SHARElebrating with Nickelodeon

I can still recall the first time we attended a Nickelodeon Event.  It was way back 2008 at the Nickelodeon's Let's Just Play held at the Bonifacio Global City Open field.  My daughter had so much fun running and playing around with the kids.  Since then, she has been watching out for more Nickelodeon events and we have been attending a lot, though I only documented two.  (See here and here).

View of the stage

Last Saturday, December 16, 2012, we went to Nickelodeon's Sharelebration.  I called up my daughter and asked her to bring 4 not so old toys as our "ticket" to the event and meet me at the SM Mall of Asia.  The Toys gathered will be given to the kids of Gawad Kalinga.  I asked them to arrive a little early knowing that the lines are usually endless. 

The one in the middle is the Christmas tree with all the toys collected during the event.

Kids playing in one of the booths.

There were several booths of the sponsors with games and freebies for all the kiddos.  My daughter patiently waited for her turn in pretty much all of them.  She also signed up to join the games on stage.  I've never been so proud because she used to be really shy about participating. 

My daughter as the Christmas tree right in the middle. 

And their team WON!

Aside from the games on stage, they also have trivias for everyone.  They threw questions about the shows in Nickelodeon and whoever gives the correct answer wins a prize.  Easy, right?  Except everyone raises their hands every time. LOL! Talk about fanatics.

The kids enjoyed the dance number prepared by Diego and the amazing acrobatics that I prayed my son will not do at home. 

Go Diego! Go!

The best part was when the wishes of two kids who were cancer victims were realized as they were given Dora Dolls and other Dora the Explorer items.  The joy in their faces were priceless.  

Thanks to Nickolodeon for hosting these kinds of activities.  It creates opportunities for us to bond as a family and at the same time give back to the community.  

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/nickasia

On Toothache and a Lesson in Life

Last weekend, I experienced an excruciating pain that emanated from my tooth.  No, the tooth was not impacted. I even recalled going to the dentist way back to have the dental carries removed and filled.  So, it was a surprise for me that I am all fours once the pain starts.  I couldn't sleep.  I couldn't eat. I couldn't work.  I was "useless."

Tagging the two kids along, we took a trip to the nearest dentist.  It was our first time at the AV Dental Alley at the Pasay City Mall but I was already at ease with the doctor which is a great sign.  My daughter had an oral prophylaxis and the doctor allowed my son to
watch the procedure (another great sign!).  I took the opportunity to introduce my son to the dentist and what she does.

Kudos to Ate for setting a great example.

Now it was my turn.  An x-ray was performed and revealed that my tooth could no longer be saved (booo!!!).  The dental carries are eating my tooth from the inside so it has to be extracted.

Remembering Mariel and Tina from the Homeschooling seminar, I took my tooth home.  I pulled my daughter aside and asked about what she observed when Mama had a toothache.  Showing her the tooth, we covered a lot of topic that revolve around dental carries, dental hygiene, our teeth and her experiences with the dentist. I hope I was able to drive my point home.

So yesterday I accomplished a LOT:

• I had my tooth extracted.
• My daughter had her teeth cleaned.
• My son knows who the dentist is and what she does.
• I used my extracted tooth as a visual aid in teaching my daughter on dental hygiene.
• I learned that an anesthesia can be requested when the pain during
• dental filling becomes unbearable.
• I found a great dentist. (YAY!)

Mommy Discovery: The Headware

When my daughter, niece and I attended Mommy Mundo's Moms on the Floor Event last September, we were introduced to this interesting, fashionable and functional accessory known as the Headware.  The first time I saw it, I didn't quite know what it's for.  I left it with my daughter while I took pictures of the event, and the next thing I saw is her using it like she owned one before.

The Headware with cool designs.

Headware is made of soft, stretchable and breathable fabric that is tubular in shape.  It comes in different colors and designs that you can use in 20 different ways.  It can be worn as a scarf (my daughter's favorite), a bandana, a tube top and even a skirt.  My daughter even requested that I buy her another Headware of the same design so she could have a tube dress.  Quite a great idea, don't you think?

Trying it on for the first time - a bandana

Used as a scarf when she sang at the party.

Headware is not just for the active folks.  It is such a versatile piece of accessory that you can wear pretty much everywhere and in any situation.  If you need something to spice up your officewear, use it as a scarf.  If you're cleaning the house, use it as a headband or a scrunchie.  Or if you're at the beach, you can wear it like a bandana.  Think Survivor!

