Last Sunday, I suddenly missed our favorite restaurant Casa Roces. Since there is no food prepared for breakfast, I asked hubby if we can have breakfast there and hubby was all game for it.

Hubby tried a new dish in their menu, Longanisang Tuguegarao:

while I had my usual Fettuccine with Bleu cheese partnered with my favorite Tsokolate Eh (hot chocolate with peanut butter). For the kids, I ordered their breakfast favorite in Casa Roces, pancakes. 

This is becoming to be a regular routine for us as we have been going to Casa Roces for breakfast almost every Sunday. Well aside from good food, we love the ambiance too and every time we are here, it always give hubby an inspiration to keep working harder so we can someday turn our house in Bulacan into something like this: 

I was on holiday last December 26 and hubby took a leave too so we find this as an opportunity to go on an out-of-town quick getaway with my family. Where else but to our favorite, Tagaytay.

Since it is not a holiday, we thought that it will not be too busy in Tagaytay and we did not make any reservations on the restaurant where we planned to eat. Wrong. We went straight to Pamana for lunch and we were surprised when we were told that there is a 1-hour waiting time, to think that it is already 1:30 PM (since we left Manila around 11 AM). So we just decided to go to Josephine’s for lunch.

After lunch, we went horse back riding again but it was really cold and it was drizzling so after just a few rounds, we decided to go back to Manila since Bela is requesting to go to Mall of Asia anyways as she wants to go ice skating.

It was a short but fun day with the family, perfect before we all go back to work the next day.

It will be a busy weekend for us. While I will be joining my Project PEARLS family for our Saturday feeding and activities in Ulingan, my husband will be busy for the photo shoot of Bela.

He attempted to have two photo shoots this week with Bela but since Bela is tired already since it is a school day, he was not able to get great pictures since Bela was not in the mood already for a photo shoot.

So I told hubby that he better schedule it on a weekend instead. So hubby is freeing up his schedule this Saturday and Sunday for the shoot. He had prepared his photography tools already and he even borrowed an electric guitar as additional props to the drums, beat box, and organ that we have at home.

I on the other hand will have to check smallflower.com tweezerman to get beauty tools and products so my sister will have all the things that she will need as she do the hair and makeup of Bela.

I am so excited and I am looking forward to this weekend. I am claiming that it will be another fulfilling and productive weekend.

Hubby is working overtime today, thus we can’t do our usual Saturday morning routine, which is to go to Ulingan to volunteer for Project PEARLS’ feeding program there every Saturday. We have been absent for weeks now since I went to Siem Reap for work and then our Saturdays are always full of other work and family activities.

My good friend Ate Annie and her daughter have started a fund drive to raise rain boots for the kids in Ulingan. They were able to collect more than 400 rain boots and they plan to distribute it next week plus they will also sponsor a feeding program and do an art therapy. I am freeing my schedule so I can attend this.

And for today, we will be off to Tagaytay after hubby’s duty as they have a visitor from work who wants to see the Taal volcano. We actually have plans for today but I am sure my daughter can’t miss the chance to play with turnbuckles, ropes and horses in the horse back riding place that we always visit when we are in Tagaytay.

So I better start preparing now as we are leaving in an hour. Happy weekend everyone.

Last weekend was one of my busiest and tiring (but fulfilling) weekend:

Saturday morning: My husband and I attended the weekly Saturday feeding of Project PEARLS in Ulingan. It was a special Saturday though as it is Project PEARSL second year anniversary so the kid prepared different presentations for the volunteers. And what made the day even more special was the surprise appearance of our founder, Ate Melissa, who came all the way from San Francisco to be with us. 

 

Photo Credit: Sidney Snoeck

Saturday evening: We hosted the First Annual Project PEARLS Family Day at our house. The party lasted till dawn and it was fun to interact with the volunteers in a different way, than the usual interaction we have every Saturday in Ulingan. 

 Photo Credit: Sidney Snoeck

Sunday: Audrey’s first birthday party. My cousin and I were also busy helping my brother and sister-in-law during the party.

 

Photo Credit: Jojo Francisco

By the end of Sunday, I was so dead tired already that I was not able to do anything for my sideline job. LOL. But that is okay, because it was a weekend spent with my family, good friends and our children from Ulingan.

