Farm Hurrah

Theme: FARM ANIMALS

Dog, Rabbit and Pig

These are farm animal toys collected by Ninang Twinkle during her maiden days. Whenever she eats at Dads Glorietta, she makes sure to buy a drink so she'll get a free toy. Mia was the lucky recipient of all the toys that her Ninang collected! Not everything were farm animal toys though. :D

Now let me show you a fantastic farm pretend that we had September last year... Everything there is life-size!

Off they went through the farm tractors...

...and sang Old Macdonald Had a Farm with the cow, cat, sow, chickens and horse. (Yes, there were speakers booming with the song! And when the big black button is pressed, the sound of the particular animal will be heard).

She also milked a cow! / Closer look of the "dodo ng cow." :D

She played with the piggies and told them the Three Little Pigs story seriously! :D

Now, can you see the roosters? All these and some more are at Gullivers Eco-Park.

As Mia loves animals, this experience was truly a dream come true for her. And as a Mom who is not really into animals, this place is a good compromise. I am so glad that it is just five miles away from us. :D

Do you want to see more farm animal toys? Please click here.

Mia Smiles

FIRST SMILE

Okay, first smile means the very first smile. Please forgive me because honestly, I don't know which picture was captured first. Plus, not all Mia's pictures were taken through a digicam. And I get all her "first" pictures only through Multiply.

So here are some from us...

Jacinto Malabon

Adante Malabon

We obviously can't get enough of her...

Boy Ching Woo Malabon (LO by Ninong Jd)

On Mia's 8th month, we moved to UK. This is the time when almost every shot of her is a "kodak moment." Well, as her Mom, everything actually is. Hehe!

Windsor / Newcastle's The Village Hotel

And I know I should stop somehow...

Mia's "Mona Lisa Smile"

Mia as "Chichay" / Mia went overboard!

Can I add some more? Kidding!

Chris, thank you for inviting me to take part in this beautiful weekly meme. You must sense how much I have enjoyed doing my first entry. :D

For more lovely smiles, have a look here.

Paypal and Personal

A lot has been going on my mind and honestly, I am getting so many ideas to make paid blogging work for me. I am really excited. I am so excited that I came up with a brilliant plan of having another blog solely to attract donations. Of what it is about, I’ll let you in very soon. I have been browsing on my bookmarked charity websites and I can’t wait to make a pledge. With God’s grace, this could be done. I thought a few more days is needed to decide but obviously Twinkie Calls is now up for it! So, I’ve noticed (and have been advised) that a credit card is not needed to have my Paypal up and running. And guess what? I just received an email stating that I should soon be able to use our bank account to fund PayPal payments and eventually add funds to my PayPal account! I have been quite stubborn and demanding with Jose (who's been helping his clueless, nagging wife amidst loads of office work) that I should apply for a credit card asap. He told me that I don't need to rush and that we really don't need an extra credit line to take care of. As always, he makes perfect sense...

To get my mind off this whole Paypal drama, I’d like to share a very heartwarming story about Mia (who else?).

Remember about my niece’s first birthday? Well, through pictures, we could tell how successful her party was. Almost 100% of the invited guests came. The children obviously enjoyed all well-thought giveaways, party paraphernalia, and prizes (there were heaps). The buffet was abundant and yummy looking. I could go on and on about the infamous barbeque and puto pao combination present in all Ignacio/Alfonso/Golosino feasts but let me just make these shots speak for themselves.

One Serendra's Social Hall was packed!

Some of the Prizes and Giveaways

Lucky Kiddos!

Darwin and Food!

Malabon Pride and TJ's Birthday cake/gift from us.

My Family

Jose's Family

The Bernardos and Minnie TJ!

Lucky Girl! :D

So, what about Mia? Well, she was as thrilled as I was upon seeing all 800++ pictures through Multiply. But my world stopped when she said in a very sheepishly way, “Mom, there are so many kids but I am not invited. But that’s okay.” You could imagine what I said right after...

What I did not imagine is how miserable it felt when I told my twin sister about the pouncing comment (as Mia takes her nap.) We were both crying and Ate Twinkle kept telling me that I should have made clear that Mia is TJ’s number one guest. Of course she does not need to remind me of that fact. Mia just listened while I explained that we were invited but we can’t make it because we don’t have money to buy plane tickets. In the end she consoled herself by telling me this... “Mom, when we’ll have money, I will play and play and play with baby TJ! And I could also go to a party with many kids!”

(Sweetie, you’ve got to have an invitation!)

