I have a question.

Whoa! It's been a year and four months since I posted in this blog. I apologize.

I want to know...

How are you???

For real... How are you feeling? This pandemic is taking a toll on many aspects of our lives. Have you been affected?

Recently, my day at home consists roughly of:

• waking up then, breakfast, reading God's Word on YouVersion Bible app
• playing a round or two of mobile games with my children
• working or reading a book (currently, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak) 
• taking lunch as a family
• making sure the kids nap for one to two hours, while I continue reading
• waking them up, letting them eat fruits as snack, playing again
• watching Netflix (currently a Kdrama called "Fight for My Way")
• having dinner
• continuing the episode of the series
• showering
• preparing for bed

But, that's bound to change again as the young ones start their online classes (umm, Integrated Distance Learning) in ten days. Anyway, I am thankful. Thankful that I am still relatively healthy, that I have my family with me, that we still have what we need.

There are times, though, that I feel trapped and restless. That I palpitate and am short of breath. I'd have a sudden urge to go out. Then, cry inside when I can't. Do you get that feeling? Of course I won't, because it's frightful out there. I am afraid I might contract CoViD-19. Going on a grocery run these days makes me quite tense. 

It's sad because leisurely grocery shopping was one of the bonding activities for my husband and me. Another is dining out. There are many things I enjoyed doing before the pandemic.

• Dining out with the family, celebrating birthdays (I celebrated my birthday here at home this year)
• Going on local trips and staying at hotels
• Window shopping at malls
• Visiting bookstores
• Getting a facial
• Getting a massage
• Watching a movie with my family
• Hanging out with friends

In order for me not to go crazy, I anchor my thoughts and heart on Jesus Christ. I also take mini vacations in my mind, like daydreaming. And escaping via the books I read to another place and another time. What do you do to avoid going mad with worry and anxiety?

Want me to pray for you? Kindly send your prayer requests in the comment section! Let's pray for miracles. 💗

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Our God is a living God who is active in our lives, if we let Him. He answers our prayers and delivers us from our fears. The Lord is our comfort and refuge. #Bible image from #youversion

A post shared by Cym M (@ceemee) on Aug 10, 2020 at 6:21am PDT

It's good to have the UV Care Family Toothbrush Sterilizer.

One of my hubby's generous friends gave us this UV Care Family Toothbrush Sterilizer last Christmas. 

Honestly, I never thought of sterilizing toothbrushes. When sterilization comes to mind, I only thought of baby bottles. Now, there are sterilizers for almost everything: toys, furniture, mattress, and shoes.

Well, I am glad we have this toothbrush sterilizer. Do you notice that toothbrushes that are made from rubber sprout black spots that are almost impossible to remove? This also happens to the rubber that prevents spills in water bottles. 

I don't know what those are; but are probably some kind of mold because of the trapped moisture in the toothbrushes and the bathroom. 

This device prevents the black spots from forming. That is what I want to share the most.

This device also holds four toothbrushes. We are a family of five. That's why I sterilize our brushes in two batches. 

It is a great device to have. I also have peace of mind that those black spots won't appear anytime soon.

I still change our toothbrushes every three months, though.

Yabu... Finally!

For years, I wanted to try dining at Yabu. I have no idea why! Weird, right?

Well, I finally did last year.

I knew my kids would love it there because of the fried food on the menu. It's a house of katsu, after all.

The Katsudon looked reeeaaally tempting. I am also into Japanese curry, and there was Katsu curry. But, I chose the Gyudon anyway. I like beef!

And yay for refillable rice, cabbage, fruits and especially miso soup.

The girls enjoyed the Mozzarella Katsu Sticks.  They were also into making the katsu sauce for their chicken katsu.

Rix and I shared the Agedashi Tofu. 

Then, we had delicious dessert at Paper Moon. I just wished there was coffee! 

