Super Long Weekend In Photos

While most of the Filipino workforce are probably still in bed, relishing the final day of our 4-day long weekend, here I am punching computer keys so early in the morning. Yes, it is month-end and here comes the monthly highlight of my job once again. It's a good thing I've accumulated a lot of photos over the weekend. Brought them to work for inspiration. And I have been on the move since 7am, and am now taking my first coffee break of the day.

As I hardly log into the computer when I'm at home, I usually spend a lot of time in Instagram. Having lost my ever beloved Blue last summer to wear and tear and well, basically, just overusage if there is such a term (what can I say, I am an addicted trigger happy wannabe-photographer momma) I had since become bestfriends with Instagram. If you're in there too, let's follow each other. I am pyxxie0703 over there.

Here are my choice pick/s (err pics):

Loving these plaid blouses that I bought from Landmark. Cheap but chic.

eager volunteer. we cleaned up the garden.

STAMPS!

feeding mingming

indoor play

Sweet Turns Sour: The Makings Of A Ruined Stay-cation

Funny how things can make a 360 degree turnaround in just a blink of an eye.

Well, I am exaggerating on that last part. But that's exactly how I felt today. After looking forward to this long weekend for the longest time, it ends up with me tending to a sick little miss. And she has been a crybaby all day long I am almost at wits end. (close to pulling my hair)

sleep-deprived as I was. I rushed to make these pancakes this morning in the hopes that the smell and the colors would lighten up our home. AND IT DID! Surprisingly.

Despite feeling unwell however, she didn't fail to deliver comic relief. While coughing and crying at the same time, she goes: "bakit ba ako nagkakaganito?? Ayoko na nito!" Tibs just couldn't help but laugh. She was so adult-sounding there (and so full of drama). We almost forgot we were dealing with a girl whose barely 4.

This weather was not very helpful for this highly allergic family. I have been dealing with a bad case of skin asthma for the past two weeks and the Mr and the little girl with allergic rhinitis. The little miss unfortunately started coughing over the weekend and I got a bit scared when I heard a slight wheeze when I pressed my ear on her back early this morning. (bubble thought: no. please don't ever let this develop into asthma, dear God)

So we have been sleep-deprived the entire weekend. Taking turns with round the clock sponge bath for the little miss. Thankfully the low-grade fever broke this morning (and hopefully it's not coming back anymore). No need for paracetamol. The homeo meds did their trick and I was just so relieved.

Half of our weekend plans were again ruined. But I guess, we were really destined to just spend time at home and rest our weary bones. The little miss seem to be having a grand time and is not showing any signs of restlessness despite being locked inside the house for a full day already. I had several arts and crafts activities lined up but I lost the enthusiasm for it already so I am shelving those for now and saving them for next weekend when the little miss's cousins come over for a visit. 

So anyways, hope your weekend is turning out better than ours. It has been a long, long time since we slaves have had a 4-day weekend. But we all desire it, so I hope you are just rocking it!

Curse Me Not.

I almost lost it today. I have been unbelievably patient this past 4 years but today I almost lost it. 

Maybe it was all the work-related stress that I've accumulated in the past months. Maybe it's this dark raincloud looming over our roof. I don't know. Maybe it was just PMS. Still, I'm glad my string could still spare a few inches more and I was able to hold back my tongue and restraint my anger.

She shouted at me this morning. She called me 'madaya' (unfair). Tibs and I always challenged each other's patience (pikon-talo lang) but we never ever shout at each other when we argue. Model the values that you want your kid to emulate, right? But the little girl's world has broadened since she started school, I have also come to accept that I am no longer in full control. Not that I ever wish to be. Although I was hoping I would have equipped her with just enough child wisdom to decipher the right from wrong and the good from bad by now. Most days, she does appear to have that in her already. But just not today.

Madaya. (cheater) This word is a current favorite. Every time things don't go her way, she utters that word. We wondered for days where she picked that but eventually heard it straight from a playmate. And we understood then, the censoring stops here. There's really nothing we can do but to teach her what words are age-appropriate, which words are hurtful and which words are best spoken to compliment. In short, we just have to teach her the simplest way possible how to filter her thoughts into words. Right now if you ask her if she knows what that word means, she would just respond blankly at you. The word is still empty for her. Doesn't really mean anything. It's just something she says out of frustration. But still it's almost like a cuss word if you ask me. 

