My 101 Checklist to do with my toddler (and yours too)

Keeping and sharing this list so I know what other things to do next... Check means done with all 3 kids. As I read those we've done, it made me want to do them all over again. :)

1. Color - check!
2. Blow Bubbles- check!
3. Play Hide-and-Seek - check!
4. Peek-a-Boo - check!
5. Play Chase - check!
6. Do Finger-plays - check!
7. Sing a song - check!
8. Collect rocks in a basket
9. Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture - check!
10. Make a fort out of cushions and sheets - check!
11. Go for a Walk - check!
12. Make a Car out of a Box - check!
13. Read a book - check!
14. Go to the park - check!
15. Finger-paint - check!
16. Play with Play-Dough - check!
17. Toss Bean bags into a Bucket - check!
18. Play the shell and pea game
19. Dance to music - check!
20. Download games for toddlers from the Internet - check!
21. Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags - check!
22. Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch - check!
23. Roll a ball back and forth on the floor - check!
24. Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl) - check! (just sand! what mess...)
25. Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision) - check! scary!
26. Put on a puppet show - My next project!
27. Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn - check!
28. Make a Horseshoe game
29. Make a Shape Puzzle - check!
30. Play paper basketball - check!
31. Run through a Sprinkler - ooohhh! I want this!
32. Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
33. Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
34. Play with a kazoo
35. Wash windows together
36. Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon - check!
37. Brush each other's teeth - aww... sweet!
38. Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes - check!
39. Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other - check!
40. Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other - check!
41. Make a playhouse out of a large box
42. Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!) - check!
43. Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets - check!
44. Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc. - check!
45. Go on a Smelling Hunt - check!
46. Frost Cookies
47. Plant a flower or vegetable plant together - check! (not yet with the twins)
48. Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket - check! (did with marbles)
49. Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers - check! (but with whiteboard)
50. Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
51. Have a splash party together in the bathtub - check! (in a baby pool!)
52. Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house - check! haha! this was funny!
53. Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!) - check! with Photobooth on my Mac!
54. Make and try on paper hats
55. Give a piggy-back ride - check! Had a weeks' back pain!
56. Play "Horsey" - check!
57. Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice) - check! oh my... we went crazy!
58. Play tug-of-war with a blanket -  - check!
59. Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...) - check!
60. Make a camera and go on a Safari
61. Play games with frozen juice lids - check!
62. Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives - check! even with fax!
63. Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too - check!
64. String large beads onto or along a shoelace - check!
65. Squirt each other with squirt bottles - check! with spray bottles!
66. Glue shapes onto paper - check!
67. Make sock puppets - check!
68. Make paper puppets - check!
69. Fill an old purse with toys
70. Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone - check!
71. Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching" - check!
72. Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
73. Act out a story from a book - check!
74. Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
75. Draw with chalk on the sidewalk - check!
76. Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk - check! (on Manila Paper)
77. Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones! - check! almost everyday!
78. Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror - check! even on my cheeks (only with the twins)
79. Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it - check! (with Ice)
80. Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
81. Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
82. Do the Hokey Pokey - check!
83. Make a super-hero costume out of household items
84. Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes - check!
85. Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop" - check!
86. Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
87. Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!) - check!
88. Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro - check! (I have the shapes on velcro!)
89. Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells - check!
90. Learn numbers from a deck of cards - check!
91. Play the matching game with a deck of cards
92. Make a domino chain - check! fun!
93. Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
94. Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes - check!
95. Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it -
96. Make a nature collage
97. Mirror each other - check!
98. Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper - check! mess!
99. Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways - check!
100. Make and walk along a toilet paper trail
101. TAKE A NAP! - check!

25 Manners Kids Should Know by Age 9

I saw this in an article in Parents Magazine (March 2011).  This is such a comprehensive list for kids, but then it would also be a good thing for adults to practice.

Just to prelude on manners which I'd like to add.  Someone told me to teach kids to pre-code phrases when they would ask to go to the bathroom for some bowel movement breaks.  I would teach my kids not to use the "pee" or "poo" word when we're out (especially in a restaurant) and they needed to go. Instead, they'd say  "I'll do no. 1" for pee or "No. 2" for poo.

I really do personally find it distracting to hear a 4 year old shouting to her mom "I need to poop, mom!" when you are about to indulge in a delectable brown saucy steak. But, if they say "Mom, I have to do number 2" it is a lot better.

