3 parties, one day & 2 kids in a van

Thanksgiving day: We head out of the house by 10am to...

Party #1: Kimberly's Birthday Party:

She turned 18 today-time does fly. I remember when I first met the Uy kids-they were so young back then. One thing is for sure they are still loving kids. I remember putting clips in Kim's hair.  That was my first realization that if I ever have a girl-I would enjoy putting things in her hair. 

Celeste plays piano with Nanay Cely

Guests line dancing to "So Sexy" led by Auntie Tess

Party #2: At The Martin's Residence:

Here is Ace giving me the look of "If you let me out I will share my bone with you." Such a sweetie. Celeste enjoyed playing around his house. And he didn't get bothered by it. 

Turkey: Fried vs. Baked

Both tasted good to me.

Cousin Michelle poses while taking a piece of the Fried Turkey

Main food: combination of all the great cooks in the family-Yummy!

Gotta love desserts too.

Rj learning to play drums in Guitar Hero with Uncle Andrew

Papa & Rj: We Rock!

Looking so serious!

Celeste with Nanay Juliana

Karaoke: gotta have that too

Rj gets tired from playing drums

Celeste with Ninang Julie

Party #3: Go Chua Residence

Celeste: "I found something!"

Celeste gets ready for Black Friday

Rj, Matthew & Casey play the Wii

Celeste with Nanay Aida

Celeste gets to taste watermelon from Nanay Cely

Notice how she is holding Nanay's hand to make sure it stays put.

Smart!

Towards the end the kids were in the verge of a melt down from just being tired. Rj cried "mama" all the way home from Uncle Joey's to our house. Good thing every place we went to was not more than 15 minutes from each other. One thing is for sure-nothing beats spending time with family. I felt the love today-so much to be thankful for. 

Thank you Lord for the wonderfully loving family & friends you have given us. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my family (& friends) that are not so easy to get to. Stay safe.

-Mahalia
* Since I couldn't find my camera's charger I used my camera phone. Hence the reason for the not so crystal clear pictures.*

Was it just a week ago?

I can't believe its been a week since I got hit with the Flu then Rj followed...Ay yay ya!

He is milking all the attention...or could it be just the side effects of Motrin?

Nanay Cely takes care of feverish Rj-he had high fevers from 

Tues-Fri from ear infection and maybe the flu from Mama.

Reinforcements come in: Nanay Juliana comes to visit-Thankgoodness!

What happens after the pigtails

Celeste comes home in pig tails-doesn't look too thrilled. 

I didn't even know she had enough hair of one much less two.

Family time

I've been wanting to post this for the longest time and finally now I have time hehehe.

I had a nice surprise one morning...got a call from my sister. Mom & Julie were in the neighborhood & was asking if I was available for breakfast at ...

I was there faster than a speeding bullet. Can't beat the breakfast and plus and most especially : spending time with Mom & Julie. I miss you guys!                                                    Julie & Mom waiting for me...

Then this morning after dropping off both kids to each their daycare, Mom & I got to spend some quality time just talking. I miss those opportunities. We used to have breakfast together during her Fridays off back before the kids & life happened. I am just so totally blessed to have them with me.
I know even though we don't see each other alot or talk everyday that they are there with love unconditional.

                                                        Mom @ Starbucks with me :)

So for those of you younger ones still with your parents-it might not seem like it now but you will miss their company when you no longer live with them & the rest of your life is happening. Take time to let them know you love them and tell them while they can still hear you.

Now wipe that tear off your face and give them a hug -See you at Thanksgiving.

Rj goes to the movies

Driving to the Movie Theater: He is sooo excited can you tell?


" I got the movie passes!"

Rj @ The ticket counter

"We are watching Madagascar 2"

Going in the theater-Are we going to eat Popcorn?

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

When things get so overwhelming that I am so tempted to just throw the towel in I am reminded by Dory the blue fish from Saving Nemo singing "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
Keep moving forward-must move forward...