Great to own and to give as gifts this Christmas.  The Headware is available online at Zalora or see the list of stores here.

Visit their website at www.theheadware.com.ph or Like their Facebook page.

Yes Mommy: How to Talk so your Child will Listen and Understand

I often wonder if there is a right or wrong way of talking to kids.  Why are there kids who just don't want to listen and why there are kids who you think are listening but actually they're not. 

Parents like me, this is for you. 

Yes Mommy: How to Talk so your Child will Listen and Understand

DETAILS Date: Saturday, December 15, 2012 Time: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm Venue: COWO - Ground Floor, Suntree Tower, #27 Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Rates: - Regular rate of Php 1,400 / participant - Early bird rate of Php 1,200 / participant (PAID before Dec. 1, 2012 or via Okayokay.com until Dec. 10) - Group discount of Php 1,000 for 3 or more participants *Lunch and afternoon snack are included *Payment may be via Okayokay.com or deposit to a UnionBank or BPI Account or via Paypal (Please add Php 50 for Paypal charges).
 


About the Yes Mommy Workshop At "Yes Mommy" we'll talk about practical tips and tools to build a foundation of good communication with our young children. Topics include:

• Self Talk for Mommies: Why positive communication begins with you
• How to understand your child’s personality
• How to adjust your communication style based on your child’s personality
• The Three Elements of Positive Communication: Crucial factors to encourage your children to listen and understand
• How to say "no" by saying "yes"

"Yes Mommy" is called a workshop. But I'd rather call it a sharing session where we can connect with other moms, we can feel safe to share what we know and don't know, and we can have comfort knowing that we are not alone in this parenting journey. I cannot give you expert advice nor can I guarantee that you'll have perfect kids or you'll be a perfect mom after this workshop. But I do intend that you’ll pick up information, encouragement and even inspiration that will help make this lifetime commitment of mothering just a little bit easier for you. You'll gain:

• Tools to start your day with calmness and intention
• Patience in dealing with your children
• Resources to communicate persuasively
• A network of like minded moms who can give encouragement and support

When you find this helpful for you, do join us and sign up through this form. I look forward to meeting you and learning from you.

Much love,
Jayme Chief Inspiration Officer | Mom in training Optimommy.com

About Jayme Jayme Gatbonton is the mom behind Optimommy, a blog about positive parenting and intentional motherhood. She is blessed to be called "Mommy" by two girls, 5 - year old Jamaine and 4 - year old Kalia. After working in TV production for 9 years, she gave up her dream to be a newscaster so she can devote more time to her lifetime career: being mom. She underwent training in Neuro Linguistic Programming and became a freelance workshop facilitator. She is now a Mass Communications teacher, blogger and part time work at home mom. Jayme is passionate about raising children with love, patience and positivity. Her "heart work" lies in encouraging and empowering moms to fulfill their life's passions while raising a loving family.


To my readers, use the discount code Optimommy Tyna and pay only Php 500 in the registration.  There is a box before the Payment method that allows you to type the Discount code.

Certified Stage Momma

My daughter's choir group. They placed 2ND! Yay!

I used to wonder why parents rush in front of the stage when it's their kids turn to perform.  I didn't understand that until I became a mother myself.  I can still remember the first time my daughter performed in kindergarten.  I felt the tears well up my eyes as I
watch her dance.  I don't know why but I was so proud to see her up there.  And of course my dear husband was so busy taking pictures.

Being a stagemother is probably one role that I will never outgrow regardless of how small or how big my kids' accomplishment are going to be.  I will forever brag about their milestones and their achievements.

So here I am again in my stagemother role. My daughter, being a member of the school choir, competed in the Choir Competition in Alphaland.

As for my son, he's got something going on for himself too.  I entered him as a Baby Ambassador for Tiny Buds.  If you can recall,Tiny Buds is one of the essentials in our Nappy Bag. Why did I join? Simply because I love their products.  I find it easier to speak about
the product if I have actually used and like it.  Plus it would be nice to win an overnight GC at Island Cove (if we win). I heard the place is good.

So this is me being a stage mom.  If you have 3-5 minutes of your time to help me out and get some votes/likes.  It's just two simple steps:

Step 1: Like the Tiny Buds Fan Page
Step 2: Click this Link.  This should direct you to my son's entry
then like the Picture.  (He's entry #4)
Deadline is on December 10. 

My Entry in the Tiny Buds Baby Ambassador.

