on the ninth day of christmas...

we were supposed to be riding the trains

at Bright Nights in Stanley Park

but this mommy forgot to purchase tickets way in advance

and there wasn't anymore left to purchase online.

so instead of being outdoors on a super cold December evening

we opted to stay indoors with the kids to finish up our Christmas shopping

and to finally get a chance to see.....

SANTA!!!

dylan went right up to the big man himself

and told him that he wanted some play dough for christmas
(good thing this mommy has purchased just that!)

and when kaelan's turn came, i was a little afraid

that he might cry for his photos and not want to be with santa

but the moment we put him on santa's lap

he took one look at the man and started smiling and laughing!

I SIMPLY LOVE IT!

have you had your santa photos done yet?

on the eighth day of christmas...

dylan's pre-christmas activity for day 8
was to paint a christmas tree using his fingers!

that's his tree and my tree...
(yes, even this mommy couldn't resist finger painting!)

"yucky, mommy!  wash hands?"

his tree is all done!

it was supposed to be a "paint-your-tree" day only.
that was our main event.  

but then, the little bhubba found this unopened box of thomas & friends train set

that his godparents gave him for christmas last year....

so guess what this mom had to do?

the train, although it wasn't in my plans for today's activities

is a great prelude to tomorrow's christmas event!

i cannot wait!!!

on the 7th day of christmas...

we had a much-needed down time today in celebration of the 7th day...

when the hubby got home, i popped some yummy ribs in the oven

and when dinner is done, we all plopped down on the couch

to watch a family christmas movie!

midway through the movie, dylan requested for some hot chocolate

so guess who made it?

and because we were already up for his hot chocolate

what better way to spend the remainder of the evening than

to have two steaming cups of hazelnut flavored coffee!

it is the perfect way to spend the evening with the family!

on the 6th day of christmas...

we spent the entire day with the boys' lolo & lola (grandpa & grandma)

not that we're not with them on a weekly basis already

but it was nice to be there on a weekday

where someone else can help me look after them for a bit.

can you believe that because of that, 

i finished working on these?

and when my mom arrived from work

the boys and i took her to the store

where each boy was allowed to pick-up one item under $5.

my mom thought i was being too cheap on her grandkids

so she kindly "sponsored" their shopping trip today!  

\

i love grandparents... don't you?
they seriously spoil your child to bits and feel absolutely no remorse about it!!!

on the fifth day of christmas...

we have been on the go these past few days

that it was time to do a christmas activity at home.

i picked up a little something from the local craft store yesterday.

something i know that dylan would especially enjoy!

it was a perfectly quiet and uneventful afternoon spent at home.

only 20 more sleeps until christmas...

i can't wait!

on the fourth day of christmas...

after considering a few activities for today

we decided to help celebrate a special little boy's

first birthday with him and his family.

i unfortunately do  not have photos of logan

as he was asleep in his mom's arms for most of the time we were there.

dylan had a wonderful time running around playing with his new balloon sword.

and jumping in the bouncy castle.

and stuffing his face with chocolate kisses.

i can't wait for our less hectic day tomorrow!

on the third day of christmas...

it has been a very eventful third day for the boys and i.

we three braved the cold weather and without my car, went to the aquarium

for a fun-filled afternoon spent with their good friends, esther & sam!

i will let the photos tell the story.....

on the second day of christmas...

dylan was so excited to see santa's video message to him yesterday

that it was only right for us to write to santa today for their christmas countdown!

kaelan "helping" kuya with their santa letters

decorating their letters to santa

while dylan dictated what he would like in each of their letters

mommy diligently wrote it all down.

i find it so sweet that he asked santa for an Iron Man toy for daddy.

and of course, he was drawing train tracks all over the page.

it's the one thing he does really well!

we're getting closer to Christmas!  

i'm hoping that the snow arrives just in time!