Princess Sophia @ 1

My 2 kids just missed a magical birthday party of Princess Sophia last October 17 at Diamond Hotel’s Diamond Ballroom. Something came out and it saddens me not able to come to attend the party and see old friends too. Princess Sophia who just celebrated her 1st birthday is the daughter of a college friend Shiela. Anyways, here’s a slide for you Princess Sophia and you may consider it as a gift from your far away Tita Crissy.

1st Placer in a Declamation Contest

Just want to share my happiness with my son's winning. My son Justin had a program at school last September 9. Interested students can wear a costume from fairy tale characters, superheroes, etc. Also, there will be talent search for singing, dancing and declamation contest. Aside from the costume, Justin was one of the contestants in the declamation contest. His teacher picked him and gave “The Choo-Choo Train” as their declamation piece.

It’s gonna be his first time to join such a contest and I am not really so sure if he will do it on stage. Anyway I taught him the piece and the actions. After all the hard work it paid off when he won the 1st Place for the Declamation Contest.

Next time, it will be a bit easier for me to train him because he had experience already and the award gave him inspiration and boost his morale to do more.

MyUnjumble.com: A jumble word solver

My daughter had this take home activity sheet in her Language subject. It consists of 10 items and you need to deal with different approaches to make it a sentence. Items 1 – 9 are kind of easy but we got troubled with item no. 10.

Given:               10.   Nbur eth plan persap dan trepors fo eth spat.

Answer:                    Burn the plan papers and reports of the past.

We are puzzled with the jumbled words “persap” and “spat” to make everything with sense. Glad I met this website, http://www.myunjumble.com/default.asp. It is a jumble solver wherein when you type a jumbled word it will give you list of possible words it may represents.

Tricky Math

My daughter had these 2 questions from her Math Teacher Sir Toby. Kind of tricky if students will not carefully read the questions.

Question #1:

2 COINS TOTAL 30 CENTAVOS, 1 OF THEM IS NOT A 5 CENTAVOS.

Answer:

One 25 centavos and one 5 centavos. The other is not a 5 centavos but the other one is.

Question #2:

HOW MANY 2 PESO STAMPS ARE THERE IN A DOZEN?

Answer:

12

Proficiency Enhancement Program (PEP)

My daughter is part of her school’s Proficiency Enhancement Program (PEP) for Grade 4. In her level, there are 3 subjects for this program namely Math, English and Science. I am proud of her because she was included in all those 3 PEPs. I understand that it would mean a much advance topics and she really needs to give more time and deeper understanding.

Every Math, English and Science time, students that are members of the PEP will go in a different room to spend their advance learning. They are being required to have a clear book where they will place all the activities and materials that will be given.

So far my daughter is still adjusting to her schedule from half-day to whole day school time. It’s a bit hard considering the additions of the 3 programs. But like what I’ve always telling her study is just a matter of spending quality time. For students, there are little sacrifices they need to do like taking off from watching TV and playing if necessary to give more time in their studies. It is not always like that especially if a student will establish and practice a good study habit.

Poster Making

I sometimes find myself helping my kids, especially my daughter in Grade 4, decorating projects and school assignments. Considering the budget, I usually scout school supplies or any store where I can get cheap but fascinating decors.

When my daughter had her poster making homework, we both planned on how we will deal with the overall presentation. The poster has something to do with nutrition and so that’s what we showed in our drawings. She had her drawings in a bond paper and we decided to attach it in a small styro board since there’s no available small illustration board. I also got some decorative stuff that you see in the pictures that we put in the boarders. The decors are not pricey but catchy. It only costs us 20 pesos per pack but it comes with a handful of little glittering stones and 5 flowers. I bought the flower décor at National Bookstore and the glittering stone from Japan Home Center.

I was not able to take a picture of the finish product but I promise to post it after her teacher gives it back to us.

My first birthday without my father

This is my first birthday without my father. One of the saddest birthdays of my life without my father who died last June 10. I spent the day in the family business working on with the plans I made with my parents days before dad passed away. I hide the pain especially in front of mom. I cried at times when I’m alone. I go on with life trying to be strong and trying to focus on things to be done.

I must move on and I know that but life will never be complete because I lost a part of me. I am a chair with a broken leg still trying to stand amidst my father’s absence. Before his 40 days, once I smelled a candle and twice I smelled funeral flowers. I just wish that my father will from time to time make me feel his presence and still in his way guide me as I go on with life.

