Dancing to 90's Hits

Some guy decided to go back down memory lane and record a video of himself dancing to 90's hits... which got my online community to come up with a dance number of a similar theme for our Christmas party. Haha. Because it was my idea, I was forcibly volunteered to join the dancers.

I decided to embrace it though because it could be something else for me to do to get exercise. Makes me wish I can do it facing a big, new TV on its own flat screen stand to really inspire me more! 

But I guess I will just do it with the kiddos :)  It will be our P.E. (because the arnis sticks have lost their charm a little).

Crochet Freak

Weirdly enough, I have found solace and quiet in crocheting. Unfortunately, such is the escape I get from it that I have been tuning the boys out. Haha.

As I got better at it, I got worse in my parenting. So... I am declaring some sort of hiatus.

 

Didn't edit the crappy composition anymore... but I crocheted this in one sitting... when I was getting stressed at the impending departure of my sister a month ago (used one of the craft balls in my stash as decor)

 

me practicing with flowers and bows coz a friend was asking if I want to tie up with her business

 

loved learning about flowers coz they're soooo easy to make and finish (better than hacky sacks!)

 

this is a water bottle holder gift to a goddaughter :)  I thought that one single flower was cute!

 

this was the glove that I tried shortscuts with... so it ended up with horrid-looking fingers :D have to completely remake!!!

 

my first official headband made

 

the second one :)

I haven't included here the scarves made from love and really achy fingers (4 in all, last Nov-Dec)... but see how my descent into madness resulted in pretty things? Haha. Ironic too that I am a mom of boys and don't really have use for these flowers.

Anyway... in my hiatus... I will happily await the arrival of these:

 

Haha.... I should have bought more solids than ombres

 

these... bought by my sister using coupons and a lot of love!

 

there was a Valentine sale at Knitpicks so these are all girly colors

Well... I figured, if I can make SOME money out of finding solace, why not?!

Going on a Country Fair!

I got my hubby to be willing to drive to Bulacan next week for the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm Countryside Fair :)  I am beyond excited for my sons because they'd be roaming the outdoors... and I will be shopping.

I have often wanted to go to country fairs like they do abroad... with merchants utilizing trailer hitches for cars so they can just sell from their car whatever produce they have harvested or goods they have made. I have always wanted the kids to 'ooohh' and 'aaahhh' over different plants and animals for sale, and compare which stall has the biggest squash or the freshest melons, to sample toys and things and dips and whatever else... and maybe find something to truly spice up a wardrobe or home.

I cannot wait!!! :)

Yes... I don't know where to get money for it... hahaha... but I cannot wait to go!

Tomorrow Is Donation Time

In a way, I am excited to give things away... not really because it may mean I can shop for new ones again (but that's a perk, of course... and the kids ARE growing and need wardrobe adjustments from time to time) but that I may be able to breathe better in our home.

Of course, hopefully the search for donatable items won't aggravate the sinus allergy that has kept me down all day today (because I 'rescued' some stuff from possible flooding).

I realized  I have so many slippers of Yakee's that I was keeping... since Yamee prefers bigger-sized slippers anyway, now I can give away what he's using without guilt.

I also just hope I can go to UP-PGh to drop off the things... because though LBC accepts donations now, few trust them because their parcels aren't delivered on time.

Cleaning Gentlemen

Say, a crumb of muffin falls on the floor or some milk gets spilled. Yamee would automatically (and very enthusiastically) get the broom (complete with the dust pan) or the mop and clean up the mess.

Yakee, while in the middle of a tantrum earlier, was asked by his father to sweep the floor and he eadily stopped all the whining. As he gave his all in sweeping  the floor, and even sang while he did it, I couldn't help but wonder where all the tantrum went.

Amazing, right?

So, just maybe, if we ever get to migrate and join my family in Michigan, the boys could work for my uncle's cleaning services. It would be cool part-time work and all of my father's siblings (my Mom and him included) have actually done it. After all, it pays good money and most of them are neat freaks!

Incidentally, I once chanced upon this website for  office cleaning services in Wisconsin and was really impressed at the extent to which they disinfect and scrub and air and do everything else to clean spaces. I liked that they highlighted changing their cleaning tools regularly and that they target high-traffic areas. It's also great that such services are reachable by e-mail because some people (like me) are just really too lazy to pick up the phone even.

Now... I just hope this cleanliness streak will never wane for my boys. I might just end up with a spic and span kitchen just yet.

