Too many rules at Grandma's house

Tweet

Overheard my son and niece's conversation:

 

Grandma: I don’t want to see paint on my living room floor kids!

F: Why does Lola (grandma) ruin all the fun?!

R: Really? How?

F: We're not even using paint!

R: Oh, just ignore her. That's what I always do

Moving Up Day

Tweet

When he was in preschool, my son had this end of the year school activity called Moving Up Day. Now that he’s in Grade 4, moving up day is non-existent in his school. They don’t even have the so-called Recognition Day that is usually practiced in public schools. The awarding of medals and certificate of honors for the non-graduating students are usually done during the first week of the next school year.

Tomorrow is my son’s last day of quarterly exams. The stress during this quarterly exams week is all in the past now, at least for me - his tutor, he still has one final exam to deal with tomorrow. I bought him gifts already as a congratulation for moving on to 5th Grade, I hope so - report card will be distributed by the end of the month. Instead of buying his current favorite books, the Harry Potter series, I bought the books with him yesterday at National Bookstore. Quite expensive but since I can’t think of any other gift that will make him more happy at the moment, than the Harry Potter books, then I just closed my eyes while paying at the check out counter.

semestral break

Tweet

RJ will have a one week vacation before the start of this school year’s second semester. We’re planning to go to Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney’s Halloween 2011 is from September 22 to October 31. Every Thursday through Sunday of the said dates, also October 4 and 31, the Headless Horseman will be seen after 6PM searching for villains who escaped with his head.

RJ though is torn between Hong Kong Disneyland and Universal Studios Singapore. He asked me to look for the best deals and my job doesn’t end there, I have to tell him what the pros and cons of the said deals. Personally, my choice is a Disneyland trip because of the Halloween special. I have to sell this travel idea to RJ. 

Summer vacation in the province

Tweet

The last family trip that we had was last summer break. We had a two-month vacation in the province. RJ was able to get to know and play with his cousins. I was able to have a stress-free life for two months, well almost-stress-free.

 

Life in the province is so simple. If there’s a school there that’s as good as the school’s here in the city, I would definitely prefer living there. But the education system, even the private school’s there, are not as advanced as the RJ’s school here in Manila.

 

How I miss life in the province.

 

A Day At The Beach

Tweet

We went to a beach resort, 45-minute drive from our house, last Saturday. May is a rainy month on this island already but it was surprisingly very sunny that day. Swimming on the beach and building a sand castle are included on RJ’s to-do list this summer break so he was very happy that day. The water was so clear and there were small fishes swimming near the shoreline.

I was the official photographer slash videographer of the group. I was planning to upload everything that I took while we were still in the resort so everyone who wasn’t able to come can see how the kids had a great time at the beach. But aside from the fact that I forgot to bring the laptop, the resort does not have an internet connection also.

RJ wants to spend another day at the beach, a different beach. But he’s the only one in the family who’s still on vacation. The school year, in most school’s in the country, has officially opened yesterday. RJ’s school opening is on June 15. He has to wait for a school break, and for the rainy season to end -maybe in November, he can have another fun day at the beach.

RJ is turning 10 in a few days

Tweet

My son RJ is turning 10 years old this month. I was already eyeing the party invitations, where his teacher bought Christmas Party Invitations for their class, but he said that he doesn't want to have a birthday party.

Since his birthday this year falls in the middle of a school-week, we'll just have a simple dinner in the house. Hopefully we'll push through with the Disney trip that he wants in lieu of a birthday party. He's been asking for that trip for a few years already. I was waiting for the time that he's old enough to do things by himself, maybe this year is the right time.

long airport queue, i don't like

Tweet

I was planning to spend Holy Week in the province. But the thought of going to the airport 3 hours before the flight, to avoid the long queue at the entrance and at the check-in counter, made me decide to just buy a ticket for this coming month. People in Manila are taking advantage of the weeklong celebration of Holy Week to go home, visit their families and relax in the province.

onlinehiatus

I learned my lesson when I went home during Christmas break. That's the first, and definitely the last time, that I'm going to book a flight during a holiday season. The flight was even delayed!

Hopefully we don't experience that on our flight in May. RJ is looking forward to one more month of fun before classes begin in June.

perfect cartoon show for summer vacation

Tweet

This Disney show is one of RJ's favorite. Mine too! I'm talking about Phineas and Ferb.

