Happy Birthday Dad

Yesterday! I'm a day late. I've never been a day late. No wonder mom kept talking about you when we were out with her yesterday. I wonder why she never mentioned that it was your birthday. I wonder if she even knew, maybe she just remembered you out of the blue.

I miss you Dad. I don't miss you as much but I do think of you every time I cry. I wonder if you see me crying. I wonder how you feel, if ever you do feel anything. I wonder if you're happy with how my life turned out. I wonder how you think of my sacrifices in life. Are you proud of me? of how I've become? I'm no longer your spoiled little princess. I've learned so much in all the hells I've been through and I've accepted the fact that I am nobody's princess anymore. I miss being someone's princess but that ended when you left and the hopes of feeling it again vanished into thin air when you died. I remember you whenever I see a little girl and her dad, I close my eyes for a minute and I become your little girl again. It makes me happy even for just a little while.

Thanks for the memories Dad. For all the good times you have instilled in my heart and memory that even if you were never perfect, in my eyes, you were.

I love you Dad, wherever you are. I promise I will make you proud.

I will make our dreams come true.

Happy Birthday.

Black Friday

Let me just say that the word Black Friday sounds very sad. Like it's the day for the dead or something. Anyways, I was very good today. No, I didn't line up in the wee hours of the morning. The weather this month is terrible, I don't think I'd survive an hour standing in line in very cold temperatures. I didn't plan to go out at all but mom invited me so I went with her. We only went to Target and Macy's. I really didn't like to buy anything because I have way too much stuff already and you know what I've learned from past experiences? All the cheap things I buy on Black Friday gets thrown out so it's just a waste of money. So I was very careful with my choices today. Oh, and I didn't bring cash (because I didn't have any) and just brought gift cards.
Here's how Black Friday looked like in our house about 3 years ago...

We bought so many things
flat screen tv
dvd recorder
mp3 players
3 cellphones
lots of toys
bread toaster
waffle maker
coffee maker
Mixer
dslr memory card
and many more
We spent over $2,000, I'm not really sure about the numbers but definitely more than 2k. And guess what 90% of these things were either thrown out or broken. We're still using the same tv and dvd recorder but almost everything else are non existent. Waste of money right? Ah, consumerism in America!
I've learned my lesson so today these are the things I got...
from Target I bought red and white striped santa knee high socks for my 3 girls ($5 each)

A $1 coloring book for River, a ball toy set for River for $2.49, 4 Hello kitty notepads for a $1 each, gift wrapping paper for $1 a roll.
And from Macy's I bought a stainless steel tea kettle, originally priced at $69.99 and I got it for $24.99. Awesome right?
Stress free too bec. I didn't stay up all night plus I didn't spend so much. I'm so proud of myself!!!

Thanksgiving pics

Memory card got corrupted! Argh! Here's what I saved...

Mommy's hit na hit turkey

At least there's evidence

River loves ice cream, yeah!

Mr. R's new hair!

Playing Ispy
Sad over gone forever pics but at least there were some left.
Happy Thanksgiving guys!

I'm the Cupcake Goddess

Perfect cupcakes every time!

I love this cupcake oven! I can't stress that enough!

Homemade cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting

May we have many years to enjoy each other!

True friends are hard to find

But I am thankful that I have them. I may have a few but I have the best that this world can offer.
First, Thanks Leslie because the cupcake maker you bought for me came yesterday!

I love it! And I can't stop staring at it. It makes me smile every time I look at it not only because I love it so much but because the thoughtfulness, the kindness and the love that came with it just makes me melt. Thanks for your friendship that surpasses time and distance.

Same goes with my friends back home that never fails to lend a shoulder to cry on, in the countless times that I needed one (or more). Special thanks to Michelle, for your friendship all these years, to Julie Ann who never fails to find me every single time circumstances come between us--I know we'll find each other again, to Maya-for all the love though we rarely speak I know you are always there for me. My friends here, Jannet who gives me strength when I am too weak, even though she needs some herself but she willingly gives what she can and more. To Joyce, who never fails to lend a helping hand, not just for me but to everyone around her.To my cousin Zenith, who is not only my relative but one of my bestest friends. To George who I only see on my kid's birthdays but what matters is that he never forgets those special days. To Mr. Mike Brunt for treating us as your own family. To Norman and Rose who I know remembers me even if I don't see them a lot anymore. Thanks for all the love that you have for me and my family. To all that I didn't mention here, you know who you are. I am thankful for you.

And to all my Facebook friends who are reading this. I know you care or else you won't be spending precious minutes of your life reading this. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Now, let's all have some cupcakes!
* Special mention to Zarah Alaan. Sorry, I didn't forget about you, I was just in a hurry when I was writing this. Thanks to you of course, your my twin sister I never had, we always seem to be at the same place, napansin mo di ba? Same city, same Architecture course, same class and now we are both in California. What are the chances? But I am thankful that we always find each other and always rekindle the friendship we always have had since we were cute little girls hehe, kahit na we rarely see each other (in the same city). Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry for all the typo I was in a hurry when I was writing this. lol. So funny.

Thank God for children

When there is uncertainty, fear and worry and then you open your computer and you see these, life becomes a lot better.

Thank God I'm a mama.

Our Christmas Wish List

Just for fun (or hints) we are doing our Christmas Wish list. You don't have to get us anything but if you insist then we would rather get what we really want. Who doesn't love presents? We sure do!

Kayla's Christmas Wish List

Kayla's style is very girly and trendy. She was nicknamed the fashion muse in three different schools that she went to when she was in kindergarten up to grade school. She and her twin Ayra sets up trends (well who buys their clothes? Oh, yeah I do! lol) and she even has inspired her schoolmates in middle school to dress up that the whole school turned into a fashion visual feast like pages straight out of magazines.
She loves bows, pink, animal prints, argyle and often times can wear mismatched prints pretty well.
She loves things that sparkles, may it be sequins, glitters or rhinestones. She loves colored tights and dresses. She is crazy over scarves and pretty purses. Gold, silver, or anything metallic. Lace, ruffles or fur.

Here is her Christmas Wish List. All from Forever 21.

Faded Bow and Buttons Tee $12.90

Lace Glam Headband $5.80

Fashion Fiend Coin Purse $3.80

Sparkling Bow Tote Bag $12.80

Faux Pearl Bow Headband $7.80

Sunglasses $5.80

Knitted Rose Ear Muffs $5.80

Large Bow Necklace $6.80

Ayra's Christmas Wish List

Ayra's style is more casual than Kayla's. Trendy but more laid back. She is into muted colored tops and skinny jeans but with colorful accessories like a knitted beanie or colorful arm warmers,  leg warmers with converse over skinny jeans. She loves necklaces and little knick knacks, fedoras and black jackets. She loves anything with the Eiffel Tower or Paris on it.

Here is her Wish List

European Cities Top $12.90

Polka Dot Bow Knit Slippers $7.80

Heart Tote Bag $6.80

Paris Burnout Tee $13.80

Paris Love Canvas Bag $5.80

Annikka's Christmas Wish List

Annikka is the punk rock star who can't sing. He loves super skinny jeans, boy's shoes and tshirts. She loves nail polish, nail art and hair products. She loves cartoon characters on shirts and is obsessed with hoodies.

Here is her Wish list:

Sequined Pretty Thing Tee $12.90

Béauté Hoodie $17.80

Mood Nail Polish $2.80

or absolutely anything here
And here is my very short Christmas Wish List
and River's very long Christmas Wish List by Amazon.