Jollibee Party Reservation

Just thought of sharing this important thing I've learned about reserving a party at Jollibee.
I don't know if this is how they also do it in other Jollibee branches. But this is how it goes with Jollibee Festival Mall Alabang. For the two weekends that I've been there, it's noticable that party celebrations happen every hour.

When you inquire for a party, they'll give you seven days for you to come back and give your down payment to confirm the party. We were able to go back only on the eighth day and it showed in their computer system that our reservation has expired. I didn't know that they're strict about this and also our schedule didn't permit us to come back within the alloted date. There's another reservation in line so we need to wait for them to confirm or not after seven days before we can be given back our reservation. Other option is at 7PM which is the only free time of the same date that I'm reserving. That's so late already for a children's party. I argued (I reminded myself to be calm) with the Jollibee staff that we be given the 11AM reservation since only one day has passed and we are ready to confirm (give the down payment) the party at that very moment. The staff noticed that I didn't stop complaining even after all her explanations so she called the manager which I'm glad that she did. The manager was also firm that she can't give me the original reservation but she ordered her staff to call the person if they're going to push through with the reservation or not.

What's best with being able to talk to a person in a higher position is that although she sticks to their rules, she can make ways and give you other options that could be acceptable to the client. The manager still didn't give us the original time but she offered us the other party room which is more spacious. This room is available only for reservations with 70 persons + and we reserved for only 50 pax.

But as hubby said, she gave it to a "persistent woman."

10AM is better than 7PM, right?!

Life's Good With LG Optimus 7

This post brought to you by LG. All opinions are 100% mine.

Picture me doing the laundry with our LG washing machine, watching TV from our LG flat screen and talking on the phone using LG Optimus 7 all the same time. What a perfect picture! I'd say life is good!

I’m telling you that you can do all these things at the same time because LG Optimus 7 gives its users the ability to do more in fewer steps. Remember the smartphones before? LG has come to the new era of smartphones using Windows Phone 7. It’s like having a PC in your own hands, giving you the power of unique capabilities that only LG devices have.

For me, the most important thing I look into when buying a cell phone is the user interface. All the great phone features are useless when you can’t get to where you want to go. This phone lets you do what you want in simpler, fewer steps. Now you can easily capture those spontaneous precious moments with of your child with its vivid camera phone. How about this?

Update your facebook status without having to type the keys using Voice-to-Text feature.

Just what a multi-tasking-stay-at-home-mom-of-two-hyper-boys need. Or, just what every person in a busy world needs.

LG Optimus 7 offers more than 7 great features.

- Sharing is easy with Play To which lets users share multimedia files with other digital gadgets from photos, videos, or music Hubs without having to access other menus.

- Wireless. Displaying videos and photos captured from LG Optimus 7 on a TV or enjoy music on your cell phone through your fave speakers is more convenient without the wires around.

- Internet browing is faster using the phone's ScanSearch for real-time info.

- LG's Voice-to-Text feature. LG Optimus 7 can transcribe voice into text for updating Facebook and Twitter or composing emails and memos for convenient, hands-free communication.

- 720p HD resolution for record and playback.

- 5 MP camera with advanced Intelligent Shot technology from LG which lets users take the perfect photo without having to adjust camera settings and Panoramic Mode for stitching together a full 360-degree landscape scene.

- 3.8 inch WVGA LCD display can capture every detail in a photo with its 800x480 pixels. The screen is large enough for convenient web surfing but compact enough to fit any back pocket.

- 16 GB internal memory which is generous enough to store tons of MP3 files, hours of video and hundreds of applications.

- 1500mAh removable battery, extra large, good for hours of internet browsing, e-book reading or game playing or for simply talking.

If you haven’t seen the video above, then you should. LG Optimus 7 saved Peter Pan’s life! Hehe :D It might save your life too. Or, make it better :D
So, is it a perfect Christmas gift (for me)? Why not?! ;P

Mommy Moments: Big!

Gabe with big and small Pablo of Backyardigans.



Zach insisted to have a picture with Armstrong statue in Friday's MOA. This was during my ILs 34th wedding anniversary Last May 1.

Nuvali Nuvali Ba Chu

Haha!

It'll be Gabe's birthday in less than 3 weeks. And I haven't posted about Kuya Zach's birthday last July 8. This time, we decided to go to Nuvali (July 10, Sat.), as a simple birthday treat for Zach. My post about his candle blowing is here.

