Escape to El Nido (part 1)

El Nido is in my wish list of travel destinations for the longest time, and last weekend, I got my wish and was able to experience the beauty and wonders of the islands with my family. After our first day, gusto na namin agad mag plan for our next trip! It's a different world out there! While my photos don't do justice to how beautiful El Nido is, I will just let my pictures do the talking and briefly share what we did over the three glorious days in this little piece of paradise.

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Staying Healthy this Holiday Season

Christmas is just around the corner and we are all so excited for our upcoming holiday vacation in Japan! It's gonna be our first trip there so I want to make sure everything will be in order and we'll all be in the best of health in the days leading to our trip. Kaya todo vitamins na ang mga kids and I'm trying to keep our environment clean. Mahirap na... I don't want any of us to get sick during this most wonderful time of the year.

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Mangrove Planting with 3rd Graders

Second Friday of the month:  Education / Kids

My girl and her fellow third graders had the opportunity to travel to a mangrove forest in a remote area in Lian, Batangas. This educational trip was part of their unit study about “Exploring What We Can Do For the Regions” for Social Studies. The field trip was done in collaboration with the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (www.ptfcf.org) and Lian Kingfisher Association. I was one of the parent-volunteers and I'm excited to share our experience with you!

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Family Friday: Dealing with Scoliosis

Around June or July, my husband was playfully massaging and tickling the boy and was surprised to feel a curve along his spine. We never noticed it before and when I checked, there was indeed a curve to the right. We suspected it to be scoliosis. He never had any complaints with his back or spine so I overlooked it for months. When I had my 3D mammogram and bone densitomerty last October, I remembered his spine and inquired about a scoliosis checkup. Eventually, we consulted a doctor and he was diagnosed with scoliosis. He recommended an x-ray immediately.

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What To Expect from Body Densitometry and 3D Mammography at Health Cube

Second Friday of the month: Health / Wellness

Health is wealth. It's been said a gazillion times, but it's true. As a mom, I have to stay fit and healthy to be able to take care of my family's welfare. I must admit, hindi ako regular sa annual check-ups and lab tests, and I've never undergone mammography or bone scan, ever. I didn't feel the need then. But having friends and relatives who are cancer survivors, and a few who succumbed, I know I have to take preventive measures and self-checks, aside from eating right. So, when I was offered to take the Body Densitometry and 3D Mammography at Health Cube, I immediately said yes, kahit medyo kabado ako coz I am clueless about the procedures. I'm sharing my experience here so you if you're a "newbie" to these tests like me, you'll know what to expect. Plus, there's a giveaway at the end of this feature!

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Family Friday: Poop Problems

Second Friday of the month:  Health / Wellness

I don't know what other term to use, so excuse the title if it sounds iffy to you. =) This post is really all about what my girl has been going through for the past two months. She's been very emotional every time she experiences abdominal pains. She wants it to go away. We all do.  She's been though a lot during the past few weeks and most nights, she wants to sleep with us in our bed. The pains and discomfort are affecting not just her health, but also her studies, her sleep patterns, her diet, our day-to-day activities and weekend plans, not to mention my own health coz I also cannot sleep soundly when she can't sleep at night.

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Family Friday: All About J & M's Painting and Anime Drawings

Second Friday of the month: Hobbies / Recreation / Kids

Ever since my kids were little, drawing has been one of their hobbies and a favorite activity for quiet time. I've featured some of their past works years ago on the blog and on Instagram as #ArtOfJandM. It's only recently that I've started taking notice again of what they've been creating. Please indulge me as I share some of their more current artworks that triggered some proud mommy moments for me. I am hard to please when it comes to my kids' works, but napabilib din nila ako with their latest artworks. :)

THE BOY

His doodling got less and less over the years, and homeschooling made it possible for him to explore art again. Noon puro robots and original game characters ang drawing niya. This year, he began taking painting classes at Art Smart. They teach him basic painting techniques and use acrylic on canvas.

