Jenny and Belle

Birthday Party Souvenirs

2009-06-12T07:58:00.003+08:00

Yaya teased me the other day. She said that Belle's daddy escaped spending money for Belle's 2nd birthday last year, since we only celebrated it at home, and did not do anything fancy. I only bought some seafood at Seaside Market in Baclaran, and called my family to have dinner with us. Now, since Belle is enrolled in school, yaya said I cannot help but spend a bit for a school party. Most children have school parties nowadays, not like when I was younger, when birthdays were just "Happy birthday!" and just that. Now, moms like me have to buy souvenirs, a cake or cupcakes, drinks, and balloons. Some even bring clowns and entertainers to their kid's classroom.

I told yaya that I really don't want to make a big fuss over every birthday. Belle might grow up thinking birthday parties are a must, instead of a privilege. So I think I might just bake the cupcakes and the cake myself, and yaya volunteered to cook spaghetti. I'll just buy juice in tetra paks to complete the food. Most of the parties in school had food brought in from McDonald's or Jollibee, but I really dislike that kind of party. I think that kids are entitled to a happy birthday, not a birthday party per se. I said that we will have a bigger party when Belle turns 7 years old.
But of course not everyone shares my opinion. My friend is determined to give a birthday party for her sons every year until they turn 7. That's 14 parties in all! I'm helping her choose lootbags this year. I told her the fastfood giveaways and the stuff she can buy in Divisoria are so cheap-looking. I gave her the site where she can order classy-looking kids backpacks. That is the kind I want to order for Belle's 7th birthday party souvenirs.
I will have it personalized with each child's name. Cool huh?

Kitchen Cow's Anniversary Giveaway!

2009-05-26T14:38:00.003+08:00

Kitchen Cow is having her 3rd Anniversary Giveaway!

What’s in the Bento Giveaway? Well, everything in the photo!

Clear bento box with 4 removable compartments
16cm chopsticks with cloth storage case
Cute food-themed baran / plastic dividers
4 Animal-themed reusable bento cups
2 Vegetable-themed condiments container for dry ingredients or thick sauces
3 Refillable soy sauce containers
A selection of fruit-themed mini picks
A selection of animal-themed disposable bento cups
2 Hello Kitty Jello Molds
2 Bento Belts

All you have to do is answer the question "If you win this bento package, what will you put in it?" Each comment/answer in her blog gets a raffle ticket. For an extra point, answer it in your blog and link back to her contest post.

I’ve never made bento before, but I’m excited to make it for my little princess’s snacks. She starts preschool in a few weeks, and I’m racking my brains on what snacks she should bring. I don’t want her to bring junk food. I specially like the bento cups and dividers, little kids like their food separate, not all jumbled up together.

I will put some crackers, a few peeled grapes, and small pancakes cut up into squares, triangles, circles, etc. I might put a few raisins for eyes in the pancakes too. The small sauce bottles will contain the syrup. The mini picks will help her keep her fingers clean, and I can't wait to make Hello Kitty eggs in the plastic molds!

Sick, but Mending

2009-05-24T14:38:00.002+08:00

Belle had a low fever for 3 days last week. We were worried about dengue, but good thing the fever didn't come back after the 3rd day. Then she got colds. A cough followed, which she still has up to now.
I also got colds and cough, as well as Belle's yaya. We're not sure if we caught it from each other or from other people, as we were out for 3 successive days last weekend.
We're still mending, and hopefully Willy won't catch it.

Tagaytay and the ZipLine

2009-05-24T14:03:00.004+08:00

We went to Tagaytay last Monday. We ate at a new paluto place which I forgot the name. Belle and Alex enjoyed the garden, while Llance enjoyed feeding the giant carp.

Belle and Alex, with Cheche and Tina.

Afterwards we rented horses and a calesa and went for a few rounds.

Then we went to Picnic Groove. It was my first time there, and we were amazed that they had a zipline and a cable car!

Llance and I went on the zipline together, as Llance was a bit afraid of going by himself.

picture taken from actual hardcopy picture

The zipline costs P100 for a 1 way trip, P200 for a 2 way trip, weekdays. Prices double for weekends. Pictures cost P100 for 2 5R copies.

2009-05-24T13:52:00.003+08:00

Pictures from our Club Manila East summer outing.

Daddy and Belle, the little princess making lambing.

Family picture outside our cottage.

Inside the cottage.

Belle, Auntie, and Ama, playing outside.

Bulacan

2009-05-24T13:37:00.002+08:00

We went to a resort in Bulacan last month. I forgot the name of the town and the resort, I just know that my brother knows the owner. Fishing and swimming were the order of the day.

This is Belle's hand touching makahiya. I was thrilled to see large patches of it on the grounds. I immediately called Belle to let her see and touch it. When makahiya is touched, the leaves? fronds? close up tight. After a while, they open up again. Belle was amazed at her discovery, and kept wanting to touch the leaves even after they were all closed. I'm just glad I was able to introduce to her one of the wonders of nature.