Farming in the City

Nope, I'm not talking about Farmville.

While uploading our many pictures of our Iloilo-Bacolod trip, I noticed this shot at Garin Farm.



In case you can't read the sign, it basically says that space and location is not an issue, you can still grow your own food (and not just plants too) even in small spaces. Look at this, you don't need land and would never need to go over reel mower reviews because you can just plant basic crops using scrap materials (in this case, cutout tires for radish, tomatoes, kangkong and sweet potato) and hang them on a wall. Basic ingredients for Filipino staple dishes like sinigang.

I was really excited by this and thought it would be something wonderful that I can do with my sons... I am sure harvesting the produce and eating those will prove more meaningful for them.

Excited For Family Congress 2012

I was late and got lost a little yesterday but I still managed to catch the better part of the blogcon for the upcoming Family Congress 2012.



I wanted to share yesterday about the time when I posted on FB about how parents who want to give the best to their children should attend marriage encounters, parenting seminars and maybe even nutrition counseling and regular therapy. That, instead of breaking backs to purchase expensive gadgets or doing thorough research on which school to send a child to or what enrichment classes in the summer are great. There were several negative reactions to that post, mostly about it being extreme and regular dates should do it.

Regular dates with the hubby ARE important... but regular check ups are equally important. It's like the relationship's well-baby checkup. If we send our kids to different enrichment classes, why not attend one ourselves on how better to communicate with the members of the family, which food to prepare, how to affair-proof our marriage and the like? After all, nobody took up parenting and being a spouse in school, we usually learn as we go... and there is always room for improvement somewhere, even in the happiest of homes.

We take Lamaze classes for a one-time event in our parenting life... why not take classes on how to care and empower that precious child we gave birth to? :)

So, anyway... please spread the word:

Family Congress: BFF (Building the Filipino Family)
August 25, 2012 (Saturday), 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig CIty.

Early bird promo (before April 30) is P1,300/person
Group Promo: Pay 6 and 1 gets in for free
Regular Rate: P1,500

Registration Fee is inclusive of seminar fee, meals and maybe some freebies from sponsors.

Breakout sessions include "Handling the Bully and the Bullied" by Dr. Honey Carandang and "Migrating and Managing the Digital World" by Ms. Queena Lee-Chua, PhD.

See you there, for we're definitely going! :)



For more details please call 579-0100 and 4364-143 or mobile #0917-8972903 or email familycongress@gmail.com.

Summer is More Fun at St. Michael

St. Michael Playhouse will be holding special classes for both parents and kids this summer.

First, there are these classes for the parents.



I intend to attend the living storybook workshop because I feel it would help with the homeschooling stint. Hopefully though, there will be someone I can leave the kids with on those dates.

And then there's this for Yakee:



I am darned sure he'd love the woodwork and gardening sessions. I can't really enrol him in the other classes because I intend to have him and Yamee take swimming classes as usual. He's actually been asking already why he isn't going to swim school yet. :) This would be his 4th year and Yamee's first. Hopefully, I can manage their schedules.

It's really not a good time to let go of babysitter but this is an opportunity to grow :)

How Protected Are You, SAHM?

Recently, a hot topic in my ygroups was brought about by someone's two woman friends who were suddenly left by their husbands, without money of their own. This was a wake-up call to all, especially to one-income families like ours.

We trust the husbands we married, after all. We cannot imagine them falling out of love. Some will also never think of losing them to diseases or accidents. But the truth is, its not just separation or a debilitating illness that can throw a family's financial standing into chaos.

What if my husband loses his job? What if some tragedy happens? (I am writing this on the 2nd anniversary of Ondoy)What will happen, then, to a woman like me who has kids to support?

Hubby and I have always made sure we have enough money to cover a few months of him without work, that is our insurance cash. Then, we have some savings that's also available cash. Then, we have an insurance plan too.

But that's not enough. I have realized I have really failed myself the most when I didn't make income generating part of my days. I do not regret staying home and quitting my job, but I should still have continued generating income.

I have, in some ways, but I have not made it a priority. I should, though, if only to have my own money... or if only to have that extra income to fall back on. Plus, if I really want our own house, being a stay-at-home Mom shouldn't mean I shouldn't contribute to the purchase of it.

Sigh.

I know we should start checking out annuity rates online again. And I should make it a priority to update my insurance records to ensure my husband and kids are named beneficiaries. And I should be more actively earning from my online/writing gigs.

