my baby rj

have basement, no heat stroke

2012-05-22T11:20:00.001+08:00

It’s more hot this year than the previous summer. This time last year it was already raining everyday. May was wet last year. Dry, hot and very humid this year. Our house is concrete, except for the separate dirty kitchen which is a nipa hut, so I can stand staying in the living room without the electric fan turned full blast.

But I have this one solution whenever the heat becomes unbearable, I stay in the basement. The architect who designed the house is a genius when he included a basement in the blueprint. i should buy bean bag chairs next time we go to the mall. My son and niece use the extra mattress from my mom’s room whenever they want to stay in the basement. They be more comfortable sitting on small chairs when they are in the mood to paint or draw.

behind is stairs leading to the basement

So if you want to not feel hot during summer months, add a basement room in your house next time you renovate. It should be a spacious room with lots of windows though.

summer activity for kids: guitar lessons

2012-05-22T10:18:00.001+08:00

RJ is again taking guitar lessons this summer break. He finished a few days of piano and guitar lessons last year. But completely forgot everything he learned when we got back in Manila. He doesn’t have a piano in the house and he only learned a few basic chords in guitar so it was understandable that he lost interest and didn’t even tried to practice those few chords.

So this summer break I asked him if he wants to enroll in piano, guitar or both. He chose guitar lessons.

He can now play “I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane”. Although he’s still a bit slow in changing chords, I’m glad that he’s not wasting his summer break by just playing computer and handheld games.

Queen Elizabeth’s Visit to the Philippines

2012-05-09T11:38:00.001+08:00

Queen Elizabeth has visited 116 countries but has never been, not even once, to the Philippines? She has done state visits to different Asian countries but the Queen probably doesn't know that "It's More Fun in the Philippines!". I wonder if it’s more fun in Iran, she has been there twice already.

Maybe she's looking for a hotel just like those listed at Orlandovacationhotels.com but those hotels, in my opinion, are not as elegant as Manila’s 5-star hotels. But I'm no queen so we probably don't have the same taste.

Traffic in EDSA is not fun

2012-05-01T11:46:00.001+08:00

I saw this picture on twitter. Although it seems hilarious at first glance, it doesn't exactly show that "It's more fun in the Philippines ". A first-time tourist should know that EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) should be avoided at all times, during traffic and non-traffic hours.

I avoid travelling thru EDSA not just because of the traffic. Look at the picture, the motorcycle and bus behaviors -all true. EDSA bus drivers overspeed all the time without any thought of causing an accident. They only care about getting first in line on that bus stop to get more passengers. The motorcycle riders are no different, they all drive like they have michelin motorcycle tires -truth be told they have the cheapest tires and the cheapest helmets. They even use the sidewalks to avoid traffic.

And yes, the "actual sign" is also true although it's written in Filipino. Yes it does look funny, but very embarrassing that there are many st*pid people, pardon my French, who risk their lives crossing that street.

where to buy shirts for your not-so-little-boy-anymore

2012-05-01T11:39:00.001+08:00

Bench, the clothing line, holds a monthly (maybe even biweekly) sale at their Cash and Carry Mall branch. Since I do my grocery shopping there every week, I always pass by their store to check the sale rack. I always end up buying a shirt or two for my son. My son most probably own a dozen bench shirts, not including those that doesn't fit him anymore.

If ever Bench decides to go public, I'll surely invest a few thousand shares. This is a good store to buy nice, but not very expensive, shirts for your kids. Although the clothes for girls is a different story. I have a few shirts from this brand but I seldom find one that fits well.

hungry

2012-04-23T12:09:00.001+08:00

So I am so hungry already. But I need to finish up some important things that I have been too lazy to do for the past week. I’m actually cramming right now to meet the deadline. I have been researching about mobile homes for sale also and the organic beauty products that I've been wanting to try (been reading a lot of good reviews about it).

I guess I have to cook already since my son is already complaining that he’s tired, from sorting out his toys, and very hungry eventhough he has just eaten breakfast.

revamping the house

2012-04-23T11:45:00.001+08:00

I'm in the planning stage of maximizing the small space in our house. I'm not planning to remodel the entirety of the house though. What I want to do is to replace the furnitures, and the big appliances, with the end result of making more room to move around in the house.

