crosswordbebop

Manila Zoo. There was a time a long time ago when the mere mention of Manila Zoo made me feel giddy with excitement. I have committed to memory a childhood picture where I was happily posing in front of a peacock pheasant. Simple joy! I hail from the province and a trip to Manila used to be so special. What I didn't realize until I had children is that I was lucky to have grown up a probinsyana  - to have the fields, vast expanse of free space and hills as my playground. To have flowers to pluck, leaves to gather, dragonflies to catch, trees to climb, free fresh fruits to eat. My kids aren't as lucky. That's why a trip close to nature is a treat for our children. We brought the kids to Manila Zoo yesterday, as reward to our pre-schooler for winning the Interbranch science quiz bee in school. He loves animals and was happy to see the elephant, the birds, the tigers and the crocodiles. He was indifferent to the smell and the dilapidated look of the zoo. I don't know if Ma

Loooong Saturday but I am not complaining. ;) I woke up from an evening nap and am now watching the Ms. World Pageant on TV. As a kid, I have fond memories of my family staying up to watch beauty contests. So somehow, this night gives me some feeling of excitement (we already know that Philippines won, of course). Although I'm alone and unless I give birth to a baby girl, the 'tradition' will mostly likely not live on with me.  photo grabbed from Inquirer Today, our pre-schooler won the Interbranch Science quiz bee in school! He bested 14 other contestants and I am so proud for his efforts. We were afraid he would throw tantrums and won't be able to join the contest. But our prayers and bribes paid off. results of the interbranch quiz bee competition TL#1 has history of not wanting to join school presentations and contests. Although lately, he has also won Best in National Costume during Linggo ng Wika. Here's to hoping he gets over the phase totally. The day his t

The kids are playing in the room before bedtime... Me: Look at Tobey's feet. It's so small. TL#1: Why? Me: Because he is still a baby. TL#1: How about me? Me: Yours are bigger. TL#1: Why? Me: Because you're already a kid. TL#1: Huh? The young of a goat is a kid then you call me a kid. That must be silly! Me: Meee-meeee! He is currently reviewing for the upcoming science quiz bee in school and one of the topics is the young of animals. Smart kid! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

TL#1 was playing with a London mini snowball. Me: Bring that down to daddy. You might break it. Who knows someday we will go to London together. TL#1: Someday? What kind of day is Someday? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday???? Me: Huh? TL#1: What do you think? Mommy, what do you think? When is that someday? Is it on Monday? Tuesday? Wednesday? Thursday? Friday? Me: (speechless. LOL with matching whopping cough). Both kids are now nursing a fever. Grabe, ang lala ng virus ko! That's 4 down, out of 6 in our household. We'll be fine as long as our ever-reliable head of the family does not get down with the flu, too. The kids though does not seem to care much about their fever. They're playing hide and seek and won't go to sleep. I can't sing them a lullaby. Apart from the fact that I can't sing, I don't get to finish a word without coughing. A-B-ubo-ubo-ubo-C-ubo-D-E-ubo-ubo-ubo-ubo-ubo-Y & Z. TL#2 does not like it at all. He k

It's weird that after I was asked to write an article for work, I suddenly found myself unenthusiastic about writing. I probably did not like the pressure. I am still struggling to get back my writing momentum. Not to mention that I have been nursing fever and flu since Thursday. One night two weeks ago, I got home at around 9 in the evening, a bit earlier than the usual. TL#1 was so happy to see me and wanted to hoard my time. He wouldn't let me brush my teeth, wash my face and read the Revenue Memorandum Circulars and Court Decision for the article I was pressed to write. He wanted me to sit beside him and watch Bloopers on AXN. I'm not sure if he should even be watching the show. I made peace by dutifully sitting beside him, laughing when he prompts me to while trying hard to understand what i'm reading. Then I got an urgent call from upstairs. Apparently, TL#2 stirred from his sleep and was crying for mommy. TL#1 reluctantly let me go with this: "Don't take

This weekend, the husband was looking at his vision board and pointed to a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Husband (with much conviction): I am going here! TL#1: Oh, you're going to Paris, France. Mommy has been there . Husband: Yes, I am. Then the husband went downstairs. While in the room, TL#1 and I read a story about teamwork from the 7 Habits of Happy Kids book. After we finished the story, we decided to go down... TL#1 (very puzzled when he saw the husband): Daddy, you're here?! Husband (looking up nonchalantly from his iPad): Yes. TL#1: Huh, I thought you went to Paris. Why are you here?!? Harharhar! Speaking of vision board, I would want to make my own, too. It has been a while since I set goals for myself. Through our example, we hope that our son will learn to practice the value of goal-setting at an early age. If you want to make your own vision board, Martha Beck has guidelines here . - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I spent more than half of the day in the mall today. I went to the dentist for another filling and I also got my dental application, something I have to wear every night to help correct my bite and keep my teeth from falling apart. I had lunch alone then went for a facial. I cherish my me-time but I also feel a bit guilty each time I spend some hours of the weekend away from my husband and kids. To banish my guilt, I decided to drop by National Book Store for some pasalubong . I gathered from the NBS Facebook page that they're having up to 70% off their books from August 30 to September 8. I went home happily carrying two books for the kids - a steal at 70% and 50% off! Asian Children's Favorite Stories A Treasury of Folktales from China, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia as retold by David Conger, Kay Lyons, Liana Romulo, Joan Suyenaga and Marian Davies Toth Illustrations by Partick Yee I got it for P430.50. Original Price is P1,435. That&#

