Joyful Life, Occasions and Movies

DON’T LET AN OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:31:00 +0000

I’m feeling melancholic today. I just got back from the hospital. The result of the blood test shows I have high blood and high cholesterol. The good doctor said that explains my neck and back pain for more than two weeks now. I was given three medicines to be taken three times a day.

When I reached home, I slept. And when I woke up, saw my five year old twin kids Julia and Rafael having snack. I joined them. After eating, my daughter approached me, “Mommy can I wash the dishes?” I wasn’t paying much attention to her. My mind was wandering with my new found high blood and high cholesterol. Julia continued, “why don’t you teach me to wash dishes so when I grow up I know how to”. I snapped out of my gloominess!

You see, when Julia was four years old she was asking me how to draw a star the proper way. I did not teach her because she was already drawing a star, but not the way an adult does it. Hers is made out of five triangle on the outside and an almost pentagon shape inside. One day after coming from school, Julia showed me a star properly drawn; the way an adult does it. She was beaming with pride, “Mom, do you know who made it?” I asked politely, “Who drew it, it’s nice.”. Julia gladly said, “I did it mom! Teacher Aid Sally taught me how to do it.”. Every now and then, when a visitor comes around, Julia always shows her drawings, and never forget to tell them that…“Teacher Aid Sally taught me how to do it.”.

The next scene was of course the sight of a mother teaching her daughter how to wash the dishes the way an adult does it. It took my daughter more than 20 minutes to finish washing 4 glasses, 2 plates, 3 spoons, 3 forks, 2 cups and 2 bowls, but it was worth the time, my time!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR DISADVANTAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:21:00 +0000

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR DISADVANTAGE

I’m agonizing for 12 days now, I have a bad case of stiff neck and lower back pain. I dread the coming of night time, I feel like I’m turning into a vampire! Seriously speaking, I do not like to sleep although sleeping before this 12 days came was my favorite time of the day. Why? If I lie down, I won’t be able to stand up without crawling nor without my husband’s help…without my kids’ cheering and encouragement. Yes, the kids are aware of my situation. They hear my never ending groan of pain! Ouch here and ouch there. On my ninth day in this excruciating situation, I overheard my son Rafael saying, “why does she keeps on saying ouch?”. My son was wondering because whenever my kids have fever, bruises, teething or whatever ouchy situation I’d tell them, “do not mind your ouchy, it will go away. If you mind it, it will mind you and it won’t go away. Your ouchy will say, I like to stay here, he/she likes me...yada yada yada.”. For the first few days whenever I blurt ‘Ahh’, my kids will say, “do not mind your ouchy, it will go away. If you mind it, it will mind you and it won’t go away.”. Yes my kids (even my 2 year old son Juan) say these words to me, the way I say it to them.

Rafael’s question awakened my senses. He was wondering why I do not practice what I preach to them. So on the day I overheard Rafael’s wondering question, I bought eight books. You see, I haven’t been reading novels since I gave birth to my twin kids (2002). I read parenting magazines, do crossword puzzles, anything easy to finish.

And on my ninth night in this unbearable situation, I finished 2 novels. My husband and kids have slept better, there wasn’t any mommy groaning. In the morning, the pain is still there but I feel better knowing that when the night fall, I will not dread it instead I welcome it because I have something to look forward to.

Bratz™ Cyber Style Laptop

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:32:00 +0000

Our friend Shiloh gave our daughter Bratz™ Cyber Style Laptop last December. I like this toy a lot. It has 100 educational games. My daugter, her two brothers and I enjoyed learning whiule playing. Check it out, you might like it too!

