Jacob's Separation/School Anxiety

Finally, after a week of struggles and anxiety attacked; our son is back to his old self again. His loves for school and learning is back. I thought that day would never come soon. Now, my worries are gone....he even found a friend to play with at his new school. I am so glad that Ms. Durbin (his teacher) is very kind and understanding. He knew what Jacob was going through and knew how to handle the situation; now Jacob loves his teacher and always talks about her.

Facts about school anxiety.
Recent studies show that anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric conditions among kids, with as many as 10% suffering from them and requiring medical treatment. No studies have been conducted on how common school anxiety is, but some experts believe it's on the rise among younger kids, including preschoolers.

"Our society is expecting more and more from our kids at younger ages," says Sucheta Connolly, M.D., a child psychiatrist and director of the Pediatric Stress and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Illinois in Chicago, which treats children as young as 2. "And not all of them can handle it." But how do you know whether your child's protests are a ploy to avoid an uncomfortable situation or a genuine cry for help? In an interview with Child, Dr. Connolly explained how to tell the difference and outlined what parents can do to ease every child's entry into school.

MM: Jake Loves Toys and Gadgets, too!

Here is my entry for this week's Mommy Moments theme, "I Love Toys and Gadgets." Jake loves toys and gadgets so much....and here are few of them.

Jake's latest gadget is the nintendo ds xl which was our present to him for his birthday last month.
Here is one of his old time fave toy, Buzz light year....
his digital camera...a gift from us on Christmas.
And here is the legos; he spent a lot of his time playing with it everyday.

Join us by clicking the badge above....the meme hosted by none other than, Chris of Mommy's Journey.

Win a free Weekend Stay at Hampton Hotel

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

Every year we make sure to visit my in-laws and vice versa. And when we do, we drive halfway to New Mexico; we stay at a hotel to spend the night with then continue our trip early the next day. We have been doing that for eight years now. I tell you, staying at different hotel every time can sometimes be fun and sometimes disappointing. We have seen the worst and best hotel and finally found the best one and that is the Hampton hotel. Hampton hotel is a chain in the Hilton empire and can be located nationwide.

This Christmas, we plan of spending it with my in-laws...a reunion at the same. We couldn't wait to stop and spend a night again at Hampton hotel where great amenities can be found and maids will clean room and we can swim in the indoor pool and watch our favorite TV shows or movies and relax; would also be happy to watch my son again would pig out again with their yummy breakfast! It would be nice if we could win the Hampton's sweepstakes, too.

What about you? Do you want to win the sweepstakes yourself? Why not enter the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes for a chance to win the entire hotel for a weekend? This is your chance to take your family, friends, relatives and even neighbors for a weekend getaway where everyone can stay at 100 rooms for two nights.

Not only that, there is also 100 first prize winners who will all get weekend stays for themselves and 3 of their friends! Anyway, to enter, all you have to do is check the sweepstakes page on their website and click enter now. While there get an entry also by entering "promo code friend" when you book a room online for any Hampton Hotel. So, what are you waiting for? Check it out now!

From Excited to Terrified

The first day of school for my son didn't go well. Few days before the school starts, he was very excited and couldn't wait to go back to school just like he felt when he starts Pre K and Kinder. He loves going to school so much...loves to meet new friends...and new teacher, but not this year. The moment I woke him up to prepare for school, his facial expression changed....from excited to terrified! He didn't want to go to school, he hates school, and didn't want to miss Mommy. Despite of our encouragements, he made up his mind. He would rather stay with me than go to school.

My poor little man has a very bad anxiety attack! He wouldn't sleep, keeps asking me to promise to pick him up after school. Seeing him cries every time we drop him off to school breaks my heart. I don't have any choice but leave him there. The next day, he clings on to my shirt crying hard....his teacher has to call the guidance counselor for help. Hubby called later to find out if he is okay. He was fine few minutes after we left him said the guidance counselor. Her advise was to give Jacob a hug and kiss and leave right away when we drop him off the next day. Oh well, easier said than done....but we have to do it. She said in two weeks time, Jacob would be fine and get adjusted to his new school, teacher and classmates. Hubby and I are crossing our fingers with the hope that he would be okay.

Today, we did what the guidance counselor asked us to do, and it seems like it worked! When I picked him up today, her teacher said, Jacob was okay and was able to join the class quickly. Every once in awhile, he would look at his teacher and cries....but his teacher keeps on assuring him that everything will be okay and he would be going home soon.

I don't know what to expect tomorrow; all we can do is pray for him. Hubby and I are really worried for him. He has changed...from a happy little boy to a sad one. We can see in his eyes how much worries he has....If only I can take away that anxiety, I would do it. But how? What can I do to make him feel better and make him love his school again? I want my old son back!

Reboost Program

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.