My 4-year old has been more cooperative in brushing his teeth ever since I told him the story about my two missing teeth. He now allows me to brush his teeth thoroughly and he is also getting pro in spitting. I blogged about my latest visit to the dentist here . This morning when he woke up, we had this conversation: TL#1: Mommy, what happened to your missing teeth? He wanted to hear the story again. Me: They were eaten by germs. They were filled with cavities so the dentist pulled them out. TL#1: But why, what did you do? You did not listen to your mommy? Me: Yes, I was hardheaded. I did not like to brush my teeth. TL#1: What did you say? Me: I said (imitating him) Waaah! No, I don't want to brush my teeth. I don't want to! TL#1: Me, I listen to you mommy. I brush my teeth. They are clean. See, I have 20 teeth! (And he opens his mouth wide to make his point) I hope he grows up with good habits on dental hygiene. At least (for now) he doesn't eat candies. I was not consciou

Our 4 year old had a sudden outburst the other day that left me in shock. Me: Don't hit your brother with the pillow. He's just a baby! TL#1: No, I want to kill him. I want him to die! Shucks! Me (as calmly as I could): No of course not. You don't mean that. Part of me was scared and wanted to deny what I heard. TL#1: No, I want to kill him. I was supposed to scold him and tell him that was a bad thing to say but I stopped myself. I realized I was not acknowledging his feelings. I was trying to invalidate them with my words. Good thing I read a few pages of the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk . The book gives the following first aid to help a child in distress: TO HELP WITH FEELINGS 1. Listen with full attention. 2. Acknowledge their feelings with a word - "Oh". . ."Mmm". . . "I see." 3. Give their feelings a name. Here's a sample illustration from the book (click to enlarge). 4. Give them their wishes in f

Malapit nang matapos ang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. At bilang paggunita sa kahalagahan ng pagmamahal sa sarili nating wika ay tatanghalin ang isang paligsahan sa eskwelahan ng aming panganay na anak. Para sa Junior Advanced Casa, ang paligsahan ay isahang pagbigkas ng tula at ang napiling tula ay:   Ang Huwarang Pamilya   Sa aming tahanan Buo ang pamilya Lubos na kasiyahan Aming nadarama Maaga pa lamang Iyong makikita Haligi ng tahanan Hayun nasa palayan Ilaw ng tahanan Laging nariyan Tunay na mapagmahal Maasikaso talaga Si kuya, si ate Maasahan din Masipag, magalang Magaling sa eskwela Itong aking pamilya Magandang huwaran Sa aking paglaki Sila ang tutularan    We have been egging TL#1 to memorize the poem. It's a bit of a struggle because we exposed him to the English language. Now, we're trying to help him learn to speak in Tagalog. He has already memorized the words but wouldn't listen and try to speak in the proper intonation. He apparently did not inherit my penchant f

Another reason I keep this blog is that I get to write down things about our kids as they grow up, details that I can't commit to memory because they may fade away as I grow old and senile. At least, some far away day, I have this blog to go back to. Our eldest, TL#1, is proving to be a smart kid. Something about the fruit not falling far from the tree. ;) Here are some of our conversations: Me: Oh no, it looks like it's going to rain hard! TL#1: Huh, why is it not going to rain easy? Wehehehe! Husband and TL#1 talking... Hubby: Please stop playing like that. You're too noisy! TL#1: Daddy, can you cover your ears? Can you hide? Hubby: But why? TL#1: Because I want to be loud! Before I go to work one day.... TL#1: Mommy, why do you have to go to work? Me: I need to earn money for you and baby. TL#1: But I don't want money! Mommy, please stay with me. While we were in the car driving... TL#1: Mommy, I look like but you don't have a t**** While in Zoobic Safari... TL#1

