Swim Time

Our 4-year-old wanted to go for a swim. We don't have access to a pool since we don't live in the apartment anymore. Good thing we have a friend that has access to a pool and she invited us to go swimming this afternoon. My stepdaughter is here too so we all went to my friends place. I believed everyone did have a great time at the pool even though the water is a little bit cold but the hot spa sure did took care of it. Below is the picture I took with DD1. She was so happy she was she was able to dipped in the water with a float.

DD2 @ 7 Months

Our DD2 turned 7 months last week. She is now beginning to sit by herself and learning to push herself to crawl when she's on her tummy. It's amazing how you see the changes they go through every single day. They grow fast like a weed that when you wake up each day you have to savor the moment for it will never come back again.

The picture here was taken when we went to Seattle Children's Museum. I know she did not understand what was going on around her but she was having a good time watching her sisters running around and by just following at Shi. How I wish though that she can also try doing the things by herself but have to wait til she is old enough.

Seattle Children's Museum

We went to Seattle Children's Museum on Veterans Day. It was raining that day and our plan to walk along the Seattle's waterfront did not happen. So, we just spent our time at the museum and our girls did enjoyed it.

This picture was taken inside the museum wherein kids can dress up as a firefighter and pretend to drive the fire truck. It is only one of the activity kids can enjoy. Our DD1 was very ecstatic going from one activity to another. For her the time we spent there wasn't enough that when we told her we are going she don't want to go. She agreed to go home when hubby told her we will come back next time.

DD1's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Today was a fun day for our preschooler. Their school had their first field trip for the school year. They went to the pumpkin patch near our area. It was her first time and she was very excited even before this day arrived. It got me excited too since I haven't been to a patch before. There is one down the road from us but we only pass by it for two years.

The trip was around 1pm this afternoon. We met the rest of her class at the farm. We rode a tractor going to the actual patch and the kids had a blast pointing just any where. It was a good thing there were not much people that their class was the only people at the patch with few others on different patches.

The above picture was our DD1 picking up her pumpkin. She can't decide what she'll get since there's a lot to choose from. It was fun looking at the little kids holding hands picking up pumpkins enjoying the experience.

Sitting on a big pumpkin

First Spring 2010 Outing

(Eating our dessert before heading home)

Yesterday was the official start day of the spring season and we had a nice weather. The highest temperature was at 66 degree. Me and my friends decided to go to the park. It was kind of an impromptu decision. We brought some foodies for the park picnic. One friend brought in fried milkfish and fried dried fish (yeah and it's danggit), another friend brought roasted chicken, I brought in dessert and others rice and drinks. Since there were no more tables available we set up on the ground. We had fun eating with our hands (kinamot) even though we have silver wares. The kids can't wait to go play so we decided to move and look for a closer location to the play area.

At the later part of the afternoon the wind started to pick up and it got nippy. We ended up having our dessert before we hit home. It was a nice day to start the spring season. Hoping for a great weather soon where we no longer need our thick or fleece jackets. I am so tired of bundling up every time we go out. It takes time and effort :-)

Fun at the Park

Last Saturday the weather was really nice. The highest temperature were at 61 degree. I did my errands wearing only light jacket. Our DD even took off her jacket and was only wearing a sleeveless blouse and capri pants. I think kids can tolerate colder temps than adults, in my opinion based on how our DD behaves. That day also was the Barrio Fiesta at St. Martin's University hosted by the Fil-Am students in cooperation with the Fil-Am community here in our area. I was thinking of going but have to finish my errand for the week. My friends who went there just bought me some Filipino food and was really delish.

Later in the afternoon we decided to meet up at the park. Even if it's still winter, that day the park was full. Kids enjoyed playing around. Our DD is scared to ride on the swing but I let her and she was holding on to me like a hawk :-) I told her that it's ok until she let go but still looked scared. Hopefully in the future she'll be brave enough to ride on the swing. Her favorite is the slide. She's not afraid to slide even the longer ones. She also like to climb up ladders and the rope jungle but I did not let her since she's still a tiny one. The bigger kids were just so fast I'm afraid she'll be bumped around. I think the next park visit for her will be when Daddy is here since I got easily tired following her around :-) I don't want my water broke running after her at the park :-)

Mommy and Daughter on the Slide

Two weekends ago, we brought our daughter to the park. It's a big park but mostly you can see are slides for little ones and older ones. This park is situated near a lake and there's a big grassy area if you want to lay your blanket and soak under the sun.