Teacher said he is skilled, but sometimes tends to rush his projects. I've observed that he needs to be more meticulous and patient, and should work more neatly. Minsan ang daming patak ng paint on the sides and teacher will help him cover and clean it pa! Here are some of his works so far and I am looking for a spot in the house for each of them. =)

This painting below is for me. I'll claim this. =) He initially chose a blue and orange photo of a different jelly fish, but I wanted this more colorful version. It took me some time to convince him and told him to paint it for me, hehehe. Eventually, he obliged but did not quite finish... he missed some shading and shadows, but tinamad na kasi time is up na daw! Haaay!

He's currently working on this cupcake. Once he's done, I'll share the finished work on Instagram. =)

THE GIRL

Drawing cartoons was always her favorite and she knows she's getting better at it. Pero she has her moods -- sometimes she will hide her work coz it's private daw, and there are days when she will request me to take a picture agad and let me post it on Instagram. She still prefers pencil drawings and rarely colors her works.

From creating her own animal characters to animé illustrations, she now gained the confidence to teach her classmates who are interested to learn and draw anime. Here are two mystical characters from a series she made last month.

M's latest drawings are all about anime girls. Since school started last June, she's been bringing home some of her doodles and comics. Earlier today, she created another original character named Necko Chan. Her characters all have "Chan" daw at the end of their names... don't ask me why! I can't understand her explanation, heehee.  

Here's a sample. May frontal rendition and side view. Mahirap daw yung side view, she is still practicing.

Their school is now on their term break, so she asked me if she can invite friends over and they can draw. Kaya bigla tuloy ako napa-organize ng "anime drawing workshop" dito sa bahay! M and another classmate with be the "teachers" for beginners and advanced levels.

Everything is almost set, and I am all out to support this hobby coz I also enjoyed drawing even as a kid. In this digital era, drawing with a pencil on paper is as organic as you can get when it comes to expressing one's creativity. Especially for the younger generation, it makes them appreciate art even more since it's their original work, drawn by hand. No gadgets, no complicated or high-tech materials needed. Just pure inspired drawings that spark their imagination.

"This is you, mommy. I copied the exact shirt and shorts you're wearing now, see...?" 

I look so young in that drawing diba, hahahaha. But at least she got the ponytail right.

"I can't do boys. Ok... I'm going to draw our family..."  

This was a stolen shot, kasi hindi pa ata tapos, but I love it already. =)

More of our family's art:

fun-friday-art-of-j-m.html

fun-friday-whats-your-favorite-hobby.html

fun-friday-micro-toys-and-crafts-for-lps.html

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Family Friday: Keep Calm and Carry On with Homeschool

Second Friday of the month: Parenting / Education

We just started our new school year this month and the boy is now grade 7.  I can't believe we are on our third year of homeschool! It doesn't get any easier, and to be honest, there are more days where I still find it hard to find joy in our homeschooling journey.  Kaya I continue to seek inspiration from successful homeschoolers and from online resources.

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Keeping Up With This 40ish Mom

Second Friday of the month:  Personal / Motherhood

My lifestyle has evolved in a major way as I hit 40. It's only now that I took notice and appreciated all these changes in my life as a forty-three-year-old wife, and mother of the boy and the girl. I'm not going to turn serious here ha, but rather finding humor in the simple joys and pleasures that I've been experiencing lately, thanks to a change in perspective and channeling the law of attraction. Good vibes only, okay. It really works!

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Family Friday: Our Homeschool Journey Continues

Second Friday of the month: Parenting / Schooling

I'm giving the boy two more weeks to complete the last quarter and close the school year. I am on panic mode since end of May. We are delayed (as expected), and just like last year, his year-end testing and assessment with our academic adviser is set at the end of this month. He'll be done with grade 6. He is going to be graduating from middle school and the ceremony is scheduled at the end of September. I can't believe we will have a graduate and that we made it through two years of homeschooling!!!

