The Magic Lives on at Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Philippines

I reserve weekends for family. Even when we were in Dubai this is the sacred time of my week. It’s been real fun so far. The kids and I are even more excited to our weekends because they know that we will do something enjoyable and magical.

  
  
August has been very good to us. So many holidays and long weekends. My family along with my siblings’ took our kids to have enchanting experience”, away from the day-to-day realities of life.  

 Enchanted Kingdom opened to the public on October 19, 1995. It was and still is the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines. The theme park boasts of rides and attractions unique to the country and in size and magnitude. These rides and attractions are located within seven meticulously theme zones interspersed with food and merchandise outlets and kiosks as well as various game stands.  Weekend/Holiday entrance fee is priced at php 600 but to celebrate the Ninoy Aquino Day they have a promotion of php 200 off for ride -all – you – can if you’ll wear yellow upon entering the vicinity.  

Our visit is just perfect because of the fewer visitors. We have enough time to see the place and the kids had a great time riding all the rides and trying all the games despite the rain.  

      

 

   
   
      

      

  
It was a tiring day but seeing the smile on their faces is such a reward. 

Thank you Gonzales Family for hosting the staycation at your house and thank you Nanay Celda for cooking delightful dishes. 

  
 
 

Learning through play – Indoor Water Play

I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t love water play. Even the smallest bin or bucket of water will keep any toddlers happy for hours. Two very simple things – water and squeezy bottle – have been keeping #chinitoinigo busy and happy again and again.

  

Quick and Easy Toddler Activity

What you need:

• Small tub with 1/4 to 1/2 full of lukewarm water.
• A small squeezy bottle
• A towel to catch spills
• Washable tempera paint (optional)

    

Directions: I filled the small tub with clear water and gave the squeezy bottle to Inigo. Eventually, I added blue tempera paint to look like an ocean.

        
Inigo likes to squirt the bottle. I am happy to let him since it builds fine motor skills. Squeezing the bottles is also great for fine motor skills, and it’s so much fun!  

We also used this chance of learning new vocabulary words like empty, full, squeeze, dry, wet and squirt.

Sometimes, it is often the simplest things that engage young children the most. 

Learning through play – Sorting using IKEA Kalas Children’s Tableware

With my experience of teaching Kuya Angelo at an early age I noticed that toddlers learn so much from just living and playing!  
 

And now that Inigo is on the stage of exploring and like simple tasks and activities that can feel successful at accomplishing. We have been doing a lot of activities over at our house this week.

   

   Aside from puzzles, shape sorters, and stacking rings, we love to thrown together items around the house!  When we have had a stretch of time at home, I often quickly pull together an activity to engage #chinitoinigo that happens to introduce him to a learning concept or skill.  

Today I am sharing how we used the IKEA Kalas tableware in learning the process of sorting.

Inigo sorted the tableware according to its classification. I wanted to introduce sorting by colors as well but don’t want him to overwhelm so we settled in stacking them. But since we are also of teaching vocabulary every time he’ll picked one item I am saying the color he’s holding. Remember – repetition is the key!😊  

 

Inigo (now 18 months) loves to complete these tasks. What toddler doesn’t like to clap for themselves??  He learns so quickly and amazes me everyday by how much he has learned and changed in his short 18 months of living!  

  

   

 I look forward to spending more time with him and finding teachable moments in his everyday play!

Learning through play – Fork Tulip Painting Kid’s Craft

Inigo is such a trooper and has lots of energy. He always wants to move and play around. In fact he loves to scattered the toys all over the house. To divert his energy I am trying to create an invitation a.k.a activity that doesn’t look like serious teaching. I love early learning activities. I love the idea of learning through play. 

What better way to spend a hot, summer day – than doing some crafts together! I wanted to incorporate some different and unique types of art into Inigo’s crafts, so that he didn’t feel like it was the same ol’ thing again! I think I accomplished just that too. 

Today I’m going to share how we used the wooden fork to create a wonderful painting.

For these crafts, you will need the following:

• Tempera Paint
• Wooden or Plastic Forks
• Paper Plate
• Paint brush
• Water bottle (optional)

  

For this activity, since he’s only 18months old I helped him out a little bit while talking and explaining what colors we are using. If you have older child,you can let them do it all themselves, it really is up to how you want it to come out in the end!But this is really quite simple though!