Seriously!

So with the time change Miss Celeste is now waking up at 5 am-Yes 5 am. What that translates to me is I now get less sleep that I did before. By the time I get both kids into daycare I've got a couple of hours before going to work...seriously not good.
This morning as I was taking a breather relishing the moment that I might get some sleep before going to work I get a call from Celeste's daycare telling me that she is running a fever of 102. Seriously!!!
First thing in my mind was ear infection. Got an appointment for her to see her Pedi, picked her up from daycare, gave her a bath and medication and took a nap for about 45 minutes then it was off to the Pedi. Then the computers were not working at the pharmacy so we were all adviced to come back tomorrow since they didn't know how long it will take to get them back up....Seriously.
Good thing Ryan came home early enough to accompany me to the appointment because me + no sleep = cranky. So cranky me was at work not really mentally there. So when they asked if anyone wants to go home early I was the first one to raise my cranky hands. Thankgoodness-seriously.
And now I can't sleep-seriously.

Celeste turns One (part 3)

I've been waiting to get her First pictures taken at the studio. Waiting due to the eczema on her face. Finally cleared up enough to get these taken. She didn't smile in any of them but it did make for some interesting facial expressions. These are the 3 I have so far...I am ordering more poses. Enjoy!
I am One

My Mona Lisa
"Your Highness"

Celeste turns one (part 2)

After months of preparation the day finally came...October 25 Celeste big 1 birthday party. We rented out Awakenings Coffee House in Lomita. Ryan told me about the place awhile back but didn't get to see it until I was focused on preparing for the party. I knew right away it was perfect just as Ryan said it would be. There was a kids room, the main area with a stage and a second floor where other guests can hang out. Food was provided by Philippo's & Lutong Bahay. Tito Dems brought empanada & turon (yummo). The birthday cake was specially made by Kat which not only looked delicious but also tastefully delicious. I had a clown making balloon animals and hats plus some story telling. I think the kids had a great time. The best part was that we gave the option for guests to dress up since its so close Halloween-might as well get into the spirit of the season. Originally it was only the kids but I found out that some of the "older" kids were planning to get dressed too so I went on and got dressed up myself. It was a great idea. I figure when will I have a chance again. I had a great time and I hope that the guests had a great time too. With the excitement I forgot to eat but I didn't even feel hungry until later that night. Thank goodness for left overs...plus I had some more of the birthday cake. Thinking back now, looking at the pictures and video I feel so blessed to have so many people care about my family. I don't get to see my family too much and it always warms my heart how we all come together for the important times-the time when we truly need support & feel the love. I love you guys!

More pictures via Slide.com

Celeste turns one (part 1)

Its long over due I know but this is the beginning of my blog regarding Celeste's birthday. She was born October 24, 2007 via Csection. There is birthday video I posted awhile back that Ryan made of that day. This year it falls on a Friday and I didn't get my request to be off so I had to be at work...which meant she will be at daycare. To help celebrate it and say thank you for her caretakers at daycare, I ordered them a sandwich platter from Quiznos complete with drinks and chips. They have been so kind and attentive with our whole family and I wanted to say thanks. They liked it and I even got a very heart warming thank you card.
Due to overwhelming amounts of pictures I want to share I made a slide show (courtesy of Slide.com)

Later that night I was able to get out of work early and it just so happens that there was a little eating get together at Auntie Aida's. So I got a little cake from Kings Hawaiian to bring there and have a little pre-celebratory singing session. Unfortunately we never got around to teaching her how to blow a candle-that's when Rj comes in handy and very willing to "help" his sister.

Seriously, we are not a political family

but Rj said something to me that totally surprised me. We were watching TV and McCain's picture popped up. All of a sudden my son goes "That's McCain. He is a bad guy." I was surprised to hear that he even knew who he was. So I asked him who told you that. He said "Nanay". I was cracking up...wishing I had it on video.