Lovin' Art Everywhere

I love art. Ever since I was a kid, art classes are the only thing that I look forward to during summer months. Nothing excites me than be able to create something from my head, transfer it to whatever material I have in hand. This is why as early as four years old, I'm trying my best to introduce Sandy to art. She has a preference for clay. She likes how she can make all kinds of crazy stuff just by rolling and pinching.

While I was looking for a program where I can enroll, I came across a special education class that offers free pottery classes for handicapped people. I was so inspired by what they're doing that I've decided to donate some art materials that they don't have yet or in poor condition. I learned they could use brent pottery wheels and some art clay kiln. Upon checking AMACO/Brent's web site, I find it's too expensive for me so I asked a few friends and some connections to donate or pool money for the program. AMACO is a great resource for all art supplies and I'm glad I found them online. I was able to load on ceramic colors, lead-free glazes, mold-making products and other small art items that can inspire both kids and adults to create.

Horseback Riding in Tagaytay

Can you see how big her smile was? It was very hot that day but she still went ahead. It was the first time that we let her ride without me or her Papa by her side too. She was all smiles and we could even see her trying to make her horse walk faster. She's really all grown up now. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

Sandy's Oceantrip Field Trip

Just sharing some photos from Sandy's recent field trip at Oceanpark. I loved the place even if it's too crowded for my taste. For the kids, they might get tired or bored because of the crowd. However, they will surely love the mermaid show and the almost magical appeal of the marine life.

Sandy's Wishlists

Little Einstein's Pat Pat Rocket from Amazon.com - getting expensive every week. Now at $79.95


Sweetheart Playhouse - $220 at amazon.

Her much beloved ABBA dolls - don't know where I can buy these. It's probably ridiculously expensive. The likeness is just amazing though.

Everybody Needs a Friend

I thought it will take at least one more year before Sandy gets lonely being the only child. But I could see she's not only getting bored but she looks at kids with siblings and seem to think that she's missing out on something. Of course, I'm just guessing but I have no doubt she'd be happier if she has someone to play with everyday.

It's always a riot when her cousin Chloe is visiting. She's so happy and much more behaved. They fight and I know it's going to be worse if they're together 24/7 but still, I totally get what she's feeling when she has no one to play with but just us adults.

Warm Clothes for Sandy

Soon we'll be needing these:

The Halloween Carnival at Shangrila Edsa Mall

We're booked, thanks to my friend Lorna. Now we'll just have to figure out what costume Sandy will wear. We may be able to find some Gryffindor robes at SM Makati this weekend. If not, then DIY will be the best we can do.

Where: Shangrila Edsa Mall - Grand Atrium
How much: Php500 / kid
When: October 24, Saturday and October 25, Sunday | 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Sickie Birthday Girl

Again? Can you believe that? At least she managed to attend her birthday party at home last year and only missed the one in school and Hospicio. But now, it looks like she won't enjoy the whole weekend that I planned. It's not as important as her feeling better but still, it just doesn't seem fair that she gets sick whenever her birthday is near. I'd probably have ignored it if it's just the usual low-grade fever but it looks like we'll have to spend the next couple of days having her blood checked to rule out dengue fever.

Such a great birthday gift. :(

Technorati Tags: sandy,sick,birthday

4th Birthday Coming Up

6 days to go and it's Sandy's 4th birthday. We have lined up so many activities for her including a birthday party in school. I'm not sure yet if we'll get a tae out party from McDo or Jollibee. I guess it will depend on the packages/freebies and which mascot Sandy would like to see on her party. She's all for Jollibee now after missing her last year's party (she was in the hospital then) but I'd like to show her the Hello Kitty happy meal toys first before she make any decisions.

Linggo ng Wika

Pardon the late post. Just want to share some photos of Sandy during their school's Linggo ng Wika program. She was asked to recite a poem about a butterfly. She did it without delay but she was a bit upset because she didn't like the look of one of the fathers there. This explains her facial expression below and why she refused to dance on their next group number.

Her Papa just laughed when he learned about what happened.  Which is bad of him really, because Sandy might think that it's okay not to participate just because she's upset. I don't mind her skipping but I just don't want her to get use to giving up without trying at all.

Beach Trips

Ever since Sandy arrived, I cannot think of an overnight trip or a beach outing that we did not bring her along. We just miss her too much that we always make it a point to just bring her along instead of not enjoying the trip without her. That's why whenever we plan beach trips, we make sure our destination hotel is kid-friendly and Sandy will not get bored easily. We have always dreamed of going on a Caribbean cruise but we know it is a popular place for destination weddings not family trips. Imagine my delight to find out that there is a family friendly resort that has just opened called Azul Blue. Maybe we can plan going there soon?

