If I Were Pehpot

We all live in different time zones. And although it is still January 31st here, I know that in some parts of the world, particularly in the Philippines, by the time this post is published, it is already February 1st. And at this time, someone so dear in the blogniverse is celebrating her birthday. She is no other than Marce Pehpot.

If I were Pehpot, here are some of the things that I'd do...

ON being a parent, wife, homemaker:
How will you raise your kids?
I would raise them with all the love and care that they deserve. And because every child is unique, I would pay attention to their individual needs.

What would you say to Cata?
Who is cata? Is Cata the name of Peh's hubby? I still haven't met him but if I do, I will definitely say, "Kumusta na?" Hehe...

What would you say to people who have something not-so-nice to say about your kids?
First, I'd ask what happened that made them say such kind of thing. Then I will continue from there...

On being OC and “aholic”:
How would you arrange your cabinet?
Do you mean the closet? I would segregate the colors of the shirts first. After that, I would further arrange the shirts with like colors according to the length of the sleeves and whether it is collarless or not. Then I would hang them accordingly in the order of the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, blue, violet; and then the neutral colors: white, gray, brown, black. That is OC-ness kicking in!

What would messy mean to you?
Messy would be shoes not lined up orderly on the shoerack, books not belonging in the correct category, samantha's toys and books scattered about.

Would you add another blog to your 8 blogs??
I don't have 8 blogs. I have only three and I barely manage to maintain all three let alone 8! So that would have to be a "NO".

ON being sexy:
What color of underwear would you wear on Valentine's Day?
Haha! I still haven't thought of that...

What would you wear on JJ night?
Ummm... NOTHING? Hihi!

On your “selfish”day:
What would you do with five million pesos?
I'd buy us our dream house, shop for luxury items that I can only dream of having and then save the rest in an education fund for our children.

What is one thing that you wish to have?
Right now, that would be another baby girl or boy. Samantha badly needs a playmate.

Oh well, I know my answers are quite different from what the real Pehpot would answer. So here's just wishing you, Marce Pehpot, a very Happy Birthday! May God bless you always with good health, inspiration, happiness and passion to do all the things that you want to do. I count myself blessed that you chose me to be a godmother to Sati and for that I am thankful. Thank you for the friendship too! Alles gute zum Geburtstag!

If you still haven't wished my kumare a Happy Birthday, be sure to visit her blogs and leave a message or two:

Make or Break
Reviews Inc.
Bee Mommy
Novice on Blogging
At Home Here
Camerasexy
Dishes by Pehpot
Sexy Blogging

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Let Luck Come Into Your Homes

So what if you live in a rented house? So what if you only have a limited space? You can still optimize it and organize it in such a way that you would invite all good vibes into your home. How to achieve this? By getting advice and tips from feng shui books. I guess you are all familiar with the term feng shui, an ancient Chinese art and science that teaches how to balance the energy in a given space to ensure the good health and good fortune of those inhabiting it.

One can apply feng shui in the different areas of the house, in the colors of the clothes, in the hairstyle or the length of hair, in the colors of your make-up or the nails, even the furniture, the beddings, and wallpapers. In all these elements, one can apply feng shui in order to create and achieve that balance... and in the process, allow good fortune to flow into your homes.

More importantly, one must be at peace with himself and have a harmonious relationship with his cohabitants. Otherwise, the negative energy will still be there. As some have come to believe, luck or good fortune is a state of mind.

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A Good Woman

I know I should be in bed right now but my cough and sore throat won't let me. So while waiting for my medicine to work it's magic, I decided to sit in front of the PC and comment back on my commentators. I was visiting Mommy Lolit's blog, My Happiness and Sentiments, and found this poem that is really worth sharing. Thank you for sharing it to us, Mommy Lolit.

This is for all the women in the world who deserve to be treated with love and respect and for all the men who are husbands who need to realize that indeed, they have so much to be thankful for.

