Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a fun-filled yuletide season... Happy Holidays from the Barals! :)

Daddy-o, Miggy-o and Mommy-o

Cheers!!!

My Boys

We went to the mall last Sunday and my boys had some kulitan moments. Sharings some snapshots:


Look-alike



Ayaw, Daddy!

Kagulo ang mag-ama!

Come to Lola

Akin 'to, Daddy!

Aren't they cute? :)

Surprise Birthday Gift

I'm turning a year older in 10 days and I got my early "surprise" birthday present from Hubby already. I'm so happy! Kindle Fire, baby. Yehey! Been wanting this since I knew about it last October. I was supposed to order one from my kuhmare Marge's friend, who were taking pre-orders of Kindle Fire at that time. After thoroughly thinking about it, I decided not to order because I thought it was more of a want than a need. The thrifty me prevailed. Hehe

Anyway, I never thought Paul would get me this. Although, he did mention that he had a present for me but he wasn't gonna say what until my birthday. It never crossed my mind that he would get me a Kindle Fire, because I specifically told him not to spend so much on my present. Imagine my joy when I found out what his gift was. There's just a different level of happiness when something you want is given to you as a gift (versus you buying it for yourself). 

Hay, Paul is just the sweetest. In fairness, keeping it a secret for more than a month is an achievement for him. I usually prod him to spill the beans (and I always win). Hahaha This time, he kept his lips sealed longer. 

Here are a couple of photos:

Surprise, surprise... Wonder what's in the box? ;)

Kindle Fire! Yehey! :)

I love it, super! Thanks, Daddy-o! Best birthday present to date! Hehe :) Will post a short review about it next time, after I've spent some time using and exploring it.

Thanks, again, Dy! Love you!

My Birthday/Christmas Wish List

I will be a year older (and hopefully wiser) in less than three weeks. How time flies! The past year has been a very memorable one; life-changing milestones occurred - I became a wife and a mother...  By far, these two are the most unkabogable blessings I have ever received. I am, and forever will be, grateful to God for all the blessings He has given me.

Since my birthday is just around the corner, I thought of making a wish list. ;) And since Christmas is just 15 days from my birthday, this will be my Christmas wish list as well. Aside from happiness, good health and world peace, I have some material things in mind. Hehe

So, without further ado, here they are, in random order:

Cassette tape case and stand for iPhone 4

Photo credit: asia.cnet.com

Red velvet cake from Karen’s Kitchen or Red velvet vixen cupcakes from Sonja's

Photo credit: Karen's Kitchen's website

Photo credit: foodiemanila.com

Belgian brownie bites from Dessert du Jour

Photo credit: Dessert du Jour's FB page

Nikon D3100 (black) or Olympus PEN EP3 (silver)

Photo credit: nikonusa.com

Photo credit: photography-news.com

Philips clock radio or docking system for iPod/iPhone

Clock radio for iPod/iPhone (DC320/98)
Photo credit: Philips PH website

Docking system for iPod/iPhone (DC290/12)
Photo credit: Philips PH website

Overall from Bench (Randy Ortiz for Bench collection)

Photo credit: Bench's FB page

Isabela blazer or Kathleen cardigan from Bayo

Photo credit: Bayo's website

Photo credit: Bayo's website

Cars organizer drawer and storage boxes from Wish Barn, Trinoma

Photo credit: Moi! :)

Photo credit: Moi! :)

Whale Done Parenting by Ken Blanchard et al.

Photo credit: powerbooks.com

Born to Win by Dr. Kevin Leman

Photo credit: powerbooks.com

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Photo credit: passionforreading.net

2012 Planner - Starbucks, Belle de Jour or  UP

Photo credit: Animetric's World

Photo credit: BDJ's FB page

Photo credit: iamwalp.tumblr.com

Charles & Keith Twin Effect bag (brown)

Photo credit: charleskeith.com

Photo credit: charleskeith.com

World map
I want to put a huge, detailed world map up our room's wall. I just love looking at maps. I love geography. Side kwento: I remember in 4th year high school, I aced our history final exam - world map reading. In fairness, ako lang ang naka-perfect. Hehe Some got 99/100, I think... Apparently, I was the only one who knew where "Europeong Turkiya" was! Lol

Photo credit: lib.store.yahoo.net

Photo credit: mapofworld.com

It's a long list, no? Of course, I really don't expect to receive these stuff, WISH lang naman. Hehe But if my family and friends would be generous enough to give me any of these, I definitely wouldn't mind. :)

Advance Happy Birthday to me and advance Merry Christmas to all! :)

Cars Overload

Paul and I went to Trinoma earlier today to meet his college friends, who happen to be my high school friends. Small world, I know. :) Anyway, after having lunch at Savory, we headed to Kidzone to check out some baby stuff. My eyes got wide upon entering one of the shops, Wish Barn. So much Cars stuff! I just love Cars, it's my favorite animated movie. There were so many Cars items available -- bed, pillows, mats, storage boxes, organizer drawers, magazine rack, rocking chair, drinking glass, hampers, etc... I was in Cars heaven! I kept myself from drooling. Hahaha

Actually, one of my dreams is to fill Miggy's room with Cars stuff. He likes it, too. Even when he was younger, around 2-3 months, he would smile when he sees Lighting McQueen (printed on his pillow or comforter).

