Independence Day Celebration 2012

On Independence Day, my family and I decided to go to the Kaufman's 4th of July parade and family fun instead of going to church ward breakfast and children's parade. We chose to attend the first one because of the time and the many things we would enjoy as family. First of all the church thing was scheduled earlier than the city parade. And the city offered more than parade, it also offers bouncy houses, pony rides, rock climbing, games, and being able to go picnicking.

We had so much fun as family, and individual as well. After Jacob rock climbing, he jumped on the obstacles course bouncy houses and played some games where he won a prize. I got a free fan, and free watermelons and cold water bottles :-). Before we left the park, my boys got to read their favorite books while I sat and relax watching them and other people who still enjoy the activities at the park. It was a nice celebration of Independence Day!

Like Father, Like Son!

My son's first hero is indeed his father. As you an see in these photos, he likes to do what his Dad is doing. He follows him wherever he goes, whatever he does. He looks forward when Daddy gets home from work. When Daddy is our of his sight, he would go looking for him (in the garage, yard, even in the bathroom, lol.

Shooting BB gun.

Reading fave books.

Swimming together.

He even watches Dad's fave tv shows ( Star Trek Enterprise and The Andy Griffith show). He is indeed his father's son :-).

Jacob's Notice for Mom and Dad

Every time my son did something he knew he wasn't supposed to do, one of his privileges will be taken away from him unless he proved himself that he is worthy to get it back. He knew better but sometimes he kept doing the same mistake over and over again. And so, when I get fed up, this is what happens. He thought he would get what he wants by writing a letter or notice for us. Nope, he was wrong, lol.

Anyway, this was the letter I've found on his bedroom door. It made me and my husband laugh silently. He did a pretty good job writing this note if you may say, except for one misspelled word 'privilege.'

My Little Spider Man

Last month if I am not mistaken, one of my son's classmate named Layla knocked on our door. Jacob and I were surprised to see her in front of our door. This girl was really mean to my son. She plays with him and then punches him afterward. She calls my son shorty. For a little while there, I would talk to her and ask her to stop bullying my son. Thank goodness, she stopped. Anyway, she asked whether Jacob can come to her house because her mother was doing some face painting with the girls. I asked Jacob if he wants to, and he said; 'yes.' And so away he went with her.

Few minutes later, he came back with the SpiderMan painted on his face. Kind of cool, don't you think?

Bike Riding Safety

Saturday last week, I took my son to the park where the Crandall Fire Department conducted a safety bike ride for the kids ages 12 and under. Jacob learned to ride his bike with obstacles like the cones and dropping something on the trash can while riding the bike. He had fun, and I had fun watching him, too.

Anyway, when it was about to rain, we decided to walk back home. I was just disappointed that they didn't teach them about safety, like stopping and looking both ways before crossing the road, not riding the bike but pushing it to get to the other side of the road. Husband and I decided that we would continue to remind Jacob of safe bike riding to school and hopefully he would apply them when we let him ride his bike to school.

Our Raised Bed Garden

A couple of weeks ago, hubby and I started our vegetables garden in the backyard. He made two raised bed garden and here is the first one. We planted tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, jalapeno, red and green peppers, okra, eggplant, and yellow squash. Oh, I couldn't wait to see some harvest soon.

Below is the garden after two weeks. Can you see the difference? They are all grew a little bit. Husband sprinkled some iron granules on it since the plants need it because the leaves are tuning into yellow. Anyway, the other bed will be planted with Asian veggies such as bitter gourd, jute, papaya, long/string beans, and calamansi. By the way, my son helps with the watering the plants and planting some seedlings.