A Good Woman
©Carol Naumann

One you should treasure, but not as a possession,
Who needs to be loved, not treated with aggression.
Her value is more than all the world's treasures,
Not just the sum of scale's unit measures.
She should always be built up, not torn down,
By all the words you speak, when she is around.
She needs to be hugged and not pushed away,
Especially when you both having a really bad day.
Words spoken to her in haste and anger,
Can place her fragile heart in danger.
She should be admired for her boundless love,
And looked upon as a true gift from Above.
Not used as a target for all your frustration,
But held close and kissed with loving admiration.
You should always appreciate her commitment to you,
And not take for granted what she's given up for you!
Kiss her and love her all that you possibly can,
And don't be embarrassed to be seen holding her hand.
Treasure each day as if it were the last,
And at the end of your life you won't be regretting your past.

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Visit Jhownie's Haven

There's a new blog in town and it's called Jhownie's Haven. It's fresh and hot from the heartland of the Arabian Peninsula. If you still haven't visited this blog, do take the time to visit. It's fairly new and sure could use some loving. She would be very happy if you would exchange links with her too. She will be happy to link you back.

According to Jhownie: "Life is a series of moments. This is my collection and I want to share it with you."

Who is Jhownie by the way? She is a friend, a fellow Chemical Engineer and a former colleague back in the Philippines. We used to work for the same company but decided to leave our careers for the sake of our families. She now makes her home in Riyadh with her husband and hopes to have at least one child soon.

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Make Or Break

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

She is a full-time Mom and yet she still manages to keep this blog updated on a daily basis. With three little boys, a husband and a bouncing baby girl, you would think that her hands are already full. But I guess Mommy Pehpot has special powers that make it possible for her to do so many things in so little time. I wonder if she ever sleeps...

But enough of my ramblings and on to my review. Make or Break is essentially a parenting blog. If you would look for Categories which is clearly displayed on the right sidebar, you would find Parenting at the top of the list. You'll find very helpful topics such as how to take care of your baby from head to toe, handling tantrums, dealing with depression and lots more. Related topics on Babies and kids can also be found in this blog. And because she is one proud Mommy to her little ones, she would blog about them every now and then. When she blogs about them, she would share some relevant information and parenting tips making it a very enlightening and helpful blog entry. This style of writing is what makes me come back to this blog. If I have a question about raising a child, I would find some of the answers in her posts.

The Blogging Today (originally called A Day in My Blog) entries are also a must see where guest bloggers get to share their parenting experience as if in a talk show. I learned more about my fellow mommy bloggers from this "talk show" of hers. I hope it will be back "ON-AIR" this year because I miss it already.

Aside from the author's writing style, I also love Pehpot's header design. It shows that she is foremost a Mom and just like most moms, have lots of responsibilities. On the upper left corner, you will see a woman working in front of the laptop. I guess while she does the household chores and takes care of the kids, she is already cooking up topics to write in her blog after sending the kids to school or to sleep.

And oh, if you still haven't followed her blog, be sure to click FOLLOW on Google Friend Connect. She will be more than happy to give you a backlink for it.

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Random WAHM Thoughts

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

My hands are shaking and my mind is a complete mess as I am typing away in front of my computer. Why? Because I am about to make a review for one of the blogs of review guru Kaye, Random WAHM Thoughts. So, first things first.

Visiting this blog is always a pleasure. Just the layout itself, which is three column, and the mouse pointer that seems to be releasing stardusts wherever you point it is very inviting. I love Kaye's ability to personalize her blog and really make it her own. She even has a link to her portfolio that showcases all her masterpieces.

From the blog title alone, you can say that she is a very diligent Work At Home Mom. No, not diligent but a DEAD SERIOUS WAHM who, despite her full schedule, still manages to write down her sometimes funny random thoughts. I also love how she claims to have nothing to blog about and yet manage to pull off a nicely written post such as Nobita Syndrome. If you are also looking for some seriously useful posts, Kaye has a number of them. If blog tutorials sound Latin to you, check out hers. You will be amazed at how easy it actually is!