FEATURES:

This laptop is packed with tons of school time activities. This real-looking learning device now includes a backlit LCD screen and features updated graphics and sounds. The real-sized keyboard makes learning much cooler! Answer questions ranging from math and spelling to music and fashion! This lightweight and stylin' portable learning tool is sure to entertain and instruct for hours on end!
Includes:
• Bratz™ Cyber Style Laptop
• Computer Mouse
Features:
• 11 Game Categories: Spelling, Art, Science, Geography, Grammar, Music, Vocabulary, Spanish, Math, Writing, Mind Benders, Touch Typing and Study Break Games
• 75 Activities
• Over 170 Levels of Game Play!
• Emphasis on Foreign Language Instruction
• 9 Foreign Language Activities!
• Large High-Resolution Screen
• Bratz™ 4-Level Gray Scale Graphics
• Full-Sized Qwerty Keyboard
• Ergonomic Mouse Made for Child's Hand
• Multi-Channel Sound and Music
• Bratz™ Screensavers
• Headphone Jack
• NEW! Built-In Handle for Portability!
• NEW! Backlit Screen for Easier Viewing!
• Battery Requirements: 4 x AA Batteries (Included)
*Features and Accessories May Vary

Bratz Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:30:00 +0000

My sister gave my daughter, Julia, Bratz DVD. Julia liked the DVD so much, that she watches the movie on and on and on…Here’s more, even my two year old son, Juan, liked the DVD a lot. Now Juan’s favorite expression is that of The Reining Queen of Fashion (one of the characters in Bratz) “mother of pink”.

START YOUR DAY RIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:52:00 +0000

1. Take one cup of warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice or ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
2. Take a refreshing shower with warm water.
3. Use an exfoliating scrub with eucalyptus and peppermint oils (three drops of each with three tablespoons of olive coco virgin or almond oil). Add three tablespoons of salt if you don’t have a loofah or scrub glove.
4. Shower with cold water.
5. Jump three times before you get dressed.
6. Affirmation: “I am alive, well and joyful.” Love and light.

Excerpted from: “How To Get Well” by Dr. Zolthan B. Rona, “Alkalanized Or Die” by Dr. Theodore Baroody, “Water Detox” by Jane Scrivner

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:28:00 +0000

I grew up in a traditional home where my father works and my mother stayed home to care for us: 6 children and all.

I remember at an early age of 10, told myself that I will never be like my mother; who never had a formal career but chose to have a small business just so she could stay home and be with us. I envied my classmates who tell that their moms work in a bank and other big companies. From then on I vowed not to follow my mom’s path.

In college, I was on my own, being a working student. After graduating with a degree in AB Psychology I worked as an HR Assistant in a Recruitment Company, a month before my regularization I resigned….I was not happy. Next job was in a Telecom company as an Administrative Asst., after almost 2 years I resigned….I was not happy. I’ve been in many different companies…still I was not happy. I married in 2000 and got pregnant in 2002. My sisters (who are stay-at-home moms) told me to resign as soon as they learned I was carrying twins. I did not because I never wanted to be like my mom. Two months after I gave birth I went back to work. But each day, I grew restless and eventually I was unhappy at work again. I finally resigned from work in 2003. Staying home everyday is what I dreaded since I was 10 yrs old. But slowly, I find myself becoming more relax, happy and contented as I see my twin kids growing up. Bathing them, feeding them and playing with them soothe my soul. It has been 5 years since my last job, I found out that following my mom’s path is not a bad idea after all. I now have 3 kids to take care of; the tasks are getting bigger but surely life at home is getting sweeter and happier. I am now into party hosting and coordination. I am also part time insurance agent. I get to enjoy work and my kids at the same time. My children are my priority, I do my part time jobs on a weekend.

In 1993 my mom passed away at an early age of 43 due to kidney failure. I learned many things from my mother like the art of forgiveness and the art of asking for forgiveness She was a very compassionate woman, generous and humble. She once said to me that life too short not to enjoy life. She taught me to live life fully, to love more, to give more. But most of all I learned to spend quality time to my children. My mom died early but I truly believe she lived her life fully.

I salute all the mothers who stick to their jobs and have flourishing careers but I don’t envy them anymore. I have found the career I was looking for: A full time mother, a wife, a party host, a friend, a daughter, a sister…and all.