We didn't have breakfast when we left home so we had brunch first arriving there at 10:30am. If we'd known that we'll have limited choices as to where to eat, we should've stopped by Paseo de Sta. Rosa first which is a few blocks before Nuvali. We then ate at Brother's Burger. Not bad though.

We didn't immediately see the big lagoon or is it a lake. We didn't notice that we're coming from the back. Zach was so ecstatic when he saw big schools of healthy coys. As usual Gabe wasn't ready to take all the scenes by his eyes.

Pichur pichur! Then we all felt eating ice cream would be best after soaking up all the sun's heat.

After the ice cream break, we noticed that people started coming in at noon. We then visited the fountain and the bridge. We rode the boat as per the birthday boy's request. Though I disagree, since you can ride with other passengers at P30 each, the daddy rented the whole boat at P180. You can also rent bikes but we opted not to. You may also feed the fish only with the feeds that you can buy from their stall.

Getting there: Take Sta. Rosa exit going to Tagaytay. You'll pass by Laguna Bel-Air and Paseo de Sta. Rosa. around 7 mins. away from Sta. Rosa exit.

Commuting: From Sta. Rosa Balibago Complex, ride jeepney going to Nuvali (you may ask the driver). At the back of the market are tricycle stands. You can also ride tricycle at P14 each.

Best time: 6-8:30am and 4PM onwards

Next time we'll be back, we'll try to go in the afternoon.

Goodbye Constipation

There are people (like me and my son) who are more likely to have constipation. This may be due to a problem that happens in the colon as discussed in my previous post. But there are food and practices that  may be observed to avoid constipation.

Drink plenty of water.

Engage in exercise or any physical activity. 

Have a regular toilet time.

Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

Eat food rich in fiber ie. whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats (as much as possible not the instant variety), wheat bran, nuts, apple juice, unpeeled apple, citrus fruits, beans or seeds, sweet potatoes, berry fruits, pears, leafy vegetables, coconut meat and milk, prunes and figs.

Avoid fruits and vegetables like bananas, peeled apple, potatoes and dairy products.

Probiotic drinks and also yogurt and tofu       

Fiber supplements like C-lium Fiber 

Laxatives should be used as a last resort as it may weaken the bowel muscles.

Batibot Is Coming Back!

photo source

Pagmulat ng mata
Langit nakatawa
Sa Batibot...sa Batibot
Tayo nang magpunta
Tuklasin sa Batibot
Ang tuwa, ang saya!

I can still go on singing the whole theme song! :D

Our favorite kid tv show when we were little will soon be seen by our own kids. Not that excited though coz the cast is not complete. No Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing on the scenes due to licensing aspects. But expect to see Manang Bola, Ning-ning and Ging-ging.

I like this show because of the good moral values, Filipino culture and values that it teaches the kids. Looking forward how my kids would like it too.

Watch out for Batibot starting November 27 on TV5 at 8:30 am.

Mommy Moments: So Little!

Looking at Zach who's now in preschool, he's so little in these 7th month old photos.



This was Gabe at 2 and then 3 months old respectively. He still looks more like his dad here. All he does during these times was drink milk, poop, laugh, smile and sleep. Now, he can turn on the tv by himself and can play on the internet.



I miss cuddling them when they're still so little and chubby.

Share little things (or babies) with us this week at Mommy Moments.

Constipation Cure: Gabe's Milk Formula

Dairy products such as milk can cause constipation. Because protein from cow's milk is hard to digest. That's why it's common for babies and adults alike to have constipation. It's not normal however (and very discomforting) but there are ways to relieve constipation.

Personally, it's like a life-long journey finding a milk formula for my baby that would help us avoid painful bouts with constipation. I feel like I've tried every brand in the market. At the first 2 to 3 weeks with a new milk brand, his poop is ok. And then he goes constipating again soon after. So I have to change his milk again.

Goat's milk as prescribed by his pediatrician is really effective. I bought DG milk formula available in the grocery. The only problem is the taste. Even though I mix it with other formulas to even out the taste, he still didn't like it. I always had to slush half of the bottle in the sink like slushing money in the sink. But if your child can be used to it, goat's milk is really helpful.

During walks in the neighborhood 4 months ago, two moms at different instances suggested Nido (1+) from their personal experiences. So we tried it. Until now this is Gabe's milk and I'm happy that he has lesser encounter with constipation.

I'm fond of reading food labels. And from what I read from the Nido label, it has Prebio 1 or Prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible nutrients that promote the growth of natural "good bacteria" called probiotics in our intestines. These friendly bacteria may have several health benefits like aiding digestion and boosting the immunity. OK ka ba tyan?

