Sam's New Laptop

Vtech Write It Right Laptop

Product Description

- Colourful 2-in-1 laptop featuring the new letter recognition technology
- Teaches handwriting skills and shows how to write numbers
- Press the chunky buttons on the keyboard to access 34 curriculum based activities
- Introduces children to reading, writing, maths, logic and much more
- Ergonomic stylus with glowing writing pad makes learning to write easy and enjoyable
- You can also answer question by pressing the tick and the cross on the glowing pad
- Full alphanumeric keyboard introduces pre-schoolers to first computer skills
- LCD screen brings child's writing and drawing to life for added fun
- Colourful inlay shows lists of activities for easier selection.
- Requires 3 x AA batteries

Since Sam did very well in school for the first grading period, I told her dad about my plans of giving her a small token or reward from being one of the top noodles in her class. Ever since she started to get familiar with computer, she always seat on my lap and watched me while working on something. She's really amazed with the keyboard and sometimes I let her play with it. But until now, she still haveing a hard time to control the mouse. She started to get fascinated na with laptops whenever we're at the mall, requesting to drop by at the toy kingdom or toys r' us just to see these items. She always check and plays with diffrent educational laptops on display and telling me she like to have one of it. As we all know, the costs of these laptops is a bit expensive. I just told her that we don't have money yet and we'll return back na lang next time we visit the store again. Her 1st grading report card made me decide to get her one na. I'm choosing between the Leapfrog items and vtech, and I really had this sudden confusion of what to buy for her. I'm always into Leapfrog because of its excellent background when it comes to learning system... the cons about it is the design...they have a very limited choices when it comes to laptop designs. On the other hand, Vtech also have the same developmental benefits that aims to achieve each child's maximum learning experience. And the good thing about their products is the wide variety of laptop designs... that Sam really like ever since. So that's it... vtech won! She's now enjoying her very first laptop. :p

busy exploring her new toy

Interactive 2-in-1 laptop featuring Letter Recognition Technology to help children write letters and numbers. LCD screen displays children’s writing to reinforce learning. Two friendly characters guide the play and teach reading, writing, maths and logic through 34 curriculum-based activities. Features ergonomic stylus with glowing writing pad and a qwerty keyboard to introduce first computer skills.

one happy girl who still don't want to sleep!...arrgh! :p

Kumon Workbooks for my Sam

I already got some Kumon workbooks for Sam. Thanks to Mommy Tin of Vien for posting a blog about these workbooks. I'm really interested about the Kumon programs ever since I heard about it. I'm just not aware that workbooks are available for the home school tutorials at our leading bookstores already. I've planned to use the EGC that I won from the Mom & I portrait at Trinoma photo competition to purchase these books. Unfortunately, the NBS in Trinoma is not yet accepting this electronic gift check. I also inquired about the Powerbooks store, and yes...they are already accepting this card! But unfortunately again...huhu..when I called the store, the workbooks were already sold out. Still don't know when would be their next delivery, the stock kasi is based on the availability of the books abroad and they really can't assure me of when they can have the books again...arrgh!

The very eager mom has no choice but to purchase the books in cash...ouch!..haha! Well, anything for Sam that is educational and will surely benefit her will not become an issue for me, as long of course that I have the budget. Telling it to her dad will just follow...hehe :p

Now, Sam is really enjoying her new set of workbooks! She can't get her eyes away from these books!...She's really enjoying each activities. Well maybe because of the colorful pages of the books compare from her b&w pages school workbooks. She loves to trace the letters, color the blank spot of the animals, connect the dots and the challenging mazes. We'll just do the Cutting workbook as her last activity. This skill needs a lot of supervision because scissors is already involved in each activities.:p

my little learner

For more info about the Kumon Workbooks, visit their site. :p

Free WMM Seminar - Lifeworks Series: How to end your homework hassles

Working Mom Magazine and Metrobank Visa presents Lifework Series, the 2nd Quarter Workshop on work-life balance "How to end your homewrok hassles" by Dr. Queene Lee-Chua Ph.D

When: July 19, 2008 / 9-12 noon
Where: Richmond Hotel

Seminar is FREE but pre-registration is a must! Click here for more inquiries.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

To My Daddy

I crown the stars with sparkles,
Like glints in diamond skies,
I'm graced with heart so golden,
'Tis where my beauty lies.

I am your gift of sunshine,
Adorable, Expressive,
Precious as the day is long,
Simply put--impressive.

I treasure all our play times,
And nights with "Goodnight Moon",
The time we build sand castles,
And sing our silly tunes...

The time we shoot the hoops,

And on your shoulders high,

I ride you like a pony,

Way up in the sky.