Anyway... here are the 25 Manners Kids Should Know by Age 9.  Emphasis on the underlined. :)

Manner #1
When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2
When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3
Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4
If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5
When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6
The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
Manner #7
Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8
When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9
When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10
Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11
When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12
Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13
Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14
Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15
Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16
Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
Manner #17
If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19
As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20
If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21
When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22
When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23
Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24
Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25
Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed. 

On a side note: It is always a Monkey see, monkey do.  I myself do fail at times on this but well... we are still a work in progress with these manners.  Though, I do intend to practice this.  People appreciate good manners.

Our Tot School Activities

Wood Blocks teaches them about body parts.  Callista makes her own "Mat Man" face with googly eyes, pom pom nose and wood blocks.  Dashie is laughing when I asked her where her ear is, and she'd get a wood block and pretend to be Mat Man! (Twins at 22 months).  Wood blocks from Handwriting Without Tears (www.hwtears.com)

When you become a mom, you suddenly need to have all your creative instincts out!  It is the busy-ness of life that stops mommies from thinking of activities for their kids.

Motherhood is not a pageant of who gets to think of the nicest, decorative, elaborate, uberly creative crafts or activities for their kids. Simple things, a little time and a lot of love is all you'll ever need.

Sharing to you some of my simple (some, I have downloaded from the internet) activities for my tots!

Teaching Letters

Teaching 1 letter (for 2 weeks) at a time.  A is for apple.  I usually lay the materials on the table for the twins and prepare these printed materials I got from internet.
I have tried other washable pens, but Crayola washable is still the most washable of all markers!
Dashielle loves short, activities like this.

I bought these puzzle snake at National Bookstore.  I start with a few letters and let them try it out by giving them the next letter of the alphabet which they will try to put in the puzzle.  Of course, they haven't perfected this yet (they're 21 months)  I just enforce good grip.

Teaching Colors

Here's a video on how we do color matching activities.  I saw that Callista was very interested with color/shape sorting.  So, I printed a sheet with colors.  Placed those colorful PomPoms on a pallet and asked her to match it up. Callista @ 22 months.

I don't expect them to be perfect with any activity they do.  A lot of coaching and praises is what they need to hear.

Gluing Activities

Snip, Rip and Stick.  My twins love this activity (especially, Callista).  I let them practice holding the Crayola brand kids scissors (no sharp edges), and tons of colorful square mini notepads I bought from National Books Store and Office Warehouse.  I just let them cut (or rip - w/c they both love) and let them glue it on the paper.  I usually cut different shapes so they can enjoy it more.  This is how they learned heart, moon and circle shapes.

Stick the shapes on the balloon.  I drew a ballon (it's our B day) with shapes inside, cut out shapes and asked her to put it on top of the paper.  Don't do this in a windy area. Or perhaps, put sticky tapes at the back of the tiny pieces of shapes.  No need to perfect it if they can't.

Callista @ 20 months.  Dashielle didn't like this activity at all. :)

Writing Activities

Rolled Manila Paper on our living room table is a cranky moment quick activity.  I just grab their can of crayons for them to use.

Note: I prefer using regular gripped crayons than those fat ones.  I would actually cut their crayons because regular-sized crayons are always the perfect size for little hands.  Look at them holding the crayon in an almost perfect tripod grip.  Isn't it hard to write on fat gripped pentel pens than regular ones? I just find fat ones utterly useless for me.  I don't care less even if they break those regular sized ones into bits and pieces, anyway.  It simply means, they are learning!

These tempera watercolors are perfect.  It is cheap, easy to clean-up and just last longer than others.  Those pom pom balls are also used for textured painting.
 Callista is the one loving all our writing activities.  She can stay put for 15-20 minutes, while Dashielle lasts for 5 minutes only.  It doesn't matter if they are not interested, just keep them busy with playing! :)

Callista love writing.  When I am on my laptop and working, giving her a pen and paper keeps ber busy (from bothering me) :D  She's 16 months on this photo. 

She got moustache! Thank you washable pens! Making learning fun!

My little girl's work of art!

Writing on our hands doesn't make Mommy mad.

Other activities

Playing with empty boxes and jars. 

