May the spirit of Christmas cheer you up and bring you more prosperity, happiness and love though out the next year and all years to come!

from Life’s a Charm! Family

Michael, Charlotte, Matthew and Baby#2

Matthew bringing you Christmas cheers!Photo taken on Dec 17, 2009 by Lori while babysitting Matthew

Matthew (3) by our Christmas Tree. Photo taken on 2009 Dec 18.

It’s definitely Matthew’s Christmas Tree this year! We put up the Christmas Tree a week ago. Matthew helped me put it up and he decorated the tree with ornaments! All I did was to fasten the hook to the ornament and let him decide where he wants them. Once in awhile I interfere only because there are spots in the tree he can’t reach yet. We usually have an angel on top of the Christmas tree but even with the help of the daddy, we just couldn’t keep the angel on top. Oh well! Maybe next year! I think came out really nice, even without the Christmas lights and even if most of the ornaments are grouped together, some according to color and kind, in some areas! It’s perfect!

Before we went to a Christmas party, I couldn’t pass up the photo opportunity! We took some photos by our Christmas tree. I did some pregnant poses, too. I don’t know why I didn’t think of taking a family photo… oh, I remember! Hubby is complaining about taking photos again.

Matthew (3) and Mommy (at 23-weeks pregnant) by our Christmas Tree. Photo taken on 2009 Dec 18.

View more Christmas 2009 Photos.

Do you think you have a different or extra-nice behavior at Christmas time? What extra-nice gesture do you do?

People should be nice all year round, but it is at Christmas time that people seems extra-nice. It’s probably the Christmas spirit in the air, the cheerful decorations and the bright lights that gives us the warm feeliing and makes us smile; the anticipation for togetherness for families and thought from gift giving. And for the Christian faithfuls, Christmas is the reminder that God has manifested His love for us though the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. And what better way to acknowledge this but by being extra-nice! For some people though, for these same reasons, they become cranky, sad, stressed and anti-nice!

I have seen my own relatives extend ‘forgiveness‘ at Christmas time. I grew up among relatives and I have witnessed so much ‘drama’ among them(us), but come Christmas time and they start talking again from months long of not talking, ignoring and avoiding each other.

As for me, Christmas time is when I try to reclaim friendships, and try to make more friends or become more friendly (I am polite, courteous but not specifically friendly!) Also, it is when I am most outgoing, happy and excited!

Added 14:23 Dec18,2009:

I found my friend Lori’s answer funny! I just had to add her answer, which she posted in Facebook:

Not so extra nice ~ maybe extra ANNOYING! lol I luv anything Christmas cheery… Cookies… decorating… taking holiday photos?!!! It’s just a great way to build up to the big day! – by Lori

Aloha Friday originated in Kailani’s An Island Life. If you would like to join in the fun, simply answer the question as a comment then visit Kailani’s An Island Life for more details. However, your answer and comments are welcome even if you do not want to participate.

• 2006 and 2007 – Picture With Santa
• 2008 – Matthew’s Visit to Santa
• 2009

Matthew's Visit to Santa. He didn't fuss a bit! Photo taken on December 8, 2009 at The Village Mall, Opelika, AL

We went to visit Santa Claus a few days ago. This is probably the most fuss-free visit to Santa we ever had. Except for a few minutes of wait, there were no long lines and no crying babies. If only Matthew would smile to the camera. Sigh! Since he turned 3 years old, it has really hard to get him to smile to the camera. At least he still looks nice in most of the photos that was taken that day.

A goofy mommy-and-son moment while waiting for Santa. It's really nice that Matthew smiled. It has been really difficult to get him to smile to the camera since he turned 3-years old. Photo taken on December 8, 2009 at The Village Mall, Opelika, Alabama.

Goofy daddy-and-son moments while waiting for Santa. Taken on December 8, 2009 at The Village Mall, Opelika, Alabama.

There was a time in my childhood, when I really believed in a magical Santa Claus, who comes at Christmas Eve and fills up my favorite ‘sock’ with chocolates. All our questions about Santa Claus were dealt with by my parents by simply replying ”… magic!”. We would imagine all sort of stuffs, like, he would transform into thin air to get thru the little opening in the door to get in. (We didn’t have chimney.)

At Christmas morning, my sister and I would rush to the homemade Christmas tree that my mother made, where we hung our favorite ‘socks’. I remember being so excited and delighted with a handful of chocolates we got. We compared chocolates. I remember my father teasing us about who got the most number of chocolates. But of course, it’s the same number. I guess, that was his way of joining in our excitement.

One Christmas came. I think I was 7, my sister was 5. We had to stay with an aunt due to a family crisis. My father was stabbed early December that year. He was in the Army, and it happened when he was on duty. He was hospitalized and in critical condition until Christmas time. My mother was with him. It was a difficult time.

At Christmas Eve, after attending Midnight Mass with my Aunt, she told us to get ready to sleep. I remember telling her about Santa Claus coming later that night and that we need to hang our socks. She said sort of in panic, “Di ba natanggap mo na nga yung gifts mo galing kay Santa Claus?”(Didn’t you receive your gifts from Santa Claus already?!). She was talking about the Christmas Family Get-together earlier that day, when we received our gifts from my grandparents, aunts and uncles.

I didn’t argue with her because Mama told us to behave. And at that time, I kind’a figured out already about the concept of Santa Claus. I was learning about St. Nicholas in school and sharing that to my sister. We just never got any confirmation up until my Aunt spilled the beans.