We usually watch this during weekends because it's scheduled at around 9am during school days. Since RJ's off from school, his summer vacation officially started last week, we now regularly watch it everyday while eating breakfast.

Not familiar with the show?

 

Phineas and Ferb is an American animated television comedy series. Originally broadcast as a preview on August 17, 2007 on Disney Channel, the series follows two kindhearted suburban stepbrothers on summer vacation. Each day the boys embark on some grand new project, which annoys their controlling sister, Candace, who tries to bust them. The series follows a standard plot system; running gags occur every episode, and the B-Plot almost always features Perry the Platypus ("Agent P"), acting as a secret agent to fight an evil scientist named Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. The two plots intersect at the end to erase all traces of the boys' project just before Candace can show it to their mother. This usually leaves Candace very frustrated. ~Wikipedia

summer break activities

Tweet

My son's summer break has officially started this week. Here's a list of what we're planning to do during the three-month vacation. He's always bored so I have to make sure he has something to do everyday.

1.   Hongkong Disneyland trip

2.   Holy Week vacation in Bicol

3.   karaoke every night (I recently bought a Magic Sing to distract him from playing video games)

4.   swim training everyday (morning)

5.   basketball in the afternoon

6.   enrol in soccer class

7.   taekwondo or karate class

8.   tennis class

9.   guitar lessons

10. painting and drawing lessons (I will also enrol so we're going to be classmates!)

11. weekend in Palawan

12. another weekend in Bohol

13. another weekend in Boracay

Hopefully we'll be able to check everything on the list before the start of classes in June.

should now plan for summer activities

Tweet

RJ's summer break will officially start three weeks from now. I have to start looking for summer activities that he can enroll in. Summer last year was extremely hot so I decided to not enroll him in any sports activities. Hopefully, the summer weather this year is not as hot as last year.

He did enroll in drawing/painting class at Museo Pambata but I think it was a waste of money. He was with the 6-9 age group and the lesson for that group was very basic. Imagine what preschool art is -that's what they did. It was easy peasy for RJ, altough he was just 8 years old at that time, he's always first to finish.

I'm planning to enroll him in art class again. Hopefully I'll find a class that will teach him more advanced painting and more complex lessons. I don't want another very expensive art class where he won't learn anything at all.

Swimming, soccer and basketball are on the list as well.

airline seat sale!

Tweet

After the half-month vacation that he just had, RJ wants to have another one. Perhaps a beach vacation this time. The first thing I do each morning is go online and browse airline websites for available seat sale.

I've never been lucky in availing a good deal on these airline sale. All available seats on-sale sells like hotcakes! Maybe this time I'll get lucky. I just have to be diligent in checking the airline announcements daily.

first time ever

Tweet

We always use Philippine Airlines (PAL) in all our domestic travels. But because of the on-going problems of the airline with its employees, I was hesitant to book our flight with them for our trip to the province this Christmas break.

We're flying home via Cebu Pacific, for the first time, for the holidays. I hope I don't experince anything bad with them because I've nothing but praises for PAL customer service.

at last I can relax

Tweet

I can't wait for RJ's Christmas break. Just 3 more days and we're flying home to the province. I can't wait to relax and leave all the stress here in Manila. I miss sitting on our comfortable living room chairs while watching television.

RJ is even more excited than me. He can hardly wait for his christmas vacation to start. He has lots of things planned for his vacation.

its never too late

Tweet

I try to look for different art and recreation classes that RJ can join. Everyday is an opportunity, that needs to be filled with more knowledge and explore different possibilities, that will lead to where and what he'll best be in the future. I am getting worried that it's already too late for him to try different things now that he's 9.

Last night I was watching a talk show about Mom's and their kids. An athlete who won 1st place in an international competition was featured. He's 17 years old and he started playing the sport he's into at the age of 15. I shouldn't worry about RJ then. He has ample time to try out different activities.

I should add more vacation time in our activities also. Aside from the fun that he'll get from traveling, it will also broaden his knowledge. I would start searching for cheap vacation deals for his Halloween break.

what i want right now...