So, will I recommend this blog? The answer is definitely a YES! I even find myself frequently visiting, not just because I am joining their contest but because I always enjoy my visits. If you haven't followed this blog, better follow it. You won't be sorry.

P.S. Did I pull it off Kaye?

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Pehpot Paparazzi

There's a new paparazzi in town... and she is on the loose to capture the one person who drank her favorite kind of green tea. And she succeeded in catching the culprit! Can you guess who it was?

If you can't, find out who this person is by heading on to her blog, Make or Break. And oh, don't forget to leave a comment or two! She will truly, deeply appreciate it.

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Back to Adverstising on Adgitize

Yup, I have decided to renew my advertising on Adgitize. They rolled back the one-month ad price back to $14.00 a month and I am so, so happy. And instead of just running an ad for my blog, I have also decided to advertise my little one's blog, Samantha's Own. It's kind of lonely there already because we haven't updated much but now that it's also running an ad to promote her blog, we will surely update it on a regular basis. It's pending approval yet but I hope it will be running in the next few days.

I hope that my traffic will soar now that it's running on Adgitize and I also hope that my visitors will take the time to stay for a while. If you still don't have Adgitize, why don't you get one? Just click the badge above or the links.

And if you see the following badges on Adgitize ads:

kindly click on them. Pretty please? Thanks so much! I appreciate your taking the time to visit here and there. Really...

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Mommy Moments: Welcoming a New Sibling

Today's theme for Mommy Moments is not applicable to me YET because my little one is the only one. I know though that when the time comes for Samantha to have a baby brother or a baby sister, she will welcome it with all the love and care that she could muster.

How do I know? I just know... I can see it in the way she would play with her dolly and cradle it in her arms as if it were her baby. Sometimes, I would tell her that there's a baby inside my tummy and because my tummy looks like it REALLY has a baby in it, say around 5 months, she would kiss my tummy. Hehehe! Sweet no?

Now, if you want to see other Mommies' kids welcoming a new sibling then head on over to The Mommy Journey for lots of those sweet loving..

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To My Sam

It has been a while since I made an entry for Letters That I'll Never Send. Nahihiya na tuloy ako kay Mys who hosts this one-of-a-kind meme. And because this week's theme is anything goes, and it has been a while since I blogged about my little Sam, let my letter be about her.

My dearest little Sam,

Today you are 23 months. In one month, you will turn two already. Just thinking about it leaves nostalgic. I miss holding your tiny body, your sweet scent, your fragility. Nevertheless, I celebrate the fact that you have grown into a very adorable and sweet child. I guess I really must have done something good while taking care of you because of that. You are so makulit na these days but even if Mommy sometimes scolds you, she will always love you. And remember, little kids always get scolded if they get too loud or too makulit. Despite your kakulitan, I enjoy them. You always have a way around me. To make up for your little "mistakes", you would help me put your toys back in order or help sweep the floor. What I always look forward to is before dinnertime. You would help Mommy and Daddy set the table by arranging the plates, spoons and forks, and glasses on top of the table yourself. That is indeed sweet of you Sam. I know that as you grow older, I can count on you to help me with the housechores. Don't worry, Mommy won't treat you like Cinderella. :D

You, playing with my Post Z-Note Markers.

You still find it difficult to communicate with us using concrete words but you are getting there. Your cute pronunciations of some words are just music to my ears. I love to hear you say apple, milk, book, eat, mimi, and oso over and over again.. You say them with much gusto and pouting of the lips. I look forward to hearing you sing to Mommy and Daddy. That will really be something to treasure forever.

I could go on and on Sam but I guess I'll have to click Publish Post now. This letter is getting long and it would take forever for Tita Mys to read it. So I'm ending it here lest Mommy will go into the dramatic side of things. I do hope that when you are able to read, you will find this letter... and know that you are always treasured... you are always LOVED.

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

Want to read more letters? Head on to Written By Mys or click the badge below:

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Mom Conversations

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

If you are a Mom, and are looking for some good reads on pregnancy, health and fitness, babies and fresh topics concerning being a Mom, then Mom Conversations is a good place to start. Although a relatively new blog, it has lots of room to grow considering that motherhood in itself is a big thing.

