#MommaDiaries | HE ISN'T FINISHED WITH ME YET

Sharing with you snippets from my Notes app on the phone. I tend to type down my thoughts when I don't have enough time to blog. RL had exams the past week, and this Momma's hands have been tied with a ton of things to do. And there are tough days, as most of you would know. But then, there are also good ones. This was from one of those bad turned good days. Yesterday, I was once again reminded that God is in charge regardless of our circumstances. Whenever there are days He seems absent and quiet, I have learned that trying times exist because He wants to show you He is God. So be thankful for the bumps, He's got you covered.



AUGUST 4

So this morning, yaya told me A had lost her wallet. The wallet had P3,000+ as she was supposed to pay her club fees last week (but couldn't because of time constraints and the long queue).

My initial reaction was true to yaya's threat to A right before she left for school: "Nako, hanapin mo yan, magagalit mommy mo!"

I was angry, and frustrated. I actually typed angry words as I started composing a message to A on Messenger. Then I stopped. Caught myself and prayed. I have been praying for a change in my relationship with A (we've hit snags through the years, and aren't exactly friendliest of friends - teenagers!). This morning, God reminded me of His unconditional love and never-ending grace. So I took back my words, and instead typed "...I pray God helps you find your wallet intact. I love you."

That was at 11 AM, and A replied to let me know she has searched everywhere to no avail.

Money can be replaced, but a child lost to anger is a child lost forever. I struggled to hold my tongue, as I prayed for God to lead me so my words come out right.

This evening, as I walked in the house, A tells me she found her wallet at the Lost and Found over lunch (even though she had gone to check all Lost and Found nooks earlier this morning). "But when I messaged you, you said you already checked!", I quipped.

She did. But after lunch, for some reason, she decided to check again. And there it was.

So yes, I know this was a Mommy lesson, in as much as it was a responsibility reminder for A. I know that the Lord is fixing my heart, and I am thankful He isn't done with me. Because, man, I know I have so much more to learn.

Makes you realize that we also have to be thankful when problems come our way. Our initial reactions are human reactions. I pray I learn to turn to God first when trials come. I pray I will always react with grace at first instance.


PS. Dear cheekeegirl, sorry! Had to redo this post as something wasn't right. Didn't realize your comment didn't go through as it was on the previous one. So, publishing it here nalang. ;)

"OMG! I am touched with this experience you had. It's like me. That I need to watch my words and actions on certain situations. Thank you for sharing." - cheekeegirl

#MommaDiaries | Celebrating 14 Years @ Miao Cat Cafe!

My not-so-little teddy bear is no longer a baby. She is now 14 - imagine that! To celebrate, she decided she wanted a small get-together at a cat cafe. So she did the planning, and we took her cat-loving friends plus RL to Miao Cat Cafe on Congressional.

We've been wanting to visit Miao since it first opened. This is actually our second visit, since we went to check it out in March. The hard part in inviting a small group is you need to carefully weed out your list. A hopes her other friends would understand that Momma's budget is limited, and she wanted her guests to enjoy the cats (not everyone loves cats. KY hates them so she did not go).

I had BentoMomma Moneigh call up the owner (they used to be officemates) so at least they knew the kids were coming. Miao Cat Cafe is a cozy little cafe hidden on top of Cake 2 Go on Congressional Avenue in Quezon City. They renovated last year, so it is now bigger than when they first opened.

This is my favorite nook at the cafe. So cozy!

The beautiful thing about Miao Cat Cafe is that it is home to a lot of cat breeds. They even have a Sphinx and a beautiful Maine Coon!

Meet Aubrey, the resident Maine Coon cat. 

Aside from all these purebred cats, Miao also fosters rescued Puspins (Pusang Pinoy or Pusang Kalye).

A and her fave puspin, Tiger.

Together they make such a happy place for cat lovers like my A and RL.

Meet Elfiya, the Scottishfold. 

Yes, we love boxes! And crates! And baskets! And all sorts of hiding places. 

We packed a cat-themed pouch with kitty goodies (we forgot the candies!). I had our baker make cat-themed sugar cookies, too!

Meowwwww... everything kitty cat.

The kids spent a good two hours (one shift) at the cafe. The entrance for each child is P150 per shift. I chose to pay the adult fee of P300 so they can order food and drinks as the entrance for adults comes with it.  The child fee only includes a drink.

A said the other kids were thrilled to be with the cats. Meanwhile, my daughter played host so well, she was too busy to take photos even though she had my camera.

RL with Cotton, the alpha male. 

