Keep those coins!

I am sure that at one point in our lives, we had piggy banks!  I don't remember being able to fill up mine though.  I think I wasn't patient enough haha!

    

If piggy banks were a test of a person's patience, well, my husband is a winner!  (Actually, I don't need a piggy bank to tell me that, he is one of the most patient people I know)

This is his "piggy bank" (well, it is a baby bottle that is a piggy bank. . . I know you know what I mean, haha)

He has been religiously filling this up with all the loose change he gets for two years now.  Care to guess how much is in it?  (Make a wild guess before you reach the end of this post, it will be fun!)

One day, this bottle just had enough that we can't drop coins anymore.  So it's time to take everything out.  Actually I don't mind counting all the coins!  But thanks to Coinstar, it just makes counting coins so much easier and faster!

I call it the green ATM, haha!  

Coinstar was actually a brainchild of Jens Molbak and was used for his Graduate School project in Stanford University.  Please click on this link to know more about Coinstar's History.

How does it work?

Before you put your coins in the machine, you get to choose whether you want cash, an e-gift card or a charity donation.

If you choose cash, there is a 10% fee which they deduct from the total amount of coins.

If you prefer Gift card, there is no fee, thus, you will get the total amount at selected establishments like Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, Starbucks, Nike, Chili's, Sears, to name a few.

How easy can counting coins get with this machine?

Just drop the coins in a tray which would then lead to a slot.

Before you proceed, have you picked a number for the total amount of the coins in the bottle?!  If not, make one now and let's see how close you are! =)

At the end, the machine would show you the total amount of the coins and the breakdown:

It would probably have been $400 if the Princess didn't get some of the coins, haha!

So did you make a good guess?!

Honestly, I would have preferred a gift card from Home Depot than Nike but unfortunately the machine we went to only had Nike, Starbucks and Chili's!  I don't want to spend all that money just for coffee or food???  We thought it is the same for all kiosks but probably the one we went to had system problems.  We should have gone to other kiosks!  Oh well. . . we can start again!    

Remember, every penny counts!  Start saving those loose change, you will be surprised how much you'll save.

For more details about Coinstar, please visit their website.

Dear Diary

My brother was helping us do some spring cleaning at the basement when he saw. . . 

MY DIARY. . . . from the '90s!!!  

This diary was a birthday gift from my younger sister (we share the same birthday, 6 years apart!) which makes it extra special.  My sister actually remembered giving it to me.  

Going through the pages brought me back to that time when . . SM Megamall was THE mall . . or when lunch or dinner at Pancake House, Racks or Aristocrat was already a treat.  I remember attending classes, group meetings, doing presentations and still be able to catch a movie AND still go to a "disco" (which are called "clubs" today) after.  (For the record, the movie and disco happening in the same night did not happen often!  Haha)  I can sleep at 4:30 am and still be on time for an 8am group meeting!  I wish I had this kind of energy NOW. . now that I have two toddlers!  Oh youthful energy. . . where are you when I need you most?! Haha!

The diary was only filled up half way and everything in it was about a guy. . . a crush of mine when I was a Junior at the University.  (not the first love, not the first boyfriend. Just.Crush.)

He was a guy I met through a friend.  We were in the same College but different Majors.  We have common friends and shared a couple of classes.  We became friends and we always had a nice time talking to each other when we do.  At the end, I think he kind of knows that I liked him, haha!

I really think I looked like this when he talked to me, hahaha!
Image from www.wikihow.com

As I read each page of the diary, there were a lot of laughs. . . then came louder ones, haha!  And then there were some cringe-worthy moments too, heehee.       

It has been a loooong time but I am sure you know how it feels to have a crush!  Just for fun, let me walk you through some of the things that happen when you do. . .(as I've read in my diary, haha!)  

1.  You have a code name for your crush --- I gave my crush the code name "Snuffleupagus" or "Snuffy" because (I thought) he was cute (even when he had eye bags! Haha)  

Mr. Snuffleupagus of Sesame Street
Image from www.muppet.wikia.com

2. You notice everything he wears --- from the color of the shirt to the brand of his shoes!  You probably even have a favorite among his shirts!  And when you see that you wore the same color of shirt one day. . . you may even regard it as a sign of greater things to come! Hahaha!  

