Saturday, October 29, 2011
Good Find: Total Basic Skills Preschool Workbook
The bargain books stall is once again up and running at the ground floor of Greenbelt 1, Makati mall, across Watson's. Hard to find books related to Disney characters (and Barney!) can usually be found within the assorted stacks of books. My mother recently came upon another great find within its bookshelves - the Total Basic Skills Preschool Workbooks. It consists of 300+ pages (easily 2x-3x the size of a Kumon book at roughly the same price), with writing and coloring activities covering all preschool topics: alphabet, numbers, opposites, shapes, etc. It also comes with colorful reward stickers!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Freelance Work Through oDesk
So after a few weeks of trying out odesk, here's what I have to say:
(1) It's not a scam. I earned money after doing a couple of jobs. Just around $20, but enough for me to know that it's real and the potential to earn more is there.
(2) It's said that it takes about 40-60 job applications before you can land a job. This is true too. Online freelancing work is not for the weak, fainthearted, or impatient. There are hundreds of thousands of other freelancers all over the world - likely more skilled and experienced than you - who are vying for the same jobs you are. Learn how to make great cover letters. Take odesk skills tests to showcare your competency. Build your portfolio. Above all, read through the tips and help articles that odesk has to offer. These will help a lot.
(3) Stock up on your preferred choice of caffeine.
(4) If you find it all a bit overwhelming, check out The Freelance Pinoy for freelancing tips, particularly for Filipinos using odesk.
(5) Good luck!
I have a lot on my plate right now, but should have more to share in a couple of weeks. Til then!
(1) It's not a scam. I earned money after doing a couple of jobs. Just around $20, but enough for me to know that it's real and the potential to earn more is there.
(2) It's said that it takes about 40-60 job applications before you can land a job. This is true too. Online freelancing work is not for the weak, fainthearted, or impatient. There are hundreds of thousands of other freelancers all over the world - likely more skilled and experienced than you - who are vying for the same jobs you are. Learn how to make great cover letters. Take odesk skills tests to showcare your competency. Build your portfolio. Above all, read through the tips and help articles that odesk has to offer. These will help a lot.
(3) Stock up on your preferred choice of caffeine.
(4) If you find it all a bit overwhelming, check out The Freelance Pinoy for freelancing tips, particularly for Filipinos using odesk.
(5) Good luck!
I have a lot on my plate right now, but should have more to share in a couple of weeks. Til then!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Manila Book Fair 2011
Great place to find good books with at least 20% off the tag price. There are a number of stalls dedicated to children's books and toys. I bought my daughter's Mickey Mouse mat and blocks set here a year ago.
www.manilabookfair.com
www.manilabookfair.com
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Summit Ridge - A Room With A View
Despite the growing number of hotels and B&Bs in Tagaytay, those that can offer excellent accommodations without breaking the bank are few and far between.
Summit Ridge Hotel continues to top our list for Tagaytay family getaways. It is a hotel in every sense of the word, complete with room service, restaurant, function rooms, gym, swimming pool, spa, housekeeping, and laundry services. It was developed by Robinson's Land Development so the quality of the facilities are top-notch. The rooms are clean and well-maintained and come complete with the indispensable safe and hair dryer. ;)
Here are the highs and lows of choosing Summit Ridge:
(1) All rooms have a great view of Taal Lake. This also means that all rooms are fronting the main highway. Expect a lot of noise from howling winds and passing vehicles, even during the night. If you or any of your family members are light sleepers, this may not be the best choice for you.
(2) Food at the restaurant is good, though choices are limited - mostly Filipino fare. If you're craving for other types of food, Gerry's Grill, Gilligan's, Starbucks, Sizzling Pepper Steak, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Shakey's, and other eateries are within walking distance.
(3) If you have kids, you will love the garden where they are free to run around and the clean swimming pool that is bigger than what most hotels in the area have to offer. There is also a mini arcade above Robinson's Supermarket.
(4) The hotel has a mini walkway leading to Robinson's Supermarket, which has a grocery, drugstore, and bakery.
(5) All rooms come with cable TV. The numerous channels should cover most of your favorites and then some. There is no DVD player though.
(6) All rooms come with showers, but no bathtub. If you're seeking luxury rooms with bathtubs, best to look to the nearby Bed and Breakfast hotels such as Discovery Country Suites, Les Boutique, etc.
(7) The doors separating adjoining rooms can only be opened by the Housekeeping staff. This very nearly led to an incident when we decided to gather in one room for dinner and our toddler ran to the other room and playfully slammed the door shut. Since we've already latched the doors for the night, it would not have been possible to get her out without breaking a door. Thankfully, my husband had stepped in to the room just moments before our tot decided to have her fun, so it didn't come to that. It was a close call though.
Summit Ridge Hotel continues to top our list for Tagaytay family getaways. It is a hotel in every sense of the word, complete with room service, restaurant, function rooms, gym, swimming pool, spa, housekeeping, and laundry services. It was developed by Robinson's Land Development so the quality of the facilities are top-notch. The rooms are clean and well-maintained and come complete with the indispensable safe and hair dryer. ;)
Here are the highs and lows of choosing Summit Ridge:
(1) All rooms have a great view of Taal Lake. This also means that all rooms are fronting the main highway. Expect a lot of noise from howling winds and passing vehicles, even during the night. If you or any of your family members are light sleepers, this may not be the best choice for you.
(2) Food at the restaurant is good, though choices are limited - mostly Filipino fare. If you're craving for other types of food, Gerry's Grill, Gilligan's, Starbucks, Sizzling Pepper Steak, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Shakey's, and other eateries are within walking distance.
(3) If you have kids, you will love the garden where they are free to run around and the clean swimming pool that is bigger than what most hotels in the area have to offer. There is also a mini arcade above Robinson's Supermarket.
(4) The hotel has a mini walkway leading to Robinson's Supermarket, which has a grocery, drugstore, and bakery.
(5) All rooms come with cable TV. The numerous channels should cover most of your favorites and then some. There is no DVD player though.
(6) All rooms come with showers, but no bathtub. If you're seeking luxury rooms with bathtubs, best to look to the nearby Bed and Breakfast hotels such as Discovery Country Suites, Les Boutique, etc.
(7) The doors separating adjoining rooms can only be opened by the Housekeeping staff. This very nearly led to an incident when we decided to gather in one room for dinner and our toddler ran to the other room and playfully slammed the door shut. Since we've already latched the doors for the night, it would not have been possible to get her out without breaking a door. Thankfully, my husband had stepped in to the room just moments before our tot decided to have her fun, so it didn't come to that. It was a close call though.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Canyon Cove - Day Trip Disappointment
Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas was a true disappointment for our day trip beach excursion. The beach was littered with garbage, the waters were brown and filthy. While this may be attributed to the fact that the past few days have been quite stormy, there's still no getting around the fact that the resort has no suitable showers for their day tour guests. The only showers available are the cluster situated next to the beach and pool areas (meant for pre-shower before jumping in the waters) and a line of around half a dozen showers set up outside the public toilets, in full view of the resort facilities. The toilet has three measly stalls and is often crowded.
Another proof of the beach's lackluster appeal was that majority of the guests preferred to use the pool instead of the actual beach. Unfortunately, the pool waters were also murky and peppered with sand and leaves.
To add to our frustrations, the restaurants refused to serve day tour guests because the resort was fully booked. This rendered the consumable P300 coupon useless. I tried using the coupon at the beach shop, only to be informed that the coupon was only valid at the restaurant. We left shortly after in search of food and better entertainment value. At P800/person, this day trip was a certified bust!
Another proof of the beach's lackluster appeal was that majority of the guests preferred to use the pool instead of the actual beach. Unfortunately, the pool waters were also murky and peppered with sand and leaves.
To add to our frustrations, the restaurants refused to serve day tour guests because the resort was fully booked. This rendered the consumable P300 coupon useless. I tried using the coupon at the beach shop, only to be informed that the coupon was only valid at the restaurant. We left shortly after in search of food and better entertainment value. At P800/person, this day trip was a certified bust!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Gymboree Music
Listen to your tot's favorite Gymboree tunes for FREE! Simply visit the Music section of the Parachute Express website(http://www.parachuteexpress.com/?page_id=85) and click on a CD to listen to a song (subject to availability for free play on the site.
"Bubbles" can be found in the Feel The Music album, while "Shakin' It" is in the Shakin' It album. Enjoy!
"Bubbles" can be found in the Feel The Music album, while "Shakin' It" is in the Shakin' It album. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Top Television Show Choices for Toddlers
While I believe that too much TV is hazardous to a tot’s physical and mental well-being (perhaps even emotional? I swear my daughter gets extra bratty after watching Dibo The Gift Dragon!), I do admit to being part of the guilty ranks of mothers who give in to it as a means of getting a few minutes of peace or as a quick remedy to a brewing tantrum. I do, however, try (it's mostly a losing battle on my end, though I do still give it my best efforts) to limit her choice of shows.
For one thing, I do not find all shows under the Disney Junior banner suitable for my toddler. All the characters in Timmy Time, for example, communicate through animal sounds, which is not at all conducive to helping tots speak their first words. Not to mention that the characters eat paper, draw/paint on walls, and destroy books/toys. The concept of Dibo The Gift Dragon, wherein someone can get their wish granted simply by saying the magic words – regardless of whether they are deserving or not – does not sit well with me either. My daughter tends to emulate Bunny, who is quite vain and selfish. I once saw an episode of The Hive where one of the bees made an imaginary friend after being ignored. While all these cartoons do end on a high note with a moral lesson, it’s not likely to get through to the very young viewers. As my daughter grows older, I’m sure she’ll learn to appreciate these shows, but for now I’m keeping close tabs on her viewing preferences.
Below are the shows that top my list of preferred viewing for my toddler:
(1) WorldWorld features a world where anything can be created simply by putting together the requisite letters – i.e., build the word! The series is a great introduction to words, letters, and phonics. The characters are colorful, funny, and engaging – I’ve yet to meet a tot who didn’t like animals – and the stories are age-appropriate.
(2) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse teaches colors, shapes, numbers, and problem-solving. And who doesn't love Mickey Mouse, the pioneer of all things Disney?
(3) Barney and Friends however nauseating this purple dinosaur can be to adults, he still promotes love, friendship, family, and good manners while teaching ABCs, colors, shapes, and numbers.
(4) Special Agent Oso as annoying as the main character can be - how can someone so brainless have been accepted as an agent??? - the show features real-life problems and solutions that young children can relate to; a good deviation to the typical ABCs and 123s.
(5) Handy Manny my two-year-old daughter impressed everyone at the play school by correctly identifying a screwdriver. Thanks to the Handy Manny section in Disney Junior magazine, she is also familiar with a crane, forklift, digger, and excavator (which, she told me proudly, rhymes with elevator!).
(6) Dora The Explorer while I find Mickey Mouse Clubhouse a better and more educational alternative, this show has its good points as well. Though I'm more fond of the wide variety of Dora books than the oft poor quality animation provided by the TV series (even the original DVD offers little better quality and with no subtitles to boot).
(7) Little Einsteins if you want to introduce your toddler to classical music and fine art, nothing beats the Little Einsteins! They will take your tot on adventures around the world, all the while instilling an early appreciation for culture and arts.
For one thing, I do not find all shows under the Disney Junior banner suitable for my toddler. All the characters in Timmy Time, for example, communicate through animal sounds, which is not at all conducive to helping tots speak their first words. Not to mention that the characters eat paper, draw/paint on walls, and destroy books/toys. The concept of Dibo The Gift Dragon, wherein someone can get their wish granted simply by saying the magic words – regardless of whether they are deserving or not – does not sit well with me either. My daughter tends to emulate Bunny, who is quite vain and selfish. I once saw an episode of The Hive where one of the bees made an imaginary friend after being ignored. While all these cartoons do end on a high note with a moral lesson, it’s not likely to get through to the very young viewers. As my daughter grows older, I’m sure she’ll learn to appreciate these shows, but for now I’m keeping close tabs on her viewing preferences.
Below are the shows that top my list of preferred viewing for my toddler:
(1) WorldWorld features a world where anything can be created simply by putting together the requisite letters – i.e., build the word! The series is a great introduction to words, letters, and phonics. The characters are colorful, funny, and engaging – I’ve yet to meet a tot who didn’t like animals – and the stories are age-appropriate.
(2) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse teaches colors, shapes, numbers, and problem-solving. And who doesn't love Mickey Mouse, the pioneer of all things Disney?
(3) Barney and Friends however nauseating this purple dinosaur can be to adults, he still promotes love, friendship, family, and good manners while teaching ABCs, colors, shapes, and numbers.
(4) Special Agent Oso as annoying as the main character can be - how can someone so brainless have been accepted as an agent??? - the show features real-life problems and solutions that young children can relate to; a good deviation to the typical ABCs and 123s.
(5) Handy Manny my two-year-old daughter impressed everyone at the play school by correctly identifying a screwdriver. Thanks to the Handy Manny section in Disney Junior magazine, she is also familiar with a crane, forklift, digger, and excavator (which, she told me proudly, rhymes with elevator!).
(6) Dora The Explorer while I find Mickey Mouse Clubhouse a better and more educational alternative, this show has its good points as well. Though I'm more fond of the wide variety of Dora books than the oft poor quality animation provided by the TV series (even the original DVD offers little better quality and with no subtitles to boot).
