Beyond scrapbooking

Today is one of those days that we plan to do something and ending up doing another thing.

After Sabrina’s theater class, we went to Costco for holiday shopping.  Not seeing her grandparents for more than a week, Sabrina insisted of visiting them today after our shopping. Grandmama and Grandpapa were just too happy to have us.

Grandmama whipped up in no time a simple lunch of tomato soup and toast for us and macaroni and cheese for the kids. After eating, Sylvain was getting sleepy and told everyone that he is going to take a 15 minute nap as he comfortably stretched himself on the sofa. Seeing him, I got envious and also took advantage of the opportunity. Grandmama and Grandpapa babysat the kids while we snoozed in the living room.

When we woke up, Grandmama told us to stay for dinner too. And so we did. Thank God for doting parents-in-law.

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Two years ago, my sister and I decided to shop in ‘Dollarama’ , a popular dollar store here for Christmas gifts. Each member of the family will buy their gifts in this store. It was a great success and it became one of our holiday traditions.

Sabrina is allowed to choose her gifts with a slight recommendation from Mommy. On Christmas day, we always have a good laugh upon opening of our Christmas gifts.

Who knows what a dollar worth of a gift can give so much hilarity and joy. It is priceless.

Family Advent Activity:

1. Shopping at Dollarama.

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We bought the first bauble on the year we started our adoption process for Sabrina.  It was sort of honoring the place where she came from. And we went from there. It became our tradition to go to Pier 1 to buy this ‘Li Bien’ ornament during holiday season.

“In Chinese, the phrase ‘Li Bien’ means ‘inside’. The Li Bien ornament showcases the age-old skill of inside painting, which originated in the Qing Dynasty. It has been a respected Chinese art for over 200 years. Each ornament is delicately hand-painted through a tiny opening in the mouth-blown glass. This process requires great skill and deliberation since the image is painted in reverse. Each ornament is a genuine work of art and no two are alike. The result is a beautiful, one of a kind keepsake you will enjoy for years to come.”

Unfortunately last Christmas, we were too busy to buy one for Sabrina and Isabella.

This year, we make sure that each kid has her own keepsake and so as we won’t forget, we included it as part of their advent calendar activities.

Family Advent Activity:

1. Decorate the Christmas tree in our dining room.

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In the beginning of this year, there was a plan to spend Christmas holiday in the Philippines. It would be a grand family reunion for us –  five siblings and Mommy plus our husbands and kids.  I look forward of showing how Philippines celebrate Christmas and New Year to Sylvain and the kids.

However, circumstances beyond our control put our plan in back burner. Mommy got sick last April which necessitated for me to go back home with Isabella.

Maybe next year, we’ll be lucky barring any sad situations. Everything is up to Our Great Implementor. For now, we are staying home for the holidays.

The wreath is the only exterior decor we have this year. Putting up the light is not in our priority list this month.

Family Advent Activity:

1. Hang the Christmas wreath on our front door.

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We barely celebrated Christmas last year. Sylvain’s Dad was confined at the hospital on Christmas eve and we were stressed with the house construction and the impending move on January plus we were adjusting to having another baby at home.

This year, I resolve that whatever may happen from this day up to New Year, I want to bring back the magic and wonder that Christmas brings.  I want Sabrina and Isabella to learn the true meaning of the season, that Jesus was born to give us hope in our darkness.

In this holiday season, we are focus on our family, building memories, bonding together and having fun.

Previously, I made Sabrina’s Advent calendar with small pockets attached on a magnetic board.

This year, I made  houses made from juice carton as countdown calendars.  Each day, the kids will open their door to get treats inside.  Today, I put chocolates (Lindor and Smarties) and coloring pages about First Christmas.

Family Advent Activities:

1. Take our Christmas family photo.

2. Read the First Christmas story.

3. Take a video interview of our kids.

Sample questions.

* How old are they?

* What they want for Christmas?

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