UPDATE: Had to cancel my booking because Manila Peninsula was not replying on my queries about their Easter program for the kids. I asked if adults can accompany toddlers and they initially said no, asked again and said they will check and I haven’t heard from them again after 48 hours. *bugs me*
I’ve learned well enough to prepare for important kiddie events and in advance. Upcoming is this year’s Easter Sunday and I am sure I am not the only mom who’ve started scouring the interwebs for a nice place to celebrate and hunt those eggs. I’ve also learned that in occasions like these, hotels are my best friends – not crowded, stress-free, and a treat for both me and Ashton.
Lucky me that The Peninsula Manila announced their Easter promo early – it bugs me why their competitors have not released any offers yet. Especially their Easter Egg Hunt for the kids? Anyway, I’ve secured a booking for April 7-8. On the 8th which is Easter Sunday, they have an event at the Rigodon Ballroom for kids – you guessed it! I hope Ashton enjoys finding his eggs haha In the meantime, this is also a good chance to cool down this summer, take a dip on the pool, and blast the AC as cold as you like if you have one of those electric blankets If I were not as tied up, I would have wanted to go to the beach – but that could prove stressful especially when traveling with a toddler.
I feel good that I’m hitting two birds with one stone – Ashton gets to enjoy an Easter party with other kids and busy mommy gets some R&R
February has been a very fast month that is filled with celebrations. Starting with Valentines and ending with a super long birthday bash for myself. This month made me rekindle the joy of getting together, traveling, enjoying adventure and the outdoors. My motto has always been life is too short, and let’s celebrate while we still can (in moderation of course). We kicked off 2012 with a bang and eversince New Year, my family has been very blessed with lots of good memories. My husband and I also make an effort to go out on weekends, catch a movie, and dine just by ourselves. Interchangeably with going out and having fun with Ashton on weekends too.
Trying out new food at Vikings
Getting my sister Liza to conquer her fear of heights
And my fear of flying haha
Now March is just about to start and I want to declare it as another fun summer month! Who knows where we could end up, in a pool, on the beach, or at our backyard making some bbq. It’s all about having fun and maintaining the excitement in the air. Everyone is just more relaxed and happy when they have something to look forward to. So, I am already starting to draw up a plan for a quick summer dip with everyone. I know some moms who are so crafty they even buy custom made coins and bury it under the sand for a treasure hunt!
My son has been confined two times now, and it seems to happen every year. The first culprit was E.coli which according to my research can invade the body in several ways. From your child’s soiled diaper, comfort rooms, and even food. Just thinking about it makes me cringe and mind you, our house is the cleanest one you’ll ever see. Everyone wears house slippers, table tops and furniture are dusted daily, marble floor swept, kitchen kept tidy and cleaned during evenings, and comfort rooms are always sparkling white. My son takes a bath daily and his carer makes sure he is clean & neat when I am busy. We barely even have visitors.
Bacteria is something that can invade your family unsuspiciously, albeit it is almost impossible to avoid!
I now make sure that all the food we eat are safe, and that includes medicines. Anything at all we put in our mouth to enter our systems. Especially after Ashton’s second confinement – just weeks ago. The culprit was streptococcus bacteria which is really hard to tell if it’s there. Me and my son had fever for three days and then it was gone. We thought we were fine until the blood test result showed up. I was vigilant enough to have tests undertaken and seek professional help from the doctors. Both types of bacteria could have led to serious complications including kidney damage.
Although we can’t live in a bacteria-free environment, it’s always better to be protective of our kids and families. Gone are the days we should believe in hearsay, old and unproven medicine, and products that mask themselves as safe and effective. I am willing to pay for quality and prevent more expensive trips to the doctor.
I was recently talking to fellow moms (thanks to social networks) and we agreed, we’d rather be mistaken as snobby by not letting our kids be touched by relatives, strangers, and other kids who might pose bacterial infection. Same goes with not frequenting places that are crowded and practice poor hygiene. Even more importantly, being meticulous when it comes to food products, toys, etc. we all have to make sure everything that has to do with our children is free from contamination.
Some more tips to protect your kids from bacteria:
Frequently change diapers and wash every time kids pee or poop
Be careful in food preparation and avoid cross contamination by using proper and safe containers
Practice proper hand washing
Be mindful of food & medicine sources – look for quality and ensure manufacturers conform to standards especially when buying common cough medicines
Use a face mask when you feel you are sick to prevent being contagious
Always seek doctor’s advice if you suspect something is wrong. Fever of up to 3 days usually mean you’ll have to take your child to the pediatrician.
How do you protect your kids from harmful bacteria?
Join Executive Pastry Chef Sebastien Coquery and his team as they teach Daddy and his kids how to decorate a two-layer heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake that they will take home to Mommy for Valentine’s Day. The Cake Decorating Class comes with a merienda. PHP1,600* for a group of three (one adult and two children under 12), PHP400* for every additional participant. February 12, Sunday, from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon at Old Manila.
Good deal! I’m considering if Ashton will already enjoy this or are we going to end up with a food fight? hehe
Okay let the love bugs bite, Valentine’s is not just for man + woman but for the entire brady bunch! So when it comes to gifts, you may be stuck at what to give your husband or children. Except if your other half expressed he wants pipe wrenches for V day. I had some ideas of what to give for this special occasion:
Cupcakes – but not ordinary ones. Buy heart themed cupcake cups and toppers. I saw some at Rockwell last Sunday, they really are lovely and will save you heaps if you just bake your own.
Pictures – Instagram is all the rage these days, so why not get crafty with your iPhone or digicam and let your creative flare shine! Have photos printed because these are now rare yet always appreciated for keepsakes.
A special lunch or dinner at home - Ah you know I’ll mention this! Cooking relives so much memories and I’m sure food is always a part of your lovey-dovey relationships with family & friends. So, do your marketing now and concoct yummy desserts that will make this day even more sweeter! Don’t forget to remember the favorite food of your loved ones and try to satisfy each family member’s taste buds.
I married my complete opposite and despite our petty cat-dog fights, I am lucky to at least have a supporting spouse whose always around for me and our son. He makes me laugh when I’m so busy and serious at work. I don’t have too many acquaintance now and seldom go out. When I do, it’s almost usually with him and Ashton. One thing I am thankful for is that we seem to have graduated from having wars of worldwide scale and agreed to compromise.
Last year, he and my 9 month old Ashton surprised me on Valentines:
This was not the first surprise, I remember how embarrassed I was when Az met me at the mall with flowers in tow. Ewww! So this year I can’t help but feel excited (or anxious). Sad that Feb. 14 is a weekday but that means my birthday will be on the weekend : )
Weekends have been our dating day as husband and wife, sometimes (most of the time) we go with Ashton because we feel guilty whenever we leave him at home haha : ) Like last Sunday, we went home right away after our brunch at The Marriott. When you’re a mom, you’ll seldom find yourself primping on a vanity stool. The only way to push yourself back to how you once were is to drag yourself out for a date (hopefully with your husband or with friends). House clothes grow really comfy when you stay at home most of the time : )
So this Valentine’s day, why don’t you plan a well-deserved night out for you hardworking parents?
In the meantime, this is also a good chance to cool down this summer, take a dip on the pool, and blast the AC as cold as you like if you have one of those electric blankets 