Initially, I was not inclined to throw a 1st birthday bash for our son. We were saving up for a future important expenditure and I thought TL#2 wouldn't even remember his party anyway so why bother? But then (shortly a month before), it got to me that our youngest is turning 1 year old once in a lifetime and it is worth a celebration. Plus, the husband shelled out the initial budget so why not. :) I'm not much of a party planner. I am an introvert and I do not like talking to strangers (weird me!). We settled for Fun Ranch (Ortigas) because of the party package they offer - venue, food, host, magician and photo booth supplier. Very convenient! It is a bit more expensive than when you DIY but I did not have the luxury of time, so. I first thought of Active Fun in Bonifacio Global City which is near our place and got their party package brochure. But I found the rates of Fun Ranch more reasonable. You may click on the images below for comparison. Active Fun Fun Ranch I almost f

It's Friday and my son bid me farewell today with this: Me: Bye baby. Mommy is going now. TL#1: Where are you going again mommy? Me: To work. TL#1: Why don't you work fast mommy? I'll give you my power of speed so you can work fast! He must really want me to come home early. At times like this, I feel a compelling need to find an 8 to 5 work. But is that the solution? When I was younger, before I became a teenager, I always looked forward to my Mama and Papa coming home from work. I like it more when they have pasubong but I was mostly content to have them home. Ah, the security of being with your parents! Then I became a teenager (with a boyfriend) and didn't care much anymore. That's why I want to squeeze as much memories and bonding moments with my kids at this stage in their life. Moms with older kids say that this stage is fleeting. There'll come a time that your children won't look for you anymore unless they want something. I believe in spending qual

Thanks Nanay, Tatay, Tita Allone, Tita Sherwin, and Amici, too for helping make TL#1's 4th birthday memorable. Our baby is now 4 years old, unbelievable! He wanted a dinosaur birthday party so we bought him an inflatable t-rex from Early Learning Centre . We now call it Theosaurus. He is so happy with his new best friend, who graced his impromptu party in his grandparents house in the province. He enjoyed playing with the other kids. He doesn't have regular playmates here back home. After the kids went home... TL#1: Mommy, why are the visitors gone? Me: Because the party is over. TL#1: But I don't want the party to be over. Gusto ko pa games! That shows how deprived he is of authentic playtime. Hopefully, this will change as soon as we transfer to our new home. Sometimes I feel for him because he does not experience in the city the kind of young play we had in the province when we were kids. But to be fair, he is also lucky in many ways. We hope he knows that. We were back

One of the things I want to tick off my bucket list is to read the bible from cover to cover. I have read all Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books, Hunger Games, Twilight Saga, Games of Throne and Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy, among others. It should have been an easy feat for me to finish reading the Bible. Last week while looking for anything dinosaur for TL#1 in Dash of Fun store in Greenbelt 5, I chanced upon the Veggie Tales Bible, the new international version made for kids ages 4 to 7 years old. It was a bit expensive at $24.99 but I did not hesitate much. I thought it was good idea for him and me to bond over and finish reading the Bible together. I was so excited to show it to TL#1 and he loved it! He couldn't wait for us to read the stories (verses). We slept past 11 pm that night because he doesn't want to put it down. He had lots of questions, too, which are sometimes difficult to answer and so I ask him back "what do you think?". We both learn as we go.

Apparently, my 3 year-old (soon turning 4) has been trying to call me in the office the whole day Tuesday. I couldn't be reached because I was out on client meeting and performance feedback discussions. Galit na daw siya sabi ng nakasagot! I hope he doesn't grow up too soon because i'll definitely miss these calls. "Mommy, I've been trying to call you all day. What were you doing?!?" "Mommy, please work fast fast fast. Then come home." "Mommy, why are you not working fast? I miss you." "Mommy, ate Lani (the yaya) is not listening to me!" "I love you mommy. See you later (tomorrow)!" And everyday, when he comes home from school at 10 in the morning, he goes to his daddy and says, Please ask my mommy to come home! And yesterday when I said I felt sick: You are sick Mommy. You should stay at home. See you after school. He loves it when we can't make it to the office. He is at that precious stage where he wants to spend

Our soon-to-be 4 year old is very much fascinated with dinosaurs! "Roarrrr! Groooowl! Mommy, I'm a dinosaur! I'm a carnivore, I only eat chicken (and maling, too)!" He's a big dinosaur fan. He knows dinosaur names from A to Z! He was so happy when we bought a dinosaur egg. He couldn't wait for it to hatch! Akala nya siguro lalaki talaga. (We bought the egg in blue magic. I've also seen some in National bookstore .) He was a wee bit disappointed when it did not grow as big as he imagined. His daddy also bought him 4m Glow in the dark mould and paint dinosaur in toy kingdom . He kept bugging his daddy to make the dinosaurs until his daddy reluctantly gave in. Ang kulit lang talaga! He could hardly wait for the mold to set in. Akyat-baba sa hagdan at panay ang tanong kung okay na daw ba. Umeskapo na ang daddy! So I was left with the daunting task of painting the dinosaur. I managed to paint one before I feigned fatigue and sleepiness. Spot the difference! Ha