Arielle: Not A Baby Anymore

     Today, August 28, 2013, is the 15th birthday of my eldest daughter Katherine Arielle, or as we fondly call her Arielle (or Ate to her closest family members). In the past 2 posts, which I wrote a letter for her (click here) and the second was when I posted her pictures when she was a baby up to the time she graduated from elementary (click here). And now I decided to share 15 things (facts) about my eldest. I hope she will love this, and my darling Ate, this is just for fun...

1. Arielle's birthday coincides with St. Augustine' feast day. And according to my cousin who is the senior sacristan in our church, St. Augustine is the BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

2. Her full name is KATHERINE ARIELLE...
     Katherine - was from the character of a TV series Beauty and the Beast which my husband loves to watch. There's a catch though, I never knew that the main character's name starts with a C. I just assumed that it began with a K.

     Arielle - was from one of my favorite cartoon movie, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Ariel. Ever since I was watched this, I claimed already that name for my first born child. Since the name is spelled like it was meant for a boy, I decided to add -LE at the name...

3. At the age of 3 and a half, my husband and I decided to enroll her in the nearby barangay day care center. I am one proud mom cause every time I fetch her, she has all these stars stamped on both of her arms. Her favorite toy, is  PUZZLES. You could do 2 or 3 puzzles at the same time and you could finish them in just minutes.

4. At the age of four, she began to watch her first ever movie, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. From then on, she had her fair share of Harry Potter movie collection...

Arielle's Harry Potter collection

5. Music wise, at the age of 5, she started listening from boy bands like Backstreet Boys, Westlife to Josh Groban and Michael Buble. And now, as a pre-teen, you introduced me to such singers like Taylor Swift, Green Day, Paramore, and others. Yup she loves listening to different types of music.

6. One of our favorite past time when you were like 6 or 7 was watching Meteor Garden. Arielle, her sister Joie and I went crazy over these group as well. If I am not mistaken you're crush in the group was the White "chinito" guy (sorry forgot the name already).

7. Arielle's favorite vegetable of all time is Squash (kalabasa). She started eating the mashed squash at the age of 1, and probably this is why she has a good eyesight.

8. Arielle's nickname is NINA. I took that nickname from one of the many movies of Jennifer Aniston, while I was pregnant with her. Though it didn't stuck with her, that nickname belongs to her.

9. If Arielle, is QUIET, as in not in the mood to talk, it's either she's PISSED OFF, DISAPPOINTED, or ANGRY. This she got from her father.

10. Just like me, she loves to write. She would write things randomly. And because of this, she was part of the ESLC's school paper from grade 4 to grade 6. Some of her writings were published there as well.

11. Since she was in grade 1 until she graduated from grade 6, she just had one crush. Yup, one. hahaha!

12. From the "one length" style of her hair, all of a sudden she decided to have a haircut just like Pauleen Luna's hair...

Her used to be long hair

And here is Arielle's hair cut, she is
the one in white...

13. She has her own collection of books and it is still growing.

These are growing collection
of books. 

14. She is one stubborn, "makulit" and jolly young lady but despite of it all, deep inside, she is one hell of a young lady who knows her priorities in life.

15. One of your dream is to go to London/Paris.... I know that books and Harry Potter has influenced you on this, and I know one day, you will be able to go there. 

     So to you, our Ate Arielle, Happy 15th birthday! Continue to be a good girl to me and to your tatay. Be a good older sister to your siblings. Enjoy life while you're still young. "LOVELIFE" will come to you when you're ready my dear. And besides, your Tatay isn't really ready for that yet.

    We love you so very much my dear.... 

It Has Been A While....

      Hi! It has been a while ( a long while actually) since I really blogged a well-written post that really comes from my heart (and with sense plus those thoughts that usually comes in). I have to admit since the last post I made, I got TOO LAZY to write down small and big details of what is on my mind. But as I read in on of the many blogs I follow, Dainty Mom, whether there is someone who reads your post or not, one should continue writing and posting it. Besides, since I wrote my first post of August last year, I told myself, that I would write of my routines, the little things that happens to me everyday as a mom of 3 girls (2 pre-teens and a 6-year old)


     I may not have a following yet but I know one day, I will be having those followers and who will patiently read my posts and at the same probably, leave comments as well. As Dainty Mom, told me, it is not bad to dream big for one's blog, and I want to claim it... Right now, I am willing to write down thoughts that comes up in my mind, the every day anecdote I have with my Amaya, cause she really say the darnest things. Hahaha!

