The All-around Mom: December 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy New Year!!! :)

My family and I will just be at home to celebrate New Year, but like what I did last week for Christmas, I'll be sending my New Year greetings in advance to all of you. I'd be very busy tonight until tomorrow finishing my last minute cleaning and preparing for tomorrow's celebration so I won't have time to go online.

So to all you my friends, have a happy, blessed and prosperous 2011! :)

Setting goals for the coming New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! Only 2 more days and it's already 2011! Last week was a celebration for Jesus' birth and this week we're celebrating to welcome a brand new year - another year full of dreams and hopes. You might have already read some of my posts on my goals and plans for the new year and on preparing my home for it, so you could pretty much tell that the coming new year is something I've always looked forward to.

I really don't believe in creating resolutions for the new year. Rather, I'd like to write goals I'd like to achieve for myself and for my family. I already have some goals I've listed but after reading a very interesting article from Zig Ziglar's newsletter on goal-setting, I would have to re-asses the goals I've written.

If you'd like to start setting your goals for the coming new year, then you would definitely find the article below very helpful. It's also something we can start teaching our kids, too.

Step 1. Dream! Let your imagination run wild while you fill up a blank sheet of paper with everything you want to be, do or have. Many adults have lost their ability to dream and that’s unfortunate. By dreaming you instill hope for your future, and with hope there’s possibility. So your assignment this week is to dream. During this next week devote at least two private sessions to dreaming. I want you to create a Dream List filled with ideas. Your list should include at least 25 dreams about what you want to be, do or have.

Step 2. After you complete your list, wait 24 to 48 hours and read each item on your list and answer the question: Why? If you can’t verbalize in one sentence why you want to be, do or have this dream, then it’s not a dream and it won’t become a goal. Cross it off your list.

Step 3: Ask the following five questions of every dream on the Dream List you created last week. 1. Is it really MY goal? 2. Is it morally right and fair to everyone concerned? 3. Is it consistent with my other goals? 4. Can I emotionally commit myself to finish this goal? 5. Can I “see” myself reaching this goal?

You must answer “yes” to all five questions for each goal, or cross that goal off your list.

Here are some points to ponder: Is it really MY goal or is it a goal someone else wants me to pursue? Is it the right thing to do? Will achieving this goal distract from achieving other goals? Goals are often difficult to achieve. Are you sure you can make the commitment to pursue this goal and see it through? If you can’t “see” yourself reaching this goal, you probably won’t.

Take time during this week to think about the questions above and answer them. Once you’re finished, your Dream List will probably be a bit shorter than when you started out. That’s okay because you’re now closer to identifying the goals that you really will pursue and can achieve.

Step 4: Ask the following seven questions of every dream that remains on your Dream List (or goals list). Will reaching this goal . . . 1. make me happier? 2. make me healthier? 3. make me more prosperous? 4. win me more friends? 5. give me peace of mind? 6. make me more secure? 7. improve my relationships with others?

If you can’t answer “Yes” to at least one of these questions for each goal, eliminate that goal from your list. Be sure to consider your family when you answer these questions. And do not confuse pleasure with happiness!

Step 5: After asking the questions posted in Step 4 you will have eliminated some of your goals. Actually, they were not goals, just thoughts or desires at this point, so you’re better off without them.

Separate your remaining list of goals into one of three categories: Short-range (one month or less to achieve this goal), Intermediate (one month to one year to achieve this goal), or Long-range (one year or more to achieve this goal).

This step will help you quickly determine whether or not you have a balanced perspective between what needs to be done now, versus your dreams for the future.

Remember: Some goals must be BIG to make you stretch and grow to your full potential. Some goals must be long-range to keep you on track and greatly reduce the possibility of short-range frustrations. Some goals must be small and daily to keep you disciplined. Some goals must be ongoing. Some goals (i.e., weight loss, sales success, education, etc.) may require analysis and consultation to determine where you are before you can set the goals. Most goals should be specific. A “nice home” is not as good as a “3,000 square-foot, Tudor- style home with four bedrooms, three full baths, and two living spaces.”

Final Step: After specifically identifying your goals, write them down! It is important that you have a written list of your specific goals. Then you will begin to do the daily, weekly action steps that will take you closer to achieving that goal. Be selective. You may not be able to work on all of your goals at one time! Don,t over do it. If you only have time to complete one or two goals for the remainder of this year, don’t apologize. Do a little bit more than you think you can, but do not overextend your time to the point that you don’t complete any of your goals. Do not get frustrated by the process! Work the system and it will work for you. I can fill a book with the number of letters that I receive about the effectiveness of this simple goal-setting program. Trust the system.

