It's Fall!

Around this time, last year, we were in LA visiting Hubby.  We were there during the Fall Season, but I don't remember taking a picture of Ate with an Autumn background.

Funny how I was able to do so . . . this year, in our home. . . in the Philippines (where we only two seasons---rainy and dry, haha!)

Having a taste of the Fall Season. . . .after the rain! =)

Not so Basic Shapes

Ate and I were going through shapes the other day.  She can actually recognize some basic shapes and there were some that I thought I can teach her later on. . . .such as:

According to her, this is a Kite. . .

A Drum. . .

And Ice Cream!

But yesterday, she brought homework from school (about learning shapes) that I have to help her with.

Yes, my friends, that is the Crescent shape!  (Puwede ring moon, haha!)  She's being taught the Crescent shape at two?!  I wasn't even in school when I was at that age!  Well, actually, it's not "Crescent" to her, it's "Kescent"!

If she can handle "Kescent", I'm sure she can manage Diamond, Cylinder and Cone. =) 

Have a nice weekend!

Swagger

The other night, Ate saw her Lolo (grandfather) wear a jacket because the AC in the room was a bit cold for him.  Being at the toddler's stage where where she imitates what she sees or hears, she asked for a jacket for herself as well.

But she brought it up a notch and asked for . . . . a pair of shades!

To complete this look =)

Urban Dictionary defines "Swagger" as "A person's style- they way they walk, talk, dress"

Well Ate, I have to say, I'm loving your Swagger! =)

Good Morning!

Image Source

I am a nice person, even without coffee, haha!  But coffee perks me up and starts the wheels of my brain turning =)

The rain has stopped (and I hope it stays this way), I can hear the birds tweeting, the sun is somehow peeking (please come out Mr. Sun). . . .it's going to be a beautiful day!

Have a good one!

My New Favorite Animal

Ate received this (and a few more) booklet as a gift.  This morning, we got it (our first time to read it) so we can learn more Animals!

As they say, "Don't judge a book by its cover".  This may look like your standard children's book about Animals, you would think that it is just the same as the other books that you're used to.  Well, this one is pretty special.  IT IS because . . . this is the first book I've ever seen with an

in it, hahaha!!!

Alpaca is an animal I have seen in a zoo but it's not an animal name that I would remember offhand!  

(According to Wikipedia, an Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid.  It resembles a small llama in appearance.  If you want to know more about Alpacas , please click on this link.)

This book doesn't also just teach you about Birds, it shows you the different types of birds. 

Guess it's time to level up Ate's knowledge bank on Animals!

But I think we can do "Alpaca" some other day, haha!

Goodnight everyone =)

Remembering Tiny Bubbles

Ate is loving the song "Tiny Bubbles" which I've been singing to her lately (a song which I've danced to so many times, back when I was around 6 years old, when my parents sent me to Hawaiian dance lessons)

However, I can only sing the first line because I couldn't remember the rest of the lyrics (it was a loooong time!).

So this is what I sing to Ate:

"Tiny Bubbles in Hawaii

Makes me feel happy

Makes me feel glad"

So this afternoon, I thought of googling the lyrics of the song so I can sing the complete song to Ate.

Then I got the surprise of my life when I realized that I've been singing the wrong lyrics for 30 years, hahahaha!

Here are the actual lyrics:

Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles) 
In the wine (in the wine) --- OMG, in the wine pala! 
Make me feel happy (make me happy) 
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine) 

But wait, please listen to the song. . . (you don't have to finish it, please listen at least for the first few lines)




It does sound like " . . .in  Hawaii"

Di ba?!!!!

(Naghahanap ng kakampi!   Haha!)

Estudyante Blues

This is Ate as I bring her to school in the morning . . .

After two hours. . . .

This is her as soon as she steps in the car from school.

Pre-Nursery Class is not easy as it sounds, haha!

Have an amazing week ahead!

Fiiiiish!

I love reading.  I don't know what was the last book I read (heehee, but I want to start reading books again!) but I just got myself a few magazines recently, haha!  

Earlier this evening, as I plopped myself down on the bed, Ate saw me bringing a Yummy mag and one of her books. She said "booook".  So I handed her the ABC book but she said "booook" again and was pointing to my Yummy magazine.

So I gave her the food mag and as she was flipping through the pages, I heard her say  "Fiiishh" and I looked at what she was pointing, she was pointing at a bangus (milkfish).  I actually tried using a Woman's magazine before (not the Cosmopolitan kind!) to teach her about colors and words too!  Thanks to Preview magazine, she learned the words "shoes", "bag" and "watch", Haha!  

So yes, (in my experience) I can say that magazines can help build-up a toddler's vocabulary too, heehee.  

By the way, Yummy's September issue is a good one.  They have recipes for Filipino dishes and I found some articles that are helpful---like what to do with leftover Adobo and another one which features recipes where you can use tinapang bangus (smoked milkfish).  