(7) Little Einsteins if you want to introduce your toddler to classical music and fine art, nothing beats the Little Einsteins! They will take your tot on adventures around the world, all the while instilling an early appreciation for culture and arts.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Teaching Babies and Toddlers: Telling Time
If your tot can already recognize numbers (at least 1 to 10), now is a good time to introduce him/her to the concept of time. Start with the simple hours - 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, etc. Don't worry about minutes yet. The important thing is that they can differentiate between the short and long hand and know that they base the hour on the short hand.
Give them a toy clock to practice telling time. It can be as simple as a cardboard clock with movable hands. My favorite find is Joytoy's version, which is readily available at toy stores and National Bookstore. One side of the inexpensive cardboard clock has movable hands while the other side features a clock with no hands - instead, your tot can draw the hands using a dry-erase marker. You can start teaching your child via the movable hands and use the flip side when he/she is a little bit older.
Once your child has a basic idea of how to tell time, you can reinforce the concept by referring to the real clock for times of the day that are important to him/her. For example, just before his/her favorite show comes on, you can say "Look, what time is it? The clock says it's 7 o'clock! That means it's time for Mickey Mouse!". You can also refer to the specific hour of the day that he/she will take a nap, sleep, take a bath, eat, etc. Pretty soon your tot will realize the importance of looking towards the clock in order to tell the time.
Give them a toy clock to practice telling time. It can be as simple as a cardboard clock with movable hands. My favorite find is Joytoy's version, which is readily available at toy stores and National Bookstore. One side of the inexpensive cardboard clock has movable hands while the other side features a clock with no hands - instead, your tot can draw the hands using a dry-erase marker. You can start teaching your child via the movable hands and use the flip side when he/she is a little bit older.
Once your child has a basic idea of how to tell time, you can reinforce the concept by referring to the real clock for times of the day that are important to him/her. For example, just before his/her favorite show comes on, you can say "Look, what time is it? The clock says it's 7 o'clock! That means it's time for Mickey Mouse!". You can also refer to the specific hour of the day that he/she will take a nap, sleep, take a bath, eat, etc. Pretty soon your tot will realize the importance of looking towards the clock in order to tell the time.
Recommended Reading: Top 10 Romance Novels
Hey fellow romance junkie! ;) If you find yourself bored while waiting for the next Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas book to be released, I recommend going through the list of Top 10 Greatest Romance Novels of all time:
http://www.squidoo.com/greatest-romance-novels
Some of these have already graced my bookshelf, but the rest were books and authors I've yet to try. The diversity of the characters and stories in the list of books is quite intruiging. I'm definitely going through each book - who knows? I may yet find a new favorite from a relatively old book. ;)
http://www.squidoo.com/greatest-romance-novels
Some of these have already graced my bookshelf, but the rest were books and authors I've yet to try. The diversity of the characters and stories in the list of books is quite intruiging. I'm definitely going through each book - who knows? I may yet find a new favorite from a relatively old book. ;)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Love So Life - Manga Fix For Mommies
"Shiharu is a high school student who loves kids, lives in an orphanage, and works at a daycare... Until the handsome uncle of two-year-old twins offers her a raise if she'll be their babysitter. Often relying on memories of her mother's actions for guidance, Shiharu quickly finds herself falling in love with her new makeshift family." - Love So Life, mangareader.net
Lately I've found myself addicted to this series. While I find the sloooow build up of the potential love story between a high school girl and the famous uncle a bit absurd (I honestly don't know where they're going with this and there are already 27 chapters out), the accurate portrayal of the two-year-old twins is enough to keep me hooked. They can be adorable and loving in one panel and throw full-fledged tantrums the next. They are also almost always in matching clothing or costumes, cranking up the cuteness factor by several notches. Their relationships with Shiharu and their uncle is also interesting. While their uncle always talks to them in an adult manner and ends up with blank-faced expressions (or a whole lot of crying), Shiharu often finds a means of explaining things in a way that is understood by toddlers. Using her memories of her late mother to guide her in certain situations with the twins makes for a heartwarming read.
So if you ever find yourself frustrated with your tot, try going through a few chapters of Love So Life - you'll find yourself laughing and remembering what it is that makes your toddler special, while at the same time, realizing that toddlers all over the world are throwing fits and driving their parents/babysitters nuts too! Who knows? Some of Shiharu's tricks just might work on your willful tot as well ;)
Lately I've found myself addicted to this series. While I find the sloooow build up of the potential love story between a high school girl and the famous uncle a bit absurd (I honestly don't know where they're going with this and there are already 27 chapters out), the accurate portrayal of the two-year-old twins is enough to keep me hooked. They can be adorable and loving in one panel and throw full-fledged tantrums the next. They are also almost always in matching clothing or costumes, cranking up the cuteness factor by several notches. Their relationships with Shiharu and their uncle is also interesting. While their uncle always talks to them in an adult manner and ends up with blank-faced expressions (or a whole lot of crying), Shiharu often finds a means of explaining things in a way that is understood by toddlers. Using her memories of her late mother to guide her in certain situations with the twins makes for a heartwarming read.
So if you ever find yourself frustrated with your tot, try going through a few chapters of Love So Life - you'll find yourself laughing and remembering what it is that makes your toddler special, while at the same time, realizing that toddlers all over the world are throwing fits and driving their parents/babysitters nuts too! Who knows? Some of Shiharu's tricks just might work on your willful tot as well ;)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Work At Home Mothers - Dissecting Myth From Reality
Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Is it possible to work at home and still earn more than your past day job? Absolutely! In this age of high speed Internet connectivity, mobile devices, and numerous networking sites, there is no reason you cannot work in the confines of your own personal space, in the comfort of hearth and home.
So then you start to wonder - why don't more people do it? Why don't I do it? It's the ultimate dream job - I get to be my own boss, work at my own time and pace, spend more time with the kids, and still earn enough to...
Stop right there. Yes, it is possible to work from home. Yes, so many people have successfully set up businesses in their own houses, sold products online, became true-blue "entrepreneurs" and earned a bundle. Yes, several more people are living solely on online jobs, making use of skills such as writing, editing, programming, transcribing, clerical/secreterial work, bookkeeping, etc...
...and they do so by exerting more time and effort than is required in a 8AM-5PM day job.
Most people have the misconception that working at home equates to a cushy job with less hours and more pay. However, you will soon find that attempting to get a job done within the prescribed deadline can be quite stressful and challenging amidst constant disruptions such as telephone calls, a baby that doesn't sleep, children screaming while you're in that all-important meeting, deliveries, pesky salesmen, laundry that won't wash themselves...and oh, is it time to prepare lunch already?
You may be your own boss, but without someone to push and drive you towards completing your deliverables, you will need an extreme sense of responsibility, resourcefulness, and diligence to do it on your own - after all, there's no one around to help you! You will then discover that toiling this close to the TV, PS3/XBOX, fridge, and that cute-as-a-button toddler who wants to play with you is a form of torture in itself. Eventually, you will realize that by the time you've completed your tasks for the day, you've put in the same amount of hours as you've done in an office - likely even more.
Trying to start your own business is even worse. If you want to earn enough to merit quitting your day job, you will spend most of your waking hours (and a good bit of the ones you normally use for sleeping) making and selling your product, and catering to discerning, pushy clients.
With the right frame of mind and a proper set of expectations, however, you can work from home and earn a good deal of money. Here are some of the many opportunities available for you:
(1) Find online jobs that suit your skills - The most popular of which are content/SEO writing, programming, virtual assistance, web design, and transcribing. The hardest thing about this would be filtering the scams and non-paying employers from the legitimate ones. Pinoy Home Worker provides tips, information, and sites to help get you started.
(2) Start an online business - While this may be the most rewarding of jobs, this is also the most grueling. There is no longer an "office" or "company" that handles all the little details of tax, inventory, bookkeeping and expenses - it's all in your hands now. The good news is that there are a lot of resources - both offline and online - to guide you on your path to entrepreneurship. If you're new to online selling, Multiply and Sulit are good places to start. Make the most of seminars and expos to gain more ideas, suppliers, clients, and contacts.
(3) Offer tutorial services - More and more working parents are turning to tutors to help their children cope with the current school system, which, in the recent years, has began the trend of bombarding students with tons of projects, assignments, fast-paced learning and foreign methods (Singapore math, anyone?). If you're already helping your child with his/her studies, you may want to consider adding 1-2 more kids to earn extra money. Who knows? This may be the beginning of your new career as a tutor/teacher.
(4) Bake/Cater - If you're handy in the kitchen, you'll be loved by moms who are not. Sell cakes and brownies (these are very popular as party souvenirs) or make packed lunches or meals for moms who are too busy to cook (or just don't know how!).
(5) Write A Book - Seriously, if you have a great story to tell, write it. Gone are the days when you have to print several copies of your work, send it to a publisher via snail mail (with a SASE, of course) and wait several months for a rejection letter. There are a lot of online publications that pay well - and deal with you electronically. Duotrope's Digest is a good source for such publishers. The downside to this profession is that it make take years before you get your big break - unless your name is JK Rowling or Stephenie Meyer.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Rainy Day Activities for the Active Toddler
Rainy days + Active toddlers = Stressed Out Mommies!
Here are some activities to keep toddlers busy while waiting for Mr. Sun to reappear (assuming that you don't want your TV tuned to Disney Junior all day):
(1) RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT. When you shout "Green Light", your toddler is free to run around. When you shout "Red Light", he/she has to freeze until you say "Green Light" again. My daughter loves this game and it does come in handy. Once, my tot was running straight for disaster and wouldn't stop no matter what we shouted. I finally screamed, "RED LIGHT!!!" and she automatically froze.
(2) HUNT AND GATHER. Arm your tot with a basket or bucket and have him/her gather toy bugs, fruits/vegetables, easter eggs, etc. (depending on what toys are readily available) that you have scattered (or hidden) around the house. You can have your toddler count or identify the objects along the way.
(3) BUILD A FORT. Tie a blanket to some furniture to make a makeshift tent/fort so your child can have a pretend campout within your home! Note that if you do this once, your tot will likely ask you to do it again and again. Proceed with caution unless you're cool with seeing a blanket draped over your furniture every now and then.
(4) GET CRAFTY. It can be something as simple as getting out the crayons, paint, and coloring books, or an arts and crafts project (Want more? Check out Toddler Craft). This is a good opportunity to bond with your child. I often sit quietly and paint/color along with my tot. It's a great way to wind down and de-stress.
(5) HIDE AND SEEK. Nothing beats a classic! Have your child close his/her eyes and count to ten while you find a suitable hiding place. Then the search begins! This teaches your child to wait patiently and practice counting skills while engaging in fun and active play. If your toddler is too young, you might want to consider having someone guide him/her through the process of the game.
(6) HOP ABOARD! Have your tot hold on to your waist and march around the house as you pretend to be a boat, plane, train, or car. Sing songs (i.e., Row, Row Your Boat) as you move along. Grab Daddy, Granny, Yaya, or whoever you pass by to make a longer (and merrier!) line.
(7) DANCE! Crank up the music and let loose! Bring out some toy instruments (maracas, castanets, tambourine, drums) to add to the fun.
(8) HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, and TOES. Another classic activity that helps your tot learn about body parts. Click here for the music and lyrics for this and other popular children's songs.
(9) THUMB THROUGH OLD PHOTO ALBUMS. Take this time to reminisce and teach your toddler about your family as you show him/her your family photos.
(10) READ A BOOK. If you haven't had the time to sit down and read to your child, now is the perfect time to do so. :)
Have fun, hang loose, and don't worry - the sun will shine again!
Here are some activities to keep toddlers busy while waiting for Mr. Sun to reappear (assuming that you don't want your TV tuned to Disney Junior all day):
(1) RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT. When you shout "Green Light", your toddler is free to run around. When you shout "Red Light", he/she has to freeze until you say "Green Light" again. My daughter loves this game and it does come in handy. Once, my tot was running straight for disaster and wouldn't stop no matter what we shouted. I finally screamed, "RED LIGHT!!!" and she automatically froze.
(2) HUNT AND GATHER. Arm your tot with a basket or bucket and have him/her gather toy bugs, fruits/vegetables, easter eggs, etc. (depending on what toys are readily available) that you have scattered (or hidden) around the house. You can have your toddler count or identify the objects along the way.
(3) BUILD A FORT. Tie a blanket to some furniture to make a makeshift tent/fort so your child can have a pretend campout within your home! Note that if you do this once, your tot will likely ask you to do it again and again. Proceed with caution unless you're cool with seeing a blanket draped over your furniture every now and then.
(4) GET CRAFTY. It can be something as simple as getting out the crayons, paint, and coloring books, or an arts and crafts project (Want more? Check out Toddler Craft). This is a good opportunity to bond with your child. I often sit quietly and paint/color along with my tot. It's a great way to wind down and de-stress.
(5) HIDE AND SEEK. Nothing beats a classic! Have your child close his/her eyes and count to ten while you find a suitable hiding place. Then the search begins! This teaches your child to wait patiently and practice counting skills while engaging in fun and active play. If your toddler is too young, you might want to consider having someone guide him/her through the process of the game.
(6) HOP ABOARD! Have your tot hold on to your waist and march around the house as you pretend to be a boat, plane, train, or car. Sing songs (i.e., Row, Row Your Boat) as you move along. Grab Daddy, Granny, Yaya, or whoever you pass by to make a longer (and merrier!) line.
(7) DANCE! Crank up the music and let loose! Bring out some toy instruments (maracas, castanets, tambourine, drums) to add to the fun.
(8) HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, and TOES. Another classic activity that helps your tot learn about body parts. Click here for the music and lyrics for this and other popular children's songs.