You know what? Mia has never been to any children’s party. (While TJ has been to hell-of-a-lot and she just turned one.) She’s now three but she never experienced singing happy birthday to someone in her generation. That’s why when we had her 3rd birthday dinner at Friday’s, I was not surprised with her enthusiasm in singing the birthday song over and again whenever an attendant cheers for a celebrant...

I know she just started preschool and 2009 is just beginning. The social butterfly in my daughter is still waiting in wraps. She promises to participate in games, clap when the magician does tricks, stand in line patiently for her turn to get ice cream, sing happy birthday with all her might in the candle-blowing part and take home one balloon only. Of course, she’ll not forget to bring a birthday present, carefully chosen and wrapped with her Mom’s minimal supervision.

An example of that birthday song can be watched here:

I hope she will have her chance.

That’s why when I overheard two Moms talking about Friday’s play date, I walked home with Mia sulked in defeat. There were the Mommy Brits, the Mommy Africans and the Mommy Indians but I was the only Mommy Filipino. I knew that I had to take part in this. But why do you think I made those Christmas giveaways with Mia’s picture printed on the bag? Because I thought that their parents would somehow notice an all-smile little girl waiting for a play date, an invitation. Then maybe, I should be that parent sending an invitation! But I don’t have any idea on how to host a play date because we have never been to one. (Come Holy Spirit, I need you... Come Holy Spirit, I pray...)

I mean, we do take our baths everyday, we have clean teeth and gums... and who could miss a lively and pleasant girl like her in school?

Kung Hei Fat Choi 2009

Off to School / Going Home

I promise, she knows how to share now and her Mom makes wonderful 3Ts (Tuna Triangle Toasties).

If only we could get a lovely chance... : )

Mommy Duty Calls: Blogging Cash Calls...

For all its worth, I am planning to consider paid blogging. I do not know anything about it and I am dead scared on what to ask my fellow (earning) chikas.

So what made me think about it?

There has been too many causes that I wanted to support (in my very own little way), too many charities that did not hear any from me and too many material things for my daughter that I window shopped online. I chose not to care until...

The priest from Sunday mass told stories about the calling. About people calling other people's attention to look at something; maybe it's interesting, maybe not. About God's call to Peter as the Rock and the solid foundation that he will make of the Catholic church and lastly, about God's call to His children - the talents He has given His children. "He sees us not only as a unique individual but a talented one." He sees us as the daughter who sings, the son who heals...

And what about me? What kind of a daughter am I? The one who blabs and blabs? Not interesting enough. Tsk. So maybe, just maybe, when I support causes, blab blog, earn and share through donations... I might be called as the Blabber Blogger Earner Sharer daughter? What do you think? Huh? Huh? :D After all, my blog named Twinkie Calls would sound a bit off without going after the "calling." :D I guess that could work for me. So... no matter what amount I get from this (if I decide to do "paid opps"), I declare that for the whole year of 2009, it would be a 50-50 deal. 50% goes to a favorite charity and 50% goes to my favorite daughter. Fair enough? That could work for me too.

But the thing is, will I do it? Should I do it? And the biggest question of all is... Can I do it?

Jose is not so into it really. He said he's happy seeing me happy with blogging without cash involved. He is concerned that it could get a bit much for me - doing deadlines, getting higher ranks, and returning favors... But what did they say about earning while doing the most you love? I mean, how much does a cash earning blog differ from a plain jane blog like mine? You can't expect to just pick apples whenever you want one, right? So, working on the moolah is quite expected. Then again, this is my hobby. My outlet. I think Jose's got a point but I have to do something about the call. With me deciding which group in need should get the best of our little extra through Jose's earnings does not count as answering that call isn't it?

I got approved by payperpost but I don't have a paypal account. I don't have a credit card to my name (but an extension) and we only have one personal card in this country which is registered to Jose's paypal account. Can you sense where this is going? It's getting ugly... I feel less empowered. That's why at this very moment, I am leaning on pushing with the plan. I would have to get my own credit history, credit score, credit check and hopefully a credit card. I would have to have my own paypal account and I would have to earn (even the smallest blogging amount) all by myself. (Hun, if you're reading this, I know you'll understand - wife getting emo.) Oh! I am so silly! No, crazy.

This is why I love blogging.

Now what. Twinkie calls.

The World's Greatest Toy of All...

Theme: ROUND TOY/S

Balls

...atleast for Barney fans out there like Mia, this holds true. :D Because, as he puts it, "When you have a ball, you have the world's greatest toy of all!" We had so much fun playing with these. We played catch, piggy in the middle, throwing and kicking... name it, we've done it. I guess. : )

Dora the Explorer Ball

Trivia: During my maiden days, I swore I'd never let my child watch Barney simply because I did not like his nasal sounding voice. It is so irritating! But what did they say about never saying never? I should have known better! Some two years ago, I used to sing Volumes 1 and 2 of Barney's Favorites... with actions! Ah! What motherhood would really do to you. :D

Disney Princess Ball

For more Round toys, please click here.

