Remembering Gabby's Preschool Graduation

It was almost the same week last year when Gabby graduated from Preparatory School. He’s now in Grade 1 and come June, he’ll be in Grade 2. How time flies!

But before it flies again with some of my memories of Gabby’s preschool years, let me share with you his pics on all of his moving-up rites in preschool.



Gabby was very shy when he entered Nursery. He only knew the alphabet, numbers 1-10 and animal names.


He was more confident on his Kindergarten year. He learned so much in so little time! He made me proud by being the third honorable mention in his class.


Gabby graduated from preschool last year with flying colors! He was the class valedictorian! To think I was still working then and I wasn't able to teach him regularly. We couldn’t have been happier that time. Fred and I were two proud parents!


This was Gabby and Sunday after their graduation last year. Sunday also attended her moving up exercises. She “graduated” from Nursery to Kinder. Gabby received his Best in Science, Best in English, Best in Spelling and another award I forgot which was for!

Time really flies, and how fast for doting moms (or dads) like us! I just hope that I will have all the energy, love and affection in the world to let my kids know that I’m always there for them, with awards or none! :)

Happy Graduation to all your kids who will graduate this March or April! Congratulations, too!

Web Hosting Help Is Just A Click Away

I should have known about Web Hosting Geeks earlier. My sister opened her business a year ago. Since most of her clients are young professionals and has access to the internet, she knows she needs a website to make her business known online. So she asked me if I know any company which offers web hosting at affordable rates. We looked for web hosting companies referred by her friends who are into IT business but we can’t find one which offers the best deals and features. There are some which offered an unlimited space but the technical support they offer is limited. Some didn’t even have space for expansion!
Upon checking Web Hosting Geeks, I knew that it has reviews, ratings and other information which will help business people like my sister in choosing the best provider for her business web site. Its blog features industry news, trends and discussions on web hosting. I especially like its articles like Avoiding Common Web Hosting Traps because it helps clients to weigh the pros and cons of deals offered by the providers.

Since my sister’s business website is still being developed and designed, I’ll ask her to try checking Web Hosting Geeks. She should compare the providers there before getting one that suits her business needs.

Earth Hour And My Kids

I’ve seen Earth Hour infomercial on my kids’ favorite cartoon channel since last week.

I asked them if they would like to join in switching off the lights for one hour today at exactly 8:30-9:30 pm. I expected the usual, “Why?” or “What is that for?” And so I explained global warming in the simplest way I can and they eventually got the idea and said yes.

But I was doubtful. Can they make it? Can I trust their yes? Can they last an hour in the dark or in just a flickering light from a candle?

I was wrong. Since their Daddy was there to supply jokes, stories and antics, that one hour were just like thirty minutes for us. There were occasional asking, “Is it 9:30 already?” or “How many more minutes?” but the laughter and shrieks just echoed in the dark dining area and made our participation in this event more enjoyable.

Here’s how my kids did their share in saving Mommy Earth:
"Is it my 5th birthday today again?""I can make a rabbit, or is it?"Can you read my hands? 6-0 minutes is equal to one hour!
One hour of bonding time with Mommy and Daddy!
When we turned on the TV and watched the program about Earth Hour and the simultaneous switching on the lights (after an hour) on different malls nationwide, I overheard Gabby say, "I love you, Mother Earth!"

One thing I admire and love about my kids is they have compassion at an early age. They easily take pity on stray cats and dogs, and even on kids living in the streets. So explaining about the sad plight of Mommy Earth is as easy as switching off the lights come sleep time! :)

Love Art? Check Paragon Fine Art!

I think my love for art was manifested when I learned how to hold pencils. My parents told me that I was already doodling at a very young age. So it’s no wonder that I took up Fine Arts in college.

As a lover of arts, I always admire those who spent so much of their time mastering their craft. I always search the net for painters and sculptors who produce artworks and paintings that are contemporary and unique in style.

One glass sculptor I admire is Dino Rosin. He produces glass sculptures that are unique because he uses a material called “calcedonia”. It produces varying hues of colors depending on the temperature and length of time the glass is in the furnace.
It’s good to know that there are sculptors who continue inspiring other budding artists with their production of one-of-a-kind artworks. And it’s also good to know that Paragon Fine Art showcases Dino Rosin’s glass sculptures. It also showcases other contemporary, traditional and commercial artworks. Being in the business for 15 years, buyers and art enthusiasts are ensured of best prices and quality conditions of the paintings.