(9) THUMB THROUGH OLD PHOTO ALBUMS. Take this time to reminisce and teach your toddler about your family as you show him/her your family photos.
(10) READ A BOOK. If you haven't had the time to sit down and read to your child, now is the perfect time to do so. :)
Have fun, hang loose, and don't worry - the sun will shine again!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 2)
As promised in my previous post, below are the remaining games in my Top 10 list of handheld games for moms:
(6) Final Fantasy (DS/PSP) - I've yet to meet an RPG fan who did not get his/her hands dirty with this best-selling series! DS ups the ante of the classic FFIII (not to be confused with FFVI, this is the real deal) and FFIV by delivering it in all its 3D glory. Relive these timeless tales with 3D graphics that simply make you lose yourself in the game. You can also control the characters via the stylus and touch screen. Die-hard FF fans can get a chance to play the game that started it all - FFI - on the PSP. FFII is also available on PSP, completing the Final Fantasy experience. Still itching for more? In yet another remake of FFIV, "FFIV The Complete Collection" offers the original game, the sequel (FFIV The After Years), and an additional game that ties them together. While the reuse of dungeons got a tad monotonous (it is the same world, after all), the chance to relive the experience with much beloved characters is too enticing to ignore.
(7) Jeanne D'Arc (PSP) - This game plays just like Final Fantasy Tactics - minus the complexity and lengthy gameplay, leaving you with a stunning, fantastical tale about the famed Joan of Arc. Words can not bring to justice the spectular art and story it has to offer. The game is, simply put, lovely to behold. And for once, the English dubbing (rife with authentic French accents) is actually worth listening to. I await the day that Level 5 produces another tactical RPG at par with this masterpiece.
(8) Puzzle Quest (PSP/DS) - It's Bejeweled. With Sword and Sorcery. With an actual story! It has the addictive elements of a Tetris game, with the added depth of completing an adventure. The game offers a choice of different characters to play. While the main storyline remains the same, the variety of character classes can lead you to change your battle strategy (assuming you choose to play the game again with a another character choice). The PSP purportedly delivers better graphics than the DS version, but it comes with a bug - the special abilities of the companions you gather throughout the game will have no effect whatsoever. The developers have admitted to this bug and there should be a patch available, but if you have a DS, may as well use that and spare yourself the added chore.
(9) Cooking Mama (DS) - Here's a game that makes full use of the DS touchscreen! Chop, peel, stir, and cook your way through Mama's colorful and scrumptious-looking dishes! It's a fun way for moms to destress and is especially appreciated by moms with no real-life cooking talent whatsoever (myself included!). Cooking Mama for DS has since spawned two sequels (Cooking Mama: Dinner With Friends and Cooking Mama: Chop and Shop) and two spin-offs (Gardening Mama and Crafting Mama).
(10) Half-Minute Hero (PSP) - No one appreciates the value of your time as much as this game's protagonist, who only has 30 seconds to defeat the evil villain before it blows up the world. And that's just the Hero mode. To get larger picture, you have to complete all 6 modes, and every one of them has the same 30-second deadline (Evil Lord 30 Mode, Princess 30 Mode, Knight 30 Mode, Hero 300 Mode, Hero 3 Mode) save for the Hero 300 and Hero 3 modes, which gives you 300 and 3 seconds respectively to defeat the boss. Sounds absurd? You better believe it! There are certain bonuses and a Time Goddess available to help you reset that precious 30 seconds so every mission is doable - and undeniably addictive in its silliness and humor. Your first encounter with the Time Goddess is testament to how absurd the rest of the game and its characters are.
That completes my list - I'm sure I'll come up with another in the far future, what will all the new games, consoles, and innovations popping out of the woodwork. Until then - Happy Gaming!
(6) Final Fantasy (DS/PSP) - I've yet to meet an RPG fan who did not get his/her hands dirty with this best-selling series! DS ups the ante of the classic FFIII (not to be confused with FFVI, this is the real deal) and FFIV by delivering it in all its 3D glory. Relive these timeless tales with 3D graphics that simply make you lose yourself in the game. You can also control the characters via the stylus and touch screen. Die-hard FF fans can get a chance to play the game that started it all - FFI - on the PSP. FFII is also available on PSP, completing the Final Fantasy experience. Still itching for more? In yet another remake of FFIV, "FFIV The Complete Collection" offers the original game, the sequel (FFIV The After Years), and an additional game that ties them together. While the reuse of dungeons got a tad monotonous (it is the same world, after all), the chance to relive the experience with much beloved characters is too enticing to ignore.
(7) Jeanne D'Arc (PSP) - This game plays just like Final Fantasy Tactics - minus the complexity and lengthy gameplay, leaving you with a stunning, fantastical tale about the famed Joan of Arc. Words can not bring to justice the spectular art and story it has to offer. The game is, simply put, lovely to behold. And for once, the English dubbing (rife with authentic French accents) is actually worth listening to. I await the day that Level 5 produces another tactical RPG at par with this masterpiece.
(8) Puzzle Quest (PSP/DS) - It's Bejeweled. With Sword and Sorcery. With an actual story! It has the addictive elements of a Tetris game, with the added depth of completing an adventure. The game offers a choice of different characters to play. While the main storyline remains the same, the variety of character classes can lead you to change your battle strategy (assuming you choose to play the game again with a another character choice). The PSP purportedly delivers better graphics than the DS version, but it comes with a bug - the special abilities of the companions you gather throughout the game will have no effect whatsoever. The developers have admitted to this bug and there should be a patch available, but if you have a DS, may as well use that and spare yourself the added chore.
(9) Cooking Mama (DS) - Here's a game that makes full use of the DS touchscreen! Chop, peel, stir, and cook your way through Mama's colorful and scrumptious-looking dishes! It's a fun way for moms to destress and is especially appreciated by moms with no real-life cooking talent whatsoever (myself included!). Cooking Mama for DS has since spawned two sequels (Cooking Mama: Dinner With Friends and Cooking Mama: Chop and Shop) and two spin-offs (Gardening Mama and Crafting Mama).
(10) Half-Minute Hero (PSP) - No one appreciates the value of your time as much as this game's protagonist, who only has 30 seconds to defeat the evil villain before it blows up the world. And that's just the Hero mode. To get larger picture, you have to complete all 6 modes, and every one of them has the same 30-second deadline (Evil Lord 30 Mode, Princess 30 Mode, Knight 30 Mode, Hero 300 Mode, Hero 3 Mode) save for the Hero 300 and Hero 3 modes, which gives you 300 and 3 seconds respectively to defeat the boss. Sounds absurd? You better believe it! There are certain bonuses and a Time Goddess available to help you reset that precious 30 seconds so every mission is doable - and undeniably addictive in its silliness and humor. Your first encounter with the Time Goddess is testament to how absurd the rest of the game and its characters are.
That completes my list - I'm sure I'll come up with another in the far future, what will all the new games, consoles, and innovations popping out of the woodwork. Until then - Happy Gaming!
Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 1)
As mentioned in my first post in this series, I lean towards games that do not fry my brain (which is already quite fried as it is), are easy to put down and pick up again at any point, but still engage me in some way - through a straightforward yet breathtaking storyline, humorous characters, or some other unique aspect that the game developer managed to inject without the need for complex controls or graphics. Handheld devices such as PSP and DS are true gems for the multitasking mom who is always on the go. PSP gains extra points for remembering where I left off even after turning it off without saving. The first generations of DS should be lauded for its backwards compatibility with classic GBA games.
So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):
(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.
(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).
(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.
(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!
(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.
While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).
Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!
So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):
(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.
(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).
(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.
(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!
(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.
While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).
Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Toilet Training: Tips, Trials, and Tribulations
As is evident in the numerous articles, tips, and mommy tales on the subject - the right approach to potty training appears to be a case-to-case basis. Below is my own personal experience in training my tot, as well as the highs and lows of the process.
(1) We started by showing my daughter how the rest of us use the toilet to help her get used to the idea. There are also a lot of books (FisherPrice, Dora, etc.) available to introduce your toddler to the concept of using the toilet or potty.
(2) As soon as my daughter was able to sit on her own, we started sitting her on the toilet whenever she would poop. This takes a lot of patience and alertness on the part of the parent/caregiver. The moment we see her put on her "poop" face, we would rush her to the toilet and told her that this was "poo poo". Eventually she was able to say "poo poo" before the actual deed, giving us ample time to find a restroom. We have not yet transitioned her from diapers to underwear at this point.
(3) At around 18 months, when my daughter was already able to communicate with us using words and short phrases, we started removing her diapers and putting her in underwear for a couple of hours every morning. This involved a lot of accidents at first, afterwhich we would explain that this was "pee pee" and she should use the potty to avoid getting wet. The adjustment time varies. This was done to my niece when she was 2 years old and she was so disgusted after she wet herself that she immediately took to the potty. My daughter took a bit longer. For a few days, I sat her on the toilet during times when I expect her to pee, such as right after waking up and after snacks. When we did away with the diaper entirely, I sat her at least once every 1-2 hours. One of my neighbors put her daughter on the toilet every 15 minutes, but I think this may have been a little extreme. Eventually my daughter managed to say "poo poo" and allowed us to rush her to the nearest toilet before relieving herself.
(4) Sometimes a reward system helps. Most books on potty training come with stickers to give to a toddler for every successful use of the potty. Since I did not allow my daughter to eat sweets or candy, we got into the habit of giving her a marshmallow every time she used the potty.
(5) At first, I thought having her use the toilet directly was a good thing, but soon discovered why a potty was handier - particularly while traveling. The farther we traveled, it became increasingly difficult to find a clean public toilet and my daughter refused to use the potty. She started holding her pee until we got home which put her at risk for urinary tract infection. Thus, we trained her to use a potty at home. Now she's able to adjust and use either a toilet or a potty. We've took it up a notch by teaching her to use a potty for "pee" and the toilet for "poop".
(6) Teach your tot early on to wash up after relieving himself/herself.
(7) It's good to get a toilet seat made especially for toddler and young children - the type you place on top of your own toilet - to lessen the risk of them falling in. Make sure to check if you're using a regular or elongated toilet in order to buy the appropriate seat.
(8) Make sure your child uses the toilet before he/she sleeps. This lessens the probability of wetting the bed.
My daughter was fully toilet trained by age 2. She was the one who told me when she didn't want to wear diapers anymore. We've had some instances of her "wetting the bed" and for the longest time, poo-poo and pee-pee were both "poo-poo" to her, but we eventually worked out the kinks. This process takes a lot of patience and practice on both your parts. The important thing is to keep at it and not to be discouraged. Everyone eventually gets it right. My favorite advice on this subject is from a parenting magazine I once read that said (loosely translated as I don't remember the exact wording) "you don't see seven-year-old kids running around in diapers - a sure sign that at some point, all kids learn how to use a toilet".
(1) We started by showing my daughter how the rest of us use the toilet to help her get used to the idea. There are also a lot of books (FisherPrice, Dora, etc.) available to introduce your toddler to the concept of using the toilet or potty.
(2) As soon as my daughter was able to sit on her own, we started sitting her on the toilet whenever she would poop. This takes a lot of patience and alertness on the part of the parent/caregiver. The moment we see her put on her "poop" face, we would rush her to the toilet and told her that this was "poo poo". Eventually she was able to say "poo poo" before the actual deed, giving us ample time to find a restroom. We have not yet transitioned her from diapers to underwear at this point.
(3) At around 18 months, when my daughter was already able to communicate with us using words and short phrases, we started removing her diapers and putting her in underwear for a couple of hours every morning. This involved a lot of accidents at first, afterwhich we would explain that this was "pee pee" and she should use the potty to avoid getting wet. The adjustment time varies. This was done to my niece when she was 2 years old and she was so disgusted after she wet herself that she immediately took to the potty. My daughter took a bit longer. For a few days, I sat her on the toilet during times when I expect her to pee, such as right after waking up and after snacks. When we did away with the diaper entirely, I sat her at least once every 1-2 hours. One of my neighbors put her daughter on the toilet every 15 minutes, but I think this may have been a little extreme. Eventually my daughter managed to say "poo poo" and allowed us to rush her to the nearest toilet before relieving herself.
(4) Sometimes a reward system helps. Most books on potty training come with stickers to give to a toddler for every successful use of the potty. Since I did not allow my daughter to eat sweets or candy, we got into the habit of giving her a marshmallow every time she used the potty.
(5) At first, I thought having her use the toilet directly was a good thing, but soon discovered why a potty was handier - particularly while traveling. The farther we traveled, it became increasingly difficult to find a clean public toilet and my daughter refused to use the potty. She started holding her pee until we got home which put her at risk for urinary tract infection. Thus, we trained her to use a potty at home. Now she's able to adjust and use either a toilet or a potty. We've took it up a notch by teaching her to use a potty for "pee" and the toilet for "poop".
(6) Teach your tot early on to wash up after relieving himself/herself.
(7) It's good to get a toilet seat made especially for toddler and young children - the type you place on top of your own toilet - to lessen the risk of them falling in. Make sure to check if you're using a regular or elongated toilet in order to buy the appropriate seat.
(8) Make sure your child uses the toilet before he/she sleeps. This lessens the probability of wetting the bed.
My daughter was fully toilet trained by age 2. She was the one who told me when she didn't want to wear diapers anymore. We've had some instances of her "wetting the bed" and for the longest time, poo-poo and pee-pee were both "poo-poo" to her, but we eventually worked out the kinks. This process takes a lot of patience and practice on both your parts. The important thing is to keep at it and not to be discouraged. Everyone eventually gets it right. My favorite advice on this subject is from a parenting magazine I once read that said (loosely translated as I don't remember the exact wording) "you don't see seven-year-old kids running around in diapers - a sure sign that at some point, all kids learn how to use a toilet".
