The Nutcracker March

My kids have been enjoying the classical music lately.

They have a Leap Pad cartridge with lots of classical composers and their music, 

and they love listening to it…all the time.

At home or in the car, they would always request for the classical music to be played.

We bought a Christmas Classical music cd last year at Wal-Mart

and it has been the kids' favourite Christmas cd.

Hubby and I are amazed at how our kids enjoy classical music.

Jakob likes it especially with his piano and violin.

Beata loves to hear them either from the cd or from his brother practicing his music lessons.

Jethro loves it, and can identify The Sugar Plum Fairy from the cd 

(and that's only after hearing it twice!)

One of his favourites is The Nutcracker March.

Though he can't seem to put together the right name.

He'll either say..

March of the Crackernut…or

Nut of the Cracker March…or even worse

Nut of the March.

He'll soon get it.  

If he can't say the right name, I'm quite sure he can hum it for you!

He got the crown!

For three months now, Jethro has been attending a Sunday School class that gives a crown at the end of their class to the most behaved girl and boy. 

I've always wondered when Jethro will get that crown.

He's a wiggle worm, you know!

My husband jokes that he is a whale -- he would die if he does not move!

I told Jethro if he gets the crown, we will open the Star Wars toy he got for his birthday way back in January.

He said he doesn't want the crown, he just wanted to listen.

Ah!  Excuses, excuses!

Well, to my surprise, he got the crown today.

And he was wearing it with pride all the way to the parking lot.

I just have to stop my hubby's bus to show him the surprise. To Raymond's delight, he invited Jethro to ride with them in the bus.

I just have to post this milestone because it may never happen again!

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today...

We are headed to our first ever long drive. 

It's March break, and we decided to team up with friends and get in our cars and drive across the border to New York City for two days, then to Pennsylvania for three days, and we are excited and nervous at the same time.

It's our first time crossing the border (Buffalo, New York doesn't count, okay?) and driving for six to nine hours. 

I am writing this just a little after midnight. 

(I am still not done packing, ugh!)

I am trying to pack light this time

(making room for some goodies to bring home from our trip, maybe?)

This is just a short sweet note to tell you that I might be missing in action (yet) again.

With that, I want to leave you with a couple of pictures from my new lens.

(courtesy of my hunny!)

Until then,

New York, New York!

iheartfaces: Texture

My entry for this week's challenge at iheartfaces

I was trying to find the perfect picture to do my texture overlay at photoshop, but I think this photo has the best texture by itself.

No texture overlay, just the lovely wrinkled face of my four-year-old!

Have a wrinkly textured photo?

Come join us. 

To infinity and beyond...

Our Jethro is now 4. 

And because he is the biggest Buzz Lightyear fan out there, I decided to make him a Buzz Lightyear cake for his fourth birthday.

And I could have taken a million pictures of it because I had help since hubby was home for Jet's birthday...but sadly, I did not. 

Please, don't ask me why.

To infinity and beyond--- and not just for his birthday. 
This will be his line from now on because our little Jethro got saved last Saturday.

A VERY happy birthday to you, Jet!
We love you!

PIC OF THE WEEK: My trio in B&W

BROTHER

Mischief Maker
Protector

Tormentor
Tattletale

Hero

Best friend

BROTHER

Low, low, low

Yesterday was the Sunday School Participation Sunday in our church.  We have been helping our kids rehearse their lines and verses for this special day. 

Jethro behaved so well this time (unlike last year).

He sang wonderfully.

He even gave me a thumbs up before getting out of the auditorium (but I missed taking a photo of that! ugh!)

Beata was loud, funny and great. 

She recited their verse perfectly with her big, low voice.

And sang her song with the same alto voice.

I love it!

Proof

Here's the proof of my kiddos' cooperation to my beloved camera last Wednesday night.

No complaining.

No hiding or running away from the crazy lady with the camera.

No fake smiles (okay, maybe a little!)

Just very willing subjects, posing away for mommy. 

Especially Jakob. 

I find it hard to take a picture of him coz he is either too zealous or too lazy (or eyes are always closed) when I have my camera on hand.

But that night was different.

He was even requesting for more.

I guess it's official -- they now welcomed my D90 to the family!

Awww, thanks!
*sniff, sniff*

Unusual

Told the kiddos to go take their nap today and they obeyed right away.  No complaining, no bargaining.  No giggling, no extra playtime in their room when I am not looking.  Beata and Jethro slept right away.  Unusual?  Let's just say most of the time.

