Krotovs' Holiday 2016

Holiday season is a usual time to be with our family. So back in the days when I was working and living in Abu Dhabi, I (with Vlad in my luggage) always make it a point that I come home to the Philippines and celebrate it there with Mom, my sisters, and of course Xioms. This time around, after moving to Kentucky and that I'm now a "Mrs.", I get to spend holidays with my own family.

Thanksgiving

We really don't celebrate Thanksgiving back home. Since we moved here in the US, where Thanksgiving is considered a public holiday, and that it is a tradition for families to feast on a turkey, we thought, well, why not celebrate it? Although it is interesting to note that for Native Americans, the real history of Thanksgiving is nothing but pure darkness and horror. Here is a short read about it.

Ah Christmas. I could say that this is the very first time I experienced real Christmas feeling -- the cool climate, winter snow, and the lovely smell of Christmas tree! Hubby and I bought a real Fraser fir tree and I went gaga buying decorations! Truth is, this is my first ever Christmas tree and I want it to be special. When I was a kid, I never experienced having one (even those plastic trees they sell in the department stores). Maybe because its expensive or it's just pure hassle to put up or we don't have time or even a place for it. I have never complained and never asked for one anyway. But now being a parent myself, it just feels so different and exciting to decorate it with the push and willingness of your own kid to help. Plus, where are we supposed to put our gifts, eh? LOL.

Christmas Eve at home :)

When it comes to New Year, this year is quite different. Well, not really, we still managed to be right by the beach most of the time :) My family planned on a two-week trip to Sunshine State. I'll try to write a separate blog about that trip. But in a nutshell, we pretty much went all around Florida -- from Panama City Beach (our favorite beach here in the US) all the way down to Key West! We celebrated New Year's Eve in Miami, dancing along with Pitbull, Snoop Dogg and a whole lot of Cubans! Hehe.

NYE countdown in Miami

So there it is. My family's 2016 holiday story. Ta-ta!

Love burns brighter than sunshine

Isn't it nice waking up and starting your day with a lot like love? Nine hours or so before the New Year starts and I'm pretty excited what that would bring. Probably, another year older, Xioms will turn 3, meeting new people, falling in love, and so on. Sheesh, this blog's getting mushy!

It was 9 in the morning when Xioms went in to my room and woke me up. I promised last night that we'll have a coffee tomorrow. Yes, coffee's bad for kids and it was not literally coffee drinking! One of her god parents gave my kiddo a coffee/tea set toy present. Xioms wanted to open it at an instant but t'was already her bed time -- that's when I promised. One thing I learned is that you never make a promise that you can't keep or you'll feel bad and guilty. So we did have our coffee and enjoyed every moment.

This day seems ordinary though there's a big event to celebrate. Ordinary day at home is not ordinary at all and I don't know why I keep on saying the word ordinary. Anyway, mom's preparing for our feast later tonight and I'm looking forward to our dessert. We planned on buying Banapple or DQ's oreo ice cream cake. I know, I know... and I never hesitate to announce that I'm a DQ addict. So, what would be on our table tonight? Well, so far, am seeing some pata tim (Chinese delicacy), grilled milk fish, marinated chicken, pasta, all sorts of fruits and chocolates!

So there's nothing much to say, just a Happy New Year and enjoy the sunshine with your loved ones.

x