HOME ECO-NANAY

Finally, my first ever giveaway.  If you have been following my blog, you would have read about my post on planners.  I have lived my life with planners.  Admit it or not, we need a semblance of control in our lives and having a planner makes us more in control with our life.  We can calendar our schedule and hence, plan our life to make time for everything. As a mom (which is my main profession, apart from being a wife, lawyer and educator), I need a planner.  Last year, I had a planner by Mom and Me.  I checked on their FB Page and they were not making a new one for this year.  That's why I was so thankful to discover Mommy Mundo.  From what I have been reading, Mommy Mundo has been making this planner for quite some time already (and I didn't know. Pity me. Lol :P). Here's a write up about the Mom 24/7 Planner by Mommy Mundo (pics and write up are courtesy of their webpage): "MOM 24/7 is a 6x8inch hardbound, spiral-bound planner wi...

I have lived my life and continue to live my life around organizers and planners.  This must be the OCness in me.  I started having one when I was still in high school.  And now I'm asking myself why I had one (hahaha!).  Did I have meetings and events back in high school? Lol :P  Maybe my classmates can remind me.   In college, organizers and planners became all the more important.  Schedule of exams, meetings, co-curricular activities and extra-curricular ones.  In law school, more important exams, meetings, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.   In the profession I am in right now, planners and organizers are a must.  I must say I have many professions, foremost of which is being a mom.  It's a full time job.  I am also a lawyer and an educator.  So having three (3) professions, it is all the more important to have a planner to schedule my life and to schedule everyone else's.  I write down my hear...

The other night, at around midnight, we had to rush our youngest to the Emergency Room.  He started having chills (this is something we can manage) but then he suddenly turned black.  This made us panic and so off we went to Davao Doctor's.  Surprisingly, we had a good experience at the ER of Davao Doc.  I was earlier consumed with negative thoughts as some of people I know had bad experiences.  The resident doctor was very nice, the nurses and the medtech were also very accommodating.  We were able to go home after he was given a suppository (I learned this is a must in one's medicine cabinet!) for his fever and after a routine CBC and urinalysis.  Although the results were not yet available, the youngest was adamant that he wanted to go home because his older sibling was not there with him (Ahia had to stay at home with Grandpa).  I was glad that he wasn't admitted.  I heaved a sigh of relief.  I don't like admitting kids to hospitals....

I always had this idea that when babies are born into this world, they're very sensitive to those "other" beings.  I don't know where I got that idea, maybe somebody taught me or I read it somewhere.  I do not consider this as a bad thing though, although at times, it may seem spooky and scary. When I gave birth to my twins, this idea was not really the focus of my parenting efforts.  I mean who would be thinking about these "other" beings when we're busy taking care of newborns, right?  So in a hindsight, I never really thought about it until..... The first incident was when the twins were barely 1 year old.  Both of them would cry at night without any reason at all.  Their nappies were dry, they were not hungry.  This continued for several nights until my husband spoke out loud and said to leave the twins alone since it was sleeping time and to play with them only when they were awake.  After that, the crying incidents stopped and has not re...

I am always on the lookout for promo fares (trying to be matipid without sacrificing my love for travel).  So while reading through the Philippine Daily Inquirer this morning, I read that Cebu Pacific was having another one of their Php1 promos.  Well, it's not really Php1 since there are additional charges which we have to pay but then again, air fare is cheaper when it is booked during promo periods such as this one. So, upon reaching the office, I hurriedly opened my laptop to open Cebu Pacific's browser.  It took me some time to book our trips.  Uhmmm, all in all, I booked a total of 3 local trips (trip hoarder!).  One family trip and another trip for just the hubby and me (the last trip we had together was when we were not yet married).  I am so excited for next year!