IRONMAN MOVIE REVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:31:00 +0000

Plot/Synopsis:

Ironman is all about changes… remember the saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” that’s what Tony stark, played brilliantly by Robert Downey Jr., realizes after a life changing event that happened to him on a business trip in the war infested region of the middle east. After a successful presentation and on his way back, his convoy was ambushed by rebels and during the assault his chest was pierced with shrapnel from a weapon manufactured by his company used by the rebels.

He is recovered and rehabilitated by the rebels with a help from another captured scientist. Using electromagnets to keep himself alive, stark was forced to recreate a missile system to be used by the said rebels, but Tony has other plans, with the resources given to him he was able to create a suit of armor that would help him escape from his captors. And escape he did, the armor built was a tank on two legs! It is impervious to bullets and has a weapon system of its own; with it he escaped and later was rescued by his best friend and confidant jim Rhodes soon to be war machine.

Upon his return stateside, he had an epiphany… realizing that his manufactured weapons was being sold to the wrong people, he made a public statement to turn in a new leaf, this puts him at odds with his business partner Jebadiah Stane, then again Stark industries is know for its weapons development and not for its humanitarian side.

Tony continued developing his armor, and here is where the fun begins, the audience is treated to some light hearted moments as tony time and again goofs around his sentient machineries. Like a boy with a new toy, he tests and plays with the armor, perfecting its flaws.

Pepper Potts played by the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow, portrayed the character very well. Potts, tony’s secretary/executive assistant provided the love interest and the conscience to tony whenever he needed one.

Action is a plenty, as we are treated to different scenarios to appreciate the effectiveness of the ironman suit i.e. a battle with a group of rebels raiding a village, after which was followed by a sparring sequence with two raptor jets. Like I said Ironman is all about changes, from a cold hearted businessman to caring and courageous superhero in the red and gold armor, tony stark has made this transitions and found his true self in the process.

The movie is a fresh take on the ironman mythos that you may have grown up with in the comics, but it does not stray too far from its origins. Giving old audiences as well as new ones to jump in and enjoy what the comic industry can bring to the silver screen when done correctly!

Director: Jon Favreau

Writer: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby

Casts: Robert Dwney Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, etc...

MULTIPLICITY MOVIE, 1996

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:41:00 +0000

Last night my 3 kids (ages 5 and 2) are fighting over who gets mommy first. The three of them have different rituals at night during bedtime. My youngest son at 2 is still breastfeeding (that makes him sleep, of course!). Rafael’s back has to be scratched, and Julia needs to be hugged.

There are baby lotion available that the kids can use like
California Baby Calming Everyday Lotion or
Johnson's Bedtime Lotion . Baby lotion soothes the baby to sleep.

I was having difficulty since I only have 2 hands and a body. So, I asked them if they want mommy to make another 2 just like me. That’s when I remembered the movie Multiplicity…I had to explain to them what cloning is. They understood the concept, and Rafael immediately ignored the idea of having her mom cloned, because in his own words, “we will have a hard time knowing who the real you”. To make the long story short, they opted to wait for baby Juan to sleep first and then I hugged Julia while scratching Rafael’s back.

Multiplicity is very entertaining and funny! This film started out a bit slow but got funnier as it went by. Watch the movie and you’ll forget how hard it is to have just one you!

Director: Harold Ramis

Writer : Chris Miller

Release Date: 17 July 1996

Genre: Comedy/Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Plot: Construction worker Doug Kinney finds that the pressures of his working life, combined with his duties to his wife Laura and daughter Jennifer leaves him with little time for himself. However, he is approached by geneticist Dr. Owen Leeds who offers him a rather unusual solution to his problems - cloning. himself duplicated.

Casts:
Michael Keaton
Andie Macdowell
Zach Duhame
Katie Schlossberg
Harris Yulin
Richard Masur
Eugene Levy, etc..

Nivea Baby Lotion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:50:00 +0000

Just like me my youngest son has a very dry and sensitive skin. I’ve tried a lot of baby lotions out there in the market, after 2 years of long search, I came across Nivea Baby Lotion, it smells so good! My son’s skin is responding positively on the lotion. I used the same lotion nowadays too. Try Nivea Baby Lotion, you might also like it.

