Crocolandia

I have been so busy lately and wasn't able to update  this blog, there's so much I want to share with you guys. There's Sophia's UNO and Trick or treat Experience... But for today, I want to start with our trip to Crocolandia.

w/ the kiddos

It's a mini- zoo here in Cebu. Hubby and I thought it would be a nice experience for Sophia and Kuya Icee to get in touch with nature and be more familiar with animals.

It was a sunny and lovely day to go on our mini family field trip...

We saw varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles.

And got upclose with the most popular crocodile in Crocolandia, the mighty and very huge 6 meter crocodile "Lapu-lapu" . Although we were standing quite far from it, we were still scared, who would blame us. reptiles especially crocodiles are not really very friendly looking. Stressing on NOT...

Except for this one...

Inside the museum

It's a fun family trip. We got to bond and learned a few things about nature together.... The one that's not painful in the pocket. 

Entrance fees:

Adults - 100 php
Children 11 yrs below - 50 php
2 yrs and below - free

You can give them a visit at:

Crocolandia

Biasong Talisay City

Contact No. 273-1842

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

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You can read more of our family adventures here:

FAMILY FUN

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Sophie Style: Buwan ng Wika

Last friday, Sophia's school celebrated the culmination of the "BUWAN NG WIKA" for the month of August. I was only informed 2 days prior to the said program that they have to wear Filipino costume. 2 days. Because  that's the time Sophia got back to school after being hospitalized. Luckily, my friend Nina saw and bought the last piece on display that fits Sophia. Well kinda fit her, I had to adjust the skirt because it was way too long. Other than that I was happy with how the dress looked on her. Haaaaaaaaay salamat.

Anyways, so last friday we have to take a day off, me and hubby , to see Sophia dance. To see her in action. She has been dancing at home, and I believe she's doing the steps for their dance number. We were so excited.

Add caption

Parents were encouraged to wear Filipino costumes also. But because of the limited time, I wasn't able to find me a costume. But I'm glad hubby has a lot of Barongs so at least there's one of us who can go wearing a Filipino costume. 

We had a critic saying "we are such stage parents" for taking a leave at work to see our barely nursery one kid (Sophia is in playgroup). And even commenting about wearing the Barong when it's not really compulsory. OH MY GOD!!!!

First, branding us "stage parents". I don't know about that. What I know is, we love our daughter so much and on this specific occasion we want to be there for her. It's hard enough to leave her everyday to go to work so on occasions like this, we just don't want to miss it. The best gift we can give her is our TIME. (So scratch you!)

Second about the barong, I'm proud to say Hubby won the best in Filipino Costume. When his name was called, Sophia was so happy. She was jumping up and down singing, Daddy daddy daddy!!!! She was so proud you can see through her twinkling eyes. Seeing my daughter that happy and proud of us, introducing us to her classmates and teachers was all worth it.

We sent Sophia to school late of July because she was getting shy around kids. And since then a lot of things have changed. She's more playful around kids, she's more interactive with them too. Everyday after school she amazes us with the new things she learned that day. :)

Letting Sophia go to school is one of the best decisions we've made for her. :)

Sophie’s Style:

Dress Filipiniana Costume: Metro Ayala for P199

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone. Kisses from Sophia  :)

PhoebeCarla

Safari Adventure First Birthday Party

After Sophia being hospitalized and all, we deserve a break from all the bad vibes we were feeling physically and emotionally, good enough we had a celebration to attend to, my godson's first birthday party. If you've been  reading my blog for awhile now, then you would know I am crazy about parties especially children's parties.

It was such a beautiful First Safari Adventure  Birthday Party. We all had a great time, especially Sophia who was just recovering and who's only been out 2 days from the hospital.

Safari Adventure Birthday Party

Invite:

Invite

The decors were amazing. You instantly get to the Safari Mood once you get to the party place. Kudos to Peek a Boom for an amazing job. Here let me show you...

Welcome to Aleem's First Birthday

Love love love the swags

Centerpiece

The cake

The party had a lot of games that not only the children enjoyed but us adults too. I specifically liked the magician it was super cool. I had to sit front row with the kids.

If I'm not mistaken, kuya Icee won if not all, almost all the games. I had to tell him to stop joining anymore to give other kids the chance. Geez!!! 

