Carnival Fever!

Last friday was the last day before "Krokusvakantie".  And at Niels' school they celebrated Carnival!

All children dressed up as their favorite characters, or their favorite wanna-be-when-I-grow-up...realistic or not...hihihi..and by the way the teachers were dressed up as well!

Mamas and Papas, Omas and Opas who could come were invited to help with the baking and distributing of the pancakes. And Niels asked me last week, with his cute puppy eyes, "Mama ga je met mij Carnaval vieren in school?" ("Mama, are you going to celebrate carnival with me in school?") I said sorry Niels but mama has to go to work...Papa is in Germany and Oma and Opa are taking care of Nina...."Maar mama, alle mamas komt, en ik ben alleen" (But Mama, all other mamas are coming and Im the only one alone") So Mama's heart was melted...asked a day-off...and gave the good news to Niels that Im coming...he almost hit the ceiling with his jump while shouting YUPEEEE!!!!!

And we had a good time!  And he kept on saying until we went to sleep that night, "Mama I had a good time with you!"...ooohhhh...How could you not give in to this little sweet boy...Mama was soooo satisfied too!

Here are some pictures...by the way, Niels went as Mega Toby:

Mega Toby eating his pancake

During their playtime outside

With one of his 2 girlfriends FARA

With Brent, Fara and Niels: The scary group

Niels and Xander

Ehem...the other girlfriend...AMALIA

My Mega Niels!

again as you can see...

PARTY!!!!!

I enjoyed seeing how Niels is in school...and luckily that day I was the photographer of the day in school so I was able to take pictures of everyone...the whole day!!! It was fun!

Mama Neri

Happy 4th Birthday Mega Niels!

It's like organizing our wedding party all over again!  And he is just turning 4!!!!

But of course, its not always that he is 4, or not always that he can celebrate his birthday in the Philippines with all our relatives and friends, more so, its not always that we can be there in this Christmas-New Year-Niels' Birthday-Dan & Joy Wedding period!  That's why we didnt mind to do it big for Niels...I mean this is not that big, our cousins having their 1st birthday are having as big!  So, not really a big deal.

It took me about 6 months to finalize this event, and that is because Im doing it from a distance with no idea at all how birthday parties in the Philippines are currently celebrated...so I needed a LOOOT of help from Lolo Ben, Ninang Geli and Tita Mira!  And thank goodness they did!

And here is the result:

Niel welcoming his guests to his party

Niels and his CARS cakes and cupcakes

With his best buddy Therese "Hershey" (or Campung Pupu for Nina)

Nina curious of it all

He already wants to get a gift!

Eating Tme!

With one of the games

Laughing with Therese

The Mamas and Papas in action

Here we go, with our newly adopted fairy, Therese

With Nina, Mama, mini Buzz Lightyear, Ninang Geli & Makayla

And Niels thanking his guests


And the end result...big or small...A WHOLE LOT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE!

Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!

As promised, we give you all a warm Merry Christmas greet from the warm and noisy Philippines!!!!

And here are some more pictures to lavish upon:

Christmas Tree and gifts all ready to be opened!

First pose with Lolo by the tree

Playing while waiting for 12 0'clock!

Ninang Geli, Makayla and Lola with our gift to McKay

Niels saying "Thank you" to Tita Joy and Tito Dan

Papa with his gift

And Niels with his gifts

and toy cars

Nina with her coloring book and barn gift

and shaul with tshirt gifts

Our new tent

Niels with Ninang Gel and McKay

Eating Time

Show your pizza!

Yummy spaghetti!

Merry Christmas once again!!!

The 4Ns

Welcome to Philippines!

Whew!  Warm once again!  This is for sure Philippines!  We looked for our bagages and went as soon as we can outside to meet Lolo!!!

I asked Niels to help me look for Lolo from the crowd of people waiting on the other side of the street.  I asked him, "Do you still know how Lolo looks like?" and he answered, "Ja, ik ken hem nog, die heeft een bruin gezicht en die heeft een grote bril aan" with a laugh, I told him thats correct! Hehehe

And so we found Lolo. But it looks like we will not be joining him but instead we will be going with Ninang Mira back to Las Pinas.  And Lolo with all his excitement, forgot that we have to put the bagages in his Vitara. 

After about an hour and a half travel back to the normally 15-minute-away Golden Gate, we were welcomed by a refreshing swimming pool, a lively Makayla, excited Lola and delicious food!

Nina was so friendly to Therese, Ninang Mira, and everyone else in the car.  She was laughing the whole time when Therese keeps on teaching them "Camping Pupu".  They may not understand each other (Niels, Nina and Therese) but they were having fun and the one common word they know now is "Camping Pupu"...and I guess that left an impression on Nina cause since then she has been calling Therese as Camping Pupu.

Here are some photos:

Niels and Papa enjoying the refreshing pool Lolo prepared

Makayla and Nina trying to get used to each other

And the 2 princesses reading a book with Lolo 

See you soon Las Pinas!

We all woke up very early not to be late at the airport.  Our taxi arrived on time and Niels and Nina as good kids as they are, woke up on time and were as excited as Mama and Papa to go to the airport.

We have enough reasons to be excited cause you know what?

1. This will be our first time to meet dear cousin Makayla!
2.  This is our first time to spend christmas and New Year with the Palacios.  And for  Mama and Papa, it has been 10 years ago since they last celebrated the Holiday season with the Palacios.
3. This is Niels' second trip and Nina's first.
4.  Tito Dan and Tita Joy's wedding!!!
5.  Niels' 4th birthday party will also be held in the Philippines!
6.  And simply because we will be seeing Lolo Ben, Lola Sue, Ninang Geli, Ninong Danny and the rest of the gang again!  We missed them sooo much!

...and this is why this is such a special trip to the Philippines.  

Here is a glimpse of our flight:

With Niels, Papa and Nina

and now with Niels, Mama and Nina

Nina cleaning the floor of Brussels Airport

and Niels found Santa Clause in Amsterdam Airport

It was a tiring trip but everything went well.  Nina was hyperactive in the plane but at the same time adorable and she had made lots of new kiddie friends in the plane.  Niels amused himself with the games in the computer and he has his own seat now so he was able to sleep a lot better than his first time.

And we bet they are also as excited as we are at the destination.




SEE YOU SOON LAS PINAS!