STEP ONE: While I was preparing for the activity I asked to give to me the colors that he like us to use. While he’s giving it to me I’m talking to him and I’ll tell him “ok you want to use red color, nice choice! Then I’ll asked him again to choose one more so on and so forth. The idea is helping him to express himself since he can’t talk yet and to increase his vocabulary.

After selecting which paint colors to use I pour a little of each color onto paper plates.

  

STEP TWO: Dip the forks into the paint and press them onto the canvas. Let your child decide how many flowers and where to put them – you will add stems later!

  

I am not after the end product but on the process. So since he’s still baby (awww) his attention span is still short. So in between activity he will still do other things which is quite normal for his age.

While doing the Fork Tulip Painting he took one of his favorite book and tried to look for Mickey Mouse.   

   After reading he went back again and this time he wants to use the water bottle.    

 

I wanted him to create more flowers but he chose to have less – he needed to have his “creative freedom” I guess!

  

When he finally decided that he doesn’t want to continue I helped him to add the stem and vase.

That’s it! These are what our final picture looked like:   

  

I displayed his artworks where he can easily see it and show to his dad and Kuya. 

I love how a simple cutlery can turned into masterpiece. And the idea of using different things to paint with rather than just a paint brush is amazing! 

 

 

Are you ready for excitement @ Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi

It’s been the talk of the town since it opened in January. And now that we have something to celebrate I suggested to Raquiza that instead of fine dining why don’t we just celebrate her birthday and spend the day in the Yas Waterworld.
When she agreed to the idea, we booked our Friday with a fun-filled adventure..

More than a haunt for excitement, Yas Waterworld is an entirely different experience. Situated in Yas Island Abu Dhabi and themed around the tale of Dana, a well known character from The legend of the Lost Pearl, one of the Arabian folklore. Yas Waterworld is one of Abu Dhabi’s foremost tourist locations.

Discover your inner child on the Dawwama adrenaline rush – described as the most exhilarating tornado ride in the world! While Liwa Loop, Jebel Drop and Hamlool’s Humps will push thrill seekers to the limit.

Since I am preggy, I am incharge with little A. To keep him entertained we stayed in The Yehal play area, with three little slides and a dumping bucket, Yehal is the perfect place for a very active little boy. The different kids areas are fantastic, great fun and play time for all ages and sizes.Super saya and super sulit !Yun nga lang be ready sa pagsunod-sunod sa kiddo nyo..Kakapagod!!

Open 10 am to 7pm everyday but will close at 4pm every Thursday in preparation for Thursday Night. Ticket cost aed 225 for General Admission and aed 385 for Premium Pass.Children 3 years and under can go free but for guests below 1.1 metres tall will be charge aed 185.My son is quite taller than his age so the cashier is charging us but I insist that he’s only 3 yrs old. Upon presenting his ID he was convince na. Libre na ang bata batuta.

Locker room are priced aed 55 for medium size and aed 35 for small one. We took the small locker room since we don’t have much things naman. You can’t bring food inside but we were lucky to sneaked in some chips..hehehe (binalot namin sa tuwalya..haha)

Don’t worry the food naman is affordable and Yas Waterworld has all the goodies you want on a fun day out. From burgers and BBQ wings to sandwiches, salads,pizzas and desserts. Price of the food are ranging from aed 45- aed 55 complete with fries and drinks.

Thank you so much Raquiza for the lovely treat! We really had a blast!

For more information you can visit http://www.yaswaterworld.com

Summer activity – Salt tray

This simple activity is one of the best way to promote pre-writing skills to your toddler

an invitation to play..(writing on a salt tray)

Having a colorful colors on the bottom of the container is valuable that makes the process interesting and engaging for little A. He was so focused on the writing process.

He used popsicle stick as his writing tool to write with in the salt…

In between each writing process, little A will used the measuring spoon for scooping the salt.

And then when he’s done scooping he will flatten or shake the salt again. He then discovered that he can form his hands on the salt tray.