As for Sophia, she was having fun cheering Kuya Icee. She's still a little weak from all the CBC and dextrose she had few days ago. I had to carry her from time to time and prey her to play with the other kids which she inclined to do after awhile.

Here's the birthday boy with his Mom and Dad. His mom is my Aunt from my Mom's side and she's also one of our principal sponsors when Maury and I got married, when she gave birth to Aleem she asked me to be his godmother and of course I said Yes. I don't know which goes first her being my aunt, our ninang or my Kumare hahahaha.... But I'm sure we are 100% family. :)

Here's us with the tiger prince.

The decoration was amazing. The food was yummylicious. The dessert corner was a hit. The host and the magician were very entertaining. All in all the party was a big Success.

Til the next party! 

Rwarr!!!!

PhoebeCarla 

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If you love children’s party, I've got a few collections here

Children’s Party

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{ Daily Snapshot }: Elian and Sophia's Pajama Party

July 11

Cousins Elian and Sophia finally met in person. Elian is Australian, Sophia is Bisaya and can only speak and understand simple English, yet they perfectly understand each other. Kids. Amazing huh?

I'm so glad to be reunited with Aunts Nanay and Mommy Kelly, my cousin Vlasta and happy to see and finally meet the hubby Stephen and my super adorable beautiful nephew Elian. I can't wait until Saturday when the rest of the clan is finally here. 

How's your day?

PhoebeCarla 

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366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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{ Daily Snapshot }: Colors

My two beloved artists, it's been two weeks in a row, every single night they keep drawing and coloring until they tired their selves to sleep

This time daddy drawing an elephant. And according to Sophie she is drawing an airplane. Cge airplane it is. I was excited to join in the fun but Sophie told me "No mommy, Daddy and Pia lang"

Aba anak, I am the one who buys you crayons every week and you won't let me touch it? (emote ang mother)

Sophie handed me my own bondpaper and crayons, and said, "ok mommy, there lang". Meaning she wont let me draw on their  canvas and strictly instructed me to draw on the bondpaper she handed me. I think she got tired of my stick drawings. LOL.

Cge na, hubby draws better than me. But watch out I'm going to practice more so I can beat hubby. Hahahaha (evil laugh). Haaaaaaaaay, wish ko lang.

Actually I had more fun watching them draw they look so adorable together. Maury is such an amazing dad. Sophia is so lucky.

Advance Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

PhoebeCarla 

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366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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{ Daily Snapshot }: Independence Day/ Slide Day

Happy Independence Day!

I've always wondered how come we don't celebrate it like the Americans do on the 4th of July? Maybe because we aren't that independent yet? Oh well, I'm not even sure about how I feel about it, maybe I should read history more. I'm not a big fan of history,, so I'm going to skip that topic and head on to what happened to us that day.

It was a holiday, so we decided to visit our house, the one we bought 2009 and we were supposed to move in 2011 but we decided not because of a lot of reasons, let's just say we are slowly working the moving in the new house now but for the meantime we just go there weekly to clean it and hang out there for awhile.

We found out that they made a temporary playground for the kids, so we went to check it out. 

Sophia got overwhelmed with the presence of a lot of kids, she was happy but she got too shy to join in, I can see the excitement but I can also see a bit of fear in her eyes. It bothered me. Because this is the first time I saw her like this. Maybe because she's surrounded with more adults in the house than kids.  

She just stand and stare at the kids playing. She'd only play with the swing and slides when the other kids are not using it. Awang awa ako kay Sophie. It's such a sad sight.  I told hubby not to pressure her and we decided to play with her nlang.

We should bring her more to parks or playmaze to get more interactions with kids her age. I'm going to ask my friends to schedule playdates for our kids too. That should slowly open her up. 

Mommies, did u have the same dilemma with your kids? How did she/ he overcomes it?

 PhoebeCarla 

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366 DailySnapshots { 2012 }

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Mother's Day Special 2012

Here's the funny thing, I really didn't know the weekend we went to Manila was Mother's day pala until we arrived at MOA where our convention was held, somebody gave me a rose, I was like "Wow how nice of them naman to give out Flowers, Ganito ba talaga sa MOA?" Pasensya, first timer po. LOL

My friend told me, yun nga it was MOTHER's DAY.... Hooow mygood! I didn't know about it and I didn't even leave my mom a present for Mother's Day. Anyway, yun Mother's day instantly became so exciting for the three of us.

