Active Fun, Where Kids Can Play All They Want

We (mommy-bloggers and kids) were treated to an afternoon of fun last Friday (September11) in the newly-opened play place, Active Fun at SM North. Kids enjoyed going back and forth on the giant slide, swim in the pool of balls, endless jumps on the trampoline and many more sweat-inducing games. We all had so much fun, as shown by the wet hair of our kiddos and wide smile on their faces.

Now that the Christmas season is fast approaching, we mommies can shop all we want while our kids will also have a blast at Active Fun.

For the rates, please check Active Fun. Thanks to Apple Morales for the invite.

Potter's Ridge Tagaytay Visit

Sometime last year (after Christmas), we visited Tagaytay again. Since Tagaytay is the nearest out-of town gate away (took us 2 hours to get there), this is the fave destination of my kids. And for the first time, we tried Potter's Ridge, a newly-built hotel located at km.67, Aguinaldo Highway. There, we met the very gracious owner Marissa Potter. She gave us a generous discount for our rooms and even joined us for dinner, chatted how she spends her retirement benefits building the hotel and the story behind each painting or decors around the place. All the staff are efficient and friendly too. I was informed that the hotel is being maintained by 19 staff. How's that for multi-tasking, he he...

By the way, they also grow their own veggies here, talking about eating organic food...

This is such a cozy place. My kids enjoyed our stay here during the freezing month of December...

the dining area with the view of the lake

my son having tapcilog and hot chocolate for breakfast...


family room


deluxe room

for inquiries, visit http://pottersridge.net/

I'm Back...

I know, I know I've neglected my blog for quite some time now. I only posted my idol's (President Barack Obama) inaugural address for I don't want to forget this historic event. Even told my kids that they can read my blog ten or twenty years from now, the speech would be here forever.

Anyway, since I wasn't able to post any year-ender entry here, just want to state that I'm thankful for the year 2008, we have a good business (opened the 2nd branch of our laundry shop, got into the Reliv Wellness business, plus the seafood biz), family's good health, my kids excelled in school and we were able to take trips out of town with my family. My fave leader/politician won the United States presidential elections. Not to forget, my kids experienced to go caroling before Christmas. They had so much fun, I even accompanied them (stayed in the car though while they hop from one house to another). Most of all, I've also met wonderful friends through blogging and blogging events.

Another memorable event I don't want to forget, last Monday, January 26, my eight year-old kid, Gabbie, had her 1st Confession. She told me that their CLE teacher asked them to write their "sins" on a piece of paper so they won't forget it when they talk to the priest. She even shared to me that she heard her classmate's confession on the other side of the confessional box. Gabbie said, "I heard her say she cheated on our Filipino quiz..., yes Mama she really cheated because I'm the one who checked her paper, she changed her score." Oh my...then she continued on, I tell you this girl won't stop talking the moment she opens her mouth. My kid told me that she confided to the priest that she's been fighting with her siblings. And for her penance, she was asked to pray the Act of Contrition and Our Father. She's quite happy about her experience. Tomorrow will be her 1st Communion. I've bought her a new pair of white shoes and white stockings. They'll have the general rehearsal today. I've already contacted a professional photographer to cover the event.

My son Pio, on the other hand, would occasionally throw tantrums in the morning. He would give excuses not to go to school such as he's tired of studying, he's still sleepy, he needs a new bag, he has an unfinished project (which I eventually did), he doesn't want to take a bath, etc... He's asking me to enroll him back to home schooling this June. And I'm really considering it again for my only son.

My eldest, Nicole would be graduating from grade school this March. She took the entrance exams at the Philippine Science High School and Quezon City Science High. And she will also try the other private Catholic schools near our place. She's really growing so fast (I think she'll grow taller than me). She's into music now, uploading songs in her mp3 and sleeping with the earphones on, still watches the Disney Channel shows though, a fan of the Twilight movie, she blogs, has Friendster account and joined Plurk too. And soon I think she's gonna try Facebook.

While my youngest cutie Beatrice is home schooling with the Catholic Filipino Academy. We had finished 3 subjects last month, we're doing the last four subjects. Then, off I go to submit all her grades. Home schooling is really heaven-sent.

