It is extremely hot today. Even if the air con is on, I can still feel the heat outside. No joke. I think I need a break. I’ve been reading up on human growth hormones for a short article and I can’t seem to focus. I need something cold. Like Halo Halo, maybe? Good thing Chowking delivers.

Anyway, while I wait for my halo halo fiesta, let me share with you some photos during our Fontana trip three weeks ago. Yes, I am that behind in blogging. Better late than never though, agree?

The villa my cousin rented came with its own pool.

Right before we checked in, our good friends Martin and Jackie, together with their family were the occupants of the villa from the day before. Small world, eh? Not really. It was planned. Marla and Sophia with the preggy Mareng Jackie had a good 1 hour of swim first before they finally checked out leaving the villa to us.

Mateo’s yaya was on vacation that time so I was harassed taking care of the little rascal. \

My little girl can’t get enough of the water. Here she is ready to swim again after taking her nap.

This time, she swam with her cousins and her dad.

The little boy and me swam a little too.

He didn’t like the water too much though so it was indeed a short swim for both of us.  Nevertheless, we all enjoyed the day. It was nice to see and catch up with cousins and titas again.

We never get tired of going to HK Disneyland solely for Sophia and now for both – Sophia and Mateo. All the more reason to go back each time. Its very convenient as its just an hour and a half plane ride and the kids have the time of their life enjoying the park while I get to do the one thing that most girls love doing too – shopping! Jon on the other hand is content on pigging out and a little shopping on the side. This time we were checking out clarks shoes but they weren’t his type.

On to the park photos.

Here’s the usual, at the park entrance. Our 5th time! Willl post our yearly pics side by side soon.

With my whole family this time.

Random photos inside the park.

And then back at our hotel – Disney Hollywood Hotel.

Day 3 was Disneyland Day. We checked in at Disney Hollywood Hotel this time. And as always, Sophia was ecstatic as soon as we got inside the hotel. Everything was very “Mickey”.

She loved the Mickey figure that she kept posing and posing.

And then we joined. Mateo kept giggling just looking at the Mickey Mouse figure.

They just can’t get enough!

Park Pics to follow. In the meantime, I need to look for available IT Jobs first for my cousin dear who just resigned from her job. Any leads? Let me know.

As soon as we got to our hotel, Marco Polo Gateway, we left our luggage first and had lunch at Harbour City. Right after, when our rooms were ready, we checked in and took a rest – naps for the kids. And then we were ready to roll.

It was cold they say? My kids came prepared. In boots!

Every travel, a stroller is our must bring, all the time. Or else the husband will grow muscle unknowingly and unintentionally carrying the kids alternately.

Yes, they had got to have their photo taken first before crossing the street from out hotel, hehe.

Here’s the little boy getting walking 101 lessons from the dad and achie.

Off to the mall shopping. The day wasn’t enough I’m telling you. Everything was on sale!

I badly need online backup for my pictures. As friends have told me over and over again, to date, I still haven’t gotten one. What else is new? I am Miss Procrastinator for nothing you know.

Anyway, let me share with you first part of our HK Trip pics. We started the year traveling, could it mean we’ll be traveling whole year round?

Our PAL flight last January 1 was at 8am so we were at the airport an hour and a half before that time. It was so hard to wake up as we stayed late for our fireworks.  We managed to not be late though or else the husband will throw a fit, hehe. Jon has this thing for being on time – ALWAYS.

At the boarding gate with my mom.

My chica four year old

Flight went smooth and we were in HK in no time.

How to travel with two kids in tow. (at HK airport)

My charge and his charge. Kanya kanya kami, haha!

Off we went to Marco Polo Gateway Hotel after…

If there is ever a place we love visiting over and over again, I’d have to say its Hong Kong. Why? Well, aside from being a shopping haven, its also very convenient to go to because it only takes about an hour and a half or so via plane to reach. So we love going there all the time! I also love love the busy streets while my kids (well, my eldest actually) adore Disneyland, what else. So for the nth time for me and Jon, 5th time for Sophia and 1st time for Mateo, we trooped to the cosmopolitan centre where the East meets the West last August 28.

While it was freaking hot as its summer there, we still had a blast. My eldest won’t stop talking about her last Disneyland Adventure while my boy, at nine months, of course, doesn’t have a single clue where he was and what he was up to. I’m sure though that the mere fact he was with daddy, mommy and achie, it was more than enough for him to be happy.

Honestly, I was hesitant to go on with the trip as it’ll be my first time to travel with two kids if ever. I was thinking of postponing it until Mateo is atleast one. But we went ahead since my in laws were HK bound too. We boarded on different flights though. So what can I say about the trip? It wasn’t as hard as i thought! Not at all. In short, sisiw. My eldest is turning out to be a very good traveler at 4 yo while my little boy was such an angel. Now we are all geared up for a long haul flight!

I’ve posted all the pics at my flickr account while selected shots are also at facebook. All in all, the trip was stress free (to my surprise) and it was truly a great bonding experience again for our little family as with every trip we took over the last four years. Here are some of the photos but before that let me share how we evolved through the years with our every visit to Disneyland.

Past photos …

Our latest photos at the very same spots …

***I was just pregnant with Mateo in the 2008 picture and look how big a boy he is now with the latest photo. Ang bilis talaga ng panahon!!!

Anyway, on to more photos …

Breakfast with the Disney Characters

Sophia with her faves …

The kids at the hotel lobby …

It was indeed a happy trip. Never mind that Mateo’s two bottom teeth chose to come out while we were there so he didn’t like drinking milk (but would eat a lot of solids thank gawd), Sophia came home darker than ever because of too much time under the sun and we didn’t get to shop much (but we did check out some bluray laptops), it was still worth it.

I realized just now that I haven’t blogged about our last HK trip yet. Oh bother. This is what happens when you’ve got too many stuff going on while your to do list is piling and you actually don’t know how and where to begin. I’m hoping I can find the time to document our latest adventure soon – Mateo’s first out of the country travel and Sophia’s 4th visit to Disneyland.

In the meantime, let me just share, the husband left for Barcelona today. We took him to the airport this morning and he won’t be back until next week. This will be the first time we’ll be separated for more than three days. Sad.

I’m sure the kids will miss him and so will he. As for me, I plan to keep myself busy just so days will pass without me noticing. Retail therapy to the rescue! Well, seriously though, I need to hit the mall for plasma mounts.

Right now, I’m waiting for my sister to arrive. She’ll keep me company while the hubby is away.