Heaven is full of trains...

for these little boys of mine and I'm not even kidding. Since school is going to start in 2 weeks, I thought it would be nice to bring AJ to his favorite place one more time, the Railroad Museum in Galveston. Actually, any place with trains is his favorite so you can just imagine what this place was like for him. Heaven! As AJ's little brother, Aiden loves trains too. I think all little brothers (or sisters to others) think that everything big brothers do are cool so they wanna do it too, haha! Well, anyway here are some pics from this past weekend...

My kids are so crazy about The Polar Express movie that they watch it everyday (seriously!). When they saw this train, both AJ and Aiden screamed Polar Express! If you've seen the movie, I'm pretty sure you'd agree, lol!

Although he wasn't posing for the camera, I love this photo because of its texture. Love that old grungy feel to it.

This is what the inside looks like. My boys were singing hot chocolate (3rd song if you click on next) here! LOL! So much fun I tell ya.

These are just part of the gorgeous Strand in Galveston. Definitely a place to check out especially if you wanna shop. I love the ice cream factory here but we didn't go there this time.

We headed down to Fudruckers for some hamburgers and shakes. We definitely needed it after hours of enjoying this Texas heat!

This photo of Aerell is actually not part of our Galveston adventure. Took it yesterday at one of the houses that my mother-in-law owns.

Thank you very much for peeking! A bunch of thanks also to those who left comments on my previous entries. I appreciate them! Till next time. Have a great week everyone!

[sorry! photos have been deleted]

I blog, scrap and love!

As much as I want to turn this blog into a photo blog, a part of me still wants to chitchat and that's just what I'm gonna do today, hehe! I have been snacking a lot lately again so I'm not sure how much that affected my weight loss project. We went to the Filipino store last weekend and I almost spent a hundred bucks! Totally didn't plan that but once I'm in there, it's like I'm in the Philippines again, lol! I got a bunch of stuffs but I think the highlight would be the ube ice cream, which to my surprise, the kids loved as well. In case you haven't noticed as far as cakes and ice cream go, the only flavor they love is chocolate. So anyway, all of that ice cream is gone now, lol!

Let's talk about my kids, shall we? AJ has finally finished the whole kindergarten level workbook from Hooked on Phonics. Words can't say enough of how proud I am. I know he has a lot of potentials from the day he was born. Yeah crazy but I guess it's a mother's intuition or something whatever you wanna call it. I've been teaching him to spell his name, say his ABC's and count numbers since he was in my belly, haha! I think he's ready for school. He's been talking about it a lot lately and I can tell he's so excited about the whole school thingy. I, on the other hand have mixed emotions. I am happy and excited too but I can't help to be worried at the same time because growing up, I know that it's always the boys who get into a lot of trouble in school and knowing my AJ, I can just picture myself at the principal's office right now, lol! Man, I am so not ready for that but I hope he'll behave himself like I always tell him (keeping my fingers crossed).

Aiden is finally getting into the potty training habit. He still gets some accidents every now and then but for weeks now, he's been going on the potty by himself especially after waking up in the mornings. We haven't bought diapers for him lately since he only needs one at night. I think I'll switch to pull-ups now. During the day, he wears regular big boy underwears (as he calls it). He has definitely improved a lot as much as growing up is concerned. For the longest time, he has been calling Bear and I, dada and mama respectively. AJ has been teaching him to say daddy and mommy instead since he is a big boy now but as stubborn as he is, he would always refuse. About a week ago, he started calling Bear and I, daddy and mommy. I have to say though I miss being called "mama", hehe! I know it won't be long and Aerell will be saying those words again so I just need to be a little patient.

And speaking of Aerell, man, he is just growing up so fast. At 6 months and a half, he can now stand up while holding on to something. I am amazed at his skills. I'm not sure how heavy he is right now though 'coz we haven't been to the pediatrician yet. He doesn't have a lot of chubs at this age compared to his brothers. I guess that's why he can do a lot of things at his age. He has 2 teeth at the bottom now and uses them a lot on me, lol! It might be too early to tell but I think he is such a mama's boy. He'd follow me everywhere I go and wants me to hold him always if possible, haha! Bear thinks as soon as I quit breastfeeding, he won't be so much of a mama's boy anymore so we'll have to see.

I can definitely talk(or type for this matter), can't I? LOL! I don't and won't force anybody to read what I write. Sometimes, I just feel like jotting down what I'm thinking and feeling. I have to say it is very therapeutic, hahaha! Well, if you've read all of these, thank you very much!

I'll leave you with this layout I created today. I guess you can say that I'm lazy for combining all 6months in 1 page, lol! I even forgot to make a title, oh well. Enjoy!

Credits: Papers by Dani Mogstad, most elements by Jofia Devoe, shadowed string by Natali Designs, stitches by Two Sisters Designs, backward staples by Jen Patrick, paper blocks template by Emily Merritt and tags by Kim Christensen. TFL!