Since our DD is still tiny to hop on the slides, I told hubby we can slide together. The slide I chose was high and straight one. I was afraid to do it at first coz it's really high. So we went on. Our DD was wriggling on my lap I had a hard time settling her. Both my hands were holding her that I forgot to hold on to the sides of the slide. We zoomed down the slide and before I knew it we both flew off to the ground. Good thing, hubby was standing right below blocking the concrete retainer wall. If he wasn't there it would be a disaster.

I was shaken but laughing at that experience. It does show that it's been ages I had played in the park that sliding is kinda hard to do :-) Hubby teased me afterward. He said we were like rockets that just zoomed down from the skies :-) Lesson learned, I need to have more practice playing slides and use the curvy slides next time lolz

First Time at the Park

I am the one who was more excited when hubby told me that we are going to attend their battalion's picnic. It's because its our DD's first time and I am excited to know how she's going to behave in the playground. I am curious if she will be delighted or what not. I am really glad that she was very happy and elated especially when I put her in the swing. It was her first time to sit in the swing for babies by herself and every time I pushed her slowly she got excited and laugh. It is such a joy to know that she is enjoying herself.







Above are our pictures taken inside the playground. I was enjoying at the swing too. Our Daddy was our photographer. I wanted us to have our pictures altogether but he was standing outside the fence. We will surely go back there at that park and let her enjoy the swing again.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center

I am a nature lover person. When I was in college I joined groups that care for nature. Having a degree in Biology we studied ecology, botany, zoology and biology. These opened my eyes to biodiversity and ecological conservation. I remember we went to natural rain forests, coral reef sanctuaries, mangrove forests, all types of ecological areas found in the Philippines and compare it's ecological diversity. Mother earth has a lot to offer and seeing its natural beauty is very moving. As today is earth day I can say that we need to take care of it and protect it.

Now that I am here in the US if I will have the chance, I would love to visit the rich natural gardens and ecological areas. One of them that I wanted to go to is Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center. This is located in Orange, Texas. Just browsing through its website and looking at the photos in the gallery made me crave for the real place. This is the best place to rekindle your love for nature. It is an eco-friendly place with different species of flora and fauna.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center offers a lot of things to do for everyone. This is not only a place to commune with nature but also a place for educating everyone, kids and adults alike. They have programs that cater educational opportunities for teachers, students, and the general public. It is also the best destination for summer camp workshops. There are so much to learn and facilitators can share about conservation and taking care of the environment and the species that live in it. This month as we celebrate Earth Week is a good time to check it out. And another event to look forward at Shangri La is the Orchid Festival in November.

Orlando Vacations

When we were in Georgia we already have Orlando vacations. I really love the place because of so many things to do. Many theme parks and beautiful sights to see. When we went there the first time we went to Universal Studio, Wonderworks, Ripley's and a lot more. We were there to meet the New Year in 2006. The next time we went there we went to Sea World and do some sightseeing again. When I got pregnant we were planning to go back again and do an Orlando vacation package for 4 days to see Disney World. But we both got busy until I gave birth that I think it will be hard for us to roam around with a little one. So we still have plans of going back to Orlando but that is when our baby is old enough to enjoy the sights and theme parks.

Amusement Park

I love going to amusement parks. The rides, different shows, different attractions really brings out the kid in me. I was talking with my cousin in UK and she said that there is a well-known amusement park in UK, the Blackpool. It has the oldest rides and biggest tourist attraction in UK. Her kids wanted to go there and try the rides. I went online and check the website of the Blackpool Amusement Park and they have the world famous and best rides like the Big Dipper, Pepsi Max Big One and Infusion. These three are the most visited rides. I can only agree because looking at the website the rides loop over and high up in the sky. I can't imagine myself riding on it but I would love to try. My cousin added that they may go visit and see for themselves the exciting and amazing park