Once you have identified your goals and plotted the activities that you intend to do to fulfill your goals, pat yourself on the back! You have just spent more time planning your future than most of your friends, relatives or associates will ever invest! Good for you.

The basic goal-reaching principle is to understand that you go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will always be able to see farther. ~Zig Ziglar

“Once you’ve established the goals you want and the price you’re willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponent’s pressure, and the temporary setbacks.” – Vince Lombardi

Happy goal setting and may all your dreams and plans for you and your family come true! :)

Read the full post by clicking on this link: Set your Goals, Change your Life & Celebrate! by Zig Ziglar

Girls Talk: Vacation!

Our topic for this week's Girls Talk is something that I really need - a vacation! Yes, I badly need a vacation. Being a full-time mom to 3 kids can really drain the energy out of me, and I feel like I need to be by myself even just for a few days. But then, I feel guilty when I think of just going on a vacation by myself. Oh well, I guess that's just how it is when you're a mom - you want some alone time but you can't live even a day or two without your kids.

My family and I haven't really gone out on a vacation. Well, we've gone out to beaches and resorts during summer outings at hubby's work, but we've never really had our own vacation/ pleasure trip as a family. But it's something that my husband is already considering because he really wants us, especially the kids, to have a good time and enjoy. He's considering of either going to Tagaytay or Palawan, but it's still in the planning stage - you know, checking out the budget and other stuff.

But where do I really want to take my family out on vacation? If time and money (especially money) isn't an issue, I would love to go on a vacation with my family at Amanpulo.

Such a beautiful and heavenly place!

So where have you been to on vacation that you and your family really enjoyed or that it's in your list of places to visit this coming year? Hop on over to the home of GT and share it with us! :)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Entrapment

We're only a few days away to welcoming the New Year, and for this week's theme at TCP, it's all about New Year's Eve movies.

My favorite movie for this week's theme is the 1999 action/suspense film Entrapment, starring my favorite actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. It's not really a movie about the New Year, but it would remind you of the New Year since the multi-billion dollar heist they did took place at the dawn of the new millennium. I found this movie really exciting, especially the daring stunt they did at the Petronas Towers in Malaysia.

What's your favorite New Year's eve movie/s? Share it with us!

There's no place like home

After 4 days of being in hubby's hometown for Christmas, I am back home! Well, our Christmas vacation turned out to be really fun! My kids were excited to see their friends in the province as well as they were happy and excited to see my kids, too. Since we're going to be there for just a few days, I just let my kids bond and play with their friends. We spent most of our time going out to hubby's relatives to have lunch and dinner. My kids also had a great time playing with their cousins. We had been quite busy and even though hubby brought with him his laptop, he didn't have any time finishing some of the reports he needed to do.

Although I did enjoy spending Christmas with hubby's family and relatives, as well as my kids did, there really is no greater feeling than to be home. And now that I'm home, I can finally get back to cleaning, preparing and planning for the coming New Year. We brought home 4 days worth of laundry, and since I had the one doing our laundry take a holiday break, I'll be the one doing this back breaking task for the last few days of this year. So good luck to me! I may have a lot of things to do, but at least I am now back here in my comfort zone. :)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas! :)

I am sending my advance Christmas greetings to all of you because we'll be leaving tonight to spend our Christmas at hubby's hometown up North in Nueva Vizcaya. We always spend Christmas there because aside from summer break, it's the only time that my in-laws get to see my kids. They don't have internet connection in the province and I am not sure if hubby's SmartBro is still working, so while I'm there I won't be able to update this and my other blogs. I know, so sad. :(

I'll be kind of busy later in the afternoon packing our stuff so I'd better greet you all in advance. Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a grand time celebrating this joyous occasion with your family and loved ones! :)

Giving respect to godparents not only during Christmas

My kids already got some Christmas presents and aguinaldos from their ninongs and ninangs. They haven't opened some of the gifts yet, but they took a peek on some of them. You know how kids are whenever they have presents - they're really excited!