At Magellan's Cross, which was part of his Philippine history lesson

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Family Friday: Raising a Strong-Willed Child

Second Friday of the month:  Parenting / Kids

Fierce, willful, inquisitive, temperamental, street-smart. These are just some of the words to describe our daughter. She's a toughie, a complete opposite of her brother (that's a whole different story). She can be sweet one moment, then play hardball the next. Sugar and spice, that's her. Is there a right way to parent a strong-willed child?

M is our spunky girl. She's independent, creative, playful, opinionated. She can be very persistent and stubborn too. Ang hirap timplahin minsan. Everyday, we get into a situation where she will challenge us, day and night, there will always be an issue to process, to argue about or to negotiate. There are a lot of "NO" in the convo. It can stem from anywhere -- meal times to organizing her toys, bath time and sleeping hours, wanting to buy something, even to combing her hair and wi-fi disconnections! There will be days when she will throw a fit, become rude and unreasonable (even in public!) that it will really test our patience. Parenting nightmare, I know! Horror, diba? I feel so helpless, embarrassed. I feel judged.

At some point, I resorted to spanking and locking her in a room as punishment. I didn't like it, and I was shaking in anger while I forced her in to the room. I also cried many times out of frustration, not knowing how to get through to her. Patigasan talaga kami. I dreaded the teenage years.

During some meltdowns, she would cry hysterically and starts hyperventilating (happening now as I type this --  may issue tonight!!!). She's really pushing and testing our patience. We learned to just ignore her and allow her to calm down (even if it takes an hour) on her own before sitting her down for a talk.

Before, I used to shout and nag out of impulse. We clash...a lot! I know that it's not the solution. It's not an effective way to calm her down and manage the situation. Minsan, give up nako. Most of the time, I let J handle her. Still a trial and error on finding the best way to approach her temperament and tantrums. It's sooo exhausting. We are hopeful that this is just a stage.

I hate to say it, but I think she feels entitled and is turning into a brat. =(  She knows it, but matigas talaga siya. It really bothers me, and I feel that we failed her.

Talking with J and my friends, and reading up on related parenting articles help me a lot. I also learn so much from coach Pia Acevedo of the One Core every time I attend a Better Me session on parenting. The last one was several weeks ago and here's what coach Pia has to say, and my take-away from the open forum in relation to my parenting woes:

• People make the right decisions that they can make in a given time in their life. Don't apologize for the decisions you made.
• I know we've made mistakes that led to where we are now with our children. Not sure when or what, but we can only move forward and try to make better decisions this time around. Ang hirap! Parenting is a work in progress.
• Everyone has their own process. Tantrums are kids' process, but it's the parents' responsibility to create a safe environment and acknowledge their feelings (ask them to communicate their feelings)
• The magic word -- process. Each one of us has our own process, our own way of dealing with every situation. It's just so hard to ignore when they become disrespectful during their process. But kailangan palampasin muna yung moment na yun, and then talk it out afterwards. I need to be more conscious and to recognize that in both my kids, especially with my girl. Good thing the boy and the girl know how to express and verbalize what they feel so we can understand and find a way to address them.
• Parents should have a strong core for kids to follow -- present certitude to help kids find what they are good at
• It's not going to be easy, but I know I need to better myself first to be able to nurture my kids and raise them well. I owe it to them and to my husband.

As the saying goes, the struggle is real! Minsan, hindi ko na talaga alam ang gagawin. We resorted to threats and punishments as the easy way out. There are moments of self-doubt and guilt. Then I came across this article last month - 8 Truths Of Parents Who Are Raising A Strong-Willed Child from Scary Mommy blog, and it hit home. I've embraced the good and the not-so-good sides to her character. You'll understand me more after you read it.