I love weekends as it is the only time that my husband and I can get to spend the whole day with our kids. We are both working so we make sure that as much as possible, weekends are for family.

Every Saturday, Bela and Cobi attend swimming class at Colegio San Agustin in Makati. After the class, we will drop by Bonifacio High Street to eat, shop and play. Just like two Saturdays ago.

We ate merienda in Conti’s then we just went to Bonifacio High Street where we just let the kids run and play.

Too bad it started to drizzle so we went home before we all get wet.

I haven’t blog much about this because of lack of time, but I am happy and proud to say that my husband and I are one of the volunteers of Project PEARLS.

PEARLS is the non-profit organization that is helping the less fortunate families in Ulingan. Last Easter Sunday, we joined their outreach program and celebrated Easter Sunday with the kids.

And so with the peavey amps setup, we had one great party. We started with the feeding program where we serve breakfast for the kids at the daycare. Then we had games for the kids where we gave out small prices for the winner. Then we went to the Ulingan factory where we distributed food also for the kids who can’t come to the daycare because they are working at the factory. Then there were kids who danced and sing to entertain the other kids and the volunteers. 

It was indeed one great way to celebrate Easter and to reflect on its true meaning.I am glad that Project PEARLS has let us take part in their mission and making us part of this wonderful organization to be able to help the families in Ulingan.

Photo courtesy of Sidney Snoeck.

Get involved. Advocate. Share. Contribute. Anyone can help. Anyone can make a difference ~ projectpearls.org

Instead of the usual thrust bearings that hubby usually buys from Ongpin and Binondo, these are the loots from our latest Binondo trip:

This was the second weekend that we went to Binondo to buy the knick-knacks that we will need for the Chinese New Year. Most of you might wonder if we are Chinese but we are not. Well, ever since we discovered the world of feng shui and lucky charms, we try to go to Binondo to consult our frequent store there about Feung Shui on how we can prevent bad luck and attract more good vibes for us before the Chinese New Year.

My husband is under the sign of the Wood Rabbit and I am under the sign of the Fire Snake. We bought the following charms to enhance our luck and avoid bad things:
• 5 Element Pagoda for me
• 3 Guardians for me
• Crystal globe for hubby
• Wealth ship to attract more financial luck

As what hubby and I and most of our friends say, we still know our faith so we don’t find anything wrong in believing in Chinese traditions such as this.

We had a fun Saturday last week because we were able to go out the whole day as a family (which is something we haven’t done in a while).

It was Cobi’s schedule for vaccination in St. Luke’s Global so we left the house around 10 AM. We were in and out of the doctor's clinic in less than 15 or 20 minutes so we decided that we could still have lunch in the Fort before Bela’s gymnastics class at 1 PM.

We dined in at Conti’s (one of our favorite restaurants there) and we pig out. LOL.

After eating lunch, we head straight to Rizal Coliseum for Bela’s 1 PM gymnastics class. The class lasted for more than two hours (Bela was really having fun that she even joined the 2-4 session. LOL) and then we went to Robinsons after.

Our first stop of course in Robinsons is Toys R’ Us and then had merienda in Crepes and Cream and I am happy as I was able to do a little shopping for or upcoming Cebu trip.

I had a though week after that Saturday as I got sick (and I will make a separate post about that) but I have something to look forward to next week as we will head to Cebu for a much needed break.

Last Sunday, we received a call from the caretaker of our house in Bulacan to inform us that utility bills are already due. Since we have nothing planned for that day, my husband and I decided to drive a few hours north of Luzon and visit our house.

On our way to Pandi, Bulacan, we decided to drop by Walter Mart as hubby needs to buy the shampoo for our Labrador dogs. Walter Mart is the nearest mall (if I can call it a mall) near our house and look what we were able to do there:

After checking out the grocery, the kids were even able to try the rides at the arcade. Then we went to Handy Man to buy a new doorknob and to Pan de Manila to but cheesy Ensaymada for snacks.

At least we are seeing some developments in Pandi, Bulacan. Before it looks like a very secluded province, but now new establishments are starting to rise in this quiet town.