Find the baby of the Mommy - Learning animal and their sounds. Bought this at SM Storyland for P135.00

Puzzles is one of Callista's favorite activities! This used to be my 6 year old's puzzle toy I have kept for years.  Now, the twins are playing with them.

Our Tot School tools

Our activity shelf.  It has our Books, blocks, Zoobs, Board Games, Letter Blocks, Puzzles, Musical Instruments, Balls, Microscope (For my preschooler) and all our supplies!

This is my list of consumable and tot school items I would always have on our activity shelf which could also help you.  No need to rush buying them all right away.  This shelf is a special shelf where all our learning activities are stored.  The kids are not allowed to get anything (except books) without my permission since I don't want them to tire out on activities.  There should be a time and space for the activity (which doesn't normally have a specific time at all) haha!

• Googly eyes
• Pipe Cleaners
• Pom Poms
• Tempera paint
• Different paint brushes
• Crayons in regular grip sizes
• Washable markers
• Crayola Washable Glue (they are not runny! Perfect for crafts)
• Clear Pen-type glue
• Tons of stickers
• Dot makers (I got mine from the Bingo shop! I can't seem to find washable ones)
• Dot Stickers (Price tags kind)
• Rolled Manila Paper
• Construction Paper
• Small, square, colorful notepads in different colors (Perfect for Origami with my pre-schooler too)
• Crayola safety scissors (and a really good pair for my pre-schooler)
• 1 white Illustration Board (big and easy to store) for chalk writing!
• Dustless Chalks
• Tons and tons of scratch paper!

If this helped you in some ways, do show me your photos and how you and your toddler do your Tot School too. :)

Pure and simple art by my kids

My favorite artwork by Ice, when he was 4.
He made this when I was pregnant with the twins. 

Loving kid's art! The way little hands imagine things is simply amazing.  It's pure and real imagination.  Something you'd be amazed how kids see regular things in their perspective.

I have collected some of my kid's artworks, these are not just crafts that were made with things but paintings, drawings that have their own interpretation of the world around them.  Here are some from my 6 year old son.

This is my favorite! He interpreted the glass without muscles on the arm. The crossed glass meant glass is not strong because they don't have muscles. 

He loves to invent things.  When he learned about different stars and their colors (they all call them sun), he just can't get enough of it.

This is how he imagined solar storms.

He was able to interpret his own story just by studying his chili plant and how it bears fruit.

The slave ants

His dad was telling that eggs are good for him to make him healthy and strong.  Thus,  the story.

He's an innovator in the making, he prettymuch understand what satellites are for.

Because he loves astronomy so much.

Moms are the best teachers!

Blessed with 3 beautiful little people that changed my world

When I decided to place my eldest son to a Montessori-based school, I know right at the beginning that I was at peace with it from the inside. Somehow, I felt I don't need to be too pressured with

1. just wrongly believing that homeschool is the ONLY way to teach! Of course not, it isn't always the school, it is also the parents responsibility.
2. finding the "perfect school" that matches with my belief for my children - if there's peace in it, it simply mean it doesn't always have to match any religious belief I have with the school.  God loves my children regardless of where they are.
3. feeling that my children might be too pressured with school work and lose their freedom on enjoying their childhood - nope!

Although, pulling my son out of regular school and doing homeschool and deciding to place him back to a Montessori-based school was a personal choice.  That choice wasn't because of any social or spiritual "boundary" belief like most people I knew felt that it was my basis for homeschooling. No, it was plainly - a choice.  A choice on the specific season my son needed to be.

I have entirely no problem about having my children deal with the world they live in when I decided to homeschool them. As a matter of fact, that was the main reason I love homeschool.  I do not want them to be stuck in their little classrooms for more than 6 hours a day and having to deal with the same people everyday.  With homeschool, kids have so many time to socialize and see the world more because of the freedom of time they have.

With my choice, I have gained insights out of it. Education is not just getting high grades, being advanced in this and that, comparing what your child can do and other's couldn't.  Education is not a race, it is actually a marathon.

I felt lousy as a mom when I brought my son to his 1st school, I really thought since he was just 3 that time, he can just be whatever he knows he could be.  He is anyway, very advanced for his age, he knows all his letters, numbers, and shapes from circles to pentagons at 2 (at 3 months old, I was reading and counting to him and bombard him with educational videos!). I thought, it was alright for him to be occasionally tardy, absent or simply - not to be too serious with school.  My only concern was to pay for the tuition fee or extra-curricular activities, make sure he has the best snack, or just not flunk his exams.  Every Parent Teacher Conference that time was a breeze, that Ice was alright, he's okay, he's a sweet little boy.  So, I went home thinking feeling okay as well.  It was just pre-school, anyway.

