Mommy Moments: Playing Time!

My kids went to school at three and a half. Though their pre-school integrated study with play, I am still worried that they might suffer study-burnout in the future. So I let them play as often as they want. Though they don't play the games Fred and I used to play before, like tumbang preso, football street-style, luksong-tinik, I still make it a point that I bring them outside to interact with cousins, neighbors and other kids. I want them to be not just academically smart but street-smart, too! :)
Whether outdoor (outside our house, park playgrounds, beaches or even party venues)...
indoor (mall activity centers, amusement parks, in our house)...
Alone or with friends and relatives...
My kids just love to play, just like most kids do!

More posts about Kids' Play Time here!

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Life and its Sad Surprises

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10----------I didn’t blog for a while because my family is experiencing some crises today.

My husband had an executive check-up and the doctors found a disease which I don’t want to get into detail here. It’s not malignant or deadly. And it’s not the end of the world for us. It’s just that we didn’t expect it. It can be treated but still, the cost of medicines will surely dent our ever-short budget!
Fred receiving his flu vaccine: one of the freebies a client gave me
But I have to still thank the Lord for it. God has His way of telling me that we were still blessed. Last Monday, I accompanied him to a medical center for another series of test. While waiting for his turn to be checked up by the doctor, I heard the conversations of some patients, relatives and the doctor. Most of the cases diagnosed were worse than that of my husband. I can only heave a sigh of relief upon hearing them. Not that I was happy that some people had worse illnesses than Fred’s. Who would be? I am just thankful that Fred’s disease was identified in its early stage.

And just today, I knew from Fred that his friend is dying of lung cancer. He now breathes with just one lung. I am sorry for him and his family! I know how much that man loves his family! We are going to visit them this weekend.

I’m so sad for these happenings but this is life. The more we dwell on its negativities, the more unhappy and ungrateful we become. Life has to go on.

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I Lost My Wallet...

There were countless of times that I returned something I found to its owner. I believe in the Golden Rule. And I believe that what you sow, you shall reap. So when I lost something earlier, my belief on that rule and Bible verse was put to the test.

This image is for representation purpose only. photo source here
After giving Gabby his lunch at 11:45 am, Sunday and I left to eat at home. Already about a block away, I noticed my wallet was missing! I decided to go back to school because that was the only place I remember I held that wallet. On the way, I thought hard where I left it. I admit I am absent-minded at times. In fact, it has been my YM status message for days: Online but Absent(minded)!

I looked everywhere for it but no wallet was in sight. I’ve asked the school guard and the moms I know but to no avail. I felt a deep regret for not being watchful of my things. If that wallet was gone for good (for bad, in my case), I’ll be losing two ATM cards (one is for paid posting payment), my TIN card, some discount cards, some cash and my son’s healthcard. There is nothing I can do about it now but pray.

And answering my prayer in broadband speed, God let one mom overheard my inquiry on the school canteen’s staff and said, “I think you should check the High School Principal’s Office. Someone informed her that he found a wallet and left it there.”

To end the story happily, I have my wallet back. I was so happy! It's just so difficult to apply for another TIN card or affidavits of loss for those cards these days.

Is it possible that the boy who returned the wallet practices the Golden Rule and believes and applies that sow-reap verse, too? I think so. I believe so.

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My Extra Help…and Expenses!

One thing that my kids enjoyed last summer is tagging along whenever I go to clients to get payments, deliver files or just to meet and discuss projects.

My kids really love going to offices and seeing adults at work. Maybe because when they were younger, I would always bring them along on company parties and outings. Now that I work at home, they have to come with me to experience those office visits again.

Gabby and Sunday at a client's office
Thinking of bringing your kids to the office, too? Here are some tips:
1. Pray for good weather and safety. Sometimes, rain spoils kids’ enthusiasm.

2. Inform them beforehand that where you are going is an o-f-f-i-c-e. They have to behave properly and be polite especially when you introduce them to people.