3.You like what he likes - You love mellow songs but you start listening to his kind of music . . even if it's rock. . .or heavy metal!   

4.You get nervous, your heart beats faster, you get too excited, your face turns red. . . even with the mere sight of his hand or the back of his head!  Hahahaha!  (Aminin!)

Image from www.allposters.com

4.  And when you get the chance to face him, you can't look at him in the eye.  Or you just try to steal a glance . . .or you ask your friends to look at him for you, haha!  *cringe moment*   

Image from www.wikihow.com

5. For some reason, you get some "super powers"!  The ability to pick him out in the crowd or to be able to see him even from the corner of your eyes.  And this happened to me more than a few times, he just suddenly appears just when I wish I could see him!  (the power of the mind!)

Image from www.wikihow.com

6.  Seeing (or not) him can make (or break) your day!

Image from www.wikihow.com

7. You get jealous when you see him talk to another girl!  Enough said, haha!

Image from www.wikihow.com

You know what's the hardest thing when you have a crush?  Dealing with this hard truth. . .when your crush doesn't have a crush on you!  Haha!  I know this hurts. . . a lot.  But if this happens to you. . . 

Image from www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

And don't forget. . . there are other fishes in the ocean!

Have a nice weekend everyone! =)

My New Favorite Number!

Eight is my favorite number because a) it has been said (for the Chinese) that it's a lucky number and b) our wedding date is on the 8th too.

But I just found my next favorite number!

Yesterday morning, the Princess and I were doing puzzles (the puzzle's design shows the numbers 1-20).  I know that she already knows her 1-10 so I don't expect her to know the rest of the numbers.

But I was wrong!

She saw this puzzle piece

And shouted. . . "Double 1!!!" (Haha!)

Anyway, so I told her, that's the number Eleven.  (But the little girl has a point, it is a Double 1!)

I am surprised (and proud) that she used the word "double" and came up with her own "number". Haha!

Now I'm afraid to show her my tops size, hahaha!  

Hope you had an enjoyable weekend full of good laughs! =)

For Pet's Sake!

The Princess and I were watching Cartoons where it showed that a little girl had Pets at home.

So out of curiosity, I thought of asking her what animal she wants for a pet.

Me: You know, Pets are animals you want to take care of.  How about you?  What pet do you want to bring home?

J: Snake!!!

(Gasp!!! )

So after a few days, I asked her the same question (as I would like to see if she will give me the same answer)

Me: What pet do you want to have?

J: Spider!!!

(Whaaat?!)

I don't know why she couldn't just say a "Dog" or "Cat"!  Haha!

So for now, I'll just leave it at that. . . it's still too early for her to have pets anyway.

Or until she changes her mind about what pet she likes!

Little Miss Multitasker

I've blogged about our Princess being a little Miss Independent in a previous post.

Apparently, she is a "multi-tasker" too!

When I saw her getting sleepy, I tried getting her snack but she REFUSED to give it up.  I guess she loves Yan-Yan that much! (Like mother, like daughter---NOT that I can't give up Yan-Yan!  We both have a sweet tooth) 

Who says you can't eat and sleep at the same time?!

So to the non-believers. . . I say. . . BELIEVE! Haha!

Writer's Block

Pardon for the lack of regular posts. . . the creative juice isn't flowing, haha!  So I thought of posting some photos from my phone which I took recently.

I've mentioned in an earlier post that the little girl is in her Princess phase.  I wanted to be a Fairy Godmother, so I built her a castle!!!  Okay, it's more like. . . I bought her a tent castle, haha!

She was so happy when she saw the castle. . you would think she would spend her time living in it!  Well, not really . . .I think she is waiting for her Prince Charming!  Haha!     

*****  

I love how our little Princess is starting to form simple sentences during a conversation.  One sunny day, while I was bringing her to school, the sun's rays hurt her eyes.  

