Bubble love and my secret bubble potion!

Hours of fun!

What is with bubbles that kids (even kids once) just seem to enjoy so much? It is quite addicting and you just seem to want to pop all the bubbles that you see.

Bubbles just seem to be one of the most favorite things my kids love! (I wonder why Maria of the Sound of Music didn't even have that as one of her Favorite Things?)

If I was Maria I'd sing it like this:
Girls in vintage white dresses or frilly cream tutus, Watching my sweet babies popping those tiny endless bubbles, Babies that smell sweeter with mommy's breastmilk, these are a few of my favorite things!

I am not quite good on rhyming, though.  Forgive me. :) But, those gigantic bubbles are really therapeutic, maybe because you get excited when you see giant ones.

Well, back to bubbles! Since one of my favorite things is watching my kids go gaga over bubbles. It has been my week long commitment to find the best bubble potion and to make gigantic bubbles that seem to last a bit and not just pop right away.

It is really a trial and error thing and will depend on the humidity, wind and the way you make your bubble potion. But my 2nd potion seem to last majorly giagantic bubbles that when it flew high it didn't pop right away but kept afloat for more than a minute!  Imagine, seeing a 6 feet high bubble floating in mid-air.  You would actually mistake it as an alien spaceship or something (exaggeration).

Sharing my best bubble potion ingredient:

10 parts mineral water (distilled, not deep well/tap water)
2 part Joy Ultra Dishwashing
1 part sugar

or my actual recipe is 20oz mineral water, 4 oz Joy, 3 Tablespoon Sugar

Stir till sugar dissolves.  You can use it right away but it is a lot better when you let it stand in a covered container for 3-4 hours (or overnight).

Now, for my giant bubble wand,

100 inch #6 yarn
70 inch #6 yarn
4 Washers as weight
2 round hooks
2 (24 inches) stick (I was so excited to make one, I simply used a branch of a Malunggay tree!)

To make it, simply drill/attach the hooks on each end of the sticks/branch.  Add the washers onto the 100inch yarn.  Place in the 2 yarns together onto each stick with the hook tips then knot on the then.

Place your bubble potion on a bucket then dip in your bubble wand.  Start making those giant bubbles by spreading in and out those sticks together.

This is extremely fun!

Just a little reminder to be extra careful when the bubbles pop.  The suds might accidentally go into your child's eyes.  My twins got some onto their eyes and we had to wash it off as it really gets ouchie when those get in their eyes. 

Well, it did hurt their eyes... but once they see those giant bubbles, it made them forget it.

Little one, loving those bubbles!

Growing plants teaches kids about sowing and reaping!

It all started with this...

Awhile ago, I heard Ice crying unconsolably when he found out that his Okra Plant was chopped off by our maid. She decided to cut it off because the plant tipped off because there were so many Okras already that it couldn't carry the weight.  I got irritated at her because she didn't ask my son that she'd chop it off.  Well, she doesn't know my son so well so I just let this slip for now.  I saw how much my son owned and loved his tiny farm that it didn't bother him one bit even if the same Okra plant scarred his fingers from its tiny almost invisible thorns just the other day.  Chopping it off was not his plan to get even - he just love those plants unconditionally.

At 4, my son started planting when he got some Red Bell Pepper seeds he found while I was cooking.  He started asking about how it grows, etc. etc.  He started to plant them in our tiny garden and miraculously, w/o much of our effort or actually expecting it to grow - it did! Ice named that plant "stingy".  I don't know why, perhaps it was because it was pointy and it looked like a stingy little face.

This started his love to grow plants.  When the twins were born, and I needed a huge amount of Malunggay (Moringa) for breastfeeding the twins, Ice and her nanny planted 2 feet high, leafless, malunggay bark.  I didn't expect it to grow really... but with Ice - it did, again!

Then his little farm started to grow Melons, Kangkong, Okras, even Tomatoes (tricky fruit) and Papayas (which I asked to chop down since I dreaded to imagine since it was so high, the fruit might fall on his head).

Okra's for you! Look at those proud smiles!

Every morning, after waking up from his bed, he'd go to his plants, water them, talk to them or just stare at them.  When he wouldn't be able to water them, he would remind his nanny to water them in the afternoon.

What is more exciting is that, with his patience and love for his plants... he has harvested several fruits and veggies that form part of some of our food.  The best part it was organically grown, no chemicals but pure 100% love and dedication froma 6 year old.

What I saw in my son, is that he has grown to love nature. He has found ways to let off a boring day by watching his plants grow.  He learns the idea of waiting patiently.  He also has learned the idea of delayed gratification through seeing his plants grow from tiny flowers then buds to become fruits which he can later on enjoy (He loves the Melons he harvested).  He has also learned the idea of seed, time and harvest. As well as the basic principles of sowing and reaping.

It was so easy to fill in the Word when your child sees that what he takes care of - grows and what you don't - dies.

Meet Stingy's little sprout - Stingy Jr.

