Little Sis Visits Dallas

My sister Jilyn is really lucky. She went to Dallas on an all expense paid trip to attend the marriage of her best friend Weng, it will be a church wedding and the reception will be held at a certain banquet halls in Dallas. She is about to marry her boyfriend of 5 yrs Steve, both of them are Filipinos who are now working abroad there at Dallas.

She was about to take me with her as a companion but I was really busy at work so she had our little sister Jeavy to accompany her on the trip. Knowing my sister I'm sure she would visit amusement parks and restaurants. Maybe more on restaurants hahahaha, she really likes to eat. I am sure she already searched on the Internet and already have a list of Dallas texmex restaurantto visit.

The wedding was solemn and only a few selected persons were invited. Weng only invited person closest to her and to Steve, I think I remember Jilyn mentioning roughly about 80 persons attended. After the wedding they went to banquet halls, Texas. I still can't remember the name of the restaurant though but she said the catering service  was good, and the food was delicious. She's not that familiar with the menu that was served but most of it were Mexican. 

After the wedding they still had a few days to spend in Dallas and of course, Jilyn and Jeavy visited some of great attractions that Dallas had to offer. But of course I reminded both of them to never forget to bring a souvenir for me. A souvenir from each of them of course hehehehe. Both of them have a blast at their trip and although I am a bit jealous of the two of them though. I hope I will have a chance to go in Dallas maybe a few years from now.

Eating Out with Family at Gerry's Grill

Bonding with one's family is very important.  It makes your relationship with each other stronger and it makes you get closer with one another.  One of the best ways to bond with your family is to dine out.  Sometimes, we need to indulge and dine out at a favorite restaurant just to chill out and enjoy that precious moment with your loved ones.

Hubby and little girl

Little girl scans the menu

Lil girl's fave - pork liempo

My fave - grilled tuna belly

One fine day, me and hubby felt bored just staying at home.  We thought of going out and we headed to Abreeza mall to check on restaurants that serve our favorite foods.  Our toes brought us to Gerry's Grill restaurant.  The fact that the place is not crowded is really a huge advantage.  It took us not too long to wait for our orders to be served.

Guys, if you feel like chilling out and bonding with your family, don't hesitate to indulge and go to your fave restaurant and eat out.  As long as it is not becoming a routine for you, it's all right to spend some bucks dining out.  It surely is worth it.

New Tile for Our House for Rent

We are currently having our house for rent, since our house is very far from where we are working. My family is currently staying in my parent's house. I guess it's also a good choice since our daughter is still 4 years old and we have no house helper to take care of her when we are off to duty.

We are currently using floor mat as a flooring for our house, but the problem with mats is, it accumulates dirt, and its easily damaged. So I decided to get rid of the floor mat and change it to something better and durable. But of course this things don't come cheap. Me and my hubby are trying to choose whether to use vinyl or maybe ceramic tiles. I have a hand on how to put vinyl tiles so labor payment won't be a problem. Vinyl maybe lesser in cost compared to the traditional ceramic tile. But I think it won't last that long. So we decided to replace the floor mat with ceramic tiles. I know it is a little costly and you have to hire a professional to install the ceramic tiles, but in the long run I think it was the best choice, since it would last long compared to our floor mat.

I tried going online, and maybe I could find some sites that are having a sales discount on tiles. Some of my friends said try to Shop Clear Lakes best selection, maybe we can find a great deal on ceramic tiles. This would be a great month to have them installed since we currently have no work since its Christmas vacation already. I think a professional can finish this in a week or so, after its finished I hope this tiles would last.

Advance Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you.

Are you Parenting Responsibly?

Being a parent is the greatest joy in the lives of those blessed with children. When we think of the ideal “good parent”, a barrage of things come to mind such as the ability to discipline fairly, nurturing, encouraging, and providing love and safety. Our children are such a vital part of our lives that we can’t imagine life without them, or vice versa. As a result, many parents stop to ask themselves “what if I died suddenly”. Of course good parents have a backup as far as who will continue raising their children (like an aunt for example). But good parenting doesn’t just encompass “the now”, but also the “what ifs”. Having a backup plan in place for someone to step in and raise your kids is great, but a responsible parent needs to ensure the child’s financial security. Appropriate websites, such as one like www.lifeinsurancerates.com, provide a parent with an insight into the various types of policies that can safeguard their child’s future.

Is Life Insurance Worth the Expense?