I am a gift from heaven,

God's grace He did bestow,

Among the stars to pirouette,

In ballerina's glow.

I am a pricelss jewel,

More costly than a pearl,

With wit and charm that can't be matched,

For I am Daddy's Girl!

Moments with Daddy at Market Market Photo Contest

Ayala Malls
invite you to join
Moments with Daddy
at
Market! Market! Photo Contest

To join, present P300 worth of receipts (single or accumulated) at the Concierge from any Market! Market! establishment from May 23 to June 8, 2008 and accomplish a Moments with Daddy at Market! Market! application form. Receipts may only be used once and will be stamped upon redemption of the application form.Photos must capture a particular moment between “father and child,” and must be taken in Market! Market! Entries should be submitted to the Concierge in a sealed brown envelope and must include the following:

• duly accomplished application form
• CD containing the soft file of the photo

Deadline of submission of entries is on June 8, 2008. Winners of the said contest are:

• Father (with child) depicted in the Photo
• Photographer

Winners will be selected at the end of the promo and will be notified through SMS, voice mail and/or email. Prizes are as follows:

Photographer:

• 1st Prize: P10,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop
• 2nd Prize: P 5,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop
• 3rd Prize: P 3,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop

Father(in photo)

• 1st Prize: P10,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop
• 2nd Prize: P 5,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop
• 3rd Prize: P 3,000 worth of Ayala Malls eGCs, P500 worth of Bench GCs, and gift pack from The Body Shop

Photographers retain the copyright to their submitted photos.

Double Winner!

I'm starting to get hooked already joining in the different magazine contest available in the metro. After my little Sammie's first (hopefully not the last...hehe!) appearance on SP Mag (Aug 2007 issue), i considered to join her as well to different magazine contest i know. It was just this year when I started to send different photos of her to different baby and parenting mag contest. Trying out any luck to win at least one. Thanks to Mommy Steff for reminding me about the ongoing mag contest in wmm c/o girlytalk. I sent Sam's photo and luckily, though not chosen as the ultimate winner, was already a winner for me because she was included in the gallery (wmm baby face for the month of March2008) :p Since then, I started to send more photos of Sam and ensure to send those before the mag's required deadline.

This month, Sam's photos won the Moms Today's Precious Moments and Milestone contests. Yes, she won on both categories...Yehey!!! :p I'm so happy when Steff informed me the good news. I just grabbed the scanned copy to our GT group because I still don't have the copy yet. I'm so proud of my little girl for winning twice at the same time in the same magazine. One thing that amazes me more was the prizes install. MT mag is so generous enough to give all these exciting prizes to all the winners! Imagine that? Sobrang galante diba, unlike the other mags, the main winner was the only one entitled to have the special gift packs. ...oopsie, no offense. :p Oh well, I'm not after with the prizes and gifts packs naman. For me, just seeing my little girl's photo printed in different parenting magazine is indeed a grand winner already! :p

Sam's special gift pack from Sanofi-Aventis Lactacyd and Dryeprs for winning in the Precious Moments contest

Sam's special gift pack from Wyeth Phils. and Enfant for winning in the Milestone contest

my little winner!

Mommy's Day Out

Brought to you by Lifestyle Network and Working Mom Magazine.

When: May 18, 2008 / 11:00am-6:00pm
Where: Trinoma Mall Activity Center

A Discovery Expo for Moms and their Families

Your are invited!

May 17, 2008, Saturday

10am to 8pm, Rockwell Tent

What to expect in EXPO MOM?

• An interactive exhibit of the best products and services for moms and kids
• Special sale of favorite mom and kid-targeted retailers!
• Special section featuring mompreneur-run businesses
• All day talks and activities for every member of the family
  

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms and to your Moms as well...

me and my precious daughter Sam @ Ark Avilon, April 2008

Since my daughter was born a little over 3 years ago, Mother’s Day has been a very special day for me. After all, I had carried her for 9 months and spent countless sleepless nights taking care of her to earn the title “Mother”.

Through all these 3 years, I'm really thankful to have my mom. This Mother’s Day I feel a completely new level of gratitude and respect for my Mom. I have gained a much better understanding of what she went through and how much she scarified to raise me. Now, I'm beginning to missed her again because she lives out of the country already with my dad and there's no way to give her my personal gratefulness for raising me well. It's also sad to see that she's not around to witnessed her very first grand daughter's growing years...sigh! Can't wait to be with her and my dad again...see you soon guys! :p

I'm still looking for an old photos of us in my younger years to have it digiscrap also...

Let’s take a little closer look at what “Mom” did and does for us...