The pain of losing my father

It was morning of June 7 when I received a call from my husband saying that my father was rushed to the hospital. According to my sister’s SMS, our father is in serious condition. I just took a bath and flew right away to San Juan Hospital. When I arrived I saw my father lying in hospital bed with different patches on his body and he’s unconscious. I found myself whispering words to his ear telling him to fight for his grandchildren. He needed to undergo a citiscan to know what happened to him.

After his citiscan, we transferred him to St. Martin de Porres where my sister had contact with a resident doctor. After viewing the x-ray plate the bad news sounded like a big bang. The doctor said that our father’s brain stem blew up and he only had 48 hours the most. He died June 10 at 2am. 

Just a few days before he had stroke, we’re talking on some plans about our family business. The 3 (me, mom and dad) of us are still laughing while having that last moment with dad as we wait for my husband to fetch me. Last summer vacation also was the first time where my 2 kids spent their vacation in Manila. I remember my father telling me naughty things my youngest used to do when they’re all at home. He even had a happy celebration at home for his 64th birthday and then after 2 weeks his gone.

Up to now I felt the pain of losing my beloved father. I am not sure if time heals all wounds. I know for sure I can never get over with it until we meet each other again. That’s how I love my father.

Happy birthday Tatay Mel!

I want to greet the simple, responsible and hardworking person I've known in my life. He's most probably one of the quiet dads in the world but with few words he made us disciplined. I learned to live as a simple person because of him. I learned many things in life because of him. I learned to acknowledge and believe in God because of him. I am me because of him.

I know “Thank You” is not enough dad for all the good things you’ve shown to me. I may never have the chance to choose my father but I am glad and proud God gave me you.

Kids @ Enchanted Kingdom

Last May 16, my kids together with their cousins went to Enchanted Kingdom. It was actually a treat for their recently ended school year 2009-2010. All of them got high grades and 2 of them had medals. That was the first part of the treat because I promised them also that we will have a day of fun too at Splash Island before the new school year starts.

We arrived before noontime so that they can repeat the rides and enjoy the amusement park completely. At first the park is not crowded. The line is manageable and kids really able to ride and ride and ride. Not until people started to get in and the short line becomes long. But in general, kids were able to ride almost all the rides available to them.

We ended up our visit by past 6pm so we can all return home early. Everybody was tired and the kids fell asleep on our way home. After Enchanted Kingdom, they are excited and can’t wait for our Splash Island Day.

Happy birthday Nicole!

My girl just turned 10 today. Time flies so fast that my little girl now starts aging and sees those physical developments in her. Is mommy afraid? Actually it is a mix of emotions. I am happy for her because at her young age she achieved awards for herself at school. Since Nursery up to Grade 3, she maintained to be Top 1 on those levels except Grade 2 where she ended up at Top 3. But like what I’ve always told her, those medals are bonus for her hard work. What matters most is that she understands well what she is studying. I am a bit afraid though because kids at young age nowadays already have early crushes. Do I like that? I find it a bit normal but I always tell my daughter to focus first on her studies. It is normal to have crushes but not too serious for now. LOL.

Happy birthday Nicole! Papa and Mama just want you to study hard, be a good girl and learn the good things for your own advantage. Together with Justin, we are always here to support and love you. God bless and guide you always.

Dra. Rosalind Sia-Lim

When I gave birth to my daughter, I must admit I do not know any pediatrician at Chinese General Hospital. We completely relied to my OB-GYNE Dra. Valen Co for her referral. She gave to us Dra. Rosalind Sia-Lim, one of CGH’s pediatricians. Ohhh! I love Dra. Lim. She’s very friendly and nice as well. I forgot the name of her assistant but she’s nice too. My daughter Nicole was able to complete her vaccines with Dra. Lim while my son Justin was not. If you want to get in touch with Dra. Lim you can visit her in the new annex of CGH right in front of CGH. I think the monthly check up costs us around 200-250 per visit plus the vaccine.

Dra. Valen Chuahiong Co

Who is your OB-GYNE? Mine for my 2 kids is Dra. Valen G. Chuahiong-Co. I got to know her thru a co-worker. I got my monthly check-up in her room inside Chinese General Hospital (CGH). Her secretary Evelyn and the other assistant were very nice and accommodating. During my check-up I need to sign my name on the paper posted on her room’s door. Her assistants will call us one by one based on the number. Simple check up will cost us 100 pesos and 200 pesos for the first visit and those with ultra sound. Dra. Valen Co is very nice and knows her stuff. Actually, I got almost caesarian with my second child but she was able to have it normal. My boy was quite big. Her professional fee is reasonable and I think we spent less than 20,000 pesos with my 2 pregnancies. You can call CGH at 7114141 local 331 to connect to Dra. Valen Co's room. 