EVERDAY ALPHABET

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:38:00 +0000

EVERDAY ALPHABET

Next year I will be enrolling my 2 year old son, Juan, in pre-school that’s why everyday I make it a point to sing at least two alphabet songs, for him to familiarize with it.

Here’s Juan’s rendition of the Alphabet Song:

A, B, C, D, F, I, G,H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, everyday, W, X, Y, & Z.

It’s amazing how this song uplift my mood whenever Juan sings it. How about your children’s alphabet song?

OF LITTLE CHILDREN…

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:19:00 +0000

My nephews and nieces stayed in our place for over a week. Aside from my 3 kids, it’s fun having kids around…children are the most wonderful creation of God…when my husband and I spend time with them it’s as if life is so full…full of laughter…full of joy…full of life. Kids are transparent, they say it when they are hungry, sleepy or tired so it is very easy to have them around.

We brought all of them, 8 kids, ages 2 – 11, in different places. My husband made a game out of animal alphabet. This is a fun way to ease boredom during long trips. Here are some funny answers we got from them:

A – Antenna
C – Cebra
E – Egg
H – Hamper
I – Igloo
M – Mommy (from my 2 year old son, Juan)
N – Nemo

HOOK Movie (1991)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:57:00 +0000

USER COMMENTS:
This is a movie worth watching for parents like me. Sometimes we get so busy dealing with a lot of things, responsibilities and relationship that we often forget the little things that matters most to our children, our time and attention. Remember this: Your kids will remember times spent with you no matter what activities you do together.

Plot Outline/Synopsis:

When Capt. Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy. Peter Pan is now an adult and a parent. He is a successful lawyer who has virtually ignored his children and his wife because of his heavy workload and his constantly ringing cell phone. Peter never makes it to his son's baseball games, and is seemingly attached to his cell phone. They all go on a Christmas trip to see Granny Wendy while Peter makes some attempt to reconnect to his family. Before you know it, Captain Hook has kidnapped Peter's kids to Never-Never Land while the pint-sized Tinker Bell wakes Peter up since he is unaware of his past exploits to save his kids.

Director : Steven Spielberg

Writers: (Books/Play) J.M. Barrie

Release Date: December 11, 1991

Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy
Awards: Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations
Casts: Dustin Hoffman/Julia Roberts/Robin Williams/Bob Hoskins/
Maggie Smith, etc…

MY LIFE MOVIE, 1993

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:24:00 +0000

This film is one which really makes us sit back and evaluate our lives and our relationships with those we love. This was shown in 1993, the same year that my mother died. This is still a superb piece of movie making with winning performances from all the cast and a wonderful script, and should be watched every now and again to remind us that life is too short for hatred. This is one of those movies that comes along and knocks you to the floor by absolute surprise. Sad to say, this is the most underrated film I have ever seen.

Too often we take this incredible gift of life for granted. We rush around as if we have forever. We often fail to recognize and acknowledge the simple things in life, our home, family, friends, and health. Appreciation of life reminds you to be kind, humble, generous, and to take frequent moments to stop and smell the roses.

Synopsis:

A story about a career man who is struck down by terminal cancer while his wife is expecting their first child. The film then charts his efforts to make a video tape, for his unborn child, of his life and then discovers that it is not what it should be. With the help of a spiritual healer and his wife he sets about trying to set things right with his family and his life.

Details: My Life Movie was directed and written by Bruce Joel Rubin. Genre is drama and rated PG 13. It was released November 12, 1993.

The main casts of My Life movie are Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman, Queen Latifah, Bradley Whitford, Michael Constantine, Toni Sawyer and Mark Lowenthal among others.

JUST A LITTLE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:18:00 +0000

Yesterday I was watching the Today Show when they featured a very touching story that really says what giving means.

This is a story of a man who used to be vice president in a bank until he got hooked on drugs. Many people turn their back on him, except for his wife who continuously sent him to rehabilitation hoping that he will wake up from this nightmare.