4 Ways to Lengthen Your Dog's Life

No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but few people are willing to take the time to extend their life with proper pet ownership. If you're one of the exceptions, here are just four ways to make sure that your canine companion stays with you for a long time!

1. Buy the Right Food

There's a reason why all-natural dog food is such a hot commodity among pet owners. Not only will it brighten your dog's coat and make their eyes shine with good health, but it will also strengthen their muscles, boost their immune system and help them regulate their bowel movements. In short, you should feed your dog high-quality food for the same reasons that you would serve your child a high-quality meal. It's good for them in both body and spirit.


2. Mind Their Medications

There are a number of medications that your dog should be taking on a regular basis. Flea and tick pills are the big ones, but you should also buy dog worming tablets from a trusted retailer as often as your vet recommends. Your puppy might also benefit from special food or medicine to help him grow up healthy or overcome a genetic disorder. If you have any doubts about your pet's future health and happiness, make sure to talk to your vet.


3. Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Speaking of vets, it's critically important that you take your furry friend for regular check-ups. They'll need to be kept up-to-date on their vaccinations, and they should be evaluated for common diseases, injuries and ailments by a trained eye. The sooner that you diagnose something like canine diabetes, the more options that you'll have to treat it, and this can make all of the difference in your dog's life expectancy. It's worth the trouble of taking him into the vet 1-2 times a year.


4. Keep Them Active

Dogs need exercise, especially when they're young, excited and full of energy. You don't want to keep a puppy locked indoors for too long: They'll start dashing through the halls and chewing on table legs to get the stimulation that they're lacking from you. Make sure that you're getting your canine on regular walks and runs. Take them to the dog park if you can, or just let them go crazy in the backyard if you're pressed for time.


These are just a few tips for ensuring that your dog lives a long, full life. There are many more, of course, but these should be enough to get you thinking about the right things. If you want Fido to be around for awhile yet, follow these guidelines to keep him happy and healthy!

The Fisher Mall VIP Cinema Experience

I was so happy to finally see the much raved about movie, Wonder Woman.

Usually, we watch at the regular cinema of Fisher Mall. A ticket costs Php250. This time, we decided to try the mall's VIP Cinema. It's kind of like the business class of movie houses.

For twice the price, we get:

• A large drink each, soda or iced tea
• Option of coffee
• Unlimited popcorn at the push of a button on the table that has cupholders
• Recliner armchairs where we could put our feet up
• Woolly blankets wrapped individually in pouches, I didn't know where to place the thin pouches, though

It was quite comfy. The temperature was low so we all used the blankets. I wore my jacket. Although the movie already started while the lights were still on, it was an enjoyable experience. The kids liked it! I wonder if they will still want to watch in the regular cinemas. Uh-oh!

Tips For Protecting The Home During Vacation

Crimes against the home are among the most common crimes that occur in the United States. In fact, one home robbery occurs every 14.6 seconds according to statistics listed by the Washington Post. Thieves gain entry for burglary by going through the garage, windows and the front door. Many accidents occur while the family of victims is on vacation. Burglars find out that the family is away using a number strategies, and then they hit while the homeowners are out of the area. The following are some tips that homeowners can use to avoid a burglary or robbery while they are away on vacation:

Alert the Neighbors

One thing that homeowners can do to provide themselves with additional protection is notify the neighbor that they will be going on vacation. A trusted neighbor can keep an eye out for the home and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Most burglaries are successful because members of the neighborhood are unaware that the family is away.

Leave the Light and Television On

Leaving the lights and the television on is a trick that may help deter criminals. A would-be burglar will most likely not try his or her luck entering a home that has the television or lights on. Instead, the burglar will search for a property that looks less challenging. The electric bill may jump for the week of the vacation, but the home may be safe because of it.

Hire a House Sitter

Professional house sitters are people who make a living watching other people’s homes when they are on vacation. They usually have reasonable rates. A house sitter may be willing to perform a background check so that potential clients will not feel nervous about leaving their homes open to someone new.