    So until my next post... Hope to hear from you my dear blog readers....

What Would A Parent Will Do

     This morning while I was browsing my facebook, this video was on my feeds. And as I watched it, I can't help but cry... Buckets. What a love of a parent will do for his/her child. Please read, the summary of the video...
There are no words to describe what you're about to see. 

A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together."

To which, his father said "Yes".

For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.

Father and son went on to complete the race together!

    Have a blessed weekend people...

note: this video is from YouTube via Knowledge of Today's Video... 

The Alphabet of Getting to Know You: An Old School of Blogging

     A few days ago I read this OLD SCHOOL BLOGGING at one of the may blogs I follow, at Dainty Mom's. It is called MEME in the blogging world. I used to join other meme in the blogosphere and, now decided to join in cause it is my chance to meet other bloggers in this world. Care free to join this old type of blogging... Enjoy

A. Attached or Single? Attached for the past 15 years to Francis 

B. Best Friend?  my high school barkada

 

C. Cake or pie? cake... CHOCOLATE to be specific. (hehehe!)

D. Day of choice? Friday

E. Essential Item? my phone

F. Favorite color? Red

G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms (?) 

H. Hometown? Lipa City, Batangas

I. Favorite Indulgence? Chocolates!!!

J. January or July? January ( it is the cold season, good for me)

K. Kids? 3 girls - Arielle, Joie and Amaya

Arielle (on the right), Amaya (in the middle),
and Joie (on the left)

L. Life isn’t complete without? Family, Friends and my BOOKS

M. Marriage date? April 4, 1998

N. Number of brothers/sisters? 3 brothers

O. Oranges or Apples. Apples

P. Phobias? Snake, even just the mere looking at the pictures

Q. Quotes? "In the midst of happiness or despair. In sorrow or In Joy. In Pleasure or in Pain. Do what is right and You will be at Peace" - from the book, The Catastrophic History of You and me by Jess Rothenberg)

R. Reasons to smile? Family especially my daughters

S. Season of choice? Here in the Philippines I would choose the cold season, that would be I guess, SPRING in the other parts of the world...

T. Tag 5 People. Since I saw this over at Dainty Mom's blog, and the bloggers I know were all tagged already, whoever likes to join are free to do it... 

U. Unknown fact about me? Shy(?) especially if I am surrounded by people I'm not familiar with.

V. Vegetable? Broccoli 

W. Worst habit? Laziness (hahaha!)

X. Xray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound

Y. Your favorite food? Tinolang Manok (a Filipino food)

Z. Zodiac sign?  Taurus

Happy Father's Day, Francis

     Since there will be a scheduled brownout here in our place tomorrow, I am doing this early post for my husband and father of 3 girls. Francis, this is for you. I hope I could do justice in doing this post. Hehehe! You are the very FIRST PRINCE CHARMING and FIRST LOVE OF THE GIRLS, from the time they were born and I knew until they get a life of their own. THANK YOU is not enough and I know will never be enough for trying and giving a good life to the girls and to this family. You are trying your very best to provide a good future for the girls, give them a good education. I know you're working your ass out just to give them what they NEED. And despite your hectic schedule, you always find time to spend it with us. I know these memories will forever be in the girls' hearts.

     The girls, especially the 2 older ones, knows that once you try to share your "wisdom" to them, they totally listen and I know they really keep it in their heads and hearts. As much as possible even their "wants" you try your very best to give it them. Just seeing you spending time with them makes me smile and I know these are the precious moments that the girls will never, ever forget.

   

Proud Tatay when Ate Arielle
graduated from elementary 2012

Taken during the treat
for Ate Arielle during her graduation
2012

During Ate Joie's graduation
last March 2013

This is one photo that I took
wherein Amaya is so sweet. You will
always be her LOVE...

We never had a photo taken na
matino. hahaha! 

During the last swimming
that we had as a family. The kids really
enjoyed this one.

Some of your BADMINTON trophies...
You are one good player.

     So to you, Francis, Tatay to the kids. Happy, Happy Father's Day. Thank you for everything that you have done for the kids and I know you're still trying your very best to do everything for them. Always remember that the kids and I really LOVE YOU SO MUCH... You're the best TATAY! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.... 

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