Saving For The Rainy Season

Early on, we taught our kids the value of saving. They first started collecting loose change and putting them inside their coin banks or the piggy bank. Soon they have the bills, given on special occasions by their aunts, uncles, grandfathers, grandmothers and godparents. They also put it inside their toy cash box. We also gave them money for their baon on school days, whatever change or extra they have, goes to their savings. One of my kids don't spend much in school because she brings sandwiches/cookies and juice in tetra pack for her snacks. She's really bent on saving. A month ago, we decided to introduce to them the idea of banking. So we opened a savings account on their names in the nearby Banco de Oro branch. Here's her first transaction...

Gabbie's turn to make a deposit...



waiting for her passbook....

Summer Fun At Home

we need rain


is this ok?


can't wait for the rain


now it's the bike's turn


washing her car

Chocolate Chip Cookies For Summer

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is such an easy chocolate chip cookie. No special equipment, no creaming -- a perfect cookie to do with kids. We love how versatile this dough is, too. It makes an awesome rocky road bar cookie.

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips, or chunks
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt

Evenly position 2 racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. (on convection setting if you have it.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone sheets. (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.)

Put the butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover and microwave on medium power until melted. (Alternatively melt in a small saucepan.) Cool slightly. Whisk the sugars, eggs, butter and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon; take care not to over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks.

Scoop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared pans. Wet hands slightly and roll the dough into balls. Space the cookies about 2-inches apart on the pans. Bake, until golden, but still soft in the center, 12 to 16 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you like your cookies. Transfer hot cookies with a spatula to a rack to cool. Serve.

Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.

For a Rocky Road Bar:

Lightly butter a 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Make the batter as per cookie recipe and fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts along with the chocolate chips. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until the edges are light brown and the batter sets, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly and cover surface with 4 cups marshmallows and 1 cup chocolate chips. Broil at least 8 inches from the heat until marshmallows turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Keep an eye on the marshmallows, and turn the pan frequently--they go from golden to char in a wink.) Cool, cut and serve.

Source: Food Network

March PICS

Ms. Jasmin, este Beatrice (American Idol wannabe)


Gabbie joining in some games (b-day of friend's kid), March 14


Bea bumming around, doesn't want to join the games


the infinity-like pool (Ayala Hillside Estate's clubhouse)


another view of the pool


kids playing, enjoying the cold water on a hot day


I took this pic of my cousin Althea last March 15 an hour before getting married in Sta. Rosa, Laguna (got hitched at the age of 27, another late-bloomer, same as moi).


kids getting lootbags from the clown, Kalvin's (cousin's kid)1st b-day party celebration at the Red Barn, Fun Ranch-March 16


at the Fun Ranch


Pio took this pic on my b-day (March 18)