Invest in Home Monitoring

Finally, a family can invest in home alarm monitoring. Sometimes, a reliable security system is the only option that makes sense. A homeowner can invest less than $10 a month and secure a reliable security system that keeps the home protected at all times. Many companies offer five-star service with a contract, but some companies provide the same quality without asking the consumer to sign a contract. Alarm Relay is an example of a company that provides home security services at an affordable price.

Families no longer have to worry about getting robbed while they are trying to enjoy themselves. Any of the aforementioned actions will help.

Guardians of the Galaxy and my kids

Sunday is family day. So one Sunday, my hubby, the kids and I trooped to a mall in Makati to watch Guardians of the Galaxy. I am not into sci-fi or space adventure kinds of flicks, so I had no idea what to expect. I saw a trailer of the movie once, but I understood nothing. I don't even know it's derived from Marvel comics.

On the screen, I saw a boy sitting on a chair and listening to his walkman using earphones. I thought it was another trailer. Turns out, the movie has already started. 

Although it's obvious that there's a bad guy who wants something the good guy has, and that this something is a weapon that could eradicate a whole planet, which the good guy has to keep away from the bad guy to save the galaxy, the reason why was a little deep since it's about politics, not honoring the treaty, unlikely friendship and personal tragedies. And I don't think my kids could fully comprehend the full story. 

"I AM GROOT!!!"

All they see could be a cute raccoon, a funny moving tree and men & women in skittles-colored skins. Although these could provide a good entertainment, the movie was rated PG for reasons: the script, and of course the violent scenes. The actors say words that I don't want to hear from my innocent children's mouths, for example, st*pid, idi*t, and more. Did someone say b*tch? And there was blood!

I had to say, Nebula was pretty even if she's blue, bald and a villain.

It was good while it lasted, but I wouldn't want my little ones watch Guardians of the Galaxy again. Even the sequel? Yes!

U.P. Town Center Day

It was Sunday and that means it's bike day. My hubby and I started riding our bikes in February almost every Sunday morning. We went to U.P. Diliman and joined the other bikers & the joggers. After maybe 3 times around the oval, I suggested that we bike to look for U.P. Town Center. Yikes! I was actually nervous about the idea of biking on an actual road. But, I really wanted to see the new place. So, off we went! 

The street outside U.P. had lots of ups and downs that normally couldn't be felt when riding a car. But, on a bike, wow! I had to fight in maintaining my balance while pedaling upwards with all my might until we reached the end of the street. We then turned right on Katipunan Avenue and started down the road for a while before Rix stopped to ask for directions. Turned out, we were going in the opposite direction. Uh-oh! We had to cross the wide street with fast on-coming cars to make a U-turn. Twice! 

Imagine my relief when we finally reached U.P. Town Center. Too bad J. Co wasn't open yet. We just rested and had breakfast at Family Mart. I felt quite tired and my knees were kind of like jelly. Rix understood my predicament, so after the food was finished, he biked back to U.P. to get the car. Yes, I waited for him there. Pathetic, I know!

I walked my folding bike around to explore the place. I waited for him afterwards so we could go home.

That afternoon, we were deciding where to go to get donuts and have dinner. We promised the kids we would take them out if they had their naps. And they did! Guess where we ended up?

At U.P. Town Center again! It was swarming with people when it was bare that morning. Nary a parking space was available so we opted for valet. Dinnertime found us at Dulcelin Gourmet. Of course, I wasn't able to take food pictures (frustrated food blogger)! Ella asked for dessert after the meal and cannot wait to head outside to buy.

Donuts for dessert! I fell in line for almost forever and was a bit sad to see that some flavors were out of stock. Is it always like that in J. Co? This was my first time to try this brand. We always buy KK. 

On the way out, I felt tempted to buy a striped shirt from Cotton On. But, with three kids in tow? I pushed the idea out of my mind.

So, that's how our Sunday went. We visited U.P. Town Center twice in one day. Have you been there? What did you think of it?