When the man eventually recovered, he made a vow to help those who needed help the most. Every weekend he feed the homeless, and sometimes he brings these homeless people to places that they cannot go to like Disneyland. The man has helped a lot already and he says that he does the helping with just a little amount, giving time and lending ears to are far more important.

The host of the show said this before ending the featured story… “You don’t need a lot to be able to help…joy will lead you back to hope.”

THINK IN TERMS OF MY CHILD, MY TEACHER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:39:00 +0000

THINK IN TERMS OF MY CHILD, MY TEACHER

The idea is to see your child not so much as an extension of yourself but instead as a human being who is here to teach you about certain aspects of life that no one else possibly could. Regardless of their ages, our children are our best teachers. They have the capacity to teach us some of the most important lessons in life - things like patience, unconditional love, mutual respect, creative problem solving, accepting the inevitability of change, and taking life as it comes. On a day-to-day, moment-to-moment basis, our children are providing us with experience after experience, almost always with the potential to teach us something of lasting value.
(Excerpts from Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family by Richard Carlson, Ph. D.)

USER COMMENTS:

I just read the above topic and certainly nothing is truer than having your child/children teach you valuable lessons in life. Let me share you my personal experience that happened last night:

Rafael: Mommy can we can go back to my friend Rafael’s house?
Me: Who’s Rafael?
Rafael: My friend who has a big bike and a car.
Me: I can’t remember, what’s his mommy’s name?
Rafael: I can’t remember also, but I really like to go back to their house, and play there, because Rafael is my friend and I have fun when I play with him.
Me: …thinking…guessing…thinking…guessing…
Rafael: We went to their house, and we played with Rafael’s big car while you talk with his mom.
Me: Ahhh, I know that’s Luis Rafayel!

The story does not end there…you see, the mother of Luis Rafayel is a friend of mine whom I have not talk to for over a year but prior to the conversation with my son, I kept on thinking and wondering how my friend is doing. The lesson I have learned from my son is completely letting go of the hurt so that true healing follows. After this writing, I truly hope that whatever disagreement I had with my friend will be put behind the past.

CARS Movie (2006)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:35:00 +0000

USER COMMENTS:

I’ve watched this movie for a hundred of times. Aside from the fact that my son Rafael likes cars a lot, it’s nice to see this movie because it gives me an easier task in explaining to my children the importance of working hand in hand with other people. At age 5, my twin kids has understanding of what teamwork and true friendship means.

Directors: John Lasseter
Joe Ranft
Writers: John Lasseter
Joe Ranft
Genre: Sport/Comedy/Animation/Family

Plot Outline:
A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family.

Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 19 nominations

Casts: Owen Wilson
Paul Newman
Michael Keaton
Bonnie Hunt
Larry The Cable Guy
Cheech Marin
Tony Shalhoub
Guido Quaroni
Jenifer Lewis
Paul Dooley
Michael Wallis
George Carlin
Katherine Helmond, etc…

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:35:00 +0000

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

USER COMMENT:
I must admit that I misjudged this movie. When I saw the trailer I never expected it to be a good one. I'm not a chocolate lover, I didn't see a connection with this movie, only to find out that there's more to it. Johnny Depp of course is such a fine actor. I always see him as a handsome and cool guy, that is why it gives me that smile how they made him look funny and convincing as Willy Wonka. I particularly like the moral values they injected in it. Overall, both parents and kids will have fun watching Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

Plot Outline/ Synopsis:

A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker. This is a story of an ordinary little boy named Charlie Bucket. He was not faster, or stronger, or more clever than other children. His family was not rich or powerful or well-connected; in fact, they barely had enough to eat. Charlie Bucket was the luckiest boy in the entire world. He just didn't know it yet.

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: Roald Dahl (book)
John August (screenplay)
Release Date: 3 August 2005 (Philippines)

Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Family/Fantasy

Rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.