J: Mama, hot, hot!  Where's the shades?

And she knows a particular verb pretty well. . . .the verb "BUY"!  Haha!  (Huney, don't worry, she's pretty good in taking "NO" for an answer when it comes to shopping)  

The other day she said, "Mama, I like white flowers, I buy white flowers".  And she told me she's going to buy blue flowers for her little brother.  It's so heartwarming to know that when she wants something for herself, she doesn't forget his little brother. =)

*****

I've been craving for green mangoes lately that I bought another kilo today . . .which I'm sharing with everyone at home!  

Something truly Filipino---Green Mango and  Bagoong (shrimp paste)

*****

Waking up every morning beside my little sleeping prince gives me a joyful and a thankful heart =)

*****

It was the first time that the little Princess and little Prince went to do the grocery together.  I wanted to take a photo of them sitting beside each other in the shopping cart.  But after several attempts. . . I gave up, haha!  

*****

I needed a pedicure (badly I must say! Haha!) so to keep the Princess entertained, I asked her to pick a color for her nails.  She couldn't decide on which one so the girl at the salon just applied different colors in her nails, haha!  And I think the Princess approved!

Showing off her nails!

I guess the photos above gives you an idea how things are at my end.  I will be sharing more photos in future posts =)

Wishing everyone a colorful (yes, like my Princess' nails) week ahead!

Just Laugh!

I went to the mall with the little girl to buy a few things.  I drove, I parked, I went to a computer shop to buy a couple of ink cartridges, we walked, I took the little girl for a ride at the carousel, we walked a little bit more to go to the book store.  We spent some time around the place, browsing, looking for things that I need, something for her too. . . until finally, we were done and were at the cashier to pay for our stuff.  While waiting at the cashier, I brushed my hair with my hand and my hand brushed a part of my face and then. . . I felt something on it!

There was a SMILEY face on my face!  Eeeeeppp!  Haha!  

Ate gets a smiley face from her teacher when they are done for the day which she sometimes sticks on me.  I completely forgot about having one that day and removing it before leaving the house!

So yes, I was walking and doing all the things I've mentioned above with a smiley on my face! 

I probably looked something like this . . . 

while walking around the mall!  Haha!

"As long as you can laugh at yourself, you will never cease to be amused."

- Unknown quote 

Hope you had a smiley and an amusing kind of day today! =)

Little Miss Independent (Take 2)

Our little girl learned how to hold her bottle when she was 5 months and when she was about 16 months, she learned how to eat on her own.

I've also blogged about her, being our little Miss Independent in a previous post.

Please indulge me as I share with you another Proud Mommy moment for me. =)

This morning, when I walked into the room, I saw this. . . .

All because my little Sweetheart wanted to fix her own milk!  She even got a tissue and wanted to clean up this mess. (Heart melts. . . )

To my little girl, I am so proud of you!  I know you want to explore and do things on your own now, and I will let you do so (as long as it doesn't harm you).  Always remember that Mama and Papa are here to guide you.  We will always be here for you.

P.S. I hope you won't change. . . that you will always remember to clean your mess. . . until you reach your teenage years!  Haha!

Now Shoe-ING!

Growing up, I remember wearing my mom's high-heeled shoes because I love the sound that they make when I walk.  The tick-tock sound of the shoes made me feel like I'm a grown-up!  (I pretend to go to the "office" everday)  

But I never tried (and thought of!) wearing my dad's shoes. . . .

This little girl is definitely cooler than me!  Haha!

These boots are not just made for walking, they are good for dress up playtime too!

My dear little girl, would you like to try wearing a pair of high-heeled. . . BOOTS?!

You're beautiful!

The little boy has been mistaken for a girl several times already.  Somebody even said he can be the next Ms. Philippines!  (Ummm, I don't really remember anyone from my childhood telling me the same thing, haha!)  

I can't blame them . . . 

Which reminds me. . . .

So people say he/"she" is beautiful, and I claim that he looks like me. . .

I hope this photo convinces you, heehee

Does it follow that I'm beautiful too? HAHAHA!!!