Family Road Trip Destinations And Activities

I dream of traveling with my children to interesting places in the future. I read somewhere that travel is a good education, and I would love the little ones to experience different places. Here's a guest post by John Gower on great destinations where the family would enjoy. During the road trip, I am sure the kids would get bored, included are fun activities for them to while away the time on the road.

Top Road Trip Ideas 

Whether during summer break or winter holidays, traveling is one of the top activities that families do together year-round. Whether you’re going to a popular tourist place or an in-the-whole treasure trove, most likely, you’ll be driving from your home to your family vacation destination. If you have small and young children, it can be a bit challenging to entertain them for hours. In this list, you'll find example road trip places and travel destination suggestions plus activities kids will love while on the road.

1) Disney World Road Trip
Disney World is the number one place in the world for a family’s vacation. What better way to spend it than to revisit classic Disney movies on the way to the most magical place on Earth? Present your kids’ favorite Disney movies on portable DVD players or DVD players installed in your car. Here’s a compilation of great Disney classics in special edition 2-disc DVD sets at Amazon:

• The Jungle Book = $37.11
• Bambi = $20.17
• Pocahontas & Pocahontas II = $19.99
• Alice in Wonderland = $14.30

Another way to let your kids have fun on the way to Disney is by creating their own Disney Characters autograph books to get their favorite. Give them a blank, small, and hardcover journal, Disney stickers and embellishments, permanent markers, regular markers, crayons, and other crafting tools to create their own autograph book. They can make frames for the blank pages and personalize them for each Disney character they want an autograph from. Here are a few Disney stickers you can purchase for your children’s autograph books:

• Joann’s -- Disney Stickers/Borders = $2.14 (sale price) from $4.29
• Zazzle -- Disney Round Stickers = $5.25
• Walmart -- 4 Disney Sticker Sets = $12.00

discover more destinations and activities...

Unique Gift For Babies: Patchwork Quilt

Patchwork Quilts. Those two words conjure up hundreds of years of history in America. Colonists made use of every scrap of material bringing forth the beautiful, intricate quilts so familiar to us today. They didn't know they were making history; they only knew they were providing for their families. Fortunately for us their practical, traditional artwork has been carried on through the generations.

Just the name "quilt" evokes comfort, coziness, warmth and home. Since 1983, Linens-N-More has been a Texas tradition offering hundreds of quilts that spread the nostalgia and history of quilts to thousands. Linens-N- More has so many different styles and patterns to choose from there is sure to be one to complement your home. In addition to the traditional patchwork and wedding ring quilt styles, other available styles include beach, tropical, themed, contemporary and a variety of solid color quilts. Each is ready to make your choice more difficult because with so many to choose from, it is almost overwhelming to make that final choice.

Quilt throws, children's quilts and crib quilts make unmistakable gifts sure to please the recipient or as cozy additions to your own home. Each quilt is hand-quilted making it a purely unique item. The addition of matching pillow shams, toss pillows, and/or bed skirts will complete the complementary look of your bedroom.

Ahhh... Comfort!

Electrolux HUSH Happier at Home

Weekends are equal to family time! It's a time to look forward to after a week of work and stress. It's a time to be comfortable and bond with my dear hubby and our three adorable children. What activities do we do when we stay in the comforts of our home? 

• Read books
• The children wrestle with their daddy
• Play with their toys or the gadgets
• Draw and scribble
• Watch movies
• Prepare yummy snacks together

My eldest always volunteers to help me whenever I'm in the kitchen. This is especially so when I'm making a fruit smoothie and she would like to assist me in scooping fruits into and pouring in the milk into the blender. I would like to talk with her while the blender is running but because of the loud noise, we cannot hear each other. 

Electrolux recognizes how important it is to make kitchen activities with children an educational one, and I'm glad the company came up with the Electrolux Powermix Silent Blender. 