Awards: Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 31 nominations

Casts:
Johnny Depp
Freddie Highmore
David Kelly
Helena Bonham Carter
Noah Taylor
Missi Pyle
James Fox
Deep Roy
Christopher Lee
Adam Godley
Jordan Fry
Anna Sophia Robb, etc.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE Party (Outdoor) – for Girls 1 to 7 years old

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:55:00 +0000

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE Party (Outdoor) – for Girls 1 to 7 years old

My friend’s daughter will be celebrating her 1st birthday on March 3. I’m helping with all the preparation. Everybody say that I’m more excited and tensed than the parents of the birthday girl. I like parties because these are happy times when family and friends meet. Preparing for occasions like this keeps me active; doing it for people that matter to me makes the job all the more fun!

Invitation:

Materials: strawberry shortcake themed card, glittered pens, and strawberry shortcake stickers.

I hand-printed all the details on the invites and put sticker outside the envelope instead of glue.

Games:
1. Longest Happy Birthday
2. Paper Dance
3. Bring Me
4. Treasure Hunt

Loot Bags: My friend bought paper sandwich bag and we put assorted candies, strawberry shortcake stickers and button pins. I printed the thank you tags and we decorated the bag with strawberry shortcake stickers.

Clearance Costumes & Party Supplies at BuyCostumes.com

OVER THE HEDGE - 2006

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:04:00 +0000

OVER THE HEDGE

USER COMMENTS:
My whole family watched Over the Hedge last year but I didn’t understand a thing. Why? I slept in the movie house. This is becoming a bad habit, so my husband said next time they will not bring me anymore. Since then I fought off my sleepiness.

Finally when this movie came out in DVD, my husband bought because the kids really like this one. They have watched this movie over a hundred times now, but every time they watch this, I seem to be sleeping. Finally today, I was able to finish it!

I find the movie funny but there are scenes that I particularly don’t agree on. I suggest parents watch this with their kids so that they can explain to them that some scenes must not be copied/done at all.

PLOT/SYNOPSIS:

A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating...and learns a lesson about family himself

Director: Tim Johnson & Karey Kirkpatrick

Composer: Rupert Gregson-Williams

CASTS:
Bruce Willis
Steve Carell
Garry Shandling
Wanda Sykes
William Shatner
Nick Nolte
Allison Janney
Thomas Hayden Church
Eugene Levy
Catherine O’Hara
Avril Lavigne etc.

Rated PG for some rude humor and mild comic action.

Genre: Children's

DINOSAUR PARTY ---for boys 2 to 7 years old

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:11:00 +0000

We celebrated my youngest son, Juan, first birthday in a restaurant. Everything turned out fine, of course because I was the one who prepared everything! The only disaster was that the food was served late!!! I was so ashamed with the guests that I sulked for a month!

This year I’ve decided to give my son a small party but nevertheless a happy one. The venue is in our house. The theme is dinosaur. I started with the invitation (of course, it has to have a dinosaur print. Since our place is small, I divided the guests to be invited in three groups/batches. First batch at 3 pm (friends from school); second batch at 5pm (neighbors); third batch at 7pm (relatives).

For the loot bags, I made a bag using glossy brochures. I put candies, biscuits, small toys, coloring books and crayons inside. I decorated the paper bag with curling ribbon and a plastic dinosaur toy (which you can buy in bulk).

I ordered three cakes (in different flavors) and decorated it myself with plastic dinosaur toy (much cheaper than buying a ready made dinosaur cake). Make sure the toy is lead free before placing it on the cake though.

Games:

1. Pin the tail on the dinosaur (pin the tail on the donkey). I had my kids’ dinosaur coloring book photocopied. I cut the tail of the dinosaur and pinned the paper on the wall (must be eye level with the kids).

2. Dinosaur Race. I bought 2 wind-up dinosaur toys. The game is much like a car race.

3. Match the Dino. I bought dinosaur flashcards. Told the kids to look carefully on the dinosaur flashcards posted on the wall. And I made them find the one that matches the dinosaur I was holding.

My husband decorated our ceiling with crepe paper and the walls with some balloons. I scattered Dino flashcards on top of the dining table.

On the center table, we placed several dinosaur plastic toys and egg-shaped chocolates.