What else...hmm. Will just post another entry on my take in our country's latest issues (which is not so good). That's all for now.

Meme: Pio's Snacks in School

pandesal with peanut butter, slices of apple and Chuckie choco drink

Meme: What's In Your Lunchbox?

Pio's baon today (Moo choco drink, Cream-O cookies, Sumo wafer sticks)

The Filipino Mom Blog's Christmas Party

the FMB mommies, Cookie, moi, Cess, Chats, Lynn and Julie


pics from Teacher Julie


kids exchanging gifts (pic from Lynn)

Random Pics

Beatrice listening to music


Nicole and Pio clowning around


my only son enjoying his pancakes at McDonalds


my family (taken at the Venezia Hotel, Subic)

And the Heavens Smiled on Us

Last night on my way home after watching Twilight with my kid Nicole, we saw a smiley face in the sky. I was amazed by the sight that I stopped driving and admired this once in a lifetime event. Hurriedly, I went home, asked my kids to go out and drove around to see a clearer view. We are so happy and felt good about this real good sign from heaven.

As I began plurking about it, my fellow plurkies and bloggers are also looking in the sky. It turned out, as astronomers say Venus and Jupiter and a crescent moon formed a smiley face last night, with the planets forming the eyes and the moon forming the mouth.

Venus and Jupiter have appeared side by side in the evening sky over the last week or so, but last night was the best night when the "face" appeared, astronomers say.

Viewers in Western Australia saw the best view of the effect, with the moon appearing closer to the "eyes".

Stargazers in Europe and Africa missed out completely. By the time the sun sets for them, the moon appeared between the planets.

In the United States, the effect was inverted and appeared as a frown.

David Widdowson, from astronomy calendar website Astrovisuals, said the heavens might be trying to send us a message to shrug off bad financial times and be happy.

Weekend Snapshots: November Random Pics

Before November ends, just want to post weekend random pics in my computer files. Am supposed to post our Subic trip recently, but since I lost my phone, gone were the pics too. Anyway, I wanted the pics below posted on this blog, my journal ,so my kids and I would remember these activities.

Halloween's Trick or Treatin' at Trinoma


Nicole just picked roses in our garden....


Pio posing at the lobby of TV5 before his audition

Guess Who Came To Visit Bea's House...

Photo Hunt: Together

To see other hunters, please click here


full house


Bea's guests (that's Bea's foot near Snoopy)

Halloween Trick or Treatin' Activities

Halloween is brewing with fun at TriNoma
October 30, 2008
Trick or Treat
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Hip Hip Hooray! Today is candy day!

Come in your spooky costumes to claim your Halloween loot bags at the Concierge near the TriNoma Activity Center and begin your Trick or Treats quest!

Only a limited number of loot bags will be given out.

Halloween Treats Jack-O-Lantern Photo Station
Glorietta 3 Park
October 20 to 31

Halloween Fun Craze
Activity Center, Glorietta
October 31
10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Park Trick or Treat
Glorietta 3 Park
October 31
12:00 - 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.

How to be part of this Halloween Event:

1. Kids 12 years old and below are invited to attend Glorietta's Halloween Fun Craze.One (1) companion is allowed per kid.

2. Registration will begin when the mall opens at 10:00 A.M. on October 31,2008 at the Glorietta Activity Center.

How to get your Special Treats:

A. All participants will be given an activity passport upon registration. This passport will entitle you to visit our interactive booths. Each booth visited will be marked/stamped. Upon completion, present your passport to the event marshalls,. This will serve as your raffle ticket. All passports should be submitted by 11:15 A.M. and 4:15 P.M. Raffle draws will be at 11:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.

2. Kids in Halloween costume will be given a lootbag stub upon registration.

3. A maximum of 1000 lootbag stubs will be given away to a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Kids can claim their lootbags upon exit on October 31, 2008


Bonifacio High Street
Have a Spooktacular Halloween! October 31, 2008
Spook Troupe
Costumed buskers will be roaming around to perform tricks and to give away treats for shoppers.

