What the Big O Really Stands For

(photo credits: http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/)

Let's face it mommies, when we were young and careless, it seems all we tried to do was avoid getting pregnant. And then when that biological clock started ticking loudly, say around age 30, then it hits us hard that getting pregnant isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be. 

It's not all about weeks of wild, romantic nights to have you miraculously fall pregnant. So many women find out the hard way that it's hard work. It takes time. It takes effort. A lot of effort.

One of the absolute keys to trying to get pregnant is to know when you ovulate. If you don't know this, you'll never fall pregnant unless incredibly, incredibly lucky (and young!) Ovulation is when the egg is released, ready for fertilization. Did you know that only happens once a month? Only one time a month, about 2-3 days, are you even fertile! How's that for odds? So you need to catch that egg! How to catch it? By pinpointing ovulation. 

You can take OPKs to test when you're ovulating, but be sure to have plenty on hand as you may need to test 10-12 days in a row before you see the 2 dark lines indicating it's time! You can begin tracking and temping your BBT, which means to keep track of your daily basal body temperature and track it in a daily chart to see your temps' peaks and valleys to find the pattern of ovulation. For more tips and tricks, check out www.pregnancytips.org. 

Walking For A Cause With My Boys

Last Saturday, I did something healthy and noble with my two sons together with my friends. We joined the 7th Healthy Living Walk sponsored by Holiday Gym and Spa for the benefit of the Kids of Hope. They are children afflicted with cancer at the House of Hope and the SPMC Childrens Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit here in Davao City. It was more or less a five-kilometer walk from the Holiday Gym and Spa grounds at Torres St. to the House of Hope compound at Dumanlas Road,  J.P Laurel Avenue beside SPMC (Southern Philippines Medical Center).

It took as about an hour to get there, but I didn't notice the passing of time because we all had fun during the walk. A group of drum beaters led the way creating a lively vibe for the participants. I saw someone bringing her pet along which is a cute idea for this healthy cause. My sons kept singing there favorite songs too while walking, they even bugged me to join them. It was indeed a nice time bonding with my boys and at the same time doing our little share to help the little cancer patients.

When we finally arrived at House of Hope, there was a mini program which included zumba. This perked up the crowd and I'm surprised that my boys joined the group and danced, too! They weren't shy at all. :) Proud mom here. Weeee!

Everyone was very happy that this event raised around Php 25,000 in cash which was directly handed to the The Kids of Hope.

I am glad we were able to join this event and I'm hoping we can participate next year.

If you want to help these kids in your own way, you may contact Kids of Hope with the following details:

Kids of Hope

Southern Philippines Medical Center Compound, 8000 Davao City

(082) 305 9390

www.kidsofhope.org

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-Of-Hope/142415995808527

Healthy Living Walk : on its 7th year (photo credits: Kids of Hope)

walk for a cause participants on the road (photo credits: Kids of Hope)

Breeze ActivBleach Calls on MomsTo Join 1Laba Day

Breeze ActivBleach is treating mommies across the country to a day off from their laundry chores with the simultaneous nationwide event 1Laba Day happening on August 28.

Moms in barangays throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are invited to head to 1Laba Day venues and let Breeze’s revolutionary ActivBleach take care of their stained clothes while they take part in exciting activities Breeze has in store for them to celebrate every mother’s hard work and love for her family.

With 1 Laba Day, Breeze aims to wash 1 million stains using Breeze ActivBleach, which removes even the toughest of stains in just one wash. Participating moms can enjoy their ultimate laundry day-off as Breeze treats them to various entertainment activities, while the Breeze Laba Ladies and Laba Machines, sponsored by campaign partners Electrolux, White Westinghouse, Whirpool and LG, will take care of washing their clothes.

Simultaneous 1Laba Day events will happen in Metro Manila (Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Pasay), North Luzon (Tarlac, Pangasinan), South Luzon (Laguna, Cavite), Visayas (Cebu), and Mindanao (Davao).

Breeze with ActivBleach is the first and only detergent brand with 4-enzyme technology to remove more types of stains with less effort and time. It even has a unique active system for better foam profile and quicker lather, plus percarbonate TAED bleach that takes out bleachable stains without harming the environment. 