By adding the process of scooping and spreading the salt; then sifting the salt back into the salt-box when finished, little A stayed more engaged and interested in the overall process of writing in the salt tray…

Have a safe Sunday everyone. Let’s keep on praying for our country and don’t forget to share your blessings..

Summer activity : Chalk & Easel

Keep your child occupied during the sunny season and help their writing skills develop by having fun scribbling at your easel.

Summer delights – Stuffed Pizza bites

It’s still ramadan here in UAE and during this holy month most of the restaurants and coffee shops served food until after 7 pm. Although most hotels will still serve food as normal during the day,but will be discreetly screened off from the view of the general public.

Normally when it’s ramadan we are not allowed to drink or eat in public during the hours of fasting. This includes while you are driving as well as in public places,such as shopping malls. While non – Muslims are not requires to fast, we are still obliged to follow the rule to enforce the cultural sensitivity. To be caught eating,drinking or smoking in public usually results in a verbal warning,but do careful.Many short jail sentences have been handed out in the past to those abusing the law. Generally speaking,the police are lenient,they are strongly encouraged us to show consideration for those who are observing this holy month.

Of course,behind closed doors we can eat and drink. There’s nothing like a lazy afternoon at summertime than munching the freshly baked pizza bites.

Tips:

• Instead of using the usual pizza dough, I used the dough which I always used for Cinnamon rolls. And that’s make the crust really soft..
• I used Belcubes cheese and there’s variety of flavors. Pepper,Tomato Pasta, Cheddar and Plain. You can get it from any supermarket.

Easy Peasy Pizza Bites:

You will need:

1 roll store bought refrigerated pizza dough (or try making your own)
2 T Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t dried oregano
Belcubes cheese or Mozarella cheese
Pizza toppings of your choice: ie, ham and pineapple, pepperoni slices, sausage, etc.

Directions:

Cut the dough into squares depending how small you like it.

When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings.  Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).

Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter (I’ve used butter ) and then sprinkle with the dried Oregano  and top with Parmesan cheese.

Always accept little help from your little man

Cook them in the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Keep an eye  on them! Doughs vary, so I’d check them after even 10 minutes.

Serve warm with honey dipped mustard sauce on the side for dipping or eat as it is.

Summer treats – Oreo Truffles

It was getting really hot here and we are so lazy to go out. But I had the itch to eat something special which I find myself very often! I was looking for something simple and sweet, and the bag of Oreos on our counter was calling to me. How about eating a mouth – watering gourmet in just a snap of time.

A soft truffles made from oreo and cream cheese rolled into melted hershey’s chocolate chips creating a beautiful Oreo truffle.

I love the contrast of sweet yet cheesy.

And because it was so easy to make I even tried it with reese peanut chips and it was so yummy!

Oreo Truffles:

What You Need
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (15.5 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided
1cup HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Here’s how to spread the little taste of heaven.

1. Mix cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
2. Shape into 48 (1-inch) balls.
3. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs or candy sprinkles.
5. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Summer delights – Nutella Chocolate Swirled Banana Bread

With the summer months in full swing, take a moment to enjoy the relaxing afternoon by serving your family with a healthy sweets. Although many people would consider the words healthy and sweets lifelong enemies that cannot come together,unbelievely they can!

Healthy desserts are those that have a high nutritional value and prepared from a base of fruits and low fat yoghurt. Diets that include milk products such as low-fat yogurt tend to have a higher overall nutritional quality. Low-fat yogurt is a healthy food choice because, in addition to being rich in high-quality protein and energizing carbohydrates, contains many vitamins and minerals.

Nutella Chocolate Swirled Banana Bread

You will need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup nutella chocolate spread

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add bananas, yogurt and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated (do not overmix).
• Spoon hazelnut spread into medium microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High about 15 seconds or until softened. Stir in 1 cup of the banana bread batter until well blended.

• Spoon 1/3 of the plain banana bread batter into loaf pan, top with half of the hazelnut batter; repeat layers ending with plain banana bread batter on top. Insert knife into batter, and swirl slightly.

• Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. After 45 minutes, check top of bread for browning. If it’s browning too quickly, cover lightly with foil for remainder of bake time. Cool 15 minutes in pan; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely.

• Enjoy with coffee or tea