Hawaiian Adventure Series: Shark-Cage Diving

Weeks before our family's vacation to Hawaii, my sister sent an email to our some of us containing a link to a Shark-Cage Diving Encounter. I know she sent it as a semi-joke and i also just laughed it off. I really did not take it seriously. When my dad saw the link, he was immediately interested. This surprised us but also made us rethink this 'joke' and inquire more seriously.

After a lot of back and forth, we decided to push through with it. We booked online through a promo with Groupon and prepared ourselves for an adventure of a lifetime.

We got there 30 minutes ahead of schedule and waited by the pier for the boat to arrive.  We then got in a speed boat that can sit around 12  to 14 passengers. Since there were already 8 of us (including 2 kids) plus three crew, only two other guests were accomodated to join us. It felt pretty exclusive to our family. We rode a high-speed boat on bumpy seas for a good 15 minutes before reaching the shark infested water. The cage was already docked, waiting for us.

The two kids did not go down but they were able to also see the sharks from the boat. There were a good 12 to 14 sharks swimming around us. Ironically, around the same number as the passengers of the boat. Eeps. They were about 13 feet long each and were Galapagos sharks.

I know the pictures look intimidating but it actually felt very safe. I would have even asked my kids to join us if they dared to. The only reason why it may not be ideal for small children is the rough seas. The waves were hitting hard and we had to hold on to the rails of the cage to avoid getting whipped around. Although once we were under water, it felt very calm.

Amidst the rough seas, it was an experience I will never forget. Definitely one for the books. As i looked at the sharks swimming around us, I was just in awe of how peaceful they moved around their habitat. I was just so amazed and cannot believe I was actually doing it. Such a National Geographic experience.

When you find yourselves in Hawaii, I would highly encourage you to give this activity a shot. To those of you asking who took our pictures, the captain of the boat had a GoPro on a stick and took our videos and photos for an additional fee. You only get to do it once, I'd say the additional $$ is priceless.

Visit Hawaii Shark Encounters http://hawaiisharkencounters.com/home to learn more about this wonderful experience.

 

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The Real Joy of Our Children

So last weekend we found ourselves in Oslob, Cebu on another family trip. We did a host of amazing things with the kids from swimming with the whalesharks to taking a dip under the breathtaking Tumalog falls.  But amidst all those fun things, one event stood out for Troy. Shopping and spending time with me.

On our last day in Cebu, we visited a mall which was right across our hotel. Everyone had their own mission so we decided to split up. Troy decided to go with me since both of us did not have any agenda.  We just walked aimlessly around the mall.  To me, it was not an extraordinary experience as I just shopped like i normally would.  Once in a while, I would ask for Troy's opinion on some products that i liked and he would ask me the same on things that he saw. We walked around chatting and laughing like good friends. As we were heading back to the hotel, Troy was smiling from ear to ear and he suddenly said "You know mom, you're not my normal mommy today". I did not know what he meant so i prodded. He further explained that i was so happy and so much fun to be with that day.  Eeps! That compliment stung a little.  We talked about it some more and i understood his heart.

I have been thinking about what Troy said ever since he said it last Sunday.  I reflected on the many times that we enjoyed things together.  How did that short shopping trip have such an impact on him?  Then I realized that I was a friend to him that day. I was not the parent who had to say "Look only but we're not buying, okay?" when he wanted to look at toys. I realized that I did not treat him like a child when i spoke to him about the things that I bought.  After one of my purchases, i even told him "I'm so happy i am finally able to buy this! I have wanted this for so long!" I did not realize it then but now that i think about it, i realize that it's something i would probably say to Dens but not really to my children.

