Family Time: Toronto Santa Claus Parade

Photo courtesy of: http://www.torontosun.com

As a mother, I am just like any mom and that I also want the best for my daughter. Since knowing that I am going to be a parent, I promised myself that I will do everything that I can to raise her as how I perceived society, as how I would have wanted to grow up. Not in a material way, but that as a child who is full of wonderful memories. Memories that she won't trade for anything in this world. Memories with us, her parents.

So far, despite the distance separating us from her Dad, I have tried my best to raise her as a wonderful child who never question her Dad's lack of presence. Not that it is a justification. But their camaraderie when they are together is beyond my expectations, it is but as if they never get separated for weeks. And it is with pride and joy for both us her parents that we see her as a happy kid and that we raised her to be a better person despite anything.

Hence, hubby and I always support anything she is very much interested, as long as we are able. Like simple thing as her love for parades. 

This year is going to be her first Toronto Santa Claus Parade. It's gonna be chilly... but it's gonna be another wonderful memory for her to treasure.

Ialways try to come up with something that she can keep in mind. Something of a tradition. I am hoping that she will grow up with this little tradition in mind. And I am hoping that when she becomes a parent herself, she will never forget to take a backseat from such a busy world she might live and spend time with FAMILY.

I know that others would say, we can spend time at home... watch tv or something. But for me, to do this is to do something special. And I know that she will remember it forever. 

I will never forget my first Toronto Santa Claus parade. The joy, the experience, that one moment in my life that made me promised myself that if I'll have my own family -- I will not deprive them of it. And bringing Khloe this year, is also fulfilling a promise to myself. And having said this, I am thankful of that special family who brought me with them to experience it. Indeed... it's a beautiful celebration of sort. Despite the chill, the crowded street... and the chill again.

I know Khloe will love it. I know she will thank me one day for bringing her.

I am a huge believer of family-first. And a huge advocate of Family Time. 

This sunday, is gonna be on that list of our Special Family Time.

http://www.captmondo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/November-20-2011-Toronto-Santa-Claus-Parade-14-Looney-Tunes-Float.jpg

Getty Comfy at her Tita Yolly's

November, 2009

Khloe started travelling at two months old. A week after she turn two months, she travelled with me and my Mother with four stops/lay-over. Four stops from San Francisco, CA-Charlotte, NC-Buffalo, NY to drop off Mother to go home in Catharines, Ontario Canada. And then flew from Buffalo, NY-Detroit, Mi-Raleigh, NC to stay with her Aunt(Tita) Yolly in Bahama, NC.  

Despite it being her first ever travel, she was such a good baby and slept the whole 6 hours and more overnight flight. It's amazing how well she adjusted to the taking-off and landing of the plane. With stroller, car seat and 3 luggage s in tow, my sister was appalled of how I was able to get to North Carolina with no mishaps.

Our stay in her place was one of the most wonderful vacation I ever had. Staying there for 3 weeks doesn't seem to be enough. It's peaceful, calm, serene and very laid back. My sister and brother-in-law, Danny, is one of the most admirable couple I've ever known. Their very simple, nature-style living is such a treat from the busy life I had in California.

I will never think twice of going back there given a chance.



August 26, 2012

My other sister, with her hubby and two kids drove to Bahama, NC with my hubby and our princess, Khloe, in tow. It's my sister's first time to visit Ate Yolly & Danny at her place, and their very first long drive. I am excited for them as were as the kids. Hubby & Khloe are very used to long drives and I am pretty assured they won't have any problem with Khloe even if I am not with them. They got there after 13 hours of driving.

And Khloe just got so comfortable, as if she never left from her last 2009 vacation.

Hubby liked my sister's very serene surrounding. Khloe had a blast playing around, that when the grown ups went out for a drive, she covered her Tita's furniture with her princess stickers.

After resting for a night, they went out the next day for sight-seeing and enjoyed the beauty of Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina.

A Memorable Father's Day

I've been looking forward to the day when we can get-away from the chaos of work & daily routine.

A cabin was booked, and with hubby arriving from California safely, everything fell into plan. We got ready and packed for the week-end retreat.