Pregnancy
Remember those first few months of pregnancy with the excitement, anxiousness and – who could forget it- the morning sickness? Your Mom went through all of that as well, and she did it without being able to access every conceivable piece of information about pregnancy online and without all the early tests we have now to ensure us that everything is fine with our baby.

Mom also shared the kicks to the bladder and the backaches that come later in pregnancy. And don’t forget about labor. Well, who could forget labor? Mom’s been there, done that as well. And she probably did it with a lot less medicinal help than we did!

Infancy
Then the real joy of motherhood begins - no sleep for months, midnight feedings and endless diaper changes. Could you imagine surviving without disposable diapers? I couldn’t, but somehow my Mom managed to wash millions of dirty cloth diapers while taking care of me.

I am sure she also got the same words of advice from everyone around her about how to properly care for the little infant and worried about all the possible germs the baby could be exposed to with everyone wanting to hold her.

Toddler
Just like you, Mom eventually made it through your infancy and met the toddler version of you. When I recently complained about my daughter’s “terrible two’s” to my Mom, she just laughed and told me it was payback for all my tantrums when I was my daughter’s age.

Did she worry as much as I did about picking the right time to wean her off the bottle, the pacifier, to get her potty trained? Did she go through all the heartbreak and crying, and - as far as potty training goes - the mess that comes with it? I am sure she did. And like any good mother, we both supported the first attempts at independence. So what if my daughter decides to wear rain boots with her summer dress? I feel sure there is a picture of me somewhere in a very similar outfit.

Preschooler
So you and your Mom finally make it past the terrible twos. By now, if not earlier, you are probably torn between kids and career. If your Mom is anything like mine, she ran into the same problem. Should you stay home and be there for the kids 24/7, or should you continue to work to be able to afford the kind of things you want to be able to give your kids?

At this stage Moms also spend a lot of time getting their kids ready for school. All along you have probably been reading to your child, teaching her numbers and colors, just like your own mother did.

School
Your kids may or may not be in school yet, but even if they aren’t, I am sure you can relate to making sure your child gets to school on time every morning, helping with homework and various school projects and attending school functions. Your Mom was probably there with you every step of the way too. She shared your joys and pains. She comforted you when the other kids made fun of you, just like you will with your kids.

I feel sure you have many more special memories about your Mom that you haven’t thought about in years. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call her? Spend some time with her. If you take the time and make the effort, you will find a great friend in your mother if you are not already at that point in your relationship. Take her on a “girls-day-out”. Go shopping, have lunch and get some pedicures together. Just enjoy her company and don’t forget to thank her for all she has done for you. After all, you wouldn’t be the great woman you are today without her.

They say there is a great woman behind every successful man, but there is also a wonderful mother behind every great woman.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom...

me and my brother with our dearly beloved mom @ Luneta Park, dated May 1976

credits goes to the author: Susanne Myers of kinderinfo.com

My Crying Diva @ the Mini Fashion Show

the runway

in her best mood and still eager to pose

This exciting event was held last May 4 at the Glorietta Park in Ayala Ave, Makati. The show was a part of the Caravan of Fun's exciting and fun-filled 2 days event. The show was supposed to be sched on the 3rd of May. But due to our unpredictable weather condition (as in the sun was on it's finest glare from late morning till 3pm I guess, until to this sudden poured of really heavy rain halfway after 3pm)...imagine that? As in everybody were soaked wet. Mommy Joanne doesn't have any other choice but to cancel the fashion show and re-sched it on the next day.

it's time to do her catwalk

Oh well, It's May 4! The weather looks great, but still.. We can't tell what will happen on the next couple of hours. You know our weather is really deceiving! Call time was earlier than before. We were asked to be there by 12:30pm. We're at the venue at exactly 12:30pm...hehe. So...this is it! Our little girl was about to have her very first modeling experience. We already taught her about the things she needs to do in the stage ahead of time. We've missed the show rehearsal last Friday because of some important reasons. I just asked Mommy Nina for some tips about the practice (thanks sis!) and did our own version at home. At first she's really eager to pose, still providing her sweetest smile in front of the camera. Striking a pose and even winks!..haha! Then when it's already her turn to go up and ramp... I can see already the anxieties on her face…hahaha! The woos and claps of the audience, plus the flashing cameras everywhere and the loud sound system starting to scare her. It seems that her crocs suddenly became heavy that she can’t even walk normally... hehe! Small steps were done with her head down and sad eyebrows. Oh no… my little girl was about to cry! Daddy was on the rescue! Since I’m on the back stage I asked him to position his self in front so that Sam could see him. So this is it… our little girl suddenly melts down in the middle of her modeling moment… my poor little girl.