Even with the bigger concept of this, his dad showed him the farm that his grandfather has in the province.  The rice field and another unused farm that used to be his great grandfather's farm.  Ice told his dad "Dad, why don't we make this land useful? Let's grow plants here so that we wouldn't need to buy food and spend money in buying and buying food.  Food is expensive, you know!"

Planting is a good tool to speak to a child's heart.  Besides, unlike pets that needs so much attention, plants are just standing there waiting for some simple 5-10 minutes of TLC and that is it.  Some simple fruit bearing plant (in a pot, would do) is a good starting point.  Watch how excited they'll be when they see tiny fruits growing, even some tiny worms around it will help you inject some ideas that worms are not gross - that every living creature is important and has a specific role to play even how hideous they seem to look in our eyes.

Ice understands the value of work.  That money doesn't just grow on trees! But, it comes from hardwork.  The same way he does when he would take care of his plants and watch them grow.  My son got a deeper concept of this that he wanted to (and has begun) growing his own farm business (and new ideas with it).  Presently, he has sold Malunggay from neighbors.

But, most importantly... he has learned that everything he touches is blessed because of Jesus.  I am actually amazed how he grows this w/o even spending so much time and effort (but with believing and dedication to the joy of work) -  I believe that is grace and favor on my little farmer boy.

Twin Shock - tips on how to alleviate it

It is real and inevitable. Twin shock comes after you bring them home from the hospital and will last till about they are 12 months of age.

I had no one who can actually tell me the best way to handle 2 newborn babies at the same time.  My only background was with my firstborn singleton son.

The 1st few days after we brought them home were freaking nights of nightmare.  As I believe entirely in attachment parenting,  following babies cue, no strict rules or schedule, birth bonding, and some of it.  I knew that I could actually do that with my twins - but to my surprise I wasn't all okay for twins at all.

During the 1st few days I literally had no sleep at all.  I was bottle feeding at night with formula, pumping my milk at day which even if I save some, the twins would eventually finish it off 2 hours after I pump, so I pump again and do direct feeding with the other, pump again and do direct feeding after doing this, I was literally almost about to snap.  I was so tired doing all those just so I could stop them from crying and still following their cues.

Then I figure.. so, this is twin shock.  I believe, even new moms (especially dads) would feel this in their own way.  After the peaceful new marriage, honeymoon and an excited pregnancy... here goes the new baby who needs all the love and attention from the world.

After a few weeks, I realize one thing.  Newborns need structure and flexible routine but with twin babies, this is such a novelty.

I advocate reasonable attachment parenting, meaning... I don't agree with letting it cry it out, but I do let my kids sleep on their own cribs/beds and let them sleep on their own.  I also don't agree with putting babies in scheduled milk patterns, I do believe that when infants cry it would either just be hungry, need change/uncomfortable, too much stimulus, just want a cuddle or is sick.

But, with twin... it is entirely almost impossible to do attachment parenting when you are still attending to one baby while the other is already needing a feed or something else.  I have learned to just calm myself down, let her cry a little bit more while the other twin finishes her milk.  It is extremely hard because, with my eldest son... I have never let him cried so hard because I am there right where he even starts to cry.

Well, that is how it is with twins and that is one thing a twin mom/parent would experience - to be very systematic and a multi-tasker! Keep calm and just carry on - is the key!

Another twin-shock stoppers would be to trying to complicate things! When the twins we're still twinfants, I kept a milk journal which I also made sure that my nanny would strictly write on it.  Otherwise, it is war!  You have to know when, who was fed the last time and how much.  With my twins, one is a weak feeder unlike the other.  So the milk journal keeps me sane!

To simplify things, I have also stopped using different utensils with them. When they started their solids, I would make a huge batch of their weekly meal, freeze them and feed it to them.  I initially used separate spoons to feed them to a point that it would just fall off the floor and make a huge mess.  Later on, 1 spoon and 1 feeding bowl and even sippy cup would do well.  Anyway, why should I be too anxious on sharing when they almost literally share everything they play on, move and breathe on.

I have also used different colored bottles for them to know which bottle is whom.  Until now, it is a perpetuating confusion which bottle belongs to.  Good thing, rubber bands around the neck works with similar looking bottles.  What is more complicated now is I use a lactose-free milk for the other twin because she has a milk allergy.  So, we even needed to buy a different kind of milk dispenser for that.  Be prepared for anything like it.

Another twin shock is twin rivalry!  The most important thing is, never take sides or never have a favorite, least favorite twin.  They may look the same but each one is unique and beautiful in their own way.

When you experience twin shock, just go out for awhile (I do this, around 5 minutes). Go out of the house and just let it all out there for awhile then come back inside once again to your babies!

Career and motherhood

I have decided to work at home prior to delivering the twins.  It has been more than 21 months from now that I am a full-pledged WAHM (work-at-home-mama) and I had no regrets whatsoever in not being in an 8 hour / 5 days a week job that I used to love.  I already knew that I wanted to be with the kids especially the twins and I feel blessed that God never lacked any good thing for me and my family.