Clearance Costumes & Party Supplies at BuyCostumes.com

VANTAGE POINT MOVIE - 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:25:00 +0000

VANTAGE POINT

Plot/Synopsis:

Set in Salamanca, Spain, during an international counterterrorism summit, Vantage Point depicts an assassination attempt on the president of the United States from the perspective of five witnesses.

I was left wondering what happened to Sigourney Weaver's character, because besides her opening segment and two small background appearances, she's quickly forgotten. It’s a waste of talent, knowing that Weaver is such a fine actress.

I got irritated, not by the movie, but because there was a group of women who kept on talking! Before the movie started, there was a reminder to turn celphone off and to not make noise. Gee, some people are still stupid not to adhere to rules!

Director: Pete Travis

Casts:
Dennis Quaid
Matthew Fox
Howard Lewis
Bruce McGill
Edgar Ramirez
Saïd Taghmaoui
Ayelet Zurer
Zoe Saldana
Sigourney Weaver
William Hurt
James LeGros
Eduardo Noriega
Richard T. Jones
Holt McCallany
Leonardo Nam

Genre: Action/Thriller/Drama

Rated PG-13: Violence, disturbing images, language

DIRTY TALK

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:14:00 +0000

My twin kids, Julia nad Rafael are in Kinder School. One day Rafael was so happy to announce that he already have a crush. This conversation with my son Rafael happened a few months ago...

Rafael : You know Mommy my crush in kinder 1 is Sarah.

Me: Oh, and why do you like her?

Rafael: Because me and Sarah, we talk about dirty things.

Me: (Gasps in horror! But I managed to ask my son... Ok what dirty things do you talk about?

Rafael: Sarah told me that her baby brother likes swimming in a dirty water. And I told her that when I was a baby I poopoo in our car and in our bed, and our floor, that's why our things got dirty.

Cutest Story from a two year old boy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:06:00 +0000

It is my tradition to tell stories to my children before we go to sleep. These are stories I made up to teach them lessons in life. I often use animals as the main character. I already have Lizzie the Lazy Lizard, The Mouse etc.

Last night, my two-year old son, Juan, butt in while I was telling them a story...

Juan: I have a story.

Me: Ok. What story do you have?

Juan: About a snake.

Me: Ok, tell us about your story.

Juan: One day there was a snake...(he paused)...The End...By Juan...

We had the biggest laugh of that night. Certainly, kids are so amazing!

Click here for high quality personalized children's books

Click here to order "My Very Own Name", a personalized children's book

JUMPER 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:11:00 +0000

JUMPER

I went to see this movie today with my husband. We were not able to go on a date last Valentine’s Day (no one to leave the kids with, everybody seem busy!). I’m not much into this kind of movie but since there’s no other movie to watch, we went to see it. Lesson learned from this movie: that anything that man does have consequences…you can choose to be good because in the end you reap what you sow..

Plot/Synopsis: A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.

Director: Doug Liman

Cast: Hayden Christensen, Samuel Jackson, Diane Lane, Jamie Bell, Michael Rooker, Rachel Bilson, Anna Sophia Robb, Max Thieriot etc.
Genre: Adventure/Drama/Sci-Fi
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

FOREVER YOUNG

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:59:00 +0000

This is the very first movie I watched with my then boyfriend John (we’ve been married since year 2000), the year was 1993. How time flies; eight years of blissful marriage with 3 kids, and still this movie is my all time favorite. It is also becoming a favorite of my children.

Today is Valentine’s Day so I’m sharing to you this movie that makes me believe that love finds a way. Watch it with your special someone.

Plot/Synopsis: A 1939 test pilot asks his best friend to use him as a guinea pig for a cryogenics experiment. Daniel McCormick wants to be frozen for a year so that he doesn't have to watch his girlfriend lying in a coma. The next thing Daniel knows is that he's been awoken in 1992.

Writer: Rob Hartill
Director: Steve Miner
Casts: Mel Gibson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Elijah Wood, Isabel Glasser, Joe Morton, George Wendt, Nicolas Surovy etc..
Genre: Romance/Drama/Adventure/Comedy/Sci-fi
Rated PG for some language and domestic conflict