Happy weekend everyone!

Mommy Duty Calls: Keeping the Faith

Mia had her US Abdominal Scan this morning and both doctors said they did not see anything to be worried for. Ah! Now we’ll just keep praying that “bad luck” would stay away from her...

I can’t help but feel sorry for our daughter. She has been screaming for months because she is so excited to go to Disneyland. With the happenings in this country, Jose and I decided not to push through with our Spring Parisian Holiday. A lot has been going on our minds and it stops on where to put our money first.

So far, our plans are on track except that we decided to get a car this year instead of getting it by 2010. With that, I have to learn driving through a formal driving school. There’s no way Jose could teach me because he does not have a driving license himself and he has no time to take the exams needed for it. And let’s say he does find time... there’s also no way he would teach me with Mia on board! So the plan is... I’d learn driving while Mia’s at preschool and I’d also take classes on Saturdays. Chop! Chop!

Why decide to get a car this year? Because it suddenly became a necessity. Winter became too cold, too early and too long and we bet it is going to be worse by the year. Then the bus in our area has its own time table that passengers are clueless when the right time really is. Imagine? We have to spend £12 for taxi fare every week so we could go to mass on time! Lastly, we want to transfer Mia to a Catholic school. It is a couple of bus rides away from us and it would eat an hour and 20 minutes of our time just to go there when by car, it’s just 15 minutes tops. Whew! All cons there huh?

So yeah, where to put our money first... Driving lessons here are ridiculously expensive! I thought A-1 Driving in the Philippines was holdap but BSM Driving School quoted us 10 times of A-1’s fees! That costs return plane tickets to Pinas for me and Mia! But what choice do we have? Now, I am so heartbroken. Since 2006, Mia and I have been lucky enough to go back to our home country every year but I guess 2009 will be an exemption. Now, I am nudging Jose that a Ladurée Eating Holiday should be a dream come true before the year ends. Pampalubag loob ba? I could settle for Harrods pero iba pa rin kapag made and eaten in France diba? Babaw! Tama na nga. Kung uukol, bubukol.

To soften this post's tone, I’d like to share how helpless understanding Mia is with her financially-challenged parents...

Daddy: Mia, what do you want Disneyland or Legoland? (Our Annual Pass at Windsor is still good ‘til May).

Mia: Disneyland!!!

Daddy: But Mia, we can’t go to Disneyland because we don’t have enough money. We have to buy a car so you’ll not get cold when you go to school... So Mia, do you want a car or Disneyland?

Mia: Disneyland!!!

Daddy: Mia, Mommy also needs to learn how to drive and that costs a lot. She has to pay her teacher. Do you still want to go to Disneyland in April?

Mia: Yes! Disneyland AND Legoland!

Daddy: (Patay tayo...) Hmmm... What about Legoland only and Mommy would buy a washing machine?

Mia: Hmm... There will be no flood? Ok. Legoland and Mommy buys washing machine!

Daddy and Mommy: Aw! That’s so sweet Mia! (Yahoo!!!)

Then a week after... that will be this afternoon...

Daddy to Mommy: Baby, sa tingin mo kaya natin mag-Disneyland ng Summer?

Mia: Dad!!! We will not go to Disneyland because we don’t have money! Tsk!

Problem solved na ipinipilit pa. :D

After dinner, while Jose and I are checking the news, after seeing IBM and Microsoft planning to axe thousands of jobs... we looked at each other worried. Then I asked, “Kailangan ko ba talaga mag-aral na? (At bumili ng kotse.) ‘Di ba pwede i-save muna natin pera?” Jose stared.

Now, what? Maybe, I’ll have to sleep on it. After all, prayers moved our mountains. I know for sure, this is no different. Halleluiah... Halleluiah... :D (Alexandra Burke's version in mind).

Life is always fabulous when pausing to reflect and I thank Cee for sharing this award with me too.

LeapPad

Theme: INTERACTIVE TOY/S

Leapfrog's LeapPad is the UK's number one interactive learning toy. Or that's how sales people marketed it. Yes, it's past tense because this particular LeapPad is now extinct in the shelves and was replaced with TAG reading. (Which, I don't find as appealing...) They say almost all households in this country with a child own one or two, maybe some went for the complete bruhaha.

