Tuesdate at Little Tycoon Playhouse

Instead of buying Riley new toys, I wanted him to have new experiences in his young age. We are not exactly a rich family where we can afford to give him everything a child his age may want. But I will certainly try to expose him to the real world in  a way that his toddler mind can handle and understand. 

Immediately ran to the cars as soon as he stepped inside

With playhouses / playgrounds, he is able to experience interacting with kids and learning how to deal with different scenarios. Sharing is still hard for him but a gentle reminder of "Share your blessing!" is enough to make him want to share the toy or play space. He is also starting to converse with other people. 

Just yesterday in the playground, a kid accidentally stepped on his fingers. He immediately told me what happened and after he felt better, he started telling other kids that he hurt his fingers. It's funny because the other children are puzzled why Riley was telling them that information.

I've discovered this relatively new playhouse located at the 2nd floor of Westgate Center, Filinvest. The banners that I saw posted on the lamp posts in the area notified me that they just opened. If not for those, I don't think I would have known about them as that area is too far from the mall and not really noticeable. 

 

Wide play area

Variety of shops for the kids to choose from

 

Doorways are a tad small for adults but I can't complain as they are meant for the little ones

We dropped by on a weekday afternoon and since it's existence is almost unknown, Riley was the only one playing there! One hour play time fee is at P200 and you have to pay an additional P50 for the adult companion. Unlimited play time is at P400 which is not too bad. I hope in the future they will have an option for an additional 30 minutes play since if you exceeded the grace period of 5 minutes they will charge you automatically for another hour.

At the stage area, where he wanted to take home the balloons

Inside the cafe

Inside the Japanese restaurant

Riley served me a salad since I was on a diet!

At the salon checking out the hair cutting tools

Depositing the coins in the bank. He said he can finally buy Cra-Z-sand!

Inside the toy palace. It's scary to think how he will be able to reach the other toys without an adult present.

It was a well spent afternoon at the Little Tycoon Playhouse. Riley did not want to leave when his hour was up! I heard they also accept birthday party reservations as one customer was confirming her set-up while we were there.

We would definitely be back soon and hopefully more kids will flock this place so he can have playmates.

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Surviving a road trip with a toddler

Dazed and tired but still okay at the Bangui Wind Farm, Ilocos Norte

This year was our first Holy Week road trip as a family. Prior to our trip, I have done some research on how to prepare for the long journey with a toddler. Based on my experience, no matter how many useful information/guides you read, nothing comes close to actually experiencing it firsthand and learning from that.

Our adventure took us up north to Ilocos Sur, home to the Heritage Village of the Philippines--Vigan City. I have not been to this province and despite knowing that we will be having a 8-10 hour drive (which stretched to 20 hours because of the Visita Iglesia stopovers), I eagerly prepared for our getaway.

Here is my list to survive a road trip with a toddler:

• A variety of snacks - I packed different kinds of biscuit and cookies that I know Riley likes. Much better if they are packed in small quantities so you can give it little by little. You don't want them to be so full till they puke on you while on the road.
• Drink packs - Riley still drinks water and milk and since he seldom drinks the pre-packed ones, I let him have it on the trip.
• Toy cars and coloring materials - He was given a 10 piece set of Matchbox cars as a present so we gave it to him during the trip. It was a great time-waster when he is not sleeping or eating. The coloring materials was not really used as much as the cars but it is better to have a back-up activity for him.
• A small bag with necessities - Riley is not toilet-trained yet so we had a bag that only contains diapers, soap, wipes, powder and a change of clothes. This was a life-saver since you do not want to be rummaging your luggage every time the little one needs to go to the potty. 
• A pillow - We brought along his small pillow so he can snuggle with a familiar thing and have a good rest.
• Songs, videos and games - I loaded my phone with his favorite songs, videos, and games so he can have other things to keep busy with. And bring along a fully charged powerbank in case your battery needs more juice.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste - Call me a neat freak but I did not want Riley to have milk stains on his teeth.
• Plastic bags - For vomits, dirty diapers and the amount of wrappers from all the snacks!

Sleeping like a log

And the most important thing to have in surviving a road trip with your little one is to have patience. Lots and lots of it. If you had a toddler that would not stop talking, singing or wiggling for hours, you would definitely feel like exploding and I almost lost it a few times. My secret? Chocolates and gummi bears. Lots of it! It helped keep me sane and relaxed enough to handle my energetic toddler.

Luckily, we survived with no tantrums and although my poor back is still sore from our travel, I would not hesitate to bring Riley for another road trip in the future.

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A (not so) busy weekend

If the title of the post confused you, well you are not the only one as I am also confused how I can be busy and not so busy at the same time!

