Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

The Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Book by Bill Martin Jr. And Eric Carle was my son Lucas’ first ever favorite book. The book was read to him for the first time when he was still a year and 2 months old when he attended the playgroup summer class at ISYC. He was really paying so much attention when Teacher Nikki was reading (or I should say singing) the book to this group of one year old kids. Lucas liked the book very much that he didn’t want it to end. He cried when Teacher said “The End.” After that incident, I immediately bought him a board book copy, similar to what his Teacher read to them. He was really happy. He still couldn’t express himself verbally back then but he obviously loves it because he browses through it all the time.

Now he’s attending Toddlers class in ISYC, he met the same book as they learned about colors. Also they recreated the book through various artwork activities. Well, Lucas hates glue or paint or anything that would “mess” up his hands. But I’m so proud of what he’s created that’s why I’m sharing each and every page of what he did. By the way, the Yellow Duck is my favorite 🐤 it was supposed to be a paper tearing, crumpling and sticking activity..well that’s exactly what he did 🐥.

Bulletin Board Ideas

This is a very late post but I still want to share the bulletin board ideas we have for this year.

Initially, Teacher Inna (who was my partner last school year) and I were assigned to be partners again for this year.  Our animal habitat is still the Rainforest so we came up with a new idea for our bulletin board.  We didn’t want to draw a lot and paint anymore so we decided to do a “cut and paste” way of creating our pictures.

letterings: printed the letters on yellow and green construction paper then pasted brown felt paper for “jaguar spots” effect on FUN and green felt paper for “snake scale” effect on WILD

the monkey: brown construction, brown felt, black construction and white oslo paper

snake

the toucan

butterfly

the jaguar with no whiskers yet (used brown pipe cleaners for the whiskers)

the finished bulletin board

But with unexpected circumstances, we had to exchange partners.  Therefore, I one of us need to transfer into another classroom.  I was the one who transfered.  I am not partners with Teacher Patrick.  Their classroom was assigned to have a theme about Philippine animals.  Teachers Patrick and Mel already made most of the bulletin board but our supervisors requested to change the Pawikan to Tarsier.  So I did the Tarsier, again using the “cut and paste” method.  I wanted to have the “water” effect for the bulletin board because when I saw this idea from the other bulletin boards, I kinda wanted to copy. Haha!  Then Teacher Patrick placed a “Pinoy” riding the Tamaraw.  We perked it up some more by putting colorful buntings and making the map into an “interactive” location map (where the animals can be found in the Philippines).

“Sometimes” Food Day

There are just days that I feel like eating “sometimes” food. There are days that I feel I deserve to eat “sometimes” food.

As I stepped out of ISYC, It was drizzling. I don’t have my umbrella with me so I decided to run going to my car parked across the street (good thing there weren’t a lot cars passing by). I sat down, placed my bag and lunchbox on the passenger side and started the car’s engine. I’d normally wait for the temperature indicator light to turn off before I leave, so that’s what I did. For some reason I opened my lunchbox and found the open bag of potato chips that I hid inside. We used it for the Kindergarten Science Taste Test activity earlier, I hid it because the children kept asking for it. We reviewed that Potato Chips fall under the Sometimes Food category because we can still eat foods like that but in moderation. Going back to my story, as I wait for the temperature indicator light to turn off, I found myself munching on the left over potato chips. I suddenly appreciated its taste. I liked its saltiness and barbecue flavor. Before I knew it the bag was empty. Now I understood why the children kept asking for more even though they’re aware that it is a sometimes food. There are just times in your life that you feel so exhausted, even if you really love what you’re doing, that you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy something that’s not really good for you. As for me, it was this potato chips that made me feel better, a lot better.

😊

The Little Schoolboy

It is official! Our little Lucas started going to school last Monday, June 17. I just couldn’t believe that he’s now a school boy attending one of the Toddler Classes at ISYC (integrated School for Young Children), where I’m also teaching.

I chose the mid-morning (11am to 1pm) schedule because I didn’t want to pressure him yet in waking up early just to ride with me in going to school. Another reason was that I wanted to have a “stress free” morning as I prepare before going to work (I’m sure the mothers out there know what I mean)☺. So we decided to let him ride the school service with Ate Cindy in coming to school. He was hesitant to ride the service at first. But he easily got comfortable the following day (he even talks about everything that he see on the way to school).