My brother's family will be going back to Iloilo on Thursday.  It's a good thing because they'll finally be going back to place where they wanted to build their home and it also means my sis-in-law finally got her medical clearance.  That's on a brighter side.  On a sad note, Baby Aga would be going with them.  The twins would miss her.  I would miss her. Sob :( So to celebrate (?) this event, we held a small Halloween Party for the kids last night.  It was not really a party.  It was just a Halloween Dinner for them.  I made baked spaghetti, ordered lechon from our favorite Beko's Biik , my hubby grilled a huge fish, and my sis-in-law provided the spooky cupcakes.  We also provided 3 loot bags, one for each of the kid, and stuffed them with candies (yay! no need to go around the subdivision). If we had a competition last night, Aga would have won. She really looked spooky and scary.  Hahaha :P  Look.. Spooky and scary baby ...

Last week I read on Facebook that the Ateneo de Davao University will begin accepting applications for Playschool and Level II starting October 15 (that was last Monday).  That status message made me stop and thinking.  Wow!  This early?  And I thought I could postpone school hunting until January of next year.  And then a co-teacher of mine sent me a tweet.  I should decided ASAP since they are expecting that the slots will be full by February.  Another wow!  I was stressed to the nth level. Hahaha. Our twin boys are enrolled in a Waldorf Steiner school here in Davao.  From their daily attendance in school with their class from 8:30 until 12nn, they're both down to once a week (sometimes, we even skip a week.) due to health reasons.  Most of the time they would get sick and we found it to be stressful not only for them, but also for us, whenever they're sick.  I believe in the school's philosophy and the manner by which they teac...

We are a beach loving family.  Going to the beach is one activity we all like doing (although preparing for the beach outing can be quite stressful!).  The twins also love going to the beach.  Maybe they inherited it from us (it's in the genes, as they would say). I remember going to beach with my husband when I first failed the Bar Exams.  We went to Mati with some of my friends to rest and recover. I also remembered going to Paradise with his family.  On a personal note, I grew up loving the beach.  Whenever we would go to Zamboanga for our summer, we would always go to the beach every Sunday (one whole day!).  We'd end up with sunburns all over our faces and bodies since we would be soaking in the sea the entire day.  But despite the pain of having sunburns, going to the beach was still my favorite activity.  When I went to college and when I entered law school, going to the beach was not anymore a favorite activity.  Apart from the...

Every year, since my Amah  died, we would travel to Zamboanga to celebrate her death anniversary.  A year before she died, we also traveled to Zamboanga because I wanted to bring the twins to  Amah.   The next year she died and we traveled to Zamboanga to commemorate her 40th Day.  We did not go during the wake and the burial as I was informed by my mom that it's not good to bring along kids as they are prone to seeing spirits and ghosts. This year's travel was a bit special.  It's her babang luksa .  So finally, after 3 years of wearing white, those who have remained a Ruste (those who haven't married or carries the family name of my Angkong and Amah ) finally gets to wearing ordinary colors, after wearing Red for the first time. September 29 was the day.  Itinerary for the day was 6:00am- visit the tomb, 7:30am- breakfast at Jollibee, 9:30am- temple rites.  We did not join the prayer at the cemetery.  Excused since we have toddlers...

See you soon! This Friday, we're again traveling.  This time to Zamboanga City, to mark the Babang Luksa  of my Amah.  It's her 3rd death anniversary. It makes me wonder if the kids are excited about the trip.  I would probably think they are.  They're counting the days with their fingers.  Today is Tuesday so they say, "hintuturo!"  They know it's almost Friday, fly day!  They're sorting through their toys deciding what to bring on Friday.  They're also looking for their small Avengers back pack ("lagyan ng toys Ma!").  So I guess they're excited. If they're excited,  I am in a state of panic.  Lol :P Packing is never easy for me.  I am not a light packer as compared to my husband.  And when I'm packing my stuff and our kids' stuff, it's going to be one huge luggage for us (good thing we just bought one extra-large luggage from Delsey at 50% off!).  I haven't made our check list yet (the OC in me!). ...

I normally gauge how my kids have grown depending on what we can do together without the "yayi's" around.  When they were both born, I could never live without "yayi's" around.  As they grew older, our dependency on the "yayi's" also lessened.  The first time we traveled, I had to bring one "yayi".  However, as they grew, we've have managed to travel without "yayi's" around.  However, when they turned three, we managed to  go out as a family without the "yayi's" tagging along.  Sunday's have become plain family days for us. Last Saturday was another milestone for us.  We were finally able to go out, just the three of us (me and the kiddo's) all by ourselves.  Clap, clap, clap! I had serious doubts at first since we were going to Zoofari and I knew they would be playing non stop.  I wondered if I alone can take care of two hyper babies (oooops, toddlers!) in the first hours of the morning, when...

