Do your kids love marshmallow? Mine does too! Marshmallow is one of my child's favorite snacks so it can be more exciting if I would associate this to learning shapes. This idea is actually originated from Preschool Journey by Angela Thayer.


Since Chesska has prior knowledge about different shapes, I extended the concept learned where she would identify how many sides each shape has. First, I skewered the marshmallow with a toothpick. I did it myself for her to follow through because I knew that she wanted to try it, too!

Putting the marshmallow in the toothpick by herself will help exercise the small muscles in the fingers. But remember, this can be a little risky for toddlers to do that's why close adult supervision is needed.

While doing the activity, she took some marshmallows to nibble, and I can tell she's really having fun.

This kind of activity is very simple to do and less expensive. Make sure that the concept you want your kid to achieve will be met such as how many sides each shape has. Remember that it takes several days for some kids to absorb it depending on their skills. Practice makes perfect!

Only the Sophia-inspired tarpaulin looks fabulous but, I swear,  the celebration was entirely simple.

It has now been a week since we celebrated Chesska's 4th birthday. Sorry, I lost track to keep you updated due to my tight schedule. I now remember that I am regularly sharing Chesska's birthday each year,  so I never miss the opportunity today (since I am 2-hour free) to share with you my tot's 4th birthday last week.

Of all Chesska's birthdays, I guess, this was the simplest birthday celebration ever. Unlike on her 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthdays, I really exerted tons of effort mentally, physically and financially where I almost ran out of money and energy.  This time around, I came to the point to just celebrate Chesska's birthday in more practical ways, far off from the usual (bongga) celebration.  I see to it that birthday is being celebrated with sentimental value rather than material worth.

The first thing my husband and I did as soon as she woke up on January 14th was kiss and greet her Happy Birthday. We reminded her that "today is your 4th birthday, and whenever I ask you how old are you?", you must answer I am four years old".  She nodded without complaint (hehe).

Here are the most memorable things we did on Chesska's birthday.

As early as 6: am, we attended the first mass at Santo Rosario church to thank God for everything.

Then before lunch, as promised, I brought her to Wonderland playhouse because she kept begging us, weeks before her birthday that she wanted to play there.

As if she owned the entire playhouse for she was the first kid to arrive.

You see? She got tired playing and just lay down on the floor to drink her milk.

In the evening, mom and I prepared some foods for people of 10 who we invited for dinner, mostly neighbors.

Opening her one and only gift from us.

This was the least stressful birthday celebration ever, yet the most memorable one.

Despite the total firecracker ban here in Davao City, I, together with my family, my brother and his wife and two children who came all the way from Bukidnon,  still celebrated the New Year with a BLAST.  With their presence, our house came into life again like a firework because ,  my child, Chesska, had a new playmate, her 6-year-old cousin. Both kids ' noise and mess temporarily broke the silence and tidiness of our house, as you know how "hyper" kids are. Also, I was able to chat with my older brother and his wife for the longest time. We barely saw each other due to the distance of our home place, so a holiday like Christmas and New Year allowed us to be complete once again.

Here are the best parts of our New Year Celebration:

1. To make their 4-day vacation worth spending, I brought them over to eat-all-you-can buffet during my mom's birthday on December 29th.


2. On the same day evening later, I strolled my family at the Davao Rizal park. My friends posting Christmas events at the Rizal park over Facebook have convinced me to pay a visit on that place very soon since it's been a long long time that I haven't been there.  Finally, we were able to take pictures behind these colorful and attractive Christmas lights. Our picture is a bit dim though..





3. On the 31st , we went to the mall nearby just to go around and buy cake for my niece for her birthday, luckily her birthday coincides with the New Year. Her family saves time and money. hehe


4. Heart (my niece) blowing candle on her birthday.



5. Finally the highlight of our New Year, January 1st,  was held at Japanese Tunnel.

My husband and 3-year old in front of the Japanese Tunnel swimming pool

From the top view

Mom and my brother together with his family

Japanese Tunnel Swimming Pool

Bucket Challenge (haha!)

Beside the Japanese Tunnel Restaurant

Japanese Tunnel Restaurant Front View

Inside the Restaurant

Entrance of the Hotel and Reception Area

Inside the Tunnel

Replica of a Japanese Golden Buddha

Gold Bars Replica

Japanese Soldiers Statues

Inside the Tunnel

Main Entrance to the Tunnel

Slaves ' Jail

Japanese Tunnel Hotel. This picture was taken during our first visit here.

Hotel Lobby

Hotel lobby. This picture was taken during our first tour here.

