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

Princess Treatment

I woke up one Friday morning to an unusual abdominal pain.  I shrugged it off and went on with my day as the pain was tolerable for my standards.  It was mid-morning when I began to suspect something must be wrong as the pain was still persistent and I also felt all flushed with fever (uy, kinanta nya.. ^_^).


I then received a call from my son's school that he was not feeling well.  I had to drive back from where I was (Ortigas) and face the heavy traffic.  On the way home, I began praying for our health and for strength to drive.  Traffic was slow moving.  It took me about one hour to reach school and another hour going home.


"Whew".  So this is how taxi / jeepney drivers feel.


I gave a sigh of relief as we reached home.  I thanked God for His protection.  I immediately went straight to bed as I was too weak already.  My son was asleep so I asked our helper to bring him to his room.


I was feverish with 38.8C temperature accompanied with chills.


After a while, AS (who was feeling better already) went in my room.  I told him not to go near me as I have fever.  He was persistent that he wanted to be with me.  He lay on my bed but with a significant amount of distance apart from me.  He just wanted to be there.  Later, I allowed him to touch my forehead at the same time as his. He said I was "hotter than him".


I was wearing a blanket because I was feeling cold.  He went out the room and came back with two more blankets!  Then he did the sweetest.. He thoughtfully laid the blankets over my body.  He went out again and reappeared with a bowl of sliced apples (with our helper's help) and tiny white flowers (from the garden).  I feel so special!


AS:  "Mom I'll get you water." He went down and back again with my water bottle filled to the brim. I feel so loved!  He did all these without me telling him.


I expressed my gratitude, affirmed his kind actions and told him I love him.


Times like this I feel like a princess, what with three boys surrounding me in the family.  (But most of the time, I am a prince.  Just one-of-the-boys, when I get down and dirty, rough and rugged!) I am just thankful that AS got his sweet side through his dad's modelling of love.


Yes our children are watching us.  A huge factor of how they will turn out as adults someday are influenced by us parents. That is a great responsibility!  I too often find myself making mistakes and having misgivings in raising our children ( who doesn't?).  That is why I am so glad that the role we have as parents is not ours to play alone... we have God with us on this journey.


Jesus said: "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40)

Deuteronomy 4:9
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them."  (Deuteronomy 4:9

Cebu Trip - Bojo River in Aloguinsan

Hitting two birds with one stone, our recent trip to Cebu was not only to attend my cousin-in-law's wedding but an opportunity for our family to have a vacation as well.  One of the highlights of our trip was the Bojo River Aloguinsan tour.

A shuttle came to pick us up at 6:30 am.  We were still able to have our hotel buffet breakfast at 6am.  It took us about two hours to reach the town of Aloguinsan from our hotel in Cebu City where Bojo river is located.   

Everyone was excited for the river cruise.  We had to hike through the trail surrounded by lush greenery to reach the reception/ dock.  It was a hot summer day and even with a toddler in tow, I didn't really mind, because walking through the path itself (which is actually almost the riverbank) is already a sight to behold.  There are many different kinds of plants all around, and you can also see the calm river lined with mangroves.  Nature lovers will surely enjoy this place.  At the end of the trail was the reception area / dock where we were welcomed by locals singing and dancing to Visayan songs.

 Refreshing coconuts as welcome drinks for the tired trekkers.

The river is lined with different kinds of mangroves where the fish would lay eggs.  Mangroves also provide the oxygen for the marine creatures.  Our tour guide, Jumilyn Manigos, a fisherman's daughter and president of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS), said that we were the only group booked for the tour that day.  They are really doing a good job in preserving the natural eco-system of the river by not allowing tourists to flock the area all at the same time.    

She gave us more information about the place, then a diver gave us instructions on snorkelling. At the end of the river is an inlet where the river meets the sea.  That is where snorkelling would begin.

                                                               We rode a hand paddled boat or a "baroto" so as not to disturb the waters and surroundings with noise.  (A big thumbs-up for me!)

       

 Another local guide, Bella, rode with us together with two bankeros.  She was remarkably knowledgeable about the whole thing; the river, it's history, plants, mangroves, marine creatures, etc, she's amazing!         

                                                                                                                  

The bubbles in the water are oxygen released by the mangroves

                                           

Water here is brackish water- a mixture of fresh water and seawater

                                                                                                                                                              

Finally we reach the breath-taking view of the Tañon Strait.  You cannot help but revel in God's majesty.  How wonderful His creation!  

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."        Nehemiah 9:11

 My water baby AS can't wait to jump!  It was his first time to snorkel.

But my SC seemed to think otherwise. =)

 So we (SC and I) just stayed in the boat while the rest went out farther to the sea to snorkel.  They were with a group of divers assisting them who came as part of the tour package so no need to worry.  I suggest to those who will try snorkelling to bring a waterproof camera.

