Planning Ahead for Summer

In three months from now, school year is about to end and I am thinking on how to make this summer productive for my kids. I want to engage them in sports so they could learn how to discipline themselves. Who knows my youngest son who is fond of playing basketball may have the chance to make it in Boston College Eagles.

My eldest son Jet loves swimming; in fact he can spend the entire day without getting tired of swimming. He loves to swim whether in the pool water or beach. He does not care if he turns really tan because of swimming. On the other hand, I think Gabby should be enrolled in self-defense school like Taekwondo. I want them to learn sportsmanship at early age; and I would like them to taste the bitterness of losing a game and the sweet victory too.

Although it's still a couple of months away from summer vacation; I think I should start saving up for their enrollment in summer sports camp. For the meantime, they can practice using Wii sports to enhance their talents. How about you mommy bloggers; have you made plans for the kids this coming summer?

Punta De Uian New Year Celebration

 The entire family spent the first day of 2011 at the beautiful resort called Punta De Uian; it is located at Pundakit, San Antonio Zambales. It was a New Year treat from my Mom and John. It was a long road trip but upon seeing the place, it was worth it. The resort rates was quite expensive, good thing Mom hit the jackpot at the Casino last Christmas or else she would have spent money issued to her by their office using company checks

The place has breathtaking views and the amenities are excellent. We stayed in a duplex with two bedrooms, 2 T&B, living room, kitchen and dining room.

the view

the duplex where we stayed

They also have Chapel, playground and villas by the lagoon area. The kids really enjoyed the place, they ran around the playground there were only few people checked in. So it seems like we rented the entire place for ourselves.

the chapel

the playground

Of course, the resort would not be complete without the beach and the swimming pool. My eldest son Jet really enjoyed frolicking on the sea. But we did not take a dip at the pool; because we were just so excited enjoying the big waves.

the beach

the swimming pool

It was one beautiful New Year celebration that my kids and the entire family would not forget. Although our stay at the resort was quite short because work and school days are about to begin, it was unforgettable. Some family members were not able to come along due to unforeseen circumstances; but there will always be next time.

To all mommy bloggers and my blog visitors out there, how did you celebrate your new year?

More Christmas Presents for the Kids

On Christmas eve, the  kids were so excited to open their gifts from their Tita Popot and Tito Cholo. So after hearing mass, they proceeded to opening their gifts. They received some of the gifts on their Christmas wishlist. Come Christmas morning, they were so eager to get up and check the gifts they received from Santa Claus. The smile on their faces were priceless. They got the Waveboard, RC car and Transformer toys; plus additional gifts from Mamita and Pop. Later that day, they got more presents from their Tita Pong and Mama Sha. Of course, my youngest received another toy from her Lola and the older boys received their aguinaldo.
Today is the 26th of December, and we thought that there will be no more gifts to come for the kids. To our surprise, Mamita and Pop bought them again another batch of toys. A RC car for Jet, Soccer ball for Gab and Basketball with basketball ring for Jeon. The boys were too excited that they played the entire day. They were too tired to eat dinner that they doze of to sleep early.
This Christmas is definitely unforgettable for my children. Because they got everything on their Christmas list and even more. I just wish that they will see Christmas as more than receiving gifts; but we are trying to teach them the real meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas Celebration Aftermath

Just got home from a Christmas holiday at Fontana Leisure Park with family (my side and hubby's side). It was a quiet and relaxing vacation. Spent the entire day, bumming around.

On the night of Christmas; we went to a casino; and it was my first time to visit such place. I tried my luck playing the slot machine; and won a couple of hundreds. I was with my mom and she was sitting beside me and I guess she is much luckier than I am; she hit the jackpot of  54Thousand PHP. A great Christmas present and a looking forward to a wonderful new year celebration too.

Christmas Greetings

Yummy Christmas Gift

Last week, when my hubby met up with boss Fedhz to get my hard-earned moolah; she gave me her advanced Christmas gift. It was my boss' famous and yummy polvoron. She told me a beautiful story about her famous polvoron and I was really looking forward to have a taste of the equally popular polvoron of boss Fedhz.

So when she told me that she gave a big pack of it to my hubby; I immediately called hubby to inform him not to touch the polvoron until he reaches our home. As the obedient hubby that he is, the pack of polvoron is still intact when he came home.

Boss Fedhz' Polvoron

Amongst the different kinds to flavor; according to my kids the Cookies and Cream is the best (boohoo! I didn't get the chance to taste that particular flavor). She also have peanut butter flavored polvoron and the crunchy polvoron too. 