I used to curse a lot when I was younger. In my childhood, I seldom heard my parents curse. I couldn't even recall now if they ever did when I was younger. When I was older they seldom did too (usually just out of sheer uncontrollable anger or extreme frustration which I already understood by then). I don't think my parents were really as mindful of their behavior as I am now as a parent. I guess, they just didn't like cursing then. But still I learned to curse outside of our home. So yes, that somehow affirms it for me. There is no guarantee that my kid will never ever learn to cuss at all.Although, I'm still hoping that when she does she would know when it's appropriate to deliver it. (i am such a control freak, aren't i?)
Before You Speak Think

Helicopter Preschooler Momma

Today is the first day of the little miss's first quarterly exams in school. I remember hearing that phrase in grade school and I'd always be overwhelmed with panic. Well, for one I was really just born panicky (not the bat wehe) and second, I never developed study habits so I'd always just cram. Funnily and fortunately, I learned to live with panic attacks and sweaty palms all through out my schooling years. But I guess, for Maia, that phrase doesn't really mean anything yet. And I don't intent to push her to understand it. I was hoping she'd eventually just deal with it as normally as any student would. And I'd like for her to find what a NORMAL (i believe this one is relative) attitude should be on her own.

Sometimes however, I wish I could hover over my little girl (helicopter mama alert! ain't that scary) while in class just so I can finally get answers for all these questions lingering in my head. Questions like:

PHOTO SOURCE

•  How do her teacher/s manage to make all 23 of you understand instructions. I could barely manage on my own with just a lone student (that is you little girl), what with 22 more like her? But the thing is, she would come home with almost always with perfectly scored quizzes while our activities at home would almost always end up in failure. Does that mean I should put an end to my dream of ever becoming a teacher? I'm probably not just cut out for it. 

• How long does it take for my little girl to finish her seat works? Does she stay glued on her paper? Or does she take frequent breaks like she would when we review at home?

• My little girl would mention they take recess in between and it's Ate Luto who stays with them when they eat. How are they compelled to get back to the classroom after they've finished their meals?

Oh I'm really such a worrier, aren't I? And I worry about the smallest details. But truthfully, these things would just pop in my head from time to time. I've only listed 3 but had I listed (errr, remembered) everything I would have ended with a horrendously, lengthy one (thank God i have short term memory hehe). I guess all these questions actually stem from my being an overly curious mommy cat. But I really do not plan to be a helicopter parent. I wasn't raise by one and I will ALWAYS fight the urge to be one. However, how my little girl behaves in class is really a major concern for me so if you would notice my questions revolve around that. 

At the back of my mind though, I know my little miss is doing well. My instinct usually gives me some sort of assurance and I go by that most often. Some days however, I just like to sweat the small stuff. For the fun of it. 

Or not. 

Maia's Fave: Dance Music, Stop The Rock

What's your favorite song Mommy?

Well madami but right now it's "Pinwheels", I reply.

Ako mommy, Stop The Rock. Dali play mo ulit! Ang sarap sumayaw! Tawrah sayaw tayo!

Then she goes jumping up and down our bed. She would stop and change her footwork from time to time but she didn't stop dancing till the song ended.

Maybe we should seriously consider enrolling her in a dance class now. What do you think, daddy?

my phone isn't good enough to take photos of her actually jumping and dancing.
had to content myself with this silhouette-ish shot. 

After jumping on the bed nonstop for several minutes she puts her hand on her chest and says: ANG GALING O, TUMUTUNOG ANG HEART KO DADDY! 

On a rather sadder note, I don't think the rain is gonna let up anytime soon. I felt a bit of gloom when we woke up (a little later than usual today, the day started at 9am in our usually 7am-ish household) this morning. We're stuck at home once again (had to postpone weekend plans again it seems).

And then again (feeling best not to wallow in gloom), looking at the brighter side of things, the rain gives just the perfect excuse to laze around and spend quality (which is always a welcomed idea) time with our loved ones. I'm making us some pasta for late lunch earlier meryenda in a bit. And this morning we had Maia's favorite choco pancakes too (upped the sugar ratio a bit by sprinkling in some mini-M & M's on it but sneaked it a few tablespoons of Flaxseed to keep the healthy vibe on), and the little girl was gushing over how great she was in the kitchen and kept bragging of how good her pancakes tasted. Well she did finish a serving without much struggle so I guess it did taste good.

Stay safe and dry this weekend! Let's hope for a dryer incoming week. (I personally have had enough of the rain)