Happy Father's Day!

To my wonderful husband and the best dad for Quino, thank you for being my partner in raising our son. From taking the night shift when he was a newborn (due to medical reason I was unable to stay up at night), to teaching Quino to ride a bike and disciplining him when he gets out of line. A big thank you for all that you do!!! We love you!

I hope you enjoyed your day because the rest of the year is Mother's Day!😝

Boracay Birthday Getaway

We are back from our huling hirit sa tag-init in Boracay to celebrate Quino's birthday.

We took the 530 am flight to Caticlan via Cebu Pacific. Check in was a breeze (thanks to web check-in). The little boy was so excited to ride the airplane. He took the window seat and he was just looking out the window the whole flight. He didn't get scared or fussy at all!  

When we arrived, the staff of Sea Wind Resort was already waiting to take us to the port. They had a dedicated bangka waiting for us. Again, the birthday boy was so excited to ride a boat (he is obsessed with airplanes, boats, trucks, etc). 

When we got to the resort, we left our luggage at the lobby and proceeded to McDonald's at station 2 for breakfast. After that we went back to the resort and changed into our swimsuits. Our room was still not ready but they had clean restrooms in the lobby. At 11, we were informed our room was ready (regular check-in is at 1pm) so big thank you to management for accommodating our early check in request. 

The room was perfect for us. It had a queen bed and a single bed. It was very spacious and clean. It had the usual amenities - tv, ref, safety deposit box. The bathroom was clean and well stocked with toiletries. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture. There's no bathtub or bedet (only native coconut husk tabo) but the water heater worked fine during our stay. Although on our last day, there was poor water pressure. 

We got a promo rate of PhP6,000/night for 2 persons with breakast and transfers. We just had to pay additional 500 for the child's transfers.  This is a good deal because the resort is right beside Pearl of the Pacific, White House, Sur and Two Seasons where rates are much higher. 

We personally prefer staying in station 1 because it is perfect for families with small children. It's located on the quiet side of Boracay away from the party places. 

Also the stretch of beach here has finer sand and cleaner water. We noticed in station 2 malumot na. 

Thankfully, the weather was perfect during our 3 day stay. 

It was a great vacation! Lots of lounging under the coconut trees, sunbathing, playing in the sand, swimming (we alternated between the ocean and the swimming pool) and of course, eating.  

The free breakfast was a winner for us. Even my picky 5 year old had plenty of options. 

It was our first family vacation without our yaya. And it was a success!  Quino's at the age where he doesn't need a lot of supervision so we were all able to relax. 

Here are some photos from our short but sweet trip:

The birthday boy had a blast! He even thought we had arranged for fireworks (there was a wedding in Discovery Shores) and fire dancers (in Astoria) for his birthday. Ssshhh...don't tell him it wasn't us. We are officially the coolest parents in his eyes!

This trip wouldn't be complete without a picture of Quino sitting on this small bench at D'Mall. Here's a collage of him on the same bench at 1,2 & 4 years old. How time flies!  Sana lang hindi nila to tanggalin ever!

Happy Birthday Quino! We love you!!!

A Letter to my Son on his 5th Birthday

Dear Quino,

Happy 5th Birthday! 

It seems like only yesterday when we brought you home from the hospital. Born preterm at 36 weeks and weighing only 4.13 lbs., you were our little fighter.

Now you are 5 and exerting your independence. As the years passed things got challenging and sometimes we find ourselves in very difficult situations. We have agonized over many difficult decisions we had to make when it came to discipline. We have had many arguments but we are learning to parent as a team. I hope you know it's not easy for us to say no to you. We don't like hurting your feelings but we do it because we want to raise you well. We will not always give you what you want but we will always provide what you need. And at the end of the day we hope you grow up to realize that it's not the material things that matter but family.

I look back at the 5 years that have passed and I realize my superwoman days are coming to an end You no longer need me to kiss you ouchies away. You just ask me to put a BandAid on it Your favorite thing to say while I'm working and you're playing in my room, "Mom, please come here and spend ten minutes with me. I want to cuddle." Always, anak. Always and forever. You changed my life when you were born. I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Ready for the Beach

After 3 years, we are Boracay bound! We are beyond excited! Of course I had to go shopping for new clothes for the family. Thankfully I was able to score unbeatable finds. 

