Summer is not only fun for my little girl. It is also the time for teaching her to be responsible with household chores that’s more challenging that what she already knew. For example, at this time, she has learned the art of folding clothes that are small — her undergarments, skirts, shorts, socks and some shirts. She has also learned the art of keeping a clean and comfortable bed, as well as cooking rice. At six, she gets to learn these things so that she can practice and gain confidence in doing them in the future. Although that isn’t her daily task, as I have limited her to keeping her toys and things in order, still, I am happy to see the interest so that sometimes, when she volunteers to do them, we do them side by side. Then of course, I inject lessons and some precautions, which I hope she will take to heart even more, as they can best be applied in everything else in life. Keeping the environment clean, and keeping a worry free mind, they go hand in hand. I guess in the future, I do not want my daughter to worry about finding cures, settling down, looking for K&N oxygen sensor, finding the best person to do what she can actually do, and many others.

A responsible adult starts from a well trained child who is open to the idea that  he or she need to know many things to live a better life. At least she doesn’t need to call on anyone to do things for her in the future. Or be someone else’s burden as she will grow older. Not that she will be a burden to me, but we all know that as parents, we will feel better knowing that our children will survive challenges and solve problems on their own, rather than they depend on other people to surpass them.

My aunt shared to us a really yummy dessert recipe. It’s nutritious and kids surely loved it. The flavors are milk and chocolate in one gelatin infused dessert made from real milk and chocolate. When cooled, it tastes better than ice cream actually..

The house is the place where we relax. From the living room to the kitchen, the house must have all qualities for relaxation. A huge comfortable couch in the living room, recliners in the patio, comfy beds to match one’s preferences in the bedrooms, WellnessMats in the kitchen and lounging couches too. But the kids, in order for them to relax, need to simply run around and play. Ah… kids..

We just had a summer at the beach, which was actually unexpected. It’s a beach outing cum historical tour in one. The other Sunday, we went to Mazaua, the entry point of Magellan and his fleet when he came the first time in the Philippines, and Mazaua is where the first Catholic mass happened too.

Well, it was relaxing alright. Plus it rained in the middle of it.. But I think one day relaxation is not enough for the summer heat. The heat alone is unbearable, and seemingly alarming, as it somehow leads to heat stroke and more discomfort…

Holyweek is a time for Benignit. However, Holy Week 2012 didn’t allow us to make Benignit, simply because of preparation time and the number of people who wish to eat them.. In short, we bought the RED bilo-bilo for nothing..

But on Maundy Thursday, however, we had to go to our parent’s house, and helped cook for the Feast of San Vicente Ferrer. I did the two salads, namely, Macaroni and Fruit Salad. They were both creamy. Adults liked them, but the kids didn’t. The next week, after the Holy Week, we went home to my apartment and brought all the food we prepared to the apartment, including what remains of the salads. And guess what. We actually added the bilo bilo to the fruit salad and above photo is how good looking the salad became after adding the RED balls. With the new sight, the kiddies started to like the salad too, and asked for more. I guess it has become more appealing that adults who take seriously every apidextra review has also indulged with the creamy fruit salad..

To while away from boredom, the kids did some jump shots.. I will show you this image only, but in my file here in this lappy, I have tons already.. All that in just one afternoon.. I guess you could say, they were really excited to start their summer that they started it with jump shots..

I normally do not carry money with me when I go out. Not until I can decide where I should go, what to buy and so on and so forth. Electronic payment has been the trend, and it actually makes life better and safer. Unfortunately, there are still stores who do it the old fashioned way. No POS, no nothing. So customers pay in cash, and risk being robbed if ever they bring more than how much they actually need. If this is the case, and that is the only store to get what I need, so I then proceed to an ATM withdrawal. I usually take only what’s necessary, since I can always swipe at the nearest grocery with POS..

But here is a packet of goodies that I didn’t have to buy. The money came from the kiddies. They used their coins saved from fare change that they ask from me, hahaha..

On the other hand, I was asked to buy this ice cream..  And how can I resist when it’s chocolate truffle..

Although I didn’t have cash with me that time, the kids knew I have my card.. Kids these days, really know how to get what they want even without being overly persuasive…

My little girl requested that she and Baby Gierline have a photo together. She is always excited to have little girls with her as she is always excited to be an elder sister. Baby Gierline is the daughter of my cousin and the newest baby in the family. And like all her other baby cousins, my daughter feels like she is Wonder Woman carrying them or just hugging them for a time. I know holding a baby is difficult, and adults are the only ones who should do so. Lili felt this but insisted that she is old enough for the task. So to make her feel better, we allow her to carry her baby cousins, but only when she is seated on a comfortable bed or couch with an adult to supervise.

]]> http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/15/ate-lili/feed/ 0 http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/15/alls-well/ http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/15/alls-well/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:33:08 +0000 Mommy Dharlz http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/?p=3405

Have you ever had a bad day where the situation is beyond your control and you have no choice but to simply plunge in and as much as possible float your way through? I swear, if we had a Hercules keyboard stand, my sister would be able to perform well. But since she had to let the keyboard sit on her lap while she played, it somehow added to the stress in performing for a live audience.

If it were just a karaoke duel, it would have been better. Music is sometimes crazy. It lets you do crazy things while performing.. hahahaha.. Oh well, it turned out good, so no more reason to fret now..

]]> http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/15/alls-well/feed/ 0 http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/13/yay-its-summer/ http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/2012/04/13/yay-its-summer/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:33:42 +0000 Mommy Dharlz http://www.eleanoraguilar.com/?p=3385

Yes! Hurrah, it’s summer! Lili can now do what she wants to do, enjoying the sun, sleeping without being forced to wake up early, and so many exicting adventures too.

But then again, I have also told her to enjoy reading as well. Summer is not just for outdoor activities, but some indoor activities too. Especially when the weather is not cooperating for a summer fun adventure outside. This is also the time for me to introduce old games and fun activities like flying a kite, picking flowers and making something out of the parts, and of course, some board games and what nots. Then, while we were buying kites a week ago,  I saw a pack of these flyers.

I showed my daughter how to fly them, and boy, did she have fun? Oh yeah!!!

The best thing about the flyer is that, a child can play with them indoors and outdoors.. See how Lili loves a flyer..

My daughter asked me if I could buy her a new laptop for her reward as a gold medalist in grade one. I told her that we shouldn’t buy any as the budget is quite tight. Even if there are discount laptops available everywhere, I still find it inappropriate. Besides that, we do have two working laptops already at home. Addidng a third one is sure not important as of now. Unless of course if the third user is a heavy user and would use a new laptop for doing bread and butter online. If not, then might as well keep away from the thought.

I explained to my daughter carefully that the aftermath of Sendong as made people go hard on the budget, so we all need to save whatever we can as there are much important needs that need to be addressed. And if there is one thing I love about my daughter, it’s the ability to grasp and understand my explanation. I am truly blessed to have her for a daughter.