Back To School....Again

     Aside from Christmas shopping one of the one thing kids look forward to is shopping for their school supplies, we parents should admit that buying the things needed for our children is one of the most stressful part of the year as well. Our children looks forward to buying new school shoes, bag/s, lunch boxes, socks and others. Nowadays time is really difficult, aminin, so if there are ways and means to save we always do it. As a mom of 3 girls (2 pre-teens and a 6 year old), I have to stretch the budget that my husband gives me. So I would like to share with you some tips on how you could save and stretch the money that you have.

1. MAKE A LIST  - always, always make a list of the THINGS NEEDED.... repeat that NEEDED. There are schools that usually give the lists of the things, specifically, for every level (especially for the nursery, kinder and preparatory students). You're lucky if you have these so that you could buy immediately. While there are schools that usually sells their OWN NOTEBOOKS with the school logos and all (but quite expensive compared when buying at the bookstore).

2. When buying things especially needed by your children, buy brands that are trust-worthy. I hope parents will understand what exactly I mean. Example, last year, I bought my 2 older daughters school shoes from a good brand, and I tell you this year my daughters will still be using the same shoes we bought. Because if you invest or buy things with good quality it will definitely go a long way.

3. When buying school supplies, especially if you're going to bookstores, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR KIDS to someone you could trust. I tell you every time my I go to the bookstore and look for the latest books, there are kids crying, mothers who are hot-headed already because her children WANTED something else. So to lessen the dagger looks by the moms to their kids, leave them behind and besides it will be easier for you to shop cause you will be able to buy things that are within your budget.

4. As early as April, I am done already with all my school shopping, why is that so? Because when I had a money on hand, I started buying things that my kids will be needing, so that the remaining money that will be handing to me will be allotted to something else. Now that is what I call BUDGETING.

5. Don't forget to bring your reusable bags, as many as you could bring, so that it will not be added to the items that you have to pay for. A price for a reusable bag, could go for 25-35 pesos each, so sayang naman if you have to pay an extra for that.

6. Wear comfortable clothes. Since it is not yet rainy season, wear something comfortable especially if you will have to go to the mall and buy the things needed for the coming school year.

7. RECYCLE - In some schools, they usually give the free hand to the parents/students what kind of notebooks the want to buy. So if there are still few leaves from the past school year left, reuse it. You saved from spending, you helped Mother Nature as well.

     I hope with these simple tips from a mom of 3,  have helped you. Enjoy school shopping Mommies

Right To Vote

     Today is one special day because we got to elect people that will truly represent each one of us. It is ELECTION 2013. Ate breakfast early today then went to the precinct where I was registered. Waited for 3 long hours just to cast my vote. Yup you read that right, 3 hours but then again I waited in line because the most important people in my life will benefit from it. So please my dear readers, there is still few more hours left for you to cast your vote. Remember to VOTE WISELY, choose the candidates that you think WILL REALLY HELP OUR COUNTRY to move forward.

   

     NOTE: image is from google

On Being A Mom

     There are few more hours before this important day for all the mothers, moms, nanays, inays, mudras on earth left. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, single moms, working mom, work-at-home-moms, and stay-at-home moms (like me...). As they say being a MOTHER is the most noble job in the world, a job where there is no overtime pay, no bonuses at all, a job that you have to be a NURSE/DOCTOR when your kids are sick (which I really hate the most, I mean the kids being sick and all.); TEACHER, we are our kids' first teachers, we teach them from singing the alphabets to counting 1 to 10 (or at the most up to 20 or more); PSYCHOLOGIST because we really have to understand their behavior/s; FRIEND, we have to be the very first ones to listen to our kids woes and problems, what happened to them at school. Being a  MOM is a job offers no degree at all.

     Every time I read mommy blogs, I usually tell them that I am a mom of 3 daughters. Yup 3. I have 2 pre-teens already and a 6 year old. As they say kids nowadays are totally different with kids, let's say 10 years ago. And to this I totally agree. With my 2 older ones, if they are really makukulit already, I could just stare at them and they will totally behave. As in. But with my youngest, staring with big, wide eyes is not effective anymore. Nowadays, one thing I really pray is that I am blessed with MORE PATIENCE. My facebook friends knows what I am talking about especially when it comes to my youngest. Being a MOM to my daughters is not an easy task. I have 2 pre-teens that I have to guide, tell things that are not good for them, on how to choose friends, and everyday reminder to really study very hard, because cliche as it may sound, EDUCATION IS THE ONLY GIFT that my husband and I could leave them with. With my 2 pre-teens, I have to give them, as much as possible, HONEST TO GOODNESS answers, proud to say that I do have daughters who are way smart than I am when I was their age. As much as possible I NEVER LIE to my daughters because I do believe that being honest with them in return they will be too.

With me are my 2 older daughters,
Ate Joie (with the long hair) and
Ate Arielle (in white shirt)

    My youngest Amaya, being a Mom to her is totally different cause she herself is different. As they say, NEVER COMPARE your kids to each other and I am sorry that I really can't help it. Hahaha! She is totally different in a lot of ways than her 2 older daughters when it comes to being disciplined, she wants HER WAYS to be followed, which will never happen (though once in a while, nakakalusot... hehehe). But like her two older sister, I am proud to say that she is one intelligent young girl too. Like now, I do instill on her the words, PO and OPO, of always telling the truth, teaching her to keep her toys in their proper places.

Our Amaya, the most
makulit among our 3
daughters.

     When I became a mom, I never knew what to expect and now after 3 girls, it is STILL an everyday learning for me. Learning to know each one of them. Learning what they like, dislike, of what they want to become one day. I am learning to become a mom everyday because of them. I know I am not a perfect mother (but who is) nor a good one (hey, I do have a LOT of meltdowns as well) but seeing how other people see and praise my kids of being fine young ladies, I guess I do deserve a good pat in my back. I may be a stay-at-home mom but at the end of the day, I know my girls do appreciate everything I do for them. I am one proud Mom to these girls, who NEVER FAILS to make me happy and feel so loved. So to KATHERINE ARIELLE, JOSEPHINE THERESE, and AMAYA ISABELL, thank you for being my SOURCE OF STRENGTH, for THE JOY you girls bring, for the SMILE that greets me every time you come home from school, for the LOVE you give me.THANK YOU... I could never asked for anything more....

Me and My girls....
I love you girls so much....
You mean the world to me.... 

My New Discovery: Mustela Cologne

     A few weeks ago, I saw via Instagram the 3 fragrance of  My Mom-Friday , one of the many mommy blogs I read. What caught my attention was the MUSTELA COLOGNE. I am not a fan of perfume or any strong colognes which causes my asthma. When I was in high school, I was introduced to this colognes called, DENENES, which I used until I was in college. It has only lately that I went back to using colognes. And since I was intrigues by this brand, the friend of My Mom-Friday gave me the cellphone number of Mustela.

     It was an easy transaction. I sent my name and address via SMS. I asked few questions then decided to place my order few days after. I paid the item via BDO and after 3 to 4 days my cologne arrived. Yey!!!

The day I received my item,
it was delivered by LBC
(sorry I can't turn it around)

The moment I opened the
item I purchased the receipt
was included, and it is a legit one.
The amount in the receipt is of the cologne
alone plus shipping fee which is 120.00

the cologne was
wrapped in bubble wrap

the cologne, can't wait to use it

with my purchase they added
sample products to try... 

     I could spray this cologne a lot of times because the smell doesn't last long, but then again I am definitely happy with my purchase. I can't wait to buy their other products as well.


Mustela Facebook (click here)