Happy 4th Birthday

Enjoyed cake and party with friends at daycare.

First few books

Enjoyed reading at a very early age.

Supposedly Iron Man

So cute! The background and setting are just toppings.

Feeding the seagulls

Picnic with Harbour Bridge in the background

First real bed with wheels

The best Christmas present ever!!

18 August 2013

Puppies, Bikes and Mud

No comments
The main reason that we go back to the Philippines as often as we can afford is for the Tatapilla to spend a lot of time with family up there. With our distance, communication is not that easy but when we got there, it's not like the Tatapilla and his cousins have been separate for a long time. They seems to pick up where they left off, which is a good thing. The Tatapilla had a lot of fun. One of my nephews got puppies when we were there and the Tatapilla experienced how to have a dog for the first time. He enjoyed it a lot. There were tears when we left and didn't take the dogs with us. Well, he's back into being a bikie again especially that my brother has a new motorbike. We bought him a helmet and he cruised with his uncle whenever they want. It was mostly raining when we were there. We didn't get to accomplish a lot but it was still fun just spending time with the family - shure microphones at guitar center sure didn't come up in any conversation. It's all catching up and what have yous.
*****
Read More

03 February 2013

News

No comments
Last week marks the most memorable events in our lives especially with the Tatapilla. It was his first week at prep school. Actually, he is in a grade 1 prep mixed class. He is having fun and always excited to go to school. I am crossing my fingers that he will stay the same - so eager to learn new things, to meet new people and just be excited about life. The first game console has graced out humble home. We never had one before aside from those you play on the computer. I am not against it but I am not into it either. Good thing this one, we didn't buy. It was a hand-me-down PS2, with all the trappings that come with it. Lots of games appropriate for his age. The tatapilla has been wanting a game console or a DS, that he would have have wrote a letter if we have thought tobuy suggestion boxes - he wanted to ask Santa about it. As they say, good things come to those who waits.
*****
Read More

12 January 2013

How Much is Enough

No comments
I don't worry about him gaining a lot of weight because looking at his baby photos and earlier years, he was actually more meaty. But sometimes, he would tell me he had enough to eat without finishing his dinner. Am I giving him more than he can have? How much is enough. It could mean sometimes that he is just wanting is dessert early.
What’s a healthy weight? After the age of six months, plotting children’s weight and height in the health record book provided with their birth can give parents a fair idea of how their growth is tracking, says Dietitians Association of Australia spokeswoman Kate Di Prima. “If they are gaining weight proportionately, this is a healthy sign,” Di Prima says. She says if at six months your child is on, say, the 25th percentile line (that is, weighing under the average) and continues to track along this line, it is likely your child is gaining weight proportionately. “If parents are concerned, they could also check their child’s BMI and discuss it with a dietitian or their doctor or health nurse.” For older kids, she says clothes size is a good indication of their weight. “If they’re eight years old and the height of an eight-year old but wearing size 12, this could flag an issue with weight. Again, talk about this with the appropriate health professional.”
Now, on the off-topic.. and very much so.. have you been to a cigar store?
*****
Read More

Melting

No comments
We are melting these days. The mercury is just rising. Callipo is the favourite cooler. One day, the Tatapilla ate 6 of them - what's left in the box. I was not impressed but I thought, it was funny. He must have been really hot or he didn't eat anything other than them. I'd like to put him on a medical exam table.. no just to interrogate him but I chose my battle. No use crying over eaten callipo.
You're Sweet Because You're Innocent
You may have been hurt many times before, but you don't carry it with you in life.
You still fundamentally expect people to be good, and you give them the benefit of the doubt.

You're innocent, but you're not naive. You know who could harm you, and you stay away accordingly.
Whenever you can, you open your heart up to possibilities. Life is so much richer that way.
*****
Read More

Why can't I shave?

No comments
He saw me one evening using a razor in the shower then asked, why can't I shave. I explained that he hasn't got hair that require shaving. But I have hair, he replied showing to me his miniscule hair. I said, they're baby hair.. not adult hair. One night, he was screaming in the bathroom and crying. He had scratches-like wound on both of his legs. He fibbed to me saying that he tripped. I believed him and gave comfort. He let he cat out of the bag the next day by confessing that he didn't trip but shave himself instead. My reaction was torn of course. First, he fibbed and then.. what?! Shaved. Lesson learned, I reckon. I wouldn't need monitor cart to see if he's going to shave again.
*****
Read More

18 November 2012

Snow snow snow

No comments
This is actually what the Tatapilla wants. I am not sure if this is a credible personality test as he just likes snow. Would we need labadorite here? I don't want to find out as yet.
You Are Action Oriented
You tend to act on impulse. You don't see much advantage to trying to think things through.
You can't stand to be stagnant. You rather be wandering aimlessly than standing still.

You have a fun personality, and you find it easy to get energized about almost anything.
You are quick to respond to everyone. You've got a comeback for anything!
*****
Read More

Any Volunteer?

No comments
HO ho no! The festive season is facing its biggest crisis with a lack of Santas to stack the sacks in shopping store grottos across the state. The situation is so critical - especially in country towns - that a Mr Claus recruitment agency is signing up older teens to fulfil the Christmas wishes of every young child. "A lot of people believe it is a job only for a fat old man, but that's not the case," National Santa project manager for Bluestone Recruitment, Alan Ellis said. "We are calling on 19-year-olds and upwards. When you get them dressed up in their costumes, you wouldn't know their age. "You don't have to be fat because we will give you an artificial belly and we also give them an eyebrow-whitening pencil. "We need around 600 Santas this year, but we only have 300. We desperately need Santas for Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, the Blue Mountains and Dubbo." Mark Smithers, 28, said age is no barrier when it comes to being a good Santa and helping deliver Christmas to children. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/ho-ho-no-santa-shortage-critical/story-fneszs56-1226518630946#ixzz2CXCYeEU2
Any takers? I'm sure it'll be fun. It's community service despite the sweating in the suit as this summer has been predicted to be hot. Would they have some incentive (something like Iolo disk defragmenter) or is it asking too much?
*****
Read More

Overfeeding?