Hence, the Mother's Day Special. :)

May 12. Our flight from Cebu to Manila was at 4:30 am, I bathe Sophia before she slept, so what we did was just grabbed her and went straight to the airport the following day. 

Yes as soon as we got to the airport she woke up and didn't go back to sleep until 10 am. At least Sophia was so behaved the entire trip. No Tantrums. She didn't get scared with the turbulence, I instructed her to drink milk if her ears pop due to pressure and she obliged without any hassle. I let her sit down near the window and she can't stop saying WOW to the light. Haaaay, it's so fun to be a kid.

So our first day was we went to Manila Ocean Park, where I blogged about it here.

The second day I attended the NADTI Convention and I brought Maury and Sophie along with me. 

@ NADTI Convention

Lunch date at Burgoo

Of course we dined out after and hang out at Resorts World where we waited until 9 pm to go to NAIA for our 10:45 pm flight.

It was indeed fun and memorable. Imagine we celebrated Mother's day away from home just the three of us. Next year out of the country naman. Choz. Lol

Special shoutout to Nina who has a big heart. Lovs you Ninanins.... Thank you for driving us around and for letting us stay at your condo as in thanks so so much. Parang gusto na namin bumalik for another short escape. lol.

PhoebeCarla

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Manila Ocean Park

Last month Hubby and I went to Dakak together with my Bffs who came home for a vacation after her 2 years contract in Saudi Arabia. We left Sophia behind with my mother's care because we thought it might be hard bringing her along riding a boat with just me and Maury, because yes we are still yayaless.

We had a wonderful time in Dakak but I was feeling guilty the whole time because Sophie wasn't with us. When I called her, she felt so bad that she won't even talk to us on the phone. I cried, literally. Awang awa ako with Little S.

So when I found out I was going to Manila for a convention, I booked 3 tickets one for me, Sophia and Maury.

Last weekend, we went to Manila Ocean Park, as our way of making bawi to Little S. And I'm sure bawing bawi na kami noh. Imagine, she made us chase her in the vicinty. Chasing her in a very crowded and super mainit place is no joke, plus I was bringing a big and heavy bag with all her essential pa. I was very loud shouting her name to stop running but still she was running faster while giggling. I was already getting hyperacidity especially because I saw the news few nights ago about men kidnapping children in Manila. I don't care if I sounded praning shouting at the top of my lungs but the thought of losing my child scares me to death.

Finally when Maury got hold of her, I told her to stay close to us because strangers might snatch her away. Suprisingly after that talk she behaved. WOW! that was all I needed lang pala, a Pet talk.

Anyhoo, here is our Manila Ocean Park Adventure.

I'm glad I got the ticket for a very nice price. I only paid 499 for the Oceanaruim, Jelly Fish, Penguin Show and Musical Fountain show that would have cost me 1,050 each. O diba Bongga the deal? I only added 300 the sea lion show because it wasn't part of the Metro Deal package. And I'm glad I purchased that ticket because Sophia loved it so much.

The Oceanarium

Another fave of ours, is the Jellies exhibit.

We also loved the musical fountain show. Too bad Sophie was very tired already, she had fallen asleep in the middle of the show.

Overall I'd say we had a good time. It was entertaining and educational. But no offense, we didn't like the penguin show. It scared Sophia and a few kids who were there because the penguin is just an animation and the voice sounds like a clown, which for us wasn't so entertaining. But then again it's just my opinion.

I'm glad I had a good deal with the tickets because if I paid the original amount, I would be slightly disappointed, what I'm saying is the original price isn't worth the money. The line was ridiculously long, there were no tour guides to guide us, we were just left wandering the place. Some of the air cons weren't functioning well, maybe that's the reason why the oceanaruim was packed with people because it was cool there. 

But then again thanks to Metro Deal, the money I paid was worth it. We had a good time bonding with Sophia and Sophia had a great time with the sea lion, fishes, jelly fish so it's all good because whats really important is that Sophia had a wonderful time :)

How about you guys? how was your weekend?

PhoebeCarla

Dong Juan

I've been away the blogsphere  for so long,  Boy, it's so nice to be back making a real post. :)

I mentioned last time that Lappy died on me right? And that's the reason I wasn't around. Well, She is not going to resurrect anymore as much as I want too. She's been with me for 4 long years and it's hard not to be emotionally attached to her. It feels so sad not to have her anymore. Anyways, before you think I'm weird I'll skip the whole drama and give you a delicious post for my come back. Weeeeeeeew!!! too many posts waiting to be published.