 When we returned back to the reception area, everyone was famished.  A buffet lunch was waiting for us.  Because I had to give my kids a bath, I came in late for pictures.

Steamed rice, humba, grilled bangus, tinolang manok, ginataang puso ng saging, lakatan and pink lemonade

 After our hearty meal, we had to leave this beautiful place and go to our next destination - the Farm House.  This time SC was fast asleep in my arms so the only thing I enjoyed was the food.

camote

Pan Bisaya

Salbaro

I really enjoyed eating with one hand (lol) the pan bisaya and salbaro (coconut bread) dipped in hot chocolate while relaxing in the "farmhouse".

AS feeding the pigs

He caught a fish! 

It was truly a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.  The next time you're in Cebu, try  Aloguinsan's Bojo River Eco-cultural tour  and visit the Farmhouse too. =)

Sibling Rivalry

Last night I had a rather serious conversation with my 6-yr old son AS.

Lately, I notice that AS tends to complain whenever I call him or ask him to do something.

I just reminded him beforehand that after watching a particular t.v. show he should then go to bed right after.  Reminders prepare him of what to expect rather than receiving an absolute command in "shock".  Nevertheless, I would still likely hear whines, excuses and whatnots from him.  I would then find myself lecturing him about complaining and being grateful.

While preparing his bedtime milk, I got the chance to ask him what he feels about me, his dad and his 1-yr old brother SC.  He said he doesn't like SC and that he is "sick" (the term he used) of him.  He also expressed that he feels I don't love him anymore or that I love SC more. He goes on to say that I am always taking care of SC..  He said he catches us doting on SC only and not him.. that I used to play with him before but not anymore.  That time, I was trying so hard in containing myself from interrupting. I wanted to defend myself.

He continued on saying that I spank him too hard.  He feels exasperated whenever I tell him to "do this, do that" (nag).  He also compared me with his dad; that DS takes him out to movies, brings him to work, while I, do not spend time with him daw.  SIGH!

I remember the line Vilma Santos said in her movie "ANAK":    “Bakit pag ang lalake ang nagbigay ng damit, pagkain sasabihin ng mga tao “Aba mabuti siyang ama” pero pag ang babae, kasama na pati pusot kaluluwa hindi pa rin sapat.”

With that, I would like to commend my husband for his intentional efforts in spending time with AS. Yay!

Going back, I asked him if he loves his brother.  He said no.  (his perception during that emotional state)
I reminded him that he was the one who wished and prayed to God for a baby brother.  (His frustration was that SC was too small to be his playmate)
I asked him, "So what are we going to do? Do you want to give him away?" (I realized I answered my own question very inappropriately, quite sarcastically.  My mistake. )
Too smart, he replied : "Will you really do what I will answer?
I was caught in my own trap.

I explained to him that what he is thinking about me not loving him anymore is not true.  I also apologized if he felt that way and explained that I am just one person and there are three of them who each needs attention.  I also thanked him for his openness and honesty in telling me all these things.

It is becoming quite a challenge to maintain peace between brothers with a five-year age gap.  AS is a very active boy, who is big with his movements.  He is an extrovert who loves meeting people and is not scared to be left off by himself.  SC on the other hand is rather observant, contented in tinkering with objects, attentive to details.  He is sensitive to people and environment.  So when AS would bear hug his brother, the other would cry in agitation, squirming his way out.  Both are frustrated.  By instinct (or by habit?) I would react by protecting the weaker sibling...  a recipe for jealousy!

They have different needs, different interests.  The challenge lies in how we as parents would embrace their differences and find balance.

Things I realized:
1.  AS (and even little SC) catches on what we do and not what we teach. Unknowingly or unconsciously, he probably hears us complain too.

2.  Change.  If I want to change somebody, I should start by changing myself.  This is one of the things I learned during our recent Holy Week Family Camp.  God is our hope for change; He can transform lives; just as He alone can wash away our sins, forgive us and make us new.  How can I do this?  Through prayer, and lots of it.

3.  Set one on one dates with my sons (and spouse) depending on their interests.  Quality time doesn't mean being in one room together yet doing things individually.  While they are still young and have different needs, this is something we can do for the meantime.  In this way, each of the boys will feel special and loved equally.  Of course, this does not mean we cannot do other things as a family.  

4. Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. James 1:19  I should learn not to react quickly to every squabble.  Yes, being the mom-referee is not easy.

After all these, I must say that PRAYER is the key to keep our family from falling apart.

Before going to bed, I led him to the crib where SC was sleeping.  I asked him to look at his brother for a few minutes.  I asked him: "Do you love your brother?"

SC: "I love him!"