Breakfast Photos

Because I haven't posted anything for so long, here are our photos taken during our breakfast at Diamond Hotel. We had a staycation last Sunday, but most of the photos were taken on my camera and not on my phone. I haven't uploaded the photos yet.

I promise to write about the staycation soon!

Balance

I have whined here about our lack of househelps and how it has caused me so much trouble and misery. And you know how the universe replied? I was blessed to have won not one but two online contests over Mother's Day weekend! How is that for balance? Pretty cool, right? I won a Php5000 voucher from Cuzo bags and a Php1500 voucher from SM Kids apparel. The best part? The contests weren't raffles where I just got lucky. I won because the photos I submitted were deemed to be the cutest among the entries, and these were photos of my two girls! Nothing beats validation from strangers that your kids are the cutest, I tell you.

So, here are my winning photos:

So thank you universe for reminding me that despite practically driving me crazy, my kids still are my source of happiness and good vibes.

The Mom in Me

Since today is Mother's Day, I want to share with you glimpses of what my life as a mom looks like. Of course I edited out those that depict real life, a.k.a those where I looked distressed, bewildered and ready to give my kids away. I know those are the ones that earn me respect (and possibly awe) but like I'd post them for all the world to see. Hello! I am not that crazy! No, these are the Norman Rockwell-ish type of photos that would trick you into thinking that everything is so smooth sailing and picturesque. Seriously, I don't think I know of any mom who finds the job easy and stress-free. Heck, if it were, then it wouldn't be so special anymore. Moms are so special and so revered because despite the moments of uncertainty, of desperation and of endless worries and fears, we moms still feel and believe that motherhood is the best job in the world. And that's the truth!

Shopping find - Lunch Punch

It has been a struggle to get Ally into eating her sandwiches, whether it was her breakfast at home or her baon at school. She is not too fond of carbs kasi. But sandwiches are the easiest, quickest and healthiest food to prepare, so I am not giving up and am always on the look out for interesting ways of serving them. I tried cutting them into triangles (so imaginative, I know) and it amused her a bit. I thought of using cookie cutters but that will waste a lot of bread.

So imagine how excited I was when I saw this nifty gadget at Howard's Storage World in Greenbelt 5. It is specifically designed to cut the sandwich without any wastage. Super cool! And lookie at the designs of the set I bought - perfect for my little princess Ally!

I checked their website (www.thelunchpunch.com) and here are the other designs:

Aren't they just too adorable? Any little girl or boy would be delighted when they open their lunch box and see their fabulously-shaped sandwich! And as if their cuteness is not enough reason to buy, they are also BPA-free! 

Price is PHP549.75 for a set of 4 cutters at Howard's Storage. At the time I bought (last Saturday), they only had the princess and the animals sets. 

I am super excited to try it and surprise Ally!

Eastwood at Night

What do you do when it's 9pm and you are itching to go out of the house? Go to Eastwood City! There are loads to do there! Sure, Eastwood Mall closes at 10pm, but Citywalk is open until 11pm and more than a handful of restaurants are open 24hrs.

We arrived at 930pm and had yummy ice cream at Swensen's, took a leisurely walk towards Citywalk, looked at the fish pond in front of Big Oli's, had goto at Goodah, had iced coffee and fries at McDonald's, watched the dancing fountain, bought goodies at Breadtalk and had mocha soy milk at Mr Bean. All this done in under 2 hours. Whew!

Now my problem is it's almost 2am and the kids are still as hyper as ever. Ayayay! Maybe a late night pasyal wasn't the best idea after all.

Ally's Birthday Weekend

Because one day is just not enough to celebrate a special little girl's birthday, we used up the whole weekend for merriment and fun.

The fun began with shopping for her gift on the eve of her birthday. We let her have her pick of toys, books, clothes or shoes. She chose a Minnie Mouse doll. So girly! I added a tulle dress and a floral rashguard, both so cute and practical. She loved them all.

Matchy-matchy shirts 

Then a swimming party over at my parents' place. It was small and intimate, with just our immediate family. We brought grilled chicken, miki-bihon, cheese sticks, hotdogs, chips with mango salsa, Mickey Mouse donuts and cake.

And lastly, swimming at the waterpark at Clark Fontana. Benj joined us as well as Jojo's friends and their families.

It was a lovely (and very tiring) weekend, and more importantly, Ally had fun with family and friends. A happy birthday indeed!