It's not just about the money. It's about being empowered, it's acquiring skills, being in the loop and taking care of my self-concept. Plus, it would also help me not to overanalyze my home situation and get my validation only from my family life.

Mom Bloggers for Play Pilipinas

‘Play’ includes activities of children that are not controlled by adults and that do not necessarily
conform to any rules. Source

Play Pilipinas will be the country's first Play Festival. It's happening in October 21-23, 2011 and I just really can't wait!

But wait... I must tell you first that Play Universal, in a drive to promote its Active Play movement and Play Pilipinas, has invited mom bloggers for lunch. Unfortunately, only three of us were able to come. It was still great though because we managed to really interact. Leirs, Joey and I all have two kids each... but Ms. Sigrid has eight (all age ten and below) so it made for a really interesting exchange. And yes, I was texting my friend Laya about how Ms. Sigrid can manage her legion and still establish Play Universal and manage Project Brave Kids so we (laya and I) should stop ranting, haha.



Free and active play, a basic right for kids, is now being hindered by the following:
1) Adults that are unaware of the importance of play and parents themselves restricting play opportunities
2) Unsafe environments and limited play space, especially for children growing up in the city
3) Parents' Fears, that can run the gamut of social (bullying) to physical (germs, falls
4) Inadequate play policies (like barangays will construct a basketball court that may only benefit big kids, or construct playgrounds that are generic but don't really promote active play)
5) Excessive pressure for educational achievement and lack of provisions for play in school
6) Structured, programmed leisure time (play that is generally free of rules actually help facilitate better IQ and EQ)
7) Technology and the commercialization of play (e.g. instead of using their imagination with boxes and plastic containers, little girls now need miniature play kitchens and boys are hunched over gadgets instead of jumping off beds)
8) Marginalization (girls aren't encouraged to climb walls; the poor don't really have playgrounds)

So, yes... it was a very informative, however brief, encounter.

Needless to say... I am looking forward to Play Pilipinas (details of the play festival here). I don't have the P15k for the 3-day conference (and the topics, though interesting, are really targeted for academe people) but I might be forced to come up with the P3k or so for at least one of their mini workshops. I'm thinking, the one on traditional Filipino games. They're also considering a mini workshop for Play and Special Needs Kids.

The 3-day forum will cost P10,500 only and the mini-workshops P1k, thanks to more sponsors for the event.

But I am really excited about the playground installations they will be setting up (winning designs from the playground design competition) because kids will be able to move from one setup to another. And this won't be the generic slides and swings!

And then there will be the fairs on toys, books and magazines, nutrition, fashion, school and world toys. Like I told hubs, it might end up as a major shopping spree for me, haha.

Play Pilipinas is happening on October 21-23, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center. For more information and inquiries, just contact:
Play Universal Co.
9F Pacific Center, 33 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Telefax: +63 634 0416
Email: playnow@playpilipinas.com
http://playpilipinas.org/

I think this is a perfect venue for a grand EB and playdate, haha!

Before and After Being a Mom

I made sure to look for pics where I'm wearing a similar top. And yes, generally, I look good in red with deep necklines. But more than 30 lbs. (and six years) separate these two pictures so I am, naturally, more endowed in the AFTER pic.

Some days, I feel I looked better before. No fats, no cellulite, no flab. So yeah, generally, the difference is just the amount of flesh in my frame. And because of the weight gain (which I really can't blame on motherhood... chocolates, cupcakes, cookies, rice, seafood, etc pa!), I now have to invest in a more expensive wardrobe to look good. Before, I could just buy off the rack and a P300-top is already expensive for me. Now, I don't look good anymore in any top for that amount. Unless maybe, we're talking about bras...

Before, I am DELISYUS because I was sexy. Now, I am delicious to whoever I am breastfeeding.

But look at my smile! :)

All I wanted was to be a Mom growing up. And despite the tears and battle scars, I am thankful I am one. And I really felt all kinds of sexy with my first pregnancy, in awe of just how much my body can change shape while affirming the female privilege of being able to grow someone inside.

And then, there's breastfeeding... which, eventhough it made me feel like a milking cow (which it shouldn't since lactation is not just specific to cows), was something so rewarding that it allowed me to reinvent myself. And reach out to other bewbs. I mean, mothers.

And there are my sons... who will always see me as the most beautiful woman in the world (until they get married, and even then, I won't be unseated, just qualified).

