Passports - ✔

finally, we have received kian's passport.

kian's still super taba when the pic was taken =D. he got the new passport type

it took tantan months (2months!) before he was able to process/adjust kian's picture to the required size. he was that busy. i didnt mind because there's really no rush. we wont be travelling till feb next year anyway.

the passport processing took longer as well. we got cayden's passport 2 weeks after we applied. with kian's, it took 5 weeks. it took that long because they sent a letter to my countersignatory's office (sa hospital) to check that she really works there. but the letter got lost in transit. it took the passport office 2 letters before it finally reached the recipient. i had to ask my friend to check pa if they received any. she said no. after a few days, she texted me and said they finally got it. funny thing is, nagchecheck ung passport office kung dun nga sya work. sya pa din ang sumagot sa letter e sya na nga ung vineverify! hahaha. she sent the reply last wednesday, i got kian's passport the other day (tuesday).

so now finally, the little one can travel. me passport na kami lahat =D

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visit:

The Loot

as expected, cayden being the "cars" addict, he got mostly cars paraphernalia. he was overjoyed! and the look on his face when he saw his lightning mcqueen plush toy was priceless!

my mom arrived late, the kids were already asleep. we placed this pillow/plush car beside cayden while sleeping bec we wanted to surprise him! he was a happy bunny the next day!

lightning mcqueen for cayden and mater for kian =D

lent him my old toolbox to put his cars in, so he can carry them around

it goes everywhere he goes!

cayden's

kian's

i love these shirts =D

the whole lot! comprised of my online orders and gifts from my mom and relatives (thanks a bunch!) - super dami clothes! 

i only got a set of clips and a shirt. whaddap?! when i still didnt have kids, i used to get a lot. now, it's all for them *sour graping* lol. just kidding, ok? im really grateful! oh, my mom bought me munchkins from dunkin donuts. i always request for a box. she bought them fr the airport.

gutay gutay na! layo ng byahe e =D

these, i ordered for myself:

8gb, 3rd gen flip mino hd

japonesque mini eyelash curler, burt's bees tinted lip balm, mustela soothing comfort balm

the mustela isnt actually mine. bought it for the kids but so far, only kian has used it. i read about it in daphne's blog. the kids sometimes have difficulty breathing at night due to blocked nose. and it usually happens during autumn and winter. so good timing that i read it on her blog before we feel the change in season.

so far, it really does what it says it does - eases breathing at night and aids when they have a cold. only, it's expensive for something so small. i ordered 2 in the states for $14.99 each (roughly ₤9.44) with free delivery. then i found a store selling here online for ₤6.99 each but with ₤5 delivery (so it'll be cheaper if you buy more). i thought it's cheaper in the states as most things are. i already bought them before searching here. it's nice to know that the price is about the same because though a little steep, im willing to buy because it does make kian breathe better at night.

anyways, really happy when my mom goes to the US and acts as my courier. as i've said, it's both a blessing and a curse (but more on the former =D). i usually write down my "wants" and "needs" for her next trip. but not this time coz i get to go myself!!! mental note: save save save!!!!

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visit:

Flights - ✔

so i guess we're really going!

a few days ago, we were able to book our flights to orlando. yey! i've been monitoring the airfare for months (since we booked our apartment). the price is just see-sawing between ₤1800-₤2000 for the five of us (me, tantan, my mom, cayden, kian). we were actually regretting not booking the flights when it was at its cheapest (₤1800) but good thing we havent yet because virgin atlantic dropped its price and so did british airways (which we went with in the end)! we were able to book our flights for a little less than ₤1600 + ₤400 car hire, direct flights mind you (which would have cost more, ₤2400 - flights alone - to be exact).

we had to make some adjustments though. we initially planned to go on the 4th of feb till the 18th (what we booked the apartment for), which is a saturday to saturday but that costs ₤1700+. we moved the dates to 3 days earlier so we could save ₤200, which would translate to more pocket money. sayang din d ba? un nga lang, nanghihinayang ako sa 4 days na dapat andun pa kami (but tantan has to go back to work - boo!). fortunately, the owner of the apartment agreed to move the dates too without additional charges.

then there was the issue of my remaining annual leave. i thought i only had 6 days left and i needed 7 days to cover our entire trip. if we didnt move the dates, 6 days would be all i need. but after looking at my records and worrying for about 5 hours, i realised i still have exactly 7 days and 4.5 hours left! talk about everything falling into place!

i cant wait for february! after all, this trip is also my treat. but i cant help but also realise that in a little over 5 months, kian will be 1 year old. my babies are growing up way too fast before my eyes!