If you're visiting Miao, do wear socks as you will be required to leave your shoes at the foyer and change to disinfected slippers. They also have a number of rules you will need to follow, plus a waiver to sign.

Happy 14th to my teddy bear, my panda, my A! We love you!  

Miao Cat Cafe is located at 2F, #7 Congressional Avenue (on top of Cake2Go), Quezon City. Please take note of their shifts throughout the day.

Shifts at Miao Cat Cafe.

Thank you, Miao Cat Cafe, for allowing my daughter and her friends to celebrate her special day with your cats. She really loves your place. We will be back!

| facebook.com/MiaoCatCafe
| instagram.com/miaocatcafe 


Happy Birthday, A!

#MommaDiaries | HELL WEEK!

Photo from swimmingscience.net

Actually, it has been more than a week. But this week is gonna be one hella hell week. A has finals, and a ton of projects to get done. Such is the life of a graduating 8th grader, and you can bet this single momma is hella stressed.

It started a couple of weeks ago with her school intramurals getting in the way of school work. There were deadlines for various subject requirements, and my daughter opted to concentrate on practicing for basketball and her class' cheerdance competition. So everything else was pushed back 'til we had multiple deadlines to meet on the same week. They did win the basketball championships so to her, it was pretty much win-win. But nope, that doesn't cut it with this Momma.

So yes, hell week. This Momma requires 10x the extra grace.

Why do I feel like I am the one in school?

#MommaDiaries | McDonald's Burger Shop at KidZania!

A few months ago, the kids and I were invited to try out the new McDonald's Burger Shop at KidZania. I didn't get to publish the post right away, since I got entangled in the hustle and bustle of work, Sydney preps and BentoMommas. I finally get to sit down and write today. If you are a parent and you haven't taken your kids to KidZania, I suggest you save up and book a visit. It is worth it. Kids will enjoy the concept (you can read more about it here) and well, it trumps any other theme park in the country.

So when McDonald's finally opened its Burger Shop at KidZania, the kids were more than thrilled! Line up for the Burger Shop and have your child learn the ropes in making McDonald's iconic Cheeseburger.

McDonald’s President and CEO Kenneth Yang, Alonzo Muhlach, Play Innovations Industry Partner Director Cecille Mariño, and Play Innovations President and CEO Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas formally open McDonald’s Burger Shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Yep, a new McDonald's store is in town but it isn't like any other burger shop! It is kid-size, where kids as young as 4 years old are crew members - learning how to make burgers the McDonald's way. Welcome to McDonald's KidZania!

Getting briefed on what the task ahead will be. The kids had to wear specially-made McDonald's aprons in order for them to feel like they are real crew members inside a real McDonald's kitchen.

Both my kids have had McDonald's Kiddie Crew experience. RL, who was part of the Kiddie Crew two summers ago (he had a bridging program for first grade this past summer and couldn't join Kiddie Crew at the branch near us), was giddy and excited (more like, feeling like an expert, hehe).

Just like at a real McDonald's kitchen, the kids were taught the proper prep procedures in making the popular Cheeseburger. But first, they were reminded on the importance of cleanliness and proper hygiene.

First step: Cleanliness and hygiene! All participants must carefully wash their hands in a kid-sized sink that resembles what crew members use in every McDonald’s kitchen. 

Then it's Cheeseburger-making time!

Cai's little girl Y learns how to put Ketchup and Mustard on the Cheeseburger bun.

With every Burger Shop visit, kids will get the chance to put together the Cheeseburger - complete with all of its tasty ingredients - the 100% beef patty, a slice of American Cheese, tangy pickles (my favorite!), minced onions, ketchup, mustard and perfectly toasted buns.

Tin's little girl B assembling her Cheeseburger. Like B, tiny workers get the chance to play and learn important life values at McDonald’s Burger Shop in KidZania. Key lessons incorporated in the activity are the value of hard work, responsibility, discipline, and even self-confidence and social skills. 

“Making a McDonald’s Cheeseburger is an exciting activity in itself, but the real treat for kids and their parents is the experience and values learned while doing the activity. Together with KidZania, our hope is for kids to learn and appreciate the importance of hard work and responsibility, at the same time building their social skills and self-confidence,” said McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang.

Finishing off their cheeseburgers. A towers over the other children (and crew!). She's only 13!

The best part? They get to take home the Cheeseburgers they make!

Proud of their work at the KidZania x McDonald's Burger Shop! Next step: GRUBBING ON THEIR CHEESEBURGERS!

A and her Cheeseburger!

Funny RL and his cheeseburger.