Format and Headers and Page Numbers, Oh My!
In submitting stories to fantasy and science fiction publications, I normally follow (unless otherwise specified by the guidelines) Proper Manuscript Format by William Shunn. It's simple, easy to follow, and is accepted by most publications. Best of all, removing the standard header (Last Name / Title / Page Number) from the first page is as simple as ticking Different First Page in the Header design box of Microsoft Word.
But what if you're required to follow a different format, like say, Manuscript Preparation by Vonda McIntyre, that requires a cover page? Now your header has to start on the third page instead of the second. All of a sudden, Different First Page property just won't cut it anymore.
What you need to do is introduce sections in your document, so Microsoft Word can identify the different types of headers (or lack thereof) that you require for each section. Here's an article that shows you how to do this, particularly, how to remove the header from the second page.
Now you think you're all set, but not quite yet. You realize your first header shows the page number "3", when it should start at "2" (i.e., disregard the cover page in the numbering). You need to tweak the page number properties to get this right. Here's another article that shows you how to start page numbering on page 2.
Hope this helps! Keep on writing!
But what if you're required to follow a different format, like say, Manuscript Preparation by Vonda McIntyre, that requires a cover page? Now your header has to start on the third page instead of the second. All of a sudden, Different First Page property just won't cut it anymore.
What you need to do is introduce sections in your document, so Microsoft Word can identify the different types of headers (or lack thereof) that you require for each section. Here's an article that shows you how to do this, particularly, how to remove the header from the second page.
Now you think you're all set, but not quite yet. You realize your first header shows the page number "3", when it should start at "2" (i.e., disregard the cover page in the numbering). You need to tweak the page number properties to get this right. Here's another article that shows you how to start page numbering on page 2.
Hope this helps! Keep on writing!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Choking Hazards
As a new mom, one of my early fears was dealing with a choking baby. We often see toys labeled "not for children under 3 years" or "choking hazard" so we know from the get-go that it does happen and it's no laughing matter. So what are the things babies can accidentally swallow and what do you do when faced with this kind of emergency? Below are a couple of links to articles that are very helpful in this regard (courtesy of BabyZone):
Top 10 Things Kids Accidentally Swallow
What To Do If Baby Is Choking
Top 10 Things Kids Accidentally Swallow
What To Do If Baby Is Choking
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tot's Doctor Blues
How do you convince your baby that a trip to the doctor's clinic, which usually starts as a routine check and ends with a painful injection, is not as torturous as it appears to be? While some infants take it all in a stride, there are those who wail, scream, and kick through the entire process from the moment they see the person in the white coat until you settle the bill at the receptionist's desk and head for the exit. My baby falls in the latter category. Unfortunately, convincing someone who can only stare up at you with those big, innocent, "why me?" eyes that vac-ci-na-tion is for their own good is a pretty hard sell. Not to worry though - they eventually grow out of it, and here are some steps to help them along:
Once your tot hits the toddler years, you can start using books and toys to help him/her understand what a doctor does and why. Fans of Dora The Explorer can turn to the "Dora Goes to the Doctor" book, while those who prefer Mickey Mouse can try "Dr. Daisy". Some FisherPrice books also feature doctor characters. You can help your toddler relate to the books by letting them play doctor with a toy doctor's kit (available is most toy stores). Once they get the basic concept down pat, you can engage in pretend play with your tot as the doctor and his/her stuffed toys (or mommy and daddy) as the patients.
On our last trip to the doctor's office, my daughter was already familiar with the stethoscope, thermometer, and other tools; and actually seemed eager to see the real things in action. Finally, an entire session without the tears and screams. We bought her a small toy at the hospital gift shop to celebrate the milestone.
Once your tot hits the toddler years, you can start using books and toys to help him/her understand what a doctor does and why. Fans of Dora The Explorer can turn to the "Dora Goes to the Doctor" book, while those who prefer Mickey Mouse can try "Dr. Daisy". Some FisherPrice books also feature doctor characters. You can help your toddler relate to the books by letting them play doctor with a toy doctor's kit (available is most toy stores). Once they get the basic concept down pat, you can engage in pretend play with your tot as the doctor and his/her stuffed toys (or mommy and daddy) as the patients.
On our last trip to the doctor's office, my daughter was already familiar with the stethoscope, thermometer, and other tools; and actually seemed eager to see the real things in action. Finally, an entire session without the tears and screams. We bought her a small toy at the hospital gift shop to celebrate the milestone.
Friday, July 22, 2011
60th Birthday Party
My mother envisioned a small affair with close friends and relatives to celebrate her 60th birthday party. She wanted a simple dinner incorporating her two great loves - the color red and dancing (my father passed away three years ago, so I'm sure he'll forgive me for the omission ;)). Below are the suppliers, activities, and themes that contributed to the success of the dinner-dance party:
(1) ATTIRE: Smart casual, though everyone was requested to wear red. It came out great in the photos and the guests were comfortable dancing in their casual attire
(2) FLOWERS and WINE: We had the caterer arrange a small bouquet of red roses around each wine bottle. The combination of flowers and wine bottle was used as a centerpiece for each table.
(3) SOUVENIRS: Can't go wrong with a photobooth! We hired MyPhotos for the event. They were a few minutes late (though admittedly, I only advised them of the change in schedule on the day of the party), but extended an extra hour free of charge in order to make up for it. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and efficient; and the quality of the photos turned out great. Their rate is also much lower compared to other photobooths. In addition, customized layout is already part of their basic package and they knock P1000 off the price if you provide your own background tarpauline (or just forego a personalized backdrop altogether).
(4) LIGHTS and SOUNDS: Unlike other suppliers that gave me complex specifications with matching whopping price tags, AUDIOBITES Lights and Sounds provided a list of equipment and services that fit our theme and venue size at an affordable cost. Their staff was prompt, professional, courteous, and worked with little direction (i.e., I simply provided them with the program and they took care of the music selection, lights, and sound effects). Their equipment was of good quality; the sound was clear throughout the function room and their timing was on the mark every time. Our guests and the birthday celebrant had a lot of good feedback for this particular supplier; I will definitely touch base with them again for our next event.
(5) CATERING: We've hired Semira's Catering (semira_catering@yahoo.com) time and again for our events. They offer a great selection of food with good rates (i.e., at P350/head, we had soup, salad, pasta, beef, fish, chicken, shrimp, rice, dessert, and drinks along with a buffet set-up that came with a mini fountain). They can also offer simple table set-ups and floral arrangements. We just made a mental note to advise them not to scrimp on the sauce and dressing next time ;)
(6) PROGRAM: Mom got a friend to host (he is also a professional dance instructor) along with 2 additional dance instructors to lead the guests in the song and dance activities. Here are some of the games:
(a) Conga Spot Light Dance - All the guests are asked to join a conga line dance that goes around the room and ends on the stage. Whoever the spot light is on at the end of the dance is declared the winner.
(b) Follow The Leader - One person on a stage is the dance leader. Whoever cannot follow the dance leader's moves or loses his/her balance is out of the game. When the music stops, whoever does not freeze is also out of the game. Game continues until only one person is left with the dance leader.
(c) What's In A Name? - The guests were divided into two groups - boys against girls. Each group had to come up with a song whose title features a person's name. Of course, they have to sing part of the song for it to count. The game ends when one group can no longer come up with a song or sings a song whose title does not feature a valid name.
(d) Karaoke Contest - We hooked up a Magic Mic to the projector. In between the activities and games, the host drew two names out of a hat. The chosen guests were asked to choose a song and sing along karaoke style. At the end of the party, the guests with the lowest and highest scores were awarded prizes.
(e) Musical Magnets (extra game we didn't get to play) - A musical take on "The Boat Is Sinking". Guests must dance while the music is playing. Periodically, the music is stopped and the host calls out a number. Guests must form into groups of that number. People without a group are out of the game. Game ends when there are only three participants left - the host will call out "2" and the pair that form the last group will win the game.
(7) CAKE: I still prefer Goldilocks in terms of taste and variety of available designs. They are also quite flexible in customizing an existing cake design to fit the party color and motif.
(8) PERSONALIZED TOUCH: I had my two-year-old daughter lead the prayer and Happy Birthday song. We also prepared an audio-visual presentation featuring photographs from her 60 years, that we played during dinner. Close friends and relatives gave a couple of speeches in between games.
(1) ATTIRE: Smart casual, though everyone was requested to wear red. It came out great in the photos and the guests were comfortable dancing in their casual attire
(2) FLOWERS and WINE: We had the caterer arrange a small bouquet of red roses around each wine bottle. The combination of flowers and wine bottle was used as a centerpiece for each table.
(3) SOUVENIRS: Can't go wrong with a photobooth! We hired MyPhotos for the event. They were a few minutes late (though admittedly, I only advised them of the change in schedule on the day of the party), but extended an extra hour free of charge in order to make up for it. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and efficient; and the quality of the photos turned out great. Their rate is also much lower compared to other photobooths. In addition, customized layout is already part of their basic package and they knock P1000 off the price if you provide your own background tarpauline (or just forego a personalized backdrop altogether).
(4) LIGHTS and SOUNDS: Unlike other suppliers that gave me complex specifications with matching whopping price tags, AUDIOBITES Lights and Sounds provided a list of equipment and services that fit our theme and venue size at an affordable cost. Their staff was prompt, professional, courteous, and worked with little direction (i.e., I simply provided them with the program and they took care of the music selection, lights, and sound effects). Their equipment was of good quality; the sound was clear throughout the function room and their timing was on the mark every time. Our guests and the birthday celebrant had a lot of good feedback for this particular supplier; I will definitely touch base with them again for our next event.
(5) CATERING: We've hired Semira's Catering (semira_catering@yahoo.com) time and again for our events. They offer a great selection of food with good rates (i.e., at P350/head, we had soup, salad, pasta, beef, fish, chicken, shrimp, rice, dessert, and drinks along with a buffet set-up that came with a mini fountain). They can also offer simple table set-ups and floral arrangements. We just made a mental note to advise them not to scrimp on the sauce and dressing next time ;)
(6) PROGRAM: Mom got a friend to host (he is also a professional dance instructor) along with 2 additional dance instructors to lead the guests in the song and dance activities. Here are some of the games:
(a) Conga Spot Light Dance - All the guests are asked to join a conga line dance that goes around the room and ends on the stage. Whoever the spot light is on at the end of the dance is declared the winner.
(b) Follow The Leader - One person on a stage is the dance leader. Whoever cannot follow the dance leader's moves or loses his/her balance is out of the game. When the music stops, whoever does not freeze is also out of the game. Game continues until only one person is left with the dance leader.
(c) What's In A Name? - The guests were divided into two groups - boys against girls. Each group had to come up with a song whose title features a person's name. Of course, they have to sing part of the song for it to count. The game ends when one group can no longer come up with a song or sings a song whose title does not feature a valid name.
(d) Karaoke Contest - We hooked up a Magic Mic to the projector. In between the activities and games, the host drew two names out of a hat. The chosen guests were asked to choose a song and sing along karaoke style. At the end of the party, the guests with the lowest and highest scores were awarded prizes.
(e) Musical Magnets (extra game we didn't get to play) - A musical take on "The Boat Is Sinking". Guests must dance while the music is playing. Periodically, the music is stopped and the host calls out a number. Guests must form into groups of that number. People without a group are out of the game. Game ends when there are only three participants left - the host will call out "2" and the pair that form the last group will win the game.
(7) CAKE: I still prefer Goldilocks in terms of taste and variety of available designs. They are also quite flexible in customizing an existing cake design to fit the party color and motif.
(8) PERSONALIZED TOUCH: I had my two-year-old daughter lead the prayer and Happy Birthday song. We also prepared an audio-visual presentation featuring photographs from her 60 years, that we played during dinner. Close friends and relatives gave a couple of speeches in between games.
Monday, July 18, 2011
I Have Two Hands...I Can Help Clean Up!
Cleaning up after oneself is a good habit to teach early on, one that will surely benefit your tot (and you!) as he/she grows older. You can start by having your toddler pack away his/her toys before moving on to another activity (or tuning in to Nick Jr and Disney Jr). Always have him/her assist you or the yaya in keeping toys and books after playtime. If you are finding it difficult to engage your child in something as mundane as cleaning up, you can turn it into a game and eventually, he/she will get into the habit of packing up. Here are some tips to help your toddler get in the swing of things:
(1) Sing a special song for cleaning up. You can look up these tunes that may already be familiar to your child:
Barney's version (Let's Go To The Firehouse): Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere; Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share
Dora's version (Dora Saves The Mermaids): Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up! Everyone everywhere!
Gymboree version: This is the way we pack away, pack away, pack away. This is the way we pack away here at [Gymboree] -> instead of "Gymboree", you can change to "[child's name] house"
(2) Make a game of it. Have your toddler toss the balls into a basket. Challenge him/her to arrange her toys by type, color, or size.
(3) Engage in pretend play. My daughter pretends that her table and boxes make up a "toy store" and her bookshelf is a "book store". She has to properly arrange the items she "sells" and "buys".
(4) Teach your child to pack away gently (i.e., do not throw) so that the toys and books remain in good condition.
(5) Do as you teach. Help him/her pack away and show him/her that you also clean up after work or play.
