Thursday, April 28, 2011

042811: Leftover Thursdays

I don't know about you, but by Thursday I'm pooped.  As a result, dinner is not always the most exciting.  But here is what I came up with.  

A few days ago we (I mean, Trav.) BBQ'd some tri-tip and a T-bone steak.



So I decided to dice it up into small cubes and sautee it with onions, garlic and diced zucchini.



Put it with a side of rice (you know us Filipinos can't eat without rice.).  And Voila!  A meal that the whole family can eat.  (And it tasted really good with a little bit of A-1 sauce.)


A happy customer!



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

042711: Are CeeLo Green's hands small, or is it just me?

"The Voice" started yesterday and all I can say is...... it is super, duper fun-tastic!!!  The only thing I still can't get over is, are CeeLo's hands extremely small or is it just me?  I know, I know.... I shouldn't even be thinking about this.  But I can't get over it.  I think the face of his blinged out watch was as big as his palms.  Anyway, if you want a commercial break by commercial break review, check out http://web.me.com/threeturtles/www.alwaysamarzan.com/Blog/Blog.html which is fabulously hilarious!!!!

'Idol' did a tribute to Carol King.  Who's songs I absolutely adore!!!  I mean, 'I feel the earth move under my feet'.  That's all I gotta say about that.

But that's enough about tv.  I think I'm long over due for a gallery show.

Ry playing with the biggest balloons ever!

Ray and Ry on easter

Ray pouting on easter

Ry so proud of herself finding an egg

Ray busted in 'A's room

Fake sleeping

Cooling off in the misters at the park



Monday, April 25, 2011

042511: Getting in the groove of things....

So spring break is officially over.  Happy belated Easter!  'A' is back from visiting her family in Santa Rosa.  I am trying to teach Ray and Ry how to go pee in the big kid toilet.  And I have sweets coming out of my ears.

A couple things, though, I'd like to get off of my chest.  First, I realize that I said that I would be posting 'before' pics of my body since I'm on my workout mission.  And although I consider you all friends, lets be real.  No one should have to see the 'pre' pics.  I mean, its not like I'm going to be a contestant on the 'Biggest Loser'. (Not saying anything rude about those folks.)  I'm just saying, that although I want you to know my mission, I'm just not that confident to show you the 'before' pic.  Now 'after' may be a different story.  J/K  But you will be pleased to know that I've been true to my word about working out.  I've worked out every day, except yesterday.  And that was only cause it was the holiday.

Secondly,  I also realize that the blog lately has been waaaaaaaaaay boring and almost non-existent.  But I have reason for that.  Reason 1:  I have been lagging about uploading all my new pics.  (And yay for me I found the other camera.)  Reason 2:  I kinda lost my way from when my original plan went into attack.  I mean, I all of a sudden had this moment of, "What is this blog all about?  Except of course my glorified shared diary."  Now I wish in all my break taking I was able to answer the question in reason 2.  But alas, I'm still kinda lost.  But I figured, why stop just cause I'm again in a rut.  I'm just gonna keep on blogging 'til I figure it out.  Just got get in a groove.  So I will.  Stay posted, wink, wink.......

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

042011: Don't you wish.....

Don't you wish you were on 'Modern Family'?  I mean, how great of therapy would that be if you were able to video tape the ish?  Oh wait, wouldn't that be like 'Keeping up with the Kardashians'?  Never mind.  LMAO

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

041911: Steak soup....

I'm not a gourmet chef or food critic.  However, as expressed in previous entries, I heart food!  I actually enjoy the act of eating.  I realize this might sound weird.  But seriously the thought of eating a meal puts a smile on my face.  And I'm not one who only likes fancy-shmancy meals, or only craves fast food.  Nope, I heart it all.  Including leftovers.  Which leads me today's entry.

I grew up on LOs (leftovers).  So this is nothing new.  But now having 3 kiddos that eat as if I never feed them (although they eat all the time).  I am quickly learning how to get more bang for the buck and how to stretch a meal.  So we do not throw out leftovers.  But lets face it, they're not always exciting to eat.  So I have been trying to come up with "new" meals, but using the LOs.  
 
The meal that we had originally was BBQ'd steak and roasted veggies (squash and potatoes, to be exact).  We ate this on Saturday night.  Sunday we had the LOs in regular format, but still had some.  So yesterday, instead of throwing them out, I decided to give it a spin.  So was created steak soup.  Mmmmmmm.......yum!

Ingredients: one box of chicken broth, 1/2 chopped onion, 4 cloves smashed garlic, cooked cut up steak, roasted squash and potatoes, and cilantro for garnish.  Accompanied with a biscuit.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

041411: Darn it! Darn it!

I heart TV.  This is no secret.  And I know that Wednesday is suppose to be TV land.  But by the time I'm done watching my shows, I am exhausted and forget to blog.  But never fear,  I am finally here.

A.I. is great.  And yet, I feel like everyone is "so great" that the drama is gone.  Our relationship is stronger than ever (A.I and I), but I am now looking forward to  "The Voice" to start.

Top Chef Masters has begun.  This is a spin off of Top Chef, but is only in its 2nd season.  With host, the beautiful Aussie, Curtis Stone.  (Way better than last years host, something with a 'K'.)  The best part of this show is these are not amateurs competing.  No, no, no, no.  These are world renowned chefs who have to go head to head against each other in crazy quick fire challenges and elimination battles.  It is fantastic.  And now my wish list of restaurants I would love to eat at has grown.