Chinese General Hospital

I gave births to my Nicole and Justin on the same hospital, Chinese General Hospital. Yes we do live at Montalban, Rizal but my family is in Tondo so days before my due dates I came back home together with my things. With Nicole I find it hard because I am not used to be in a hospital. But I fought my fear and replaced it with excitement to see our first born.

I gave births to Nicole past 12nn of Friday on May 12, 2000 and past 5pm, Sunday on April 18, 2004 for Justin. Both deliveries are normal. Ohhh! It was really tough but thanks to my OB-GYNE for doing a great job.

Meet my boy, Justin Michael

When our girl turns 3, hubby and I planed to have a baby boy. We sought the net for some help on ways where I can conceive a boy. We wanted to have 2 kids, a boy and a girl. God is so good to us that he granted our wish. Past 5:00 in the afternoon of April 18, 2004, I gave birth to my second angel Justin Michael. He weighs 8.1 pounds and I really almost got caesarian delivery. He just turned 6 last April 18.

I am not working anymore when I got pregnant the second time. My daughter started her schooling that time and I am dealing with my pregnancy. I could say that I am more at ease and relax with my second pregnancy and everything went well to just like my first one. With the same ob-gyne, Dr. Valen Co of Chinese General Hospital, I gave birth on a Sunday afternoon. The labor is still painful but this time it is for a short span.

Justin is of Latin origin meaning “just, upright, righteous” while Michael is a Hebrew origin name meaning “who resembles God?” He started schooling at Virgen del Pilar School and an incoming Preparatory student this 2010-2011 school year. He may not be like her Ate for now who is a consistent honor student but his grades are great. He only got 1 line of 8 and the rest are 90 above.

Justin is kind of sweet and charming but has short temper.

Meet my daughter, Ysabel Nicole

She was born May 12, 2000, a Friday, at 12:11 noontime. My first born is a baby girl. Hubby and I are both excited upon knowing my pregnancy nine months after our wedding. It’s a mixed emotion of happiness and fear. Happiness on the fact that the much awaited pregnancy is here and soon we will have our first angel in the house. A feeling of fear on how the pregnancy will be and the baby.

The pregnancy went well. I was working that time in a radio network company. On the first 3 months, it’s kind of hard to wake up in the morning but I do not vomit. I love eating nuts, fish and veggies but not so much of chicken, pork and meat. On the fourth month and onwards everything went manageable. With my ob-gyne, Dr. Valen Co, I gave birth at Chinese General Hospital that Friday noon. The labor time is quite long since it is my first pregnancy and the pain was really excruciating. But the pain and the hardships were gone after seeing my baby girl.

Her name is Ysabel Nicole. Ysabel (from Isabel) is a Spanish origin name which means “consecrated to God” while Nicole is a Greek origin name meaning “people of victory.” She is turning 10 this May 12 and an incoming Grade 4 student at St. Matthew College. She started her schooling at Virgen del Pilar School from Nursery to Preparatory where she is a consistent TOP 1 student from the said three levels. We transferred her to St. Matthew College as incoming Grade 1 on 2007. In this school, she was able to maintain her honors and continue doing well on her studies.

This is our Nicole, Ysabel to some friends and teachers.

Note from a mom

Being a housewife is a tough job. After resigning from work on August 2001 I never been to the corporate world again and maybe stayed home for good. Is being a housewife boring? Do I miss working for a company again? How much I love being a housewife?

For several years now of being a housewife I could say that it never get me bored and I love every aspect of it. I do not have a helper at home so practically I do all the household chores. The family always rocks the house and together we take each day having one another to love and hold. Just like any relationship there are good and bad times. We value so much each other and we know that whatever comes our way we can overcome it and still stand as a family.

This blog is the one I created for me and my 2 kids, Nicole & Justin. In this site I can share moments of happiness, sadness, troubles, triumphs, tantrums and more from what basically is happening to me and my kids. This blog will be a collection of our day-to-day dealings with each other and someday as they grow up we have something to look back of what we are before and strengthen more our relationship with each other.

Thank you so much for dropping by and hoping to see you here often!