(1) Sing a special song for cleaning up. You can look up these tunes that may already be familiar to your child:
Barney's version (Let's Go To The Firehouse): Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere; Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share
Dora's version (Dora Saves The Mermaids): Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up! Everyone everywhere!
Gymboree version: This is the way we pack away, pack away, pack away. This is the way we pack away here at [Gymboree] -> instead of "Gymboree", you can change to "[child's name] house"
(2) Make a game of it. Have your toddler toss the balls into a basket. Challenge him/her to arrange her toys by type, color, or size.
(3) Engage in pretend play. My daughter pretends that her table and boxes make up a "toy store" and her bookshelf is a "book store". She has to properly arrange the items she "sells" and "buys".
(4) Teach your child to pack away gently (i.e., do not throw) so that the toys and books remain in good condition.
(5) Do as you teach. Help him/her pack away and show him/her that you also clean up after work or play.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Taste Makes All The Difference...
The sales representative at Mercury Drugstore suggested Natravox as a better tasting alternative to Augmentin. I checked my pedia's prescription and it was on the list of options for my tot's antibiotics, so we got a bottle and tried it out. Finally - a full dose of medicine without the kicking, screaming, spitting up, and vomitting! My daughter claims that it tastes just like chocolate. *Whew.
* Both Natravox and Augmentin are still in powder form when you purchase them, but you can ask the staff at the drugstore to prepare (i.e., mix in the water) it for you.
* Both Natravox and Augmentin are still in powder form when you purchase them, but you can ask the staff at the drugstore to prepare (i.e., mix in the water) it for you.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
How To Make A Toddler Take Medicine
My toddler has a throat infection and refuses to eat much or drink her milk. She was prescribed an antibiotic, but the challenge was getting her to take it. I tried the direct approach which led to a full blown tantrum and ultimately, vommitting out the medicine and what little she had eaten that day (this was very painful to watch!).
My mother suggested mixing in the syrup from my tot's favorite jelly. I extracted the red syrup from strawberry jelly, mixed it with the medicine, and finally managed to get my daughter to ingest it with little fuss. Here are some other tips I picked up from friends and other online articles:
(1) Mix with milk - just enough to cover the taste of the medicine. This is the most popular method, but it didn't work for me because my toddler is refusing milk due to her sore throat.
(2) Have the child lick ice or drink cold water first. This supposedly numbs the taste buds - I didn't try this since I thought it might make my daughter's sore throat all the more worse.
(3) Find a better tasting alternative. You can ask your pediatrician, or the staff at the drugstores (you'll be amazed at some of their insights). I used to have a hard time giving my daughter medicine for fever, until we discovered Calpol - it's very tasty and my tot refers to it as "strawberry candy".
(4) As a last resort, an IV may be best if the child is no longer eating or drinking. Pediatrician should be consulted first.
* Note that it is always best to consult your pediatrician for possible alternatives to the medicine and before attempting to mix medicine with certain foods/liquid.
* Having trouble measuring the liquid through a dropper (this is especially true of some really thick paracetamols)? Try a syringe. Just remove the needle and you'll have a dropper that gives you a better chance of getting the right amount of medicine prescribed.
My mother suggested mixing in the syrup from my tot's favorite jelly. I extracted the red syrup from strawberry jelly, mixed it with the medicine, and finally managed to get my daughter to ingest it with little fuss. Here are some other tips I picked up from friends and other online articles:
(1) Mix with milk - just enough to cover the taste of the medicine. This is the most popular method, but it didn't work for me because my toddler is refusing milk due to her sore throat.
(2) Have the child lick ice or drink cold water first. This supposedly numbs the taste buds - I didn't try this since I thought it might make my daughter's sore throat all the more worse.
(3) Find a better tasting alternative. You can ask your pediatrician, or the staff at the drugstores (you'll be amazed at some of their insights). I used to have a hard time giving my daughter medicine for fever, until we discovered Calpol - it's very tasty and my tot refers to it as "strawberry candy".
(4) As a last resort, an IV may be best if the child is no longer eating or drinking. Pediatrician should be consulted first.
* Note that it is always best to consult your pediatrician for possible alternatives to the medicine and before attempting to mix medicine with certain foods/liquid.
* Having trouble measuring the liquid through a dropper (this is especially true of some really thick paracetamols)? Try a syringe. Just remove the needle and you'll have a dropper that gives you a better chance of getting the right amount of medicine prescribed.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Toddler/Preschooler Doesn't Like to Get His/Her Hands Dirty
Does your toddler or preschool throw a fit whenever he or she is asked to handle glue or paint in school? Does he or she ask to wash hands in the middle of an artwork activity? Don't fret - this is fairly common, especially with children who are faced with paste and paint for the first time. Sometimes they just need to get used to it and realize that it's harmless and ultimately, fun to use. You can help hasten the process by giving them their own glue, paints, and activities to do at home.
(1) GLUE/PASTE - I recommend Kumon's Let's Sticker and Paste activity book. It's fun, colorful, and age-appropriate. The first few activities involve putting stickers in the appropriate places (stickers are included in the book) such as sticking animals on a farm, winter clothing on a child, flowers on an apron, etc. The latter part involves cutting (to be done by an adult) and pasting activities to complete parts of animal faces, put together a vehicle, paste toys in a cabinet, etc. After going through the activities in this book, my toddler was no longer afraid to use glue in school and she became quite adept at properly aligning items to be pasted unto her worksheet.
(2) PAINT - Buy fingerpaint and let loose. Extra-large coloring books are best for first-time painters. You can also simply cover his/her hand in fingerpaint and teach him/her to make colorful handprints. You might want to invest in a smock or apron as well, to keep their clothes clean.
(3) If you feel that your child's fear or dislike of paint/glue goes beyond a mere case of ickiness, you might want to consider alternatives, such as using a paintbrush to apply glue. When in doubt, consult your teacher and/or pediatrician.
(4) ALWAYS check the labels to ensure that the glue and/or paint is non-toxic and safe for children.
(5) Make it clear to your child that the paint and/or glue is to be used for the given activity only. Stress that it is not something to be smeared liberally on the walls, flooring, or other people.
(1) GLUE/PASTE - I recommend Kumon's Let's Sticker and Paste activity book. It's fun, colorful, and age-appropriate. The first few activities involve putting stickers in the appropriate places (stickers are included in the book) such as sticking animals on a farm, winter clothing on a child, flowers on an apron, etc. The latter part involves cutting (to be done by an adult) and pasting activities to complete parts of animal faces, put together a vehicle, paste toys in a cabinet, etc. After going through the activities in this book, my toddler was no longer afraid to use glue in school and she became quite adept at properly aligning items to be pasted unto her worksheet.
(2) PAINT - Buy fingerpaint and let loose. Extra-large coloring books are best for first-time painters. You can also simply cover his/her hand in fingerpaint and teach him/her to make colorful handprints. You might want to invest in a smock or apron as well, to keep their clothes clean.
(3) If you feel that your child's fear or dislike of paint/glue goes beyond a mere case of ickiness, you might want to consider alternatives, such as using a paintbrush to apply glue. When in doubt, consult your teacher and/or pediatrician.
(4) ALWAYS check the labels to ensure that the glue and/or paint is non-toxic and safe for children.
(5) Make it clear to your child that the paint and/or glue is to be used for the given activity only. Stress that it is not something to be smeared liberally on the walls, flooring, or other people.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Toddler Activity - Learn About Days and Weather
Here's a daily bonding activity between you and your toddler. It will only take a few minutes at most and will help him or her learn about the days of the week and the weather.
[1] You will need two magnets.
[2] Print out the image and stick to your fridge.
[3] Every morning, guide your toddler in placing a magnet in the appropriate day slot.
[4] Then, have your toddler look out the window and observe the weather. Guide him or her in placing a magnet on top of the appropriate weather symbol.
[5] Repeat everyday until your toddler familiarizes himself/herself with the days of the week and the weather. You can also have him/her spell out the letters of each day to practice identifying uppercase and lowercase letters.
CAUTION: Do not use small magnets that can be swallowed. Always keep an eye on toddlers when handling magnetic objects.
[1] You will need two magnets.
[2] Print out the image and stick to your fridge.
[3] Every morning, guide your toddler in placing a magnet in the appropriate day slot.
[4] Then, have your toddler look out the window and observe the weather. Guide him or her in placing a magnet on top of the appropriate weather symbol.
[5] Repeat everyday until your toddler familiarizes himself/herself with the days of the week and the weather. You can also have him/her spell out the letters of each day to practice identifying uppercase and lowercase letters.
CAUTION: Do not use small magnets that can be swallowed. Always keep an eye on toddlers when handling magnetic objects.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Useful Articles on Toddlers and Babies
I signed up for Babyzone Newsletter shortly after giving birth and have become so accustomed to receiving updates and newsletters that it never occurred to me to blog about it until now. To be honest, I feel like it's part of my regular routine to see the telltale email in my inbox. The site provides news, information, and updates that are extremely helpful to a new mother. The best part is that it follows your baby's age. During my tot's first year, I would receive newsletters highlighting the milestone for the week, things to expect, and how to deal with changes in my baby. After the first year, I thought it would stop (and was quite disappointed at the thought). To my surprise, I still get emails from Babyzone and this time with articles fit for my toddler! The most memorable and useful articles would be on first aid (particularly what to do when baby starts choking), toys that have been recalled, teaching a toddler manners, and how to keep a toddler occupied. My husband was particularly grateful for the article on how to keep a toddler entertained. He was having problems dealing with our baby and the article taught him several ways to play with our tot to keep her entertained while mommy is busy.
The newsletter is free so you have nothing to lose and so much information to gain by registering :)
The newsletter is free so you have nothing to lose and so much information to gain by registering :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Kindle for the Book Lovin' Mommy
I bought a Kindle about a year ago and though I thought I'd miss the feel of paper and ink, I haven't found much need to buy a book (for myself, that is) from the bookstore since. Here are the highs and lows of Kindle as an e-book reader for mommies:
1 - Great battery life. It takes weeks before I need to recharge it and I read morning, noon, and night.
2 - Lightweight and thin. Perfect for tossing in my purse when I'm on the go. Especially great for keeping me company while in the waiting area of my tot's school.
3 - Surprisingly sturdy despite the light frame. I've dropped it so many times and it's still functional (knock wood).
4 - No glare! The screen and text are easy on the eyes. Note that no glare and reads just like a book should be taken literally. It's not an LCD screen; it's meant to emulate paper and ink. If you want to read at night you have to have the lights on, just like an actual printed book.
5 - The page up and down buttons are available on both the left and right hand sides. This is a plus for mommies as you never know which arm/hand is available at any given time and which one your child has decided to use as a pillow or monkey bar.
6 - If you like to go back or jump to a specific page in a book, it's a bit unwieldy due to the lack of a numeric keypad (you'd think this would be an obvious inclusion for an ebook reader :P). You have to open a Symbol menu to get the numbers out. The search functionality for keywords is a bit faulty also. If you read books from start to finish then it's not a problem. The Kindle remembers where you last viewed the book and will start from there when you open it, even if you're reading multiple books at the same time.
7 - There are extra costs if you choose to buy books online or through the Amazon site. First you have to pay for the book, and then there's an additional fee for downloading. One of my friends also said there are books that can't be downloaded if you're overseas.
8 - Although the Kindle supports HTML, DOC, PDF, etc, you'll find that these formats don't fit the screen well (i.e., text too big and you have to scroll to the right instead of just going up and down). There are converters available to change these formats to PRC (Kindle native), though it's a bit of a chore. Also, you might want to check the availability of your fave authors and titles first.
9 - Adding files (once you have the right format) is as simple as a USB cable and drag drop. There's a delete functionality on the Kindle menu itself for removing files.
10 - While I enjoy the random pictures being displayed while the Kindle is off, I must admit the haunting picture of Emily Dickenson has scared me more than once. It has an odd habit of popping up late at night or in the wee hours of the morning.
1 - Great battery life. It takes weeks before I need to recharge it and I read morning, noon, and night.
2 - Lightweight and thin. Perfect for tossing in my purse when I'm on the go. Especially great for keeping me company while in the waiting area of my tot's school.
3 - Surprisingly sturdy despite the light frame. I've dropped it so many times and it's still functional (knock wood).
4 - No glare! The screen and text are easy on the eyes. Note that no glare and reads just like a book should be taken literally. It's not an LCD screen; it's meant to emulate paper and ink. If you want to read at night you have to have the lights on, just like an actual printed book.
5 - The page up and down buttons are available on both the left and right hand sides. This is a plus for mommies as you never know which arm/hand is available at any given time and which one your child has decided to use as a pillow or monkey bar.
6 - If you like to go back or jump to a specific page in a book, it's a bit unwieldy due to the lack of a numeric keypad (you'd think this would be an obvious inclusion for an ebook reader :P). You have to open a Symbol menu to get the numbers out. The search functionality for keywords is a bit faulty also. If you read books from start to finish then it's not a problem. The Kindle remembers where you last viewed the book and will start from there when you open it, even if you're reading multiple books at the same time.
7 - There are extra costs if you choose to buy books online or through the Amazon site. First you have to pay for the book, and then there's an additional fee for downloading. One of my friends also said there are books that can't be downloaded if you're overseas.
8 - Although the Kindle supports HTML, DOC, PDF, etc, you'll find that these formats don't fit the screen well (i.e., text too big and you have to scroll to the right instead of just going up and down). There are converters available to change these formats to PRC (Kindle native), though it's a bit of a chore. Also, you might want to check the availability of your fave authors and titles first.
