My Most Memorable Mommy Moment in 2010

I love being a (stay at home) mom. And in 2010, there were two events that won the most memorable mommy moments for me.
1. When Zach had their Christmas Cantata in school. He sang with all his heart. I was teary eyed coz I saw the big change in him. How he became so cooperative compared from when school started. Even his teachers tell me that he's now more behaved.

2. Gabe's 3rd birthday. I know all you moms are excited like me when your kid is going to have a birthday party. I've been thinking about it from the start when we plotted the date on the calendar (his birth date falls on a weekday). True enough, it was totally fun.
And do you know that Gabe is actually afraid of any mascot? If he sees one even from afar, we need to hide or expect him to cry out loud. But during his birthday (although at the start he's apprehensive) he was closer to Jollibee than in any event in his life. It's a success to see my son conquering his fear.

My gratitude goes to Chris for hosting this meme.

Kitchen Play Pretend

Does your child love to play kitchen or cook? My son does. And he doesn't mind playing with pink or lavander pots and plates. He used to play with his cousin daniella's colorful cookwares. It's quite funny but we don't show it.

So on his birthday tita Kitts gave him a Pizza Party playset that looks similar to this. Now that's better, not girly anymore. Just you wait, my son might be a successful chef someday!

Pretend play is helpful in nurturing kids' imagination. It's also helpful in building social, emotional, language and thinking skills. Kids don't notice that they're learning coz they thought they're just having fun.
Guidecraft kitchen offers an array of toys for playing pretend kitchen. Your kids will surely love these cute microwave and kitchen stove.

 

I'd play pretend with my kids if we have such nice toys. Kids are really lucky these days. I remember when we were kids, we play with used cans as pots and bottle crowns as plates. Haha!

And while you, mommies are doing your baking in your kitchen, your apprentice is also having a culinary adventure with the Bake and Decorate Cupcake, Slice and Bake Cookie Set or the Bake and Serve Brownies Set. Who knows, your child might be the next bakeshop or coffee shop tycoon that will outshine Starbucks and Seattle's Best.

XBox Dance Central

Did you think they're dancing for a contest? It's a video game! Check out how good these gamers dance in xbox. If you love to dance, then this video game on Xbox 360 is for you.

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End Of Season Sale Clearance

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you heard of  Pier 1 end of season sale clearance? Oh if you just have a plan to buy things for the home, you should have saved your money and waited for  Pier 1 clearance sale. Their products really look nice and fascinating. I'm imagining how putting those things in our house will look like. I think our house will look so  elegant. I don't want to clutter our home as it is not that spacious. But I found nice lamps, scented candles, curtains, pillows, shelves and rags that are just right for my taste. There are different designs and colors to choose from. But if you prefer simple ones like me, you can find very good stuff from Pier 1. I found a very lovely mirror in their website and it best describes my style. It's simple, elegant and functional. They have nice accessories too that will surely be appreciated by the special ladies in your life. I'd be content with those nice scented candles.

If you're looking for holiday gifts for your loved ones, it's good to shop at Pier 1 during November and December. You may donate cash at the register or support Toys for Tots by dropping off unwrapped toys at their store. Also, you may like Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.

One Christmas Eve

One Christmas Eve, a daddy woke up in the morning to be bullied by a small boy.

Always gigil-kagat-labi little boy trying to rough house his daddy. Daddy was yet to fetch kuya Zach at my IL's house.


After opening the gifts at 12MN, they played and obviously enjoyed their new toys until 3 AM. Don't you think they're just so sweet?

Mommy Moments: A Perfect Christmas

It's a perfect Christmas for me coz we're complete as a family. No one's sick or lying in a hospital bed. Our nation's not in war. Can you imagine a nation in a war celebrating Christmas? Nor do we have any personal wars that we need to face. We didn't have much food in our table. But we enjoyed eating together especially the ref cake that I made.

The kids enjoyed their gifts. They opened their gifts at 12 MN and played with their new toys until 3AM.