Entertaining the thought of dealing with life insurance sounds about as much fun as standing in line at the DMV. However, part of being a responsible parent is to ensure your child has ALL the care that can possibly be given. In a financial article by US News, the author sites a recent survey by the nonprofit LIFE Foundation in which one in four Americans considering canceling their life insurance policy in order to save money during the recession. The author then points out some reasons of consideration that argue why this is not a good decision. As for parents, this certainly does not attest to the role of a good caregiver. Sure, you can take your child to the dentist, buy them the latest “must have” videogame console, and get them that expensive iPad that they swear is going to help them improve their homework. If you are willing to go the distance to provide your child with proper dental care and give him/her the luxuries you didn’t have as a child, then why not do what really matters, and make sure your children will be cared for properly after you are gone? 

The Challenges Faced by Parentless Children 

In the tragic event of your untimely death, it is safe to say your kids will be cared for by a family member, or by your spouse if you are married. Regardless, there will be major unforeseen financial expenses left over for your spouse to deal with who is now a single parent, or your family member will be taking on the major expenses that come with having an addition to the household. Either way, the caregiver will most likely have to work additional hours in order to provide for your child. Unfortunately, this will negatively affect your child on multiple levels.

Having experienced the tragedy of losing a parent, your child should be in a situation where a loving guardian can nurture and comfort them. If you failed to obtain a life insurance policy, your children’s caregiver will be unavailable at no fault of their own. They will have to work more in order to provide your child with life’s necessities. By purchasing a life insurance policy, you are ensuring your child will be in the constant loving care of someone who can help them get through the troubling times ahead.
Another challenge your child will face lies in their educational future. As is the norm, most life insurance policies pay out five to ten times worth your total annual income—more than enough money to make sure your child has a college education, and the things he/she needs in order to get through school and learn, play and grow with peers.

Protect Them, Always

We all hope to live long, happy and healthy lives. But the truth of the matter is that nobody has an oracle in their backyard where they can gaze into the future. Terrible tragedies happen all too often, and though we have no guarantee that we won’t fall prey to tragedy, we do have the ability to make sure that such a tragedy won’t ruin the lives of our children. Do some research online, contact a life insurance professional, and find out which policy will best protect your children.

Photo source: http://www.toddler-activities-at-home.com/image-files/parenting.jpg

Learning Through Playing Games

Keona has just turned 4 years old recently and I want her to be ready with schooling next school-year.  Me and hubby agreed to teach her basic mathematics and some basic skills appropriate for her age like identifying colors. learning the letters in the alphabet, identifying sounds of animals, learning how to use the computer and others.

Lately, Keona has learned to manipulate the computer and so, we introduce her to games that will make her learn something while having fun.  She develop fondness for some games and some of it, she's afraid to play herself.  There are games that she love so much yet, she just wants to be an observer.  She wants either hubby or me to play it while she watches us playing.

Just like any kids, toddlers love to play games on the computer.  So as a responsible parent, our role is to guide our little ones into playing games that will make them learn at the same time, having a good time. There are numerous games online that you may introduce to your child to make them learn faster.

Games for Learning

Learning the alphabet at starfall.com.  My officemate introduced me to this website since she used to tutor kids when she was still working at a nearby school.  It's a very good resource for toddlers to learn to identify the alphabet letters.  It is colorful and there are many illustrations so kids will really love it.  Our little girl learns to identify the alphabet through this website.

Fishdom.  This is a fun game for kids including adults (I love this game,lol).  They will make them  learn how to beautify the aquarium and give comfort to the fish by providing what they need like food through shopping.

Farm frenzy.  This is a game about farming.   Since there is no farm in the middle of the city, playing this game would introduce the kids how it is to be in the farm.

Cake shop.  This is a cool game where you work in a virtual cake shop.  In this game, your kiddos will learn about customer service, being time conscious and others.

Jojo's Fashion show.  Another game that Keona loves.  It is good for the little one's creativity because they have to dress up people and make them attend in a photo shoot.  It's as if they are  into fashion designing and styling.

There you have it guys.  Hope this gives you an idea on the games that are fun and lets your little ones learn easier. faster and in a fun way.

Moms Tucking their College Kids in at Bedtime the Easy Way

Just because your son or daughter is ready to enter college and begin a new milestone in their lives, doesn’t mean they have stopped being your baby. And making sure they get the best night’s sleep possible is vital to their educational success. When shopping for bedding, you can’t just pick any run-of-the-mill “bed in a box”—for almost all dorm beds are not the standard twin size we are used to, but rather they are slightly longer than their popular cousins. Your child will  need xlong twin sheets to guarantee the perfect fit, and provide maximum comfort. 