Anyway, this afternoon, we decided that it's time to for him to get his first haircut --- NOT because of the "he looks like a girl" thing.  I actually don't mind when people say that.  It's just that we want it to look neater.  For us Filipinos, it is customary for babies to have their hair cut when they turn 1 year old.  

But we say, we can't wait so we are doing it now, haha!

After a few snip here and there. . . .

Tadahhhhh!

Looking at the picture above, I can only say. . .

My dear little boy, you are growing too fast!!!

Happy Weekend everyone!

What Happens . . .

When you leave your phone and a curious toddler in the same room. . .

SELFIE TIME!

Duck You!

As defined by Urban Dictionary, Duck Face is a term used to describe the face made if you push your lips together in a combination of a pout and a pucker, giving the impression you have larger cheekbones and bigger lips.

Duckface ala Kim Kardashian

Photo Source

Not sure though if this was what our little girl was trying to do. . . because I never told (and taught) her about it.

This is NOT our Duck Face. . .

It is our SAD face!

Well okay. . . I probably did this "Duck Face" thing. . . once.  

Only because I want my face to look slimmer!  Haha!

So. . .have you? =)

P.S. I wonder if you are trying to do a "Duck Face" while reading this post, haha!

Rocking Red Lipstick

Growing up, I would wear my Mom's high-heeled shoes.

I think all little girls love wearing Mommy's shoes!

As for Ate, well, love for make-up came before the shoes, haha! =)

Somebody is playing with the lipstick! =)

Which reminds me, I should ask my Mom what the brand of her lipstick was (Ate used played with her lipstick) because it's long-lasting!  It is!  Because it took me more than a few scrubs to clean the nipple, haha! 

Uma-Anne Curtis sa red lipstick! =)  
I must say she did a pretty good job applying it.
Yep, it was all her!

She started her day with a bottle of milk and a swipe of (bright) lipstick that put her in a good mood!

Make sure you have a tube because you might just need it someday =)

Image Source

Crazy Over Clay

To minimize Ate's use of her tablet and at the same time, to awaken Ate's innate creativity (and I hope she has some, unlike me, haha!), I've bought a few Art materials for her like watercolor, fingerpaint and my most recent purchase, clay!  Among all the things I've mentioned, my favorite is clay!  It kinda serves as a stress reliever for me too, haha!

My first attempt. . . .

You know you did a good job with your clay impression when a toddler gets it!  Woohoo!

Then she asked me to make her baby brother . . . and I wanted to tell her that making one requires more than molding and shaping a clay!  Heehee. . . .Anyway, for her request, I tried my best but I came up with a gingerbreadman (in a jumper!) instead of a baby. 

I love flowers so I made one too . . .

Next in line. . .Apple which I thought was another easy subject . . . 

Then I challenged myself . . .why not make a fruit basket?!

I posted this fruit basket in my FB wall and one of my good friends liked it especially the "Cashew".  The problem is, there was no "cashew" in the basket!  Haha!  I told her that the yellow one was a Mango.  Guess what, she was actually referring to the RED fruit, the Apple!  OMG, we weren't even talking about the same thing!  Haha!  I know, I know I need more practice.  And then another friend of mine thought it was a cashew too!

To prove a point, I thought of looking for some pictures of a cashew (as a fruit and not the ones you eat from the can, heehee).

Image from www.123rf.com

Okay girls (D and C), YOU have a point, haha!  As what my friend D said, my apple looks very, VERY good, that it can pass off as a really good-looking cashew!  

Now you know who is enjoying playing with the clay a lot more than Ate. =)

Wishing everyone a happy and colorful day ahead!  

Late Post: Monday Blues

When I was still working, I always get the Monday blues. . . that awful, lazy feeling you get after enjoying your weekend, that it makes you don't want to go to work (or go to school).  

How can you beat the Monday blues?

1) SMILE!!!

2) Find something to LAUGH  about (and someone to laugh with). . . no matter how babaw or silly it is.

That was how I started my Monday! =)  

Spread some Love and Happiness!  Have a great week ahead!

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! =)

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! =)