We stopped for a while and shared what we are grateful for this year. Kuya Zach said, he's grateful for the blessings that we received - our tv, our home, the toys and our new ref (mommy's grateful for that too). Gabe said he's grateful for the hotwheels, haha! The Daddy's grateful for the kids who always bring joy to his heart after a day at work. And he's grateful that they're good boys. While I'm grateful that although kuya zach had pneumonia in the first quarter, it's just slight and no one got really badly sick. And still praying for that for the coming year.

We prayed together and then I tucked the kids to bed. Supposed to be I and hubby will watch a movie together but we're both dead tired and layed down where sleep hit us. haha!

Hope all you guys had a very Merry Christmas!

Lechon In Our Church Christmas Party

We didn't celebrate our church Christmas party at Caravan Parks in Devon. But we had lechon on our table!

I was ready to devour the whole lechon as you see in the pic. Haha! Have you seen breads formed to look like dogs, cats or logs? It's funny coz this lechon bread always gets a second look from anyone who happens to saw it during the party. It's fuuny coz lechon is always anticipated in parties. But this time, it's just a bread that looked like a lechon.

Will tell you more about our Christmas Party next time.

Chicklet Keys Laptop

I'm enjoying our new lappie. yaahhooo! I can be online anytime I want to. While waiting for the cooking oil to heat, while doing the laundry, or while boiling water. There's no wasted time coz I can get to the internet anytime. I won't have to wait for hubby or my kids when I can use our laptop. Hubby didn't declare it as100% mine but at least I won't have to always wait for my turn since we have two lappies now.

Been enjoying typing on the new chicklet keys. I notice that I finish my entries faster now. I get to see what I need to see like Logo Designers or if I need to check my emails. This laptop is really a blessing!

Have a Blessed Christmas everyone!

New Luneta and Rizal Park

As if in a mini field trip, Zach remembered Rizal Park from his Makabayan subject. hehe :D The flower beds are still being replanted.


Our background is the peacock fountain that changes colors every 10 secs.


Zach and Gabe with lolo and lola (my ILs).


Sis-in-law was leaning on the building ;P


It's so relaxing to watch these fountains dancing with the music.
Families bonding, lovey-doves dating, children playing, vendors, all people from different walks of life have started flocking once again to the new Luneta and Rizal Park. They did renovations to the place and one taho (bean curd) vendor said what has been accomplished is just an installment to the whole project. I'm really glad they're reviving this tourist attraction. It's also a place to get refreshed away from the crowded malls nowadays. And a cheaper way for family bondings too.

Will be back for the playground which was the first area that they opened this December.

Btw, the bean curd doesn't taste good.

other pics

Christmas In Our Hearts

My son Zach has really changed from the first time he started schooling until now. He is now more cooperative. He joins the singing in school and even in the children's ministry at church.

I was a little bit teary eyed as I watched him sing with his classmates. I fought back the tears hard as I notice that no one from among the parents are being touched but only me. The boy surely got kisses from mommy and daddy for a job well done.

They sang the song "Christmas In Our Hearts" during their Christmas Cantata in school. He knows the song by heart and he always sings it at home.

Mommy Moments: Give Love On Christmas Day

Zach, showing the chocolates that I got him in Christmas 2008

We have yet to shop for Christmas gifts. Just like in the past years we're only able to shop on the last weekend before Christmas.

My kids are always delighted when they receive Christmas gifts! But I asked them once what they want for Christmas and they're not decided. My eldest son said he wants a big, real piano (as he saw from cousin's house) and then the next minute, he wants another hotwheels car instead. Then the little boy would just always follow what his kuya would say about what he wants. By observation, they don't think much about getting presents on Christmas. We don't always talk much about receiving gifts either. Though I'm so sure they'll be receiving from titos and titas.

As much as possible I want them to distance from the commercialism of Christmas. I always remind them about Jesus as the reason why we celebrate and the reason why we give gifts on Christmas.

My son would mostly mention about giving his friend, classmate and neighbor X a gift. He mentions about giving his girl friend J (at this point there's a space between girl and friend, ok), his cousins D and L some Christmas gifts. He would even get a pad paper and wrap an old, torn toy or used pencil or scissors. And label his "gift" "To" and "From."  So cute!