I love the soft pink colored tiny dots against white paper that serves as the background of the site. It suggests that being a Mom entails gentle loving care. The bold and dark font style for the title suggests that motherhood is also something that takes strength and endurance. I like the very simple two-column layout because it is very easy to navigate. You will never lost in this site. Although it sure could a little bit more tweaks. The About page is still empty and I think Umma should have written something about the blog per se. I do understand though that the blog is still new and that it will still evolve in the days to come. This I should watch out for.

The blog entries offer a wealth of information. From choosing the toys for your little one to health and fitness tips. Getting rid of stretchmarks for example is one of the major physical problems of Moms and I think that this is one of the common topic of conversation among mommies and their friends.

This blog is in for a good start. I hope that it will present more posts about motherhood and parenting in the future. And as a suggestion to the author Umma, I think she could put up polls or forums to make the site more interactive, and thus really turn it into Mom Conversations.

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Are You An Expat?

An Expat or expatriate is someone who has taken up residence in a foreign country for a number of reasons: career, family, or education. And if you are an expat, it entails having to make adjustments in your lifestyle and having to adapt with the culture and the environment.

I consider myself as an expat and it is not easy at first especially if you are moving in a country that speaks an entirely different language. You had to learn the customs and understand their culture so that you will have an idea on how to go about your daily activities. I was excited and frantic when I learned two Christmases ago that we are moving to Germany. Thousands of questions overwhelmed me that I was at a loss for words at first.

I am just glad that I found this detailed Germany expat guide that offers a wealth of resources and information to help you get settled in. You know how it is when you move to a new country. You have to follow the law and of course, make your stay legal by registering to the appropriate authorities. Then there are the bank accounts that need to be opened, taxes that you need to pay, an apartment that you need to rent, health insurances that you have to avail of in case you get sick, and of course, the cost of living that you need to consider when making a budget. If you are a newcomer in a foreign land, of course it would be very difficult on how all these things are done. But thanks to Expat Arrivals, moving in has become a little bit easier. You may not exactly know what to do but at least you have an idea on how things work.

P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post.

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The Stonehenge

I finally got to see the Stonehenge with my Hubby. Unfortunately for me, I had to see it from outside the cyclone wire fence. It was Christmas Day when we visited and do the site was closed. Instead of grumbling though, we made use of the time taking photos from afar and from the hole afforded by the wire fence. Good thing we now have a better camera. Hehe!

Just the two of us? Nah.. the little one was with us. It's just that she was sleeping inside the car.


The shadows of us.

These stone structures just fascinate me. Won't you wonder too how they were erected and what are they for? Some say it serves as an altar. Other myths say it is extraterrestrial. But for whatever reason they came to be, they are just amazing! I hope they will remain intact in the passing of time.

The closest shot I could get of Stonehenge.


Stonehenge from the cyclone wire fence.

A friend of mine told me that they have a winter solstice every December 23rd. Too bad we missed it. But I guess there will always be a second time.

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Dreaming Of Summer!

It definitely is still winter here and the biting cold makes me wish for the warm sun, green fields and blooming flowers. Oh yes, I can't wait for summer to come and for another summer trip ahead. I am not yet certain where we're off to since we haven't planned about it yet but there will definitely be one.

Thinking about it reminded me of the numerous camping areas that we saw in the Black Forest area on one of our road trips and how we were once stuck in traffic because of road construction. Lining up with us on the road were numerous travel trailers. Seeing them made me and hubby discuss whether we are going to get one should we go on a camping trip. I guess having a travel trailer is an ideal way to camp and very convenient especially if you have a small child in tow.

But travel trailer or not, I am sure our little one will enjoy her first camping experience. We'd roast marshmallows and hotdogs in the fire. Look at the stars while singing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star...". Climb a tree. Fly a kite. Chase one another in the grassy field. Catch some fireflies. Even teach her fishing or how to put the bait in the hook.