DWTS (yes I occasionally watch this show) is interesting.  Gotta love Kristie Alley with her plump self do the damn thing.  And Daniel-san (Ralph Macchio) is very good.

But the new show that I like is 'Pregnant in Heels'.  It's on Bravo and its another one of those reality tv shows showcasing rich women spending their money frivolously.  These women are (shocking) pregnant and they hire this gal to make their experience one of a kind.  (Like having a baby doesn't already do this?)

So thats that for our TV stop, until next time...... Watch the tube!

P.S. Sorry the feed of "Operation Pandas" is blurry.  I'm gonna try to upload it to YouTube for a clearer show.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

041211: Operation Pandas...

Colton and Adam (Colt and Ama) were "my" boys when I was growing up.  Colt and I are only 13 years apart.  And to most this may seem like a huge age difference.  But in my family, this is nothing.  And Ama and I are only 16 years apart.   When I was a teenager we (my family and I) watched the boys while my sister was at work.  Whats funny is that Ray is very much like Colt when Colt was his age.  And ironically enough, they also are only 13 years apart.  

Anyhow, they're in a band (all news that is not new to you).  But I'm very proud of them.  A little background on their band and band name.  Mady (a stepsister) is the singer, Cece (another stepsister) is on guitar, Alex is on keyboard, Colt is on bass and Ama is the drummer.  All the kids are half white and half asian.  Hence the name...... Operation Pandas.  Here's their latest set (p.s. my camera started acting up on the last song :-( ):




Monday, April 11, 2011

041111: Let's not judge.....

I realize that I have not been completely true to my goal of blogging everyday for a year.  But I haven't completely thrown it out of the window.  And on top of trying to get back into the groove with my original goal, I'm adding a new one.  Wait for it......

I am going to put myself on a workout regiment.  Pause to hold on to your judgements.  (Maybe judgement is too intense of a word.  But I think you know what I mean.)  After being preggy for 2 years straight and only knowing my body either really skinny or pregnant or "just had a baby" fat, I realized I don't know what my body shape should really be.  And lets face it, although I will never be pre-baby body, I do want to be confident in a bathing suit this summer.  I want to feel comfortable in my own skin.  So enough said, I am starting to workout and all of you will be going on this journey with me.  I'll post before pics tomorrow (Yikes!).  And will post pics of the process and results.

Okay, so in other news.... here is what is to come this week.  A new video of "Operation Pandas" formerly known as "Smexy/ Smexy Walrus".  Yes, my O.B.s (original boys: Colt and Ama) had another great performance.  Some TV talk.  And some fun activities that we will be doing cause 'A' is on spring break.

I know its not 'jumping out of your chair' exciting, but hey this is my fun life.  And TLC hasn't decided to give me my own show, yet.  So you know, whats a girl to do?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

040511: The proof that they're growing....

As if I don't already show enough proof.  

Ry playing at the park

Ray listening to the ipod

Monday, April 4, 2011

040411: The best part of my day.....

So you all know that what they say about terrible twos is all true, right?  And if you had or know of someone who has/had the perfect two year old, well all I gotta say about that is.... damn.  But despite all the craziness, Ray did something today that made me love him being two.

He is finally comfortable with repeating words to me when I ask him.  But when asked to say, 'excuse me', or 'thank you', or 'I'm sorry', or 'I love you', its still hit or miss.  

Well, this afternoon when he woke up from his nap, I tried to be slick and lay him back down on the bed to catch a few more minutes of quiet time.  This did not work.  But instead of throwing a tantrum, he threw his arms around my neck and said, "I love you, mom".  This completely on his own, no encouragement on my end.  Granted, he completely just ran game on me, but seriously..... who cares.  I know I didn't.

I melted.  Completely 100% melted and was happily ready to take on the next tantrum.  Which followed only 15 minutes later, when Ry awoke and decided she was interested in Benjamin (Ray's fave bunny).  It was the best part of my day.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

040211: Pics of the Week....



Let's Go Fly A Kite

Ry with Daddy playing animal masks
(Ry is a tiger and Trav is an elephant)



'A's first day of school




Friday, April 1, 2011

040111: I'd lose my head.....

It's official, I would completely lose my head if it wasn't screwed on to the rest of my body.  Obviously, it's Friday.  So granted I'm a little beat from the week. 

 'A' made it successfully through her first week of school.  And I am very proud and happy to say that she aced her first official spelling test at Coyote Ridge Elementary School.  Ray and Ry are nicely adjusting to the new schedule of actually being out of the house by 8 am.  (My kids are usually up at the crack of dawn, it seems.  But we usually don't actually get out of the house until later in the day.)  And luckily we've had phenomenal weather, so we've been able to go to the park alot.

But back to me losing my head...... I have once again misplaced my second camera.  And if I don't find it, some pictures will be lost since I misplaced it pre-download.  (I think my kiddos have sticky fingers.)  Ry had a really bad day due to teething.  And I can't seem to be right on time to pick up 'A' from school.  I know, bad mommy.  And I now out of nowhere, Lightening McQueen (one of Ray's mainstays), w/ the non-moving eyes, is missing.  I had so many things going on this evening, I actually found myself walking in a circle trying to remember what it was I was suppose to be doing.  Oh well, like I said, it's the end of the week.

I did want to show you my 'EatPrayLove Baby' bedding set completed.  I delivered it to Kathryn this week.  It's definitely one of my faves to date.