Christmas is the time when godparents give gifts to their godchildren. Sometimes, it's the only time that godparents are remembered - because of the gifts they'll be giving. But with my kids, I make sure that they not only remember their godparents during this season. I always remind my children to pay respect to their godparents whenever they see them by means of pagmamano. And I am happy that they are used to doing that without being reminded of.

pagmamano - a Filipino custom of greeting and showing respect to elders, parents and godparents

Whether it's Christmas or not, and whether their godparents have gifts or don't have, the important thing is that they show their respect to them, because godparents are not just here to be their source of gifts for Christmas. I tell my kids that since they are their second parents, they, too, deserve love and respect whether they have something to give or not.

Girls Talk: Fun at the arcade!

It's Thursday, and it's time for another fun topic at Girls Talk. :)

For this week, as our lovely host said, our theme's about our favorite fun hang-out place with our family, since it's the season of having fun. My kids are not very hard to please and when they want to enjoy and have fun, we just hit the arcade at a nearby mall where they just play away. They either go with me and their Dad, or if we're not around, they go with their lolo, who buys them tons of tokens to give them an hour or more of fun playing.

Where do you go and have fun with your family? Share it with us! :)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Party

We already slept at past 12 midnight but I'm surprised to see my little boy up now. He is an early riser like me, but my 2 girls are still asleep - probably still exhausted from partying last night (lol!). Yesterday was the Christmas party here in our village and we attended both the morning and evening event. Well, the morning party was for the kids where they had parlor games and magic show to entertain the children and of course, give aways and gifts. My daughters and 3 of their friends also joined the dance contest where they won Php100 pesos each. Well, it was a tie between another group of kids but still, they won!

my little santa :)

parlor games

my 3 kiddos with their friend. check out my little boy's gelled hair!

The evening party was for the adults, but there were still a lot of kids who joined the fun. My girls' group was asked to perform their dance number again that's why they had to be there. And of course, I cheered for them. :)

There were raffle prizes and parlor games, too, for the adults. Lucky me I wasn't asked to join any of the games. Good thing I looked busy taking care of my little boy (lol!) that's why I wasn't asked to join. There were other song and dance numbers that the kids and teenagers did last night. Even though it was really late, the kids were still busy running around and playing - and that includes my 3 children. I was really getting sleepy so I grabbed my little boy, who was crying so hard when we left the venue because he still wanted to play, then we just stayed at home, cleaned him up, and waited for my 2 girls and Dad to come home. I still managed to post a couple of entries on my other 2 blogs but I was really getting sleepy so after my girls got cleaned, we went to sleep - finally!

It was a busy and exhausting day yesterday but I know my kiddos enjoyed and had loads of fun. I did, too. :)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Early morning walk

I was surprised to see my husband up early this morning, inviting me to go for an early morning walk. It was around 4:30 a.m. and though it was a bit chilly, I agreed to go for a walk. We haven't done this for quite some time and it was like exercising and bonding at the same time.

Walking is fun and is the simplest form exercise that has great benefits. Walking for 30 minutes at least 5 times a week reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack and the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in our body. Walking is also a great stress reliever, preventing depression and improving our overall mood and helps strengthen our muscles and bones. It also helps reduce weight, controls blood pressure and the development of Type II diabetes.

I really had a great time today walking for one and a half-hour with hubby. We not only got the chance to exercise but also had the time to bond and talk. We should probably do this more often. :)

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Only 4 more days to go before Christmas! And another Christmas-inspired theme is on for this week's Tuesday Couch Potatoes.

For this week's Family Christmas Movie theme, my favorite is the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I had fun watching this film because of Jim Carrey, and we all know how whacky and funny that guy is and I also found Whoville very cute. I like this film a lot because of the lesson it teaches about Christmas: that it's not just about the gifts and other material things associated with the season that's important, but it's all about giving and sharing. Here's a summary of the movie I got from Wikipedia:

The Grinch, a fictional, bitter, cave-dwelling, green, catlike creature with a heart "two sizes too small," lives on snowy Mount Crumpit, a steep, 3,000-foot (910 m) high mountain just north of Whoville, home of the merry and warm-hearted Whos. His only companion is his faithful dog, Max. From his perch high atop Mount Crumpit, the Grinch can hear the noisy Christmas festivities that take place in Whoville. Envious of the Whos' happiness, he makes plans to descend on the town and, by means of burglary, deprive them of their Christmas presents, holiday ham and decorations and thus "prevent Christmas from coming". However, he learns in the end that despite his success in stealing all the Christmas presents and decorations from the Whos, Christmas comes just the same. He then realizes that Christmas is more than just gifts and presents. His heart grows three sizes larger, he returns all the presents and trimmings, and is warmly welcomed into the community of the Whos.