I've Missed Blogging!

2009-05-20T15:32:00.003+08:00

I've missed blogging!

I've been busy the past 2 months, Belle's yaya was on a month-long vacation, so I had my hands full with Belle. Good thing my mom's helper recommended her younger sister to me for a maid, otherwise I would have had no maid nor yaya!

I actually asked my mom if I could move in with her during my yaya-less month, if I didn't have a maid. She said yes, and we were thinking of what stuff we would move to my mom's house. But God heard my prayers. My new helper arrived a few days before yaya left for the province, and Belle liked her. They dance and play together, to give me a much-needed breather, during those long 4 weeks.

This summer, we went to Club Manila East, our regular Holy Week destination. Belle and Alex enrolled in a 10 day summer toddler class where they were the only students. We swam in the 12 foot inflatable pool most days. We attended a couple of kiddie parties and my college barkada reunion. Sister had her eyes lasered. (Or is lasik-ed the right term?) I watched Star Trek and Angels and Demons.

It's been a busy summer. I've missed blogging!

My Blogger Type

2009-03-25T17:02:00.003+08:00

The writing style reflects the persona of the blogger.

I'm the entertaining and friendly type.

But not a party girl!

Try this!

A Water Filter Conversation

2009-03-25T15:44:00.003+08:00

Water was the topic of our dinner conversation last night at the dinner table. Specifically, our water filter. Our water filter is a simple 2 step filter, given to us by my mom. We ordered 2 units at a bazaar, and they delivered a week later. One for my mom's house, and one for my house. That's the way my mom buys things, in twos and threes, so that she keeps one, and gives the others to me and my brother, who has a separate house.
The hubby was talking about getting water filters for his mom's house. They usually buy their drinking water, but since we are in a recession, he was thinking of ways to cut back on expenses. He had me research online on how to make a water filter. The instructions I got seemed simple enough, and the things needed are readily available here in Manila.
This got me thinking of having a shower water filter too. I think I want one, the water from the tap smells like rust half the time, and I hate to think of it being used by my daughter when she takes a bath. She takes a bath twice a day, the weather is so hot!
We ended our talk with the decision to ask around for recommendations for water filters.

Dreaming of a Golf Vacation

2009-03-25T15:06:00.002+08:00

"Start your day with a glass of champagne and our buffet breakfast," this is the line that caught my eye today. I've been longing for a holiday, but this year my family decided to just stay at home for the Holy Week break. We usually go to a hotel and check in for a few days, we just relax and sit by the pool and generally forget our day to day worries. This year though, since my mom bought an 8-foot pool and a 12-foot pool, we thought we'd just have a staycation, the new kind of vacation. Staycations are when you stay at home and chill out, no worrying about travel plans and flights, no stress from packing and running around trying to find all the must-see places in a place before the vacation ends.
But a girl can dream, can't she?
In sunny Spain Golfreisen beckons, with good transportation, beaches, food, and over 300 golf courses. I know, I know, I'm not much of an outdoor person. But this sounds like a sport where you won't get much rough play, which is what I really dislike. Sunblock is a must though, as I hate getting burnt.
Golf is not a sport just for the rich, though the idea still permeates common mentality. Of course you need the proper equipment to play, and for avid golfers, they all have their favorite items, perhaps even monogrammed with their name, to prevent another person making off with their "lucky" iron. Even young children are joining the sport, with golf camps offered during summer vacations. Hm, should I enrol my little princess? Maybe we can learn together, a mother-daughter bonding activity.
Platzreife is where you can begin, with group lessons on swing, pitching, chipping, and putting. To get a Green Card you must comply with golf rules and ettiquette. The Green Card will give you free use of the gold course, and rent during course duration.
Just think, a vacation to learn golf in Europe! Sounds like a dream right? Just wait until I win the lotto!

Updates Soon!

2009-03-17T13:18:00.007+08:00

I've been very busy the past 2 weeks, so this blog hasn't been updated. I have a lot of things to blog about.

Belle's fireman costume.
Belle's Moving Up Day.
Sister back from Paris.
House Hunting
My free flu vaccine from Sanofi and Nuffnang
Meeting BB Gandanghari!

But I will order my thoughts first. Be back later.

P.S. I've also been bitten by Plurk buddy and Pet Society. Add me up if you haven't done so already!

Sister is Off to Paris

2009-03-07T12:13:00.008+08:00

Sister is off to Paris for 9 days. It's a school trip, with 2 professors. They will be staying at Mary's Hotel, a nice and affordable hotel for students. They will visit Vatel, their sister school in Paris. I thought only community service clubs had sister ties. Well, you learn something new everyday!