Birthday Girl

The princess is turning four next month and we still don't know what to do on her birthday. We have decided not have a party for her because she will have her big party when she turns 7. She still hasn't told us what she wants as a birthday gift. I'm sure it will be a very quick preparation for her celebration. And since she is turning four, maybe we can start talking about giving her a baby brother. I just said talking - planning and the actual baby making will still take two years :).

Ms. Blair Waldorf

Saw these photos today while downloading new photos from our CF card.





Sandy loves Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl a lot so when she saw this picture, she immediately said, "Mommy, I look like Blair because our headbands match". She then started drawing Blair and Serena with matching dresses, earrings and stilettos. I will have to take photos of her drawings because she just gets better at it everyday. In fact, she rarely plays anymore. She just draws from morning till lunch, take a break and a nap, then draw again until nighttime.

Disney Playhouse - Lifesaver

I know kids are not supposed to watch TV the whole day. But my daughter does and I know you might question my parenting skills but that's the only way I can work. Besides, Sandy just like having her TV shows playing in the background while she's drawing. Or if she's in the mood to watch, someone needs to be with her because she'll want to bombard that person with her endless questions. Aside from her Papa, Barney and Hi5, she learned half of her vocabulary from Disney Playhouse TV shows. If you feel like letting your toddler watch TV, I highly suggest the following:

Little Einsteins



Higgly Town Heroes


Mickey Mouse Clubhouse


Imagination Movers, Hi5, Tigger and Pooh, Handy Manny, Dibbo the Gift Dragon

Don't forget. Talk to them while they are watching. Ask questions and mimic whatever the character is doing. Interaction is the key. Which is why the above TV shows work. They ask questions, teach good manners and solve problems with the viewers so the kids won't have to just stare at the TV set.

Princess Sandy

It's been awhile since I posted photos of my little princess here. She's so big now that I can't help but miss her small feet and chubby hands. Not to mention that her hair smells so bad now after playing for hours. It's hard to decide which is the best age because I kept saying she's getting better and more adorable every month. I wish she won't grow too fast though. Or else, I really have to start planning for baby #2!

Bitten by the Party Bug

That's how I feel lately after attending two parties last week. Seeing Sandy's face light up whenever she wins or joins the party games are enough to make me want to take her to all birthday parties. I rarely enjoy these parties when she was younger and sometimes feel like it's a bother to get dressed knowing she won't enjoy it anyway. But now that she's bigger, she can appreciate the parties and won't stop re-enacting whatever it was that she learned from the party host or magician. Just see the photo below to see what I mean.

She's a Geek

This is her doing her homework in her Lola's office.

When she was younger, I often worried about having to force her to study when it's time for her to go to school. But it looks like there's nothing to be worried about. She enjoys school a lot but her favorite thing to do is to write and draw. Even if she's in the park, she brings her travel aquadoodle with her and draw while the other kids are running around.

Sandy and Her New Babies

Sandy's loots from Christmas. This was just from me and her Papa though. She got loads of stuff from our friends and relatives but I placed some of them in a box to avoid clutter. I'll show it to her every month so she'll think she have new toys :)

The Litte Einstein dolls are June and Annie. They sing and were surprisingly cheap for the quality. I should've bought Quincy and Leo too but Sandy told me not to while I was shopping online. Now she kept looking for the "other two" and asking when will I buy them. The Baby Alive doll (bottom) on the other hand, cries, laughs, pees and drinks. Cheap too but of very good quality.

Ms. Smarty Pants

I'm in the process of finishing Sandy's photo book so it's just natural for me to feel nostalgic. It seems like it was just yesterday when she was a helpless baby. Now, you'd find it hard to answer all her WHY questions and wish that she'll just accept your answer LOL.

Just take a look at her below:


That's her past time, drawing and writing. Even when she's playing in the park, she needs to bring something that she can write on. What a geek! LOL. I wonder where she got that from?

Surfer Girls

Some photos from our recent Boracay trip. It rained the first day but we had enough sunshine the next three days so it was all good. Sandy didn't throw tantrums that much, thanks to her cousin and playmate Chloe. They enjoyed Boracay a lot even if they were just playing inside the room. I guess it helped that we were booked in a family room where there were plenty of space to run around. She also slept well which I'm really thankful for. I was afraid we'd be sleepless in Boracay, what with her cousin being wide awake at 2AM but Sandy couldn't keep her eyes open at 11PM anymore.