I remember growing up with Tupperware.  My mom had plenty of those.  My grandmother also collected the same.  I remember storing and putting food or stuffs on those colorful Tupperware.  So when I started to have kids, I vowed to start my Tupperware collection.  It wasn't when my kids started school that I began to look for a supplier.  Luckily, we have at Ateneo.  I started buying last July, and I think I've amassed quite a few.  Now please don't raise your eyebrows.  I know Tupperware's are expensive but I only buy those which are on sale.  Lol :P If there's something expensive which I really, really like, I ask my mom to buy it (lucky me!). The thing is, three weeks ago I bought a 1L Eco Bottle.  Last week, while opening the refrigerator, I accidentally dropped the bottle.  Lo and behold, the cap cracked.  What?!  Do Tupperware's crack?  I had the belief that it doesn't.  So I texted Ate Fely (our belov...

I am not really an accessories type of girl, but lately, I've been buying (not hoarding!).  I find it therapeutic actually.  It's de-stressing looking at all those colors, shapes and sizes.  The most fun part is actually stacking them up! I think accessories perk up any outfit, don't you think? So I've finally decided on opening an online store (it's actually an fb page) to cater to this new obsession of mine.  Check out Seth&Shael  on Facebook (and of, if you're on FB, like the page as well).  Here are some pictures: Ring. Neon Bangle. Earrings. And oh, I'm also trying to clean up my closet.  I've accumulated quite a few over the years (what girl does not?!).  Have fun shopping!

Last Friday, while lying down on the bed with my legs up on the wall (suggested by a friend to minimize varicose veins), the earth suddenly shook.  I knew it was an earthquake.  Believing it was an ordinary earthquake, I just continued to lie down.  However, after a few seconds, the earthquake became stronger and I had to shout "Earthquake!". I panicked!  I grabbed my eldest and my husband grabbed our youngest, and we both rushed outside our house.  It was outside the house where my husband discovered that we were carrying the wrong toddlers.  Lol! Talk about panic.  You see, our youngest is quite big for his age.  He's 3 but he wears size 5T clothing.  On the other hand, the clothe size of our eldest is age appropriate 3T.  So when carrying our toddlers, we have this unspoken rule that I should carry the eldest and he should carry the youngest. And the kids were asking, "Ma, anong gawa natin dito sa labas?" I answered, "Earthquake, ...

When I open my computer at the Office, the first thing that I do is check on CNN.  I want to be updated by the latest news worldwide.  So on this morning's news, something piqued my interest:   Extreme Birthday Parties- How much is too much?   And then the article proceeded to give us tips to reduce stress: 5 tips to reduce stress around birthday gifts 1. Ask grandparents and family members to give no more than one gift. If they feel they need to give more, ask them to donate $10 to the birthday child's college savings account. 2. Ask for no gifts and suggest that invitees bring a canned food item to give to the local food pantry. 3. Ask invitees to bring their favorite new or used book to donate to a local library or shelter, or have all the invitees exchange books at the party. 4. Have the birthday child write thank-you notes before playing with any of the newly received gifts. 5. Make a fancy homemade certificate giving the birthday child the gift of...

I would like my kids to love cooking in the same way that they love eating.  I guess I want to instill in them the value of appreciating food- from the preparation stage down to when the food is about to be eaten.  So from time to time, I allow my kids to help me out in the kitchen.  Sometimes they whisk the eggs when we make pancakes, other times they help me mix my cup cake mix (they like this because they love tasting the uncooked mixture!), sometimes they add the salt, just about anything that they can do at their age. Just recently I came across an article which tells us the importance of letting kids help in the kitchen.  Here are the list of advantages:      1.  Understanding- allowing them to help in the kitchen gives kids an understanding of food.      2.  Connection- it also establishes and helps maintain family connection as you're helping out each other.      3.  Skills and Confidence- ...