Seeing my son do that, I see the purity of heart in giving. It's really the thought that counts when you give. So it doesn't always have to be material things or something big and expensive.

Your time and love are priceless. Learning big things from little hearts there!

LG No Frost Fridge

Woke up from a nap at 5PM with banging on our door yesterday. It's the LG delivery man! They've been knocking at our door for 20 minutes. Sorry!

Anyway, I'm loving our new LG ref. I filled the ice cube tray last night and when hubby checked it this morning tada! ice ice baby! You just need to twist the lever and the crystal cubes will fall on the tray ready for serving. After two months, I've tasted the goodness of cold water! 

Don't you hate defrosting your fridge? The freezer knob is set to #2 and it was able to make ice with no frosting inside the freezer. It automatically defrosts and the water is caught in a tray that also dries up by itself. Yey! no more hassles of defrosting.

What I like about this model is that it has glass shelves for durability and elegance. Other brand models have something that bulges inside (is it the motor or something) that hinders with the space. LG No Frost is spacious inside without those bulges from the back. Also, the refrigerator and the freezer has separate knobs for each so you can adjust each compartment according to your preferred temperature.

LG No Frost is cheaper than other brands but still promises good quality and superb features. If you happen to be at the appliance shops, you may notice that LG's features and quality are even better than Whirlpool and yet the latter is more expensive.
Additional note, if you will make cash purchase at Abenson's, ask for your discount. SM Appliances give discounts to cash purchases outright unlike Abenson's where you need to ask if there's a discount.

Better Blogging: Get Your Blog Post Noticed

I want to share to you some things I've learned about blogging. If you don't notice that I've changed or applied some writing skill techniques, well, I just have.

• "You" and "your" instead of "I" and "mine" - Your readers instinctively look for articles that mean to them. They will just ignore your posts when all you do is talk about yourself. 
Try speaking or writing in the second-person perspective. Instead of "I woke up this morning feeling anxious," say, "Have you experienced waking up in the morning, feeling anxious?" It's more interesting for them and they may even be compelled to make a comment.
• One is enough, two is too much. - Studies show that a person can't hold too much idea in his mind at one time. If you have more ideas to share, try to consider doing a series of post.
• It's in the packaging. Make your post readable and interesting by writing short paragraphs and one-line sentences. Plus people get easily hooked up with good visuals. So do add an image that tells something about your post.
• Rapport - What I love about blogging is that you can write in your natural voice. And not like a formal theme type. Think as if you're just talking to a friend beside you.
  These are just four of them. There's more at ProBlogger Blog Tips from 7 Powerful Ways to Get Your Blog Post Noticed.
  

Someone's Eyeing Puti

I happened to bump into online reviews about mazda2 specs. Is it associated with the incident that a month ago a man knocked at our door and asked me if we're selling Puti (White)? And then last week the same man texted me asking if we're selling it. Yeah our car is 20 years older than my firstborn and needs lots of painting jobs and interior works. But for the past 11 months when FIL handed the keys to us, Puti has been a great companion in our grocery shopping, church activities and malling nearby. Well I've been fascinated with Mazda3 from the looks (although haven't really looked into mazda3 specs), but Puti has never failed us. No bad experience with it except hard starting. But when the kids start to pray, you'll hear the sweet sound of its engine once again. Even though I'm not a car enthusiast (just the two boys and the daddy), I know how the roar of a good engine sounds. And I know how riding on a sick car feels like. Never had this feeling with Puti.

They say all things come to an end. FIL just gave us a go signal to sell Puti. You can't compare Puti with Mazda6 specs but we had fond memories with it. As hubby said he can't forget tough moments with puti when backing or parking on narrow spaces giving him sweat all over his face and his back. The man hasn't came back even after I informed him of the offer but I feel that he's really interested on buying Puti.

Social Spark Version 1 Retires

Starting December 9, 2010 Social Spark v1 retired with version 2 going officially live.

According to IZEA, unpaid accounts from v1 won't be transferred to v2. Huwat!? But panic not! Coz I did and it's a waste of time.