So, hello... definitely I am more beautiful now. Inside and Out. I may not have aged as healthily and gracefully as I wanted but the more important thing remains: I have more love in my life. :)


*~*

Official entry to the Facebook contest by Babymama.

A Summer Affair: Children’s Workshops Expo 2011 by Working Mom Magazine

I am pretty excited about the Children’s Workshops Expo 2011 happening on April 10 at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City. Yakee is pretty much covered for the summer but I want to see what classes are being offered now, if anything is near where we live, what I can offer on my own and new educational/enrichment trends. Consider it as research for my homeschooling dream.

The expo is from 10 AM to 7 PM. See you there!!!

MY CHRISTMAS WISH THIS YEAR: A NOKIA C7

I don't even know what model this unit is anymore. With the wedding expenses we had to pay for back in 2005, it was all I could afford. But I was bent on finally having a camera phone then. So, I bought this unit.




It was the same phone that I was using while getting made up for church, the one where my groom's messages about being nervous that day are still stored... to this day. Well, he did text that he's sure I'd be the most beautiful bride ever, too. Our only picture of him carrying me on the threshold of our hotel room was also taken by this phone.

And can you believe it, I still have this phone. It's served me well in the five years that I've had it. And for the most part, I didn't think I needed a new one.

Except now.

Now, I want a Nokia C7 but I can't afford it. I am a stay-at-home Mom who just gave birth to her second child. We have priorities to take care of first. But I really want a Nokia C7 because of so many reasons, possibly trivial to others, but are real and serious ones for me:

1) I need to embrace touch screen technology.

2) And have a phone that will allow me to maximize my postpaid plan. I'm addicted to Plurk and Facebook anyway.

3) Plus, I blog.

4) And attend blogger events that require pictures. I can't keep bringing my DSLR to those.

5) And I'm a Mom of a preschooler and infant. Not only do I need C7 to help me capture magical moments, it will also occupy less space and weight in our baby bag when we go out.

6) I also plan to lose weight starting next year and run in the Mommy Milkshake marathon. I could use a Sports Tracker like what hubby uses to monitor his jogs.

7) This can be my push present. Technically, it's the husband who should give me one but he's already springing for our son's christening next week. We really have priority expenses at the moment.

8) Should I win it, and my hubby desires it, I'd readily give him my prize because he's the biggest blessing in my life. Bringing a twinkle in his eye is the least I could do for him.

9) And how else do I expect to raise techie-savy kids if their parents don't have the latest Nokia has to offer?

Artscow Hearkens with Christmas Ornaments

Artscow is offering photo Christmas ornaments at $2/ornament and I am super tempted to order at least ten of them. Or twenty.

It's actually still really expensive since that would amount to P80 per ornament but we're talking about stars with my kids' photos here. I'm thinking I'd use what I will be ordering on our first Christmas tree in our own home next year, complete with other christmas plants and flowers to perk up the place. I really intend to decorate next year. Right now, all we have are Christmas balls hanging from the eaves of our living room ceiling.

Or, if I am really sweet, I could gift them to MIL, who always has the best Christmas tree ever.

I have several more dayd to think about it. To spend (and splurge) or not to spend.

Of Pendings and Deadlines

I was such a sloth while I was pregnant that though I did manage to cram the most important things I had to finish, there were still many things I had to leave unattended or pending.

First, I have yet to discuss the insurance quotes from Prulife UK sent to me by my agent friend with the husband.

I also forgot to leave authorization letters at home to receive packages in my behalf. I also forgot to pay the insurance for my parents' houses.

Then there's the AVP photoslide sideline that I have yet to plot on Moviemaker for my friend.

And the tons of things we have to throw away, from clothes to toys to old magazines, so we can make room for new stuff at home.

And I have also only checked e-mails and accounts properly. It seems I could have missed important writing deadlines too.

So now, I cram.

Video Production as Part-Time Work

I am currently in the midst of making a Video production for a friend for her Mom's birthday in December. We have decided to already start on it this early as I am due to give birth in November. And it's nothing fancy really, more like a photoslide of digiscrapped pages with her choice of songs. I have a long way to go before I can come up with anything like a corporate video production, you know, with Flash and animation. Hubs has been asking me though if I wanted to learn, since maybe it is an opportunity I should tap and something I will be good in.