Charges:

Entrance for Adults and Kids ......100.00
Japanese Tunnel ...........................50.00
Hotel Rate......................................2,100 per night with breakfast

Corkage:

Every Viand.....................100.00
Cake.................................300.00
Lechon.............................300.00
Soft drink.........................30.00
Rice..................................100.00

My New Year has been great so far. How about yours?

I was hesitant to register my child in the Halloween Spooktacular Costume contest held last week but for the sake of developing my child's social skill, I gave it a try! Unlike some other kids who are very sociable, Chesska doesn't seem comfortable with groups whom she's not familiar with. That is one of the concerns, as a mother, I need to address to.

However, Chesska loves dressing up. While at home, rarely would I see that her closet was well-arranged for she loves pulling her tops and pairing them with leggings or shorts, or whatever idea she has in mind. I admired her creativity! So I haven't had a hard time to dress her up in Halloween costume.

So before we went to the venue held at Gmall Toril, approximately 15 minutes from our place, I had her wear her costume to see how she looks. She made a cute pose while taking pictures of her (costume idea here.) I likewise oriented her that she would be meeting lots of kids later, wearing scary costumes (she was a bit terrified). Read the full story here.

I've never heard of this place before until a friend of mine recommended Rancho Palos Verdes for our family getaway last weekend. A lovely place indeed, near the crocodile park! Never have I seen such place, the fact that I had gone to crocodile park for a few times.  Rancho Palos Verdes offers multiple amenities, but we just intended to go swimming since my 3-year old kept begging us for quite a long time. So this time, her persistent request was granted. At long last!

Rancho Palos Verdes Swimming Pool Rates with Free Use of Cottage:

I don't know when the country club opens but am pretty sure it closes at 8 pm.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is NOT intended as medical advice.  Please consult with a licensed medical professional if you have any questions or concerns related to your health situation.

How are you, moms?

It's been a while since I last updated my blog. It's because I was hospitalized a couple weeks ago (September 6 to be exact) due to miscarriage. Unfortunately, I lost my baby that is supposed to be my second child. Now I wanted to share with you what I went through during miscarriage. The information shared below, I think, is essential to all women most especially who are preparing or planning for pregnancy.

Let's begin...

My LMP (last menstrual period) was either first week or second week of July (Sorry, I am not brilliant in remembering dates). When I learned I was one-month delayed, I already concluded that I got pregnant. But I didn't bother to use the urine test, nor did I consult my OB to confirm my pregnancy. However,  my gut feelings told me that there was something wrong with my pregnancy. Because the first week of August, I felt stabbing pain in my abdomen that I thought I was going to have a monthly period. Strangely, it did not really happen as expected until a few more passing weeks. There were times the abdominal pain re-occurred though it was tolerable. Since I already missed my period for 7 weeks, I decided to ask my husband to buy two pregnancy tests to find out whether I was pregnant or not.

First Pregnancy Test - two clear lines appeared,  which means positive.

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We were so elated of what we saw, so husband and I decided to schedule for an ultrasound with my OB on September 5. But prior to that day, evening, undesirable things happened. I found out some brown discharge/spotting, though it had never soaked my panty liner, but I was still terrified. Again I made my second pregnancy test, reassuring the baby was okay.

Second Pregnancy Test - one line is clear while the other one is somewhat faint.



Upon seeing it, we decided to consult my OB on the following day. I underwent TVS (transvaginal ultrasound). Yes,  the OB confirmed I was pregnant but I should have been more than 7 weeks based on her examination. She saw yolk sac, but no embryo detected, as well as the heartbeat. Also, while on TVS, my spotting began to get worse (I saw fresh, red blood already). But she did not tell me right away that I was going to miscarry my baby but sadly expressed the baby's development would not probably be good if the pregnancy continues. But she did not also suggest a D&C (raspa). She advised me to get back after one week for another ultrasound, take a complete bed rest and she prescribed Duphaston as pampakapit. But she said if the bleeding persisted and was heavy, I shouldn't wait any longer but go immediately to the emergency. Then on September 6 morning, I found out some blood clots already but I refused to go to emergency yet, hoping that what I went through was just normal. But in the late afternoon, I bled heavily accompanied with abdominal pain, much like dysmenorrhea. I then made up my mind to go to the hospital and the doctor told me I had to undergo D&C.

Sad to know that I miscarried my baby and it was a traumatic event. My doctor told me that stress, as well as food intake, have nothing to do with the miscarriage.  This type of occurrence is really common in one out of a hundred pregnant women.  In spite of that, I should take extra precautions, like my body should be in optimal health before planning for another conception to avoid the same problem in the future.

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