Vacation at my in-law's-house

It is too tiring to be in a minister's family.  We are involved with different activities and plannings. We are collaborating with so many people not only with our church members.  I have seen that our network of people gets bigger as years comes.  There will be days that we needed to receive guests and fellowship with them.  I love having them at our house, yet on the other side - it is really tiring.  I don't regret welcoming visitors in spite of that.  Would still welcome more guests these coming days.

In a minister's life, too often we really needed a break to refresh our mind and body.

My husband craves for Halo-Halo

The whole Philippine Islands is experiencing too much heat this past few days.  Here in Batangas City, expect a higher temperature having it located in a coastal area.  Cold beverages is really refreshing during this scorching heat of the sun.  With the temperature my children would always ask me to let them turn on the air conditioning unit in our office.  I wouldn't allow them for the whole day practically because we can't afford to pay the electric bill having it turned on for longer period of hours.

Since summer has started, pakner4lyf keeps saying that he wants eat Halo-Halo in San Juan, Batangas.  It's unusual to hear men craving for food.  I don't know if you'll agree with me.  Because of his craving we went to his home town to have the San Juan's Halo-Halo experience.

My newest addiction: cake art

We had a bakeshop, and I literally grew up in a bakery. Because of our bakeshop, my parents were able to send us to school and provide for our needs. Even though it was our life, I never had any interest in learning how to make bread, so I never considered managing a branch. If I had a chance to go back to college, I could choose a course related to our business today. Anyway, it's not too late to learn new things.

I'd never thought I would be interested in cake decorating and would be addicted to it, too!

Toddler's and craft activities (4)

School is now over, and everyone is excited about summer vacation; however, we still have our classes. We will be able to finish our curriculum by the second week of April. We began our classes in the second week of August, so we are still having our classes.

When I was a child, my mom would constantly nag me whenever she saw us watching TV shows (especially cartoons) or playing video games.  You know, for students, summer means freedom!  I understand that moms want their children to enjoy that freedom during school vacations while still being productive. My mom chose to send us to our grandparents' house in the province; now, I realize her reason was to encourage a more productive summer vacation instead of wasting time in front of the TV and computer. 

To all moms out there thinking of activities for your toddlers here are some of my ideas that you can do.

Home made finger paint

Maintaining my sanity over this crazy life

Definitely I am a very happy hands on mom to my three children and no doubt about that.  Yet I would be hypocrite saying that everything is perfect and going on smoothly.  Imagine me alone supervising three super children.  This drives me crazy everyday that it felt like almost loosing my sanity.  I have to be sure not to take my eyes off them.  And you know, it's hard to keep them all in one place.  Watching over them is not my sole duty; so to accomplish things I had to be creative and keep them busy so I can do things around with my eyes still fixed on them.  Well of course with me being limited, they would most of the time make a terrible chaos. How do I maintain my sanity?

Blessed Week as JC Turns 5 - Laiya Beach, Cake and a Bicycle

We've been busy last week but is surely blessed specially for JC who celebrated his 5th birthday last March 7. JC is now aware of the dates in the calendar. As soon as February has ended my son tells everyone that his birthday is so near! I attempted to ask him of what would he like to have on his birthday. He answered me straight saying "a cake car". I was stunned hearing him say that. I don't know how to design a cake car.  Then there's is one friend who makes carved cakes that came into my mind. I know ordering that cake would be so expensive. I started praying and hoping that in the coming days I would be blessed with enough money to afford it. But I still kept on thinking if I had that money should I still go and order it? Because for me it's not practical to pay a cake worth 3 thousand pesos. I asked my younger brother for an opinion. What he said was, "Ate, I am sure you can make one yourself."

Pakner4lyf informed me few days before JC's birthday that there is no extra budget.  I didn't want to break my son's heart who is expecting that cake on his birthday; and I didn't want to hurt our monthly budget too.

Dining out with our children

Dining out with toddlers would be so hard if you ended out in a restaurant that does not fit for them.  Well you moms know what I mean.  When we are with children, we rather chose dining in a child friendly restaurant where we will feel secured that our children won't break plates, glasses, or any valuables in there.  We had an experience dining at a restaurant not suited for them.  What happened?  All eyes are around us because of the noise they/we make.  I can see those looks from the staff and other people dining that simply says you shouldn't be here.