Sigh! I can't wait for summer to come!

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Seiko's Diary

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

She writes with a passion. She writes with love. That's how I describe Seiko's way of writing as she shares some bits and pieces about herself and her family in this online journal of hers that she calls Seiko's Diary.

As you enter her site, you will be welcomed by the slow love songs of well-loved artists. Just hearing those tunes alone would make you want to stay. The header says it all: photos of her kids and her family shows how passionate a mother and a wife she is. The contents of the sidebar also give the readers a hint as to what kind of person Seiko is: supportive and thoughtful.

I am drawn to this blog not only because Seiko is a friend, but also because I learn a little bit more about Japanese culture such as Shinnen Kai and have a better understanding about the Japanese. And I just love reading her Couple's Corner entries too, the most recent one being "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" I guess it is common knowledge to everyone who is acquainted with or is a friend of Seiko that she is married to a samurai. I guess I just get all curious as to how they came to be that's why I love reading about their love story. Haha! So nosy of me...

I try to read and visit this blog whenever time permits because I always find something interesting in it. And it has never failed to leave me smiling after reading an entry. Drop by Seiko's Diary and see for yourself.

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Anak Ni Kulapo

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

As there will always be two sides in a coin, so does this blog shows the humorous and funny persona of Buraot. His creative writing style, even if written in Tagalog or Filipino, still shows. He can make a very interesting story out of some photos like the story about his new office. Very ingenious, creative, environment-friendly and economical. I just hope there'll be no more Ondoys that will come otherwise, "malulusaw ang opisina" ni Buraot. Hehe!

That said, reading the entries from this blog made me realize that there are lot of things that I don't know yet about being a Filipino. There are some expressions like matulog sa kangkungan that I didn't quite know the meaning until I read the entry. And some of the stories also took me back in time and made me reminisce of my childhood days. If there is one blog that can make you laugh and feel nostalgic at the same time, then this it. Worthy of a visit, that is if you understand the language.

And it looks like Buraot, who also authors this blog Anak Ni Kulapo, has given this blog a new look. I love how the white and "avocado" green font color contrasts against the dark gray background. It's looks very clean, and very easy to navigate and to read.

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I Am Buraot

The following Blog Review is an official entry to Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest. If you haven't encountered this blog yet, read on to find out why it's worthy of a visit.

I have written a review for this blog called I Am Buraot once before but I was surprised when I came back just recently. I honestly thought that I was visiting a different site because the old black and EC yellow 3-column layout is now replaced with a more professional looking Agregado theme. And all I can say is that I LOVE IT! It looks more refreshing and easy on the eyes.

Of course, it is still home to the famous Entredropper and is now on its 39th batch. The list is still growing and if you want to be included, just leave him a message and he will happily include you on his list.

What I love about this blog is that I find the writer, who considers himself an antisocial, to be not an antisocial at all. His honest and sometimes "brutal" views on Philippine politics, basic rights, and current issues shows that he is indeed aware of what's going on. And as he publishes them, it shows that he is one of those concerned citizens who makes so much sense that you would tend to always agree with him. I will always agree with him when he says: "Not all blogs are created equal."

Want to READ more? Then go visit his site.

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Lucky Chinese Tag

I wouldn't want to let the first month of the year pass me by without posting a tag. I am most thankful that Enchie of Sweet Nothings sent this Lucky Chinese Tag my way. My first tag for the year 2010 too!

8 TV Shows I like to watch:

1. Zu Hause im Glück
2. Spongebob Squarepants
3. CNN International Desk
4. Micky Maus Wunderhaus
5. Spezial Agent Oso
6. Blockbuster Movies
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Gilmore Girls

8 Favorite Place to Dine-out:

1. Schnitzelhaus
2. Burger King
3. Denny's Diner (in Japan): loved dining here especially when I was pregnant. It's just a few minutes walk from our place then.

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4. Hanamaru (in Japan): our favorite udon chain!