Trick or Treat
Store after store with candies galore, just look for the Spooktacular sign!
Trick-or-Treaters meet up at the Tickled Pics area between B5 (near Figaro) and B8 (near Aldo) at 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

Tickled Pics
For every Php500 purchase at Bonifacio High Street, get to pose with members of the Spook Troupe and get a Spooktacular photo souvenir!
From 4:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M.

Mechanics:
a. Receipts must be dated October 31, 2008 to qualify.
b. Present single or accumulated receipts amounting to P500 from the participating merchants of Bonifacio High Street to the tickled pics booth (located in the covered walkway near Figaro and Aldo).Qualified receipts will be stamped and returned to the customer.
c. Each customer may have a maximum of four photos upon presentation of receipts to the redemption booth.
d. Present the stamped receipt to the redemption booth to claim photo/s. October 31, 2008 Bonifacio High Street

Weekend Snapshot: Kids on Break

Gabbie Turned Eight

My daughter, Maria Cristina Gabrielle celebrated her 8th birthday last October 10, 2008. She woke up early and dressed up for school. She doesn't want me to tell her teachers that it's her birthday. So I surprised her, brought spaghetti for her teachers and classmates and gave them chocolates, too (melamine-free, he he he). We fetched her in school and had dinner at Dencio's Capitol Golf. A day after her birthday, we treated her again at Timezone Glorietta and Starbucks where she feasted on iced chocolate drink, cookies, brownies and strawberry cheesecake. I'm sure she's enjoyed her special sweet day.

Here's a slideshow for you my dear Gabbie, we love you....

Pio's Report Card

Two weeks ago, I got my kids' report card. Am so happy to share my only son's progress report card for the first quarter. Bear with me, am just so happy and feels so proud for my Pio. He's my little fellow who spends so much time in the computer, playing games and watching the Disney Channel. Whenever I ask him if we can review or study together, he'll answer that he has studied his lessons already in school. True enough, I don't have to make kulit. On the other hand, I opted not to post Nicole and Gabbie's grades. They're kinda shy about it. Nicole is getting ready though for the entrance exams at the Philippine Science High School and the Quezon City Science High (both DOST managed schools). Anyway, here's what Pio worked hard for...

Christian Living Education- 90

Filipino- 94

English- 90

Mathematics- 91

Science- 87

Makabayan- 93

MAPE- 93

Computer- 92

Photo Hunt: Colorful

To join the hunt, click here.



the artist in the family, posing by the colorful wall decor at Kid's Village


Gabbie's work thru Microsoft Paint


another painting by Gabbie

Sneak Peek- High School Musical 3: Senior Year

My kids favorite movie created for tv by Disney, High School Musical is now on film. It would be shown by September. I bet almost all teenagers in the country are waiting for this movie. And I'm sure my kids would be bugging me again to watch it and buy more of its merchandise. Thanks (or no thanks) to Disney...

Source: Inquirer.net and Disney

I'm Back....

After a week of absence in the blogosphere, I'm back. Been busy with my kids' schooling, have to go back and forth to their school, attend parents orientation (again), buy books and school supplies at National Bookstore, shop for Pio's new polo shirts and shorts plus additional undershirts and socks. Yes, Pio is going back to the traditional/regular school. After a year of home school, hubby thinks our only son should go back to a big school with lots of classmates. They're now 30 in his class. Besides, I couldn't handle home schooling two kids, my youngest Bea is now home schooling too.

I also attended another business opportunity conference with Reliv Company (dealing with health products) at the Hotel Intercon last weekend with my kids and my sisters. Will post about it next time.

So I would be juggling my time with 3 kids in school, home schooling, our business and house chores. I hope I'll still have time for blogging.

Here are some random pics I took, planning to use them for Photo-Hunt or Weekend Snapshot but never got the time to post in time.


Pio getting ready for the flag ceremony


Pio's 1st day in school, the youngest in Grade 1, he's only 5 yrs. old






Nicole on her last day of ice skating lessons at MOA




Gabbie with idol, Hannah Montana at SM


Architect Rachy Cuna's floral art work at the hotel lobby


Gabbie's Mickey on a hanger


the long queue at National Bookstore



Bea the Mannequin


my sisters Chic and Yae with Hotel Intercon's trusted guard-dog