Don't get me wrong, she has more positive attributes than negative, and we are so blessed to have a daughter like her. M is a smart cookie. She's well-loved in school, mature for her age, and she's feisty. A well-rounded individual, self-motivated, and a critical-thinker. Etong issue lang talaga ang super mega challenging for us. Stressful! At 9 years old, she knows what she wants, and she knows what she's doing. We love her for that. We're still trying to figure her out, to get to know her better and how to approach her episodes the right way. I know she will eventually grow out of this "difficult" phase and that being strong-willed is a key to her future success. We're here to help her learn to be more mindful, to manage her emotions and, ultimately, find her joy.

Do you have a strong-willed child? How do you "deal" with them?

Resources:
www.scarymommy.com
Follow Coach Pia Acevedo on Facebook
www.theonecore.com
Follow TheOneCORE on Facebook
www.betterme.ph
Follow BetterMePH on Facebook

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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From a Tele-babad Teen to Social Media-holic SAHM

Second Friday of the month: Personal / Family

7038**. 7752**. 72752**. 72476**. 0998-985****. Yes, six digits lang noon. I still remember all our old home phone numbers kasi ako ang suki niyan as soon as I get home from school and done with homework or reviews. From our black dial-up telephone unit, I remember chatting with my classmates about anything and everything. Eventually, PLTD added a 7th digit to our telephone number and updated the phone units. Aside from television, our telephone is my best friend at home. Wala pang internet noon and next to sending mail, calling from the phone is the best way of communication.

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Family Friday: Taking a Break from the Hustle

Second Friday of the month:  Motherhood / Lifestyle

The New Year of the Fire Monkey has just entered last Monday and my whole month is already full of activities. Looking over my calendar makes me feel stressed and excited at the same time. Lots of things to look forward to, really. Between home management, homeschooling the boy, tutoring the girl, and squeezing dates with J, I know I need to carve out some time for myself. Remember: happy wife, happy life. =)

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Family Friday: My Birthday Girl is 9 Today

Second Friday of the month: Kids / Family

My not-so-little girl is 9. It's like every year after she started going to school, I say to myself that I don't have a baby anymore and that time flies so fast. Indeed, it has. While his brother is already in the tween stage, I am taking comfort in the fact that she still wants to remain "small" and to "stay a kid forever" -- her own words. She'll forever be the baby of the family.

When she turned 8 last year

We did not plan anything special this year except giving in to her request that she wants to go swimming with her cousins, just like how she celebrated her birthday last year with her (girl)classmates.  We'll do that tomorrow. Today, she'll treat her second-grade class to a simple lunch. Tonight, we'll have our traditional family dinner at a resto of her choice, and then candle-blowing on her requested ice cream cake at home.

Let me keep this post short and simple as I dedicate this to M on her 9th birthday. Here are some precious photos from years past and sharing my hopes and wishes for our little lady.

From here on, I hope you remain persistent and motivated to get through challenges and to achieve your goals. Keep trying, never give up.

Enjoy life's many adventures. I hope we can travel the world together. Explore!

Be humble. Show respect. Be kind, always. 

Stay curious. Keep asking questions. There's so much to learn and discover. 

Continue to hone your talents and pursue your interests.

I  hope you become more confident and self-assured. Don't be afraid to stand out and to express yourself.

I wish you find true friends, have the best times and create wonderful memories with them.

Be your brother's best friend. Love one another. Act silly together.

Always look at the bright side. Stay positive, stay healthy and happy.  

Remember that we all love you very much. We are always here to guide, to support, and to cheer you on. I know there's so much in store for you this year. Here's to being 9!