I would be lying to say that I don't get burned out many times. Of course - I do! whew! When you see the house with all the mess your toddlers make.  Then, trying to catch one child as she almost jumps off the bed, then all of a sudden you hear a "thud" followed by a bellowing cry because the other twin stubbed her toe so hard it began to bleed. Then here comes your 6 year old asking infinite questions about what happened with his toys and why I let her sisters destroy it while he was just taking a bath... then with all these contraptions, a phone call from your client gets in asking you to rush his project and he needs it today for his meeting - pronto!

I am not even including some minor issues about house bills when client has not paid yet, maids who are quite hard-headed and seem to care only with their own world that I have to actually sit down with them, cry with them and tell them not to be bothered with their boyfriends.  Did I also mention that the issue of what to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner is also a daily chore that add up to the minor issues of managing a home. Yes - these things are just minor issues but they are manageable.  I thank God for being a multi-tasker!

These days come by almost everyday... but I am not complaining. I have decided to be a work-at-home-mom and even with all these daily crazy things... I get to experience life's most wonderful things.

To see my kids wake up each morning, to cuddle them a little more almost everyday, to make them fall asleep in your arms in their afternoon nap more than 2x a week, to prepare a healthy snack for my preschooler (like chocolate chips + cherries on top) with his favorite yoghurt drink almost everyday. To go to the mall even on an early Monday morning, or simply to read a book to them at 11:00am and another before bedtime, to dance with them, to let them write washable pens on their skin, to pray together with them.

I don't do this everyday especially when there is a huge project on my plate, but then... all I see is that this decision to be where I am right now is perfect.  When I jumped into this, I thought how on earth will me and my husband ever support 3 children if I am just relying on something unsure.  Looking back (and calculating everything back) I realized, everything was provided for.  It was even much more that what I had before.

Being a mother to my children is who I am now.  This is my season to be a mother in this time.  But, it also doesn't mean that being a work-at-home-mom (or even a full-time mom!) means less or no money at all. I believe, there's more riches in this - the time I put in is an investment that yields tremendous patience, self-control, endurance, love, faith and life-long learning and wisdom that you will never get anywhere else.

Besides, after being too burned out for the day...  I still have the time to do biking, retail therapy, blogging, and a time to relax in His presence!

Why I love books...

Big brother reading Eric Carle's - Papa, please get the moon for me.

Nothing excites me more as a mom to see my 21 month old twin girls tell me "Mom, read book".

One very early Saturday morning, while husband and I were still deep in sleep.  We were suddenly awakened when we didn't find Callie beside us.  Husband almost hysterically said, "Where's Callie?!!" and little did we know, we just found her reading a book on the floor all by herself.

I always keep a set of books in many places in our rooms, living room and their playroom.  We love books and we also love story telling time.

I guess, my love for books only started when I graduated from college.  Before then, books were enemies.  Books = studying, Studying = school and school = boring.  When Ice was born, I wanted to change that and fill my home with carefully chosen, age-appropriate, exciting (not boring!) books!  So it was, at 2... Ice would grab a book and try reading the books. A lot of times, we would actually spend time in a bookstore and just sit down by the floor grab a book and read some stories.  I would become so animated in retelling the story book that even other kids would want to sit down with us.

I love it too when I would hear other co-moms who love books their family read so I would exchange info about books they love so I could buy them for my kids.

Out of the 100s of books we have (and growing), these are our latest favorite!
Zero -By Karen Otoshi, Eric Carle's, Flip Books, Dr. Seuss, Peter Rabbit, Uncle Wiggily's, Picture Bible, Kindermusik's Oh what Busy Days, Beauty and the Beast (Twin's love them now).

When Ice was still a few days old, I literally bombarded him with books (and his endless love for Hotwheels or Tomica cars).  On my lap, we would read.  Although, early exposure with books is not a guarantee for early reading... Ice had trouble reading (read my previous posts) but his critical thinking, imaginative stories, rich vocabulary and comprehension even for chapter books are astounding.

The love for learning is what I want to instill with my children.  The internet has made remarkable ways to actually find information, but great books and stories make children think, imagine and love learning.

Since they are so used to books, at 12 months they don't rip our books but read them.  I have a few board books but regular paper thin books are very well handled even when they were still infants.  Since they see me and husband read, they would also want to imitate and read by themselves which we encourage.

To conclude, I would say that nothing beats the feeling of seeing your 1 year old, running unsteadily with a book on her hand, push her way to your lap and ask you to read it to her.  It changes everything. That you would just stop whatever you are doing and just succumb to her need to learn from you.

Being inside a basket doesn't stop her from reading Berenstein Bears' A Book.

Here are some random snapshots of days that I would just find my kids reading and it just gives me more thought in building their love for learning.

This is 6-year old book I bought in a second hand shop (Book Sale) for P70 only (Dr.Suess - Are you my mother?).  It was Ice's favorite and now the twins'.  We would read it everyday that I would get sick of reading it. :P

Their breakfast - Space book and Dr. Seuss Go, Dog Go!

Caught reading again - Usborne's What's Under the Sea

I don't care less if they make a mess with books. Dashie reading Dr. Seuss "Are you my mother?" and Callista  with Golden Books

Oh how I wish I could buy a really fast compact camera to shoot these moments. :)