POST CHRISTMAS PT. 1: TOP 4 GIFTS

Is anyone else as depressed about Christmas being over as I am? Seems as if it came and went faster than ever this year! Although this is sad, our Christmas this year was nothing less than spectacular.. Tons of fabulous family time, the best food, and gifts galore! Hope every one of ya'lls was just as special! I'm going to blog about this Christmas in segments.. This blog is all about GIFTS. Our top 4 gifts to be exact.. All of the Ng-Chee + 1 family got more than we could've hoped for, but we all chose our top four gifts we received this year. Aside from good health, a perfect baby boy, a stable home, and a mighty good Lord.. here's what made the list!

MAMA'S TOP 4:

THESE boots that I will wear until the day I die (or maybe until I can still get around in them!)

These sunglasses that I'm lovvvvvvinggggg every minute of!

My favorite Philosophy products in the whole wide world. THIS is my obsession!

And this cupcake stand that I've totally been dying over..

DADDY'S TOP 4:

This may have been his favorite gift of all!

The brown dress shoes he's been wanting.. I made him try them on, and then leave the store while I bought them!

His "work" cologne.. because I'm a much bigger fan of him wearing Burberry TOUCH at home!

Please don't ask any questions. He won this bad boy in a "Chinese Christmas" Gift Exchange Game. I'm not proud of it on my countertop, or the fact that he's so proud of it. He says he wants to open up a summer business called "Cash Cones" where he makes Cash sell them to kids at the park... Again, no questions please.

CASH'S TOP 4:

This fabulous growth chart my mom got him! (This may be MY favorite gift..not his!) It matches his room perfectly..LOVE!

He has been eyeing this one wrapped in clear cellophane all month, and was SO ecstatic when he got to open it.. It's super cute, and he has gotten hitting the baseball with the bat down to a tee (pun intended!) =)

Oh, the beloved ball popper. How it destroys my living room, but makes for one big 7 tooth smile!

Last but not least his YMCA "E-L-M-O" Elmo! This thing is the cutest.. He's not necessarily the biggest Sesame Street fan, but after receving a toy that stands up, sings, and dances he was totally hooked. He's been dancing with this bad boy all day.

New Year's Eve is right around the corner.. Can you believe we're days from 2011?!? J & I are heading downtown for New Years Eve with a group of our friends for a little dancing, laughter, and drinks! (Lord KNOW I need this!) since Cash isn't old enough to fully comprehend the concept yet (he'll be asleep before midnight strikes!) Next year we'll definitely be taking him to see fireworks, but this little outing with me & my honey is definitely long awaited. I haven't been on a nightly outting without Cash since J's birthday last July. If you're staying INDOORS for New Year's Eve and hosting a party, here's some cute tips to help you do so!

BERRY COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit vodka, such as Charbay, chilled
2 ounces champagne, chilled
1 ounce cranberry juice, chilled
1 ounce black currant juice or blackberry puree, chilled

STEPS:
1.In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, dissolve sugar into 1 1/2 cups water. Add cranberries and simmer until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain, discarding liquid, and place cranberries on a baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to freezer and chill at least 2 hours.
2.Mix together vodka, Champagne, cranberry, and currant juice in a Champagne glass. Garnish with a skewer of 4 or 5 frozen cranberries. Reserve remaining cranberries for another drink.


For the bambinos at the party, a Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck. Serve them in a cute, plastic champagne flute for a kid friendly treat!