Time for a Story!

Here's a crafty surprise you could make for your little one! Let your child be part of the story by making it your own family storybook. Its sure to be a good page turner.



If you love reading storybooks to your kid, you can make your family time all the more engaging by having cut-out photos of your kid in the pages. Weave the fairytale and make them feel like a hero or a princess!


Any storybook would do, all you need are scissors and glue then start pasting their heads in. Don't forget to include family members and playmates in key roles. Maybe Dad can play the Ogre or the frog prince!

Flea Market Wonders at Evangelista Street Makati

A Red Wagon for the Little Cow

On weekends, I usually check out the local flea market stalls in Evangelista before I hit the talipapa (fish & veggie market) at the end of the street.  

I feel I got a good deal today. I found a Red MegaBlock wagon in very good-condition, no scratches and with the product labels still on it.

I struck a deal with the seller, he wanted me to cough up P500 ($10), I said okay as long as he threw in the big bag of legos and mega blocks he was selling separately. He caved in and my son was screaming his heart out sa tuwa (happily) on the ride home. The wagon roughly sells for P1,800 ($37) at the mall. 

I have other great finds at Evangelista street in Makati (not limited to toys), but vintage pieces- fabrics, dinner wares, colored glass vases from the 70s (which are really made from thick glass) and some home deco bric-à-brac if you like stuffing your curio cabinets at home. Why limit yourself to the free clutter you get from friend's weddings and family reunions? If you're into collecting antiques or just into bargains, Evangelista is worth a visit.

Flash Cards and Preschool Blues

Our home feels like a Preschool at times.

Mind you, my son is five, but we've decided not to enroll him this year. We're putting off school for another year. I know I probably sound like a bad mom to some mothers. But I also have my reasons, besides wanting our growing boy to be around us at all times. I feel there is too much pressure for parents to start kids at school early, or for kids to start learning lessons as soon as they start walking at Age 2.

Also what do other moms think about all these Preschools sprouting like mushrooms all over town? Some I believe are way too overpriced, its almost like sending your kid to college. Still, I look forward to next year, when finally my son has his first day of school.



I started school at age 7 and never went through nursery or preschool. It wasn't a prerequisite back then and my dad taught me my ABCs, reading & writing at home. I even did well in some subjects in grade school. Yes, I missed out on the whole preschool thing, but still turned out quite fine.

Okay, besides the issue on academic pressure, personally I want my child to enjoy every bit of his childhood. All children should have time for play and just be a kid each day.

As for Cowcow, he is progressing accordingly with his developmental milestones. His speech is improving though a year ago, he was having difficulty finding words to express himself clearly. Now he's getting things right on his own. Not all kids are the same, they learn and thrive in different rates. And I'm taking my own sweet time with my boy.



I make sure that within the day, my son has some hands-on activity, less TV time and online kids games. He's very much into these colorful flash cards. They come with these stickers, he can match or play around with on the cards. I found these in Booksale for P120 ($2.50). They come in two sets - Everyday Objects and Animals.

The flashcards, puzzles, books, toys and legos keep my son busy for about an hour or so, until he goes out for his daily swim. 

Goin' Gaga over Baby Gaga

Motherhood is universal.

And forums only prove that moms the world over undergo the same joys and trials in parenting.

One of the best parenting forums on Mommy & Baby issues I've come across is Baby Gaga



Seek mommy advice, share your experience, and help out other preggy moms-to-be. Read about issues on developmental milestones, infant care, toddler behavior and even weight loss tactics by global moms.

Babygaga threads are well-organized and personally, I like the wonderful, scrapbook-like layout.


The title just spells it out B-A-B-Y-G-A-G-A, now who doesn't really go crazy over kids!?

The Devil in the Details: President Arroyo's Coffin on Manila Bulletin

In today's dailies, it seems they got their femme presidents mixed up! I guess tomorrow's headlines would be "Noli De Castro Sworn In as President" or "Manila Bulletin Proofreader found Dead".

Though much of the respect and tears go out for our beloved Tita Cory, young boys of this generation have found new Kuyas (Elder brothers) to look up to during this national televised event. Much of the attention has been given to the honor guards who stood firm and in seemingly in a trance for 8 hours throughout the funeral, much of it under pouring rain.

To the Honor guards of sheer stamina- Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez and Police Officer 1 Danilo Maalab. You do your country proud and Tita Cory too (God bless her soul)

And a Giant Pink Bunny fell unto Earth

Looks like Easter came crashing early for the Italians!

A Google Satellite image


Geitlin, the Vienna group responsible for the bunny created the 200 feet monstrosity of cuteness on the mountain Colletto Fava. The magnificent wool installation is called "Hase" which translates as "Hare" is to remain on its spot till 2025. Enough time for us to invade Europe and take a peek at it.


Geitlin further explains their reason for the rabbit as "the things one finds wandering in a landscape, familiar things and utterly unknown." Like in Gulliver's Travels, we Lilliputians are expected to climb, explore and party on the pink bunny.


Ironically, the pink bunny has its entrails out in the open, perhaps it really did have a bad fall.

Hands down, this is the most engaging art installation I've ever heard of- besides the upside down house in Germany, of course!



But this giant pink bunny, based on my son's very excited reaction is definitely tops! He thinks its made from marshmallows from outer space.