I could just imagine the mom and daughter in the photo above are me and Elle. :-)

The Electrolux Powermix Silent Blender is definitely going into my to-buy list. 

The best things about spending a quiet and relaxing weekend at home are:

• Rest to rejuvenate us for another week of work
• Activities with the children that give insight to their personalities and preferences
• Heart-warming conversations and laughter
• No noisy disruptions
• Relishing the happiness at home with Electrolux HUSH

Get to know more about Electrolux Innovations:
Electrolux Philippines Official Website
Electrolux Philippines Twitter

Missing Binondo

I attended a Christian Chinese school in Manila since Kindergarten, although I resided in Quezon City before. After school, I would spend my time in my late maternal grandpa's house and printing press near Binondo. I remember that across his office was an appliance store and we would look at the kitchen appliances there. My mom loves to cook and bake. If we have any broken ones, we would search for electrolux spare parts there, which would be perfect to makes the appliances like new again. 

via http://www.viakeo.com/Manila/sights/Chinatown-1937

My mom and I would walk along Benavidez, Salazar and Ongpin streets to buy fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and food for the home from Shopper's Mart. We would also spend snack-time in the restaurants there or in coffee shops in Binondo. I also used to spend time with my cousins there and we would sometimes eat sweet treats in a cake shop on the street behind our grandpa's place, after school. I looked forward to Saturdays when my other cousins who lived in Mandaluyong would also come over and we would play. I used to go there on Saturdays because of my extracurricular activities like scouting. Our grandpa really loved having us over. We also used to enjoy eating fresh Chinese lumpia together. We would sit crowded around his dining table and make our own lumpia. We would put together the ingredients by ourselves. It was a wonderful experience!

Less and less time was spent in Binondo when I entered college, started working, got married and had children. I would go there mostly to visit my dear grandfather. He was all smiles when my hubby Rix and I brought our eldest, Elle, to see him.

When I would catch a glimpse of Binondo when passing by the area for some reason, memories would flood into my mind. There had been a lot of changes since I set foot there. I wish to bring my children there when they are older, and let them experience the sights, sounds and smell of Ongpin, Binondo, even if there are bits of dried horse manure being carried by the wind because of all the calesa's there. Haha! :-)

The Camera Diary at The Breastfeeding Club's Meeting

Last December 2, a handful of eager parents, some with their precious bundles, trooped to Medela House for The Breastfeeding Club’s final meeting for the year 2012.

The parents had their fill of helpful knowledge about breastfeeding from Ms. Abbie Venida-Yabot, Leader of La Leche League Manila, especially now that the Christmas holiday is fast approaching. Then they connected with each other and with their inner maternal and paternal sparks with the help of Ms. Anna Escay-Cortez, Chief Spark of My Masterpiece Movement. The attendees were ready to face the challenges of parenting with renewed confidence.

What better way to treat these parents who were there than to bring home a wonderful souvenir portrait? The Breastfeeding Club partnered with The Camera Diary to provide the pictorial services complete with an elegant studio-type set-up delivering quality photos as a keepsake. The Camera Diary offered their top-notch expertise in portraiture with on-the-spot editing of pictures so they’d be perfect to frame and display. This is a lovely way to capture the smiles of moms, dads and even children who were happy to discover more ways to love their family and were satisfied with their learning from the event.

Below are a couple of the souvenir photos taken at the said event. The Camera Diary did a studio-type photobooth for the speakers and the participants.

Ms. Abbie and family

Ms. Maricel and family

Please visit The Camera Diary's Facebook page for more pictures from the portfolio and the rates. 

Weekend Fun Must-haves!

Who doesn't love the weekends? It's when we could take a break from work and enjoy more of the lovely blessings we have in our lives. For some, it is enjoying the fruits of their labor by going shopping or dining out, with friends or family or without. For some, it is a relaxing time to go on a pampering spree or on a road trip to Tagaytay to escape the city heat. For me and my hubby, it is spending quality time with our children. If we are not home playing with them, we are out for lunch or dinner at a kid-friendly restaurant or we are getting fresh air at some grassy, tree-filled place near the city. We would also do a fun photo-shoot like this:

You and your family could have your photo taken like this! Or in any theme you fancy! Just drop me a message here or email me at cymplified[at]gmail[dot]com.