They will be sharing rooms of course, some are double-sharing, some are in triple and quadruple-sharing rooms even!

quad room view

breakfast for students

internet room, for connecting to the people back home

location map of hotel

Text from hotel website:

Easy to reach by car via the Avenue de la République, the Boulevard du Temple and the Boulevard Voltaire, MARY'S HOTEL is located only 10 meters from the métro station Oberkampf.
The hotel is close to the stations Filles du Calvaire and République. The bus lines 54, 75, 56, 96, 73, 65 and 20 pass close by.

MARY'S HOTEL is located on the edge of the Marais cultural quarter. The public transport services provide a direct link to the railway stations Gare du Nord, de l'Est and Gare d'Austerlitz (métro line 5), the Gare de Lyon (métro line 8), the Eiffel tower (line 9), the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées and the Louvre (bus 73), the Notre Dame cathedral, the quarter St Germain-des-Près (bus 96).

Looking for A Fireman's Hat

2009-03-06T20:37:00.002+08:00

Next weekend is Moving Up Day for Belle's toddler class. They will be performing their fireman song. They are really so cute while rehearsing. But I didn't get to take pictures yet. Maybe on Wednesday when they have a dress rehearsal.

Teacher Ruth informed me that the kids need firemen's costumes. They can borrow from a classmate's dad, who is a volunteer fireman. But they only have about 5 kiddie size jackets and hats. They need another 5, since they are 10 pupils in the Jolly Joeys class.

I can make a yellow raincoat into a fireman's costume for Belle, no problem. Willy sells kiddie raincoats in his store, and I already told him to bring home 1.

But, where, oh where, can I get a kiddie fireman's hat? I don't want to buy 1, since she'll only be using it for 10 minutes at the most.

HELP!!!

Belle's Swimming Day

2009-03-01T12:43:00.004+08:00

Belle's class, the Jolly Joeys had their swimming day last Feb 18. They had a kiddie pool beside the big pool, and parents and yayas could swim with the children if we wanted to.

Belle really loved this flotation device her classmate brought. I guess because she really likes cars in general, the toy had a steering wheel and was designed like a police car.

Here is Teacher Ruth putting a life vest on Belle.

Watch out Teacher Ruth! While you are putting on your own jacket, Belle is removing hers.

Teacher Ruth is not finished putting on her life vest, Belle has already removed hers. Belle is not used to wearing anything over her swimsuit.

The coach took her out on the boat, but she didn't like it. She only wanted to play in the kiddie pool. I should have brought my swimming stuff so I could go in the big pool with her.

Family Fun Day

2009-02-24T16:13:00.005+08:00

Family Fun Day at Belle's school last Feb 15 was fun. Willy took the morning off from work (he has work even on Sundays). Belle's class was required to wear red, even parents were requested to wear red. So off we went!

Here is the Chinese teacher singing the "Kong Si" song with Belle. Belle was so happy singing and dancing. But when I took this picture, her mouth just happened to close.

Here, the teachers are asking Belle to shout their class cheer, H-E-L-L-O! That's the way we say HELLO!

Here she and her classmates were singing the school hymn.

The one in front with 2 ponytails is her teacher.

She really follows the teacher's actions, we're so proud of her!

This is a group shot of her and her classmates. The ones in the back wearing red also were the parents and grandmothers of her classmates.

Is this Good Enough?

2009-02-24T14:49:00.002+08:00

Is this a good speed? My ISP plan costs P999, internet only, no phone service.

Family Day Today

2009-02-15T19:47:00.003+08:00

I'm tired! It's yaya's day off, and Family Day at Belle's school. I'll post our pictures and story tomorrow, let me just leave you with a picture.

Temptation to Switch Blogging Platforms

2009-02-14T10:19:00.004+08:00

I started blogging with Blogspot, and it's been so easy to use. Everything is just a click away. And yet when I saw some of my friends using Wordpress, I was tempted to switch. Or at least create a blog using Wordpress. The themes are just so pretty and unique! I actually created a temporary blog with Wordpress, just to see if it's as user-friendly as Blogspot, but alas, I've gotten used to Blogger and it's ease of use. I couldn't blog as fast and easy in Wordpress. But the wordpress themes still tempt me every now and then.

The seabreeze theme is one I particularly like, and the fact that it is free makes it extra pretty. The dark background is one i haven't tried yet. The header had flowers growing upside down, it seems. But the colors are bright and vivid against the dark background. The sidebar has a lighter shade, which saves it from being totally dark.

Cheap Eyeglasses for $8

2009-02-14T08:38:00.003+08:00

I just want to show you Aunt F's choice of prescription glasses for only $8! My aunts are a frugal lot, they only buy stuff from sales and cheap in house brands. No designer brands for them. She saw a mention of Zenni Optical in the New York Times and decided to order her eyeglasses from them.