got scared with the whoos and claps of the audience plus paparrazis everywhere

the "melt down"

Honestly I was a little bit disappointed at her and myself because everything we practice and the motivation and everything just went into waste (very bad mommy me no?...hehe). But then I realized that I shouldn't need to have this kind of attitude. She’s my daughter. Just a little girl who is a first timer in modeling . That normally to have this kind of initial reaction in front of many people. I should be more proud of her because she really tried her best. I know most mommies here were also first timers fully pledge stage moms…as in literally nasa back stage or any sides of the stage while their kids performs. That as much as possible, we want to meet the expectations regarding our kid’s performance. But whatever happened, we should be thankful enough for their achievements, whether little or big accomplishments… diba? Kaya I’m very proud of her whatever happened…my little ramp model. She has her own title na nga c/o mommy Jen…the little "Crying Diva!”…haha! :

she's ok na here and willing to model na after the show....sheesh!..lolz!

click here to see more pics of the mini fashion show

*Outfits sponsored by Jam's by Rustans
*Footwear sponsored by Crocs

Jam & Crocs Fitting @ Rustans

The kiddie section of Rustans mall Makati last April 23 was jampacked by a couple of cutie kids from different corners of north & metro south. We were asked, the parents to come by Mommy Joanne and bring our kids to have a fitting session with them. It was a great opportunity to finally meet Mommy Joanne in person at last, the brains of Kidsahoy. I'm also glad to meet other multiply mommies and kids. Sam was one of the lucky kids that has been chosen to join the mini fashion show of Kidsahoy Caravan of fun that will be held on Glorietta 4 park on May 3-4. It'll be an exciting event not only for the kids but for us...the stageparents as well!. Thanks for the opportunity Mommy Joanne. :p God bless & more power to Kidsahoy! :p

busy stagemoms and stylists

sam & jian - kiddie models of Kidsahoy

Caravan Of Fun! : Glorietta 4 Park, May 3-4

This event is designed for all suppliers/businesses/companies especially those who are already in the kiddie market or also planning to tap into it. We also want to invite those amongst us who simply want to have a weekend of fun with theirkid/s! Weekends are typically our busiest time of the week, while itis also our children's time off from school. What a challenge tojuggle time between the two!

Dad/Mom-trepreneur Info

GOT BIZ? GOT KIDS OR LOVE KIDS? GOT BIZ AND KIDS?THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!SELL, SHOP, NETWORK WHILE YOUR KIDS PLAY!

GREAT NEWS!!! We are moving the Caravan of Fun to Glorietta 4 Park, Makati to bring the fun closer to more people! It will be on May 3-4, 2008.
HOP ON BOARD & JOIN THE CARAVAN OF FUN: A ONE-OF-A-KIND FAMILY-ORIENTED, KID-FOCUSED EVENT
It's going to be the very first BAZAAR & PLAYDATE IN-ONE EVENT IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Email us ASAP with your interest to participate in the Bazaar since we will be carefully considering participants/products/services offered which will be mostly in-line with the Merchant Categories. Let us know your contact info and the products you intend to showcase at the Caravan, subject to final approval of the organizers.

We will be posting a lot more EXCITING details in the coming week

PRE-REGISTRATION IS A MUST TO ATTENDEES TO AVAIL OF FREEBIES/GOODIES! Email us ALL the names in your group, contact info (mobile/landline/email), name/s of children, ages.

**********************

There's something for everyone at the Caravan!!! You are invited to participate as a... :

* Bazaar/Exhibitor

* Bazaar/Exhibitor & Parent

* As a fun/entertainment provider/supplier

* As a Major or Minor Player (Sponsor)

* As a parent

* As a family advocate

* As a kid-lover

**********************

BAZAAR CATEGORIES:

Do you have products and/or services for these categories or do you know someone who might have? This event will help provide more information and assistance in our children’s physical, intellectual, social, psychological, moral development. It will also be a venue for Dads & Mom-trepreneurs to showcase their products and services and develop a community-based network.

Learning Time: Schools (pre-school, grade school), music & theater companies, tutorial & educational centers, etc.

Play Time: play gyms, art schools, theme parks, after-school programs, toy companies & other play-related products & services

Family Time: hotels, restaurant, vacation resorts, travel agencies, airline, etc

Party Time: event/party suppliers, entertainment providers, etc.

Meal Time: restaurants, top consumer food products, etc.

Nap & Bed Time: retail brands, furniture shops, linens and such products, etc.

Fit & Well Time: wellness centers, pedia clinics, kids’ spa, etc.

Dress-up Time: apparel, shoes, fashion accessories, etc.

