Holiday Greetings

Wishing you all timeless treasures of Christmas.
The warmth of home, the love of family, the company of good friends
Have a blessed and meaningful Holidays!

Embrace Life

"The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains."

I wouldn't ask why everything happened so swiftly
Left with great memories to treasure and keep.

Outpour of emotions and tears.
Sleepless nights.
Overflowing prayers.

"Your memory is our keepsake, with which we'll never part
God had you in His keeping, and we have you in our hearts."

In our hearts, you will live forever.
Your love, your laughter and your voice will never fade.

Gone in a place without suffering and pain
But perfect peace, joy and eternal life in God's arms.

Acceptance.
Though your departure left a void.

Moving on, yet remembering.
Strengthened by love and faith.

"Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments."

Realizations.

Make everyday worth remembering
Life is short. Cherish it.

7 Years Milestones

Being 7 years old had been great for my daughter. It's her best and happiest year so far. It's the year when she had the grandest time of her life.

Lots of wonderful memories and achievements happened when she turned seven. I could list a hundred things that makes being 7 a great year, but let me share her best 7 moments -

Celebrated her ballerina themed 7th birthday with family and friends.

happy 7th birthday Skylah!

Joined the school's Buwan ng Wika activities where she performed a traditional Filipino dance with her classmates and declaimed the piece "Sa Aking Mga Kababata."

first declamation piece

Performed two ballet dances for Effie Nanas' Grand Ballet Recital - Enchanted Ballet at the CCP.

ballet recital on stage

Dressed up as Barbie doll for Halloween where she felt like being a Barbie celebrity for a day and won several prizes.

my Barbie doll :)

Played the role of Tinkerbell in the school's Christmas celebration - Disney's Believe in Holiday Magic. Remember Kid's Performances HERE.

my Tinkerbell

Received her First Holy Communion. Participated in the church rites - Greetings, Ama Namin prayer, Glory to God and Tell the World of His Love.

greetings

Ranked first in class and overall top 2 in Grade 2. Received the Second Honors Award and Best in Co-curricular Award.

congrats Skylah!

Last week, she turned 8 years old. Hoping for another fruitful year for my daughter!

Remember 2011 | Achievements and Celebrations

"People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have." - Richard Carlson, PhD


I always choose to live life in gratitude. These are moments that makes me more prouder and happier.

[Achievements and Recognitions]

Third Honors



My kids' first year at SGIS had been fruitful. They both received the 3rd Honors award during the school recognition last March. They ranked 3rd (overall) in their levels respectively. In addition, my daughter received an award for Best in Conduct.

Proud that my sister got the 3rd Honors award as well.

Today, my daughter ranked 1st in class and my son is receiving high letter grades as well.


Blog Awards Finalist

A Woman Remembers had been a blog finalist for the Home and Parenting Category – National Level in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards. Being recognized and being included in the list is such an honor I never expected.


[Parties and Celebrations]

It had been a year filled with wonderful celebrations. From celebrating birthdays and attending birthday parties to welcoming new babies to the Christian world! In between, there are simple and "just-because" family celebrations that I would always be thankful for.

Daughter's 7th Birthday

a ballerina-themed party

Son's 5th Birthday

party at school

celebration at home

Cousin's 18th Birthday

fav-cousin's debut

with the 18 candles

Nephew's Christening

with the godparents

my "inaanak" with the proud parents

hubby's niece with my MIL

These are family events and celebrations and I thank God for love and blessings He had given all of us!

Proud of Our Bronze Medalists

recognition day

It's been a fruitful year for my kids and my little sister. They learned a great deal along with their countless school activities, programs, and events.

My Kinder son, my Grade 1 daughter and my sister all grabbed the 3rd Honors Award! They all ranked 3rd place over-all in their grade levels. We're so proud that they achieved these awards without putting pressures on their shoulders.

Kinder 1 Third Honor

Grade 1 Third Honor and Best in Conduct

Grade 4 Third Honor

Every year, their school give due recognitions to students who shows exemplary performances in school - both in the academics and extra curricular areas. From each grade level, only the top three students who got the highest rank are recognized as the First, Second and Third Honor Awardees. There are also other awards and certificate of merits including Perfect Attendance Award, Leadership Award, Best in Conduct, Most Improved and Best in Extra-Co curricular.

class advisers

school principal and chairman

Though, their future isn't just measured by their grades and medals, I know they're in a good start. This serves as an inspiration for them to keep in mind the importance of education.

