Pancakes for Dinner

My busy schedule last week has kept us from doing the groceries and so we haven't gotten our "supply" of pancakes mix for the kids.  Yes, they absolutely love pancakes.  I think this is not just the pancakes but the preparation that goes along with it.  We gave in to them and ate at the Pancake House for dinner.

This is the first time that we brought the kids there and I was pleasantly surprised that they have a separate menu for the kids.  At first glance, it looked like the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," which my daughter is a big fan of.  

The Pancake House's Kid's Menu

She happily read through it and settled on Macaroni and Cheese, Waffle and a glass of Orange Juice.  We ordered one Classic Pancake for my son and Roast Beef for my hubby.  What about me? I wasn't too hungry and I kind of figured out that I'd be finishing their food anyway.

Mac n' Cheese with Waffle

My husband eagerly dug into the Roast Beef before I even get a chance to take a decent picture of it.  My son finished half of the fluffy pancakes and a quarter of the Mac n' Cheese. No wonder they loved it because the cheese is so rich.  And as expected, I finished my kids' leftovers but who cares?

Life in the Night Shift

I have been working the graveyard shift for as long as I can remember.  I admit, it's not easy but working at night have some perks too.

No Traffic.  You report for work just when everyone is home.  Less vehicle on the streets means less traffic and the faster you reach your destination.

No Traffic Enforcers.  I take the public transportation when I go to work.  During the day, buses and jeepneys are not allowed to unload in the corner of Buendia and Ayala.  But at night, I can get off there and walk a few steps to the office.  Hassle free!

Extra Pay.  Working at night meaning getting paid a night differential or a night shift allowance.  More money for shopping!

Quality time for the Kids.  Who says you can't spend time with your kids when you work at night?  When my daughter was younger then, I get home just in time for her to prepare for her kindergarten class.  I still had enough time to give her a bath, fix her stuff and see her off to school.  When she was older, she gets home just in time for me to wake up and prepare for work.  We eat dinner together and I still get the time to check her assignment before I leave for work.

Time for School Programs.  If I had been working in the morning shift then, I wouldn't be able to watch my daughter sing in the school program or attend a few meetings in school.  But since I work at nights, I can very well go directly to her school and attend a few school activities.  All I need is just a Caramel Frappuccino to keep me awake.

Bug Off

I hate insect bites.  I know how uncomfortable and irritating they can be.  I don't like my kids getting bitten too.  Not only that they can get pretty cranky when it's itchy, it's ugly and there is always that "Dengue" scare that can drive you crazy.  My secret: A really effective insect repellant.

I have tried quite a lot in the past and I have come up with the BEST and my most recommended.

Messy Bessy Insect Repellant. Andiroba oil is the product's main ingredient aside from sugarcane alcohol, coconut-oil-derived emulsifier and eucalyptus essential oils.  It is deet-free and biodegradable -- best for toddlers and kids alike.  What I particularly love about this product is that it doesn't feel sticky and the smell don't linger in your hands.

Indigo Baby's Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me.  The product is a light, non-greasy lotion that is Deet-free and safe for kids.  It is a lavender, geranium, eucalyptus and citronella-based insect repellant that comes in spray travel sized bottles.  The scent is a little overpowering for me but my daughter loves it!


Bug Off.  Picadin - a safer alternative to Deet, is the active ingredient of this product.  It is a light, non greasy lotion and I love it's powder fresh scent.  It is tested safe for 6 months and up and can provide up to 8 hours of protection.

Keep safe everyone; and keep those pesky bugs away!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

On cold rainy days such as today, there is nothing I wanted more than a hot food or beverage then curl up in one of those comfortable couches with a book.  I only have four (4) things on my mind on cold rainy days.

Batchoy - This always brings back memories when I was still in college.  Me and my dormmates would head off to Ted's La Paz Batchoy near our place and enjoy the hot noodle soup over a great conversation.  Batchoy is Iloilo City's most popular dish. 

Hot Coffee - I have always been a coffee drinker and I absolutely love the smell of coffee.  I enjoy days when I just sit back and read a magazine over a cup of coffee.

Champorado - I couldn't recall when I first started liking Champorado.  I remembered really craving for it when I was pregnant with my son.  Since then, I look forward to a bowl of hot Champorado (sweet rice porridge) on every cold and rainy morning. 

Hot Choco - This is something that I've always shared with my daughter.  I'd prepare a cup of hot Swiss Miss Choco with marshmallows and share this with her while we talk about how things are in her school and with my work.  Great girl bonding time for us both. 

What about you? What's your rainy day craving?