Under the Christmas Tree

I had the rare chance to stay at home today, rest, and do some digiscrapping. It was a miracle to think that Zion's nanny was on her day-off today, and we had to go out earlier just to attend the 4th day of the anticipated Simbang Gabi mass (i.e. Midnight Mass). And since Zion's nanny was on a day-off, I had the chance to spend some quality time and bond with my Zion. How fast time flies. Just some 3 or 4 Christmases ago, Zion was still a baby whom I had to carry just for us to have a picture under or near the Christmas tree (see this layout when Zion was still about 6 months old). After 3-4 years, I don't need to force him to pose near or under the Christmas tree. Since then, there is no need to beg or prod Zion. He voluntarily poses in front of the camera. In fact, he is the one asking me to take his picture. There are even those moments (like the picture I used in this layout) wherein he asks me to join him in the picture.

This picture was taken during our visit to Vista Marina in Subic, Zambales last November. There was a giant Christmas tree in the hotel's reception area, wherein everybody had their pictures taken. As expected, Zion was a very willing model/subject in my attempt to play with my camera. And since Christmas is a time for love and family, I didn't hesistate to have my picture taken with my little man.

Credits for this layout: Christmas Cheer Kit by Connie Prince available at Gottapixel.

Zion and Santa Clause

In our family, it has been a tradition to play Santa Clause to all the kids in the family. My grandparents started it with my mom. My mom (as well as my dad) continued the tradition with me and my brother. And now that I have my own son, I am continuing the tradition of Santa Clause with Zion. As it has been, the kids write a letter to Santa Clause and place it on the Christmas tree on the night of December 15. I can't remember why it had to be on December 15. I think it was just in time for the start of the Simbang Gabi (i.e. Midnight Mass) and of course, to give Santa enough time to ask his elves to assemble the gift. :-) The kids are on "waiting stage" from December 16 to the evening of December 24. I remember going to bed early on the night of December 24 so that Santa could drop my gift without me noticing him. :-) The kids (well.. at least my brother and I) would wake up as early as 4 or 5AM of December 25, to check our gifts under the Christmas tree. And since we did our best to behave ourselves, we would often get what we wished for. Well, as for Zion, it is his 4th year to ask for a gift (we started when he was just 1 year old). This year, he told me that he wished for a bike accompanied with a helmet. As his mom, I told him that he should always be good so that Santa would give him his bike and helmet. :-)

Journalling: He knows when you are sleeping / He knows when you're awake / He knows if you've been bad or good / So be good, for goodness' sake... / Santa Clause is coming to town..

Credits for this layout: Merry Christmas Collab Kit available at DigiScrap Mania Shop ; Fontastic font available at Dafont.com

December 2K10 Calendar Layout

How fast time flies! It was only today that I realized that it is already the month of December. No wonder my parents are busy cleaning the house and have started setting up the Christmas decors. And as of my last check, it is only 21 or 22 days before the Big Day called Christmas!

For my calendar layout this month, I featured my son, Zion. Why Zion? They say that kids are the usual people who are happy during Christmas, because they receive an assortment of gifts from almost everybody - their parents, their siblings, godparents, and of course, who can ever forget Santa Clause?!? The pictures in this layout were taken during our short weekend vacation in Vista Marina Hotel in Subic, Zambales. The hotel had put up their Christmas decors early, so our entire family (especially Zion) had a fun time taking pictures with those Christmas decors.

Journalling: Because this is your season, dear child.. Enjoy every moment of it...

Credits for this layout: Home for the Holidays Kit by DK Designs

Happy Family

When the year 2010 ushered in, I took pictures of our family. I try to do this every time the new year sets in. Somehow it reminds me to be thankful because my family and I had survived another year, and we are together in facing whatever comes in the new year. It is also nice to compare how we look, how we grew (or aged... hehehe...) in just a span of 12 months - most especially Zion. It's amazing to see what 3 years can do to my little angel. *sigh*...

Journalling: A happy family is but an earlier heaven. - George Bernard Shaw.

Credits for this layout: Home Kit by Just Jessa Designs available at Kreative Kreations Kornerl WordArt from Bethany Elegant Word Art.

My Christmas

Zion had their annual school Christmas party presentation last December 16. Since I was busy the past days, I was only able to upload the pictures from my camera to the laptop today. I was going through the pictures, as well the videos I took, when I noticed that how fast time flies. Unlike last year when Zion cried (or should I say wailed) during the Toddler Class' entire presentation, this year he was more cooperative. Even if he wasn't able to follow all of the gestures his teacher showed, the least he did was to walk around and laughed while the "Kumukuti-kutitap" song played in the background. Compared to last year's crying session, this year was more presentable and more pleasing to the camera. My son is indeed growing up. *sigh*... Well, as his mom, I just wish that when he grows up, he'll learn the true meaning of Christmas and why we are celebrating. :-)

Journalling: My Joy... My Love... My Christmas...

Credits for this layout: Merry Christmas Collab Kit available at Digiscrap Mania Shop; Love and Hope Kit by Jaelop Designs; Swenson font available at Dafont.com.

Christmas Cheers

Merry Christmas!!! Yeah I know my Christmas greetings is 2 days late. Well, I was busy with work the past weeks, and busy preparing for the Holiday seasons these past days.

For this layout, I chose to create a "non-traditional" Christmas layout. Non-traditional because it doesn't use the usual Christmas colors of green and red. Instead, I used the girly pastel colors of pink and sky blue. Well, the pictures I used were "girly" also. It featured my mom, my cousin, and I during our trip to Singapore. The pictures were taken at the Singapore airport during our last day in Singapore. There was these HHHUUUGGGEE christmas balls in the airport waiting area. My cousin and I went on a photo-shoot trip. We didn't mind that some of the people were staring at us. We're just enjoying the holidays anyway... Tee hee!! :-)

Credits for this layout: A Little Whimsy Kit by Scraps by Andrea available at Stufftoscrap.com