My sister is also a lyre player during the recognition program.

lyre player

Keep up the good work kids!

with the proud sister and bro-in-law

Birthday Buzz From Nickelodeon

It's my daughter's birth month and she got an amazing Birthday Buzz from Nickelodeon! Both my kids enjoy watching the cartoon and shows at Nick Jr. My daughter is at her happiest whenever she watches Nick Jr and the birthday greetings is on air. She's on TV!

Wow, this Birthday Buzz airs for the whole month of April. Friends and fellow moms informed me that they frequently see Skylah at Nickelodeon's Birthday Buzz. It's great to know that their sharing in our family's happiness too!

Thank you Nickelodeon Philippines for giving my daughter's birth month a wonderful start!

Strength, Sickness and The Holy Water

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." - (Philippians 4:13)

I prayed and my prayers are answered. I asked for His help, for strength and he had given me encouragement.

It's hard when family members get sick. My daily routine got affected; still, I'm thankful I'm able to manage it all somehow.

My husband had minor health problems. I accompanied him to Medical City so he can get medical attention. His condition was nothing serious. He just needs medications for two weeks.

Then my kids. Their fever went on and off. My son's fever started before his last quarter school exam while my daughter's started after our Subic trip. There are days when they feel good, but their temperatures would rise in the afternoon and at night. My husband and I then decided to bring them to their pediatrician's clinic at Manila Doctor's hospital.

Good thing, their sickness isn't a symptom of anything. They don't have throat infection. They just need to drink more water and medicine for their cough. Of course, an increase in vitamin C intake would do help.

Thank God, now my kids are feeling good already. My son doesn't even need a skin test for Primary Complex.

+ Holy Water

I felt God's presence and I gained strength after our family heard a Saturday mass. The church inside our village isn't fully constructed yet, but it had never been a problem. It even paved way for my kids to be healed. The parish priest showered us with Holy water. He didn't know that my kids are sick, but he poured some holy water in his palm and touches the forehead of my son.

Indeed, God works in marvelous ways!

“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. - (Jeremiah 30:17)

Summer Starts Early

It's Summer time!

It's the season when almost everyone enjoys taking a long vacation, either to escape the summer heat or have fun under the hot sun.

My family lives in a community where the swimming pool is just a few steps away. I can even see the clubhouse from our window. It means that we can always spend time at the pool everyday! Or we can drop by at my sister's place for another swimming pool enjoyment. Still, nothing compares to spending time with other family members and relatives.

Our summer started early this year! Our family and relatives already had a great time swimming at a private pool in Laguna. Not everyone were around though, but spending time with relatives - especially those living and working abroad - is worth it.

breakfast at Burger King



getting ready



swimming



...and more swimming



billiards game



videoke singing



endless happy, funny, and picture perfect moments



Have a great and fun-filled summer everyone!

School Birthday Party

My son just turned 5!

We had a simple celebration at school on his exact birth date and a post-birthday family celebration at home during the weekend.

We haven't planned for a school party, but since he keeps on announcing to everyone his upcoming birthday, we realize that he really wanted to celebrate with his classmates and teachers. That left us with less than 2 weeks to plan the details - from the food, cakes, and loot bags.

School party details -

Food:ordered food from Jollibee for the entire class, the school bus drivers, the school guard, and my daughter's teachers

Drinks: Mango and Orange juice in cups

Cake and Cupcakes: a 10" chocolate moist cake and mini cupcakes from Iko's bakeshop

cakes and mini cupcakes

I prefer the mini cakes since kids can easily eat this than the regular size ones. I ordered a general XBOX design since Iko's bakeshop doesn't create character-themed cakes. I just created Ben10 toppers that I placed on top of the mini cupcakes.

Loot Bag: candies, toys and school supplies 

loot bag contents

Luckily, Brent won 360+ lollipops and candies from Milkita!

We just added more candies and treats which we bought before I got the treats from Milkita. We packed all the treats in colored plastic, added a tag and tied it with a ribbon. The candy bags are placed inside the brown kraft bag and I've added a small thank you sticker at the fold.

loot bag treats

The boys' loot bag contains Ben 10 school supplies, a small Ben 10 character toys, a spring toy and candies! The girls' loot bag contains Hello kitty school supplies, a mini plush charm, a spring toy and candies!