My kids haven't watched this yet, but I really want them to watch this film. I'm sure they'll love this film as much as I did.

Hop on over to the home of TCP and see other Family Christmas movie entries from other couchers. Share yours, too! :)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Getting ready for the New Year

Only a few more days to go before Christmas, and I'm thankful that we're done with the shopping and with all the craziness of preparing for the season. Now, my preparation is focused on the coming New Year. Aside from de-cluttering our home with unwanted stuff, I've also started decorating our home with positivity. Unlike before that I was trying so hard to make our home "lucky" with Feng Shui stuff, I wanted to do something that would inspire each and everyone of us at home to stay positive and welcome the New Year rooted in God's Word. Here are some of the simple plaques with Bible passages and inspirational words I bought:

Aside from these decorations, I also bought 3 notebooks (made of recycled paper with cute little bookmark beads) for me and my 2 girls.

I plan on making these as our gratitude journal and our journal of dreams. On the book I'm currently reading, I read that writing down every thing that you're thankful for helps in developing a positive and thankful attitude and be more focused in seeing the bright side of things. It would be good for my daughters to start on this journal at their young age and continue it for the rest of their life. I've also read before that writing down your dreams in detail helps you focus your energy on achieving them. This is one practice I'd like all my children to start with so that they would really achieve all their goals and plans in life. And as their mom, I would guide them in making sure that their dreams are not only self-centered but would also involve helping other people and sharing their blessings. Aside from this, I would also be putting up our family's Dream Board where we would be putting pictures of our dreams.

These are just some of the things I'm doing in preparation for welcoming the New Year with a positive outlook, involving my family and especially my children.

How about you? How have you been preparing for the coming New Year?

My daughter's photo shoot experience

My daughter Gwen had her photo shoot this morning for winning the "Is there a Gwen in you?" contest from Cartoon Network that I've posted about a few days ago. It was her first ever photo shoot that's why she was nervous and excited at the same time. The venue of the photo shoot was at the UST campus grounds and we started at around 9am. Gwen was excited to wear the clothes she won and have her hair and make-up done. She was just like a celebrity, and I felt like I was a stage mom (lol!).

She did a lot of poses for the photo shoot which will be displayed on the website and published on newspaper and I think advertised too on the Cartoon Network channel, announcing that she's the winner for the contest here in the Philippines. I was told before the photo shoot that all pictures to be taken of Gwen automatically becomes Cartoon Network's property so we won't be given any copies, so I bought my own camera to capture her shining moment and here are some of them:

And here are the prizes she won for this contest:

Since she has the same name as the cartoon character, she no longer needs to put her name on the school stuff. And I'm happy that my daughter's generous enough to share her blessings with her sister. :)

We'll be informed as to when and where her pictures will be posted, so we'll just wait...and I'll keep you posted! :)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Tadaa! My blog's new look!

Well, this is probably my 3rd post about my blog's new design. See, that's how excited and how happy I am with my blog's new look. I love it so much and I hope that you, my dear friends and readers, would love it, too.

I'd like to give my friend, Grace, a bunch of thank-yous for the great work and patience that she's put into making my blog very lovely. :)

If you're interested to have a lovely blog design like this, go visit Dress Up Your Blogs and contact my friend Grace. She's really the best! :)

I'd love to hear of what you think of my new blog design. And go grab my new badge (check my sidebar), if it's not too much to ask. :)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Watch out for my new look! :)

This is it, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for – my blog is going to undergo a major, major makeover! I am so excited and I just can’t hide it (sounds like a song, huh?), but yes, I really am very, very excited for my blog’s new look. I already saw my friend Grace’s design for my blog, and I really love it!

I’ll keep you in suspense for now, but I’ll share with you my new badge (see below). If you’re visiting my blog tomorrow (Friday) and see anything weird happening around my blog, then that’s because Grace is already tinkering with it and installing my new blog design. I hope that you’ll love my blog’s new look as much as I love and adore it…so much! :)

Ready for the Photoshoot

I went to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Makati this morning together with a representative from Cartoon Network here in the Philippines to submit the needed documents to secure a working permit for my daughter, Gwen, for her photo shoot this Sunday. This is connection with her winning the “Is there a Gwen in you contest?” I shared in my blog post, Meet the Gwen Tennyson of the Philippines. Even though she’s not really going to be a full-time or employed model and would just be doing a photo shoot for one day, the law requires that every child who would be made to “work” (children being asked to pose in front of the camera for movie, print, commercial and print use) for 4 hours or more should secure a working permit from DOLE.

