Coloring Benefits for my toddler

I’m a work-at-home mom and I have a 2 ½ yrs old boy who constantly “borrows” my laptop to play Plants vs. Zombies or watch his favourites on Youtube. This one time, I had deadlines to meet so I needed to find a way to entertain my ZJ. So I got his crayons but lo! no blank paper for him to draw on. I got creative and tore the March page of my big calendar and let him use the back part for him to scribble and write his little doodles on. I have even drawn some figures and animals for him to color. I have four kids but it’s just recently that I’ve learned of the great benefits of coloring for children. When I’m away with the kids, especially in situations where they become bored like in restaurants, I keep them busy with a pack of crayons and a coloring book. I know some parents who do this also. But it’s when you say “That’s a nice drawing!” or even a “good job” and a little star on top would help increase your child’s confidence and self -esteem. 


Coloring sheets provide an activity for little fingers that helps increase fine motor skills and dexterity. It helps children strengthen those muscles in the hand and wrist that are so important for writing and cutting. One way can be done by offering coloring pages like mazes and connect the dots. These types of coloring activities require the child uses very careful control of their hand to stay in the maze lines and to connect the dots. Mazes and connect the dot pictures are colored in once the activity is finished. For the energetic children, they will sit for extended periods of time when they are coloring a motivating picture. Parents can print out pictures from free coloring page sites on the internet or buy your child a themed coloring book of their favorite television character. If markers motivate your child, get them some special markers that color change or come in fun shapes or smells. Many coloring sheets and coloring books offer children the opportunity to learn valuable academic skills. Children will begin coloring by just randomly choosing a color, but will eventually color items the color they are supposed to be and learn colors in the process. They will learn vocabulary skills as they describe the pictures they color.

Dealing with Zef's Separation Anxiety

My Zef just turned 9 months today and I think I have a genius-in-training since he already can say "ma-me" and "da-de" as well as echoing words and sounds. Basically, he has began to master memory since he already knows how to make connections with people around him. As a parent, it makes you beam with joy and pride upon seeing that your child knows you by heart. But it's when me or da-de leaves the house or even just the sound of the keys jiggling then his separation anxiety sets in. 
What I usually do when I'm about to leave the house is that I give my baby an advance warning by saying goodbye or by telling him that I'd be back soon. A quick hug and a kiss would give him a little reassurance than just by sneaking out the door. This would scare him the more and could make him more miserable while you're away. 
I'm just blessed and thankful that my baby Zef has a competent and loving yaya. She's very familiar with handling kids since she has taken care of younger siblings herself. It is very important to have someone who knows how to ease your baby's separations slowly after the parent leaves. If a babysitter cannot do this, leave the baby to someone more familiar to him. A very good example for us Filipinos are our parent or parents-in-law. In my case, I ask my sisters especially to those ones who doesn't have kids yet but have been dying to have one. So, they're more than willing to "adopt" my little ones even for just a few hours. Thank God for my family! ;-)

Proud parent of an awardee

Before my husband, Jr, came into my life eight years ago,  I already had Troy and Tracy.   So,  I was a single mom then.  But raising them alone at that time was not a hindrance for me to send them both to a good school which is at the University of San Carlos South Campus, the same school where I spent my elementary and high school years.   Being able to experience it first handedly,  I didn't think twice in sending them to a good school. I could say that I got this influence from my parents who sent all of us, 9 children in  quality education schools and we all came out fine and educated.

My Tracy marched along with other 152 students during their Commencement Rites last March 23, 2012 at Rudolf Rahmann Cultural Center and I was a proud parent of an awardee because she received a special citation for DanceSport.  I'm sure it was very satisfying for her to get recognized at school for the many awards she has recieved in dancesport since the time she started very young.  She's also consistent in the honor roll at her classroom and joining school activities as well.  It's not easy to juggle school and extra curricular activites but at a tender age of 12, she' has done it.  I couldn't even do it any better! 