I got these bikinis at the Trendsetters bazaar. These beauties are from Indie-go and were 2 for PhP 1,199! You can't beat the price because my old bikinis from Cocomo, Soak Swimwear and I love koi retail for almost 2,000 a piece. So of course I couldn't resist these!  Such a steal!

For my husband's board shorts we went to Metro Department Store in Alabang. I got all 3 for PhP600! Left: 200, middle: 100 right: 300. They are still on sale until June 15. So drag your hubbies now!  Pwede pa yan for next summer!  Or if your husbands are like mine, they can wear them all year round. 

I also bought my son new bottoms in Metro. But these were not on sale. Left: 399.75, right: 299.75. 

I also got him these summer shirts for PhP175 each at SM BF Homes. 

And lastly, these colorful shirts made of very good quality cotton from SM Smart Buys for only PhP 99 each! I love SM they really have it all for you! What's even better I paid using SM gift certificates (from using my BDO credit card) so really it was free!  Double hurray!!

Few more days til our huling hirit sa tag init!  At least we hope it's still sunny when we get there :)

Flat or Fat?

We have a summer getaway planned in a few weeks and so I've been rigorously exercising - yoga, HIIT, weight training, etc.  This morning I was wearing sports bra and shorts and this is how my conversation with my son went:

Me: Is my tummy almost FLAT?
Quino: It's a little FAT.
Me: You mean a little FLAT? (emphasizing the L in FLAT)
Quino: No, I mean FAT. (sure na sure siya sa sagot niya!)

Kaloka talaga tong anak ko masyadong honest :)

Quino Says the Funniest Things

I have a very talkative 4 year old son.  He is the funniest little person I know.  He's at the stage where he asks a million questions a day and is just generally very curious about everything.

Some of our laugh-out-loud conversations:

Quino: Mom, I'm itchy all over (scratching his arms and legs)! Please put ointment.
Me: Stop scratching. It's all in your mind.
Quino: My mind is not itchy! It's my body!

Quino wrestles me and I tickle him.
Quino: (laughing so hard) Mom, please stop. Laughing makes me so tired.
Me: Do you know laughter is the best medicine?
Quino: NO! That's impossible! You can't drink laughter!!!

Me: I wish you could be a baby forever.
Quino: (thinking long and hard) OK mom, I won't eat na so I won't get big.

Quino: Mom, how come you won't allow yaya to make me calamansi juice anymore?
Me: Cause you haven't been drinking water recently. All you drink is calamansi juice. That's not good you know. It has a lot of sugar.
Quino: Mom, I just want calamansi juice. Why you put sugar?? Don't put sugar na lang!

Quino: (pointing to a man with a big belly) Look mom, he has a baby in his tummy!
Me: Quino, don't point that's rude. And he doesn't have a baby. That's just his belly.
Quino: He's fat.

Quino: Can you help me bring down my toys (pointing to his 4 toy cars)?
Me: You can do it yourself (trying to help him be more independent and not make utos all the time)
Quino: (Crying) But I'm not an octopus!!!!!!!!

Quino: Dad, what did you buy?
Daddy: Beer.
Quino: What's that?
Daddy: An alcoholic drink.
Quino: Huh? You can't drink alcohol!!!

Quino: Mom, what's the name of your school?
Me: I studied in Colegio San Agustin and De La Salle University.
Quino: University? I want to study in Monsters University!

He never fails to amuse me with his witty answers.  I hope he never loses that curiosity and charm :) 

Happy Birthday to Me!

As I get older, I get a deeper appreciation for every year of life.  We hear of so many horror stories of young people passing before their time, and I can't help but feel blessed that I am given the honor of growing old.

That is my only wish and prayer - that I grow old and wise surrounded by my family.

So last Friday, I was very happy I got to spend it with both sides of my family (mine and my husband's).  We had a simple dinner in Zong (our family's favorite and also because Quino actually eats the food there) and what's even better is I bought vouchers at 50% off (double hooray!). 

 
For dessert, we had not one but two cakes - one from each of my boys :)  It's the best cake in the whole universe I kid you not.  It's the Torta delos Reyes from Aristocrat Bakeshop.  I strongly suggest - actually I insist - that you try it out for yourself.  And the trick to eating this cake it to leave it out to melt.  DO NOT REFRIGERATE and when you it eat I swear you will forget your name and have dreams of it afterwards.  You will thank me later I promise.

 

 

So I'm officially 35 and loving every minute of it!  And so grateful I get to spend it with these two lovies :)