Here's what I've thought of so far. The rattan chairs and corner tv stands definitely has to go. It's taking up a lot of living room space. A wall-mounted television should replace the bulky 7-year-old tv that we have. Some of RJ's toys needs to go as well, I just need to convince him that he's too old for some of those toys. He has this big plastic box full of toys and it's occupying a huge space in the bedroom.

Don't judge a book by its cover

2012-04-23T11:38:00.001+08:00

I encourage my son to eat more fruits and vegetables. Every week, I stock on the usual apples, mangoes and bananas. Those are the fruits that my son eats. A few months back, yes this is actually a very late post, I decided to buy DOLE bananas because they look really fresh. The skin (banana peel) was also flawless.

When I got home, I decided to try one. I peeled the skin and took one big bite. Good thing I didn't swallow what I was chewing because when I looked at the remainder of the banana it looks brown in the middle. I checked all the bananas and discovered that everything was rotten. I paid more that what I usually pay for a bunch of bananas and everything just went straight to the trash can.

Easy-to-eat Breakfast

2012-04-23T11:33:00.001+08:00

During school days, RJ's day starts with a bowl of coco crunch and milk. And that's for 10 months except during weekends. He likes it for breakfast because it's more easier to eat compared with the usual Filipino breakfast of rice and meat. He wakes up pretty early so it's easier to chew a soggy coco crunch, he doesn't like it crunchy.

He's now on summer break, time to eat outdoors under the sunbrella patio umbrellas and he wakes up really late, around 9 or 10 in the morning, because he sleeps late. So I'm trying to make something different for breakfast. This week, he's into eating pita bread with cheese. Any healthy breakfast suggestions for next week?

Organic Beauty Product

2012-04-23T11:24:00.001+08:00

I first heard about this on twitter. A person I'm following tweeted about her pimple breakouts. She asked her friend if enlarge maxx does it work? Her friend said that she has been using an organic soap that's 100 percent Philippine made and she hasn't experienced any breakouts ever since.

I searched the product online and true enough, there were a lot of good reviews about it. The company that makes it also has a wide selection of other beauty products, with a lot of good reviews also. I'm going to buy and try some of the products. I'll post about it in the coming days.

cleaning time

2012-04-23T11:19:00.001+08:00

This hot, very humid monday morning is also cleaning time for my son. He likes to keep things that he doesn't need anymore. The clay that is so dusty already, the toys that he doesn't actually play anymore. Xeroxed copy of things that he "needs" but he actually has not touched it in months.

Everything is just lying here and there, gathering dust. So yes, he has to endure the summer heat and sort out his things.

one lucky nephew

2012-04-16T15:48:00.000+08:00

Hi! I’m RJ’s Aunt Phoebe! Being an Aunt entails all kinds of label. You’ll be their babysitter, nanny, playmate, commander-in-chief (when their parents are away), friend and sadly yes, their enemy as well when you don't give in to what they want. But I love them to bits so whenever my sisters ask for help to babysit their kids, I have to invent a lot of “games” to entertain them and yes, for me to at least have a peaceful “time”. Hey! Taking care of three rowdy kids is not a walk in the park.

RJ is the eldest amongst the little ones so sometimes it’s hard to get him to enjoy the things his little cousins wants to play. So there's a "special" game just for im, it's like a “I spy!" game.

He has to guess a word, usually things around the place, I give him three hints and then he has three chances to make the correct guess. When his turn to guess is done, he’ll have his turn to make me guess too. One time I made him guess address signs that are usually seen on the front gates around the neigbourhood.

Whenever we play this game, we barely notice the time. It's really a good game, try it with your nephews, nieces or even your own kids.

RJ as a Kiddie Crew at McDonalds

2012-04-04T01:13:00.001+08:00

RJ joined the first batch of Mc Donald's kiddie crew in San Juan. When he found out that he'll be joining the 9-11 AM group, he didn't take it well -he huffed and he puffed with anger, because he didn't want to part with his gadgets -not even for just two hours.

But he enjoyed it a lot and I again proved to him that "Mommy knows best". I deserve a gift then, maybe this Ethan Allen chair for my living room.

They we're given a tour of the whole restaurant, including the kitchen and the freezer, during the first day. The kids job, for five days, was to man the counter, take order from the customers, help the drive-through staff, prepare the condiments and prepare the drinks. They were taught how to prepare a hamburger.