Online Shopping is Mom’s Best Friend  

Shopping with your kids may be fun for you, but most kids (especially boys) aren’t too keen on it. However, online shopping with your kids is usually more appealing to them, and it offers many benefits for moms. First of all, the back-to-school niche is hugely popular, and items sell out quickly in physical stores, even months in advance. But online stores almost always keep their inventory stocked. Also, competition is fiercer, so shoppers can usually get better deals online. Think about it this way: not too many people are willing to drive all over town visiting multiple stores to price bedding. But surfing the Internet with your feet up is easy, effortless, and everyone is doing it. Therefore, online retailers will typically fight tooth and nail to offer their customers the best deals. In addition, online shopping usually offers more product varieties than physical department stores will.

Another cost-saving benefit to online shopping revolves around the topic of impulse buying. In a recent article by Global Good Group, the author argues that because the shopper doesn’t have to pass through rows upon rows of other merchandise to get the product they want, one is least likely tempted to buy something that isn’t needed. The author continues that impulse buying is a substantial factor to household and personal overspending. When doing back-to-school shopping, especially for college level kids, saving money is more vital than ever to ensure the student gets what he/she truly needs. College life isn’t cheap, and buying only what is absolutely needed will pay off big.

It’s for more than just Sleeping 

When buying bedding for your college kid, remember that the bed is the greatest multi-functional item in their tiny dorm room. It not only serves as a place for sleep, but as a sofa for those social gatherings, a place to study, and a place for lounging about. Due to the fact that most dorm rooms are small and lack room for sofas and lounge chairs, the bed must serve dual purposes.  Providing your child with multiple choices in bedding will enable them to switch up the ambiance and style of their room, and ensure a feeling of newness and freshness into what could otherwise be a mundane room that always stays the same.

Shop Smart

Make it fun. Bring out a bowl of popcorn with your laptop and sit down with your child for a fun, stress-free online shopping trip. Engage with your son or daughter, and work together to find the best deals on XL twin bedding for their dorm room. And be sure to buy a multiple sets to offer some variety and ever-changing freshness to their room. After all, a fresh study environment will help nurture a fresh mind.

Photo source: http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/12/27/1226231/351587-computer.jpg

Holiday Gifts to Help You Lose That Holiday Weight

The time between Thanksgiving and the end of December is dangerous for many people. Dangerous because of the incredible dining options that tend to present themselves night after night. Cookies, pies, birds, pigs, these six-ish weeks tend to be a nonstop caloric nightmare for people who are concerned with their weight. If you’ve wanted to lose weight for a long time, or just need to shed those few pounds you gained sitting around the Thanksgiving table, there are tools that make shedding those pounds easy. You’ll feel great and look even better if you start making time for a workout everyday. Check out these holiday gifts that you should give yourself if you want to lose that stubborn holiday weight.

Kettlebell 

A kettlebell is an amazing piece of workout equipment that you will use everyday to get yourself on the track to losing weight and building muscle. The popularity of kettlebells has exploded over the last few years due primarily to the popularity of crossfit. Essentially, a kettlebell is a weight of varying size that combines strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility training. It’s such a simple weight that really works out your whole body and can be done in your living room without a workout DVD. Kettlebells can burn up to 20 calories a minute, which is the equivalent of running a mile at a 6 minute pace. It will take up very little space in your home, so you won’t put it in your storage unit that you found on the USstorageresearch.com Blog.

Headphones

Sometimes finding the motivation to lose some weight can be as easy as buying yourself a new pair of headphones. Music keeps you motivated to do more and push yourself, and with good quality headphones you’ll find that you get some extra motivation. It can be hard to find a good pair of ear buds that stay in your ear during intense workouts, so spent a little bit of extra cash on a pair that’s specifically designed for working out. Read lots of reviews online to find the best headphones for working out, that won’t fall out of your head!

Blender

Get yourself a nice blender so you can easily make post workout smoothies that will keep your appetite down. If you have a blender that doesn’t work well, you probably don’t use it as often as you could. Opting to choose a smoothie as a meal replacement is a great idea that will have you slimming down quick. You can also use it to make healthy soups so your dinners aren’t full of holiday junk.

Exercise Clothing 

Getting yourself some new exercise clothing or running shoes is another fantastic way to motivate yourself to start losing some weight. A good pair of running shoes can be the difference between pushing yourself towards that extra mile or sitting on the couch in pain. Opt to redo your workout closet with some sleek new gear. Don’t buy too much though, because hopefully you’ll drop a few sizes after you start constantly working out!