letter

During one homeschool session, when I asked about something that starts with letter "F"...

Me: What starts with letter "F" anak"?

Ian: Ummm... FAT! Daddy doesn't play football that's why he is fat!

Then Ian drew something...

Ian: Look mommy, that's daddy with a big tummy!

Talaga nga naman ang anak ko, tinira na naman ang daddy nila.


Scenario 2: Correct pronunciation of Davao

While waiting inside the car, Mama G and Ian are conversing about their trip to Davao...

Mama G: Are you excited to go to Dabao?
Ian: Mama G, it's not Dabao, it's Davao!
Mama G: Da...bao...
Ian: Da...Vao...
Mama G: Da...bao...
Ian: It's V Mama G! Da...Vao...
Mama G (having difficulty pronouncing Davao): Hay, basta Dabao... Pareho lang yun!

Ang kulit talaga eh! Kahit nagkakanda buhol buhol na dila ni Mama G, pinipilit pa rin ni Ian ang right pronunciation ng Davao eh.


Scenario 3: Hindi ako mamimiss

Thinking about their trip to Davao, I asked Ian a question...

Me: Anak, will you miss me when you go to Davao?
Ian: Ummm... No!
Me: You will not miss me?
Ian: Yes! When I go to Davao, I will not miss you!

Ouch naman! Very independent talaga mga anak ko. Di raw ako mamimiss. Pero mukha ngang di ako namimiss dahil nag-eenjoy sila ngayon sa Davao at ayaw akong kausapin ng matagal kapag kausap ko sa phone. Hmf talaga!


Scenario: Vajajay

Ian: Mommy, why is it that only your doctor can see your vajajay?
Me: Of course anak, she is my OB Gyne.
Ian: But mommy, I'm a doctor too!
Me: Hay naku anak, di ka pa rin makaget-over sa vajajay thing na yan ha!

Very curious indeed! Hahahaha!

Ants Attack

Hello guys! Kamustamos? Yes, buhay pa ako... Long time no hear ano? More than a month ata ako hindi nagpaparamdam eh. Pasensya na talaga ha... Sobrang kabusy-han lang talaga...

Anyway, lam niyo ba, dito sa house namin wala kaming problem sa anay, daga or mga ipis. Pero ang pinakapurwisyo sa amin, ang mga LANGGAM!!! As in ang daming langgam! Of different sizes ha! May bahaw bahaw (tawag nila dun sa very small ants), army ants at naglalakihang mga antik. Ok lang sa akin ang black ants eh, kasi di nangangagat. Pero yung mga red ants, yun yung ayaw na ayaw ko.

Eh paano ba naman, di ka makapaglagay ng mga pagkain sa counter top. Naaamoy nila kaagad. Lagi pa namin nilalagyan ng  palanggana na may water para di makapunta sa food. Tapos yung mga chips, cookies or other food na nakabalot pa, talagang bubutasan nila para makain nila. Kaya nga yung food cabinet namin, lalong naging mukhang organized dahil may mga air tight containers para sa mga nakaplastic or nakapouch na food items. Tapos, yung ibang mga biscuits and bread ng mga Kulilits, need ko pa talaga ilagay sa ref para hindi matira ng mga bwisit na ants na yan.

And just recently, siguro masyado na silang desperate makahanap ng makakain, alam niyo kung ano ang tinira nila?

Yung adapter ng laptop ko! Kaloka talaga!

All the while, akala ko, may nasira lang sa loob. So pinacheck namin kung marerepair pa, pero pagbukas, eto ang bumulaga...

O di ba? Bongga ang mga red ants na yan! Ipinasok yung adapter ko. Baka siguro akala nila candy yung pandikit. Hahaha! Bad trip nga eh, nagkaroon tuloy kami ng unexpected expense na P2,500.00. Sayang din yun ha!

Gaganti din ako sa mga ants na yan. Hopefully, mawala sila sa pagpest control ko dito sa bahay. Magpapa-anti-termite injection kasi ako for prevention, so kasama na ang pest control dun. =)

(Mis)Adventures in Japan: Japan Loots

At Japan, di naman ako masyadong namili kung shopping at shopping lang din ang pag-uusapan. Sa clothes, ang hirap bumili dahil preggy ako. Sa kakikayan naman, I'm not a kikay person kaya huwag niyo na ako asahan diyan. Si Mama G pa, siya ang namili ng pangkikay niya. Mostly, puro gamit lang sa house and food items ang pinamili ko for our consumption and for pasalubong.

Below are my Japan loots:

Assorted Japanese mochi and breads...

Of course, brewed coffee for hubby...

Fish sausage...

Actually, I don't know what kind of sausage eto. Basta dinampot ko lang. Ginoogle translate lang namin and it turned out na fish sausage pala siya.


Royce chocolate bars...

Shaped pancakes for the boys...

Assorted Kit Kat...

Nestle Crunch...

Cute cookies...

Furuta B&W chocolates...

I bought this kasi I've tried this before dahil ito lagi ang pasalubong sa amin ng mga Tito ko na nagpupunta ng Japan. =)


Assorted Nissin Cup Noodles...

Roasted Sesame Dressing...

Dahil sa Yabu, bumili ako nito. Hehe!


Japanese Mayonnaise...

Cooking Oil...

Haha! Talagang pati ito sinama ko pa sa post eh. Baka sabihin niyo, pati ba naman cooking oil sa ibang bansa pa ako bumili, Actually, natira lang namin ito. Nagcoo-cook kasi kasmi sa apartment eh. Sayang naman di ba, kapiranggot lang ang bawas, so inuwi ko na. =)


Butter Beer Mug from Universal Studios Osaka...

Spiderman plastic mugs with pitcher from Universal Studios for the boys...

Drip kettle for hubby's coffee gadgets collection...

Teapot for my collection...

Frame holder from Daiso...

Cotton buds from Daiso...

Sandamakmak na toothbrush from Daiso...

Di halatang mahilig ako sa toothbrush ano? Hehe!

Scissors from Daiso...

YSL Muse Bag from YSL store in Gotemba...

This is actually my favorite purchase! =)


Of course, di mawawala ang mga ref magnets...

Bad trip nga lang because I wasn't able to buy an Osaka ref magnet. Kainis nga eh! Wala kasi kaming time. By the time nakabalik na kami sa Namba area gabi na, puro kainan na lang ang bukas. =(

Japan Airlines Model airplane...

Napulot ko lang ito. Haha! =P


Items given to me by Tita Alma, our neighbor who works in Japan:

Starbucks Tokyo Mug...

Goodies given to me by Tita Marichu who works also in Japan:


Roasted chocolates...

Japanese snacks...

Some Japanese hopia...

This was given to me by my brother. I think they bought it in Asakusa.


Lego for the boys bought by their Tito Ninong Paolo from a Lego Store in Gotemba...

Items that Mama G bought for us:

A stapler that doesn't need a staple wire...

Toothbrush for the boys...

Minions popcorn canister bought by Papa G for the twins from Universal Studios Osaka...

That's it pansit! Good night na po! =)