Houston Rose Garden

Another entry full of pictures. I have fully decided to make this blog a photoblog now. I think it will be easier this way 'coz all I'm gonna do is let the photos speak for themselves unless I feel the need to elaborate on some, lol! So, last Friday, hubby was off from work and we decided to go to the Houston Rose Garden. We've been there a lot of times already but I wanted to go back to take some rose pictures. I took quite a few but these three are my favorites.

I asked hubby to take this photo of me with the roses, hehe! I'm not sure how much weight I've lost since I worked out (if there's any at all) but right now, I don't feel so bad about my body anymore although I know I still need a lot of work out sessions to get to my ideal weight.

You're probably wondering why this squirrel is featured here, lol! Well, we had our lunch at the park beside the rose garden and a bunch of pigeons, crows and squirrels were surrounding us for food of course. We gave the squirrels some french fries and one of them climbed up the tree to munch on his food. I thought it was interesting so here he is! Yes it's a he, I saw the proof with my own eyes, lol!

After lunch, we started walking around the garden and it was nice to be not so crowded since it was a Friday but still the place wasn't empty. The boys (as always) didn't really want to pose for the camera but we told them that if they do, they can ride the train. So, they did, lol!

I took advantage and ask them to pose individually as well. Here's my 5-yr old AJ, who will be starting Kindergarten this August. I'm not so sure if I'm ready for it yet but I'm sure it'll be fine.

When I dress them both with the same outfits, people ask us if they are twins. Anyway, when I took the photo of AJ above and place it next to Aiden's below, I just don't see how they could be twins. Of course they are brothers, so there's always the resemblance but I think all 3 boys of mine have their own distinct look, adorable as this mom would say, hehe! I must say though that Aiden is a proof that the nose isn't what makes the face pretty! LOL!

And as a reward for being such good models, we rode the train, the new and improved one! A much bigger train and a longer route is so much better than the old one. We always enjoy it especially the boys of course.

Aerell was asleep for the most part of our session at the garden and half of the train ride as well. We did woke him up and this is my fave photo of the ones I took. Beautiful eyes, eh? hehe!

[sorry! photos have been deleted]

Aerell's Half Birthday

I never do half birthdays before but I thought it would be fun especially that this would be my last chance to do it, hehe! At first, I was thinking of just buying those cute mini cupcakes at the store but then lately, I have been crazy about cake/cupcake decorating so I changed my mind and decided to bake my own cupcakes and decorate them myself too. This way, the bigger boys will get to have fun as well. Anyway, here are some of the cupcakes I've made. I need to get this so that next time I'll have a lovelier photo of my cupcakes, lol!

I intentionally sprinkled the half part of the cupcakes to symbolize his half birthday. At first, I was thinking of baking a round cake and cut it in half but I thought this is a better and cuter idea, lol! I made my own icing too and although it tasted alright, I think I over-whipped the cream so it has a rough texture to it. Irregardless, these cupcakes tastes as good or better than they look.

The big brothers were so excited about this whole thing and yours truly of course. Bear even said, this is more for myself than Aerell, to which I agree, lol! I had AJ hold the cupcake on this photo because Aerell grabs anything within his reach.

And speaking of grabbing, just look at him on this next photo, lol! He did get a taste of the cupcake but I immediately took it away from him 'coz I'm not sure how his 6-month old stomach would take all the sweets. It turned out to be fine. Since this is only his half birthday and I couldn't find any 1/2 numeric candle anywhere (party stores and online), I used a star candle, which I salvaged from Aiden's 2nd birthday, hehe!

Even though I took the cupcake away from him, he didn't cry or anything. I think somehow he knew it was his special day, hehe! Happy half birthday sweety! We love you so much.

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A Fun-Filled Weekend

Since summer officially started, I have been complaining that it rains almost every day but last Saturday was totally different. So, we took advantage of that. It seemed like we've done this at least once a year now to go to Ponyland and hit the beach afterwards. My mother-in-law came with us this time. You can tell the boys felt like they were in heaven, lol! They adore their Grandy so much, they even prefer to live with her than me, haha! Anyway, Aiden didn't care for the ponies this year though. He preferred to ride the little cars in the playground than riding the horses while AJ was having such a great time on the horse. They were the exact opposite of what they loved last year. When we got to the beach, the boys got wild and just had fun. There were so many people there and the weather was just perfect. I'll stop the chitchat here and show you the photos now. I think I'm officially making this blog a photo blog. As if I haven't already done that, lol! These are a few of my favorites, you can view more on my friendster gallery. Enjoy! Until next time...

[sorry! photos have been deleted]

AJ's reading...