We just submitted the documents and underwent a short orientation with the department’s representative handling the work permit for kids. And now, we’re all set for the photo shoot this Sunday! She’ll also be getting the prizes she won so I’m very excited for my daughter. :)

Girls Talk: Unwind

I’m back for another wonderful week and topic at Girls Talk. As a busy full-time mom, this is one of the things I love to do most: unwind and just relax after taking care of my kids’ needs, doing chores and playing a referee whenever my kids squabble (lol!).

I don’t go out to anywhere fancy to relax – I just stay at home and any quiet spot will do for me. I usually have quiet moments for myself whenever my 2 daughters are away at school and my little one is still fast asleep. That’s the time that I get to sit by the sofa, sipping a hot cup of ginger juice and reading a passage or two from the Bible or any of the inspirational books I have. Right now, I’m hooked on the new book I bought Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive. This is my way of relaxing and recharging so that I can still do more and give more of myself for my family.

How about you? How and where do you relax and unwind? Share it with us by clicking on the badge below. :)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Vacation mode

I can’t believe that Christmas is already next week. It’s vacation time once again, and that means I wouldn’t be waking up early. Yippee!

I’ve noticed that my girls haven’t been bringing a lot of homework lately. Their teachers might be in a vacation mode right now. Lol! Well, they’ve been busy this week rehearsing for the dance they’ll be performing at their Field Demonstration this Friday, so it’s more of like going to school just for the practices. Tomorrow, they will only be bringing their small bag with just their snack and extra shirt and grooming kit, so it pretty means they’ll just be rehearsing and won’t have any classes starting tomorrow. Then on Saturday, it’s already their Christmas Party.

Well, it’s vacation time for us moms, too. No waking up early, no cooking early morning meals and preparing snacks, no lessons review and homework. I just love vacations! :)

Congrats Grace!

Check out Grace's Christmas Card Entry for Sulit's Christmas Card Making Contest.

Celebrate Christmas 2010 with Sulit.com.ph, the leading online classified ads and buy and sell website in the Philippines.

I would like to proudly announce that my friend Grace won First Place in the Christmas Card making contest in Sulit.com.ph. The winning entry is the Christmas Card you’re seeing above and just below the header of this blog. I am very proud and happy that I’ve supported this very talented and creative lady. Aside from this winning, she also won Second Place in Yola’s Christmas Website Design Contest. Truly great blessings for my friend for this year!

Congratulations, Grace! You’re really living a very creative life! :)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Santa Claus Movie

It's almost Christmas! And it's another wonderful theme for our TCP, which is movies on Santa Claus. I remember writing letters to Santa Claus when I was kid, asking for toys and other things that I want. Although my kids are no longer doing that, they still are very fond of Santa Claus.

My share for this week's TCP theme is my all-time favorite Santa Claus movie, the 1985 film Santa Claus: The Movie. The story is about an old man who was given immortality and was chosen to become Santa Claus to deliver toys to children all over the world. The head elf, Patch, suddenly decides to make it on his own but eventually ends up with an evil toy manufacturer who has plans of replacing Santa Claus. I am not sure if anyone is still familiar with this film, so here's the trailer of the movie, just to help you remember:

If you're familiar with the song "It's Christmas All Over the World" by Sheena Easton, then you might remember this film. :)

Baby Bond Couture Nursing Sash and Belly Band Review and Giveaway

Are you currently breastfeeding or do you know someone who is breastfeeding right now or is about to give birth in a couple of months? Well, I found this product that expectant and nursing moms would really need. We moms know how breastfeeding can sometimes feel very uncomfortable, especially when there are people looking around. Nursing moms need to cover or hide in order for other people not to see their breast while feeding their baby. But while they’re trying hard not to expose it while feeding, they miss out on the most important part of feeding, and that is maintaining eye contact and communicating with their baby. The BabyBond Nursing Cover helps by covering just the mom and not the baby, making her feel comfortable while breastfeeding.

