Getting Ready For Christmas

It's less than 50 days before Christmas and I haven't done ANY shopping yet. The LOOOONG Christmas list has been ready since midyear but I haven't gotten around to getting some retail therapy.

Every year I say to Hubby that I will start my Christmas shopping in June. And every year I start shopping just in time for the long lines at the cashier and the when the Christmas shopping frenzy is at its peak--just like a New Year resolution gone bad.

However, seeing all that clutter disappear during the garage sale inspired us to decorate for Christmas. I brought out my Nativity set, collection of Santa Claus, and started to put them around the house. Upon careful examination, the house still needs a few more Christmas-y items like wreaths and candy cane. Hmmm, we'll see.

I also bought a book called, "The First Christmas" to let the kids know about (ahem) the First Christmas. I read this to them last night and they loved it. They even rearranged the Nativity set and look to it often for reference. I can't wait to read "A Night Before Christmas" to the kids tonight. Hopefully, they won't rearrange my Santa Claus collection after that!

Good Start

I've been wanting to buy James Patterson's Double Cross since it was released last year. Somehow all the bookstores in the country were out of stock--for 9 months.

My Dad has been a James Patterson fan for about a few years. He loves the Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club plus the few stand alone books that are out. So far, he's missing Double Cross in his collection.

I had planned to surprise him for his birthday with a copy of the book last September 9. But I was pleasantly surprised when Power Books told me they were all out of copies and were taking orders.

By some stroke of luck, as my sister and I were in National Bookstore, I saw it. It was a paperback copy of Double Cross and the last one. Wedged between Cross and Mary, Mary, Double Cross screamed at me. I just bought it immediately. And now my Dad's reading it in his favorite spot -- the toilet.

I think I get my love of reading from my Dad. I used to see his books around the house, Sidney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum. I remember reading for pleasure when I was in Grade 4. It was a hard-bound Nancy Drew mystery which I borrowed from the school library. From then on, I was hooked. I think I finished the whole Nancy Drew collection that school year. Not bad for a beginner.

Hopefully Kuya and Kowi discover their love for reading as well. We read aloud almost every day and Kuya has been saying he feels like "he's in another place" when we read. This is a good start.

Needle In A Haystack

I've been wanting to buy James Patterson's Double Cross since it was released last year. Somehow all the bookstores in the country were out of stock--for 9 months.

My Dad has been a James Patterson fan for about a few years. He loves the Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club plus the few stand alone books that are out. So far, he's missing Double Cross in his collection.

I had planned to surprise him for his birthday with a copy of the book last September 9. But I was pleasantly surprised when Power Books told me they were all out of copies and were taking orders.

By some stroke of luck, as my sister and I were in National Bookstore, I saw it. It was a paperback copy of Double Cross and the last one. Wedged between Cross and Mary, Mary, Double Cross screamed at me. I just bought it immediately. And now my Dad's reading it.

The Shoe Tag

Got this tag from MM and Kat. Thanks!

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What’s your shoe size? Are your feet the same size as your mom’s feet? How about your sister’s feet? Can you borrow shoes from each other?

Post a picture of your latest shoe buy. Tag the number of women of your shoe size, i.e. size 5 = tag 5 friends. Don’t forget to drop a line in this blog when you’re done.

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I originally had size 5 feet. It was small that sometimes I buy sneakers from the children's shoes section. After I had kids, they gradually increased to 6. And now it's somewhere between 6 to 6.5, sometimes even a 7! My Hubby gave away my shoes after I gave birth. =(

My mom's shoe size is 8. She has bunions so her shoes have always been way too big for me. And she likes uber high heels and wedges. Even if I could borrow her shoes, I just can't wear a three-inch stiletto, run after Kowi and still be alive.

My sister has size 7.5 to 8 feet. Sometimes I borrow her flip flops and sandals. Although they are still a bit big, it doesn't show as much.

I bought these shoes a couple of weeks ago from SM. I thought they looked sexy and low enough to wear to a wedding.

What is you shoe size Hesitant Wife, Berna, Dhomemaker and SoReal?

My Halloween Costume Choice

Picking the right Halloween costumes for my two kids can be pretty exhausting. It really takes a lot of negotiating and re-negotiating just to get the right ones. Of course, I want Kuya and Kowi to have complementing costumes. But when it’s time to go costume hunting, they each have their own picks. And most of the times, the ones they choose don’t actually go together at all, or worse, they even clash!

Dressing up for Halloween is a very big deal in the family. Every year we try to vie for the coveted award of Best Costume, as chosen by my grandmother, since her birthday falls on November 1st. It’s just in time to celebrate it every year with a big costume party.

This year, I plan to dress the whole family in something matching and unique. No more dressing up like monsters, ghouls, princesses, fairies and cowboys. Those themes have been done quite a number of times by the entire family. No more recycling of costume ideas. I’m gunning to win the Best Costume.

I was surfing online and saw costumecauldron.com with Halloween costumes that might just do the trick. It has a lot of categories to choose from. I browsed through costume type, both adult and kid costumes. Then I browsed by category like TV and Movie, Dance and Holiday. I am even considering jazzing up my picked theme and glanced through accessories like makeup and masks. There is even an entire selection of props to totally get into the Halloween role. If you want to add magic tricks, juggling and even a bit of audio, you can. It’s just a click away.

In choosing the theme, there are a few things that I consider. First, it’s supposed to be original. I don’t want end up looking like a copycat to my cousin’s family wearing the same cowboy outfits! Second, I want it to be a bit quirky. To see that smile on my grandma’s face is certainly worth it. Lastly, it’s comfortable for the kids. Halloween costume safety is a priority. I don’t want them sweating in the costume or getting rashes from the fabric.

After careful consideration, I have finally made a choice. I think it is fun, quirky and complementary. The good thing is that my kids also know the characters. We have watched the DVD a lot of times over. I’m very happy to pick—drum roll please—Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I will definitely play Willy Wonka. Kuya and Kowi are already excited about their Halloween costumes. I don’t know if Hubby is as eager. Actually, he has no idea yet. But I think that it’s adorable if my daughter, son and husband dress alike, all dressed as cute Oompa Loompahs.