Others: mini cupcakes for the school office staffs; candy packs for other school teachers, and school friends; cashew brownies for the some "yaya's" and moms waiting

Yes, it's just a simple celebration, just like what my son want. But we're all happy seeing him with his classmates having fun. 

with classmates and teacher

Everyone enjoyed eating Jollibee food, eating their Milkita lollipops, and choosing their mini cupcake with their favorite Ben 10 characters (even the girls choose their cupcakes too!). Of course, everyone get excited with the loot bags (they're wondering what's inside the brown bag)! They started opening the paper bag as soon as my son gave them one. 

enjoying the mini cupcakes

lollipops from Milkita

loot bag excitement!

I'll be sharing pictures of his post-birthday celebration at home after this post.

My Sweet Valentine

She hurriedly gave me the card as she walked inside the room. She asked me to open it and read what's inside. I said, "Thank You Skylah, you're so sweet!" She then read the letter out loud and gave me a kiss and a tight embrace.

She even reminded my husband "don't forget to buy flowers for mommy because it's Valentine's Day!"

My daughter never fails to make me smile with her sweet words. She loves to create her own card and write me a letter whenever it's my birthday or when Mother's day would come. She enjoys drawing sweet nothings and writing notes even without occassions.

I don't need anything else. I am beyond happy. 
My family's love and their presence makes Valentine's day and each day a wonderful one. They keep my day brighter and happier.

Happy Valentine's day to everyone! Hope you all had a sweet one!

Fun-Filled Day at Star City

Our family enjoyed Star City theme park a week before December starts. Kids had much fun at the Kiddie Rides and we enjoyed the Family Attractions and Family Rides.

The kids enjoyed riding at the Rodeo and Kiddie Bumper Cars lots of times. Other kiddie rides includes the Quack-Quack, Kiddie Wheel, Magic Tea Cup and Telecombat.

We also had a great time at the family rides - the Magic Forest (train ride), Balloon Wheel (giant ferris wheel), Wacky Dragon, Wacky Worm an the famous Grand Carousel.

Grand Carousel

Balloon Wheel

Aside from the rides, the attractions inside Star City made our visit a wonderful one. Its great to take a boat ride at the Pirate Adventure. It's like sailing the world of the seafarers and seeing true-to-life villainous buccaneers scavenging the seas.

Pirate Adventure

Pirate Adventure

A walk-through at the spell binding fantasy attraction, Peter Pan, is experiencing the he tale and adventures of Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and the rest of the kids.

Peter Pan

Time Tunnel is another walk-through attraction where you'll get to experience traveling through time from the from Dinosaur era to the computer ages.

My brother and his family entered Winter Funland, one of the most popular attractions, where you'll get to meet snowman and experience winter. There are official photographers inside if you want to have souvenirs since cameras and cellphones will be placed inside a plastic to avoid being damaged.

Other attractions includes the popular 4D Super Maxrider , the Lazer Blaster, Dungeon, Gabi ng Lagim, and Land of Giants.

Gabi ng Lagim

Adults must try all these thrilling rides - the Zyklon Loop (a 360-degree loop coaster), the Star Flyer (an inverted roller coaster), the Surf Dance (a ride that swings upwards, downwards, and sideways), the Viking (a pirate ship-inspired ride) and the Blizzard.

Star City usually gets crowded every Holiday Season, especially during Christmas Day and New Year's Day itself. Lines are much longer and you have to wait for hours before you can enjoy the ride or experience the attractions.

The good thing is, many of the rides and attractions are housed indoors, so you can still enjoy your visit even if it rains or if its too hot outside.

Here are some information if you're planning to visit Star City.

Rates:

Entrance Only - Php 60.00
3 Cheers Ticket - Php 300.00*
Ride-All-You-Can (RAYC)- Php 350.00*
*Entrance fee included
Lazer Blaster - Php 100.00
Winter Funland - Php 120.00
4D Theater Max Rider - Php 120.00
Animal Wonderland Php - 90.00

Packages:
RAYC + Winter Funland (WF) - Php 430.00
RAYC + Lazer Blaster (1 game) - Php 410.00
RAYC + 4D Max Rider - Php 410.00
RAYC + Animal Wonderland (AW) - Php 410.00
RAYC + Lazer Blaster (1 game)+ 4D + WF + AW - Php 610.00

Star City Schedules:

December 26-31, 2010 (1:00 pm-onwards)
January 1, 2011 (10:00 am-onwards)
January 2-3, 2011 (1:00 pm-onwards)
starting January 4, 2011 - 4pm onwards (Monday-Thursday), 2pm onwards (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)