When I got the package yesterday morning, I immediately opened it and though I wasn’t breastfeeding, I tried it on to see if it would really do the trick of covering the mom. What I got was the Couture design in Espresso, which is a hybrid between a nursing sash and a belly band so you can still breastfeed even though you’re wearing a closed neck shirt (you get to feed from the bottom of your shirt). This was my color choice, but there are other colors to choose from on their website. I tried it on again this morning while my daughters were looking to demonstrate how it’s worn because they were asking me what it was for. They thought it was cool and wished I had one like this when I had to nurse them. They like the material, which is what I also like about the product because it’s made of 100% cotton. Very comfy indeed.

The fabric is sewn with its own self-storing pouch so after using it, just roll it and store away. Very simple and very convenient.

Unlike the Original and Flex design which are just worn like sash, the Couture is a long cloth that you fit around your body. The Couture’s concept is to adjust to the mom’s changing body, so whether you increase in size it wouldn’t matter because the nursing cover would still fit you. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing of putting it on, so aside from looking at the instructions on the box and on the sash itself (see pictures above), I watched the instructional video at their website, which you see below:

Wearing the Couture design as a sash if you’re nursing from the top really does cover the mom preventing from exposing the top or any part of the breast, but when I tried wearing it as a belly band and lifted my shirt, I noticed that there would still be a part of the breast that would be exposed while feeding, so I feel that feeding from the top and wearing it as a sash is much better than wearing it as a belly band.

This is really a great buy, especially for those moms who are really advocates of breastfeeding, but if you’re a bit frugal and think that spending $35 on a nursing sash is not you’re kind of thing, just think of the convenience it would bring you and your baby. Plus, BabyBond is offering a huge discount, so you get to own 2 BabyBonds for less than $46.

Buy a Baby Bond Nursing Accessory and get a 75% discount!

BabyBond is offering a 75% discount to those who will order any of the BabyBond nursing accessories on babiesrus.com. Just e-mail a copy of your receipt to missy@babybondnursing.com and you will be sent a discount code that will allow you to order another BabyBond at their website, babybondnursing.com, at 75% off. If you’re ready to order, just click on this link.

Win a Baby Bond Couture Nursing Cover!

I’m giving away the Baby Bond Couture that was sent to me for this product review. I was supposed to give this to a friend who has a 1-month old baby but learned that she is not breastfeeding so I just decided to make this a giveaway item. After all, it’s Christmas! :)

This is the first giveaway I’m doing in my blog and it’s open to all my readers. You can start sending your entries now! Last day of entries will be on the 29th of December 2010 and I will be selecting One (1) winner via Random.org. I will be posting the lucky winner’s name on December 30.

1. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect and Networked Blogs
2. Like the BabyBond and The All-around Mom pages on Facebook.
3. Follow me (@mommytrishness) and BabyBond (@babybond) on Twitter
4. Share this blog post on Facebook (Share option can be found on the tool bar) and type on the box “Cover Mom, not Baby with @BabyBond Nursing Sash. Win it from @The All-around Mom!

Just make sure to set your post’s privacy setting to Everyone, or just make sure to tag The All-around Mom properly on your post for it to appear on my page’s wall. Please make sure to leave a comment on this post after you’ve completed all the steps along with your entry links and your e-mail address so I would know where to reach you.

This would make a perfect gift for your friend or if you’re expecting, this would definitely come in handy by the time you’re nursing. Good luck!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Shopping! :)

Yesterday, we finally went to 168 Shopping Mall in Divisoria to buy clothes and other stuff for Christmas. We usually do our Christmas shopping at a nearby mall, but as my contribution in our family’s effort to save, I suggested that we do our shopping this year at Divisoria, where it’s budget-friendly. It was also suggested by my sister, who is a frequent shopper at 168 (since she lives nearby), to try shopping there because there are a lot of good finds there, too. We left home early, around 8:30am, because it’s a Sunday and we knew it would be traffic and there would be a lot of shoppers, but we still got stuck in traffic, and the number of shoppers just made me dizzy and my little boy cranky. It was a good thing that my sister was there to show us around because we really didn’t know our way around. She served as our guide where to find clothes for the kids, shoes, pants, bags and gift items.

