Last week we received our sunglasses from Firmoo, and Lili and I are loving them. My sister received hers as well, and all of us in the family are loving them. At least two or three sunglasses are owned by each, my father and mother, as well as my sister. My brother chose a Turquoise sunglasses that looks elegant and sporty at the same time.  And it’s unisex, by the way.

My little girl owns that gold sunglasses above and mine is the one below. Actually, that’s just one of the many sunglasses that has been added in my collection. Again, thank you so much Firmoo. I love them all. I love how they hug the face, regardless of facial shape.

I just met the worst mom in the world. Yeah, yeah.. I know that is quite a statement there. But I just feel that she is doing the worst thing to her kid to be overly protective, to the point that the child misses out on so may things, challenges and activities that could help her to become a better person in the future. I mean, sure, we have to protect our children from harm, but protecting them from learning from mistakes is a different thing. Either they turn up to become parasites in the future or they lose self worth, and no longer live according to the challenges that they will face, but according to how the parent wills it. They can live to become wall flowers and not really do anything except act nice and smile. Duh..

I would rather that my child make mistakes, hurt herself with simple cuts and bruises by trying to reach for something, or choose wrong colors. These things are easy to correct. But lay down everything as easily for them, and they live like zombies in the future. I swear, I love my daughter’s independence– sometimes, and I see that someday, she may not need me for things she can already do for herself. But then, I am always assured that she will tell me about them.. Over protecting our children is cutting off their limbs and making them dependent on us. That is way too wrong. Overprotecting them is fighting their fights, instead of them standing up for themselves.

Every weekend, since my parents moved to a new place,which is 10 minutes away from the beach, we have grilled fresh fish for breakfast on early Saturday or Sunday mornings. I just love how the beach and fresh seafood matches so perfectly. Today however, Lili and I missed the opportunity to go there with my sister because I have tons of work to finish. But as I go through each page at www.grillsdirect.com, I can not help but wish we went with them yesterday afternoon. If only the internet connection in Opol is good, I wouldn’t miss out on our weekend activities. I just had a bad experience two weekends that passed, for while we were there enjoying, and I was supposed to finish some tasks too, the internet just slowed and stopped, without mercy. So when we came back here at the pad, it was already past my deadline, and I missed being paid. Good thing they were credited in the next pay, so it was good enough. But now that enrollment fever is here, and so much stuff need to be purchased, I couldn’t miss being paid on time.

I guess these are just some sacrifices that we need to do for our kids’ sake.. But Lili can actually go with them, I never asked her to stay behind too. But she decided to be with me. At least she has the television to hug for the weekend. I thank God for that..

I was thinking of homeschooling Lili this school year, but then again, I opted to enroll her in the same school as last year. I will give the teachers a chance this year, and I know that she will have a different set of teachers this time. No tuition fee increase, but still, it’s expensive. Anyway, with Lili’s grades and all, I wouldn’t hesitate to spend for her education in a private school that is one of the best in the city. True, I had problems with some teachers last school year, as I didn’t like some of them and the way they teach, but I was told that grade 2 teachers are better that the grade 1 teachers. Also, I was told that the Math teacher was advised to resign, so I think they are really doing their best to have quality teachers. Lazy teachers are evaluated and well, advised to resign. That’s good to know, so we’ll see if things will go smoothly this year.. Orientation will be on June 6 yet and classes start formally on June 11 yet.

With the implementation of the K + 12 program of the Department of Education, it will take another 2 years in high school before Lili can go to college, unless of course, there’s an acceleration program that she can apply in and get promoted in school year level. Although she’s quite far from that, I am already thinking of how much more we should spend because of the said program implemented by the Dep Ed. If you ask me, it’s not really a good program for private schools, but for public schools only. Not that I am indifferent with public school education. It’s just that, I have had students who were already in high school and even college, and they do not even know how to read, spell, pronounce and write properly. Things that are actually basic. In private schools, Kindergarten is a must, so that’s not really a problem. But the 2 years added in high school is quite questionable. It’s NOT added years that we need, but quality teachers and modern facilities, for the students to be able to compete globally. Sadly, there are many mediocre and lazy teachers than competitive ones around.. Competitive teachers can only be counted by the fingers, and that’s quite sad. Some really good teachers, because of the sad economic challenges in our country, would rather go abroad and work there, if only to support their families..