I've always been a sucker for Eden.  I love how the place gives me a sense of being so far away (even if I am still in the City) that I can relax and be at peace with myself and with my surroundings.  And oh, I love the fact that cellular phone signal is a bit weak in this part of Davao City.  No client calls! :P I've been wanting to bring the kids there again.  We brought them there at the earlier part of this year on a Day Tour.  It's always a nice experience bringing them to places which brings them closer to nature.  However, this time around, I'd like to stay overnight.  I'd love to see their reaction seeing fireflies!  I also want them to experience being cold, without actually having an aircon.  And since I want to stay overnight, I've been waiting for any of their fabulous deals.  I am so glad that they have this post Kadayawan promo. It's their Book and Buy time once again!  Go grab some rooms, it's really on sale. S...

I picked up the kids at school today (mommy duties!) and while we were traversing Indangan, I saw a family of turkeys.  I immediately told the kids, "Look, turkeys!".  While this was happening, the red truck in front of me was slowing down and suddenly swerved to the right which made me step on the brakes.  I wonder what was wrong.  And then we saw a turkey flapping its wings.  The kids were shouting, "Mama, ano nangyari sa turkey?".  Of course, before I answered, I had to also swerve to the right to avoid hitting the injured turkey. Now driving steadily, I had to think about what to explain to the kids.  It was a bit traumatic, isn't it?  How do you explain death to a 3 year old child.  And then the kids exclaimed, "Ikaw Mama ha, you hit the turkey."  I told them, "No. I did not hit the turkey. The red truck in front of us hit the turkey."  Calix then asked, "Why? Bakit Mama?".  Caleb also butted in, "Bakit tamaan ng r...

I have always wanted to go to Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao.  I'm envious of my mom who went there last year and of my dad, who I think went there, last month.  Both of them have praises for these wonderful natural wonders.  So when my cousin, Marie, who hails from Zamboanga City, came over for a visit, we immediately made plans to visit Surigao.  We traveled at around 4.30am on Saturday morning.  We just changed the kids' diapers since we knew they would still be sleeping inside the car.  Expected travel time is 4-5 hours.  That's a bit far.  First stop was Lolong.  Remember Lolong?  It's been adjudged as the longest crocodile, I think, by the Guinness Book of World Records.  We arrived at around 8am.  Stretched and had breakfast.  (I realized that when traveling, boiled eggs, adobo and bread are staples. Lol!).  I can't seem to find a pic of Lolong, sorry. Next stop, checking in at the Bo...

Earlier this morning, after dropping the kids off at the school, I was browsing over my Twitter feed (hubby was driving, don't worry!).  A famous celebrity, someone who I look up to and a lot of people look up to, tweeted this:        @--------------- my power breakfast from @McDo_ph! how are you starting your day? I admit, we eat at fast food joints sometimes.  I don't love fast food joints, but I sometimes like to eat what they offer.  And then there's the occasional happy or kiddie meal for the kids.  We sometimes crave for burgers, fries, and the like.  I crave for McDonald's mostly, sometimes Jollibee or KFC.  The thing is though, I know and we all know, fast food is unhealthy. So when this celebrity tweeted the statement above, I got a bit upset.  Upset foremost because it's again the social media versus parents who are conscious about proper nutrition.  I know, she has every right to post it.  That's...

We were dubbed as Batch 2001-A.  We've known each other since 2001.  It's been more than 10 years and yet, when we're together, it feels like we're 1st year law students once again (remember how rowdy we were last night?!).  It's good to reminisce.  It's good to remember how much fun we had, where we have started and where we are right now.  Time indeed flies, we may have gone our separate ways, some of us now have our own families and responsibilities, but the friendship remains.  Here's a look at our then and now (we're indeed getting old!).......... THEN..... I believe this was in 2007 at Trinoma. Mel and Mayett's wedding. I don't know where this pic was taken.  I was absent!  Also in 2007.  Bar Exams. Taken at People's Park, one of Davao's top destinations. I don't when and where this was taken.  Also absent.  My sisters always look hot! Lunch somewhere near UIC.  I think Don Beppe....