December 6-11

Day Six--Sunday

We drove up to LA for the day.

Day Seven--Monday

Enjoying an evening by the fireplace

Day Eight--Tuesday

Movie Night

Day Nine--Wednesday

Front page

Baking begins!

Back page

Fiona's helping hands helped mix the dough for the peppermint candy cane cookies.

Day Ten--Thursday

'Tis the season for chillin' and grillin'!

Day Eleven--Friday

Dinner and Coffee & Tea with Ninang Gail

(journaling on back side of photo)

December Days

Day Three--Thursday

I've been prepping this package for my cousin Dada in New Jersey for quite some time. But on this day, I finally finished packing it all up. I'm so thrilled for her. Dada's expecting her first baby two days after Christmas.

Day Four--Friday

Just went to Target with Ninang Gail and spent an hour of looky-loo-ing down the aisles. Very therapeutic, I say. I bought some "unnecessary "things and some "necessary" things. That's always the case when you visit Target. But I definitely snagged up some peppermint candy canes that I plan to use for candy cane cookies, for hot cocoa stirrers, or just to nibble on. And later that evening, Far made smores in the toaster oven from Olivia's smores kit. It was yummy!


Day Five--Saturday

Fiona looks forward to her dance class with Ms. Angela every Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m. She's so enthusiastic about it. I can't believe Fiona even knows the ballet terminology--arabesque, plie, and tendu. Her teacher is simply amazing.

December Daily 2009

Home Sweet Holidays 09

(front cover)

(inside flap)

Day One--Decorating the tree
front page


back page

Day Two--Making a Wish List
front page

back page

Other pages soon to be filled

(started prepping in November)

Every Christmas Eve I write Tessie a letter. It's just a reflection of the year. And things that seem to be bottled up manage to reveal itself on paper.

This is the first time I'm participating in Ali Edwards' December Daily album. I absolutely LOVE this idea. December is such a magical month and Christmas is my most favorite holiday. I love the scents of fresh cut pine trees, gingerbread and mulling spices, baked cookies, and so much more. And this is nuts, but I enjoy wrapping presents in the middle of the night and listening to holiday tunes. It's so nostalgic for me.

Since it is such a busy month, there's plenty to document. And just being able to journal about these moments and day to day occurrences will be oh-so-exciting! I know I'll appreciate this in years to come. I know Fiona will too. She's been helping me here and there just by gluing things down or assisting me with the layout. She calls scrapping, "decorating." "I want to decorate, Mommy!" I let her go at it. That's my girl.

So, here it goes! Happy December!

In the wee hours...

This is a layout for Jenny's On Motherhood challenge. I'm working on another layout for Fiona and I. But it's still in progress. This topic absolutely just warms my heart. I can think of a million layouts with stories to follow. Even ones about my Grandma Emeliana. She's got the kookiest way of thinking which transfered over to my mom. And sometimes, I get that way too. I don't even know why. Maybe because Mama's know best? It's funny how superstition out ways logical reasoning or even medical research in my family. Yeah! It's hilarious at times. I just don't argue with it. Point is, I can be the same way, hard-headed about everything.

The funny thing about this paper is that I was supposed to used it for a project for another little girl. I was testing out Jenny's mists and butterfly mask. And jeepers, I couldn't resist. I instantly thought of this photo--Fiona wearing purple and playing with her shadow. So, thanks Jenny for letting me come over and play.

I started this layout in the Summer. And now it's Fall. I just wanted to document what Fiona loved eating at the moment. I orginally wanted the layout to be just text but something was missing. It was her smiling face. She's a nut! I'll always remeber her at this age.

Terrific Two's

Shadow Dancer

Fiona is so fascinated with her shadow. She dances with it. She jumps with it. She even talks to it. I love how easily entertained she is. She's my little pocket of sunshine. I wish she could be this age forever!

part deux: les photographs

Birthday Girl and her Sidekick
Excusez-moi? Fiona had the first bite! Who's birthday was it again?
Fiona wanted to help me blow out the candle!
my loved ones
Cheek to cheek at Cafe Chloe
One short day in Emerald City!
Far was able to snap a shot of the opening scene from Wicked. It's a map of Oz.

Happy 35

I had a head start celebrating my birthday this year. On the 15th of August, Far and I watched Wicked! And we met up with Angie, Ricky, Nancy, Lea, Christy, and Francis during intermission. I believe they had orchestra seats, while Far and I sat way up in the balcony. I didn't care. As long as I could hear the music I was fine. But we came very prepared with our binoculars, which was practically glued to my face the whole time. Believe me, I was so anxious to see it! My girlfriends ranted and raved about it. Seriously! I even went out shopping for a bright green dress to represent Elphaba. That's right! I have been changed FOR GOOD! It was so awesome!

But on my actual birthday, the 21st, of course, I had an intimate dinner at Cafe Chloe with my loved ones. You know, folks I love and love me back. The restaurant was a quaint French Bistro downtown, corner of 9th & G. I have this French obsession. I dream of going to France one day. But that's another story. I do HAVE to mention the dessert I had. It was the pot de chocolate. Super rich mousse, almost like ganache but thicker in texture. It was orgasmic, I tell you. Hehehe! And then we headed home early. I went home happy. There's nothing like good food, good company, and a good amount of sleep.

Le Bleu Tutu

The entrance to Neisha's Dance Academy greeted us with leotards and tutu's, majority of them being pink. I mean, the front of the room had wall to wall dance gear. To the left of us, I noticed a bright bleu tutu in the midst of lavender, pink, and classic black. It stood out like a sore thumb. And of course, Fiona Tess noticed it too. She started taking off her clothes and said, "Try it on!" She wore the entire outfit in the store. She twirled and danced around in the most darling pink ballet shoes. She felt right at home. Honestly, Fiona does spin around at home. So, I signed her up for a creative dance class on Saturday mornings. How exciting!

Her World Is Blue

At the moment, Fiona's favorite color is blue. Everything she points out is blue--the sky, certain clothes, toys, things in books, paints and colored pencils. She's jazzed about anything she encounters that's blue. It's amazing that she notices all the different shades, from navy to powder. Last night, we were watching Jack's Big Music Show and Laurie Berkner sang a song called, My Red Boots. Fiona says as she was marching in place, " I want blue boots, Mommy!"

Afternoon Dip

Just look at these two! Fiona and Isaiah are having the time of their lives. Isaiah loves to splash while Fiona pretends she's swimming like a fish. It's just so simple to entertain them. All you need is water, sun, and a swimming pool. Stay tuned for more water adventures. Next time, we'll hit the beach!

Meeting at The Mission

statue of Father Junipero Serra
( Fiona says, "Mommy, scare me!")

Fiona loves fountains!

We all fell in love with a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier, church-going dogs

Strike a pose, Roo!

The Estrellado's

Papa and Fiona Tess sitting outside listening to the sermon

Look at those dimples!

Walking through the garden

James and Noey sitting at our favorite bench on the garden side of the church.

Noelle, 9 months old