So, when we go have some family fun like this, I would need a really good weekender bag where the children's things could also fit. I believe that a mom's bag cannot have too many pockets and dividers. I'd love a roomy bag that's multi-functional with lots of compartments, like these ones from ZALORA:

A practical dark purple color
https://www.zalora.com.ph/CARRY-ALL-WEEKENDER-33380.html

A pretty pink color
https://www.zalora.com.ph/CARRY-ALL-WEEKENDER-33382.html

What shall I put inside the bag? As a breastfeeding mom carrying/wearing my baby and running after my small children, water is an important  item in the bag. This glass bottle with silicone sleeve I found in ZALORA makes a statement.

Looks clean and pure!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/Lifefactory-22-oz-glass-bottle-w%2F-sleeve%2F-pearl-white-59072.html

I get super sweaty so I would need a small towel like this one from ZALORA aside from a handkerchief that I always have in my pocket.

I love purple!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/MICROFIBER-YOGA-HAND-TOWEL-64167.html

And a change of shirt (or dress), too! Of course, I want something comfortable, and has breastfeeding access.

I like the overlap detail!
https://www.zalora.com.ph/KANDICE-TUNIC%2FHOODIE-63009.html

A dress with buttons in front
https://www.zalora.com.ph/KYLEE-DRESS-67412.html

Shop at ZALORA and get 5% off when you use this voucher code CymCazza123G upon checkout.

I wonder what our next photo-shoot theme will be? It's fun and a great family bonding moment!

My Melody Fair, a birthday party!

After a couple of few months of planning, my third baby's 1st birthday party is done at last!

I liked how Cherry Lim of Style Me Pretty interpreted the concept and transformed Oasis into a festive pink tent. I cannot get over how cute the candy buffet looked, even though I didn't have a single sweet treat that day because my throat hurt so much. Thank God He kept me well enough for Cayla's birthday party. I thought I would be absent! Haha!

Here is the little angel whose first year of life we were celebrating:

Dedicated to the Lord

Aside from having the works of a kiddie party like games, prizes and loot bags, we also have booths sourced from Style Me Pretty like:
Stickers Galore
DIY Cupcake
Nachos
Fried balls, and
Ice Scramble

Of course, we had a host to facilitate the games, and also entertainment from Pink Heaven like:
Balloon Twisting, and
Dog Show

Then our caterer was Tjioe, which received many compliments from the adults.

My eldest said she enjoyed the party and I'm glad!

Cayla's first birthday also marks a milestone in my breastfeeding journey. By God's grace, I have been exclusively nursing her for a year and counting when I thought I wouldn't last a week. That's another cause for celebration!

I really thank God for bestowing on us three wonderful blessings and everything that we need.

The "Mother is sitting" phenomenon by Aunt Erma

From Aunt Erma's Cope Book by Erma Bombeck:

"The "Mother is sitting" phenomenon is probably one of the reasons meditation never really got a foothold on mothers when they were the ones who needed it the most."

Do you agree? This happens to me sometimes. And it's not just sitting, it also applies to when I thought I had the chance to stretch my back, or close my eyes for a while, or read, or blog, or daydream.

"At that moment the doorbell will ring, children will appear holding vital parts of their anatomy, the dog will dig his paws insistently into a leg, a husband will call impatiently for help, a phone will register its fifteenth ring, a pot will boil over, a buzzer will sound, or faucets will go on all over the house, and a loud voice will shriek, "I'm telling.""