A Day at the Dallas World Aquarium

This Monday there was a Staff Training at my son's school, and so there was no school. As family, we decided to make this day a fruitful and fun day for each of us. In the morning, we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. This place is in the middle of the big city. It is more like a rainforest with bit of everything like a mini zoo with small animals, and a mini sea with interesting fish. The most popular part of this place is the 22,000-gallon tunnel with a panoramic view of underwater reef life. It is amazing! From the top you think you are just looking into a large pool of water, on the lower floor, you are seeing under the water and looking up towards the people looking down. I loved the walk thru enclosed waterway where the sharks are swimming above your walking path.

Mommy Moments: J's Valentines Day Arts and Crafts

Every year for the past two years now, Jacob and I made Valentines cards for his class. He brings them to their Valentines Day party and gives them to his classmates, and in return he gets cards from them, too! I really enjoyed doing arts and crafts with Jacob every time; he loves to help, too! In fact, he looks forward to this moment every year. I am glad because he shows his interests in arts and also learning something he can be proud of.

Butterfly Lollipop card

The Finished products.

The making of them.

Thank you so much, son (Anak) for helping Mommy, and for showing your interests on doing other things than playing video games and watching TV. Keep it up my dear! I love you and we are so proud of your accomplishments.

Mommy Moments: Girls/Mommys Day Out

Not very often I get the chance to spend time alone. I am always busy taking care of my son and husband's need at home. As a Mom, I also want to contribute with our finances, and so during my spare time, I work on the computer blogging and doing some paid posts to earn some money. On top of that, I also go to church regularly magnifying my calling as a teacher for 7-8 year old children. My life can be boring at times. Good thing I have few friends whom I can spend my 'me' time with. As always, every time we go out eat, shop, or just visit a botanical garden, I always have so much fun! Last week, we went shopping a little at the mall, had lunch and some chatting :-) which was the highlights of our girls day out. Someday, I would like to have a night out, too with them. Anyway, here are few photos taken when we went to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical garden.

Lyn and Me

Just me...

Analyn and Emely

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Allowance for Jacob

This morning while we were eating our breakfast, Jacob was talking about the things he wants for his birthday. I can not help but smile hearing him say the lists. These are on his list: an iPhone, a pet (puppy or fish), Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, and his own set of scriptures. Who knows what else he would add to the lists before his birthday comes in July, lol. Anyway, I was thinking that it is time for him to understand money or its concept. He needs to understand that he can not get whatever he wants without working to get it. He is old enough to help in he house, and so I was thinking of giving him a job or tell him to help in the house for that is how he earns the money or allowance.


Suze Orman had great advice. She said give the child 1o cents per minute for the time he/she takes to do a task.Jacob is already 7 year old and I have decided to give him $1 a day. I will also make him a chart. If he does everything on the chart he gets paid the fully $1. For everything he doesn't do, I will deduct 10 cents. Whining and throwing temper tantrums are also deductions. I will have him do things that really help me around the house (sorting his toys, cleaning his room, emptying the dishwasher, sweeping the floor). He also put his dirty clothes on the laundry basket and sort them out according to colors. Anything that will really help me can be a chore.

What do you guys think? Do you have any suggestions? Please share them with us; thank you!

Busy, Fun and Productive Day!

Yesterday was a 'parent/teacher conference' at my son's school. We were scheduled for the 8:40am session and were able to talk with my son's teacher for at least 20 minutes. It was great to find out that J is doing pretty well in school we just need to help him with reading comprehension and managing his time wisely which is normal to kid his age. Anyway, after the conference, we headed to Tanger Outlet mall in Terrell to shop at Old Navy then headed for Rockwall to play bowling. Yes. we had a great day since there was no school yesterday. It was an enjoyable and tiring day, but we all had all fun! Before finally going home, we did a short visit with the Reamy's in their home at Scurry. After the visit, we finally went home with some firewood with us for our fireplace. By the time we got home, it's already dinner time. After unloading the firewood, we went out to eat dinner at a Chinese buffet restaurant. We ended the day doing Family Home Evening and a family prayer at 8:30 and in bed by 9:00...yeah I know it was that early to go to bed, but we were all tired.