9 - Adding files (once you have the right format) is as simple as a USB cable and drag drop. There's a delete functionality on the Kindle menu itself for removing files.
10 - While I enjoy the random pictures being displayed while the Kindle is off, I must admit the haunting picture of Emily Dickenson has scared me more than once. It has an odd habit of popping up late at night or in the wee hours of the morning.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
There's ABC and then there's abc
If you're starting to teach your toddler lowercase letters, you might want to consider using Kumon's ABC's Write and Wipe Lowercase Letters. This pack of flash cards represents each of the letters of the alphabet in lowercase format. Each card has the letter on one side and a sample word and picture on the other side. What differentiates it from other flash cards is that the letter side follows a tracing format using broken / dashes lines, which toddlers can attempt to follow using a pen (included in the pack). Once done, you can use the eraser (attached to the pen) to erase and have your toddler try again! The letters are quite big, perfect for first time writing attempts and the reusability factor is a must when dealing with kids this young. My only gripe is that the pictures are not colored, so it's difficult to identify some of them. Also while most cards feature a word that starts with the given letter, X is the exception - it shows the word "OX", which confused my child at first given the consistent pattern of the other cards. They could have used xylophone, at least.
Still, I'm satisfied with using the cards to practice lowercase letter recognition, writing, and spelling/reading. This pack of cards and other Kumon products are available locally, at Fully Booked.
Still, I'm satisfied with using the cards to practice lowercase letter recognition, writing, and spelling/reading. This pack of cards and other Kumon products are available locally, at Fully Booked.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Playhouse Disney Magazine - Still A Fan!
First day of school and my toddler had her biggest battle yet - against a bottle of glue :P It was her first time to handle glue and she didn't count on how sticky it was; particularly on her little fingers! She refused to finish the activity on account of wanting desperately to wash her hands. I dropped by National Bookstore to buy her her own glue to practice at home. I was also hoping to buy the Kumon workbook for pasting. Unfortunately, it was all sold out. Only the Pasting book for 3-4 years old remained. I bought the glue nonetheless and rummaged through old magazines when I got home, intent on cutting out pictures she could paste on a blank sheet of paper. I came upon her back issues of Playhouse Disney and realized that each issue has a cut and paste exercise! I buy these magazines for the tracing, counting, and coloring exercies (and the read aloud stories), so this is a bonus treat for me. My daughter had a blast pasting in pictures of Mickey Mouse, Pooh Bear, and Handy Manny. Each activity differs from the rest so it never gets boring. Now I'm eagerly awaiting the next issue of Playhouse Disney...soon to be Disney Junior!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Numbers - Exploring Counting and Maths
My toddler was more interested in colors, shapes, and letters at first - counting and numbers held little appeal for her (this was, of course, before she discovered Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). One of the books that helped build her interest in numbers is the My World Numbers - Exploring Counting and Maths. This is a rather large book featuring colorful pictures of everyday objects that are appealing to toddlers such as cakes, candies, buttons, fruits, and toys. My daughter enjoyed counting the objects - she even uses the book to pretend that she has a bakery and store (i.e., pretends to pull items out of the book). The book covers the numbers 1 to 20. More than that, it also provides a first look at colors, shapes, patterns, and matching. Truly worth its cost of P200.
The book is available locally, at National Bookstore.
The book is available locally, at National Bookstore.
Tormont Nursery Songs and Sing Alongs
One of my toddler's most used and well-loved books is Tormont's Nursery Songs and Sing Alongs. This colorful board book comes with its own electronic keyboard with color coded keys. The book features popular nursery songs. Each page contains a song complete with picture, lyrics, and colored notes for easy matching with the keyboard keys. This is a great way for parents to bond with their babies and teach them their first songs. Eventually, the children will be able to sing and play the tunes on their own. My toddler is now able to sing the pieces, though her piano playing is still limited to banging the keys at random. I'm sure she'll eventually manage to match the keys and notes (in due time) - I can certainly imagine her using this book throughout her preschool years.
Songs included in the book are Hush Little Baby, Pat-a-Cake, The Alphabet Song, Ten in the Bed, The Wheels on the Bus, If You're Happy and You Know It, Oh! Susanna, The Bear Went over the Mountain, Eensy Weensy Spider, and The Ants Go Marching.
Songs included in the book are Hush Little Baby, Pat-a-Cake, The Alphabet Song, Ten in the Bed, The Wheels on the Bus, If You're Happy and You Know It, Oh! Susanna, The Bear Went over the Mountain, Eensy Weensy Spider, and The Ants Go Marching.
Friday, June 3, 2011
A Healthy Update to Wendy's Fries
Wendy's has recently introduced a new kind of french fries - made from russet potatoes, fried in 0 trans fat oil, and sprinkled with sea salt. Finally, a french fry I can give to my toddler - without the heavy guilt trip of feeding her junk food! The serving is quite small, but the fries themselves are tasty. They leave the skin on to prove that it's actually made from potatoes. ;)
First Ferris Wheel
After seeing Dora take a trip to the carnival (Dora's Big Pinata), my daughter has been bugging us to take her to an actual ferris wheel and merry go round. I've been searching for one that's just right - i.e., small, colorful, and doesn't go very high - and I finally found one in SM Southmall (newly renovated, by the way, very nice place now - clean and spacious with tons of shops and play areas). It's a bit pricey at P50 per head (no discounts for babies and toddlers!), but it was perfect for my daughter. Upon seeing it, she was immediately fearful and stated that "the ferris wheel is scary", but after some gentle insistence, she hopped on board. Soon she was going "whee!!!" and begging to ride it again. The attraction is very small and slow, but again, it's just the thing to introduce babies/toddlers to the concept of a ferris wheel.
Next up is the merry go round - I have it on good authority that there's one at SM Hypermart in Las Pinas City. Looks like another trip south is in order!
Next up is the merry go round - I have it on good authority that there's one at SM Hypermart in Las Pinas City. Looks like another trip south is in order!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Toddler's First Puzzles: The Next Step
So your toddler's mastered 3pc, 4pc, 5pc, and 6pc puzzles - what's next? Don't make that eager trip to Hobbes just yet! 24 pc puzzles and beyond may still be too much to handle for your little puzzle master. Thankfully, there is a puzzle between 6pc and 24pc - a 15 pc puzzle! I discovered this type of puzzle at the toy section of Landmark Department Store. It comes in three types - Justice League, Disney Princess, and Winnie The Pooh. The puzzle pieces are large and well suited for toddler's hands. There's also a picture at the righthand corner to serve as a guide. My daughter enjoyed the feeling that she's now able to work on "big" puzzles! We helped her build the puzzle for the first couple of weeks and now she's able to build it on her own.
Another alternative is to get a 24pc puzzle with large pieces and set up all the corner/edge pieces on the frame. That way, your toddler will only need to figure out the remaining 8-piece puzzle in the middle.
[gallery]
Another alternative is to get a 24pc puzzle with large pieces and set up all the corner/edge pieces on the frame. That way, your toddler will only need to figure out the remaining 8-piece puzzle in the middle.
[gallery]
Friday, May 27, 2011
Battling Toddler's Fears
My toddler has a lot of fears and she doesn't take it well (read: the type who clings and shivers and cries when facing something that scares her). We're taking things one step at a time though and here are a few things we've done that have helped alleviate her fears:
(1) Fear of fish [in an aquarium] - we bought her a lone female fighting fish in a small bowl and set in the middle of our living room. She started by peeking at the fish from the doorway. She eventually got closer and closer until she finally walked up to the bowl and said "Hi!". Now she's able to tap at the bowl to greet the fish.
(2) Fear of thunder - we told her the clouds were clapping their hands because they were happy. She seems to have accepted this explanation and screams "the clouds are just happy!" whenever there's thunder.
(3) Fear of other kids - we enrolled her in toddler classes (Gymboree helped a lot). She's still quite shy and easily intimidated, but there's been a lot of improvement since her first class.
(4) Fear of motorcycles - we told her it's just "Edgar" from her favorite cartoon, The Aristocats.
(5) Night terrors - we've lessened her food intake at night - light supper or cereal instead of a full meal with rice. It seems to help her sleep better with lesser occurrences of nightmares.
(1) Fear of fish [in an aquarium] - we bought her a lone female fighting fish in a small bowl and set in the middle of our living room. She started by peeking at the fish from the doorway. She eventually got closer and closer until she finally walked up to the bowl and said "Hi!". Now she's able to tap at the bowl to greet the fish.
(2) Fear of thunder - we told her the clouds were clapping their hands because they were happy. She seems to have accepted this explanation and screams "the clouds are just happy!" whenever there's thunder.
(3) Fear of other kids - we enrolled her in toddler classes (Gymboree helped a lot). She's still quite shy and easily intimidated, but there's been a lot of improvement since her first class.
(4) Fear of motorcycles - we told her it's just "Edgar" from her favorite cartoon, The Aristocats.
(5) Night terrors - we've lessened her food intake at night - light supper or cereal instead of a full meal with rice. It seems to help her sleep better with lesser occurrences of nightmares.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Cambridge Development Center
We visited Cambridge Development Center in Salcedo Village, Makati today, and I must say - the facilities are quite impressive. The school is large, spacious, and well-maintained, with areas dedicated for play, class, books, audio/visual activities, etc. There are separate bathrooms for girls and boys. And yes, they do have a fire exit. ;)
They have their own mixed curriculum/methodology following Singapore and Montessori methods, among others. The fact that they have an activity time tailored to each child's skill level and time set aside for grooming lessons (putting on clothes, brushing one's teeth, etc.) was a big plus for me as well.
The only drawback for me - and this is more of a personal thing, really - is that I'm only looking for a toddler school this year. Three times a week, a couple of hours of play and learn to introduce my toddler to the school set up and help her interact with kids her age. Unfortunately, Cambridge only offers toddler class for 1.5 - 2.5 years old. At 2.7 years old, my daughter would be part of their Nursery 1 class - 5 times a week, 3 hours a day. Also, they do not allow parents/yayas inside the classroom. I feel that my child is not yet ready for this kind of schedule, nor do I feel the need to force her into it yet.
The school has an open-enrollment system wherein you can enroll anytime during the year. I'm definitely putting my child up for a trial class and will see later in the year if she's ready for actual schooling.
They have their own mixed curriculum/methodology following Singapore and Montessori methods, among others. The fact that they have an activity time tailored to each child's skill level and time set aside for grooming lessons (putting on clothes, brushing one's teeth, etc.) was a big plus for me as well.
The only drawback for me - and this is more of a personal thing, really - is that I'm only looking for a toddler school this year. Three times a week, a couple of hours of play and learn to introduce my toddler to the school set up and help her interact with kids her age. Unfortunately, Cambridge only offers toddler class for 1.5 - 2.5 years old. At 2.7 years old, my daughter would be part of their Nursery 1 class - 5 times a week, 3 hours a day. Also, they do not allow parents/yayas inside the classroom. I feel that my child is not yet ready for this kind of schedule, nor do I feel the need to force her into it yet.
The school has an open-enrollment system wherein you can enroll anytime during the year. I'm definitely putting my child up for a trial class and will see later in the year if she's ready for actual schooling.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Free Comic Book Day!!!
Dropped by Fully Booked in Fort at a little past 9 AM to see a line of other eager comics lovers awaiting the shop's opening time of 10AM. Sweated it out under the blistering heat for a chance to nab a free comic myself. This turned out to be a useless effort. Once the doors opened, it was revealed that each customer can choose only one comic out of the pile (a bit disappointing, that, since past free comic book days used to offer more). Hence, the line soon dwindled with plenty more comics to spare. My husband, who decided not to join the line and graciously offered to take care of our daughter, was still able to get a free comic once the initial crowd thinned out.
The choices, I felt, were at least worthwhile: Spiderman, Star Wars, Avatar, Richie Rich, Smurfs, Thor, Green Lantern, and Young Justice League - something for everyone and every age. I'm quite content with my choice of Spiderman and all the humor it has to offer.
I did take advantage of the 20% discount, though. The bookstore restocked their comic collection beforehand and I finally nabbed some manga I've been searching for and at less than the regular price, to boot.
All in all a good haul for me - would have been better if I skipped the line altogether though. :P
The choices, I felt, were at least worthwhile: Spiderman, Star Wars, Avatar, Richie Rich, Smurfs, Thor, Green Lantern, and Young Justice League - something for everyone and every age. I'm quite content with my choice of Spiderman and all the humor it has to offer.
I did take advantage of the 20% discount, though. The bookstore restocked their comic collection beforehand and I finally nabbed some manga I've been searching for and at less than the regular price, to boot.
All in all a good haul for me - would have been better if I skipped the line altogether though. :P
The Many Ways You Can Use Shelcore Stacking Cups
Not to be confused with the bulky, musical version, Shelcore Stacking Cups are a set of 8 multi-colored cups. My daughter had this since she was 1 year old and it's one of her most-used and most versatile toy. Here are the many ways you can use the cups, which are sold at less than P300 at the local toy stores (if you buy it separately from the blocks, that is):
(1) Have your baby stack them into a tower - they need to be stacked in the proper order, from largest to smallest, in order to successfully build a tower. Great for building hand-eye coordination and as a logic puzzle for babies.
(2) The reverse of (1), have your baby fit all the cups inside each other. Again, the proper order is required - from largest to smallest - to get all the cups to fit.
(3) Toss it in the bath and use it as spill cups. The different types of holes at the bottom (used to portray a variety sea creatures) creates various "waterfalls". This kept our baby occupied in the bathtub as she'd scoop up the water, raise the cup, and watch the water drain away.