While our kids need us to guide them since we are their parents, they also need us to be their friend. Time spent with them does not automatically make it 'Quality Time' even if we're doing things that they enjoy. Laugh with them and be silly together. Last night i played Wii with Troy and we had the time of our lives laughing at each other's wrong moves.  I did not try to make it into a teachable moment but simply had fun with him as i normally would with my friends.  I hope that i can consistently be the 'not normal mommy' for Troy.  Someone he would love to always spend time with even when we're not doing anything exciting.  And one day when he is all grown up and still loves spending time with me, that would be such an awesome reward.

 

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Tried and Tested Tips on Traveling with Kids

As you know from my previous post, i recently traveled with my two kids to Thailand. Here are some tips and tools that helped me go through it with ease.

1. Fill out all embarkation cards at home.  It's very difficult to be too busy filling out the cards in a crowded airport when you need to fix your eyes on your kids every 5 seconds. Likewise, i also suggest filling out disembarkation and custom & immigration cards inside the airplane for the same reason.

2.  Bring a stroller.  This will be your best decision ever. Of course, you need to train your children to ride in strollers beforehand. Otherwise you will find yourself chasing the kids while carrying the stroller. Not glamorous at all.

My personal favorite is the Aprica Karoon Plus. I love how lightweight it is and that i can open and close the stroller with one hand. 

global.rakuten.com

3. Another option is to use a Backpark with Harness. I bought ours a long long time ago but never had the heart to use it. I was torn between safety and having people think we're treating our kids like dogs on a leash.  But this recent trip made me rethink my priorities. There were times when Troy was tired and Dawn would offer the stroller to her brother.  This means she will need to walk with me instead. I would still hold her hand (and the leash) while walking. But at least in case i had to use my hands to fill out forms or get some things from my bag, there is no risk of her running away on her own.  So i decided that people may judge all they want but my kids' safety is more important than that.

http://www.oocities.org

 4.  Bring out new activity books or download new games or movies on your iPhones and iPads. These will keep them entertained during the waiting period (in flight and pre-boarding). Please note that it has to be NEW. Old games and books may not excite them enough to keep still for a long time.

5.  Bring water bottles that are half-filled with water. I personally use the Thermos Funtainers for my kids because it's spill-proof.  The reason it's important to bring them is so that you don't need to ask for cups with water while eating inside the airplane. Imagine the chaos when they accidentally flip the table and spill the water. Not cool (or ironically, that's all your legs are going to feel when the water spills). I always just ask the flight attendant to fill the water bottles with water in case we run out. I prefer them half-filled since i don't want to carry heavy containers inside my bag.

6.  Put your safety on!  I found two very useful identification tags for my kids.

The first is the MyTag (http://mytag.ph) Klein slender silicone bracelets.  It's really chic and useful. I had my kids' names engraved together with our contact details (mobile number and email address) on the steel tag. I taught my kids to show these to the security guards in case they cannot find us. They only cost P400 each which already comes with the engraving.

The next one is the Safetytat Tattoo (http://www.safetytat.com/).  It's a temporary tattoo that will last for about 3 days of sweat and shower. I used this on my 3-year old since she may be too young to fully explain the concept of the ID bracelet.  I like her contact details to be immediately seen in case someone needs to reach us. I placed the tattoo on her arm and wrote down our contact number using the special pen that came with it.

7.  Finally, talk with your children before the trip.  As i've mentioned in my previous post, they are more matured that we usually give them credit for. Explain the dangers of being too rowdy in a crowded place and what they can do to help make the trip enjoyable for the entire family.

That's it! Hope you found these tips helpful. Have fun on your next vacation.

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Want to Win a Trip to Legoland?

Two weeks ago, Dens and I flew to HongKong for a business trip. I have been on countless business trips throughout my career and my usual concern has always been sleeping alone in the hotel rooms. Getting married solved those anxieties since Dens can now accompany me on my trips. However, now that I am a mom, other concerns crop up. Aside from missing my kids, another concern is what will happen to them should something (God forbid) happen to Dens and me during our trip. Such thoughts lead me to think about preparing our will and making sure we leave enough resources for them to sustain their current lifestyle.  One of the best ways to protect them is to be well insured. My husband is not really a believer of insurance and he'd rather invest our money so that we see the returns during our lifetime. Either way, we both agree that should do something about it.

