Seize the Day!

Babies to Ladies

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:52:00 +0000

These are the Avellana cousins (Marielle, Mikka (my sister's daughters) and Bea and Sam (my kiddies). The baby photo was reenacted this time our babies has turned into little ladies.

Time flies.

In Style

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:48:00 +0000

Was watching the a basketball game yesterday when i saw one of the star players suffer an injury during the game and i felt bad for him, not only because he got hurt and because of the possibility of him not being able to play. I know what it is to feel helpless and sometimes it can really put a blow on someones determination to try.

I remember seeing some cool walkers like the roll-a-bout walker that can help yo get around and yet not make you feel like a handicapped person so much because it looks really nice and very compact. I believe that if a person feels good about himself then recovery will soon follow. Sometime just sheer determination minus the self pity can do wonders.

I know in just a few weeks i will be seeing him play basketball again and be cheered by his loyal fans!

Tween Delight

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:32:00 +0000

Bea recently completed her first overnight, out of town, leadership training last weekend. I am so proud of her because not everyone can attend this training, this was invitational and was chosen upon recommendation of their teacher. Bea being a new comer really showed a lot of potential and even if she deemed new in this school she was already invited. Next school year she will become an officer of the Math and Science Club, super proud of her!

As a little prize for my tweener, i decided to give her a wesc headphones that she can use and it looks super trendy especially for her inbetween age where she is no longer a kid and not yet a teenager. I am thinking of getting one for myself as well, but maybe get one that does not look too flashy, too suit my age (lol!).

My eldest is growing up really fast and my separation anxiety (yes, it is i who have it) is put to the test. Lol!

Splash

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:22:00 +0000

The heat is too much! I heard from the news last night that yesterday recorded the hottest day ever! No wonder i could hardly breathe and take in the hot and dry air. Humid.

Last weekend the kids took a dip in the pool and you can really see that they enjoyed the cool water. I did not join because i was having a headache plus i had to take care of food, clothes, etc ... the perils of a nanny, lol!

But seeing the kids and the hubby enjoy themselves is enough for me without me having to go inside the water.

This is it!

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Christian is really bent on getting a motorcycle to service his to and fro work. So here i am surfing the internet for a motorcycle helmet that will look good on him and at the same time really give him the protection he needs. He just want it in dark color and i want it fully padded, it is an even compromise so i know i won't have a hard time looking for the perfect one for him. I will have to search for jackets for him to wear so he does not get scorched by the sun. I often see motorcycle drivers have some kind of cloth or sleeve over their arms if they do not want to be burdened with a bulky jacket, so i guess i will look for one of those too, i actually saw a sleeve that looked like tatoo all over you, makes other motorists think twice before bullying you, lol!

I have to present him several designs before the week ends, no feat for me really.

Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Easter was celebrated this year with our traditional painting/decorating our easter eggs and to search for your own egg before the others find theirs. The first one to find her own egg wins a prize!

Of course there is still THE golden egg that fetches another big prize!

Easter is one of my favorite activities of the year!

Bunk Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I am thinking of getting the kids a bunk bed. The top will be Bea's bed, Sam on the lower bunk and will have a pull out bed made for Vin. I already looked around and was really surprised with the wide selection. There was also a kind that you can separate the two bunks easily when the kids no longer want to share the room or the entire bunk as well.

My question is what kind of electric fan will cater to the three floors of the bed?

If it was the usual stand fan, then maybe Vin's pull out won't get any air, a kind like hunter ceiling fan would somehow make the air circulate more since it will be coming from above the bed. I don't want to have more than one fan inside their room, and the airconditioner won't be on all the time.

Maybe a ceiling fan would work the best for this kind of sleeping arrangement. What do you think?

New School

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:49:00 +0000

Our new school is almost done!

Our school recently installed our new gates that will be opened and closed a million times come next school year. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we get new students apart from the ones we already have. Tomorrow is the delivery date for our backyard playground equipment which i am sure will be the most favorite part of the school aside from the canteen. Hahah!

We are already offering summer classes that started this week for Math, Reading and Science subjects to give our students a head start before the next school year begins.

Math used to be one of my least favorite subject, but now that i am reliving it when i help out in my kids assignments i actually like it. Math is a straight forward subject, your answer can only be correct or wrong, no grey areas. Okay, i have to admit i like math now, but i would easily trade it with english. lol!

Foot Loose

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The floor had some kind of liquid that moved around in neon colors every time you step on them, and of course my kiddies stepped on them and had fun. I remember there was a place that had a giant piano keyboard that you step on and the note corresponding to it will be heard. I am sure the kids would enjoy stepping and hopping from one key to another to make a tune.

