Ready For A Whole New World

Soleil's graduation was held last March 16. It was originally scheduled March 14 but it's raining since Monday that week so her school moved the date and look for a new place na covered and hindi hassle if ever umulan. Guess what? Hindi umulan nung araw na yun  and super duper init kaya thank God they moved the venue to KB Gym, air conditioned and mas malaki. There are seats assigned for the parents while other guests can take the bleachers.

The school is very strict with time, when they say the program will start on a specific time, kahit kulang yung bata, mag start sila, which is good, bawal ang pasaway na parents. The program started at 7:30am and finished at 9:30am.

We were able to take few photos from where we are sitting so mostly malalayo yung shots. The school hired photographers to make the event orderly and neat.

Here are some of the photos taken by Jeff. Pasensya, wala talagang hilig asawa ko sa camera. Pindot lang ng pindot! Haha!










Soleil's on the stage. Halos hindi na makita.


Accepting her certificate and medal.



Gosh! I can't believe Soleil is already entering grade school, she'll always be a baby to me. Soon, she'll be on her teens, there are more stuff she'll be learning and adventures she'll be seeking but I'm confident she's ready. Ready for a whole new world, and so am I.

Wala pala kaming family pic sa cam. Kami lang kasing 3 nandun. I'll wait nalang for the pictures from school.

DIY Friday [B.4]

Happy Friday!!!

Spring Butterfly by Rebecca Cooper


Yarn Wrapped Letters by Ciao Mama


Personalized Mugs by A Spoonful of Sugar


Fun Easter Goodies by Luulla


Glass Tile Necklace by The Full Moxie


Puzzle Photo Frame by Love Them Madly


Photography Tips by I Heart Nap Time


Door Decor by Camille Styles


Grid Painting by Big Box Detox


Polymer Clay by Delighted Momma

It's Been 6 Years

I was looking for something in my drawer and I found cd's where I burned Soleil's old pictures. I then again looked at her baby pics and namiss ko talaga na ganun sya kaliit. Babies really grow up too fast kaya lahat ng moment na pwede natin i-spend with them while they're young, i-spend na natin cos when they reach their teens, mas mag eenjoy na yan sa company ng friends.

Soleil wants to be with me all the time, bata pa lang yan super habol na sakin. She can't sleep alone, she wants me to take her to bed hugging her until she fall asleep. I always tell her, 'Gusto mo ko laging kasama baka pag tanda mo hindi na' she'll say, 'Syempre, matanda na ko nun e' then I'll tickle her until she told me to stop.

I opened the album with her 1st birthday pics and I was amazed how we managed to throw her a party like that, given that Jeff and I don't have work that time, (Jeff just graduated from college). Super thanks cos we have very supporting parents who handles all financial matters and thanks to my friends na super nag effort din to help me organize the party. Ngayon ko lang narealize na ang cute pala nung party ni Soleil kahit hindi masyadong ginastusan.

Here's the list of people who sponsored/helped us make Soleil's 1st Birthday truly memorable. Thank you and Love lang ang binayad namin. Hihi.

-Food/Tables and Chairs: Our Parents
-Balloon Decoration: Mama Bebe
-Place Set Up and Decorations: Jek, Anjelu, Elmer, Ninang Sarah, Ninang Elaine and other becky friends
-Photographer: Mommy Izzi
-Reception: Ninang Tseh and Ninang Posh (Nag volunteer na sila para mag lagay ng name tags, etc. sa kids)
-Magic Wands: Ninang Posh
-Host: Allen
-Magician: Ivan and Friends
-Cakes: Lola Lota and Ninang Elaine
-Ice Cream: Lola Cely and Lolo Boy

We have tight budget for giveaways and other stuff to use for the event but still it turned out great. As in tight talaga. 3,000 lang! San ka pa?! Pero wag ka, ang daming narating ng 3,000 na yan! Let the pictures do the talking.

Birthday girl Soleil


Cakes


Reception


Magic Wands


Set-up


Kids


Kids with Soleil


Soleil picking up winners for her bday raffle


O diba? Bonggels at less cost! Super colorful. Most of the stuff used to decorate are seen on tv. Thanks to my becky friends who's working on a tv network. Pinahiram nya kami. :)

100 Ways To Be Kind To Your Child

As parents, it's our duty to be amiable to our kids, we should be the first people to show them some kindness. Who would've thought there are ways you can find over the internet on how to become one?! I'm glad I found this cos I know that no matter how hard I try to become the permissive mom there are still things I'm missing.

I'm sharing this to you fellow mommies!

Tell to your child:

1. I love you.
2. I love you no matter what.
3. I love you even when you are angry at me.
4. I love you even when I am angry with you.
5. I love you when you are far way.  My love for you can reach you wherever you are.
6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5,6,7 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you.
7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.
8. Thank you.
9. I enjoyed playing with you today.
10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______.

Tell them:
11. The story of their birth or adoption.
12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.
13. The story of how you chose their name.
14. A story about yourself when you were their age.
15. A story about how their grandparents met.
16. What your favorite color is.
17. That sometimes you struggle too.
18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”.
19. What the plan is.
20. What you’re doing right now.

Play:
21. Freeze Tag
22. Uno
23. Crazy 8s
24. Gin Rummy
25. Memory
26. Go Fish
27. I Spy- especially when you’re tired of driving and feel snappish
28. Catch

Pretend:
29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.
30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.
31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over.
32. That you are super ticklish.
33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard.
34. That it’s party day!  Decorate for no reason!

Try:
35. To get enough sleep.
36. To drink enough water.
37. To eat decent food.
38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty.
39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.
40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something.
41. Dancing in the kitchen.
42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.
43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel.
44. Keeping that sigh to yourself.  Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.
45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it.

