Tag Archives: christmas

Christmas Day, Family Gathering, and Opening Presents

gifts from papa and mama

Dindin opens gifts from Papa and Mama

Despite a happening that involved another parent about the children’s choir, we have made a decision to make this a happy Christmas and to go on with our plans and traditions. We did not want one person to spoil our Christmas just because of her harsh words and assumptions.

When we woke up, Dindin got to open our Christmas gifts for her. Yep, gifts from Papa and Mama first. Since we slept late, we woke up late too, so after the presents, we prepared to go to church. Of course we were late but I did not really want to rush on Christmas Day.

new book and toy cake

We gave Dindin this book about Tinkerbell and then a toy cake that she has always wanted.

Then we had a late lunch at the Yellow Cab. My brother and sister in law already went around looking for a place to eat but it was full everywhere. So we settled at Yellow Cab where we also had Christmas dinner last year. LOL But it was fine because we all love pizza anyway. After lunch, we just went around the mall for awhile before we went home to take a nap.

yellow cab pizza

Christmas lunch at Yellow Cab Pizza

In the afternoon, it was time for Dindin to open her presents. And below are her photos while opening presents wearing a reindeer headband. Thank you to all her aunties and uncles, grandparents, ninongs and ninangs, and friends who remembered her. Dindin was really grateful and appreciative of each present. But more than that, we know how much you love and care for her. So thank you! :D

christmas gifts

Dindin with some of her christmas gifts

Christmas gifts

Dindin poses with her Christmas gifts.

In the evening, it was off again to have dinner at my parents’ home. We had a really long day!

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Dennis and I also opened our gifts. Of course, these are not as many as Dindin’s! teehee Thank God Dennis is not an executive, no need to choose briefcases for men for him. Dindin and I got him a couple of shorts and he was already happy. These are things that he can really use. In my case, I got gifts from clients and Dennis got me a new optical mouse because my old one is starting to conk out.

Merry Christmas everyone! :D

Christmas Eve: Tatay’s Birthday and Children’s Choir

birthday gift

Dindin hands Tatay his birthday gift.

December 24 is always a busy day for us because it is my Tatay’s Birthday and of course, Christmas eve. While I was still living with my parents, it was a frenzy of cooking because we usually had guests for lunch and of course, we had to start preparing early. Today, we went there for lunch.

children's choir

The group picture of the children's choir before the show.

And this year, it was doubly busy because we let Dindin join the children’s choir presentation in church. She can memorize all the songs–including the speaking lines–in this 42-minute presentation. The problem was, she would not join in the choreography. Though she knows the actions because she has seen the other kids practice, she would not stay put. So after about a minute on stage, we took her down. I thought that was fine already but then she went back up again. LOL After running about a couple more minutes, her Papa brought her down and then we took her out of the church so that she will no longer run around the stage.

While many people thought it was funny and Dindin was very brave, one person came up to Dennis and sorta reprimanded us for letting Dindin do that.

Well, all in a day’s work. This was how our Christmas eve went. Tired but fulfilled! :D Dindin went to bed early and was not able to join us for the family gathering and the exchanging of gifts.

Children's choir

Dindin at the children's choir presentation--a flitting moment.

Minimal Christmas Decorations

This year, we have minimal Christmas decorations because of so many reasons.

1. We did not have a lot of time to prepare.
2. We do not have a lot of available space because there are just so much stuff lying around.
3. We do not want to go through the motions of cleaning the decors and packing them after the holidays.

But I do envy the Table top displays at the house of Dennis’ aunt. They are gorgeous! And she keeps them immaculately clean. Now that is something I cannot do even if I want to because I just don’t have the time. LOL

So this year, we had put up three small Christmas trees in the living room where we put our gifts. Then my mother-in-law bought small lanterns to hang near our dining. In our bedroom, we hang a stocking and a “Christmas decoration that says ‘Merry Christmas‘!” At least, that is how Dindin describes it. LOL