“KidZania Manila is a place where kids can do big things and let their creativity run free,” said Maricel Pangilinan Arenas, State Governor for KidZania Philippines. “Here, they get to experience how a community operates, discover different careers, and learn while having fun by working closely with real-world brands that they know and love, like McDonald’s.”

Let your kids do big things. Have them experience KidZania!

KidZania Manila is located at Park Triangle, Bonfacio Global City. Open from 9AM-4PM on Mondays to Thursdays, and 9AM-2PM and 3PM-8PM on Fridays to Sundays. For more information, visit http://manila.kidzania.com.

Share your McDonald's Burger Shop photos! Don't forget to hashtag #McDoatKidZania!

FB | facebook.com/mcdo.ph

Twitter | twitter.com/McDo_PH

Instagram | instagram.com/McDo_PH

Back and Back to the ER!

It's time to start writing again. I couldn't find time to write the past two or so weeks, or has it been a month? I tried to fit in a post or two in between a very, very, VERY hectic schedule at work this past month, but only managed to get a couple or so in. The good news is: I'm back! And I hope I get to post regularly until the year ends and of course, after that.

The kids and I attempted to have a relaxing long weekend (after the week that passed, and the stress someone's visit caused), but we spent almost the whole afternoon of Sunday at the Emergency Room. A woke up with a fever Saturday and broke out in rashes after lunch. I tried to pass it off as something non-crucial, but then she woke up burning Sunday morning.

While waiting for the Doctor...

In ISOLATION, because they wanted to make sure it wasn't something contagious.

She hates needles!

Bad rash, but not itchy. We were sent home with a prescription for Paracetamol.

It turns out I was right. She got the same rash and virus RL had earlier this year (she had it back then only milder). Apparently, this has been going around lately and she was actually not the only kid at the ER with this. It isn't Dengue or the new Chikungunya disease, but I had her tested for Dengue just the same. The rash is not contagious once it breaks out. We were sent home with orders to rest and a prescription for Paracetamol, in case her fever persists.

We paid about P3,200 for the ER consultation, CBC and Dengue NS-1 test. My friend, whose son also had the rashes Sunday, took her son to another hospital and paid about P1,600 for just the CBC and consultation. And although the added expense will mess up my budget, it doesn't hurt to pay extra for peace of mind.

I hope and pray that the rest of the year will be illness-free!   

Have your kids been sick lately? How much are ER fees at your hospital of choice? I am thinking of getting extensions to our health card (currently covers me only). What's a good option?

Eleven!

This is a little late, but better late than never!

My daughter A celebrated her 11th birthday three Sundays ago. Yes, ELEVEN! Can you believe it? Wasn't it just yesterday that I wrote her this letter for her 8th Birthday? That was the year that tested our faith, and hey, I must say, we came out strong!

Too embarrassed to be center of attention. Photo courtesy of my little brother. 

A will be in the 6th grade this school year. How did that happen?!

Gone are the days when I can carry her with one hand while doing household chores. Nope, she's almost as tall as I am, and now wears a shoe size 9! Crazy.

~~~ * ~~~

To A,

Because it is #FlashbackFriday (actually publishing this on a Friday but initially wrote this post for #ThrowbackThursday), here is a throwback photo blog of my favorite photos of you - taken through the years - eleven years! Happy birthday, Beautiful! Momma loves you very much.

~~~ * ~~~

A's first Christmas, with her Little Tikes Coupe from Ama P!
Another photo, similar to this one, made it to the second issue of Smart Parenting.

Her first Enchanted Kingdom visit. It rained that day, and we got FREE tickets to go back. Hehe.
You can't sit on the Wizard na now. We tried to duplicate this shot with RL. But the guards were quick to stop us.

With our super poodle, July. A still misses him. R gave him away when we moved out of the condo.

A feeding our cockatiel, Chippy.

This photo of A at Davao's Crocodile Farm made it to Smart Parenting!

A's very first trip to Disneyland!

First school presentation. Wearing Achi KY's Casa Graduation outfit.

Flower girl at my friend A's wedding.

A - the Littlest Pet Shop addict

A is a great big sister to RL!

All she wanted that Christmas? Her two front teeth!

This is one of my favorite photos of the kids! RL loves to photobomb, even as a baby. Hehe!

A, with her favorite teacher and second mom, Teacher M (from her old school).

Because we used to live in a condo with a pool, A learned how to swim on her own.
She is even better than me, and I took formal swimming lessons for three whole summers!

Isn't this a beautiful photo? Hehe, lucky shot at HK Disneyland.

Happy Birthday!