Jollibee Party Planner

I'm so happy I found the Jollibee Party Planner! 

When I inquired from their store last Sat, it's so abrupt. I wasn't really decided with the meal package and other details that I reserved for Gabe's party. I find this online Party Planner very helpful. I was really able to experiment with their menu trying different meal sets with "Choose-your-own food package" option. With this, I was able to choose what I think are the best meal sets for the kid and adult guests. It's so easy to use the step by step guide. The costs are always shown at the bottom so you will know how much you've gone. Or if it's still in line with your budget.

At the Party Themes tab, you will see the available themes being offered by Jollibee. It's exciting to see the photos of the party favors like the invitations, hats, lootbags and cakes all designed for a Transformers party. There's MyScene theme for your daughters.

After completing all the steps you can print the form and go to a Jollibee Store to officially reserve your party. I salute Jollibee for creating this online Party Planner. Thank you very much!

Causes Of Constipation

Gabe's having constipation since before he was a small baby. It started when his formula intake was heavier as a growing baby.

It was really awful when he tries to poop. The poor baby was so pitiful. He tries to poop and yet nothing comes out. It can even take 3 to 4 days before he can finally poop. And his anus is always wounded. And after the incident, he's really exhausted. Sometimes he falls asleep while I'm still cleaning him up. His poop looked like rocks or stones. They're big, dry and hard. I have constipation at times (in the genes) and it really is so painful. Not to mention that it's uncomfortable in the tummy when there's something that you want to eliminate and you can't.

Because of this, I researched about the causes of constipation.

• The root cause of constipation happens in the colon when it absorbs too much water and salt from the wastes. Or when the colon's muscle contractions are slow, the stool passes down also slowly and the waste becomes harder and drier. 
• Inadequate water intake
• Inadequate fiber in the diet
• Lack of physical activity 
• Large amount of dairy product intake
• Change in lifestyle or routine
• Stress
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Abusive use of laxatives, which over time may weaken the bowel muscles 
• Medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, thyroid disease, and Parkinson's disease

Cabinet Refacing for the San Francisco Region

Remodeling in San Francisco is never an easy thing to do but everyone is feeling the pressure to get it done before the holiday season hits. Well there are some things you can do to speed up the process, keep the cost down, and get you great results in a short amount of time. First you want to focus on some of the major parts of the house, mainly the kitchen and bathrooms. San Francisco cabinet refacing is a great way to give your bathroom and kitchen a great new look without having to install new cabinets. New cabinets are great but they can be very expensive and take a while to install, not to mention you have to take the old ones out which can be costly and time consuming as well. So if you just get them refaced, you will still have that new feeling with a lot less taken out of your wallet.

San Francisco cabinets are great and they can impact the entire way your home looks during the holidays. The more cabinet space you have, the more room you have to store things from around the house which gets rid of clutter. Especially in the bathrooms and kitchens, the more cabinet space you have allows you to make those rooms look cleaner and more organized which makes your remodeling tasks easier, faster, and much cheaper. Follow these simple methods and it will make your remodeling time shorter and cheaper, and your holiday season much more enjoyable which we all know is what we really want.

Can't Acquire Life

Do you know that a person can't acquire life insurance if he has a chronic illness? If it's possible then it'll take extra effort. Well, I just discovered that lately when a friend tried to offer us a life insurance. I was surprised coz I had a life insurance plan before. Obviously I didn't know how I got passed since I have a heart disease from my younger years. But I didn't undergo further questioning from the ordinary questionnaires given during the application. Unfortunately, the insurance plan was terminated due to financial crises.

Nowadays there are companies favorable to those people who have medical problems. No Exam Life Insurance is present these days.  Lots of options are offered to people everywhere in different forms. Now it's hard for people who have illnesses to acquire life insurance.

Jollibee in Festival Mall

We attended a birthday party yesterday at Jollibee Festival Mall. I didn't see a mantle clock but looking at my wrist watch I knew that we're there early. We had a chance to have lunch at Steak Escape. I love sizzling food! Then we went to Pixie Forest and played at Tom's World. Pictures to follow. The boys got pencils and marble shooting game board in exchange for the tickets they collected from the games.

I'm glad that we were invited to that party. I discovered a new good place. Well Jollibee isn't new of course. But I like the ambiance of this Jollibee resto and how they decorated their party place with lots of colorful balloons in different shapes and forms. Plus the place is favorable to most of our visitors who will be coming from Manila. And when I inquired, they offer Transformers party theme which I think would be exciting for Gabe. I wanted a Cars Movie theme party coz he lurves Lightning McQueen and I can still do that in Jollibee. But I don't think I have time to go to Divisoria with the sets of activities in our calendar. So in that case I'd need to purchase the party supplies from the mall which I can't do considering our budget.