Summer Time!

Summer time is definitely swimming time for us! I've posted the recent swimming times we had in Hundred Islands, a beach in Bolinao and Tara Falls, also in Bolinao. Please just check on the link to view our pics, if you haven't seen them.

But for now, let me just share with you my summer time with hubby. I still played mommy then because I had to text my sister-in-law every now and then on how my kids are, eventhough me and hubby were in Boracay. :)

This was our second time in Boracay. We went there on 2001 and many things have changed! Though we missed our kids so much, we enjoyed every minute we were there! We were away from the hustle and bustle of city life so we made the most of it! We promised ourselves that the next time we go back there, Gabby and Sunday should be with us! Boracay is just so beautiful!

Personalized Children's Plates For Your Little Ones

As a graphic designer, some clients approach me to ask if I do personalized invites. Yes, I do. One client asked me to design a birthday invite for her daughter. This client is meticulous and really likes to please her daughter’s classmates and even their parents!

On the course of our transaction, she then asked me and some of her friends to think of personalized memento to be given away to kids after the party. We suggested some things but she wasn’t satisfied with them. She surfed the net for unique give-aways but she didn’t find the right one.
Had she seen the personalized children’s plates on Posylane, she’d say she found the perfect after-party gift. I really believe these were what she was looking for all along! The plates are made of melamine so they are sturdy and safe for use by kids. The plates have matching placemats which have age-appropriate activity games at the back. So be it in a party or just for solo dining or family dinner, kids will surely enjoy dining in style!

Compare Credit Cards Online!

I am someone who is so afraid of using credit cards on purchases.

Maybe because I’m such a shopaholic when I know I have the means and my memory doesn’t serve me right everytime I try to remember whether I purchased something within my budget.

Credit cards are so much help especially on online purchases. I have one right now but do I get the most out of it? Is it one of the secured credit cards which offer the best deals and rewards? I think I better compare different types of credit cards and and choose which one best fits my need.

And since I love to travel, I should choose among airline mile credit cards. More miles, more points! But then again, there are cards that just offer rebates, rewards on gas and hotel expenses.

When it comes to credit cards, be choosy and wise at the same time!

Gabby and Sunday at MV Doulos

According to the The Guinness Book of World Records, MV Doulos is the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. It is also called the 'floating book fair or bookstore'. And it's in Manila once again!

I don't think we will be able to visit it this year but let me just share with you our quick dropby there last December 2007.

Gabby and Sunday and the MV Doulos welcome banner

Kids and Dad clowning around on the deckMe and Sunday insideBye bye time for the floating bookfair!
We had a great time there. Maybe because we love books! We also love their strawberry-flavored sundae! The kids had two cones each! :)

Note: MV Doulos will be in Manila from March 5-31, 2009.

Summer Swimwear for Kids

As I've mentioned in my previous post, the heat is on!

And eventhough there are still classes, my kids are so excited to hear from me that it's summer once again. Not a summer passed by without us going to beaches or even islands! (I'll post our Batangas island outing last summer when I have time!)

Gabby and Sunday really love swimming and of course, the stage mom in me wants them to spend summer fashionably. So we went to the mall (SM) and looked for affordable yet cute swimwear. I didn't buy at once since I'm still scouting for more designs. But when school ends, I will! :)

I like the blue two piece! Sunday likes it in pink :)
Gabby's beach shorts was lost during one of our outings
so I have to buy him one of these (shorts only, ha?)
Price Range: P400-P500 for girls
Is it obvious that I'm more excited for summer than my kids are? I love summer! And I'm happy that I successfully passed this love to my kids! :)

Home Cleaning Tip: Grocery Bag Origami

I am really irritated to see the piles of plastic bags on our cabinet. They've been there for months!

And last Friday, I was so happy to find Niko’s post about this and how to stash them away neatly. She got the link from Kikamz. I got inspired by it that I tried folding some by following the instructions.

Hubby saw it and tried folding too. His OC side got the better of him so he took out all the plastic bags from the cabinet and folded all of them! He even taught Gabby, who upon seeing what his Dad was doing said, “Wow, Daddy! You’re doing Origami!”


before: heaps of unfolded plastic bags

after: folded plastic bags in the cabinet

Have a happy, blessed and clutter-free Sunday! :)