I think this is a great pair. It suits her face and age, no I won't post her age here, she might not send me a Christmas gift anymore! Now she's seeing straight without breaking bank. She told me she might get backup glasses from them too. That way she won't have to transfer eyeglasses from 1 bag to another.

Early Birthday Wishes

2009-02-11T18:47:00.002+08:00

Carla tagged me. Thanks sis!

Rules:
1. Make a list of what you want on your birthday...
2. The list should be 10 numbers
3. Post the image of this award in your posting
4. Give it to 10 friends of yours.

Hmm... My birthday is months away, but here are my wishes. :)

1. Long life and health for my whole family.
2. Wealth to enjoy the long life and health.
3. A new laptop
4. Family trip abroad
5. A new business for me
6. A new business for hubby too
7. That I loose weight (good luck to me!)
8. A new baby (good luck to us!)
9. A new house somewhere near the little princess's school
10. A vacation house somewhere outside the city

Tagging: Vina, Vhiel, Tricia, Tin, Sab, Rocks, Rhea, Pretty, Nol, Maver.

FAB!

2009-02-09T11:05:00.003+08:00

Marvy tagged me last week, but I only had time to post it today. Thanks dear!

The rule:
I need to list 5 addictions that I have and pass this tag/award to 5 more fabulous blogs

1. Crystal
2. Danah
3. Jean
4. Kaleena
5. Nyumix

Snow Leopards, Polar Bears, and Children

2009-02-09T10:37:00.003+08:00

Just posting some pictures from our Rockwell visit last December. Belle was scared of the animals, what did I expect? She refused to believe that they were only big toys.

This is Claire and Alex. Alex was also scared, as shown by his facial expression here.

Llance is 8 years old, and wasn't scared, of course. He tried to convince his cousins that the animals were really toys, but he had no success.

UK's Super Casino

2009-02-09T07:50:00.002+08:00

I found a supercasino online. You can play games like roulette and blackjack on it. I found it while I was randomly surfing through the internet. This particular site is for UK residents aged 18 and older. The players register, and in less than 5 minutes, play can begin. There is no special instruction, just decide on a number and place a bet. Bets can be placed online while watching the supercasino live roulette channel on television, or over the telephone. For beginners, there is free roulette tv, for seasoned players, they can deposit money to swap for chips, just like a casino.
Their live blackjack is only available during a limited time, with single hand and multi-hand game options for you to choose. The show presenters are available to chat with and you can even email them about any comments or suggestions. With no download time needed, the online game screen even has a clear bets button, in case you want to redo your last move.
This is a step up from many other casino sites where the sign up is several clicks away. I think my cousin M, who I told you in some posts way back, might like this site. She is currently residing in London, working in the medical field. This supercasino seems like a good way to unwind after a hard day's work. She doesn't go out much, preferring to stay at home and rest after work. She also told me that going out entails expenses, something which is is avoiding, trying hard to save enough for her dream house. The free roulette might be the answer to her leisure hours. I'll email her later.

Games for Mac

2009-02-08T13:03:00.003+08:00

My friend J bought an iPhone last month. She showed it off to us at a party last month. She said she loaded iPhone games in it like iSnap and was looking for more. We laughed and said it was evident that she had lots of free time on her hands, since she was playing around with her new toy most of the day. She was even looking for Mac games to play on her laptop. I suggested some games for Mac that she might be interested in, like Top Chef. It's a good thing her husband makes a good living, letting her be a stay at home mom to their kids. Later today I'll send her an invite to join my online instant messaging network too.

Everyone's Concept for Beauty

2009-01-31T18:16:00.003+08:00

Did you guys catch Bride Wars? The movie was so-so, but the scene with Anne Hathaway walking down a New York avenue with her face traffic-cone orange was hilarious! Kate Hudson had switched the color tubes in the tanning salon cubicle where Anne had her treatment, and what was supposed to be a wedding glow turned a vivid orange. And typically New York behavior, no one turned head or hair!
Anyway, that was the first time I saw vertical tanning beds. I Googled them when I got home, and read that it was considered better than horizontal tanning beds. It's much more convenient and hygienic than lying down on a bed that may not have been cleaned after the last customer. And results can be seen in 2-3 sessions.
This just shows that everyone's concept for beauty is different from each other. Caucasians like to have a tan, thinking their naturally pale skin needs a boost. Asians on the other hand, want to whiten their complexion, thinking milky pale skin is the most desirable.
My cousin, who is a dermatologist, says she advises her clients to have microdermabrasion instead. This will exfoliate some layers of their skin, leaving soft new skin in place of the old dead skin. She says the reason why our skin looks dull when we age is that the skin is slower to renew itself, unlike a baby who renews skin faster. She bought microdermabrasion equipment for her clinic, and her phone is busy ringing with patients calling to schedule their microdermabrasion treatments.