At first, the toy was really annoying! Well, that's because Mia can't get a grip of where to point the pen first and she wanted to go over the interactive book all at the same time! But now, she's mastered how to use it properly and I could not stress how much involved Mia gets whenever we play and learn with it.

Come on and interact with us here. I say if not for Pining who gave me yet a couple of reasons to smile and survive the crazy week that I've had, I would never have the chance to "hunt." Thank you very much dear ! :D

There She Goes # 12

Mia is my angel.

Since Monday, the thermoscan registers from 40°C – 37.5°C. It’s this rollercoaster kinda high because I refuse to bring myself down. I still try to do all chores and hobbies like any normal week amidst the burning sensation around my neck and chest with colds coming down my nose beyond sniffling. And as I fondly tell Ate Twinkle, the new “lagnat” for mommies who doesn’t have anyone to depend on is hmmm... maybe having fits or convulsions? Kidding... or so not.

What has been our three year old’s say in all these?

I can’t help but brag.

The moment I woke up and realized that my head felt like a ton of pillows are over it, I asked for Mia’s forgiveness that I would not be able to bring her to school. Therefore, she has to miss it for the nth time even if we promised that as soon as she gets well (from hospitalization and all), she’ll be with her pals right away. And guess what her reaction was? She took the little basin/bidet that we have in our bathroom, filled it with cold water and brought it in our bed. In a few seconds, she got herself a handkerchief and the next thing I know, I was soaked in my own sheets. I thought it was so sweet of her to do that but in some areas of my mind, I guffawed thinking it’s her way of saying, “Get off the bed, Mum!”

Wait ‘til you hear the end of this before we judge. : )

The night after, my head was spinning again so we had to bid good night pretty early. Mia was in no mood to sleep but she’s got no choice... or that’s what I thought. I told her Mommy could only read one book (from the usual three to five). And what do you know? She insisted on “reading” to me instead. Remember the Peppa Pig books that she got for Christmas? Well, she had almost all titles memorized and she did storytelling as if she’s really reading the words to me. If she has not noticed that I was snoring, I know she’d go until the eighth book. Then she exclaimed, “Mommy! Do you still want me to read? Oh! I’m sorry go back to sleep because you are very sick.” I was half-awake nevertheless and hugged her as I thanked her for being such a sweet kid. I told her that bedtime stories are supposed to help children go to sleep and she’s done a good job in doing it. (Except that I am no child). :D

Now here’s the end...

Because I have been fighting and trying to win over physical breakdown, I kept psyching myself that it’s all mind over matter. Yesterday afternoon while I am inching from winning, I lay my head on our dining table to rest. Mia was playing with her cash register and a few moments later, I heard her whispering, “Yes, please. My Mommy is very sick. Help me. She’s not moving.” I stirred in one leap and when I asked the person on the other line who my daughter was talking to, the lady replied, “She dialed 999 Madame. Are you all right? I am about to send an ambulance your way.” (999 is the 911 of UK.) Then I replied like there’s no tomorrow trying to explain and apologize at the same time. I told her that we taught our daughter to call 999 (then press green) ONLY when her Mom or Dad is not moving AFTER she made us move. Maybe Mia was in so much panic that she remembered the “not moving” part only and forgot to “move” me. And yes, I am sick since Monday but it’s nothing THAT serious. (Mind over matter.) Thankfully, the lady was just all relieved that everything was a false alarm.

Now tell me, is Mia just playing me or what? The poor girl is just as scared as I am in thinking what could happen worse. Alert or not alert, I know Mia would save me in every way that I would save her, or even more...

Mia is an angel.

Everything

And I thought Valentine's Day is still a month away...

I got an email from Jose this morning and sighed thinking that I haven't given him enough credit with how he's been to me as his wife lately. So I'd go and share its content.

Mahal ko - This song I dedicate to you. Love you! Mwah!

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.'Cause you're my everything.

Yeah, yeah
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

He told me (over mobile) that his iPhone would play music as soon as the earphones are plugged. He said he'd usually turn off iTunes but when he heard Michael Buble singing Everything, he can't help but think of me raw as his everything... Yeehee!!! Hindi ko na masuklay hair ko! (Oh well, 'di naman talaga ako nagsusuklay). :D

And now I also thought this kilig gesture brings pogi points only to high school girls. Oh! Speaking of HS days, here are a couple of pictures of how we were 10-11 years ago.

Picture from : hugsAndkisses

A few of my gfs: Liz, (Me), Che, Ate Twinkle and Rina with my best/bf.

I know it's not a poem or anything he wrote... but it's the big thought that counts. After all, I married a Mathematician. A very sweet and loving one at that.

Now sing-along with me...

Video from randyka10 of Youtube.