My Day in Numb3r5

Image from www.123rf.com

15

No. of minutes to take my shower

2

No. of hours that Ate spends in class

7

No of costumes I have in mind for Ate's Trick or Treat

(Excited?!!)

1

No. of text I received the whole day!

(I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing, haha!)

3

No. of hours of sleep which Ate takes for her afternoon nap

0
hours nap time for me!

6
It's Bunso's 6th month Birthday today!

Happy (Half) Birthday Sweetheart!
Thank you for always brightening our day with your sweet smile
and for bringing such joy to the family.

We love you baby!

Stop Yelling!

Image from www.momlogic.com

This is what I've been telling myself these past few days. . . .

I just find myself yelling at Ate these past few days.  I yelled at her yesterday when she didn't want to brush her teeth.  I yelled more when she started crying.  I raised my voice again this morning when she didn't want to eat her breakfast. . . and those times she spilled something on the floor or wiped her paint-covered fingers on the clean bed sheets.        

Why was I yelling?  Because I thought I can have my way if I did, that I can show her who is in charge.  Or because it's the easiest thing to do when you get frustrated (because I don't know what she wants)  . . . or because I was just too tired and didn't have the energy to handle her at that moment. 

What did I get out of it?  Nothing!  

And I felt like the worst mother in the world!  

I feel guilty after I tell her off.  I've seem to forgotten that I am dealing with a toddler who is naturally active and inquisitive and who can't fully express herself yet.  

So no more yelling, I will stop, I will change, I will be better in handling and understanding my toddler.  Oh yes, Parenthood is a continuous learning process.

As I am typing this, Ate is beside me and wants to play with the keyboard.  

I was about to . . . so I am stopping myself, I am biting my tongue.

And I know. . . that it's time to end this post.  Haha!

Shoe Shopping

As they say, Sharing is Caring . . . so I'm going to share with you where I got a good pair of comfortable flats (at a reasonable price) which have become my favorite pair (there's actually more than a pair now, heehee)!

I found them in Payless!  Buying shoes in Payless is actually a hit or miss.  But I am so, so happy and thankful that we have a winner here!  

This is the first pair I got --- Women's Claire Scrunch Flat Dexflex by Dexter

Image from www.dexflex-by-dexter.fashionstylist.com

It was love at first try!

That I just have to get a second pair, haha!

Image from www.utahdealdiva.com

And since I couldn't get enough of them, I bought two more pairs online and had them shipped to Hubby, who brought them back home for me.

Image from www.ebay.com

Image from www.ebay.com

If you love flats like me, you should try this pair.  There are also other shoe styles from the Dexflex line in Payless.  I suggest that you try whatever Dexflex pair you can find because this particular line just spells comfort!

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Pasalubong from the Weekend

My brother and my sister-in-law went to Tagaytay for the weekend.  (Tagaytay is a popular tourist destination and a favorite weekend escapade for locals because of its landscape and cooler climate.)

They brought us pasalubong (gifts) from this city which have become our dessert and merienda (snacks) for the past few days.  They brought buko (coconut) pie from Bahay Pastulan, a retail shop run by the Good Shepherds Sisters which sells the different goodies that they make.  My brother's fave is their buko juice while some of my friends love their ube jam. 

This is what's left of the pie. . . .in less than 24 hours, haha!    

The last piece!  (We were saving it for my sister)

It is actually just a simple pie.  What I like most about it is you can taste the freshness of the coconut meat (they didn't scrimp on the coconut meat).  My brother's theory for this ---the pie filling has buko juice in it!  And there's probably some pandan in there too.  So yes, this pie has become a favorite and holds the record as the pie that was consumed in the shortest time, haha!    

From Tagaytay, they stopped at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa (another popular destination) and got us a box of Revel Bars from Purple Oven (it has been said that the pastries/cakes served in Starbucks come from Purple Oven).  I am not fond of Revel Bars. . . but these sweet treats from Purple Oven are my exception, heehee.  

A box contains 16 pcs. of bars

Happiness in a bar =)

So yes, you can say that I had a sweet weekend and it's going to be sweeter in the coming days =).

Hope you had a good day today!

*Bahay Pastulan opened a new store in Sta. Rosa (this is where my brother bought the pasalubong).  I am so sorry I wasn't able to get the address from the box.  The old store in Maryridge, Tagaytay is now being used as their production site. 

**Purple Oven's contacts nos. - 631-4221 / 910-1363 to 1364  
Branches:
1) 63 Saint Peter St., Oranbo, Pasig
2) YMCA Bldg., 7 Sacred Heart St., San Antonio Village, Makati
3) The Clubhouse at Temple Drive, Corinthian Hills, QC
4) Solenad 2, Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna
5) San Antonio Plaza Arcade, 50 McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati

Second Look

Don't you think Jodi Sta. Maria (a Filipino actress) sort of looks like Zoe Saldana in some angles?