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5. Tao-Tao China Restaurant (Germany): It's eat-all-you-can and the place is cozy enough.

6. Kappa Sushi Restaurant (Japan): The lines could go very long but it's worth the wait! You can splurge on sushi for only JPY105 a plate.

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7. Antonio's Bar & Grill (Philippines): dined out here on our last visit to the Philippines. We missed Pinoy food and we were hungry!

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8. Dencio's Kamayan (Philippines): their bulad rice is just to die for!

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8 Things I look forward to:

1. Samantha's turning 2 on February 28th
2. Sinulog festival on February 20
3. My first giveaway
4. My birthday
5. And hubby's as well
6. Seeing family members in Germany
7. Sledding or skiing
8. Our summer trip

8 Things that happened yesterday:

1. Attended my German Language class after a week of being absent.
2. Cooked green mung beans for dinner.
3. Gave Samantha a bath.
4. Did the laundry.
5. Continued Samantha's photobook
6. Expanded my farm on FarmVille
7. Cleaned the house.
8. Ironed Hubby's shirts.

8 Things I love About Winter:

1. Snow ball fights.
2. Making a Snowman and Snow Angel.
3. Be amazed at how everything can turn so white and dreamy!
4. Wear winter clothes.
5. Stay in bed longer.
6. The days are shorter!
7. Watch the snow fall while sipping a mug of hot chocolate.
8. Go skiing, snowboarding or sledding.

8 Things I’m Passionate About:

1. My Family
2. Prayer Life and Our Faith in God
3. Spending QUALITY TIME with the Family
4. Blogging, sharing my thoughts and then some...
5. Road trips.
6. Taking snapshots of the usual and unusual.
7. To always decide to BE HAPPY no matter what.
8. Being Myself.

8 Word/Phrases I often Use:

1. Dad, kumusta day mo?
2. Did you sleep well Sam?
3. How is my baby today?
4. Hallo!
5. God bless!
6. "Dad, what do you want to eat for breakfast/lunch/dinner?"
7. Hala, wala ko kadungog... (Sorry, I didn't hear you... I sometimes have difficulty in hearing.)
8. It's okay.

8 Things I learned from the past:

1. God always answers prayers.
2. A Mother's Love is always unconditional..
3. Happiness is a choice.
4. Opportunities don't come knocking on your door twice so once it does, grab it!
5. What you don't know won't hurt you.
6. Do not face an angry person with anger.
7. Treasure the Past, Cherish and Live in the Present.
8. Always count yourself as more fortunate than others.

8 + 3 Blog Friends I want to tag:
The Marce CLUB!
Make or Break
Random WAHM
Niko's Blog
Momma Wannabe
Seiko’s Diary
Her and History
This is My Life
Pen, Paper, Pan
Blog Appetite
The Mommy Journey
Home Buddies

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Mommy Moments: Sam's New Fave

I know, I know... Mommy Moments on a Tuesday? Why not? Hehe!

I promised Marce Chris that I will make up for my missed Mommy Moments last Friday so here it is. The theme is all about our little ones' new favorite. True enough, just as you thought you already know what your kids love, something new comes along and it becomes their favorite. And that doesn't excuse my little Samantha.

Here are her new favorites:

Her new toy from Fisher Price which she loves. It's part of their discovery series toys for toddlers up to 3 years old. This was our gift to her for Christmas. The stackable blocks have cute smiley faces and they move up and down as if they are hiding. It also plays very cute melodies each time the movable parts are used.

Her Minnie Mouse doll that her Tita Anne gave her for Christmas. She calls her Mimi and she brings it with us during our roadtrips. She loves to chew on her ears. Poor Mimi!

Her new favorite cartoons: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse which here in Germany is entitled "Micky Maus Wunderhaus" and the newest from Playhouse Disney, Special Agent Oso. I am glad our media receiver has recording capability so that I could just save the different episodes and then replay them if my little one demands it. Whenever she wants to watch her favorite shows, she would give me the remote and say Mimi, Kee, or Oso, depending on what she wants to watch. Cute eh?

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