Music For My Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:50:00 +0000

Went to Resorts World to look at the place and found it really nice. The kids had a great time going through an Apple store that had an ongoing contest of who could beat their eight million record score at Temple Run, the kids gave it a try and ended at three million, not bad.

There were also a lot of good restaurants to try and for Christian and i bars and lounges to try. Passed by one of the lounges and was really enthralled to go in because of the cool music they were playing, i wonder if they carry the Allen Heath mixers that i have been hearing about. I used to frequent discos and bars when i was single because of the choice of music and the company of friends. I miss those party days. Tee hee!

I will be regaining my partying mode when the kids are all grown up ... i just wonder if my knees are still up to it. lol!

Getting Hitched

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

My cousin is getting married on December!

I am excited for him! We are really close and i remember when he popped the question to Therese (his soon to be bride) and we looked around for ladies and mens engagement rings and finally getting the perfect one for the special moment.

Things have a way of working out i believe. They had an on and off relationship and when they were asked to choose to pick a situation where they will be having a long distance relationship they both said they will not leave each others sides even if it meant more financial freedom. The decision was long and tedious but look the end is still going to be a happy ending because they will join their lives as one by the end of the year.

I am so happy for them!

Next shopping spree will be for his tux :)

Palm Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:59:00 +0000

We heard mass last Sunday to celebrate Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week celebration here in the Philippines. After the mass, everyone who had palm leaves (we bought ours outside the church for twenty pesos) were asked to go in front by the altar where they will be blessed while you are waving them ('palaspas' in Filipino), i let my eldest child Bea do the honors, so there she is in orange headband waving our palm leaves.

Upon leaving the church, i heard the vendor selling the palm leaves at five pesos each because it was going to be the last mass and her last chance to sell the leaves. So i paid mine four times the price she was actually agreed to sell it. Oh well.

Happy Palm Sunday!

Let us all reflect this holy week .. stay blessed.

Ball Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:46:00 +0000

This is our mini dachshund named Choconut, she is two years old and this is (errr.. was) her favorite squeaky ball. It finally retired yesterday when the pin got lost inside the ball and made the air come out, so no more round ball, instead a flat and more quiet chew toy emerged.

I am still thinking if i should buy her a new one just yet, or should i just relish on the silence of it first. Tee hee!

Summer Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:33:00 +0000

Our summer officially begins with this impromptu out of town swimming! I love summer! The kids love it too, but i now i love it more, lol!

I take a rest on waking up really early to prepare their packed lunch, waking them all up and accompanying the small one to the bathroom to brush his teeth, giving them breakfast, dressing them up and seeing them off .. then i leave for my school for my teaching work, then back just in time for my grade one little boy comes home .... give him a snack, give him a bath and tackle his homework ... then the girls come in from school and the cycle begins ... then dinner time .... what a day, and there are still other chores that i left out so it won't overwhelm you.

So now you understand my feeling when i say, I love summer! Out comes my books that i have been wanting to read, try the apps on my ipad, finally watch my coveted and newly purchased discount blu ray that i plan to watch, binge on some snacks while doing my laundry.

Love, love, love this season!

Come on summer, bring it on!

Foodie

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Trying my hand on taking food pictures with a twist. Hahhaa!

The first picture is our garlic bread and the one above is our triple pan pizza.

So, how did i do?

Comfort Food

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:45:00 +0000

I heart my cheeseburger meal! My crunchy, steaming french fries and my ice cold soda! I remember after giving birth via cesarean section and was not allowed to eat anything for twelve hours the first meal i asked for as soon as i was allowed to eat was a cheeseburger meal. It gives me so much comfort. Love it to bits!

This meal has been with me so many memories, movie time with my sister then on to movie dates with my hubby ... and guess what ... my kids just love it too!

Love it!

Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Snapped a picture of us inside the car just after we said our prayer for as safe trip. The kids have a great time at the back talking, playing, watching a movie on the Ipad or playing "i Spy" all throughout the trip. Really is no dull moment with my little brood, and i am very blessed that they really get along pretty well. I feel their age gap of only three to four years play a big part because they all like the same things, and my tweener Bea is still into children things (yey!) and is not in a hurry to grow up.

We were at a restaurant the other day and my sister told me that she has been looking at my kids on the far end of the table and she said "They have been talking to each other non-stop, and they look like they are really enjoying" hahaha! So true!

At home they are usually playing the play station, on the internet and yet still playing together in one of the sites where they can see each other online. I am thinking of getting a xbox 360 hdmi cable to make their play time experience more alive, even though these are gadgets and some parents are saying "no" to them, i feel they are okay with my kids because they are playing with each other and it is another great venue for them to interact with each other safely indoors.