It's All About Their Childhood

Last Saturday I attended an event on Preschool Homeschool at the Medela House in Quezon City.  Not many of you know, but Homeschooling is one of the options that I considered when my daughter was ready to go to school.  My husband and I didn't agree on it so we ended up enrolling her in a traditional school.

Now that my son is growing up fast, I want to be able to homeschool him in preparation for the big school.  I'm just saying this only because the discussion on whether we want to homeschool him or not when he's old enought to be in grade school hasn't come up yet.

So glad to have met moms who talk about their experiences homeschooling their kids.

Homeschooling (or home based learning) is when parents chose to educate or teach their children at home instead of sending them to private or public schools.  The discussion was focused more on homeschooling the pre-schoolers so that they are ready to move to a
higher level -- be it in a traditional school or if the parents chose to continue homeschooling their children.  Below are a few things that I learned when I was there:

• The world is your classroom.  You can teach your kids at home, at the grocery, at the malls - ANYWHERE! Very convenient, huh?
• You can treat regular tasks at home as a way of teaching them about life -- like cooking, baking or setting the table.
• It is when they ask about things they observe that they are actually learning.
• You can create your own curriculum or look for a homeschool provider to help you out with that.
• Treat Google as your best friend. There are a LOT of homeschool activities/worksheets for your kids.
• It's all about their childhood. It's all about play.  Because they are kids, try to incorporate learning while you are playing with them.

List of Activities I do with my son/daughter

When we registered at the start of the event, we were given a paper with a list of Activities.  We were instructed to check the ones that we have been doing with our kids.  I checked 19 out of the 28. It just feels great to know that I have been trying to homeschool my kids after all and that there are so much more things that I can do with them.  Yes, I picked up a lot of great ideas.

Books being sold at the venue.  (Lower right hand corner) That's Cookie's week. 

At the end of the event I went out to check some books from the Learning Library and picked up a book called - Cookie's Week. Why this book? It's because my son has a love-hate relationship with cats. Ha! Ha!

Mommy Treats Peppermint "Tyna" Brownies

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Mommy Treats.  In fact I consider it as one of my "Breast Friends" in my breastfeeding journey.   One of the treats that I often order (and highly recommend) is the Mommy Treats Lactation Brownie.

The Lactation Brownie comes in a Batch of 12 individually wrapped foils.  What makes it so special is that it is all natural.  It’s always freshly baked and it doesn’t contain any preservatives.  If you are a lactating mom, these brownies contains galactagogues which will help increase your milk supply.  While there is a slight bitter aftertaste on the Lactation cookies and muffin bites, it is almost negligible when you eat the brownies.  For almost a year, I have been ordering these goodies and it is always baked into perfection.  It is soft, moist, chewy – just the way I want my brownie to be.

Brownie crumbs are what's left after my son devoured the Brownie.
He was less than a year old then.

How effective are these? Let me put it this way.  I order a batch everytime there is a scheduled Monthly or Quarterly Business Reviews and I didn’t notice any dip in my milk supply regardless of the amount of stress at work.  My milk looked creamier too.  I noticed that when I compared my expressed milk.

Love the notes from Mommy Paola

Not just for the Nursing Moms

Because the Brownie is all natural, kids can eat it too.  I am not the only fan of Mommy Treat’s brownies.  In fact, my son and daughter couldn’t get enough of it.  Even my sister-in-law who’s not lactating is ordering a batch for her daughter who’s constipated.  I found out that Fenugreek, one of the key ingredients in the Brownie, contains high levels of soluble fiber.  This probably explains why eating the brownie help my nephew with her “problem.”

New Exciting Brownies

Now Mommy Paola has “tweaked” the Brownies this Christmas season and I am soooooo lucky to get to try the first batch.  If you love mint in your chocolate just like I do, then this Peppermint Brownie is for YOU!

Heavenly Brownie for my Morning Snack. Yum!

The Peppermint Brownie still comes in a Batch of 12.  The best part is when you unwrap the foil and you can immediately smell peppermint.  My husband can attest to the number of times I said “Hmm....” to every bite.  The mint is just right and the brownie, heavenly.  The good news is I get to eat the Brownies all by myself.  The bad news is, I couldn’t share this with my son.  He doesn’t like mint.  But other than that, it’s perfect.


And how cool is this - she named the brownie after ME!  It's just one of those days that I shared with her that it would be nice to put peppermint on those yummy brownies and she did! You bet.  I am one HAPPY MOMMA!

Like Mommy Treats on Facebook or visit their website to order a Batch.  Then come back.  Let me know what you think about the Brownies.