Be a part of the Breeze 1 Laba Day event and see for yourself how Breeze with ActivBleach removes 1 million stains in just one wash. Like the official Breeze Facebook page (@BreezePhilippines) and join the online promos to get the chance to win washing machines from partner brands. Consumers can also get free Breeze gift packs for every purchase of an Electrolux, Whirlpool and LG washing machine. 

Give Your Daughter a Purr-fect Hello Kitty Birthday Bash at Jollibee

Hello Kitty fun party hats

A kid's birthday is made even more memorable and fun if it's with dear friends, great tasting food, exciting games and surprises. And, it's not just your ordinary party. Now, moms and dads can make their little girl's birthday a truly special with a Hello Kitty-themed Jollibee Kids party.

art materials

Hello Kitty backdrop

little girls busy coloring their Hello Kitty art sheets

party loots

The Loom Band Craze Hits The Household

It all started when my friend Sarah of All Honest Reviews, posted loom bands (bracelets made of rubber looms) for sale on Facebook last April. I love the color combination and it wasn't expensive, too. And since I love collecting accessories, I immediately sent Sarah a message asking to buy her loombands. My initial thought was to surprise my daughter who shares the same fascination for anything 'kikay and cute. I would give one bracelet for her when I get home and hope she'd like it.

She wasn't only gleaming with joy thanking me about it, she even told me that she has long been wishing to have this. She was inspired by her friend Thea who lives in Singapore who has also been posting loom bands in her Instagram.  Now, she wants to make her own loom bands, too!  (and sell them as well!)

As the supportive mom as I always am (acheche!), I looked for loom starter kits at the mall and boy Mikkie was so happy she couldn't wait to create her first ever loom band. With You Tube tutorials, it was such a breeze finishing a basic design called Fish Tail. Then she explored some more and was able to make Inverted, Ladder, Triple Fishtails and Infinity designs.

the first loom band kits we bought for Mikkie

serious face of a new loomer

looming with the pros

selfie while looming  :)

her tools of the trade

Mikkie's Face Painting and Art Encounter Last Sunday

Even though it was Father's Day, the kids still ruled because they were so eager to watch the movie, How To Train Your Dragon 2 last Sunday as we headed to Abreeza Mall Cinema. We excitedly bought tickets but had to wait two good hours for the next show. (the first one was already sold out!) The boys Lean and Gabby had their Time Zone cards for playing arcade games so they wasted no time to do their thing. Meanwhile,  Mikkie played for while but then got bored because most of the arcade games were too "boyish" for her.

Then I remembered there was a face painting and art booth sponsored by Abreeza Mall for the said movie. Kids who have movie tickets can spend their time coloring movie-inspired art pages and have their faces painted with the design of their choice. Truly it was a fun-filled day!

face painting

coloring movie-inspired pages

my little fairy butterfly <3

Fun Celebration at Jollibee Family Bee Day Grand Picnic

Together with fellow bloggers and mommies, I went to be part of the Jollibee Family Bee Day grand picnic with my daughter and 2 nieces last May 10 at the grounds of the Crocodile Park here in Davao.

This happened as thousands of families converged in five different venues across the country and enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon now dubbed as the grandest picnic ever!

My nieces Andie and Lara, and my daughter Mikkie with their transparent umbrellas as they enjoy the Family Bee Day

                 

We sure had a great time while entertainment personalities Maja Salvador, Slater Young and Imago serenaded and danced for us on that festive and colorful day. I was glad it wasn't that hot, it even rained a little but the fun was all worth it. 

Game for a pose with fellow bloggers

Meeting Jake and Finn and the Adventure Time Friends

Summer is almost over, soon our home will be busy again, with kids and me getting up early for school, doing assignments and projects, and making sure they have clean and neatly pressed uniforms.

But before we say goodbye to vacation, kids were able to watch the live show of their favorite characters from Adventure Time namely: Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, and Ice King at the Abreeza Mall here in Davao City last weekend.  My daughter Mikkie and her two cousins Andy and Lara also had the chance to be at the meet and greet after the show for a photo op.

Look how much fun the girls had during the meet and greet, even I  enjoyed taking the pictures! ;)

Finn clowning with Andy ( Mikkie's cousin in red)

The famous duo Jake and Finn

all game for a pose!  (Finn starting to play with Andy's hair here, lol)

the Adventure Time cast live on their mini show