Tweet

Yes, I want rain right now. I want dark clouds to fill up the sky and pour down heavy rains. It is very very hot right now. I take a bath four to five times a day. And yet, I begin sweating the minute I step out of the bathroom.

Let it rain please, God!

does your child heart drawing?

Tweet

My son does. So much.

Lately though, he's into playing with his Nintendo DSi and watching television all day long. Bought a waveboard for him, he played for two weeks. Now, it's just gathering dust in I-have-no-idea-where.

I have been toying with the idea of enrolling him at Museo Pambata's art workshop. Heard about the said workshop from Mommy Chris of Mommy Journey. When I told him about the workshop, he was so excited. Especially since the teacher is a children's book illustrator.

He was so proud of himself when his artwork got displayed at CCP. I was and still am very proud of him so I decided to let him join the workshop for Basic Art.

I was supposed to pay Php3,500 for 8 sessions. I ended up paying Php3,150 only. How? I availed of Museo Pambata's Privilege Card which is worth Php300. 10% discount for the Basic Art workshop! I only had to pay Php3,450 and I get to have a card that I can use for a whole year!

Please don't forget to join the BLOG PARTY. Joining means more traffic, more links and more comments for your blog!

create memories with your family here

Tweet

Are you planning a vacation that is enjoyable and educational at the same time? Why not a Florida getaway with your family! St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches is the perfect place for your next vacation.

  

We'll definitely get a suite at St. Francis Inn, a historic Bed and Breakfast with old world charm, located in St. Augustine Florida (the nation's oldest city). I don't have to worry what to feed my son, a picky eater, because the stay at St. Francis Inn includes a gourmet buffet breakfast and specialty coffee drinks, evening social hour with complimentary beverages and tasty treats, and nightly homemade desserts.

My son will surely love to take a Cruise on the Pirate Ship, Black Raven. The Best Professional Pirate Actors in Florida entertains people, young and old alike, by singing pirate songs and telling stories of pirate and privateer attacks. I am very sure that RJ will enjoy the pirate hats, face painting and games with the crew. I hope someone will give us a giftcard for the cruise.

The charming seaside village, Ponte Vedra, lies along a stretch of brilliant, blue Atlantic Ocean. The small town, which can be found between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, offers some amazing amenities as well as educational attraction. The GTM Reserve’s Environmental Education Center is a one-of-a-kind learning center for people of all ages. The center contains natural & cultural history exhibits, aquariums, an audiovisual theatre/auditorium, a laboratory, and a nature store. Outdoor recreational activities include a picnic pavilion, 10 miles of hiking trails, 4 beach access points, fishing area and 2 small boat ramps.

There are more attractions and historical places to add to the itinerary. The Alligator Farm, the legendary Fountain of Youth, a trolley tour of Old City, the thrill to the oddities of the Ripley’s Believe it Not Museum and a lot more.  Visit http://www.romanceliveshere.com/ and start planning your dream vacation now.

have you been to this place?

Tweet

If you haven't yet, you are missing half of your life. Kissimmee, the Heart of Florida, is a charming, distinctive area that’s part of one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. Whether you plan for non-stop excitement every day or prefer nothing more than a gentle breeze, Kissimmee in Central Florida is the perfect place to spend your next vacation.

So many of Central Florida's attraction are a short drive away from Kissimmee.

Kids and kids at heart will definitely enjoy visiting the Kennedy Space Center. It is home to much of the activity that promises a new era of space exploration. Who would not enjoy getting up close and personal with the actual rockets, space capsules, and other equipment that have made space exploration possible?

Would love to surprise my son with a prehistoric birthday party at Dinosaur World. He doesn't have to wait, until he's old enough, to make his dream of becoming a paleontologist come true. Children age 3-12 can sift through sand in search of 10 types of authentic fossils (shark teeth to sea urchins, dinosaur bone fragments and more) and may keep 3 fossils as a memento of their trip.

Stressed? It will all disappear when you feel the cool breeze gently caressing your skin, when you feel the sand between your toes while the waves lap at your feet. Just an hour’s drive from Kissimmee are the east coast beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, the ideal setting for lounging, surfing or deep sea fishing. To the west, the Gulf Coast is about a 90-minute drive from Kissimmee, offering sprawling beaches and blue waters where colorful shells arrive with every splash of the surf.