The culminating activity was done on the sixth day. All the kids went home happy carrying their certificates and awards.

Here’s how to join: Pay a registration fee of 550 pesos in any participating McDonald's stores. The fee already includes the McDonald's Kiddie Crew T-Shirt, Cap, ID, backpack and snack (spaghetti or burger and a regular drink) for 5 days.

McDonald’s Kiddie Crew 2012 Schedule

2012-04-04T01:07:00.001+08:00

Do not waste your talents

2012-04-04T01:00:00.001+08:00

As much as I want to encourage, and not force, my son to not waste his talents -art and sports doesn't stand a chance with psp, nintendo, iOS, android or PC games. It's a never-ending quest for me, as a mom, to find the right amount of patience and understanding to encourage and not force him to improve his talents.

Although art, music and sports classes doesn't come cheap, and the things needed like Lovepedal Superlead, letting him join these classes is still the best option. It saves me from nagging him to research on how to paint or draw something new, practice his swim strokes or play basketball in the backyard when he's doing nothing productive when he's in the house (count the above mentioned gadgets as non-productive producing things).

I try not to tell him often that his art works are good. Because he feels that "you're just saying that because you're my mom". That only worked when he's still in preschool. Now that he's older it's very important to properly tell him what he needs to improve on.

Yes, it's hard to let kids realize that they have lots of talents and God gave it for them to improve and use properly. But that's the job that God gave us and we parents should accept it whole heartedly.

Is it safe to go to the mall these days?

2012-04-04T00:52:00.001+08:00

When my son was younger, he gets annoyed with security guards in the mall. He doesn't understand why they just let him in without inspecting his bag. Whenever that happens, always actually, he opens his bag and tells the guard to check his bag.

My bag? They inspect it by sticking a stick inside and abruptly removing it like they got burned with something from inside the bag. It's really not mind boggling why robbers are not at all scared to bring deadly weapons inside the mall. Everytime an "incident" happens, like the Glorietta bombing, the mall security thoroughly inspect the bags of mall visitors. And then they go back to their old lazy habit after a few months.

The mall management should not rely fully on security guards from preventing robbery or any bad incidents. They should install the best metal detectors available in the market these days to protect the mall-goers. They should have their customers best interest at heart and they should remember that bad things happening in their mall is bad for business.

The Hunger Games: Not for Kids

2012-04-04T00:44:00.001+08:00

Based on the book, The Hunger Games is definitely "for adults only". The violent nature of the story line, killing other human beings for survival, might be taken wrongly by a child's young mind. Unless the movie is not as violent as the book. But I doubt it, without those violence it won't be The Hunger Games.

"The Hunger Games movie is so cool!" That's the Facebook status of my son's friend. How was he able to watch it? My son and his friend are 10 years old by the way. I wonder why the mom allowed my son's friend to watch it. Someone told me that, based on reviews, the movie didn't give so much focus on the "game".

I want to watch the movie last week but because 1. I wasn't finished with the paperback yet and 2. The violent story line is not appropriate for my son to watch, I decided not to -yet. I'm now finished with the book but I'm not that enthusiastic with watching the movie. Sorry but I won't be joining the hype, I'm not a fan of The Hunger Games.

Photography for kids

2012-03-09T23:04:00.001+08:00

It's summer time once again. Time for kids to develop more skills and talents. Because in school, especially in "traditional" schools like where my son is enrolled, more time is focused in academics.

I'm planning to look for photography classes where I and RJ can be classmates. I have to buy cheap nikon cameras, preferably DSLR's, so we don't have to borrow from each other during class. I have to call this art school near our place also, I might enroll him there as well if it’s not as expensive as the other art classes that I’ve inquired in on the past. I have to ask him what other sports activities he wants to enroll in as well.

Moving Up Day

2012-03-08T23:00:00.001+08:00

When he was in preschool, my son had this end of the year school activity called Moving Up Day. Now that he’s in Grade 4, moving up day is non-existent in his school. They don’t even have the so-called Recognition Day that is usually practiced in public schools. The awarding of medals and certificate of honors for the non-graduating students are usually done during the first week of the next school year.