A lot of people are placing orders; this would be perfect Christmas gifts to friends who love sweets. It is very Filipino too. So, if there are still persons on your Christmas list that you have not bought or given gifts yet; visit www.noobfoodie.com to get hold of boss Fedhz; I am not quite sure yet on how to place orders for her yummy polvoron.

Christmas Emergency Cleaning Tips

It's only three days away before the much awaited Christmas Day. During Christmas Day, family reunions usually happen. When we say family; it means a lot of kids are going to invade your home. It's the kids favorite time of the year; so they may get too hype and can be very difficult to handle.
Having kids as visitors could mean a lot of drinks and food spillage that could stain your favorite dress or you seat cover. Be ready for bubble gum stains too! These are just some of the cleaning worries that bother most mothers.

Google for the photo

I hope these simple emergency cleaning tips could help you go through the holidays:

• To remove candy stains on your upholstery and carpet; mix detergent with water then blot on the upholstery and then another mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 of water then blot on the stain again. Then sponge with clean water to remove the stain.
• Chewing gum can be removed with the use of small amount of dry-cleaning solvent blot it on the spot; then mix warm water with detergent then blot on the chewing gum spot again.
• Chocolate and catsup stains are inevitable, so to solve this you need to mix detergent with warm water and then blot on the spot. Afterwards, mix 1/2 teaspoon of household ammonia and half cup water and on the stain spot blot it again. Then clean with water using sponge.

These are the most common stain problems that may happen during the Christmas celebration. So let your guards down when you see kids running around; you have these simple remedies that will help you with the Christmas emergency cleaning.

Are you ready to have fun this Christmas Day? Remember it only happens once a year so relax and enjoy the occasion.

Christmas General Cleaning

I think I am about to lose my sanity, with just four days to go before Christmas, it's time to do more Christmas general cleaning of the house. The general cleaning done before the Christmas decors were placed is no longer seen in the house. With all the visitors that we have for the past couple of days; we definitely have a topsy-turvy house.

Clothes occupy half of the kids room; it needs to be sorted out to check whether these clothes fit them or not. I do this every year before Christmas because I need to give old but still presentable clothes to the people in our barrio. So I am quite busy entertaining visitors, cooking for them, cleaning the house and other endless chores. 

My hands are quite handful until the end of the season; good thing I have less work to attend to all of the household chores.

I am not complaining; at least I can still find couple of minutes to update my blog.

How about you? Is your home ready and clean when Santa Claus pays visit to your kids? If it is, oh my! I definitely envy you!

Christmas Presents from My Mom

It's been two years since the last I saw my mom, and it's been 12 years since the last time she spent Christmas in the Philippines. She arrived from Italy last Thursday, but she just went to see us yesterday. My kids were all excited on what their Mamita has brought for them. An advanced Christmas present that they got was Wii. Oh my! there were too eager to play with it, that I need to call their attention many times just to lunch.
Her present for me, was a notebook. She knows that my desktop PC is wornout and ready to give up anytime. So she gave me a notebook so I can go on with my blogging and of course do my online work too.
For hubby, she gave hime a home theater system(minus the LCD TV). He was as excited as the kids, and can't wait to set it up. His aim right now is to rearrange the house to accomodate his Christmas present from his Mother-in-law.

Christmas present makes the occasion extra exciting; but what really matters is our presence on the celebration of the occasion. How about you? Have you received any advanced Christmas present yet? Or were you able to give advance Christmas presents to those people you love.

Ligligan Parul : Giant Lantern Festival

Every year the City of San Fernando Pampanga hold a competition for Giant lanterns or known as Ligligan Parul. Too bad I would not able to watch it this year, because we have moved to a new place. However, we can still see these remarkable giant lanterns during Christmas eve at the Cathedral in City of San Fernando.

It is one of the most awaited event in the lantern capital of the Philippines. The Kapampangans' talent and skills in making the giant lantern is one event that you should not miss. To give you a glimpse of the Ligligan Parul entries of 2009; check out the video. Be awed and mesmerize on how the Kapampangans can create such work of art. Did I mention that these Giant lanterns are manually controlled by more than two people? They use a steering wheel to manipulate the lights; and if the "driver" knows how to dance to the beat, it will definitely reflect on the giant lantern.

This is the entry of last year's champion. Brgy Dolores, City of San Fernando Pampanga.



This is something that we Filipinos can be truly proud of, am I right?