(4) This is one more for bath time that is sure to delight your baby - stick a plastic ball on top (the really light, multi-colored ones used to fill up those kiddie tents, pools, etc.) and dunk it in the water. The water will go through the holes at the bottom and cause the ball to fly up in the air with a slight popping sound.
(5) Use the cups to teach your baby about the different colors. It also helped my toddler learn to differentiate between light and dark colors.
(6) Bring it to the beach - great for molding sand!
(1) Have your baby stack them into a tower - they need to be stacked in the proper order, from largest to smallest, in order to successfully build a tower. Great for building hand-eye coordination and as a logic puzzle for babies.
(2) The reverse of (1), have your baby fit all the cups inside each other. Again, the proper order is required - from largest to smallest - to get all the cups to fit.
(3) Toss it in the bath and use it as spill cups. The different types of holes at the bottom (used to portray a variety sea creatures) creates various "waterfalls". This kept our baby occupied in the bathtub as she'd scoop up the water, raise the cup, and watch the water drain away.
(4) This is one more for bath time that is sure to delight your baby - stick a plastic ball on top (the really light, multi-colored ones used to fill up those kiddie tents, pools, etc.) and dunk it in the water. The water will go through the holes at the bottom and cause the ball to fly up in the air with a slight popping sound.
(5) Use the cups to teach your baby about the different colors. It also helped my toddler learn to differentiate between light and dark colors.
(6) Bring it to the beach - great for molding sand!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Let's Get Dressed With Dora
Let's Get Dressed with Dora is an ingenious board book lets toddlers practice handling zippers, buttons, velcro snaps, and other items needed to dress up Dora. It's engaging for the little ones and helps develop hand control and hand-eye coordination. It's also a great way to introduce them to different articles of clothing and how to dress up oneself.
The book is available locally, at Fully Booked.
The book is available locally, at Fully Booked.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kumon Workbooks
While in National Bookstore, looking for a book of tracing or basic mazes to help my toddler refine her writing skills, I stumbled upon two shelves full of Kumon workbooks! I've been looking for Kumon workbooks for quite some time now and the actual product did not disappoint. Each workbook specifies the appropriate age range, starting from age 2. The most basic of the set is My First Book of Tracing, which branches out to the basic coloring, counting, cutting, mazes, uppercase and lowercase letters books.
The books are a bit pricey at ~P300 a pop, but each one contains full-colored pages with images and activities that are appealing to children. I'll try the tracing book first and see how it goes. More to blog once my toddler gets her hands dirty with this one!
The books are a bit pricey at ~P300 a pop, but each one contains full-colored pages with images and activities that are appealing to children. I'll try the tracing book first and see how it goes. More to blog once my toddler gets her hands dirty with this one!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Angry Birds Mania!
Are you a fan of Angry Birds? Are you desperately seeking all kinds of its cute merchandise? Check out Blade/Clipper at the ground floor of Greenbelt 1, Makati. They offer box sets of figurines (pigs included!), pillows, keychains, cellphone charms, stuffed toys, piggy banks, and bags at reasonable prices.
Animated books
Animation embedded in books? You better believe it! With Scanimation (Waddle, Gallop, etc,) and Animotion (On The Go, etc.) technology, kids (and adults!) can watch in awe as animals, people, and vehicles move on the pages of the book - just like an old-fashioned animated clip! While the text on these books are typically limited to short rhyming phrases and there is little (to no) story whatsoever, the moving pictures still provide ample amusement and entertainment, while introducing young children to the concept of movement.
The Waddle! book had my toddler laughing out loud in the bookstore. I thought the colors on On The Go were more visible, though, and bought this instead.
These books are available at the local bookstores (National, Power Books, Fully Booked).
The Waddle! book had my toddler laughing out loud in the bookstore. I thought the colors on On The Go were more visible, though, and bought this instead.
These books are available at the local bookstores (National, Power Books, Fully Booked).
Original Dora DVDs at P50!
Head on over to the video stores if your kid's a Dora fan - they're selling all original DVDs at only P50 each. A saleslady informed me that the distributor is changing so they're selling out the old stocks. Dora DVDs are already sold out at most of the popular video shops, but they're still some available if you keep looking - as of last weekend, I was able to get a box set from Astro Vision and I noticed that Rustan's Department Store still has them. Good luck and Happy Shopping!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Dora's Storybook and Figurine Playset
Great find at Fully Booked in Fort Bonifacio today - the Where Is Tico? storybook, giant playmat and 12 toy figurines set! The figurines include Dora, Boots, Benny, Isa, Tico, Swiper, Backpack, Abuela, Mami, Papi, Senor Tucan and Grumpy Old Troll! And all for P750 - beats buying the individual Megablock Dora toys at the toystore for P800-P1500. Not to mention that Megablock usually only has Dora and Boots figurines.
I've yet to open the pack because I'm planning to give it to my toddler as a reward for when she starts school this June. She really likes Dora's Theater, but has difficulty maneuvering the paper dolls and balancing them on the cardboard stage. I'm really hoping she'll like this playset!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
PRIMA Day School
Another progressive preschool within Makati is PRIMA Day School. I was very impressed by their school, which is located in Ascott Hotel, Glorietta. The school is divided into 3 rooms - the reception/waiting area, indoor playroom, and classroom. The indoor playroom is spacious, with two work tables; a mini library; a play kitchen area; boxes and shelves of toys (with musical instruments and blocks); and a small elevated space with a faux tree (for kids who like to run up and down stairs). There is also an outdoor playground.
My daughter immediately took to the place and its teachers, who were friendly and obviously used to dealing with children (not surprising given that PRIMA is also a day care center). My toddler, who is usually painfully shy, began to run around and even allowed me to leave her with the teachers for a little while (a first for us!). Upon sitting in on the Nursery class, I saw that the teachers meant business in the classroom, which bolstered my belief that they can prepare my daughter for the big schools. All in all a good experience for both me and my little girl.
My daughter immediately took to the place and its teachers, who were friendly and obviously used to dealing with children (not surprising given that PRIMA is also a day care center). My toddler, who is usually painfully shy, began to run around and even allowed me to leave her with the teachers for a little while (a first for us!). Upon sitting in on the Nursery class, I saw that the teachers meant business in the classroom, which bolstered my belief that they can prepare my daughter for the big schools. All in all a good experience for both me and my little girl.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
KIDS in Day School
Another Makati-based preschool that has gained a lot of positive reviews throughout several mommy blogs is KIDS in Day School in San Antonio Village. The most notable comments were the teachers' ability to prepare their students for the big schools and help particularly shy students to come out of their shell and shine. I've yet to visit the school myself, but the fact that nearly all their slots have been filled is testament to their popularity.
I did find one blog that mentioned that the school does not have a fire exit. Again, I have not confirmed this firsthand as I've yet to visit them, but this is definitely one thing I'll be asking when I do drop by.
I did find one blog that mentioned that the school does not have a fire exit. Again, I have not confirmed this firsthand as I've yet to visit them, but this is definitely one thing I'll be asking when I do drop by.
Shops in Makati with Play Areas
More and more shops in Makati are setting up designated play areas for kids! This adds greatly to the shopping convenience of mommies and daddies who would like the freedom to browse without having to worry about keeping their kids sufficiently entertained. Here's a list of stores that have set up play areas:
(1) Toys R Us, Greenbelt 5 - Little Tykes swing and slide set, cars/scooters, and writing board set up in a corner next to White Hat. Parents can sit and eat (or shop!) while the kids play. THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
(2) Hobbes, Greenbelt 5 - long table with chairs at the back of the shop serves as a puzzle area. Kids can play with a large version of the Rush Hour Traffic Jam game, put together something with the Zoob! building set, or - if you're willing to shell out some cash - paint ceramics.
(3) Powerbooks, Greenbelt 2 (walkway) - this bookstore has recently added a small toy section next to the children's books area in the 2nd floor. There is a large Thomas the Tank Engine set on display, which kids can tinker around with.
(4) Rustan's Ayala - the children's section has a semi-enclosed play area with chairs, tables, blocks, and toys. There is also almost always playground sets on display somewhere within the floor, which kids are free to try out.
(5) Toy Kingdom, SM - nearly every section in this huge toy store has toys kids can play with. I just let my daughter run loose and try everything from the Little Tykes sets to the kiddie laptops to the kitchen playsets...and so on :)
(6) Build City, Greenbelt 5 - at the back of the shop, there is a long table where kids can play with LEGO blocks.
(1) Toys R Us, Greenbelt 5 - Little Tykes swing and slide set, cars/scooters, and writing board set up in a corner next to White Hat. Parents can sit and eat (or shop!) while the kids play. THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
(2) Hobbes, Greenbelt 5 - long table with chairs at the back of the shop serves as a puzzle area. Kids can play with a large version of the Rush Hour Traffic Jam game, put together something with the Zoob! building set, or - if you're willing to shell out some cash - paint ceramics.
(3) Powerbooks, Greenbelt 2 (walkway) - this bookstore has recently added a small toy section next to the children's books area in the 2nd floor. There is a large Thomas the Tank Engine set on display, which kids can tinker around with.
(4) Rustan's Ayala - the children's section has a semi-enclosed play area with chairs, tables, blocks, and toys. There is also almost always playground sets on display somewhere within the floor, which kids are free to try out.
(5) Toy Kingdom, SM - nearly every section in this huge toy store has toys kids can play with. I just let my daughter run loose and try everything from the Little Tykes sets to the kiddie laptops to the kitchen playsets...and so on :)
(6) Build City, Greenbelt 5 - at the back of the shop, there is a long table where kids can play with LEGO blocks.
Monday, May 9, 2011
How to Organize a Spa Party
A spa party is a unique and well-appreciated event, especially for bridal showers and all-female parties. I organized one for my mother's 59th birthday party. Caprichosa Spa makes it all the more easier by offering to bring the spa to your home! For a minimum of P6000 (consumable), guests can choose right off the spa menu for their desired services. You can also opt to avail of their set packages. Caprichosa takes care of the basic equipment, spa decor, robes, and slippers, giving you a hassle-free experience. They can also provide catering and souvenirs, although I opted to order a merienda package from Conti's instead. Souvenirs were an easy matter of finding colorful bath products.
Both Caprichosa and Conti's did not disappoint overall, although there were some snags. The Conti's delivery van lost its way and was half an hour late. The amount of food (value for money!) and great taste more than made up for that debacle. While Caprichosa delivered as promised, most of the guests complained about the head staff who was taking note of the charges and refused to go over the minimum rate of P6000. I admit that some of the fault was mine, having left the house with my husband and baby to give my mom and her friends time alone, although I did advise the staff to contact my mobile for any concerns. Apparently, they have had instances where guests go overboard with the spa services and reach more than P10K, which the host is unwilling to pay. The owners are very gracious all throughout though, so I think this is just a matter of setting expectations beforehand as tho whether you're willing to splurge or have a limited budget to work with.
Both Caprichosa and Conti's did not disappoint overall, although there were some snags. The Conti's delivery van lost its way and was half an hour late. The amount of food (value for money!) and great taste more than made up for that debacle. While Caprichosa delivered as promised, most of the guests complained about the head staff who was taking note of the charges and refused to go over the minimum rate of P6000. I admit that some of the fault was mine, having left the house with my husband and baby to give my mom and her friends time alone, although I did advise the staff to contact my mobile for any concerns. Apparently, they have had instances where guests go overboard with the spa services and reach more than P10K, which the host is unwilling to pay. The owners are very gracious all throughout though, so I think this is just a matter of setting expectations beforehand as tho whether you're willing to splurge or have a limited budget to work with.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Special diet? Drop by Zuni, Greenbelt 5!
To be honest, my mother and I had doubts about enjoying our usual Mother's Day lunch, given that my brother - who just last week had succumbed to a mild stroke at the age of 36 - was on a NO salt / NO fat diet. We decided to stick to our usual jaunt Zuni Restaurant at Greenbelt 5, Makati City, since their grilled selection has thus far managed to cater to all our dietary constraints (such as allergies and limited diet for my mother, who has cancer) without sacrificing the taste. Thankfully, we weren't disappointed. After explaining my brother's condition and presenting a list of his dietary restrictions, the chef came up with a customized meal covering appetizers up to dessert. The result? A savory set of dishes that left my brother quite content. The rest of us were able to enjoy our regular fare as well. Truly a happy mother's day for us!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Disney Princess Dress Up
Of all the dress up and paper doll books I've encountered, the Disney Princess Dress-Up (A Sticker-Activity Storybook) is by far the best and most convenient for a toddler. It features the 6 princesses (Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine). Each princess has their own sticker sheet of clothes (including their standard costume) and set of accessories. Since all the princesses sport the same size and pose, all the clothes, shoes, and jewelry can be mixed up to form dozens of combinations.
The set makes use of reusable vinyl stickers, which do not have the stickiness of regular stickers, but cling easily to the board book. This makes it more suitable for toddlers and lessens the chance of the stickers being torn apart. I also favor this version over the magnetic one, which I gave to my niece last Christmas. We discovered that it was difficult to put the magnetic accessories on top of the clothing magnets as it doesn't stick and has a tendency to fall off. Also, the magnetic pieces were quite small and not fit for toddlers. In contrast, the vinyl stickers stick quite nicely on top of each other.
My only gripe is that the vinyl stickers are quite opaque and you can see through the material, making the base garment clearly visible. This is especially evident for Ariel's white wedding dress. It doesn't seem to bother my toddler in the least, but may be noticeable to older children. Also, Ariel is positioned near the middle of the book such that a fold is formed on her dress when you attempt to close the book.