Two months ago, i wrote about attending an event which tackled Raising Kids with High FQ. During the event, we also talked about fail proofing your child's future. This was a very timely reminder for me to prepare our family's finances.  We need to ensure that our children will enjoy the same privileges - or even more - throughout their lifetime.  Do you know that statistically, only 14 out of 100 children who enter Grade 1 will graduate with a college degree? It's sad, isn't it? Well, you can do something about it today. Speak to a financial adviser. They can help you fail proof your family's future.

Now, on a brighter note, AXA Philippines announced during the event that they have an ongoing contest. All you need to do is to sign up through their Facbook page to gain a raffle coupon.  I'm sure you won't hesitate after you've seen the prizes below. Hurry and maybe you'll see your family in Legoland, Malaysia sooner than you think!

MINOR PRIZES

Learn & Play Package

Annual Membership in Gymboree for kids aged 0-60 months old, includes 5 gymplay coupons. (10 Winners

Explorer Package

• Mind Museum all-day passes for 2 adults & 2 children. (10 Winners)
• Nido Discovery + Inventors’ lab tickets for adults & 2 children
• Four “Pacific Sky Wonder 9” tickets in Manila Ocean PArk (10 Winners)

School Supplies Package

• Gift Certificates from National Bookstore worth P5,000 per winner (10 Winners)

MAJOR PRIZES

Skills Package

• Yamaha School of Music (12 lessons/1hr/lesson; choose from basic guitar,
• piano, violin, flute. (4 Winners)
• Center for Pop Music (Starborne Regular, 18 sessions/2hrs/session) (4 Winners)

Gadget package

• Desktop & printer set (2 Winners)

Grand Prize

• Trip for 4 (2 adults & kids) to Legoland Malaysia (1 Winner)

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Kiddie Essentials for Your Winter Holiday

We just came back from the fun and freezing Korean weather!  It was a wonderful vacation amidst the negative 16 celcius temperature.

A lot of people have been concerned for our family since we brought our two kids (4 years old and 1 year old) with us. If you know me well, you will understand that there is no way I am leaving my kids behind on a vacation. The only time I get to travel without them is during my business trips. Not exactly the most ideal scenario, i know. But until i learn to be better at parental detachment, they will just need to come along whether i am flying to a dessert or blizzard.

So anyway, here are a few travelling essentials for your kiddos when you plan to go on your own winter wonderland vacation.

1. Layering

TOP

1st Layer - Thermals
2nd Layer - Long-sleeves shirt
3rd Layer - Fleece Jacket
4th Layer - Bubble/Winter Jacket

BOTTOM

My 2 kids have varying tolerance for cold. My son takes after his father who loooves the cold weather while my daughter is just like me who easily gets cold. So for her, i added another layer of tights before her pants to ensure her legs don't get too cold. On colder days, i even added leg warmers.

1st Layer - Thermals

2nd Layer - Jeans

2. Windburn

First, you have to try your best to avoid windburn by moisturizing and covering your face as much as you can. This is especially difficult if youre kids are like mine who refuse to wear face masks. I moisturize their faces daily but after 2 days of cold weather, their cheeks were all dry and painful.

Skin that thas been [wind] burned sting when you put sunblock or moisturizers! One that worked truly well for us was Mustela's Stelatria. Unlike the other moisturizers that i've tried, my kids did not cry or complain from the pain whenever i applied Stelatria on their cheeks. I tried them on myself and can confirm that it's pain-free! This proves that Mustela is truly very ideal for sensitive skin and is free of harsh chemicals.