That Christmas, we didn’t get our Christmas ration of chocolates from Santa but we got the most number of Christmas gifts we have ever received. My sister and I became the recipients of all the unclaimed Christmas gifts my aunt prepared for her god-children who didn’t come to see her at Christmas Day. Not to mention, the overwhelming help we received during that family crisis.

That Chrismas I learned the reality of Santa Claus. That from magical, he becomes real, as he is personified by our loved ones and those who truly care and make our Christmases extra special.

Aloha Friday originated in Kailani’s An Island Life. If you would like to join in the fun, simply answer the question as a comment. You can leave your link if you are participating. However, your answer and comments are still welcome even if you are not participating.

Thanks to my In-laws for having us, and to BroIL Tom for giving up his room for us. Thanks for Aunt Rosie and Uncle Greg for having us in their home for Thanksgiving Day feast.

So we are back here in Alabama! I already put up a few christmas decorations, and planning to put some more in the days ahead. We have a small apartment with very few surface areas so most of the decorations are up in the ceiling hanging like a few garlands and our stockings! Well, except for the Christmas Tree, of course. (Now, I wish we have a topsy turvy Christmas Tree. It will save some floor space.)

But even with the few space to decorate, I feel that this year, I had more difficulty with the decorations, for I feel I did almost everything myself! It’s because hubby started working and busy. Although, he still managed to help me a little bit, it wasn’t like the previous years when he was around all the way. But i still had fun with the decorations for Matthew was more than helpful. A few times he tried to hang what seems like his favorite ornament in the tree. He can’t seem to decide where exactly to put it! It was also fun to see the excitement in his expression about the colors and the lights!

So far, it doesn’t seem like I will have a hard time keeping Matthew off the Christmas lights in the tree or the delicate ornaments. I think he now understands that he is only allowed to look but not to play with or around the tree. But then, it’s maybe still too early to tell …

Photo taken at night of Christmas Eve. Click to view more photos.

I made this Christmas outfit in 2003 just for kicks and giggles until it became a tradition. Traditionally we would go out in Christmas outfit, visit friends and see the Christmas light at Christmas Eve. But since last year, we have not gone outside. It can be really cold and we don’t want to risk Matthew, who was still 4-months then, to get sick with colds or more. But we still wear our outfits, now including Matthew in his own outfit, just for … kicks and giggles and photo opportunity!

I would like to say that Matthew participated really nicely but he didn’t! It was so difficult getting him into that 2-layer outfit, keeping his hat on and getting him to stay at a pose that would be nice for photo!

At Christmas morning, we opened our gifts. Santa came and brought Matthew a rocket scooter and mega blocks! Also, he received car toys from us and clothes, books, puppets from his grandma and grandpop! I got hubby remote control toys that he and Matthew can play with. And I received very nice stuffs that will make my life in the kitchen very convenient – electronic knife sharpener since I complain almost every week about our dull knives, deep fryer to replace the one that I broke and the top of my wish list – a tea maker. Now I don’t have to boil water just for 1 mug of hot tea.

We had ham that Hubby prepared and pumpkin pie (since I really enjoyed pumpkin pie last Thanksgiving). The rest of the day was a lazy restful day. We just played with Matthew’s new toys and watched most of the Christmas movies we have.

What we most enjoy is the mega blocks that we have been playing since Christmas day. We build the blocks and Matthew destroys what we build. But it would be disappointing if he ignores it, since destroying it is an opportunity to build another one.

Photo taken at Christmas morning 2007. Click to view more photos.

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Michael, Charlotte and Matthew

wish you and your loved ones

more love, more happiness and more friendships

this Christmas and thoughout the new year!

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Photo: Matthew by the Christmas Tree, taken on Nov 27, 2007, after putting up the Christmas tree.

It has been a few weeks since we put up the Christmas tree. I have found it really amusing most often irritating that my little toddler has changed it’s appearance from the sort-of balanced to barren at the bottom portion of the tree.

When we were putting up the tree, it concerned us how it’s going to be with an active toddler around. We have planned to place the tree inside the playpen but the tree is too big for the playpen. So we decided to just let the Christmas tree be at the floor as usual and crossed our fingers. Our little, ever energetic toddler never disappoints!

Matthew has successfully pulled out the ornaments that he can reach. He has broken a few Christmas ball and they’re now in the trash. Some I didn’t bother to hang back to the tree.

Also, he has found fascination over the presents. He steals presents from the bottom of the tree and hides them in different corners of the house. The gift wrappings are still intact though, but it has scraping, bread crumbs and some-hints-of-Matthew on them. So far, I have not done any re-wrappings yet, but all the bows are gone or they just don’t stick anymore and ribbons – untangled.

The lights has become an issue too. He at first couldn’t stop himself from sticking his little fingers to the lights, but he has learned quite quickly not to touch the lights. He has learned quite quickly but thankfully not severely that he doesn’t like anything that is HOT to the touch!

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There are just so many that come to mind, but some of the most memorable gifts I have received would be the gifts my husband gave me for Christmas in 2003. He was still my boyfriend then.

The jewelry box was the ideal gift for me that time, since I do not have a decent place to place all my accesories. He found it irritating tedious that I had to to untangle my necklaces everytime I have to use them. So he gave me that – a very nice wooden jewelry box! It has little drawers, a special compartment where I can hang necklaces, and it is topped with a mirror and ring compartments. Inside this jewelry box is another gift!

What more could top the jewelry box, but an engagement ring! He had sort-of proposed for marriage a month before but he found it fitting to formally propose to me on our first Christmas together.

We got married two weeks later.

This is my HEADS or TAILS entry. For more details, visit the home of HEADS or TAILS.

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