No comments
It's hard to know how much is enough for a growing child. Sometimes, we want our kids to each as much as we can but there's a thin line between that and over feeding them. But I reckon, mother's instinct is still the best but as we live a very harried and hurried life, it is waning - more like our linear bearings are decreasing. Here's some input from bodyandsoul.com.au:
What’s a healthy weight? After the age of six months, plotting children’s weight and height in the health record book provided with their birth can give parents a fair idea of how their growth is tracking, says Dietitians Association of Australia spokeswoman Kate Di Prima. “If they are gaining weight proportionately, this is a healthy sign,” Di Prima says. She says if at six months your child is on, say, the 25th percentile line (that is, weighing under the average) and continues to track along this line, it is likely your child is gaining weight proportionately. “If parents are concerned, they could also check their child’s BMI and discuss it with a dietitian or their doctor or health nurse.” For older kids, she says clothes size is a good indication of their weight. “If they’re eight years old and the height of an eight-year old but wearing size 12, this could flag an issue with weight. Again, talk about this with the appropriate health professional.”
*****
Read More

07 October 2012

Parenting Tips

No comments
You can hear or read in the news that problem with kids ranges from bad to worse. There are many factors not just the parenting type but parents I do believe plays a very vital role in the behaviour of kids. Here are some tips for bodyandsoul.com.au:
5 tips on discipline Tell your child what to do rather than what not to do – for example, “Walk in the house” not “Don’t run in the house”. Ensure kids understand the consequences for breaking the rules, which should be fair and age appropriate. Act quickly when children misbehave. The consequences need to relate to the behaviour so follow through immediately. Stay calm and tell your child in a firm, pleasant voice what you want them to do. Praise your child when they behave well.
I am sure there are many more like rewarding them with equestrian apparel, if they are into it or whatever floats your boat. If you are seeing good results, it must be effective so keep it up. For me, there are no sets of rules, each of us and the kids have our own circumstances. It should be rigid.
*****
Read More

Beating Grunting

No comments
According to studies, bowel problem is common to school kids due to their diet. Based on the article in bodyandsoul.com.au, it's not hard to feed kids with fiber punch food. I am largely talking about my kid but these food are all time favourite, I reckon. And if kids dislike them, there's always a first time for everything (like find Navy coins) and just like adults, we need to get used to them.
Packing a fibre punch Baked beans (1/2 cup) = 7g Green peas (1/2 cup) = 5g Pear (average size) = 4g Raspberries (1 cup) = 8g Wholemeal pasta (1/2 cup) = 4g White pasta (1/2 cup) = less than 1g Wholemeal/rye bread (one slice) = 2g White bread (one slice) = less than 1g
*****
Read More

Lullaby

No comments
I can't remember singing lullaby to the Tatapilla when he was a baby. He normally goes to sleep when there is no noise at all. Plus, I don't really know any songs that might help him go to sleep other than those jolly ones. Knowing him, it'll just encourage him to stay awake and play. As he is growing, he likes singing himself to sleep. One night this week, he asked me to sing him to sleep. I wanted to sing a tagalog song but I only know jolly ones as well. After one song, I started humming instead. After a couple of minutes, I was told to stop so he can sleep, funny that. Maybe Rane dj mixers at musicians friend will do a better job than me.
*****
Read More

My Little House Helper

No comments
When we were at the shops, he wanted lots of treats. We made a deal that he can only have them if he will brush his peggies after eating and if he deserves them. And so, it started the helping hands campaign. He's been cleaning up and because he likes water, which I presume he will welcome water fountains indoor, doing all the chores that include water.
Plus, I reckon, this is a good training for him to be self sufficient when he grows into an adult.
*****
Read More

10 September 2012

Middle Child

No comments
No were are not going to have 3 to have a middle child. I just want to feature this article that I read. I have always believed that a middle child has a distinct characteristics and they are good, most of them anyway. For once, they are strong and very independent. This is from bodyandsoul.com.au. Quite interesting and I believe in them. Yes, despite being sandwiched.. a middle child gets better in time.. just like wine (along with wine supplies, I hope).
Is a "middleton" doomed to face life-long personality issues, or is their birth order actually a springboard to success? Did you know? More than half of all US presidents have been middle children. Other famous middle borns include Bill Gates, Tony Blair, Madonna and Princess Diana. In 2004 Australians were urged by then Federal Treasure Peter Costello to have three kids to boost the country's birth rate. Today those families who obeyed may well be facing the consequences of their patriotism – middle child syndrome. According to the "science" of birth order, being sandwiched between an over-achieving, responsible elder sibling and an indulged youngest child is the cause of all sorts of personality issues and even disorders. It has been labelled a "syndrome". A way to stand out Being affected by your order of birth is inevitable and unavoidable, says Melbourne psychologist Andrew Fuller, whose book Tricky Kids (Finch Publishing) tends to focus on middle-born offspring. "Second-born children arrive with one spot in the family already firmly filled by the bossy and responsible eldest child. This second child, who may go on to be the middle child, needs to find another way to stand out in the family," Fuller says. "And sometimes that can mean they might be more trying or difficult for their parents to understand."
*****
Read More