Birthdays past:

7 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/planning-frozen-birthday-party-with-girl.html

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/fun-friday-what-to-prepare-for-frozen.html

6 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/the-girl-is-6.html

5 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2012/01/foodie-friday-rainbow-birthday-cupcakes.html

3 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2010/01/girl-is-3.html

School party planning:

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/fun-friday-school-birthday-party_18.html

Update:

All about M on my Instagram today. =)

Here's the girl with her requested frozen custard cake (ice cream cake) I ordered from Rita's. During lunch at school, we treated her classmates to Shakey's Bunch of Lunch and a tower of Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of her usual birthday cupcakes. Happiness!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Friday: On Raising a Tween Boy

Second Friday of the month:  Parenting / Kids 

I was a first-time mom to a healthy baby boy almost twelve years ago. In less than two weeks, my boy will turn twelve, and according to him, he's already a "tween"... since he was 10! I don't want him to turn 12. I don't feel it yet. Or maybe I am just in denial. Whatever. I am not ready to raise a tween!

Summer 2015

So, how do you raise a tween boy?

Honestly, I feel as clueless as I was when I had him. I don't have the right answers to that. I'm still figuring it out while trying to educate myself by reading parenting stuff online and asking friends with teen boys. It's a scary stage for me, this puberty thing, even more than the baby phase.

With puberty, you don't know what they're thinking and feeling na kasi, so extra attention is needed. He's an inquisitive and sensitive boy, and has challenges on the socio-emotional level so I know we have to listen more and be mindful of what we say to him.

There are days na hindi ko pa rin siya matimpla even if we are always together, homeschooling for over a year now. He's not the type to bring up a topic and try to converse with me, unlike my girl who is naturally chatty. =) It's really an effort to open up and initiate a conversation with him kasi we don't have much in common. And then there's sex education. We haven't touched that topic yet. I'm scared!!! When? I don't know yet. I have to know what he knows first, and will take off from there. I know that J has his one-on-one moments with him and it's easier for them kasi they can talk about boy stuff on top of some philosophical discussions about life in general, which is great. In my time, I had none of those moments or conversations with my parents. But I got by and I think I turned out okay. =)

Puberty -- the awkward stage. A time of transition and self-discovery. The signs are there. The changes are happening. His character and personality are taking shape. He's growing up -- emotionally, intellectually, and vertically. But he lacks maturity for his age. Feeling ko I am scared to enter this new phase coz I'm unsure of my "plan of attack". 

To give me a better grasp of this transitional stage, I asked a few friends who have teen boys about their experience on how to raise a tween. The common advise I got is to make time and really be present for my tween. Here are the valuable tips and insights that they generously shared with me, and can be applied to all tweens, boys and girls:

Rose Fausto, mom of 3 boys (ages 25, 22, and youngest turning 19 next month)
My big tip is really for parents to BE THERE. 
Be there from the very start...
to teach them the values your family stands for
to implement rules
to see their strengths and what makes them tick
to have fun and to gain their trust
...so that when they grow older, they’ll continue to be open to you. Can you imagine a tween boy asking for your advice about matters of the heart or bullying or anything for that matter if you had not been there all these years? No way, it would be very tedious for him to give you the entire background of the long story that you missed! ☹ 
Learn more from Rose at: FQ Mom
Rose wrote a poem entitled BE THERE and she shared this video with me. Listen to the heart-warming poem here: 

Jen Tan, mom of 2 boys (ages 14 and second turning 11 next month)
Try to spend as much time with your teenage boy. I never believed in quality time naman talaga but quantity time is so much more important now (because) I feel they hardly talk! So spend as much time as you can. Kasi if they're not talkative, you want to be there when they do talk.
Also, learn to listen. And think before you speak. 
One thing I learned from a talk by Bo Sanchez is that there are 3 stages for parents:
  1. Parent - as in, lead your child and teach your child
  2. Coach - you stay on the sidelines and watch your kid learn

  He can make mistakes too, but you're just there to "alalay" (guide/support). You can also call him to be able to give tips (like a coach).
  3. Consultant - you only give your opinions when asked
Learn more from Jen at: Attached At The Hip