Here are just some of the items I want to buy:

Bed set

Magazine rack and storage boxes

More Cars stuff: tumblers, clock, hamper, shower curtain, etc.

Rocking chair and drawer organizer (on the right)

If our plan of getting our own house pushes through next year, we will adorn Miggy's room with these uber cute stuff! *daydreams* ;)

Randy Ortiz for Bench

I was browsing Bench's Facebook page and saw some pics of the Randy Ortiz for Bench collection. I fell in love with the black flowing overall (sorry, I don't know what the technical fashion term is for this piece hehe) Kim Chiu was wearing. Here it is:

Kim Chiu looks elegant in this Randy Ortiz piece for Bench

I really want to have one! I'll check which branch has it and hopefully it's not that expensive so I can buy. Haha

Lutong Bahay :)

I love home cooked meals. To me, eating "lutong bahay" kinda brings a different level of palate satisfaction. Parang you can feel the love in what you are eating. :) That's what I feel everytime I eat my Nanay's dishes. Masarap siyang magluto, super!

Last Sunday, Nanay cooked sarsiadong baka at ginisang sigarilyas na may hipon for lunch. Both were so delicious, I had three rounds of rice. Paul had more. Hehe

We always look forward to eating at home because we know every dish cooked by Nanay will give us happy and satisfied tummies. :)

One Snapshot a Day

Yesterday evening, out of the blue, I thought of having a photo blog... Thanks to Blogger, making a blog is just a breeze. :)

Here's the url -- one-snapshot-a-day.blogspot.com. Check it out. :)

Trick or Treat 2011

Last Monday, October 31, Miggy experienced his first Trick or Treat... As Superman! Good thing it was a non-working holiday, so the whole family got to spend some quality time chilling in the mall. 

We had lunch at Barrio Fiesta -- seafood paella rice, kare-kare, calamares, fried chicken... Nom nom nom! After lunch, we registered Miggy at the Trick or Treat booth. There was a parade and a best in costume contest. Actually, we didn't join either, Miggy is too young for candies anyway. We just wanted him to experience the occasion. We wanted to dress him up for fun and photo op. Haha We took him to two stores and he was given a few candies, which Ate Mean ate. :)

Here are some photos:

My little Superman... Suplado pa kase bagong gising. Hehe

Miggy with his Yoya Naynay... Di pa rin sya good mood dito. Haha

Daddy-o and Miggy-o

Happy Halloween from the Barals!

Miggy's pumpkin basket... I picked the green one for him, most kids had orange.
Sabi ng Daddy nya, ok lang, hilaw pa raw yunhg kalabasa. Haha

Some info on Miggy's halloween get-up: we bought his Superman costume at SM Department Store. It was a bit loose on him because the smallest size is for one-year old babies. I got the pumpkin basket from SM Department Store as well, I bought it on the day of the Trick or Treat and it was on sale (20% off).

It was such a fun day. I wonder what character will Miggy be next halloween. :)

Big Toy Sale at Toys R Us

The Christmas season is fast approaching and you all know what that means... Sale galore!

Yesterday, November 4, Toys R Us' Big Toy Sale kicked off at the Trinoma Activity Area. Big discounts on selected items!

Photo credit: toysrus.com.ph

Paul and I checked it out and we were able to buy a few stuff. Our best buy was this Fisher-Price flip phone for Miggy (photo below). Its original price was P999.75, but we got it for just P150. That's 85% off! The box is damaged but the toy is still in good condition. We're so happy with this purchase. =)

Photo credit: Me, shot using iPhone 4 and edited on Instagram (Hefe filter)

As indicated in the poster, the sale in Trinoma will run until November 9. A similar toy sale will be held in Robinson's Place Ermita from November 9-14 at the Midtown Activity Area. Perfect for early Christmas shopping!

Happy Halloween!

Sharing some snapshots of the Halloween decorations in our office... Karir! (^_^)

Entrance to our area

Scary witch... 

Our pantry...

Finance's area... Witches, bats and pumpkins!

May hanging coffin pa! Karir!

CIC's area... Plants vs. Zombies!

Our president, Steve, announcing the winners for best decor and
costume (the hunchback witch holding a broom won!)