Picked up Jakob from school this afternoon and we saw a nice big rainbow on the way.  I asked them what's the rainbow for, Beata said it comes after the rain clouds.  Not really getting what I wanted to hear, I changed the question to "Why did God make the rainbow?".  She answered the same answer, but Jethro with his hand raised, said, "God will never flood the world again".  Unusual?  Definitely.

And another unusual thing happened last night --- my kiddos willingly and happily posed for my camera with not one, not two but lots of pictures. 

Now that's really, really unusual!
I will show you proof tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY reWIND: To Infinity And Beyond...

Blah, blah,blah...Buzz Lightyear.

The blah...

I blah...

My blah...

Buzz Lightyear.

You might be wondering what those lines were.

That's how Jakob used to talked when he was about 3 or 4 years old.

You would not understand anything but the words Buzz Lightyear.

(Just ask his Sunday School teachers that time and I'm sure they'll tell the same story)

He loves Toy Story 1 and 2, Disney Store and anything that has to do with Buzz Lightyear.

With Toy Story 3 coming next year, here's a little tribute to our favourite Space Ranger...

From Jakob...

Taken October 27, 2004

and from Jethro (who loves Buzz Lightyear just as much!)

Taken July 1, 2008

Monday Match: Orange

It's October!

Pumpkins and leaves everywhere!

And so is the colour red, brown and orange...

Thought this would be a great "we like to match" post.

Happy "Orange" season!

PICs OF THE WEEK: Jethro's Naptime

Sleepy.

Time for his nap.

But he just wouldn't ...

Just wanted to play...

Trying to fight it...

But lost!

Jethro and the letter Y

Y?

Thanks for asking...

but really, this could be Jethro's favourite letter because he uses it a million times a day.

 

Like, "Y" did the squirrel run?

Or "Y" is Moses' mommy crying?

Or "Y" are we fighting the wiggle worm?

Or "Y" are the men fixing the lights? 

"Y"?

"Y"?

"Y"?

I was being nice trying to answer them in a simple, understandable way but I think my little Beata handles them better.

She would answer, "BECAUSE!"  Period.

(And apparently, he would stop and be satisfied with that answer.)

It's this stage in toddlerhood.  Just like my friend's toddler boy. 

I wonder what his favourite number is?  Hmmmm.

How To Eat An Oreo Cakester

Take a small bite for some taste test...

Mmmmm, it's good!  Everything in your mouth...

Focus...focus...

Wash it down with juice...

:)

"Time for school, time for school!"

It's not just a line in the Finding Nemo movie, it's what Beata has been chanting this morning when they woke up. 

It's her first of day school and Jakob's second day (she only goes to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).  I was glad that they all woke up early enough to give us plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast and take some pictures before heading to school.  She was not herself though when we went to her classroom; she was quiet (though still smiling) and just sitting still on her seat.  I guess she learned about the line "first impressions last!"  Maybe she's trying to impress Mrs. Bartley.  But knowing Beata, she'll be her old bubbly, talkative self in no time.

And yesterday when I asked Jakob how was first day of school?  I was expecting an answer like "It was good" or "It was okay". I think I was underestimating him a bit coz his answer was "It was awesome!"  That was a joy to hear considering all the changes that has happened in his school (and church) this year.  It is a great way to start his year!

Now, it's just me and Jethro.  One on one. :)

WEDNESDAY reWIND: Aahhhhh! This is life.

Taken August 1, 2006

WEDNESDAY reWIND: Yummy?

Jethro's first taste of "solid" food.

Taken July 29, 2006

Patch The Pirates Fans

This is our typical day in the van whenever the Patch The Pirate cd is playing...

Don't you love children's voices even if they are out of tune?

My boys are sick

Just when I was beginning to be happy to see that Jakob and Jethro are growing and gaining weight, then they begin to be sick.  They both have cough and colds, so begins the trusted orange and blue puffers...sad, I know.  They also have a temperature so off I went to the drugstore the other day for the reliable Tylenol...again, sad, I know.  On top of that, Jakob has a sore in his gum and toothache.  I was afraid his old filling might be falling apart so I made a quick appointment to the dentist and guess what?  His x-ray shows his adult teeth are just about ready to come out so it has been pushing the baby teeth little by little, hence the fever and toothache.  Good news is his teeth are in great condition; the bad news is this pain will come every now and then until those baby teeth falls off. 

It's just not the same in our house when our two little rough, active, happy boys are sick...the house seems in order quiet.  I am praying that my little boys will be well soon.  I miss their energy!