No treasure's far greater than knowledge and education.  That's what my parents taught me and that's what I'll also impart to my children.  The school is where they learn all the major aspects for proper education but at home is where children learn the basic ABC and 123.  Whatever my chidren want to become in the future    is a reflection of a mother who taught them the 26 letters of the alphabet and nothing makes me prouder than that. 

BuZy buzzy mommy

This is going to be a short post since I'm incredibly busy these past few weeks..but I think it's going to be until the end of March.  No! for the whole summer actually. Nay!

Well, the reason why for the fretting is because my 6th grader, Tracy,  is finally graduating from elementary education and it's exam week for Troy who is in 8th grade.  There's still lot of projects and teachers to catch up and of course what should I do? Literally, I'm sewing a pillow case right now for Troy.  Aside from school stuffs, there's still the studio and Summer Workshops that we're working on.  So many things to do but so little time left.  Whew!

Sayaw Pinoy in Cebu 2012

Sayaw Pinoy in Cebu was held last Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the Ayala Activity Center where a number of dance groups in the Visayas region participated and showcased their dancing skills.  I was able to witness the event since my children, Troy and Tracy, were participants in the Ballroom Category together with their team which is the Juniors Dancesport Cebu Team.  They placed second from their Seniors. :-)

Needless to say, these group is used to competing in national and international dancesport competitions so the event was just a breeze for them.  But I'm sure it was too for the other groups in each categories.

I'm not sure who won from the Folk Dance Category but all of them were so heart warming to watch since they made one feel and look back at the traditional roots of Filipino folk dances.

The Southwestern University Contemporary Dance Group bagged the first place in their event as they really conveyed their message through their dance.  Every move was to perfection.  They were my personal favorite next to my children of course. ;-)

Among the four categories, the Hip-Hop was jampacked with most participants.  They were all fun to watch but obligingly makes you hold your breath for jumps, flips and somersaults they made.  It was scary but they love what they do and it's their passion so who can stop them.

Sayaw Pinoy's goal to recognize where our dances rooted from, make quality performances accessible to everyone specially from far flung provinces and to provide exposures to new and upcoming dance groups.  This is important since it creates more opportunities for all dance and ballet companies and groups to get together and perform and in doing so, everyone learns from each other and share the beauty of the art with one another.

Where to in Cebu for the summer?

Hooray for March! Honestly I am super excited because it's the start of the summer season!  Well, not just for the fact that school year's about to end since I still have to think of Tracy's graduation and I still have to do some tutoring for Troy's exams.  But I can't help it, I can't shake away the excitement that summer's finally here - almost! :-)

Here in the Philippines, there's a lot of summer destinations you can go to and Boracay being known for it's beautiful sunset, is one of them.  

But that's not where we're going.  Where else but from my own hometown, Cebu, which prides itself with wonderful beaches and resorts.  But exactly where to?  

Malapascua Island in Daanbatayan Cebu has become popular for diving buffs.  

It's known for its white sand beach and beautiful coral gardens and perfect   local dive spots. It's starting to get known as  the "small boracay" in Cebu because of it's shape.  The island is just small but the mix is right.

Pandanon Island is an islet that's part of North Bohol and tucked away from Mactan resorts.  Mysterious eh?  Definitely in one of our go-to-list.

I got wed here! Yup, I'd highly recommend Maribago Bluewater Resort.  It's one of the high-end beach resorts in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu but not very pricey at all.  :-)

This one place I promised my kids we'll surely go and visit are the "Butandings in Oslob".  

A Parents' Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Make me a better parent
Teach me to understand my children,
To listen patiently to what they have to say,
And to answer all their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them,
or contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them
as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes,
Or resort to shame or ridicule if they displease me.

Bless me with the bigness to grant them
all their reasonable requests,
And the courage to deny them privileges
that I know will do them harm.
Make me fair and just and kind.
And fit me, O Lord,
to be loved and respected
and imitated by my children.

Amen.