When he finally arrived ISYC last Monday, he went to my classroom first and said Hi. I brought him to his classroom to meet his teachers (Teachers Lee Anne and Miriam). It wasn’t at all difficult. He placed his backpack in a cubby and went straight to the Manipulatives Area of the classroom. Letting him attend the Summer Fun class last May was really helpful. He immediately felt at home. Ate Cindy and I left him inside the classroom on his own and surprisingly he didn’t mind.

Their class schedule for 2 weeks will just be from 11am to 12noon. Lucas is still adjusting but I’m sure he’s enjoying school. It took a while to sink in to me that Lucas is already going to school. It just means that he is not a baby anymore. I’m looking forward to a great school year for him. I just hope that he won’t give his teachers a hard time…which is a little bit impossible 😉.

Heavenly Semi-Sinful Goodies

I am not a food blogger but I love food.  I really don’t have an idea how to make a review on food or pastries I enjoy eating.  But I’d like to share this one.  I may consider myself a stress eater because I feel happy whenever I eat semi-“sinful” goodies every time Stress comes by to greet me.  Thanks to my friend and colleague, Pia Valente…I envision her as an “angel” whenever she goes around with a sign-up sheet for those who wants to order her “heavenly yet sinful” goodies – Felize’s Baked Specialties.  My personal favorites are the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Carrot Cupcake.

The choco chip oatmeal cookie is chewy and with the right amount of sweetness.  It also has walnuts that makes it even more tasteful.  Another great thing about it is the size of each cookie, just enough to satisfy my craving.

Their carrot cupcake is one of the best carrot cupcakes/cakes I’ve ever tasted.  It was just perfect.  See, I don’t even know how to describe it.  It just tastes great! Ang sarap talaga!  The fact that it’s freshly-baked and knowing that they use premium ingredients.

Felize’s have lots of other baked products.  Original recipes are by Teacher Pia’s Mom.  But every so often, Teacher Pia also experiments on other recipes and let us (her co-teachers) do the taste tests.

If you want to learn more about their yummy baked goodies check out Felize’s Baked Specialties on Facebook.  You may also inquire through 941-9535 or 0917-4085657.

Human Heart Nature Antipolo: An Addition to My Favorite Places

I just found out that a Human Heart Nature branch just opened in Antipolo, inside the grounds of Wensha Spa and Cafe Lupe Antipolo. I just visited the branch yesterday at around 530 pm (they’re open until 7pm) and I immediately fell in love with it. The people were very accommodating even the guard outside. The branch is not as big as Commonwealth’s of course but the ambiance is similar. The cashier is located right at the entrance and one needs to go down to the main part where to shop. It has a brewing station and kids’ corner (with toys and books) as well. It’s a place where I could enjoy my retail therapy of organic products that I’ve been using for almost 4 years. Whenever I purcase HHN products, I usually do it online. But now that there’s a nice branch near Marikina, I can say that I’d rather pay this branch a visit than ordering online. It’s also an excuse for me to go out and enjoy the Antipolo View from time to time. For my next visit, I’ll also bring along Lucas for him to enjoy the kids’ corner while I shop 🙂

Change is Good: Nanayhood

It’s Nanay’s Day today around the world and I’m so overwhelmed with all the greetings I’ve received through text messages, Facebook and Instagram.  Thank you very much and I’d like to greet all the beautiful mothers out there the same thing. 🙂

Nanayhood really changed my life.  Instantly.  It is not the easiest change but it was all worth it.  Whenever I look back, the day I gave birth to Lucas, it was one of the most difficult yet the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.  I have here a list of my “I never thoughts..”

• I never thought I’d be able to carry a tiny, fragile baby.
• I never thought I’d breastfeed (and I felt the most wonderful feeling that I really am a real mom).
• I never thought I’d change soiled diapers.
• I never thought that I’d given up two more months of working (plus my maternity leave, total of about 5 months).
• I never thought I’d ask my superiors to handle just one class during the school year so I can go home to my little one.
• I never thought I’d shop a lot less for myself (that’s true).
• I never thought I’ve done all these and more.