Have you been to Dong Juan?

The first time I tasted their Chorizo Pasta, I got hooked. The following weeks I can't stop craving for it. Seriously. Unlike me hubby is not a pasta person, good thing, Dong Juan serves super tasty burgers. And Hubby is a big fan of burgers. That gave me the reason to drag hubby to Dong Juan. I tell you he got hooked too...

So... we drag the two kids along. My nephew, Kuya I and our princess Little S. We went to the newly opened branch at the new mall Insular Square Mandaue City.

Their food is worth your money. As in sulit. A delicious meal that wont hurt our wallets.

As usual, I ordered Chorizo Pasta. I just can't get much of it. I'm super addicted to it. Even Maury, loved it.

Chorizo Pasta P99.

And of course, Mr burger ordered double Cheese burger.

Kuya I, had Cheese Burger. Yesterday , he just told me we have to go back. According to him "That's the best burger I have ever tasted"

Cheeseburger 119

 Little S munched on their fries...

We all had the famous lemon Ice tea in their unique bottles. It looks so cute, I wanna bring the bottle home heheheh....

Boy the food was so good, I'm thinking of going back there today already. This is another personal fave food joint of mine. 

I'm giving it two thumbs up.... But don't just take my word for it... Go and try it out for yourself.

Phoebe Carla

Dong Juan Branches:

Dong Juan Guadalupe (Main Branch)
Dong Juan Persimmon MaboloDong Juan One Mango Avenue

Dong Juan A.S Fortuna

Dong Juan Insular Square

Dong Juan Crossroads

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You can read more of our family adventures here:

FAMILY FUN

FOOD TRIPS

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Rainforest Park Cebu: Oceanarium Restaurant

"Family always comes first, second to God of course, And every week, I'll save a day to share about our week. I know someday Little S will thank me for this one.And I know someday I will love myself for making this one. You are always welcome to come and visit. And maybe drop some love along the way"  :) 

Maury has been busy with work for the past few weeks and he kind of want to spend and make up for the times he didn't come home or if he does come home, me and Sophie are already asleep. Sophia misses her so much, if you remember I posted it here. I also miss hubby, I miss the little talks... We barely have 10 minutes of talk last few days. In one of our conversation he said,

"I wish money grows on trees."

I wish it too.... Don't you too? So we could spend more time with our love ones.

Anyways on the happy lighter note, Last Sunday night we went on a road trip to find a place to bond and eat. We ended up going to Rainforest Park Cebu because Sophia saw the Lion in their signage. She's obsessed with lions and she can't stop roaring.

Rainforest is a nice place for families to bond, it offers a different mix of entertainment. It has cafes, an Oceanarium Restaurant, Jungle adventure, and salon. I love the ambiance of the place, it's relaxing but what I love most is that it promotes nature and animals. 

We didn't have the chance to really explore the place since it was already late and we were all hungry so we went straight to the Oceanarium Restaurant.

Yes. She was dancing while waiting for us to go in

Inside. Love love their aquarium walls

Finally our food was served. But it was disappointing. The food taste OK/ so so BUT the price was ridiculously high for a so so food. We paid almost 1K for this. Not worth it.

My recommendation: go there to view the oceanarium,  you Just pay 50 pesos entrance fee. But go somewhere else to eat.

LOCATION: Ayala Access Road, Mabolo Cebu City
WEBSITE: http://www.rainforestparkcebu.com/

We didn't enjoy the meal but at least we enjoyed the hammock and kids enjoyed the place.

Daddy, Little S, Me and my nephew Kuya I

My Nephew Kuya I

In effect of not enjoying the food, we ended up buying shaved ice and icecream after. 

All in all, we had a wonderful night. Kuya I and Little S got to see the fishes and other animals up close. Daddy wasn't feeling so guilty for working so hard anymore now that we got to have a quality time. Me, I'm happy to see my family happy. I value experience more than any material possession and I want Little S to grow up remembering these happy and fun moments together. That lasts forever...

PhoebeCarla 

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You can read more of our family adventures here:

FAMILY FUN

FOOD TRIPS

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