3. Bring the essentials: drinks, snacks and candies for survival on a short term basis; toys, coloring books and crayons, pencils and papers for entertainment; and towels, caps or umbrella, hand sanitizers and wet wipes for protection.

4. Thank them after that visit. It pays to instill gratitude at an early age. Thank them for the energy, effort and good behavior.

5. Reward them after a day’s work. I let my kids know that accompanying me on my clients’ visits is like helping me collect payments or talk with clients. After those visits, we would head to the nearest mall for a snack or stroll before going home. It’s my way of rewarding them for a job well done.
Gabby and Sunday enjoying a stroll outside a mall
after accompanying me to a meeting.
Bringing my children to work has some long lasting benefits. It strengthens our relationship, opens their mind at very young ages on work manners and environments, and teaches them some values like delayed gratification (e.g. ice cream comes after the meeting!), patience and hard work.

It doesn’t matter if I spend some on them after client’s visits. Just seeing them happy being with me is enough consolation. :)

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You're the 1, Goldilocks!

I didn’t celebrate birthdays when I was young. I don’t remember any birthday parties thrown for me and my sisters. I don’t even have pictures of them. We got so used to not celebrating that our birthdays just pass like ordinary days. On times when my parents had money to spare, they just bought ingredients and cooked the ever famous pancit in the belief that it gives the celebrant longer life. Birthday cake? We only saw and ate them on birthday celebrations of cousins and classmates.

It’s no wonder that when my churchmates threw me a party when I was on my early twenties, and gave me a birthday cake, I cried. I told them the truth that it was my first birthday cake! I even wrote about it in my diary and I think I would have blogged about it if blogging were already known then! I was so happy they thought of it. They bought it from Goldilocks because they told me that I deserved the best. So, my first birthday cake was from Goldilocks!

Gabby loves the Fruity Chocolate Cake and had it on his four birthdays!
Now that I am a mom, birthday cakes for my kids are now a constant. And they know it. From their first birthday until now, they know that it’s not their special day if no cake is at the table. They look forward to blowing their candles and taking the edible flower or fruit decorations to share them with their guests.
Like brother, like sister! Sunday loves Fruity Choco Cake, too!
And who made my kids’ birthdays more special? You’re the 1, Goldilocks because you were my first birthday cake and you were ever present on my kids’ birthdays! You never fail to put smile to my kids’ faces and their guests, and we are always pleased with the taste of your food. I know I get real value for my money, which is what moms like me are always concerned about. :)

So do I regret missing out on birthday cakes when I was a kid? Certainly not. What matters most then was my parents were around during those birthdays. And today, with the no. 1 bakeshop around, and Mom and Dad beside them, my kids will surely look forward to celebrating their birthdays in special ways.

We know they will always have birthdays deluxe with Goldilocks! :)


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Check out my past Goldilocks posts:
Our Wedding Anniversary | Gabby’s 7th Birthday | Sunday’s 5th Birthday | Goldilocks 2009 Planner | Tinkerbell Cake

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Mommy Moments: Encounter with Animals

My kids love animals. Proof of that is their love for animal programs and shows in Animal Planet and their books about them. But watching and reading about animals are not enough. Nothing beats live encounters with them. So whenever we have money and time, we head to the zoo or I take them to places with animals like dog shows, pet shops, etc. Here are some of their encounter with animals:Gabby was less than two years old here when we went to Manila Zoo.
He wasn't afraid of the snake then!Gabby and Sunday love Manila Zoo!This isn't a real zebra. Just one of the
stuffed toy-like animal displays in Manila Zoo.Gabby and Sunday had a good time observing the marine life
at Manila Ocean Park.My kids love to have a pet. But sadly, Gabby has an asthma and their pediatrician advised us not to have one for now. Robby, the rabbit here, was given by their Lolo but returned to them after a month.
Exposing the kids to animals teach them sympathy, kindness and love for nature. I'm so happy my kids love animals! :)

More posts about Encounter with Animals here!

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