They have lifted out the $50 threshold from v1 so you may cash out in any amount. 

You may access social spark v1 to manually cash out but you may not take opps from there anymore.
To manually cash out you need to log in to your account and submit a ticket from the help button. Or click here. Include the total amount of your cash out and your email address for convenience of both parties.

Mcdonald's In Your Menu

If you can blog and facebook from your mobile phone, you can now also order your McDonald's treats from your cell phone. Order from your mobile phone and pay using your BPI account. Hep hep before you dial 86236 (8McDo), check out the requirements for registration. Then you may register to www.bpiexpressonline.com.


Now, you can satisfy your craving for Mcfloat or a Mcflurry  even if you have no money in your pocket.

Wait there's more! No more minimum orders from McDo delivery! Just a fixed delivery charge of P40.

Did they invent this for me?

Canon EF Lens Range

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For you Canon fans out there. Canon is introducing the EF lenses specifically for EOS Digital SLR range. Please watch the video.

Start The Year Light With Neutrogena

Do you want to try out the new Neutrogena's Fine Fairness line? All you have to do is to Like their page on facebook and join the task every week. It's task # 2 already this week requiring you to post a photo of you engaged in an outdoor activity. The first 50 photos with proper photo replies to the Neutrogena task will bag the full range of Neutrogena Fine Fairness line. Contest starts from December 3, 2010 until December 31, 2010.

You may check out my photo there or join in the challenge yourself.
Check out www.nuffnang.com.ph for more details.

Mommy Moments: Christmas Tree

The little rascal didn't want to pose for the cam this time. Oh I realized that without the stool, he and our Christmas tree are of the same height. Haha! I've just put up the tree this morning with the help of Zach. Wish I could buy decent trimmings for our tree including an ornament to put at the top. The old ones from last year are worn out and old. haha! Thankfully, the grape lights are still okay. The boys were so excited, they always want the lights on even during the day.

Newest Addition To The Family

This is Andre Jacob, my sister's new baby. He attended Gabe's birthday and that's also the first time we met. Drej, as we call him is so chubby and cuddly. At one month, he got my arms strained already from carrying him for just moments. Just give him a year and I bet he'll be running around with my kids during family gatherings.

My brother told me through facebook this morning that he's coming home soon. It means that we'll be complete as a family this Christmas - from a little baby to our 93 year old grandfather. I wonder if my bro could get my grandfather a medical alert systems for Christmas.
I'm excited to see all of them in the holidays.

How Do You Want To Celebrate Christmas?

I've been thinking lately about how are we going to celebrate Christmas. Some families go out and spend Christmas holiday in caravan parks.
Last Christmas my parents and family came to our house to celebrate with us. It was fun with all the food and games that we had. Even my father played "Pinoy Henyo." After all the fun we gathered around in a circle and each of us shared what we are grateful for the year 2009. My niece and nephews can't help but express the sadness that we're not complete as their mom (my sister) and dad (my brother) are working in different continents. We can't deny tears of joy and sadness at the same moment.

I don't want Christmas to pass by just like any day when I got full with all the food, tired with all the preps and finally asleep.

After our simple dinner, we'll open our gifts then we'll have our sharing time about what we are thankful for then we'll pray together as a family. And when the kids are asleep already I and hubby will each pick a movie then decide what to watch. Or we'll just have time to talk and reminisce the past. There's something special and intimate about Christmas eve.

How about you? How do you plan to celebrate Christmas Eve?

Gabe's Transformers Birthday: Party Venue and Details

Nice!


Backdrop and cake. Hey I ordered Tranformers not Jollitown lootbags! They promptly changed them.


Transformers banner with Zach and Gabe's face on Optimus and Bumblebee. 7x4ft. banner looked small when it's installed already on the wall.


The birthday boy inspecting the transformers paper trays.


Turtle Pinyata, party poppers (that weren't popped) Barbie and transformers lootbags

Emcee: Ma'am 'di po ba kayo na-advise ni Ms. She? Hindi po allowed and party poppers. 
Me: ay ganon ba sige sorry.


