Arroz Caldo

Oh, this rainy season makes me want to eat and eat, post it on Instagram (lol) and eat again. Aside from snuggling and cuddling, my daughter and I enjoy sharing good food together. I'm not sure with other moms who can cook but it's my pride and joy when my daughter loves whatever I serve her. Lately, she's also been showing interest on the process of preparing it. Earlier before lunch when we arrived home from her school, I immediately set up my kitchen for one of my favorite comfort foods when it's rainy and cold ― arroz caldo. 

Frugal Shopping at Robinson's Metro East

When I decided to become a stay-at-home mom two years ago, I also accepted the fact that shopping will be inevitably elusive. That's fine with me; after all, I'm not that of a bag-dress-shoes woman. Believe it or not, I'd rather spend money on food and books and travel. However, my chromosomes are kinda kicking me inside and are actually telling me that my clothes are worth a throwback post already. LOL. I will soon do myself a favor and have a wardrobe makeover but for now, I have a kikay preschooler to mind.

24/52

"My daughter's photos, once a week, every week, in 2014."

The super highlight of Pia's week last week was definitely her pixie hair! Like what I said here, I finally made her say yes to short hair. She's now rocking it and not caring if it looked like it's been jostled, brushed or whatever. Her only condition is for her to have a cute hairband or pink bow on it. This photo was taken the next day and I was preparing breakfast when she woke up and asked for my old phone. I think she was texting her Tatay here. Hihi. See how messed up her 'do here is? I don't think she cared, she was wearing her pink hairband anyway. ♥

Healthy Cooking for Happy Kids

I was a kid when I learned how to cook, turning 11 to be a bit exact. Modesty aside, it was not fried egg or hotdog or instant noodles. It was similar to what I posted on my Instagram today. My mom didn't really teach me how; I'm a visual learner and just watched her cook. Fast forward to now that I have my own kid, I don't only cook to feed my passion for the kitchen. I need to feed my kid healthy food that makes her happy. 

Do you ever wonder why some kids - or adults - don't eat vegetables? Adults who don't eat veggies were, most of the time, the kids who were unhappy seeing veggie dishes on their table. I don't know how their parents introduced our dear farm crops to them but maybe they did something wrong in there. I strongly believe that we, the parents, can make or break our children's appetite. 

Yakult Light and Some Fun Facts About Our Favorite Drink

A week before my girl's school officially starts, we were luckily invited to tour the Yakult Plant in Calamba, Laguna. I immediately replied to the email sent to me and said yes! I love Yakult, Pia loves Yakult, it was a Saturday and it was the perfect timing to have a free 'field trip'. I have no reason to say no. I told my little travel buddy days before about it and even showed her the e-vite. She was super excited that there were no complaints and grumpiness when I woke her up super early on the d-day. 

Kids, we love your dads because...

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It's funny when social media geeks create memes that show how responsible and nurturing and focused moms are in rearing their children and dads are... well... I'd leave the adjectives to your judgment. Hehe.

Last month, when we celebrated Mother's Day, the whole world seemed to be in their toes to make mummy happy. Brand campaigns in momma theme were everywhere! In fact, if marketing experts can relate roofs to motherhood, I think they'd dedicate a whole galvanized iron sheet to one mom blogger and send it to her. It is that commercial! This month, there are campaigns for dads, too, of course. But most I see are a bit hoity-toity and have that snob vibe. In short, expensive. That made me think that in reality, they are the more celebrated parent. I love being a mom, there is no question about that, but if I have to live my life again, I guess I'd like to try being a dad (but please, with less hair, especially inside the nose haha).

So as a Father's Day special treat for the underrated parent, I asked some of my fabulous mommy friends to help me change the way the majority look at the men we call daddy, papa, tatay, pop, dada, pudrabelle, ama and whatever you or your kids call them. I'm sure if not all, most of you can relate to what we love about our husbands as a father. After all, we won't be mommies without the daddies! ;)

Her Pixie Hair

Ta-da! My little popstar punk now sports a pixie. Or so I said it is. It was a bit tiyahin-ish attending a homeowners' meeting when she woke up this morning. LOL. Anyhow, I still like it. This is her anti-lagkit, anti-asim, anti-tangles 'do! It took me almost a month to convince her to have her hair this short. Although she had this cut when she was two but she was too young to refuse. Anyway. You see, she's my ultimate girly-girl. She adores pink, sparkly, princesses, dresses and anything that screams kikayness. I have no problem with that! There is nothing wrong about embracing her femininity. What I worry though is that these things might control her ideals, principles and faith in the future when I can finally call her a woman.