As I wrote on my older post about our Father's Day Plan, the day arrived and (as always) starts with the last minute packing and errands. My other sister, Cherry, picked us up at 12pm. Almost right on the dot with check-in time. So much for the idea of perusing the facility earlier. Rose and her family check-in on their own cabin way ahead of us. Of course, they were able to enjoy the facility already. The set-up was crazy, but really fun. To detail it...

I got these deals from Groupon. $20 for a $100 worth of cabin.
I was allowed to purchase one for myself and get 2 extra as a gift.
As soon as I purchased mine, I posted on Facebook about it and my sister, Clarisa, asked me to get her one. Then her friend, Rose, asked me to get her one, as well. So there goes my allowed purchase for this Bissell deal.
With hubby coming for a visit, I called Bissell and booked us for Father's Day. My sister opted to come with us the same date, and so did Rose.

I know you'll be asking what the $20 Cabin look like....

 

It's the basic Rustic Cabin, worth $100 for weekdays and $125 for week-ends!
Comes with a double bed and a bunk bed, a 2 adult & 2 kids pass for the facility.

This is what I said about going Camping without roughing it. If you wanna be comfortable and avoid the inconvenience of rain or back pains from sleeping with your sleeping bag, this is a very good option.

I opted to upgrade my deal to a bigger cabin, the Deluxe Cabin. And it was like this...

with this interior...

It has a room with queen size bed, a bunk bed, a living room with pull out sofa, and a kitchenette with a dining table. Accommodates 6 adults or a family of four. The deck comes with our own grill, and we have a huge patio that comes with a pit and patio chairs. (Firewood has to be purchased from within the facility, no outside firewood allowed). And the reason why I upgraded to this because of my great consideration for Mother, whom I know would need the washroom all the time. Of course, the cabin is equipped with our own shower, bathtub and toilet. The bonus round, it's fully airconditioned, with a satellite and dvd for TV viewing.

Every dollar was worth spending. 

Everybody enjoyed that little camping we did. All the cooking and the eating was prepared and shared with in our cabin. The kids, when not perusing the facility would stay inside and watch tv. Most of the time, the grown ups were on our deck either cooking, eating or chatting. There were too much food, and too much talk. My sister, Cherry, brought their dog, Iris, with us. Khloe had so much fun dog-sitting Iris, as Rose' kids did their best to stay out of Iris' reach.

Before the darkness fall, we stayed at the patio for some games. 

(Blindfold)

(Tumbang-Preso)

(Bubbles)

Of course.. we did not forget to start a fire.....

...and roast hotdogs

....and marshmallows and smores

Then.. everybody got so tired and sleepy...

and nobody remembered about star-gazing... and bear-hunting???

The next day...

We prepared breakfast for the Dads....

                                    And watch them enjoy their Father's Day breakfast...

Then... we heed out to end our adventure...

with these little ones enjoying their last dip for this trip...

This photo alone is all worth anything.

Priceless Toddler Joy!!!

Family Bonding Moment

One of those reason why I moved back here Canada is to be together with my family.

 Hubby's family is so close knit, I'm always so jealous of how well everybody gather together in any event, big or small. May that be a wedding, baptism, Christmas, birthday, or even just a backyard bar-b-q. Everytime I come to one, I would think of my family both here in Canada and the Philippines.


Bringing Khloe with me back here in Canada is such a joy for my family, especially the kids. Khloe is the youngest they have, and the three of them just love and adore her. Khloe could ask me of either Chelsea, Ethan or Cassey every morning she wakes up.

 In a beautiful, sunny, HOT Sunday like today... soaking up at my sister's pool is the first thing that is up on the agenda. Khloe has been asking me to go to Cassey's house non-stop since Friday. As much as she always end-up running away chased by Iris, Cassey's dog, she still would ask every single day about going to 'Cass house'. Their bonding time is always precious.. indoor or outdoor. The way they play with her, or even just take care of her in their own teen-way is so beautiful to watch.

Family bonding is very precious to me. Despite being far away from hubby, I always make sure our little get together moments are full of memories. Khloe is never unfamiliar with her dad no matter how long they don't see each other. Our Texas and Disney get-away are memories we can keep together in our hearts until the three of us could be together again.

Today, I saw how happy Khloe is. She doesn't lack any love. She knows we all love her. I love the fact that her family from both sides of parents are close-knits. I know, she will grow up appreciating how important family is.

Hence, bonding time is very important.

Time flies so fast..... that every second counts.