Try giving them a second look . . .

What do you think?










Try these photos . . .




What do you think?

Or is it just me?!

(Probably, it's just me!  Haha!)



*All photos were grabbed online

NOMNOMNOM (A Long Food Post!)

AS I've mentioned in an earlier post, Hubby came home for a 3 week vacation.  And when you're on vacation, Food is right there in the equation!

Here are some eats which we enjoyed . . .

(Warning: Reading this post may result to sudden cravings, haha!)

1. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Roast Chicken and Mushroom Fusilli

I am not a CBTL fan (I have my personal faves for my coffee drinks and pastries in other coffee shops) BUT I would go back to CBTL for this!  I know, this looks simple but it's actually good and flavorful (garlic + creamy white sauce = love). 

2. Fely J's (Greenbelt 5 in Makati)

There is no way that Hubby won't have his share of local food (meaning cholesterol laden food, haha!) when he's home so went to to Fely J's in Greenbelt and enjoyed the following . . .

Crispy Pata 

Fely J's Crispy Pata is one of the better ones we had.  But if you want to know which Crispy Pata tops our list. . . it is still the one being served in Blanvil!  Blanvil is a simple restaurant which was previously located at an apartment building along Alfaro St in Salcedo Village, Makati.  I know they moved to the Ground Level of the LPL Center in Leviste St (near the Makati Sports Club).  I hope it's still around!

Adobo

We ordered this because it's one of the few things that Ate eats.

Gule Magalang

The owner of Fely J has Capampangan roots (like me).  "Gule" means Vegetable and I assume that he is from Magalang, one of the towns in the province of Pampanga.  I was telling Hubby that we actually cook something like this at home. . .the same reason why I will not order it.  Actually, we ordered another vegetable dish but our waitress had our order wrong.  But it's okay, Hubby and I actually liked it!  This dish exceeded my expectations.  

 3. Yellow Cab

My Ultimate Fave!  I was telling Hubby that in my book, Yellow Cab's NY Finest is the best pizza!!!  He said that I only say that because I haven't really tasted an authentic New York pizza.  Well Hun, we should do something about that . . . let's go to NY!!!  Haha! 

New York's Finest

Fleet Starters - Hot Wings, Oven-baked potato wedges and Tortilla chips
with Salsa and Garlic Ranch Dips 

4. Tempura Japanese Grill

Tori Karaage

It reminds me of a Jollibee fried chicken because of its crispiness (not the taste).  I love that it comes with a curry gravy sauce!  (Curry lover here!)

Dynamite Ebi Roll (comes in 8 pcs)

A roll that consists of Tempura, Kani Stick and asparagus topped with slivers of Mango, Tobiko and drizzled with Japanese mayo =) (Arrrgghh!!! Now I'm craving!)

Writing a food post close to midnight is not a good idea!  Hahaha!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post . . . as much as we enjoyed eating!

Weekend is here . . . that means Cheat days are here!  Heehee . . .   

Ready to go food tripping?!

Staycation at Holiday Inn

I love Staycations in hotels!  It is like having a new home or being in a grand vacation (in this case, without having to fly elsewhere) and being pampered. . . and it also means having a clean room all the time, haha! 

While Hubby was here, we got to chance to have one at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Makati (which opened late last year).  The hotel is located in the heart of Makati's Shopping District and is conveniently connected to the Glorietta Mall.  

The Hotel Reception is at the 4th Level of the Hotel.  If you are bringing a car, there is a Mall Parking Entrance near the hotel.   Please proceed to B2 (Basement 2) and there is a specified area for hotel guests.  

The Hotel in pictures. . . 

Level 4 - Reception Area/Hotel Lobby

Checking into the hotel was a breeze.

Guest Room

I love the room . . . because it is spacious!

And that the TV has a lot of cable channels, haha!  

The room also has a Philips Clock/Radio with an Iphone/Ipod docking station.

And my most favorite things in the room (besides the free wifi and Samsung TV, heehee). . . .   

One of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on!

And fluffiest pillows too . . . . 

I love the embroidered details on them

Bathroom - When it comes to bathroom, there is only one important thing for me . . .that it's clean!  And it was!  

I prefer an enclosed shower over one with a bath tub.

By the way, the Hotel also has a pool at the Roof Deck which we didn't get the chance to see.  (There is a next time!)

Holiday Inn (Makati) has just become another family fave. . . .Excellent location, nice rooms (reasonably-priced!), good service and they have the best Housekeeping staff!  

Thank you to a dear friend, J, who helped us with our hotel accommodation.

To end this post, I want to share with you my most favorite photo from our Staycation---- 

Spell DONYA!!!  Haha!

For more details about Holiday Inn Makati, please visit their FB page and their website.