Motherhood: My Life's Greatest Teacher

When I was in my 20's, I've always said I wanted to be married by 26 and be pregnant and have babies before I turn 30 and it indeed came true. I was married by 24, pregnant at 26 with Y, gave birth to R when I was 28, I really really wanted to be a mom and I thought I giving birth was the hardest part! Wrong. Haha!

Becoming a mom is one my life's greatest teachers. Having kids has expanded my capability to love, to understand, and to be patient with my kids. All of these and more are tested by them everyday. Raizo is at the tail-end of his Terrible Two's while Yukie is at her "why" and curious stage, there's no dull moment in our house! Motherhood has given more roles than I've ever had: teacher, entertainer, driver, referee (whenever they fight), carpenter, chef, photographer and anything my kids want me to be. It is amazing how my kids see me through their eyes. It really is the best job in the world!

These two are total opposites. They have their own personalities and they often fight and I always tell them, at the end of the day, no matter what, you two are brothers and sisters and should always have each other's back.

Having the best the job in the world doesn't mean it's the easiest one too. That's why I have regular me time even it is just a trip to the grocery. 15 minutes can do so much for a mom's soul! Happy mom, happy kids, right? I've also learn to value and take care of myself not only for me but also my husband and kids. I take my kids on a mom-daughter and mom-son dates to spend quality time with each of them and I get to know them more.

Motherhood is full of surprises and uncertainties. Embrace it all! Kids grow up so fast and we all always wish that the time can stop so they can stay babies forever. But here's one thing I've realized, spend as much time as we can our kids, raise them to be the best person they can be, and every minute we invest in our kids will come back a thousand fold. Happy Mother's Day to all of us!

A&D Eats: The Tale of Two Afternoon Teas at Two Shangri-Las

BOS and I went on a long overdue date two weeks ago. I won an afternoon tea set in a giveaway and I've been saving it for a special occasion. It was BOS's birthday a few days before but only got the chance to celebrate that weekend. 

Here's the funny story that made our afternoon schedule out of whack, when I joined the giveaway on IG, it said the afternoon tea was in Makati Shangri-la so when I told them I wanted to redeem my prize, I was so excited that I didn't read their confirmation message that our afternoon tea was booked in Edsa Shangri-la's Lobby Lounge and we were already having tea at Makati Shangri-la! Haha!

BOS and I each ordered a set but we had coffee instead of tea. Ang takaw lang heehee! I had the Classic High Tea (Php650) while BOS had the Lobby Lounge Special (Php700).

Coffee, milk and sugar balls. So Sushal!

Takaw mode, 2 sets were more than enough for the two us, we were able to take home pastries for the kids!

While we were having our afternoon tea, I tried cancelling our reservation but since it can't be cancelled anymore or moved to another date, so after filling our stomachs at Makati Shangri-la, off we went to Edsa Shangri-la to fill our stomachs more. Heehee!

It was so traffic in Edsa that Saturday! Well, kelan ba hinde? Hindi lang talaga kami dumadaan dun. Hehe! Good thing we made it before 6PM.

And this time we ordered Oolong Tea. One pot was bitin for the two of us so we had to order another pot.

Everything was pre-ordered for us already. Our pastries were served in this bird cage like holder. Aylavet!

BOS and I didn't eat much. We were so full from earlier, inantok na ako! Haha! Plus we were missing the kids na so we just took home our leftovers.

But before going home, we went to the mall at the back and bought the kids their art supplies. It has been a while since BOS and I had a date, just the two of us, without the kids. It was nice, to be able to just talk with my husband, talk about our kitchen renovation and plan our next family trip, because I only see on weekends because of his work! So BOS, we should date more often! You wannet, too! Heehee!