For the little girls in my guestlist, I can't give them the transformers lootbags so I still need to buy giveaways for them. Glad they're only a handful. I hope I can fit in a pinyata in the budget for additional fun.

Buzzy Body

Been busy lately. Busy thinking about Gabe's upcoming birthday on Dec. 3. He'll be 3! He's trying to really be a kid now. Yet still not. But the fact that he's trying means he's really grown. He's everyday trying to practice his independence. Earlier his daddy was laughing silently. Watching him seriously playing Wubbzy's Amazing Adventures on nick.jr.com. And yet he can't move ahead when the giant chicken keeps throwing eggs on him. He's able to play this game coz he just needs to use the space bar to jump and the --> key. Then he calls for my help when he can't get past a tricky part (when <-- is needed). hahaha!

Anyway, we inquired for some party reservations last weekend. Hubby already wants to settle on one of the restos that we went to. I like that it's cheaper than McDonald's or Pizza Hut coz the'res no party fee required. A minimum amount is just required for you to reserve the place including party amenities like invitations, hosting, giveaways, etc. Their meal sets are okay for hubby but I'm thinking about our guests coming 2 hrs away from our area or the venue. I believe that the key to a great party is great food.

I just need to inquire one more resto. I'm sure that their food is great. I just hope that it fits our budget.

Beach Wedding Reception

As early as now I already imagine hubby and I hand in hand walking on the beach with light flowing clothes. Approaching the bride and groom wearing white wardrobes.

I received an SMS this morning from my bestfriend in college, inviting us for their church wedding in December. It'll be held in her home town in Polillo Island and a wedding reception at the beach follows. She mentioned that the occasion will just be a simple one. I don't believe her. I imagine grandeur as I think of her and her family from way back in college when I first visited the Island. As we exchanged our excitedness for our coming reunion, she said that she will be reserving one room for hubby and me so we won't have to spend for hotel accomodations. I see white bedside table in my mind.

I just hope a vehicle could be arranged too to pick us up so we can bring the kids with us. In the mean time, I need to practice what song she asks me to do for the reception. yikes!

Mommy Moments: Do You See Shapes Here?

Zach inside the worm hole

Winter was afraid that he'll fall through the fiber glass.

Gaming Cannons, their favorite at Cosmic Kidz.

Log House

This is the log house that we visited last weekend. It comes with wooden furnitures and rustic bedroom furnitures. And they really look good in there.

It's very unique and refreshing to look at. This is good for a vacation house. I still prefer the simple, modern design homes for everyday living.

Why Do The Fingernails Grow?

So that the dead fingernail will be replaced by a new one after being badly smashed by the door.

God is truly Omniscient. He knows that someday my 2-yr old son might suddenly bang the door behind me when my finger is still on the edge.

As I chatted with hubby, he immediately wondered how I'm going to bathe the kids, cook or do anything. I didn't thought of that only after he asked me. I wasn't even able to think of first aid too. I'm thankful for my neighbor who rushed to our house when she heard me crying for pain. Then she gave me a glass of cold water to dip my finger to.

The scary part is what I've read on the internet that the finger nail might split up vertically on the middle if the throbbing continues. Unless I let it get punctured by a heated needle to let the blood pressure out. Which is a process I also dread.

Please don't ask me for a photo this time.

My Blog Header...

is acting up!

Pardon the sudden changes please...

Do stand by....

Home Improvement Inspiration

We visited friends who stayed in a loghouse last weekend. You wouldn't notice that it's made out of concrete. And it's cute. Even the interior was nice and airy. And one thing I want to imitate is the design of the kitchen where the burner is quite separated from the counter.

One of the places I scrutinize in a home is the bathroom. This loghouse probably doesn't need any grand bathroom remodel since it's bathroom really looks neat, modern yet simple. Just the design that I ask for in a bathroom.

They say that today, home improvements doesn't need to be too expensive. Companies or contractors bid on your project. They cut back the price of their bids to attract customers. So you might want to consider bison bids on your next home improvement project.

Suddenly, I Got An Award

Haven't been around blogging since last week and suddenly, here's an award! It's been a long time since I've received an award or tag. So, thanks to you, Pinx! My newly-found friend in blogsville.

I remembered that I received the same award before.