We just love staying home ... and of course going on long road trips!

Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:24:00 +0000

Brought the kids to school really early without grabbing a bite to eat before we left. As soon as the kids were in school Christian and i went to the nearest restaurant that offered breakfast ... yum!

Outdoors

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:49:00 +0000

My kids and i were walking outside when i pointed out to them the "makahiya" plant. For those of you who are not familiar with this plant, this is a kind of plant that when you touch it, its leaves will fold as if it is being shy, hence the name "makahiya" (in Filipino it means "shy")

The kids had a great time touching the plant whenever we see them while we were walking through the grass.

Kids nowadays are no longer as outdoorsy as before. :)

So Proud

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:21:00 +0000

Bea earned some awards again this year. I have not had one year since Bea started school that i have not attended a recognition rites every year. She consistently make good grades enough for her to get and receive awards and medals. This year is special among the the previous ones because this is her first year as a high school freshman plus this is her first year in this new school. I though she might have a problem with adjusting, but shed was able to get along with others right away and excelled with her classes.

I actually do not know what to give her in the coming recognition days because i have actually ran out of things to gift her. I was tinkering on giving her a timepiece since she is already getting older and is more responsible with he rbelongings as compared to when she was smaller, i am looking at a titanium watch to give her the accurate time and at the same time look elegant and sturdy. I really have to think of something really nice to give my eldest daughter for always being good in school. Any suggestions?

Vertigo

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:07:00 +0000

Are you familiar with vertigo?

Sadly, i have it.

My head spins around endlessly for a few minutes and i can't stand up. Lack of sleep and pressure triggers this. I just had my last episode yesterday. In as much as i still want to do my designs i will have to sign off and call it a day, unless i want another bout with vertigo.

No thanks.

Goodnight, readers ... pleasant dreams.

Grocery Game

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:53:00 +0000

My kids just love accompanying me to do the grocery. It is actually added expense for me since they put a lot of things inside the cart, lol! But then again, it is food that they like so i do not tell them not to. They enjoy pushing our cart along the aisles and they help me tick off the things that we already have from my grocery list. They also have an ongoing game of guessing the price of a food item and they run over to a barcode scanner like ls2208 to check who guessed the closest. They also like the sound of the scanner when they pass it on the lens. You can just imagine how many trip they go all through out our grocery shopping. Don't get me wrong though, i love having them with me, it sure beats shopping alone.

This is also a great opportunity for them to learn about the value of money and getting what they pay for. I let them compare prices with the grams of each item and let them help me decide on what brand to buy.

I love grocery shopping more than clothes shopping!

Firm Up

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:44:00 +0000

School's finally out and i have now time to wake up leisurely, hahaha! I usually wake up at 4:30 am to get all the things dome for my school preparation and my kids snacks, lunch and uniform. A lot of people is asking me how i am able to stay fit and my only answer is i have a lot of errands and housework. But now that summer is about to start i am sure i will be gaining a few pounds since i will not have the feeling of being rushed during the day. I was out with my friends the other day and they were telling me about the lipo30 reviews they have been reading and how they want to try it out. I am a great fan of the internet, so i told them to search online and read more about it, and if they see the effects anfd the composition of the product then go ahead and do it. I also have a few issues with my stomach, how i wish it would magically firm up ... i can dream can i? lol!

Invite

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:32:00 +0000

This is Vin's invite for his school party next week. We decided to celebrate his birthday a few days earlier because his school is about to end and when his actual birthday comes it is already summer break.

Vin is quite shy in school and when he asked me if he could have a party i said yes right away. This is a great way for him to socialize with his classmates. I am glad he asked for this. I will also be making personalized pillow lootbags that we will fill with some candies and lollipops.

In passing i told him that i will no longer have a gift for him since i will already be spending for his school party, he looked at me and said "okay, mama." but of course i am just kidding him because i already have his gift wrapped and ready three months ago. He has been wishing for a laptop of his own and i was able to look at some Toshiba Laptops and got one for him already. I have no worries that the laptop might distract him from his school work because his birthday falls on the start of summer vacation! Yey for him and for me!

March

noreply@blogger.com (Melisse) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:27:00 +0000

It is March and we are going to celebrate three birthdays in our family. March 1 is my mama's birthday, on the 14th is Bea's and the 18th is Vin's. It is one long month filled with celebrations!

Bea opted not to have a party in school, i asked he if she wanted me to help her make personalized lootbags to give away to her classmates and teachers instead. She was excited with the idea and i told her she can be the one to make the drawings and decorate the lootbox, and that made her double excited!

Bought the photo paper yesterday already, just waiting for Bea to finish her drawings then off to have it printed!

I am sure this is going to be one great month!