A Kissimmee Florida vacation won't be complete without a theme park visit. Whichever park you select, you've made the perfect choice. You'll love the fantasy of Walt Disney World Resorts' Magic Kingdom Park, the innovations and world-culture of Epcot, the animal encounters of Disney's Animal Kingdom, or the movie immersion at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Plus a visit of course at Universal Studios and Sea World is a must.

Can't wait to visit Florida again. This time it will be more memorable because I will be enjoying the vacation with my son.

this is just a suggestion, take it or leave it

Tweet

Have you already made plans on what to do this spring? I have a suggestion. Weather you enjoy relaxing while taking in the scenery, the thrill of a great game, or endless shopping, dining and theaters, Branson is the place to go this spring. And there’s no better place to stay in Branson than the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Situated within the electrifying entertainment capital of the Midwest, the Hiltons of Branson offer guests access to shops, boutiques, restaurants, a river walk and other attractions.

This is just a suggestion. But if I we're you, I will consider taking a trip to Branson. Why? Branson has ongoing events like the 14th annual Branson Tri-Lakes Building and Home Show, NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament, Branson’s Best Boat and Recreation Show, Silver Dollar City’s Family Spring Break Day and the memorable Young Christian’s Weekend; not to mention a series of amazing concerts on the Branson Landing including shows from 65 South, Colgate Country Showdown with KHOZ 102.9, EXILE, The Nashvegas All Stars, and David Letterman Stupid Human & Pet Trick Auditions!

Since my son loves to swim, we can spend a few hours in the pool area. The indoor pool is complete with hot tub and there is also an outdoor pool. My son can perfect his swim stokes in the pool while I on the other hand can catch up on my reading. What a perfect way to relax before touring the new Branson Landing retail and entertainment district situated on Lake Taneycomo. A must visit also is the Payne Stewart Golf Course. Only 3 miles from the hotel, my son can perfect his golf swing and enjoy the view of an 18 holes of golf while walking in the footsteps of the great Payne Stewart.

The perfect way to relax after a long day at the Convention Center or after touring many of Branson, Missouri's attractions is a delectable dining experience at Trofi restaurant. The restaurant offers Mediterranean style cuisine and a view of Branson Landing.

A great night's sleep on Hilton's Serenity Bed package sounds relaxing. Room amenities include spacious workstations with granite counter tops and ergonomic desk chairs, 32-inch LCD flat panel televisions, the Hilton clock radio with MP3 adapter, two dual-line phones, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and much more.

Are you not convinced yet that you will have a blast if you spend spring break at Branson?

vacation galore at the Hilton in Branson, Missouri

Tweet

A few more months from now, my son is turning 9. What better way to celebrate his birthday by spending his special day at the Hilton in Branson, Missouri. The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing offers a lot of exciting and fun packages whether one is traveling on vacation or just getting away for a long weekend.

Since my son loves to swim, we can spend a few hours in the pool area. The indoor pool is complete with hot tub and there is also an outdoor pool. My son can perfect his swim stokes in the pool while I on the other hand can catch up on my reading. What a perfect way to relax before touring the new Branson Landing retail and entertainment district situated on Lake Taneycomo. A must visit also is the Payne Stewart Golf Course. Only 3 miles from the hotel, my son can perfect his golf swing and enjoy the view of an 18 holes of golf while walking in the footsteps of the great Payne Stewart.

The perfect way to relax after a long day at the Convention Center or after touring many of Branson, Missouri's attractions is a delectable dining experience at Trofi restaurant. The restaurant offers Mediterranean style cuisine and a view of Branson Landing.

After a tiring but fun day, a great night's sleep on Hilton's Serenity® Bed package sounds relaxing. Room amenities include spacious workstations with granite counter tops and ergonomic desk chairs, 32-inch LCD flat panel televisions, the Hilton clock radio with MP3 adapter, two dual-line phones, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and much more.

Branson has ongoing events for everyone’s entertainment like the exciting fourth annual professional ice sculpting competition, Master’s Trout Championship, the Tri-Lakes Building and Home Show, live entertainment, theaters and much more. Both hotels are within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters.

Would definitely spend my son's 9th birthday at the Hilton in Branson, Missouri.