Modern technology has come a long way when it comes to communication. Before, we only use landline phone to communicate. Now, the best gadget I'll say is the mobile or cell phone. A mobile phone with a working sim card can now surf the internet, send email as well as socialize through networking. Anyway, have you heard about Boost Mobile? What about Sprint Prepaid Group? I didn't know anything about it till I read it on Sprint website. I learned that this offers wireless phone to phone users. The best thing I like about it is that you don't need to sign a contract, no activation, roaming, traveling or long distance fees; this is a “pay as you go” phone that allow you to text, talk, and use the web unlimited for only $50 a month. They even included the use of 411, IM and send email; isn't it great or what!?

And if you are a busy person and always on the go, you probably need internet service, then why not use Blackberry Monthly unlimited? For only 60 bucks a month, you can text, talk, use web, send emails, use 411 and IM nationwide. They also offer wide selection of handsets, accessories, and ringtones not to mention the other special offers they have. You can even choose the phone you want. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from Motorola, Sanyo and Research In Motion. So what are you waiting for? Buy Boost Mobile now and get the latest tweet of your friends and as well as their latest post on Facebook, and MySpace. You will love the Re-Boost which is a payment option that allow you to pay online, in person or phone, Indeed, this system is a user friendly, even your family member or friend can also make a payment for a Boost Mobile customer like you. Use your debit/credit card to make a payment or sign-up for worry-free automatic payments.

Mommy Moments: Kids and Movies

We like to watch movies at home or at the movie house but didn't really think of taking pictures while while inside the movie theater....and so this is the only one I took before going inside :-). This was taken by the way last year (December) ready to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks :-). We don't really have preference as to what movie we would watch; as long as it is kid-friendly and is rated for GP. Anyway, we couldn't wait to see Nanny McPhee returns with the Frier's next weekend :-); this time will make sure to take photo of us :-).

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Great Info about Wasp Spray

I got this from a friend who is very good in sharing helpful tips and info of about everything. The only thing he sends us that we don't really approved was articles with racism contents in it....as well as criticizing the US President and his government. Anyway, thought of sharing this info with you for your safety. Read on....

I know some of you own GUNS but this is something to think about...If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before. I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she gets a can of wasp spray.....they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life. Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School. For decades, he suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed. Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them." Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save a life. Did you also know that wasp spray will kill a snake? And a mouse! It will! Good to know, huh? It will also kill a wasp.!!!!

MM: Jacob Loves Books

It's Mommy Moments time again; here is my share for this week :-). Enjoy!

Here is a video of Jake when he was a year old. I think he was trying to read book :-)

He does love book and has plenty of it in his bedroom, living room and our bedroom. His favorite are the Dr. Seuss and has a collection of them from The Cats in the Hats to the Oh the places you go. As I read these books to him, I, myself became fan of it and mg favorite is the "Are You My Mother? I didn't take pictures of his books in his bookshelf but has for some of the books he has been busy reading this summer.


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Gifts from A Mystery Friend...

Okay, just this morning, we got a package delivered by FedEx; no idea where it came from and who sent it to us. It was a gift for my son's birthday last month....clothes which my son loves because it was toy story shirts and short, and polo shirts. As I think about it, I have a strong feeling who sent us the package...she probably wants to remain anonymous...and so even though am sure now who that sweet, generous and thoughtful friend is...will not mention her name here. Thank you so much dear....you didn't have to do that, but we are grateful for the act of kindness and love. Here are the photos of the gifts she sent my son...

I was right, the friend who sent the gift is also a friend of many....she's no other than, Tsang Sheila of Simple Happy Life. Once again, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.

Thanks again dear, muaaah

To A Good Friend, Nancy

Have you guys noticed that finally, I have badge for this blog? If you do, I'd like you to know that the person who made them for me was no other than Umma, a generous, kind, pretty, humble and smart friend Umma. I have known her for almost three years now if I am not mistaken and she is still the same person....she never changed...that is why she has plenty of true and faithful friends around her.

Thank you so much again Umma dear....i love my bagdes so much...they are so cute! To all who wanted to get to know her, visit her very informative and interesting blogs by clicking the badges below.

MM: Lights....Camera....Pose

Here is my share for this week's Mommy Moments with a theme: Lights, Camera, Pose! And these are few of my favorite photos of him, too.

Christmas at our old house when he was three year old....

Potrait taken two years ago while we were still living in Virginia....

Eater egg hunt photo this year, taken before the easter egg hunt at the pirate cove playground....

and the black and white photo of him.

MM: Grocery Shopping

Here is my late entry for this week's Mommy Moments. Though it's late I still want to post this one :-). We do grocery shopping at least once a week; but when we forgot something we have no choice but go back at the store to do some more shopping which I am not happy with because we tend to spend more than we're supposed to. Anyway, I don't really take picture of my son when we go shopping, so here is the only moment I took during one of the grocery days we had.

At Walmart with Daddy....
and I was taking a picture of Jake playing a cop shooing his gun at me :-) while Daddy was looking for some ready to eat dinner at the deli section of the store.