Cutty

Why do I love summer? ... seeing the sun shining bright on a lazy morning ... we can lounge in bed longer ... no early morning "waking up" drama and sermons ... Vic doesn't need to leave early for work ... we don't rush around as much ... we don't have to deal with homework ... children get to play outdoors more ... traffic is not as heavy ... scheduled trips ... more time to do other things, like focus on the business, prepare for trips, rehearse with the choir, etc. ... more baking time  ... children get to learn about chores ... less (domestic) stress for me  What do you love about summer?

I know I am a couple of weeks behind.  But, please allow me to do my annual round-up. It was all about new beginnings, new experiences and new opportunities. I didn't realize it but 2013 was still filled with trips with family and friends.  It didn't feel like it towards the latter half. In the first quarter, there was Hokkaido, the center of the Japanese Winter Festival.  I was happy to experience snow once again.  After 10 years, I remembered how pretty but inconvenient it could be.  It was en route to Hokkaido that I experienced being disembarked at the snowy tarmac of Busan, with no warning.  Walking in the snow was fun.  Slipping on ice wasn't.  Dressing up in layers, donning snow boots, drying skin, being driven in a taxi slipping on ice weren't my ideas of fun.  I was glad to see that the THREE in Hokkaido trip reflect things we've started in TATLO.  It just affirmed that we did something right. Then there was our US trip....

... when the sun finally decided to show up, I decided to start on the summer activities I have lined up for the kids. We planted seeds and played in the lawn.  When it was cool enough, the kids rode their bikes to the playground.  We played in the swing while Javi munched on his snacks.  The breeze was cool and the sun stayed away. What can I say?  It was fun... and it didn't cost me much.

Tomorrow's Moving Up Day.  That means Johann will be Senior Kinder next school year.  Javi will officially be part of the Nursery Class.  That also means starting this Thursday, days wont be as structured as it had been in the past few months. This has been bugging me for the past few weeks.  I don't want to let my kids watch TV or play with the iPad or iPhone all day.  For some reason, I'm not too keen on the summer activities being offered in school and in the nearby learning centers. So far, here are my options: 1.  Work on book pages that the kids didn't work on in school.  Start on those Summit and Kumon workbooks. 2.  Get a tutor to visit a couple of days a week. 3.  Teach them street games. 4.  Visit the pool for quick dips I am still open to suggestions.  Do you know of any summer activities for children below 5 years old?

We arrived early yesterday morning to 32C.  I have no problems with the heat because I can usually take it.  What's bothering me is our aircon.  We were hoping that it'll be repaired by the time we get back.  Punyemas!  It's already a month since the parts were ordered and we still don't have them.  Summer is almost over and our electricity is running because the inverter aircon is busted! ----------------- Summer has just settled in when our A/C broke.  It started making noises then it just stopped producing cool air.  It is just our luck that the warranty expired just a month before this incident.  We had no other choice but to move into the den.  It is the only room that can hold us all together, with the comfort and convenience of the A/C, TV, and computer.   I miss the privacy and the peacefulness of our room. ----------------- When I called Panasonic to inquire about their parts, they said that their ETA is June...

The school year is about to end. For Johann, school will close this week. I can't believe that it has been a year already. Sabi nga ni Vic, parang ang bilis lang nun tuition na binayaran ko . Since, I don't want my kids watching TV all day, I am thinking of activities for them this summer. Here are some programs I am interested in. Check them out too. Paref Rosefield's Summer Programs. Johann's school offers 12 sessions of Creative Play for 2 to 3 year old kids. I just might enroll Javi in that one. Johann would be enrolled in the Reading program. Anyway, each course is 12 sessions (2.5 hours per session). Pwede na ba for 5000 per course? I have no idea if that's expensive or not for 30hours? I wanted to get them into more physical activities but my choices are quite inaccessible. Ballet Philippines. I found this at the backstage of Meralco Theater while we were on break. I was quite excited about the Toddler's Ballet class. Sayang...

Over rehearsal last weekend, I cornered those who said they'll come to Mimi's wedding. Sorry na lang, the planner in me strikes again. With just five months away, we have to figure out our itinerary and pocket money, at the very least. Sayang naman kasi, promo fares are coming out already. We met over dinner and decided that we will leave on the 3rd week of July, preferably on a weekday so it is cheaper. This way, they can already file their vacation leaves. We've decided to ask our respective agents for quotes for our supposed itinerary. We'll most likely get our visas from The Netherlands since it will easier due to the DH situation in France, Italy or Spain. Kinikilig na kami sa excitement. Anda na lang =P

Our most-awaited has arrived... THE Meralco bill. For the same amount of consumption from last year, our bill hiked up by three thousand. Huwaw talaga! That is when we've already converted our A/C to the inverter type. In the past few days, social networking sites have nothing else to talk about BUT the rising Meralco charges. I, somehow, understand that the rise in prices are inevitable. We have to pay for the generation charges of non-hydro electric power plants plus the maintenance of the hydro-electric power plants that frequently over-heat and are lacking in water. But what can we do? It is a necessary evil. I can't let my kids suffer. Johann woke up from his nap with a bleeding nose. Javi takes a bath 3x daily. Both kids can already finish a 1-liter bottle of cold juice in one day. In addition to that, the summer heat, El Nino and pregnancy is not a good combination. In the end, there is nothing else to do but pay. So, what do you think will be easier on the...

Summer has begun and I am not liking the idea that I can't bring my two boys anywhere to escape the heat. I am about to pop and I can't take long drives. I figured, we'll explore what's in Manila. I thought the Ocean Park was a good idea to waste the afternoon away. I haven't been to the Ocean Park in HK so I didn't know what to expect. But, I have been to Ocean Adventure in Subic and to Sea World in San Diego. Adults pay 450 to enter. Kids above 2ft pay 350. Kids below 2ft may enter for free. Taj mahal in my opinion.The yayas were left outside, by the entrance, so they can eat lunch while the Daddy and Mama take the kids in their strollers. We got through the main entrance with no problems. After several fish tanks, it seemed that we had to take the stairs to get to the other side. Hmmm . Parang di ata good idea if this attraction was meant for kids. We asked around and found out that there's another door we can pass through. Buti na ...