It's been 2 months now since I started teaching AJ how to read. Well, I don't think it's really me doing the work since we're using Hooked on Phonics. I'm not a very good teacher 'coz I don't have that much patience for students who can't easily understand, lol! This is the very main reason why I decided not to take a teaching degree back in college. Anyway, this is my son we're talking about so even though I struggled with my patience, we made it work! To this day, AJ has read 19 stories out of the 31 that Hooked on Phonics (kindergarten level) has provided. I am so proud of him! On Fridays, we usually just do a review of all the words and stories he has read for the week. So, today I am going to share with you the last 3 stories he read. Thank you for reading this and have a great weekend!

AJ Reading from Rissa on Vimeo.

I scrapped!

It's been awhile since the last time. Agring has not updated the themes for Scrap Addict Sundays so I thought I'd go ahead and do this father's day layout. Enjoy!

Credits: Background paper by Jacque Larsen, paper block template by Emily Merritt, paper blocks by Michelle Coleman, ribbons, tape measure and things on a string by Natalie Braxton, stitches by Two Sisters Designs, alpha, lil flowers and journaling bows by Jofia Devoe, staples by Traci Murphy and datestamp by Amber Clegg. TFL!

ps: I forgot where I got the felts. Pls. let me know if you recognize it. Thank you!

Hello Patriots!

How's your 4th of July weekend? Ours started out to be not so well because it was raining but around 5pm, Mr. Sunshine showed up and dried up all the rain, lol! So, we were able to watch fireworks. The kids were so fascinated by it especially this little fella, hehe! We came home around 10:30pm that night and the kids were asleep before they even hit their pillows.

Fireworks! Oh yeah, it's always the biggest thing about 4th of July. For the first time in the 7 years that I've been here, I was able to take good shots of the fireworks. I didn't even realize that I got almost 200 shots. I have so many favorites that it was hard to pick just 3 to show you but here they are...

Then, we had this patriotic pie ready when we got home but actually ate it the next day since it was already too late to eat when we got home after watching the fireworks. It was a great pie that was so easy to prepare. Above all, the kids love it!

Here's a little presentation I have for your viewing pleasure. I compiled 45 photos here. It was hard to resize so I only picked 45. Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!

Credits: Papers by Shabby Princess, flowers by Annie Manning & Jofia Devoe, "freedom" by Gina Miller and bow (recolored) by Helena Jole.

Sweet stuff...

Wow! I just realized that we're half-way through the year 2008. Time flies by so quickly, I bet the next thing I know is that it's already Christmas, lol! Anyway, I thought I'd pop in here today and share some photos. Last Saturday, Bear's company threw a party for one of the bosses who's retiring. It was held at a fancy Mexican restaurant. The place was lovely and I thought it was a great opportunity to take photos. I never had a single photo that night because...well, 1. the party was not for me and 2. nobody really knows how to use the camera other hubby and myself, lol! It was a great, great party. The place was beautiful, the foods were yummy and the people were very friendly. The first two shots were taken at that party.

Lately, I have actually been using the telephoto lens a lot in taking portraits because in my opinion, it takes better photos and I thought my 18-70mm lens was already damaged. Thanks to hubby for fixing it for me. I was able to use it again on all of these photos.

Don't these photos look like they were taken at a wedding reception? I was really amazed at the whole place when we got there. When I heard it was going to be at a Mexican restaurant, I've never pictured it to be something that looks so elegant.

The party started at 7pm but I think I took the 2nd photo around 8:30pm. So, you can see that it was getting dark outside and I had to use a higher ISO so it's a little bit grainy but I think it adds texture to the whole scene, hehe!

The next photo has been our favorite dessert here lately. I have been craving ice cream for the last couple of weeks so I tried browsing kraft.com for some recipe that uses ice cream. The kids love this because they can prepare it themselves. There's a lot of ways to make it, just use your creativity. We love the sweet stuff around here. By the way, those gummy worms are oh so yummy too!

And lastly, a photo of me or my camera, lol! This is the closest thing you'll ever see of myself these days. I have gained weight instead of losing it. The last time (last Saturday) I've checked it was 118lbs, grrrr! It's very frustrating. I am working out for 2 weeks now so I am hoping it will go down in the next couple more weeks or months, haha! I know by the time I'll quit breastfeeding, I'll lose another 3-5lbs, so I should be patient (but I'm not!). How am I going to lose weight if I keep eating the sweet stuff above? LOL! Anyway, I hope to share a better photo of me as soon as I find one that looks acceptable to me, haha! For the meantime, enjoy this photo if you can, lol!

Thank you everyone for all the comments you have left on my previous entry. I appreciate them. I wanted to answer some questions that some of you asked but it will be on the next entry I guess. I'll definitely find time for it. They're usually photography-related. If you have more questions, please leave a comment and I will have my answers ready some time soon. You all take care and enjoy the rest of the day!