3. Dry Lips

For the kids' lips, i only used VMV's Boo Boo Balm. It proved effective and they didn't have chapped lips all throughout the trip!

vmvhypoallergenics.com

4. Gloves

For days when you know you will encounter snow, you need to use water-proof gloves. Those knitted gloves will only be good when your kids do not wish to touch snow. My kids cannot avoid playing with snow so these are true essentials!

http://shop.hellyhansen.com

5. Bonnet

Choose one that covers the ears. Makes all the difference, believe me.

Hope the above suggestions will help you in planning your own winter vacation. Preparation is key. If you go prepared then you can still enjoy amidst the freezing weather. Have fun!

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Boracay Through a Mother's Eyes

I have been to Boracay so many times in my lifetime but my last three visits were a little bit different.

In the past, when you say 'Boracay', images of Henna Tatoo and massages on the beach comes to mind. In 2009, i saw Boracay in a different light.  I visited Boracay for the first time as a mom.

Troy's first trip, 2009

 

Dens and Troy's Jump Shot, 2011




Dawn's first trip, 2011

I remember telling Dens how different Boracay is each time we go there with our kids (sans yaya).  You can say goodbye to partying until the wee hours of the morning or doing any type of water sports together (i say 'together' because you can still go one at a time while the other parent takes care of the children...but where's the fun in that?!). 

But you know what? Different does not always necessarily mean 'bad'.  During our recent trip, I saw how Troy was laughing non-stop with his cousins while riding the waves on the speedboat...I witnessed how Dawn was happily running around the cool white sands without a care in the world.  Watching my kids have the time of their lives is my new fun thing in Boracay. The smiles on their faces is enough for us to skip that relaxing massage or wild water activity any day.

Our children are growing up so fast. I will not be honest if I say I don't miss those wonderful beach massages...but they will just have to wait for now. My kids will only be children once. I am not going to miss these moments. Time is fleeting. I choose to spend mine with them.



Speed boat, 2012

 

Cousins, 2012



Sunset, 2012

 

 Dawn on the loose, 2012

Family, 2012

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Toy Expo Philippines 2012

www.yousaytoo.com

Toy Kingdom's first ever Toy Expo is currently being held at the SMX until Sunday, August 26, 2012.  Dens and i decided to bring the kids tonight (Friday) to avoid the weekend rush. We were surprised to see that there were very few shoppers. In fact, we had to check with the guards before entering the parking if the expo was cancelled. I'm not sure if there was lack of advertisement or if it was because of the rainy weather, but i hope more people would visit over the weekend.

The team has truly put a lot of hardwork in making the place look incredible. There were a ton of photo opportunities and the kids loved all the activity centers in each booth. Most toys are on 10% to 20% off so the discount was not 'nakakapanic'. But nevertheless, if you're looking to buy some toys for gifts or for your own child, this is the perfect time.

We were greeted by Optimus Prime upon entering

Lalaloopsy 

Dawn watching cartoon at the Lalaloopsy booth

We found the Avengers at the Marvel booth 

Entrance to the lovely Hello Kitty house

Troy played a game at the Nickelodeon booth

Go Troy!

We finally found Donatello! 

Mega creation by Mega Blocks

Little Tikes 

Barbie

And there's Incredible Hulk 

More 'star sightings'

Marvel booth 

Thomas the Train

Ben10

You can try your hand at target shooting at the Nerf Booth 

Lego Land

Baby Alive party!

Dawn enjoyed feeding the babies

Listening intently to some Sesame Street product demo

Giant inflatable SpongeBob

PlayDoh activity area

It was a fun-filled evening. We got there around 7pm and stayed until closing time at 10pm. Troy told me out of the blue 'mommy, i'm so happy' :) Both of them didn't buy a single toy but enjoyed all the activity centers. It was one giant playground for them.

We went home with two exhausted but happy kids at the backseat of our car. What a great way to spend our Friday evening.

If you're up for some fun kiddie activity, do visit the Toy Kingdom's Toy Fair at the SMX this weekend. Oh, did i mention that entrance is free?

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