Summer is not only fun for my little girl. It is also the time for teaching her to be responsible with household chores that’s more challenging that what she already knew. For example, at this time, she has learned the art of folding clothes that are small — her undergarments, skirts, shorts, socks and some shirts. She has also learned the art of keeping a clean and comfortable bed, as well as cooking rice. At six, she gets to learn these things so that she can practice and gain confidence in doing them in the future. Although that isn’t her daily task, as I have limited her to keeping her toys and things in order, still, I am happy to see the interest so that sometimes, when she volunteers to do them, we do them side by side. Then of course, I inject lessons and some precautions, which I hope she will take to heart even more, as they can best be applied in everything else in life. Keeping the environment clean, and keeping a worry free mind, they go hand in hand. I guess in the future, I do not want my daughter to worry about finding cures, settling down, looking for K&N oxygen sensor, finding the best person to do what she can actually do, and many others.

A responsible adult starts from a well trained child who is open to the idea that  he or she need to know many things to live a better life. At least she doesn’t need to call on anyone to do things for her in the future. Or be someone else’s burden as she will grow older. Not that she will be a burden to me, but we all know that as parents, we will feel better knowing that our children will survive challenges and solve problems on their own, rather than they depend on other people to surpass them.

My aunt shared to us a really yummy dessert recipe. It’s nutritious and kids surely loved it. The flavors are milk and chocolate in one gelatin infused dessert made from real milk and chocolate. When cooled, it tastes better than ice cream actually..

The house is the place where we relax. From the living room to the kitchen, the house must have all qualities for relaxation. A huge comfortable couch in the living room, recliners in the patio, comfy beds to match one’s preferences in the bedrooms, WellnessMats in the kitchen and lounging couches too. But the kids, in order for them to relax, need to simply run around and play. Ah… kids..

We just had a summer at the beach, which was actually unexpected. It’s a beach outing cum historical tour in one. The other Sunday, we went to Mazaua, the entry point of Magellan and his fleet when he came the first time in the Philippines, and Mazaua is where the first Catholic mass happened too.

Well, it was relaxing alright. Plus it rained in the middle of it.. But I think one day relaxation is not enough for the summer heat. The heat alone is unbearable, and seemingly alarming, as it somehow leads to heat stroke and more discomfort…

Holyweek is a time for Benignit. However, Holy Week 2012 didn’t allow us to make Benignit, simply because of preparation time and the number of people who wish to eat them.. In short, we bought the RED bilo-bilo for nothing..

But on Maundy Thursday, however, we had to go to our parent’s house, and helped cook for the Feast of San Vicente Ferrer. I did the two salads, namely, Macaroni and Fruit Salad. They were both creamy. Adults liked them, but the kids didn’t. The next week, after the Holy Week, we went home to my apartment and brought all the food we prepared to the apartment, including what remains of the salads. And guess what. We actually added the bilo bilo to the fruit salad and above photo is how good looking the salad became after adding the RED balls. With the new sight, the kiddies started to like the salad too, and asked for more. I guess it has become more appealing that adults who take seriously every apidextra review has also indulged with the creamy fruit salad..

To while away from boredom, the kids did some jump shots.. I will show you this image only, but in my file here in this lappy, I have tons already.. All that in just one afternoon.. I guess you could say, they were really excited to start their summer that they started it with jump shots..

I normally do not carry money with me when I go out. Not until I can decide where I should go, what to buy and so on and so forth. Electronic payment has been the trend, and it actually makes life better and safer. Unfortunately, there are still stores who do it the old fashioned way. No POS, no nothing. So customers pay in cash, and risk being robbed if ever they bring more than how much they actually need. If this is the case, and that is the only store to get what I need, so I then proceed to an ATM withdrawal. I usually take only what’s necessary, since I can always swipe at the nearest grocery with POS..

But here is a packet of goodies that I didn’t have to buy. The money came from the kiddies. They used their coins saved from fare change that they ask from me, hahaha..

On the other hand, I was asked to buy this ice cream..  And how can I resist when it’s chocolate truffle..

Although I didn’t have cash with me that time, the kids knew I have my card.. Kids these days, really know how to get what they want even without being overly persuasive…