In my case, my baby will cry or shout for me, my eldest will tell me "Caleb hurt me!" or "Please draw this and that." or "Where are the scissors?", my only boy will want to sit on my lap or be carried. Of course, I welcome all their attention but then, there will be meals to plan (I do wish I could get myself to do weekly, if not, monthly meal-planning), a space to declutter, and a missing something that needed finding.

source

From all Aunt Erma had been able to gather, a message goes out over an invisible network that flashes to the world "Mother is in a sitting position. Proceed and de-sit."

Family Activities Planning

When my third child turns 4 or 5, there are a few activities that I want to do with my children. There are some places that I want to go with all of them. I want to experience and learn new things with them.

1. I would like for us to visit museums like Museo Pambata and Mind Museum.
2. I long to watch live musicals and theatrical productions like the recently shown Sound of Music.
3. I couldn't wait to get my hands on cirque du soleil tickets for a one-of-kind experience. And concert tickets like roger waters tickets and radiohead tickets for when they are teenagers, if they will be into that sort of thing.
4. Someday, we would be able to experience Disneyland and Disneyworld. It was unforgettable for me when I went to Orlando and L.A. many, many years ago. I'd love for my kids to enjoy that, too.
5. Playing sports like badminton or biking with them is also part of the plan. It would feel great to be getting fit as a family, right?

via

How about you? Do you have any activity plans for your family?

We Choose Wellness Expo 2012

Just wanted to share this! Too bad this is not recommended for breastfeeding moms and children under 7 years old, since my oldest will turn 5 soon.

Lemon for Moms!

When it comes to handling our family's finances, moms need all the help we can get. Agree? Do you really know what you spend your money on? I want the answer to that question.

Overwhelmed by receipts? If you are like me whose wallet was getting fat, not with cash (I hope it was!), but with receipts and charge slips, then using Lemon would be a sigh of relief. 

Is it just me or are you also amazed at how iPhone applications could turn the camera into a scanner? Wow, right? So when I used Lemon to scan receipts so I'll have a digital copy of them, I was also in awe how the scanner could read the printed words and amount then type them out. I even tried it on a handwritten one and it worked.

And did you know that one can now digitize the debit and credit cards, the loyalty and ID cards, even coupons and daily deals using Lemon? So, if I lost my wallet (God forbid!), I have a back-up copy of my cards thus, when I call the credit card company to report my lost card, I know the card info to tell them. Smart, isn't it?

If you want a useful application on your iPhone that could benefit yourself and your family financial-wise, then try Lemon. Please click on my affiliate links if you have decided to join Lemon. Thanks!

I was at Expo Mom 2012

Ever since my friend introduced me to the "movers and shakers" of breastfeeding, babywearing, mompreneurs and mommy shopping, I have been wanting to attend most events. I have passed the dmv drivers test of my country, and yet, I still don't know how to drive. And I am afraid to do so! I think that I might palpitate under the driving conditions of Metro Manila. So, hopefully, when I get over my fear, I'll be driving myself silly everywhere. I also have so many places in mind I want to bring my children to: parks, zoos, museums, libraries, and playgrounds.

Anyway, I went to the Expo Mom in Rockwell Tent last May 5. This was an event by Mommy Mundo. I went with my third baby Cayla. I posted this photo on Facebook so I got the chance to pick a prize, which was an Avent sippy cup. :-)

Ever since I won an Indigo Baby Divine Intervention Room & Linen Spray from DaintyMom.com, I have been using linen spray every time we change our bedding. I also like the Lavender linen spray from Spa Essentials that a friend gifted us. Now that it's almost gone, I purchased the Indigo Baby Sleepy Head Room & Linen Spray this time. I cannot wait to use it!

I also cannot wait for the time Cayla goes swimming in her new LuvGear SunAlert swimwear. I wish I had purchased it earlier in time for our beach getaway. For Elle and Caleb, I bought them educational books. Shopping for the kids was made more fun with Expo Mom. There's a chance to win prizes that were being raffled off, plus, I also got to see the #RealMoms and some bloggers in the flesh. :-)