Janice Villanueva, mom of 2 boys (ages 18 and 16) and a girl
1. Make time for a one-on-one with your tween.
Even if or when he or she seemingly becomes secretive or anti social, just keep setting dates with them to keep the bond and to communicate to them that you're always around no matter what. 
2. It may be difficult in certain stages and if your child is the opposite gender, but it's good to find some common interest. It can be major things, like learning a new sport together, but it can also be something minor and mundane, like when my eldest and I went thru a milk tea phase. 
It's also good to show interest in something they like. If it will entail your learning a bit of Minecraft, do it. If you need to get on YouTube to find out who their fave stars are, then take some time to do that too. These will not only give you something to bond on and talk about but will also make you stay the cool mom that you are. =)
3. Now more than ever, parent according to your child's personality.
As your child goes from tween to teen to adult, these little seeds you plant of talking and bonding in small ways will go a long way! (It) builds trust and connections even as they go and find themselves.
Learn more from Janice at: My Mundo

My heartfelt thanks to these rockstar moms -- Rose, Jen, and Janice, for your words of wisdom.

I also want my boy to learn good values and more life skills, to have a more positive outlook in life, to have courage and take some risks, to be more respectful and in tune to the world around him. This article from Huffingtong Post that I recently came across on FB really hits the bullseye. I can definitely relate. Please read 10 Things I Want My Son to Learn Before He Becomes a Teenager, by By Shannon Ralph. This is like a wish list from a mom with a tween boy and she basically summed up what I want for my boy too.

It's a tricky stage we're in. There are still so many issues to tackle and I'm overwhelmed at this point. Ang hirap maging magulang! First, I think I need to be nicer to him and to listen more, so he'll be more open to me. =)

Did you learn something from these moms? I know I did! And I will really try to heed their advice. Effort na kung effort. Do you have tips for me too? Please share!
Pray for us and wish us luck on raising our tween!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Baguio Adventure, Day 1: Session Road and BenCab Museum

I can't believe I missed my Friday post again, and this is the second time in just two weeks!!! Unbelievable! My system has been glitchy for the past three days that I can't get my photo editing done and can't finish this feature on time, supposedly for Family Friday. :( Anyhow, I'm excited to tell you about our recent Baguio adventure. The girl's term break during the end of September allowed us to head over to this cool city up north. Our last visit was New Year of 2008 when the girl was about to turn one. She doesn't remember anything about that family trip so she said this will be like her first time to Baguio and she was the most excited. This is part one of our "first" family getaway to the city of pines.

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Family Friday: Maidless, Not Helpless

Second Friday of the month: Home & Living / Parenting

We've been without help for two months now. Well, we were able to hire a cleaning lady once or twice weekly, and was able to find a full time helper two weeks ago. Unfortunately, she only stayed for a week before she got news that her toddler was hospitalized. In short, we are still maidless as of this writing. This is how our kids' room looks like now. Horror!

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Serendipity in Discovery Suites

Second Friday of the month: Family Life / Home and Living

Blessed is an overused word already, but in this case, I can really say our recent staycation was another unexpected blessing. I tell you, my kids are the happiest every time we are treated to overnight accommodations like our stay in a Serendipity Suite of Discovery Suites Ortigas. There were so many surprises as soon as we checked in which made this particular weekend more memorable.

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Family Friday: New Homeschooling Year

Second Friday of the month: Schooling / Parenting

We did it! First year of homeschooling is over. The boy is now grade 6. It was a rocky road for both of us since June last year and I didn't want to rant or share anything negative here. For those of you following my blog, you may have noticed that I was not blogging as much as I used to, and haven't been attending events as often. I have to make those choices to spend more time homeschooling. It was not fun at all, I tell you, but it's all worth it.

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Family Friday: Drums Recital and Tour of Plaza San Luis, Intramuros

Happy 117th Philippine Independence Day to all Filipinos around the world!

Great timing that I'm featuring my boy's recent drums recital held at Casa Blanca in Intramuros, Manila. If you know your Philippine history, Intramuros, known as the walled city, used to be the seat of power during the Spanish colonization. The declaration of our independence from colonial Spain was held in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

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