Well, priority right now is having a safe delivery. But as with attending blogger events (for the SEO opportunities), I have been toying with the idea of really mastering Photoshop and video production since I have a knack for the sentimental anyway. And if I prove capable, making video productions as part-time work wouldn't be a shabby thing indeed. I have enough friends who can get me to create their corporate video production for special occasions. Maybe I can even just get my old company to hire my services every Anniversary and Christmas celebration as I used to create the AVPs for those events anyway.

The possibilities are endless, even if you're working from home.

The Painter's Wife Blog Contest

THREE GOODIE BAGS for mommies (especially breastfeeding ones) worth at least P3,000 each of fab products is up for grabs at the Painter's Wife's blog.

I would seriously be happy with any of these things (as I don't need stuff like rv insurance or LV bags anyway):

Goodie Bag #1:
PhP1,000.00 store credits from Swell Sweets
One (1) Sling from Next9
One (1) Onesie or T-Shirt from googoo&gaga

Goodie Bag #2:
PhP750.00 Gift Certificate from Chili Willy’s Texas Grill
PhP1,000.00 Store Credits from Babymama.ph
One (1) 3-Pc. Burp Cloth Set from Nursingmom

Goodie Bag #3:
Breastfeeding Accessories Set from Mama.Baby.Love (Jingle Jungle Sterilizer Bags, Jingle Jungle Breastmilk Storage Bags, Fabulous Mom Nursing Pads)
One (1) Nursing Cover and Pouch Set from Nursingmom
Five (5) Regular Servings of Caveman & Yeti Shaved Ice

You can join by blogging about it, tweeting about it, adding as Multiply friend, referring friends to the blog contest (so please, if you learned about the contest from me/here, don't forget to include my name "Mec Arevalo" as the one who referred you so I can get an extra entry point while you earn yours) or liking the sponsors' FB pages.

Just click on the photo above to take you to the Painter's Wife's contest page!

Now, let me just invoke the luck that they say preggos have, hehe.

Mommy Blogger

More and more mommy bloggers network are being established as more and more middle-income families have stay-at-home-moms and as more and more moms document their family life through blogs. Plus, blogs are one great way for us to recommend tried and tested products, or warn others about other things.

For some, it's also a great way to share the latest news and trends and studies, or just direct people to great sales and cute outfits (both for the mom and the kids).

I sure hope I can be more of a blogger, learn about SEO and web directory submission and increasing page ranks and feeds subscriptions. Maybe next year.

My Social Calendar So Far

Taking advantage of the fact that I don't need any acne treatment gel when am preggy and really fabulous maternity outfits, I am squeezing as much activities in my calendar as I can.

I have tackled the Divi trip already for my last purchases of onesies and more socks.

I hope to attend a blogger event on October 11 with Unilab and another one on the 22nd at Action Fun (all the way to SM North EDSA). Then I just received word that Mommy Academy will be having another talk series on the 23rd and I feel inclined to register.

Then, come October 24, I'd be lunching with former college classmates and then attending the birthday party of my blogger friend's daughter.

And if truth be told, I am also itching to go to the 2nd Homeschooling Conference on the 30th. And I also need to go to my old office to withdraw funds and attend my former colleague's birthday celebration.

Busy, busy, busy! I don't know which is busier, a bee or me!

Insurance Meetings

Hubs has met with his high school friend twice already to discuss insurance so now he's even abreast of Netquote business car insurance and prevailing local business insurance rates. The one being offered to him by his friend, a term insurance, is also something we can use when we take out a loan for a house because it supposedly guarantees that we will be paid so much so the bank, or Pag-Ibig, need not worry about not getting paid.

And then there's me supposedly meeting with a PruLife UK representative but our meeting keeps getting cancelled and usually because of babysitter issues. I wouldn't be surprised if she offers me a group health plan for the entire family. Supposedly too, they are the only insurance company that offers something else (dividends from deposits? I forgot).

Hubs and I have agreed to meet with these people and really consider what they are offering. And then we will have a serious talk on which one will best suit our needs. I am actually a little hesitant to commit to monthly payments when I really want us prioritizing a house (and dealing with housing loans). Plus, Yakee, even if I homeschool him next year, will require expense for all the classes he needs for socialization purposes. Not to mention the expected two thousand pesos addition on our monthly budget for diapers for Yamee and all the well-baby checkups and vaccines. And then there will be his birthday.

But at least, ever since hubs started jogging, he has also been more conscious about health in general, and our security in particular. And just like with any other thing, I am sure we can make ends meet for our love will find a way.