Hubby is away and our nanny is on her day off (which actually is every Sunday) so it is a very busy weekend for me. Yesterday, I was only able to work in the morning as I accompany Bela to her first day in Gymnastics class.

Since hubby is not around to drive us, we will probably just be staying at home the whole day for Sunday. Which actually works on my favor as I still have tons of things to finish:

• Search for our life insurance as it is due for renewal already.
• Work on all my pending tasks. The downpour of work that I received this week overwhelmed me but I am not complaining as I have been praying for this, as I really need the extra money to pay for our bills. But I better start with it this weekend, so I can finish at least half of it so I don’t have to cram during the weekdays.
• Search for party options for Bela. It is already July and I still have no concrete plans for Bela’s 6th birthday party.
• Upload our recent travel pictures.
• Upload Cobi’s birthday pictures from Ksnaps and Jojo Francisco.

Doing this would be a great challenge as I have to take care of the two kids in between plus I only have 4 hours of sleep so I do hope that I will last the day and finish all my To-Do List.

It will be a very busy weekend for us:

Friday: I went to Divisoria with my husband to buy more prizes for Cobi’s first birthday. It was a successful trip as I was able to finish my list and bought everything that I need for the game prizes.

Saturday: We will be attending the 4th birthday party of the son of hubby’s boss in Makati. Then after we will go to Greenbelt or Eastwood or Greenhills or Robinson to shop for our wardrobe for Cobi’s birthday.

Sunday: We will go to mass in the morning, then attend Meg’s 1st birthday party and meet with my Twitter friends (I’m so excited). Then maybe if it is still early, we can drop by the parish of hubby’s brother so we can drop their invitations for Cobi’s party.

Thankfully I have no work on Monday so I can rest, relax and spend more time with my kids.

I noticed that I haven’t blogged about personal post in the last couple of weeks because I am so busy. So this one is another long overdue post.

Last March 26, we decided to wake up early to catch the morning sun as both Cobi and Bela have cough and colds. We went to the seaside in PICC and we promised Bela that we will ride the boat that goes around Manila Bay and we will also rent a bike that she can use after. But it has been ages since we last went to PICC Baywalk and so we did not know that they already remove the boat that accepts passengers in the morning to go around Manila Bay and they also remove all the bikes for rent in the area.

Bela was disappointed because of this because we have been telling her that these are the activities that she can do there. So the lolo came to the rescue and of course, he does not want to disappoint her dear apo so we tried to go to the Bay Area in Mall of Asia and we were surprise since there are a lot of activities that we can do there.

Bela first tried the ball walk, then we rented the small motor bike for her, then we waited for the grand carousel to open and Bela and Cobi tried it.

When the mall opened, we decided to go there for lunch at Don Henricos (My dad’s favorite). We definitely had a blast and we will surely do this again….soon…

How did you celebrate Holy Week?

As for my family, we just stayed at home since Maundy Thursday up to Saturday. It has been a tradition of our family to just stay at home during the Holy Week to reflect, pray and just spend some quality time with the family.

We also hosted three stations of the Stations of the Cross as what we normally do every year.

Then we also had a “Caridad” where we give out bread to the kids in our neighbourhood. It is our small little way of saying thank you for all the blessings that God has given our family. We bought 150 pieces of bread and it was gone in less than 1 minute as soon as we brought it out. LOL.


Tomorrow, we will be going to our farm where we will celebrate Easter Sunday will my entire family.

Hope everybody had a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.

I know this is a super delayed post but I have been very busy lately that I am so behind blogging about what is going in with our lives. And last February 27 was another weekend for us that I was not able to blog about.

It is just an ordinary weekend but since Bela has been asking us for the longest time to take her to Nuvali and since Howell and I are free from work that day, we decided to give in to Bela’s request.

Nuvali is actually our favorite place every time we want to go on a quick weekend getaway. We left late already and it was already 2 PM when we arrived in Nuvali. I quickly went to the ticket booth for the water taxi as we never fail to do this every time we are in Nuvali. We were informed that there is about 1 hour of waiting so we had snack first in Conti’s while waiting for our turn. But we did not wait that long as our number was called even before our food was served. So we took the ride first before finishing our merienda.

My Yaya and her husband were with us as I asked my yaya to invite her husband since they just celebrated their anniversary as our treat for them.