Tomorrow is my son’s last day of quarterly exams. The stress during this quarterly exams week is all in the past now, at least for me - his tutor, he still has one final exam to deal with tomorrow. I bought him gifts already as a congratulation for moving on to 5th Grade, I hope so - report card will be distributed by the end of the month. Instead of buying his current favorite books, the Harry Potter series, on an online store that also sell husband gifts for valentines, I bought the books with him yesterday at National Bookstore. Quite expensive but since I can’t think of any other gift that will make him more happy at the moment, than the Harry Potter books, then I just closed my eyes while paying at the check out counter.

Harry Potter’s Number 1 Fan

2012-03-08T22:34:00.001+08:00

My son is a proud bookworm. I may be a cheapskate person but when it comes to books - sky is the limit. For my son anyway because I now read ebooks on iBooks. And I only allow him to buy books that’s age-appropriate. I love reading also, so I support him all the way with this hobby.

I have been suggesting, for the longest time, that he should read Harry Potter. But when he started reading the first book, The Sorcerer’s Stone, he said it’s kinda boring. Until last week, when the reading list for next school year’s English class was given. Harry Potter was included on the list.

So he started reading the first book and finished the first three books in approximately 3 days. And there’s no stopping him, he’s planning to finish all seven books by next week.

Divisoria, the cheapest mall on the planet

2012-03-04T09:59:00.000+08:00

This place is one of my favorite shopping destinations. The cheapest anything-and-everything can be found here. From kids to adults apparel, bags, shoes and even accessories at the cheapest possible price are available here. Your head will spin, your eyes will have a feast and you won't get broke as compared with shopping in a high-end mall.

Divisoria is a market district in the heart of the City of Manila known for its wide assortment of low-priced goods and wholesale and bargain shopping. Clothes, accessories, toys, novelties, decorations, pirated films and music, electronics, fruits, dry goods, school, office and household supplies, fabrics, textiles, crafts, novelties, decorations and “everything under the sun” can be found in Divisoria, making it “the mecca of value shopping” and “the mother of all markets in Manila.” It is considered one of the National Capital Region's premiere economic centers, as street shops, tiangge-style bazaars and shopping malls are all found here. The district touches different parts of the city including Binondo, Tondo and San Nicolas. ~wikipilipinas.org

Me, my mom and my sisters are planning to go there next Sunday. I'll buy RJ's school things for next year. Last time I went there I saw columbia backpacks and that's what RJ needs for next year.

My aunt and cousin went there yesterday and they were able to buy lovely accessories! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!

Things to bring for swim class

2012-03-04T09:41:00.000+08:00

Summer is once again here. And whether we like frolicking in the heat or not, we have to make at least our kiddo's summer fun-filled! Are you planning to enroll your kids to swimming lessons? Here is a checklist that you should bring with you:

1. swimsuit or swimming trunks

2. sunblock

3. fluffy towels (check out yogitoes)

4. goggles

5. swim board

6. swim ring (beginners)

7. fins (advanced)

8. swim diapers (babies)

Don't forget to look for a reliable swim coach before heding on to the pool.

Summer is here

2012-03-04T09:22:00.000+08:00

It's just the first week of March but the summer heat is very much present already. Time to bring out the shorts and sleeveless tops. Time for me to look for fun summer activities for RJ. Swimming should be first on the list. He really ought to swim again. He always have continuous sneezing in the morning because of allergic rhinitis. He never had that problem when he was still a member of his school's swim team.

And speaking of swimming, I should also learn how to swim.

Setting Up a Pawnshop Business Seminar

2012-02-25T23:38:00.001+08:00

I pass by this place, everyday when I bring my son to his Chinese tutor, that conducts seminar on setting up a pawnshop business. The Gemologist is actually the mom of two girls who I used to tutor.

I have no idea how to distinguish a fake jewelry from a real one so I'm really interested to enroll in this seminar. My tutees once told me that the students who enroll gets to learn interesting things about precious stones. They are also advice what stores are reputable online, like Golden Eagle buy gold online.

One of these days, I will be one of the students in that class.

Musically and Artistically Talented

2012-02-25T23:28:00.001+08:00

When my son was in his early years of grade school, he used to love composing his own songs. Then PSP happened. His mind is always occupied by games on his gadgets whenever he doesn't have school work.

Music and art, once his favorites, took the back seat. I am so disappointed. But that doesn't stop me from reminding him every single day to draw something or write a new song.

How I would love to see him practice his talents on his own free will again. Ehen that happens, I would willingly buy him a maxon od808 pedal no matter how expensive it is.