Mommy Diaries: Summer Fun Activities to do at Home

Summer time is fast approaching. When I think about this, I always remember the times when I was little all we did was play, eat, take naps, go on swimming trips, and everything else that meant to have a vacation. It was so fun and now that I am now a working Mom. I always think of ways to catch up with my daughter and make her summer memorable each year, before she plans for herself when she grows up.

Since I am still can't decide yet on when to get her start going to school, I want her to learn a few things ahead earlier. She has now learn the alphabet, can now count 'til 30 and can now recognize colors and shapes. I thought it might be a great time to introduce her to new ways on learning.

The things my daughter and I enjoy doing after a long day at work is giving her a go with paper works. I always assume she plays the whole day consuming her energy at a maximum which makes me want to catch up with her the on a low key.

One of the things she loves doing is coloring. I make sure to get her new coloring books once in a while so she could have more choices. There are so many nice finds at bookstores and department stores. I love that this activity allows her to re-imagine the pictures as she colors. I allow her to choose which color to use.

Another thing we do is story telling time. I got her a lot of children books in her favorite cartoon characters. She just loves it when I read her books more than once a day and even allowed her to memorize the lines in the books. She could even finish the lines while I read them.

It's quite essential to let our kids explore for them to gain new interests and hobbies they could grow to love. One thing I love doing at home back then was playing pretend school. I love answering and making worksheets for my friends. But it takes a lot of effort making one considering I have to make more than one set for my pretend students. I recently came across Education.com which gives you access to downloadable and printable worksheets to help our kids with reading and writing. You can also get to choose what level your kids are have them in adorable theme selections.

Easter is just around the corner, and your little one will love practicing their beginner writing skill with this Easter-themed word tracer! For more fun learning activities, visit Education.com.

Let's make our kids' summer a fun journey and learning experience as well.

That is all for this post.

Toodles!
Love, AnDi

28 and Unstoppable

I just turned 28 and I am unstoppable. Sneaking this outfit post because I really miss making one. I've actually been getting back to my old habit of taking outfit photos because my good old friend Shamcey is back!! I am actually talking about my samsung nx11 camera. She was down for two years because I couldn't get a replacement for her lost charger. I recently just got a hold of one last December and was really happy that I get to use it again.

And for my birthday outfit, this wasn't my original peg but when my husband got this for me, I just knew I had to wear it on my special day. We actually both this from a thrift store. Our car passed by their store twice and it was still hanging in there waving at me, calling me. My husband needed to drive back just to get it for me. (Soo sweet!!) 

I love how it perfectly fits me. I also sported a comeback trend from the 90's, the good old hair clips. I couldn't get my hands on the trendy ones made of pearl so this will do for now. I've recently hoarded a bunch of new hair clips online and excited that I'd finally have them prolly next week. Also, I am so happy I finally braved wearing chunky earrings. It has been a while. I always take into consideration not wearing them since my daughter might grab them and pull my ear off but now that she's more mature, she now knows what not to touch and play with. I added a slim metal belt to accentuate my waist.

I am actually wearing the very same slip-ons I use at home. I didn't even think twice since its all matchy- matchy with my dress. It also made my look a bit laid-back. I was going for sneakers but remembered the very madam slip-ons of my idol Camille Co and Tricia Gosingtian I have yet to try. And hey! it actually worked.

Topping my look off with this lakas maka tita vibe leather bag. I was so tempted to make a boomerang twirling like no one's watching but there were people actually watching puzzled what I am doing, getting a picture taken on the same exact poses. Hahaha! Their confused look was hilarious.

That is all for this post. I hope you guys loved my birthday outfit as much as I did. 

Please show some love by leaving comments below. 

Toodles!

Love, AnDi

Mommy Diaries: Learn to Protect Kids from Online Monsters

It has been quite a while since I posted as a mom and it's prolly high time for me to make a new post. As much as we want to avoid giving out gadgets to kids because of the dangers it may put them through, there are still ways on how to protect them. I used to be in disapproval when parents let their kids at very young age use gadgets and now I've become one of those parents. My lil girl is only 2 years old and I admit that she already know her way through browsing her own apps.

It somehow bothered me that their are rampant platforms that are going on right now that pops up on children's usual cartoon videos that they watch. I took an action and made my own way to address this issue the motherly way.

So, I am giving you guys a few tips on how to protect our kids from these online monsters.

First, I made sure to make a Youtube account that are logged in to several gadgets. Like, my daughters iPad, and my own phone. That way, I could easily monitor the history on which videos my daughter watches. Also, you can restrict your account to block mature themed videos to avoid your kids to get to see such videos.

Second, I got her the Youtube Kids app that will surely get kids safe and totally appropriate videos to watch.

Third, when these apps they use are online, they are prone to pop-ups or ads that we can't monitor. So what I do, I download the videos I want them to watch. Both Youtube and Youtube Kids has these feature that you can watch videos offline. Just make use of your account, look for videos you want them to watch, then press the download button. And you are good to go. 

Fourth, it is not just the online monsters I protect my kids from, but also the danger of letting my kid watch for a number of hours. So, I make sure to give her proper screening time. That way, she won't be deprived and at the same time we make time for our kids that we also go offline to give time with each other. I give her a maximum of an hour but make sure that she gets break at least 20 minutes in between.

Fifth, if you guys have a smart TV you could always stream there whatever they're watching. You just need to press the stream button and make sure the TV and phone is connected to the same wifi connection.

Lastly, when my daughter is on her screen time I make sure to supervise and watch with her as much as I can. That way, I could get along with her and at the same time I have knowledge on where she learn things.

Educational or just pure fun videos to watch for kids help make them shape up their own personalities and it's scary sometimes that they learn these things by just watching videos but in this millenial age, they are all prolly going to end up making use of it in the future. Making them learn at an early age is both a risk-factor and beneficial for them. Let's just guide them as parents to shoo away these unwanted online monsters.

I still believe that it's best for our kids to enjoy their childhood both online and offline.

I hope you guys enjoyed my post. Just another post from my very own Mommy Diary.

Please leave some comment below on your own ways to treat this kind of Mommy issue. I'd love to hear from you guys.

That is all for this post.

Toodles!

Love, AnDi