I must admit that I often dragged my feet whenever we would go to my in-laws for Sunday lunch with the entire family. When we started to have kids, I learned that having a family meal is one of the best gifts we could ever give our children. Last Sunday, I realized how blessed we were to be together. The children loved to play and it is always a riot when they meet. Sunday lunch would often be a coordinated potluck event between my wife’s siblings. It is a feast complete with dessert. We’d call our parents via Skype to greet them and express how much we missed them during these times. It is usually a long lunch with lots of chikahan about the latest happening in our lives. Often, it would be stories about the kids, latest finds or a new girlfriend would be introduced. After lunch, the kids look forward to swimming time and spend the entire afternoon in the pool until sunset. It is always a long farewell process whenever the kids part ways. It seemed that one full day is never enough for them.
I asked Aidan before we went to sleep that night, “Are you happy playing with your cousins today?”. Aidan paused and replied, “Yes Poppa, I’m happy!” At that point, I realized that these moments were priceless. We vowed not to take it for granted ever again and continue to create loving childhood memories for our kids and their cousins.
Our Awesome Planet supports the celebration of National FaMEALY Day 2008! This is my official entry for the FAMEALY VALUES: What I Learned from the Dinner Table Lucky Me! and Philippine Star Photo Contest!
Syoti Josh starting to type in the computer at 10 months old.
Josh and Aidan latest wacky photo.
Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008
i agree. spending meal times with the family is very important for our kids. laki na ni aidan and josh. really cute.
Wow. Baby Josh is really getting big already. 🙂 I agree.. family bonding moments should never be taken for granted. I’m happy my parents made sure I had happy ones I can look back to. 🙂 And we’re still making more!
That was such a great scene of happy FaMEALY bonding Anton! Thanks for joining our company’s Famealy Contest and for sharing in our advocacy. I hope you win! 🙂
Wow Anton…Josh looks so much like you! =) …except maputi. =P
haha i love aidan and syoti josh’s wacky pose hahaha 😛 ang kulet! haha
i see ahya pierre, heinz with elisa etc. how is rache related to them? 🙂
haaay….a friend and I tried everything featured in a CTC article about Mom and Tina’s but non met our expectations.
The Mango Kani Salad was the biggest disappointment as it was drenched in mayonnaise! We called the waiter’s attention to the greens drowning in mayo after tossing, but he said ‘ganyan po daw talaga yan ma’am eh, nung kumain din ako nyan naumay ako.’
ayus!
Shepherd’s Pie – maybe they forgot to mix in the ground meat that time?
Garlic Cheese Rolls were neither warm nor soft when served. I didn’t catch its “cheesy and buttery flavor”… parang wala lang sya. We even ordered extra butter (“ma’am may charge po”) to flavor it up a bit.
Smoked Salmon and Capers Fettuccine was ok for me, but my friend found it bland.
I didn’t find anything special with my Dark Toblerone Walnut Torte… but that’s probably because the meal was a disappointment, hindi na ako ma-excite. Birthday pa naman nung kasama ko… oh well…
ah! surprisingly! the blue lemonade was ok! 🙂
oh yes, i truly enjoy meal times with the family too, especially after I got married. I realized just how important (and wonderful!) meal times together are! it’s always nice to exchange stories and see how the children are growing up (and yes, even meeting new girlfriends!) i miss meal time with my dad, brothers and aunt in manila! i look forward to the next opportunity and this time, Thijs will be the new addition! 🙂
Syoti Josh is sooo big na! he looks like you, Anton! 🙂
Hi Anton! I’ve been an avid follower of your blog,its just that ngayon lang ako nag-comment. Your blog site is like my ultimate guide on where to go and what to try! 🙂 I can’t help but comment away on your kids’ wacky photo! Its been a while since I checked your site and Josh was so little then and seeing him now with Aidan and the wacky shot, geesh!!! Ang cute!
Kids really grow up so fast! 🙂 Good job!