Halloween Event with the Kids at BHS

Weekends are especially great to bond with your kids. JF and I anticipated this Halloween weekend for so long. Aside from the fact that the government declared it as a 4-day long weekend, we look forward to dressing up the kiddos in their Halloween costumes.

We initially decided to go to Cirque du Rockwell with the kids. However, an officemate of my sis-in-law earlier called her up that tickets were all sold-out! Looking through all the trick-or-treat options, we then decided to go to Bonifacio High Street's event, Once upon a Halloween.

Halloween event poster from BHS facebook page

Halloween Festivities for Kids

JF and I, together with my brother and sis-in-law, went out for a quick Halloween costume shopping for the kids. I was asking them if they remember celebrating this festivity way back then. I really have no memory going out wearing a scary costume for trick-or-treat. The only Halloween celebration I remember was when I attended this Halloween Dance Party at school but nobody even wore an appropriate outfit for the occasion.

Halloween Kids Costumes at Toy Kingdom

It just fascinates me that this tradition is already adapted by Pinoys. I've seen the crowded aisles of Toy Kingdom where parents search for the best costumes they could ever find for their young ones. It is also surprising that the assortment of kids' costumes has grown. Before, stores would only carry simple ones but now, you'll be amazed by the elaborate stuff they have on sale. Not to mention, the wide collection of accessories such as wings, wigs, hats, etc. You can definitely transform your kid into a (cute) scary creature!

We've been Stompified!

I've never been a solid concert-goer. It's not that I don't like the arts. I do. As a matter of fact, I love to dance (until today) and I was even the president of the Glee Club when I was in highschool! :) The only thing that I can think of that prevents me to go to concerts is probably the hassle of swimming through a crowd of excited fans.

Until recently, a TVC of an international show caught my eye and even SJ's. Both of us agreed to catch one of their limited performances in the Philippines. The group is not categorized under mainstream artists but I am quite sure those who frequent the cinema (like us) know who they are.

YouTube Video: Stomping for Dolby

What's App: All-in Yoga HD

Right after the first time I attended a yoga class, I became a fanatic. I instantly loved it not because I have to keep up with the “in” thing but I found out it really does wonders. I frequently complain about back aches and a good massage would never fail to soothe me. I was unaware that the practice of yoga would alleviate the pain in a more lasting level.

This favorable effect immediately made yoga a very personal choice for my fitness routine. However, now that I recently gave birth, I find it hard to attend a yoga class because of mama duties that I have to fulfill first. It is just fortunate that there’s an iPad app that lets me practice just like the way I used to.

The All-in Yoga HD: 200 Poses and Yoga Classes developed by Arawella Corporation is the closest approximation of an iPad app to a real yoga class. There are ready made programs from which you can choose from.  What’s even more amazing is that there are different levels of difficulty so that you can make the most out of your practice. It even has a pose data base containing over 250 poses with accompanying instructions, photos and videos for perfect execution.

Yoga Classes from All-in Yoga HD iPad App

Family Bonding through Sickness, Storm, Flood, Brownout and Check-in

It has been our family's practice to celebrate a baby's monthly birthday on his first year. For SI's 4th month celebrated last October 1st, I believe it will become one of the most memorable. Why?

Number one: October 1st was the day after we were discharged from the hospital. SI was confined September 25th due to coughs and colds which was later on diagnosed officially as pneumonia. It was really heartbreaking to see the nurse attaching the IV needle to my daughter not only once but thrice because SI was so fidgety. How JF and I wished that if only it's possible, we would rather be the ones to endure all the pain instead of our little angel. Without thinking twice. Without hesitation.

It was also that week of September 25th that Tropical Storm Pedring devastated a huge portion of Northern Luzon including Metro Manila. Being in the hospital was blessing in disguise for us. If we stayed home, we would be trapped just like everyone else in Malabon. What if her condition got worse and we need to bring her to the hospital? What if all roads were closed due to floods? We were thankful we got to the hospital 2 days before Pedring arrived.

So on September 30th, after days of medication, SI was allowed to go home. However, we realized that MERALCO still hasn't restored power in our area. That was another problem we didn't anticipate. As a go-home instruction, SI had to be nebulized every 6 hours which meant that we need electricity! In short, we had to find a comfy evacuation center not only for SI but also for SJ.

What's App: Baby Flash Cards from eFlashApps

I would like to think I am a techie. Not because I am well-versed in tinkering with any software or hardware. I just enjoy using every piece of gadget that I have. As a matter of fact, I've had my iPhone for almost two years now and model upgrades later, I am still using it. I don't think I'll find a better phone than this.. well, except for a newer model but that's not in mind at the moment.

The latest "toy" I bought was also an Apple gadget which is the iPad 2. It took me several days dreaming about it. My husband, JF, told me if I really need it and I can pay for it, then by all means, I should buy it. Though I haven't given much thought on JF's words of wisdom, I bought it without hesitation. Now, not only do I love my iPhone but I also love my iPad 2 as much. Little girls, 9-year-old SJ and 4-month-old SI both feel the same way as I do. Yes, that's right. My 4-month-old has her own set of apps too!

The first set of apps I downloaded from iTunes are baby friendly. Never did I knew that moms nowadays do utilize the iPad to entertain their kids. I found the eFlashApps' Baby Flash Cards app very nice. So did SI. You can see her ear-to-ear smile as soon as she hears the word "APPLE" until the last flash card "ZUCHINNI." I am so entertained in return.

Baby Flash Cards start-up screen grabbed from their website

The Birth of Mudraesque

I remember a few weeks back, this was what my tweet said:

I've been thinking of putting up my blog for sometime but I keep on procrastinating. Not because I am not serious with the new "project" but it is because I have a lot of things to do. I'm not complaining; I'm just saying :) After 35 days, now here I am ready to share what it's like to be a mama-of-all-trades.