The set makes use of reusable vinyl stickers, which do not have the stickiness of regular stickers, but cling easily to the board book. This makes it more suitable for toddlers and lessens the chance of the stickers being torn apart. I also favor this version over the magnetic one, which I gave to my niece last Christmas. We discovered that it was difficult to put the magnetic accessories on top of the clothing magnets as it doesn't stick and has a tendency to fall off. Also, the magnetic pieces were quite small and not fit for toddlers. In contrast, the vinyl stickers stick quite nicely on top of each other.
My only gripe is that the vinyl stickers are quite opaque and you can see through the material, making the base garment clearly visible. This is especially evident for Ariel's white wedding dress. It doesn't seem to bother my toddler in the least, but may be noticeable to older children. Also, Ariel is positioned near the middle of the book such that a fold is formed on her dress when you attempt to close the book.
Friday, May 6, 2011
M-Pass - Your ticket to a hassle-free movie experience
I tried Ayala Cinema's M-Pass for the first time yesterday and marveled at the convenience. It took me less than quarter of an hour to register at www.sureseats.com (including the verification process via mobile phone) and load my M-Pass account using G-Cash. I would say the only glitch is that it takes about 10 minutes for the server to process the G-Cash payment. It was smooth sailing after that though. Choose a cinema, seats, pay via M-Pass, print a copy of the confirmation letter and viola! You can go straight to the moviehouse (no need to pass by the ticket counter and certainly no need to be there 45 minutes before showing as is required by the reservation process) and just show the printed page. There's also no extra charge for paying online. You're assured of your seats without any hassle. I'm definitely going to go this route the next time my husband and I have a movie date night!
Meanwhile, we watched Thor (non-3D version). It was OK - worth the price of the movie ticket, at least, but not at par with its Marvel movie predecessors such as Iron Man.
UPDATE: If the website refuses to accept the GCASH reference number even after the 10 minute wait period, go to the CUSTOMER SERVICE tab and contact the Ayala Cinema Support Team via phone or email. This happened to me already and they responded and resolved the issue within the day.
Meanwhile, we watched Thor (non-3D version). It was OK - worth the price of the movie ticket, at least, but not at par with its Marvel movie predecessors such as Iron Man.
UPDATE: If the website refuses to accept the GCASH reference number even after the 10 minute wait period, go to the CUSTOMER SERVICE tab and contact the Ayala Cinema Support Team via phone or email. This happened to me already and they responded and resolved the issue within the day.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
St. Therese Nursery and Kindergarten School
We ventured to the outskirts of Makati, near Sta. Ana, Manila, to check out a preschool that has gotten rave reviews on several blogs and has a reputation for getting their students into the big schools - St. Therese Nursery and Kindergarten School. The directress, Teacher Angel, is very accommodating and allows you to preview a class so long as you schedule beforehand. Summer school is ongoing so this is a good time to have a trial class.
The school itself is spacious with a large garden and play area and clean, well-maintained, air-conditioned classrooms. However, it is not a "play school" (no fancy cushioned rooms with slides and toddler gyms here!); rather, it is an actual preschool that prepares children for the big schools. Their teaching method is eclectic/traditional.
Unfortunately, my daughter still found the actual school set-up daunting and refused to have a trial class. I do have every intention of returning next year, though. I was impressed by the facilities and it is quite difficult to find a traditional preschool in the Makati area.
The school itself is spacious with a large garden and play area and clean, well-maintained, air-conditioned classrooms. However, it is not a "play school" (no fancy cushioned rooms with slides and toddler gyms here!); rather, it is an actual preschool that prepares children for the big schools. Their teaching method is eclectic/traditional.
Unfortunately, my daughter still found the actual school set-up daunting and refused to have a trial class. I do have every intention of returning next year, though. I was impressed by the facilities and it is quite difficult to find a traditional preschool in the Makati area.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Toys for Tots: LeapFrog Fridge Phonics
If your child loves fiddling with the fridge magnets, may as well give him or her something safe, fun, and educational to play around with. LeapFrog Fridge Phonics is a magnetic letter set that can teach your child the sound each letter makes. Each letter magnet is big, brightly colored, and covered in plastic, making it safe and easy to handle. Letters can be placed inside the doghouse magnet in order to hear the different sounds each letter makes. There's even a music button that launches the alphabet song (my toddler learned to sing ABC by singing along to this toy!). We used this toy to familiarize my baby with letters and phonics. Now that she's trying to learn how to read, we let her form simple words on the fridge. We currently have a "word of the day" thing going and she's able to identify at least a dozen simple words.
Monday, May 2, 2011
How to Organize a Fairytale Festival Themed Party
I'm asked from time to time to organize or assist with some aspect of events held by family and friends, so I thought I'd blog about these experiences as well.
Theme: Fairytale Festival
Type: Children's Party
Invitation: Simple card invitation with formal wording, inviting others to join in the festival. Prizes will be given to those who come in costume.
Food: Food carts/booths of crepes, ice cream, hotdogs, pizza, french fries, etc. to add to the festival/carnival feel
Decor: Balloons floating freely on the ceiling; Disney princess decor
Entertainment: Bubble Show with Disney princess host; games; party booths (henna tattoo, glitter tattoo, fortune telling)
Souvenir: Photo booth (why waste the costumes?)
Cake: Goldilocks Disney Princess cake with castle
Cost: ~P80,000 for 100+ guests
Tried and Tested Suppliers:
kiddie-party.com (decor, tables, chairs, booths)
Clowning Around (bubble show with host package)
El Regalo (photobooth and souvenirs)
Theme: Fairytale Festival
Type: Children's Party
Invitation: Simple card invitation with formal wording, inviting others to join in the festival. Prizes will be given to those who come in costume.
Food: Food carts/booths of crepes, ice cream, hotdogs, pizza, french fries, etc. to add to the festival/carnival feel
Decor: Balloons floating freely on the ceiling; Disney princess decor
Entertainment: Bubble Show with Disney princess host; games; party booths (henna tattoo, glitter tattoo, fortune telling)
Souvenir: Photo booth (why waste the costumes?)
Cake: Goldilocks Disney Princess cake with castle
Cost: ~P80,000 for 100+ guests
Tried and Tested Suppliers:
kiddie-party.com (decor, tables, chairs, booths)
Clowning Around (bubble show with host package)
El Regalo (photobooth and souvenirs)
CIE Preschool Opens In Makati!
CIE is a British school from Cebu that has branched out to the Makati area. Their Makati preschool will start this coming school year. The preschool is located at 107 Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, which is quite near the business district and Ayala Center malls, and walking distance from most condominiums in the area, including BSA, Shang Grand Tower, Prince Plaza, Greenbelt Madison, Residences, Rada Regency etc.
Because it is an international school, its school year starts in August and ends in June. You can opt to drop by on May 16 (I'll be doing this as well!), which marks the start of their summer classes, in order to see the facilities, teachers, and class schedule/structure first hand.
The tuition fee is actually not that high, given that it's an international school in a prime location and they do offer flexible payment schemes. They charge for their M-F classes the same rate that other preschools give for their 2 to 3x a week classes.
I'll have more to blog after my May 16 visit, but you can opt to call the school at 8880909 for any inquiries.
Because it is an international school, its school year starts in August and ends in June. You can opt to drop by on May 16 (I'll be doing this as well!), which marks the start of their summer classes, in order to see the facilities, teachers, and class schedule/structure first hand.
The tuition fee is actually not that high, given that it's an international school in a prime location and they do offer flexible payment schemes. They charge for their M-F classes the same rate that other preschools give for their 2 to 3x a week classes.
I'll have more to blog after my May 16 visit, but you can opt to call the school at 8880909 for any inquiries.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Schooling Starts At Home: Writing for Toddlers
Continuing my first post in this series...
I'm starting to teach my daughter how to write. Since she's just 2 years old, I'm concentrating more on her hand control than on actual writing of letters and numbers. Here are the things I've tried so far, and progress has been good:
(1) Magna Doodle - drawing board and stylus toy that allows children to scribble and erase as much as they want. These come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and are easily available these days. Nearly all toy stores carry it! I chose a brand with a stylus that had a rounded tip so as to lessen the risk of poking one's eyes.
(2) Coloring Books and Baby's First Crayons - since I don't expect my daughter to color between the lines yet, I just let her loose on coloring books of her favorite characters using big crayons suited for little fingers (be sure to check for the NON-TOXIC label!). There are a lot of jumbo coloring books available at affordable prices. I prefer the Copy The Color books so she can at least practice color identification while scribbling wildly with her crayons.
(3) Dry Erase Writing Books - write, erase, write again! Choose versions that have basic writing exercises in the first few pages - these are pages full of straight and curved lines going up and down and left and right. I guided my daughter through these exercises (i.e., held her hand and helped her write) everyday until she was able to trace on her own. It's slow-going, but she's getting there. Once she gets the hang of it, we'll proceed to (5).
(4) Hand exercises - I have her crumple paper (I use old magazines for this), play with clay and puzzles, put beads on a stick, etc. regularly
(5) Once she manages to trace lines on her own, we'll move on to mazes and connect-the-dots, and then to the letters and numbers :)
I'm starting to teach my daughter how to write. Since she's just 2 years old, I'm concentrating more on her hand control than on actual writing of letters and numbers. Here are the things I've tried so far, and progress has been good:
(1) Magna Doodle - drawing board and stylus toy that allows children to scribble and erase as much as they want. These come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and are easily available these days. Nearly all toy stores carry it! I chose a brand with a stylus that had a rounded tip so as to lessen the risk of poking one's eyes.
(2) Coloring Books and Baby's First Crayons - since I don't expect my daughter to color between the lines yet, I just let her loose on coloring books of her favorite characters using big crayons suited for little fingers (be sure to check for the NON-TOXIC label!). There are a lot of jumbo coloring books available at affordable prices. I prefer the Copy The Color books so she can at least practice color identification while scribbling wildly with her crayons.
(3) Dry Erase Writing Books - write, erase, write again! Choose versions that have basic writing exercises in the first few pages - these are pages full of straight and curved lines going up and down and left and right. I guided my daughter through these exercises (i.e., held her hand and helped her write) everyday until she was able to trace on her own. It's slow-going, but she's getting there. Once she gets the hang of it, we'll proceed to (5).
(4) Hand exercises - I have her crumple paper (I use old magazines for this), play with clay and puzzles, put beads on a stick, etc. regularly
(5) Once she manages to trace lines on her own, we'll move on to mazes and connect-the-dots, and then to the letters and numbers :)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Free Comic Book Day at Fully Booked!
Get a free comic (good while supplies last) and 20% discount on ALL graphic novels starting at 10:00 AM, May 21, 2011, at participating Fully Booked branches! :D See you there!
Gymboree Rates
I just found out (thankfully, before I enrolled my child) that the rates and payment schemes of Gymboree differ (significantly) depending on the branch/location. After visiting 4 different branches, I also found that they were not consistent in some areas. For example, some offer trial classes for free (except for art class), others charge P500 for preview of any class - deductible if you enroll, one branch I visited had a television set in their classroom and let the children watch videos (though I was assured that these were Gymboree videos and only meant to introduce the lesson for the day), another branch inserted snack time during a 1 hour class, etc.
If you are looking into enrolling your child in Gymboree - and I do recommend this after seeing the confidence and skills gained by my toddler after a few classes - it would be best to try out more than one branch in order to find one whose management style, teachers, and costs best suit you (and your baby!). Also, always attend a trial class first.
If you are looking into enrolling your child in Gymboree - and I do recommend this after seeing the confidence and skills gained by my toddler after a few classes - it would be best to try out more than one branch in order to find one whose management style, teachers, and costs best suit you (and your baby!). Also, always attend a trial class first.
Toddler's First Flight - The Preparation
The family has decided on Boracay for our summer getaway and this will be the first time my toddler will be boarding a plane. I can easily imagine how things can get really, really bad with a fidgety toddler riding a plane for the first time, so I've been scouting around magazines and websites for air travel tips and toys. Here are the ones I've found useful and will be trying out:
(1) Get a book about airplanes so she'd know what to expect
(2) Have gum or lollipop ready to help her relieve the pressure and unclog her ears
(3) Gadgets such as iPad, iPod, Fisher Price Pixter, or similar items. I have a PSP so I'm setting this up to play her favorite cartoons and songs.
(4) I found a site with tips on how to keep a toddler busy during air travel, using items that are readily available on an airplane!
(5) Travel toys suitable for air travel (i.e., lightweight with little or no pieces that can fall off or create a mess) - magnetic toys, toys with reusable stickers, lacing toys, activity books, pipe cleaners, and pocket doodle toys (i.e., etch a sketch)
So begins my adventure to find good quality, affordable travel toys and books that are available locally...more on my next blog!
(1) Get a book about airplanes so she'd know what to expect
(2) Have gum or lollipop ready to help her relieve the pressure and unclog her ears
(3) Gadgets such as iPad, iPod, Fisher Price Pixter, or similar items. I have a PSP so I'm setting this up to play her favorite cartoons and songs.
(4) I found a site with tips on how to keep a toddler busy during air travel, using items that are readily available on an airplane!
(5) Travel toys suitable for air travel (i.e., lightweight with little or no pieces that can fall off or create a mess) - magnetic toys, toys with reusable stickers, lacing toys, activity books, pipe cleaners, and pocket doodle toys (i.e., etch a sketch)
So begins my adventure to find good quality, affordable travel toys and books that are available locally...more on my next blog!
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