This continued into kindergarten.  But, at a PTC, the teacher mentioned that Ice was lagging.  He doesn't know the letters, couldn't write well and thus needed a tutor!  I was shocked when I heard this. My smart son has totally changed from a little whiz kid to someone who was almost the least of his peers?!  I was pressured to talk to Ice (to ask a 4 year old, what's wrong is not a very good idea.  At 4, everything in life is wonderful!). I blamed it on everyone else but not with myself.  I was wrong.

Looking back, I felt it was nobody's responsibility but myself.  I was too busy with my day job and too tired to help my child.  I've simply forgotten that even a preschooler needed to do reviews at least 2-3 times per week.  To cultivate a routine of studying and that 30 minute after-school tutorials won't do him any good forever.

I decided to slow things down for him.  Homeschooled him and left my busy life to just partially busy (I worked-at-home).

I realized, my son needed a mom (or at least a loving person) who is fully dedicated to start his life about studying.  Knowing the ABCs and 123s doesn't end when they know it. It is simply the beginning of their life and yours.

Kids do not run on auto-pilot.  They need wings - sturdy wings to help them get through the turbulence.  They need a mom or someone to teach them to fly so they can learn to fly on their own. It all begins at pre-school or at an age that they start to become curious with their world.

My son needed me to find his weakness and his strengths. To have someone check on him and not to compare him with other kids.  I am reminded of this verse,

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Proverbs 1:8 (NIV)

Mother's are natural teachers (Father's are great life application leaders).  It is my season to be a mother, it is my season to teach.  It is not my season to pressure him to ALWAYS (with no reservations) have high grades or be in the honor roll.  But, just to know what he is aiming for and direct him of what he wants to achieve.  To know where he is weak and to find a way to divert that weakness into strength.

I remembered, 3 weeks ago.  My son went home very sad because for the very 1st time he got 1/5 on one of their weekly spelling quiz (normally, he would either get 3/5 or 4/5).  Memorisation is a struggle with us already - more so, with Spelling (dang it!).  That's why we would review at least 3 days before the quiz for 10-20 minutes per day with all the means to make him remember it (I can just imagine!).  But, on this specific quiz we have only reviewed the night before. So I knew, that he isn't going to get a high grade for it, then it did happened.  I knew he did his best when I saw his answers and he was totally devastated.  He said "Mom (with a very sad voice).  I got a low score... Mom, I only got 1/5". I looked at him and all I could say was, "I don't mind.  I am happy with the correct one you did."  His face lit up, he still felt bad.  Then I told him "C'mon, because of that 1 point you got correctly, you deserve a prize!" He was confused but he lit up a bit.  Then I gave him his favorite - 3 pieces of cherries and that made him feel a lot better.  Of course, deep inside of me I felt I failed my son but thank God, God gave me 3 cherries too. :) The next week, we studied spelling and guess what - he got a perfect score for the very 1st time! We we're both hugging and kissing like slugs glued in together the entire afternoon.

It's a roller coaster ride teaching my memory-challenged little boy.  While I am starting with the twins, I am more certain now.  That my greatest achievement in life is to know each one of them.  I just praise God that He has given me (and all mothers) the capacity to teach with love unconditionally (if you would let it).  Although, Ice and I had many (a whole loooot) of crying moments in teaching (I am not the most patient mom).  But, I try to be the mom I am for them.

I still work because it is my passion.  I do get tired (really tired, well who doesn't) with juggling things but I move on because I know that every time spent with my child is time invested for his/her future.

Happy teacher's day, moms! And to all the teachers who teach with a heart (not to hurt), thank you for your love, it is your day as well.

I am very serious when I teach him, I hope I don't overuse it.
I do pray to have extra patience, right now!

PS. Ice got 94% in Language, 97% in Math and 93% in Cultural Arts in his exam.  I almost cried, I felt that wow! I can really teach! :) It was a reward for me as well.  I am one proud, Mama Mia!

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!