I really enjoyed our shopping spree at Divisoria despite the crowd. We were able to buy clothes (3 pairs of blouse/shirt and skirt and pants) and shoes for my 3 kids, 2 bags, 3 tops (2 shirts and a blouse) and shoes for me, gift giveaways (includes ballpens, towel and wallets), 2 umbrellas, sweatshirts and we just spent roughly around Php4,500 pesos, which is really a huge difference compared to our last year’s Christmas shopping expenses. What’s good about shopping at Divisoria is that you can ask for a discount, unlike with other shopping malls where the prices are fixed, so we were able to get Php20 to 50 pesos discount on each of the items we bought. And my sister’s practically right – there really are a lot of good finds there. I just didn’t have the time to look at the curtains and throw pillow cases, but I saw a lot of beautiful designs which I thought would be really nice for our home. My husband was already tired from walking around (all of us, actually) and we just had to leave after 3 hours of shopping because I didn’t want him to loose all his patience because he still has to drive.

Even my kids enjoyed our trip to Divisoria because they saw a lot of good stuff, although they were really tired from walking around. And we all agreed to coming back and shopping at 168 for Christmas next year.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Excited for my new blog design!

With the help of my online friend, Grace, this blog will have a new design and look. I am very excited of what her design will be, but I know it will be a very beautiful one since she's a very talented and creative lady. She's the talent behind the Christmas Card you're seeing at this blog's header and of 4 more Christmas Cards that made it to the Top 20 at the Christmas card making contest in Sulit.com.ph, so I know she's going to do a good job with my blog design. If you're also thinking of giving you're blog a makeover, she's the right person to go to. You can check her other creations by clicking the badge below.

I really am excited and can't wait to see what my new blog design will be! :)

Keeping Warm and Healthy this Cold Season

I’m glad that I’m finally well. Drinking medicine and vitamins and lots and lots of ginger and calamansi juice helped me rid of these annoying cough and colds. Getting sick nowadays is common. Because of the cold and sometimes changing weather, Christmas season is also the season of cough and colds (it’s usually hot in the morning and it gets cold in the evening). This kind of weather is not good for our health, so we always have to take care of our selves.

Aside from making sure that my kids take their vitamins regularly and just have them avoid drinking cold drinks and food, I make sure that my kids eat more fruits and vegetables so that they get all the vitamins they need. I’m thankful that my kids have no problem eating vegetables, especially the green, leafy ones. We also see to it that we have a nap time in the afternoon and that we get to bed early at night, because getting adequate rest and sleep helps strengthen the immune system. And of course, making sure that we are germ-free by regular hand washing is one of the important things to do. Another thing I do for my family is preparing soup dishes like sinigang and nilaga. They just love it when they get to warn their tummies with these delicious Filipino dishes. Drinking hot milk and ginger juice in the morning and before going to bed is also one of the things we do to keep us warm and our bodies nourished.

How about you? What are the things that you do for your family to keep them warn and healthy this merry and cold season?

My New Inspirations

My boys (hubby and my son) and I, went out yesterday, because I had to get the second installment of my commission from the house I sold this August. My little boy wasn’t feeling quite well, but we had to bring him along because he wouldn’t stop crying, so we just brought with us his medicine.

I was very excited getting my sales commission and I wanted to buy a few things for myself but since we’d be doing our shopping tomorrow for clothes and gifts, I just bought first for myself a couple of books. I really love reading inspirational books, so I grabbed me a copy of one of the latest book titles of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive. This is one of my favorite book titles because the stories are very interesting and inspiring. It makes you feel better knowing that you’re not the only one having problems and gives you inspiration that if they were able to rise above their difficulties, then so can you. I also plan to buy another book title that will be good for my kids, because I want them to be inspired, too, even at an early age. Daily Bible reading is also a part of my life, so I bought a Didache for my daily Bible reflection guide next year.

These are my new inspirations to continuously improve myself for my family, especially for my children and to deepen my relationship and faith in my Creator and Savior.

Meet the Gwen Tennyson of the Philippines

I am just so happy and excited for my daughter, Gwenevere! She won in the “Is There a Gwen in You?” Contest from Cartoon Network and is officially the Gwen Tennyson of the Philippines! I received a call from the contest’s promoter in Hongkong last Wednesday and was informed that my daughter is short listed to be included in the final selection and was told to just check on my email for updates. Then Thursday came the happy news – she’s the winner! My daughter was really happy and excited, too, because of all the prizes she’ll be receiving, including the photo shoot she’ll be having. We’re still waiting for the details of when and where the photo shoot will be.