I did not list these things down because I regret them, but I just wanted to remind myself that I’ve embraced a lot of changes in my life, it’s possible, I lived with it and I loved it.

Now that Lucas is 2 years old and 4 months, I can’t believe that he’s grown so much.  Much taller, bigger and much wiser.  Being a mother to him and to his future siblings is the change in my life I’ll never want to give up.  It may be the most difficult one (I’m sure all mothers would agree with me) but it is something that I’ll never want to stop doing. 🙂

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers in the world!  Especially to my Mommy Lydia who brought me into this world and made me who I am today.  She just means the world to me 🙂  To my Mom-in-Law, Mommy Sally, thank you.  It if weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have such a wonderful husband to share my life with. 🙂  Let’s celebrate our Nanayhood! 🙂

Photography, Yoga and Friendship

I don’t think I’ll ever stop practicing taking photos, I don’t think I’ll ever stop practicing yoga (at least once a week) and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being friends with my gorgeous friend Zip who willingly posed for me last Sunday :).

Zip was the one who introduced me to yoga, that’s why until know I make sure that I practice at least once a week in the studio and try my best to practice at home.  I’d like to share some of the photos I’ve taken 🙂

Venue:  UP Diliman, Make-Up and Styling:  Zip 🙂

 

DIY Cake Smash

A “balikbayan” friend of mine, Tacks, asked me about the studios here in the Metro where she could have her baby’s birthday photoshoot. I gave her ideas like Portraits by Heidi Aquende (of course 😊) and Picture Company. But I also gave her an option that I could take photos of her Baby Liam. An opportunity for me to practice and at the same time a birthday present for this cute little boy. I suggested that we do our own Cake Smash shoot. I’ve always wanted to do this for Lucas before he turned 1, but I don’t know why we didn’t have that opportunity 😒. So I just asked my friend to have a cute cake with no. 1 on it made at Shoppersville Katipunan (they make nice simple cakes at very friendly prices without compromising the taste). Then out of old Toys ‘r Us catalogues I cut out several triangles and long strips to create buntings and a number 1 wall mount (i lost the photo 😞).

We had the shoot at the house of Tacks’ aunt. It was challenging for me because I only have my camera (with 18mm-55mm lens only) and flash (SB 600). It was also indoors so I really have to adjust a lot with the lighting. I usually shoot well with natural lighting (outdoors). So far I got some cute shots of this adorable little man.

Food Trip at 168

I just got home from 168 Divisoria with my hubby and two more friends to get some stuff. We got there as early as around 7:30 in the morning to make sure that we still have a parking slot at 999 mall’s basement parking. Brio and I didn’t have breakfast, so when we’re done getting what we need, we went straight to one of 168’s food courts.

I suggested that we try one of the Chinese fast food around and so far so good we made the right choice.

Each meal costs P70 with 2 viands, rice and soup. We upgraded the rice to fried rice, we just added P10. We both had the mixed veggies. Brio had the honey glazed chicken and I had the steamed chicken something (I really can’t remember). The taste was satisfactory but they need to improve on the portions they serve. I got like 2 chicken necks for my chicken out of 4 pieces. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the fast food 😞.

What I liked the most was the dimsum store Wai Ying. It’s just a store or 2 away from where we ordered our complete meals.

Brio ordered Ha Kao, P70 for 4 pieces. We waited for it for about 10 minutes. It was worth the wait! One of the best Ha Kaos I’ve tasted. It looks smaller than the usual, but when you open it up it was all shrimp!

Yummy!

When we’re about to go home, we grabbed a couple of Zagus. While my hubby was looking for a Coke in can in one of the foodcarts nearby, he discovered another must-eat fried dumpling for only P35 for 3 pieces!

. It was very similar to the fried dumplings being sold at the old Virramall in Greenhills, below the escalators (if you can remember that). It was really good too. Now you’ll ask me the cart’s name….I’m sorry he didn’t get it 😒 he was too excited to eat. All I can remember is it’s located near the Zagu cart at 168 mall.

Sorry if you find this blog not useful because I don’t have all the details. I’ll surely go back there and this time get the names of the stores. I just wanted to share that 168 is not only for unique, quirky and cheap merchandise but also a good place to satisfy your food cravings ☺.