Transformers cake. I preferred not to put Jollibee cake topper. :P

Gabe played with the cake topper instead :D

Thanks to tita kitts and tita candy for the photos.

Gabe's Transformers Birthday: A Fun Event

The daddy opened the party with a prayer.


Bring Me, Hat Game, and the Celebrity Dance Showdown were the only games in the program as the party started an hour late.

This was a total surprise that gave all the visitors a big laugh. Zach's not into dancing but I think just for the sake of the freebies, he danced like crazy. Looked like he's from the 60's dancing the tribal.


It was a star-studded party with Marianne Rivera, Angel Locsin, Pops Fernandez and Alice Dixon doing the celebrity dance showdown.

And the winner is my mom Ms. Marianne Rivera!


Others weren't able to come due to conflict in schedule. So we only had a number of kids who were lucky to have the giveaways and candies all by themselves.
The kids lined up to get a chance to pull the pinyata string but after several tries, nothing happens. The kids were so excited already so Jollibee just pulled the strings all together and let a shower of candies on the floor.
 

Wonder where the birthday boy was during all these fun happenings? Having fun on his own with his new helicopter. I have an inkling, I shouldn't have really opened that gift.


More kwentos up next!

Happy Birthday Gabe!

He's officially 3 years old. Tomorrow is the celebration. I hope the kids will enjoy the party. Most especially we want our bunso (youngest child) to have lots of fun as we celebrate his birthday.
All along I thought I'm the most on top of the preparations. But unexpectedly, the daddy went hardcore with the preps! He went home the other night with Transformers shirts, he got two of them pa, a transformers mask and an Over The Hedge pull-string pinyata.

I didn't know that this Transformers mask costs P499 at Toys 'R Us and Toy Kingdom. If I'm with hubby this mask might not have been bought as I'm good with the shirts already. But as the saying goes, you can't buy happiness! The little bumblebee was so fond of his mask. Though he hasn't willingly worn it, he's memorizing every detail until he can't fight sleep any longer.


I was just planning to cover and decorate Gabe's milk box to use for the pinyata. And because hubby said we will no longer have a pinyata, I was completely surprised when he went home with this out of the theme pinyata that costs P499. Well it's great to know that he's just really excited. And I think the kids will really have fun with it.

Last trip to the grocery later for the candies.
All for our love for our little Bumblebee.

Gabe's Transformers Birthday: Prep Updates

Four more days to go!


I scrummaged National Bookstore last week for additional prizes for boys. As if Jollibee prizes aren't enough. Bought this pack of 6 ballpens, 3 pencils and 1 pencil case (licensed Transformers items) for P149 only.


And of course Barbie items for the girls. Is it obvious that I love Barbie myself? The Nat'l. Bookstore bagger said I had great finds for cheap prices. A set of pencil, ballpen and ruler at P35 and the cute bead bracelets at P40 each goes inside the lootbags. Just gathered coin banks, memo pads and puzzles for additional prizes.



Hubby made this tarp design this morning. The boys were so thrilled seeing their faces on Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. Hahaha!

I contacted our friend and he's giving it for a discounted price of P500 for a print size of 7x4ft. He actually wants to give it as a gift but I objected. I said business is business.

We tried to find a Transformers shirt for Gabe last Saturday but we're unsuccessful. It's either big for him or the print doesn't look good. This is what I miss in Ayala, Makati. You can hop mall to mall (unnoticingly) and I just don't know if you can't still find what you're looking for. I just hope hubby would have a lot of will to look for the right shirt.

Transformers mask: I'm not sure if they still have these available in Toy Kingdom. I saw this at their Halloween season brochure. I told hubby to buy Bumblebee and Optimus Prime mask for the boys if they're still selling them.

Just now, I'm thinking of having a message book so the guests can write their well wishes for Gabe. It would be good to have something that he could read from his past birthday when he's bigger. I'll try if I can find one.

Btw, we're not having a pinyata. But I still want to have a candy shower just when the party popper is being popped, haha!

Now, tell me who's the most excited? ;P