After Nuvali, we went to Paseo de Sta Rosa for some shopping and then we ended the day with a dinner at Racks before finally heading back to Manila.

Last weekend was a very busy weekend for us. Howell has to go to work Saturday morning to check the progress of his staff and to make sure that everything is in order so it was my dad who brought us to school for Bela’s ballet class. But it turned out to be a productive morning for me as I was able to work while waiting for Bela.

Howell was able to go home around 1 PM and so he was able to accompany us to Mall of Asia to attend the birthday party of one of Bela’s classmates. After the party, we had dinner there while watching the Pyromusical competition.

Sunday morning, hubby has to wake up early to catch his 6:30 AM flight to Legaspi. It was again a productive morning for me as I was able to work again before we leave for Cobi’s Gymboree class. We left the house around 1 PM and we made it just in time to Cobi’s Gymboree class in Serendra. After the class, we had snack in Krispy Kreme and took Bela to Hobbes and Landes as her trip to Boni High Street will not be complete with visiting this store.

We then head straight to UST hospital to visit my brother after Boni High Street and then we ended the day with me and Bela, going to mass together.

We were able to do some last minute shopping yesterday for Bela and Cobi. I still need to look for a pair of shoes for Bela for the clothes that I was able to buy for her last week but I was not able to find a nice pair of shoes that will match her clothes in all the shops at Robinsons Place. So I asked around and as suggested by my good friend Joy, I can try looking at the shops in Greenbelt 5.

And so that is what we did and asked hubby to drive us to Greenbelt 5. I checked Tarte Tatin and Gingersnaps and luckily I was able to find a nice pair of shoes and even blouses from both stores and so finally Bela’s Christmas and New Year’s outfit is now complete.

As for me, I think I just have to rely on acne home remedies as I don’t think I will have time to go to my dermatologist and even have a hair cut and treatment before Christmas.

But that is just okay because I am happy already because despite our busy schedule, we were able to finish our Christmas list and we were able to shop for both Bela and Cobi.

It is still a busy week for me as I still have a lot of things to finish. Aside from work, we will be very busy also this weekend as Bela will have her ballet recital this coming Sunday.

I have a lot of deadlines to meet on Saturday but I have some mommy duties too as I have to take Bela to her ballet practice so I am planning to bring my laptop with me so I can work while waiting for her. I also plan to do some shopping if I will find the time as I haven’t actually started yet with my Christmas shopping and next week will be the Christmas party of Bela already.

Sunday will be her recital so I am sure we will be busy preparing Bela as we are all really excited as this is her first ballet recital.

But even if this is going to be a busy and crazy week, I am still excited as I have a lot of things to look forward to for my family.

Our schedule for tomorrow:

1. Drop Bela to school for her ballet practice at 9 AM. I have to wait for her until lunch break so I can feed her as she really needs a little pushing when eating.
2. Her practice is until 3 PM so hubby and I will just eat lunch at Robinsons then buy some grocery stuff that we will donate at Caritas.
3. Then after lunch, we will drop by at Caritas to deliver our small donations for them.
4. By 3 PM, Bela will be finish with her practice and if she is still up for it, maybe we can drop by at Robinsons Place for a little break and a little shopping.

While waiting for Bela, I will be bringing my laptop so I can work and finish some of my pending work. I am targeting to finish at least half of my tasks so we can go to Tagaytay on Sunday or Monday for a quick out of town trip.

Looks like we are off to another busy weekend.

Another weekend is almost over but tomorrow will be another busy Sunday for us. Hubby will drop by at our house in Bulacan again to check on the progress of the clean up of the garden that he contracted last week. He said that he will be leaving early so we can attend the 2 PM mass of hubby’s brother at Megamall as we have to meet up with him also for some of the things that he needs to talk to with Howell. Then after mass, we will be going to Greenhills with my sister to do some shopping. I badly need to buy new office clothes because my old ones still doesn’t fit me and I am sure it will take months before I will be able to wear my old clothes again. We don’t plan to stay there for a long time as we need to go home early too as Cobi will be joining us and I still have a lot of pending work to finish tomorrow.

I just wish that we will be able to accomplish our entire itinerary tomorrow so it will be one productive weekend for us.