Gwendolyn Tennyson, or Gwen, is Ben’s cousin in the animated series, Ben10. My kids just love watching the Ben 10 cartoon series and they are glued to the TV every time they’re watching it. My girls are very excited about this whole thing and I’m very excited, too! :)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

A PulmoNebulizer for my Daughter – Finally!

the nebulizer we bought - a DeVilbiss PulmoNeb Compressor/Nebulizer

My daughter now has a nebulizer she can use whenever she has asthma attacks. Having a nebulizer handy at home is a necessity for people with asthma, and it was already recommended by our doctor that we buy one, especially that my daughter has been having frequent asthma attacks. It was just this year that her attacks had been occurring monthly. My daughter’s just such an active kid, and well, you can’t help kids from being active. It’s their nature. Plus, the doctor said it has to do with the weather, so people having asthma attacks are really common nowadays.

Thankfully (though I know he’s mad at me for forcing him to buy one) my husband bought yesterday the nebulizer my daughter needed, plus the vials she would need for 7 days. Well, it was the doctor’s advice that we get one, and when it’s the doctor’s advice, I make sure I adhere to it. I know it’s expensive but it’s for my daughter, and I just don’t understand why my husband wanted to wait for next week. We’re just not on the same wave length sometimes. If I had the money, I wouldn’t have second thoughts about buying something that my children would need. Oh well.

I’m just happy that we now have this gadget for my daughter’s use, though I’m hoping that we would find a better solution for her condition. I don’t want her to be taking medicines or using a neb for the rest of her life.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Family Adventure Films

Still not feeling well, but I'm up early for my daughters' school and to share my entry for TCP. I am always excited to share my favorite movies for TCP, because I just love watching movies. :)

This week, it's all about Family Adventure Movies, and I have 3 favorite movies classified as family adventure films: Toy Story 2 (1999), Mulan II (2004), and Up (2009).

I've watched this films countless times, because of my kids. These are their favorite films, too, and when they really like a movie, they'd watch it over and over again. Both Toy Story 2 and Up are heartwarming films that teach the value of friendship and Mulan II teaches about following one's heart and the lesson of yin and yang, a popular Chinese philosophy, about balance and how differences can work for another and help you rise up through any difficulties, which I believe, are very important lessons that children should learn.

What are your favorite Family Adventure flicks? You can check out more of these films by clicking the badge below. Or better yet, share yours, too. :)

Monday, December 6, 2010

Now I’m Sick :(

I really don’t like it when I have a fever. I feel very weak and very heavy. This must have been due to the exhausting day I’ve had last Saturday. I already had a little bit of cough and colds that day, but I didn’t want to disappoint my daughter by not joining her on her field trip. Yesterday my whole body was aching and now I am officially sick.

Aside from taking medicine and vitamins, I’m just taking it easy today and drinking hot ginger with calamansi juice to relieve my sore throat, colds and fever. Even after getting well, I plan to make drinking ginger juice a daily and nightly habit. It really is a better alternative than drinking coffee, considering all the health benefits it has to offer (click here for my post on the health benefits of ginger).

I really do hope that after taking another rest and sleep and another nice hot cup of ginger, I’ll be well again before this day ends.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Whole Day Adventure

My legs and feet...well, actually, my whole body is still aching from joining yesterday's field trip. My 2nd grade daughter, Gaby, had their field trip yesterday and went to several destinations up North, such as the Nature's Spring plant in Bulacan, Nayong Pilipino in Clark, Pampanga and Zoobic Safari in Subic.

Our departure time from their school was supposed to be 6:30am but we had to wait for other people joining the trip, that didn't show up, so we left at 6:45am. I've always joined my kids for their field trips and that's just what I don't like about other parents - they know that they're supposed to be on time and yet they still show up late. They seem to have no consideration at all for other parents who are on time or early. Oh well.

We first went to the Nature's Spring plant in Bulacan. The kids learned how plastic containers and bottles for purified waters were made. Taking pictures was not allowed inside the plant so I wasn't able to take pictures there. We did get free bottled waters, though. Then we went to Nayong Pilipino in Clark and our last destination was in Zoobic Safari, where we went to different attractions in the park, such as the Croco Loco, Tiger Safari and Aeta's Trail.

I didn't have the opportunity to have my picture taken with any of the beautiful spots in the places we went to - I am just happy being the photographer for my girl and just enjoyed taking pictures of the interesting characters and views on the trip. Sharing with you some of the pics I took: