Back to Regular Programming

Sawadee ka!

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Richard and Aly's Songkran/Easter break is officially over.  They've been going to work/school for a week now and I'm still in a denial of sorts.  Much so that the ton of laundry that I've been washing in the past week (and have yet to wash!) is not enough to bring me back to my senses.  My body is cooperating enough to make me do my regular housework routine but my mind is still on vacation.  Hopefully, the facial that I've scheduled with Clinique this afternoon (a freebie from my membership) will do the trick.  Heehee!

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I miss my two buggers...today is Friday and it's movie night tonight so yay!!  I can't wait for them to come home.  Big hugs and kisses are definitely in order!  :)

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Btw, I'm sure you noticed the blog's new look.  Do you like it?

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Have a great weekend!

Songkran Celebration in Aly's School

Aly was chosen by her teachers to represent their class in the Songkran celebration last Friday.  I made sure that all my chores were finished in the morning so I can swing by the school after lunch to give my girl some moral support.

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Auditorium.

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Costume parade.

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Thai dance.

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Aly getting ready for her turn.

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With her classmate Lui.

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Both of them represented the Grade 2 class in the water pouring ceremony, where they poured water on their teachers' hands as a sign of respect.

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That's my girl!

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So proud of you, babe!

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Aly with her BFF's Manolia + Annie.

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After the water ceremony, the students lined up on stage to tie a piece of string on the teacher's wrist, which symbolizes giving good wishes to the recipient.

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Aly got one too!

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From the auditorium, the students changed into their colorful Songkran shirts and headed to the gym for the games.

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With her classmates.

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Smile for mommy!

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That was my cue to leave.  Aly didn't want me to stay so I hung out at Starbucks across the street until it was time to pick her up.

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Caramel frap with no whipped cream.  Bawal kasi sa diet, but what they hey.  Wala na lang whipped cream (my favorite part) so I won't feel too guilty.  Haha!

Life After iPad

I'm not really a techie so I don't go gaga over gadgets and techie stuff.  I remember when mom and dad went to the States and bought my siblings an iPod touch, they asked me if I also want one but I said no thanks so they gave me Michael Kors bag and shoes instead.  But now that we've been bitten by the iPad bug when we got one for Aly's birthday and started using it, my only thought was, bakit ngayon lang namin naisip bumili nito?  Heehee!  This iPad is so cool and you can do so many things with it!

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We've gone high-tech and paperless when reviewing for Aly's exams. 

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We use the notes app.  I type in the questions and Aly types in her answers.

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She's pretty good on the keyboard too!

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Doctor appointments have become painless.  Aly doesn't get inip while waiting because she brings her iPad with her.

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Her iPad and snacks are a now travel staples.

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The three of us bond over the iPad too.  We play the same games, use the same apps...  Buying on iTunes is also a family activity because we choose and buy together.  We're cheesy like that.  Haha!

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Aly and I love the Doodle Buddy app.  Here are some of the stuff that we made:

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Aly made this for me.  How sweet is that?

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Aly's "messy artwork".  Her term for abstract.

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The wallpaper that I made for Aly.

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She made one for herself too.

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Hindi nagpahuli ang mommy syempre.

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I bought Aly this lap desk from the lunch market the other day.

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I love how the color matches her silicone cover.  Syempre pink kasi yun ang gusto ng may-ari.

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Using her iPad is a lot easier now.

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Soon we will be reading books and magazines on this baby.  We're still in the process of mastering this gadget.  Even so, we're having loads of fun with it -- all three of us.  It really was a great buy.  Sulit!  

Songkran Party

Aly and I went to the Songkran party hosted by Chatrium last week.
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All geared up for Songkran fun!

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Photos are not crystal clear because my camera was locked inside a resealable bag to keep it dry.  Heehee!

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Dumami na sila.

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They had games for the kids.

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But my Aly opted to just swim in the pool.

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It was a great afternoon for both of us -- Aly playing and swimming with her friends; me mingling and chatting with the mommies.

Lazy Lunch and a New Diet

On days when Richard's at work, Aly's in school and I'm home alone, I like to have my fuss-free one-bowl meals.

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My version of a lazy lunch.

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It's easy to eat while watching tv this way.  Plus, using a bowl helps me limit my food somehow.  But that was last week.  This week, I started a new diet and I'm not allowed to eat any carbs for two weeks.  It's not easy.  I miss my bread, pastries, sweets...but, the reason I went on this diet is so I can curb those cravings.  It's tough, but I'm on day 4 and I'm still ok so it's all good.  Plus, I lost 2 kilos (4lbs.) already and that's what keeps me motivated.  Wish me luck!

Earth Hour in Casa Valdez

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 Aly placed a Post-it on our clock so we won't forget.

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I wasn't expecting 100% participation but I didn't expect the turnout to be this poor.  We noticed a handful of buildings turn off their lights though.  But it's barely noticeable.

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I just love watching father and daughter do things together.  I'm their biggest fan.

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Our tiny home was bathed in candle light.  I think it was beautiful.

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Aly was trying to "paint" the letter A with her flashlight (a gift from her lolo Bernie).

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Medyo naiinip na.  Heehee!

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So I had to turn on the iPod.

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I love how she's really game with Earth Hour.

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Till next year!  Hopefully it will be a better one.