It's more fun at Fun Farm!

Because of the 2015 APEC summit here in Manila, there is a long school holiday from November 17-20. Days before, I was already thinking of places to go and activities to do for the family.

My son had been to Fun farm before as part of their school field trip.  So I decided to send a text message to Fun Farm if they can accommodate our group of 8, since I will bring the kids' cousins with us.  They replied that my preferred dates, Nov 18 or 19 were already fully-booked!  I guess other parents were prudently planning way ahead of me.  So it was November 17 for us.

Since November 17 was the arrival of most APEC leaders, we were caught in heavy traffic at C5 upto Market Market going to SLEX.  We left The Shoe Capital of the Phils at 6:00am and arrived at Fun Farm Sta Elena, Laguna by 9am.  Not bad.

Let the FUN begin!

 Entrance fee is at P300 per head .  I don't have children below 2 years old anymore.  Boohoo.

We were greeted by the friendly manager Ms. Wilma.  I learned that the place is owned by Rustans Group.  I am glad that they are limiting the numbers of visitors maybe to preserve the tranquility of the farm and for the welfare of animals, which is why you need to make reservations first.

 Kids head off to the first thing they saw: the teepee play area where they played and explored.   It was situated near the entrance on a big well-trimmed lawn.  Here they run freely like kids should.

 Sprawled in the same big lawn, you will find a vintage truck, tractor, golf cart, playground, the sand house and other obstacle / team-building activities.

 Don't you just love to have something like this in your backyard?

 Next we went to the mini fishing pond, where the kids actually get to try fishing using a bamboo stick with worms as bait.  The friendly staff helped hook the worms.  

 Only my niece and our helper caught fish (tiny fish) which were safely returned back to the pond.

After fishing, we went to the horse back riding and carabao cart riding area.  My excited AS went first.

Then "Chocnut" the carabao came by.  My SC who is so fascinated with animals was a little hesitant seeing all these up-close and in real life.  He was still a baby when we first brought him to Avilon zoo.  He nervously agreed to ride Chocnut.  

Our carabao cart ride

Everyone took turns riding horses.  The white one is called Daniella while the dark brown is Glamour.  I learned that Glamour used to be a polo club horse but was injured.  Maybe that explains her aggressiveness.  

Little SC was again hesitant to ride a horse.  He initially didn't want to.  But along came this little pony (I forgot his name) who charmed his way to convincing SC to ride him.

This was SC's stiff smile in the beginning.  After riding around, he felt more relaxed and happily posed for this picture.

Next we head on to the zipline area.  See video below:

After several repeats on the zipline, the kids finally decided to move on to the animal feeding area.

Here they were greeted by hungry but adorable guinea pigs and rabbits.  There were also generous amount of carrot sticks available for the kids to feed the animals.

 The cute guinea pigs fighting over one piece of carrot stick.

 There are wash areas where the kids can wash hands after feeding and petting the animals.

.  More animals.

Finally it was lunch time.  We head back to the Pavillion where we left our snacks and lunch we brought on the way to Fun farm.  You must bring your own food but there are water and other drinks for sale.  It was so convenient that we can leave our bags (clothes and food) inside the Pavillion while exploring the farm.  

Cool signage idea in the restrooms: hens and roosters!

Washroom has cold water, soap and alcohol.

 Inside the pavilion where you can eat lunch picnic-style.  It was surprisingly cool and airy even at mid-day.

Fun Farm is aptly called because, well, it really is FUN!  I am glad we were able to bond and make memories with the kids, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, experience farm activities and really PLAY without electronics.

Praise the Lord for this experience.

To Fun Farm:  Take SLEX , exit at Cabuyao.  Then turn right after toll gate.
About 500 meters you will see Sta. Elena Village gate.  Enter and ask guard for directions going to Fun Farm.

For reservations, call or text : 09209131349

A Day with Divi Diva

So I decided to hire a stylist.

No, I am not a celebrity (far from that) but just to dispel notions about stylists, allow me to give you
a background of where I am coming from.

I haven't shopped for myself for the longest time since I gave birth almost three years ago.  I understand that priorities have shifted now that we have 2 children.  Needs first before wants.  And that is perfectly fine with me.  Until one day, I realized my clothes have shrunk!  Lol.

Yes, unlike my first pregnancy which I had no trouble getting back to my old shape, the second one was different.  Maybe age is catching up on me.  (Excuses haha)

Like any other women, one time or another we find ourselves blurting out the words: "Wala akong masuot." while standing in front of the closet.  It really means, it's time to shop for new clothes.

I also have problems with shopping for clothes.  When I was young, my stylish cousin helps me choose what clothes to buy.  Then, it became my husband who affirms if something looks good or baduy on me.  I don't know what looks best on what or how to mix and match.  I end up hours in the mall without really purchasing anything.

So when I found out that my long-time friend from college who is now a fashion and set stylist is offering her services as DIVI DIVA, I got really interested.

So what / who is DIVI DIVA? It is "shopping and styling experience on a budget".  She will help clueless shoppers like me choose what looks best for my body-type, personality and clothing requirements. Best of all, it is budget-friendly.  Whatever your budget is, she will work with that.  She has the eye for beautiful pieces and can spot quality fabrics/ materials even though we are in Divisoria.

So here are the outfits I got from Divisoria with the help of DIVI DIVA:

All in all, I was able to buy:

11 tops

1 dress

2 skirts

2 pants

for only P6,600.00 

What a deal! 

You may reach DIVI DIVA in instagram : @IAMPRE_CIOUS

@IAMPRE_CIOUS

Teaching moment

Tonight we started simulating back to school routine by hitting the sack at 8pm (so we can wake up at 5am).  After lights off, I went out of the room to finish some last minute to-do items.  I didn't realize that it took me about almost two hours.  

When I re-entered the room, I was surprised that AS was still awake. 

"What took you so long mom?" He inquired.

I said that I prepared the food items for tomorrow's marketing, salary for house helpers, as well as sorting out bills ( I enumerated them one by one : Electricity, water, telephone, cable and other papers for filing as if to justify my being away 😁). 

Then AS proudly blurted out: "We're rich right?" 

I told him "Not really (as what the world defines rich) but Dad works hard and God is the one providing for our needs. What we have is enough; it is just right.

Sometimes when I find that we don't have enough, as we trust God, something amazing will happen and we will have enough! 

Remember the story I told last Sunday? About how Elijah was worried how he will eat and drink, but as he obeyed God, God provided the brook for him to drink and bread and meat delivered to him by birds. (1 Kings 16:29 -17:6) Amazing right?"

AS: "Can you tell me more about God?"

Wow, I praise God for teaching moments like this.  😊

I was the teacher last Sunday.  Even though I prepared well, I still do not have control over my students.  Last Sunday was one such "uncontrollable" situation.  I felt my lesson fell on deaf ears.  But that is to show me that God is in control; He IS in the business of transforming lives not me. I only need to obey and surrender to Him. 

Now I see that the lesson was not for naught as He used it again tonight to speak to my son's heart.  

"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16