Read:
46. A book of silly poems.
47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”)
48. Your favorite childhood book to them.
49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.
50. Outside under a tree.
51. In the library kids corner.
52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on.
53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic.

Listen:
54. To your child in the car.
55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.
56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.
57. One second longer than you think you have patience for.
58. For the feelings behind your child’s words.

Ask:
59. Why do you think that happens?
60. What do you think would happen if______?
61. How shall we find out?
62. What are you thinking about?
63. What was your favorite part of the day?
64. What do you think this tastes like?

Show:
65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.
66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.
67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!
68. How to cut food.
69. How to fold laundry.
70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer.
71. Affection to your spouse.
72. That taking care of yourself is important.

Take Time:
73. To watch construction sites.
74. To look at the birds.
75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl.
76. To walk places together.
77. To dig in the dirt together.
78. To do a task at your child’s pace.
79. To just sit with you child while they play.

Trust:
80. That your child is capable.
81. That you are the right parent for your child.
82. That you are enough.
83. That you can do what is right for your family.

Delight your child:
84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise.
85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.
86. Put a love note in their lunch.
87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.
88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something.
89. Sit on the floor with them to play.

Let Go:
90. Of the guilt.
91. Of how you thought it was going to be.
92. Of your need to be right.

Give:
93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.
94. A smile when your child walks into the room.
95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.
96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.
97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.
98. A bath when the day feels long.
99. A hug.
100. You get to choose the next one!  What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

Source: Creative With Kids

DIY Friday [B.3]

It's Friday and so here's another set of DIYs. Enjoy!

Memory Game by The How To Gal


Necklace Hanger by Your Retail Helper


Cupcake Stand by Somewhat Simple


Decorated Glasses by Craft and Creativity


Rotating Goal List by Cornflower Blue Studio


Bits Of Yarn by Cornflower Blue Studio


Wrap Watch by Oh So Pretty The Diaries


Lampshade Cover by By Wilma


Date Book by Fiksd


Party Planning by See That There

Money Matters

I've never been a kuripot. It's not the person I am. If I have moolah in my hands, I'll spend it the way I know how. I usually diddle away on food, mahilig kasi ako kumain, wala pa ulit yung budget na ibibigay saken ni Jeff naubos ko na yung nauna. Even I sometimes get upset, kung anong pagka OC ko sa lahat ng bagay, yun naman ang galgal ko when it comes to handling money. I set budget pero most of the time I go beyond it, lalo na sa groceries and everyday expenses.

When Jeff started working, his parents taught us to live independently. We live in their old house with his sister while his parents live in the other house just at the back of ours. We buy our own food, we pay bills, as in lahat talaga kami na una pa lang. And I'm grateful they did that because we were able to learn how to become responsible parents to Soleil.

Thank God din talaga cos si Jeff yung binigay nya to be my husband, super responsible and understanding. Sya nagtuturo sakin kung pano magtipid, he always tells me that if I want something, I need to earn it. Hindi daw dapat basta bibili lang agad, dapat pinaghihirapan at dapat pinagiisipan ng mabuti. I must admit, mas magaling syang humawak ng pera kaysa saken. He gives me 24,000 monthly, I am not allowed to ask for extra incase naubos ko agad, kailangan tipirin ko and kailangan bayad lahat ng dapat bayaran. I made a list and I realized that he's giving me more than what I need and I still complain cos I thought it's not enough.

Sobra sobra pala binibigay saken ng asawa ko pero parang kulang pa din sa pagka gastadora ko. I read articles online on how to budget cos I really don't know how pero parang wa-epek pa din sakin. I'll buy groceries right after Jeff gave me money, ayoko kasi ng walang laman yung ref & grocery bin namin. And that's when I tend to go over my set budget, may listahan na ko ng bibilin ko sa supermarket pero pati yung wala sa list binibili ko. Plus everyday may mga gastos. Bad Iwee! Haaay! If you can give me some advice and tips please do so. I badly needed it.

I created a monthly utility bills and receipts envelope para namomonitor ko yung monthly expenses namin. It somehow helps me.


I'm trying my best talaga to be a practical wife. Kung ano lang ang budget hanggang dun lang. I'm including it to my prayers. No joke!

Girl Pick-Up

Soleil always tells her daddy pick-up lines which I don't know where she heard of. She never watched Bubble Gang, I know cos I don't get to watch that show either. Her daddy and I were astounded when we first heard her throw one.

Jeff's the person who laughs at Soleil's every joke. As in walang palya! Everytime Soleil say something funny, he's the first person who will laugh.

Last Sunday, while getting ourselves ready for church, I heard them exchanging some pick-up lines. I'm laughing so hard listening to them.

Here's how their conversation goes.

Soleil: Daddy tae ka ba?
Jeff: Bakit?
Soleil: Kasi hindi kita kayang paglaruan.

Jeff: Ikaw tae ka ba?
Soleil: Bakit?
Jeff: E kasi amoy kang tae.
Soleil: Eeeeeeh! Hindi naman!

Soleil: Ihi ka ba?
Jeff: Bakit?
Soleil: Hindi kita kayang tiisin.

Jeff: Mais ka ba?
Soleil: Bakit?
Jeff: Kasi ang corny mo!

Soleil: Si Gerald ka ba?
Jeff: Bakit?
Soleil: Kasi ang budoy budoy mo.

Bwahahaha! There's more pero hindi ko na maalala. Sana kasi sinulat ko.
Pero diba? Sino hindi maloloka marinig ganyan mag usap mag ama nya!? Pag nasa bahay kaming tatlo, wala kaming ginawa kundi tumawa. Soleil is a natural comedian. Walang effort mapapatawa ka nya kaya we're lucky for having her. Napapawala nya kung ano mang stress na meron kami.