Holidays

This semester is officially a done deal after this week is over and I can't believe two years of pre-reqs are over. Miles will also be leaving preschool this week. It's bittersweet. His teachers have been great and I'm sure he will be missing them as well as his buddies at school.

Miles in the courtyard of his preschool.

Before he left for Hawaii, he took note of the fall colors of the leaves and wants to see how much it changes within a week's time.


He has one year left before going to kindergarden so I will be homeschooling him--shouldn't be hard (crossing my fingers). It's been fun, doing some research and finding simple lessons that I can do with both Miles & Darrien. I've also been looking into enrolling him in age appropriate classes offered by the Rec department so that he'll still be able to interact regularly with other kids. It's been a crazy roller coaster of a month! We are pretty much looking forward to spending the holidays with our family, ending this year on a good note, and starting the new year with strength and new wisdom.

Miles has been having so much fun, getting in the Christmas mood and getting crafty at home. Here's a fun ornament recipe you can do at home:

What you need:
-1/2 cup salt
-1 cup flour
-1/2 cup water (add more if needed)
-rolling pin
-cookie sheet
-toothpick
-cookie cutters (we used his playdoh tools)
-acrylic paints (we used glitter paints)
-Mod Podge
-Ribbons or ornament hooks for hanging

How to make it:
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until dough is formed.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.


4. Roll out the dough to about ¼” thick with a rolling pin that has been dusted with flour.


5. Use cookie cutters to cut out as shapes as you want or make your own.


6. Get Messy!


7. Use a toothpick to make a hole toward the top of the shape. Poke the toothpick into the shape, then holding toothpick straight up and down, make a circular motion as if you were stirring something. Keep circling until the hole is the size you want.
8. Place all shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and place into the preheated oven.
9. Bake for 2 hours.

10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

11. Paint, let dry, and apply Mod Podge to seal.



Miles has been busy spending plenty time with family, for Thankgiving/takin' (if you're leaning toward the far left)...

Grandma Helen with Jasmine.

Aaron!



The boys at it again (peep the gats, dios mio! no bueno!)

Aunty Rhea's 17th birthday...

Of course, Miles has to blow out the candles.

And Darrien too...


We also celebrated Zayden's binyag...

Ninang Maritess, Zayden, & Dave


Ninang Jen x Dengs x Ninong Bob

Ninang Maritess x Uncle Eric= E & M Cafe!

Miles also had quality time with our family in Hawaii on his mini-vacation with Jus. It was a good trip for them because they got to spend a lot of time with each other too. I'll post pictures from their trip tomorrow! I'm spent. Good night!