Also open to miscellaneous products/services for the entire family!

COME AND PLAY WITH US! RESERVE YOUR CARAVAN OF FUN SPOT TODAY! Contact your Kids Ahoy Fun Crew at: KIDSAHOY@YAHOO.COM / 0920-5178127

Look for Mommy Joanne or Teacher Aia

note: THIS EVENT IS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED WITH OUR KIDS IN MIND AND IT IS ALSO FOR ALL COMPANIES (including Dads & Moms-owned businesses) WITH KID-FOCUSED AND FAMILY-ORIENTED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES!!!

JOIN US AND TOGETHER, LET'S MAKE THIS THE ULTIMATE FUN FAMILY DESTINATION EVENT FOR 2008 AND BEYOND!

THIS EVENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KIDS AHOY & KIDSTERS, INC.!!! HURRAY FOR KIDS-POWER!!!!!!!!!

Feel free to forward to all your contacts or by re-posting! Thank you!

Visitors Fee: P25/ea (which will go towards a kid-focused charity). Will announce the name of the beneficiary as soon as we've finalized details. We would also like to encourage bringing over your old books because we hope to continue our pledge towards the Isang Milyong Aklat, Isang Milyong Pangarap Campaign by Ahon & K.I.D.S. Foundation. Let us not forget all the other Filipino children who need our help and support!!!

Can't Wait for Tomorrow

Sam & I are very excited and can't wait for the day after today. Hubby will be coming home tomorrow! Weeeeh!...It's been another year of long waiting for us to finally be with my Sam's dearest daddy "nognog" once again!...hehe :p Though Sam is growing without a father's supervision on her side, I'm always telling beautiful things about her father. We have this big picture of him so that Sam will always remember the face of her daddy. And our constant online communication by means of web chatting is very helpful. Hubby's only tool to see us especially his baby girl in action. Though mms is also available, it's a bit expensive by charging you for every multimedia file you'll send. Web chat is better, and it's free pa. We'll pick him up tomorrow afternoon at the airport, praying for him to have a safe flight and no delays hopefully because I'll be bringing Sam with me. And btw, tomorrow will be also his birthday too! Imagine that?...lol! It'll be a double celebration for us. Oh my gosh, I need to buy a cake for him pa pala...hala! Off to mall for now..hehe! :p

How to deal with Parental Separation Anxiety?

A lot of moms out there know that Separation Anxiety isn't just for our little ones. A lot of you surely felt acutely nervous when your child begins school. Since I'm considering my 3 year toddler to enter nursery this coming school year, I'm already dealing with this kind of stress just thinking about it. I'm already worrying about Sam's adjustment away from me, and will surely miss spending more time with my so ever precious bundle of joy. I know that introducing her to school at an early age will give her a headstart and a chance to develop her own coping skills and a little independence away from me. But how I can deal with it when time comes? Did a few online research and found these helpful tips. Just want to share these ways to my fellow first time mommies to alleviate the stress were feeling.

• Stay busy. Those two simple words are the key to surviving separation anxiety. Plan ahead and schedule activities before your child leaves, so that you will be occupied in the days after her departure. Even if you don't feel like participating in these activities, go through the motions and allow yourself some time to adjust. Remember how important it is to fill your days, and don't allow yourself to mope around the house.
• Get support from other parents in similar circumstances. Form a club or start your own Mom's Class or Mom's Summer Camp. Get together regularly to have some child-free fun, or just to share how much you miss your kids. Lean on parents who will understand and empathize.
• Enjoy your time! Think about all the things you always wanted to do but couldn't, because of your parental responsibilities. Now's your chance! Spend time with a spouse, get involved in yoga, take a class, or redecorate your favorite room in the house. Most parents have a running mental list of projects, but never have the chance to work on them. Consider this free time a golden opportunity.
• Never make your child feel guilty. It's very likely that your child will pick up on some of your nervousness, but try to maintain a positive attitude. Parental separation anxiety often transfers to children and contributes to their anxiety, which will in turn trouble you and lead to a cycle of guilt. Do your best to be enthusiastic and upbeat about your child's plans. You don't want your child to feel apologetic or to regret his leaving, so make sure that you express only optimistic thoughts.
• Exchange tokens with your child. Give her something that you made, or a small memento that has meaning for you. Explain the significance of this gift to your child and ask her to give you a small memento, as well. This way, when you are separated, you both will have a souvenir for comfort.

Hope these tips will help us to lessen our worries of being separated with them... temporarily...hehe. I'm kind feeling better now and suddenly got excited for the school scouting when my hubby arrives..lol! :p

***credits to family education for these usefil tips.