Weekends are usually the time to catch-up on some household chores, spend some quality time with family, and find the time to unwind from the previous week's work-related stress. A two-day weekend is always not enough! Actually, even a three-day weekend is not enough. I'm not sure if I just do not manage my time properly or there are just so many things to be done in so little time. Especially when you have a kid in the house, there is definitely not enough time for all the things you want to get done.

In the mornings, I try to squeeze in a quick 30 minute workout. I normally will not be able to do it because Riley demands that I watch the new EvanTubeHD videos with him. Or it can be Peppa Pig. Or Blaze and the Monster Machines. So I will wait until he is sleeping for his morning nap for me to do my workout. But most of the time, he will wake up if I am not sleeping beside him. There goes my morning plan!

Afternoons are usually spent outside, either at the mall or at Lolo's house.

Last weekend, we had lunch at Brother's Burger in Westgate.

He refuses to sit on the highchair. He insists that he is a big boy now and proceeds to show me his 'big' hands and feet. I told him to sit down properly and he reasoned that he is still smaller than me so he has to sit like that.

Quick side trip to My Father's Bookstore located above Neil's Kitchen

Sometimes we squeeze in a grocery trip for Riley's necessities. The actual household grocery is done without him.

He looks behaved in this shot. He normally jumps or walks around inside the trolley.

We also stopped by Alabang Town Center for some gelato at Amici, went to church in our village, and had a quick play at the park.

By the time we reach home it is already past 6 pm.
I have not done any exercises, visited the parlor, or had a quiet time for myself.

And before I know it, Monday is here! And it's like I did not accomplish anything concrete.

But even though I have a busy (sometimes hectic) weekend, I would not trade it for anything.
I consider it a blessing (and I am thankful) to be able to spend my weekend like this. It's not about myself anymore since Riley was born. Though I am still adjusting to thinking about his needs first instead of my own, I feel that I am slowly getting accustomed it.

Now if only I could squeeze in that workout then everything is perfect!

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Summer School Trial at Cambridge International School

I was looking for summer school activities that Riley can participate in and I came across Cambridge International School's summer courses. They had a free trial last weekend and I wanted to check if it was a right fit for Riley.

They had different programs depending on your child's interest. Rowlings for the future writers, Bourdains for the future chefs, Picassos for the artists, and I.M. Peis for the budding architects. I was crossing my fingers that Riley will choose the architect program as he loves playing with his Legos. But he had a mind of his own and preferred the Bourdains class. Like a little rebel, he promptly took off his chef's hat and did his own thing without waiting for the teacher. He even stood up and went beside the teacher to take the ingredients from her! 

I feel that the lessons are more suitable to children older than Riley. There was this long introduction about the types of food and for a 2 1/2 year old kid to listen to that is just too much. I would probably enroll Riley here when he is around 4 years old or older. I love how happy and positive the teachers are despite the constant interruption from the kids. It really humbles me how difficult a teacher's job really is.

Pros: Exposes your child to other interests and they might discover or learn new skills from the courses.

Cons: Students per class will be of different ages (from 2-6 years old based on the kids participating that day) so if your child is the youngest, he/she might not be given the attention he/she needs to fully understand the lessons.

After making his own pizza in the school, he asked me if we can go to the grocery to buy ingredients and make our own pizza at home. He said he wants his papa to taste his cooking. Watch out world! Junior MasterChef Riley is coming to a kitchen near you! 

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Finding Riley

We watched the classic Finding Nemo the other night (I'm declaring it a classic as it is still so relatable even after 12 years!). It was Riley's first time to watch it and as with any boy his age, he cannot sit still. The sharks scared him a little especially when they kept baring their teeth. One thing he remembered from the movie was that Nemo got separated from his father.

We were at the mall and he kept trying to run away from me. I did not want to grip his arm too tightly as it might dislocate or something when he tries to pull out of my grasp. After the thousandth time of him running away, I scooped him up in my arms and told him if he remembers Nemo. He said yes and I asked him why Nemo got lost in the first place. He just shrugged his shoulders. So I told him because he did not listen to his father when his father asked him to hold his hand. It took a few seconds for him to understand it and when he did, he quickly asked me to hold both his hands. When I told him one hand will do, he scolded me for not holding both his hands! Oh boy...

Funny part is after that he asked me if I was happy now. Cheeky fella, I know. He keeps asking that whenever he does what we tell him. I don't think he knows what sarcasm is yet so I don't get angry.

One time I told him that I was still sad. He hugged me and kissed me on the lips and then asked me again if I was happy now. Of course, I told him yes! :)

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The magic word

Part of growing up means that you formulate your own thoughts and make your own decisions. We have been constantly trying to impart good manners to Riley by teaching him to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Sometime he remembers and when he does not, we remind him and he will happily oblige.

One night, as we were getting ready to sleep, he asked for his lampin (cloth used for swaddling or as a diaper but he uses it like a blanket). He always cuddles with his lampin during nap times.

Riley: Mama, get my lampin.
Me: You have to say it nicely. What's the magic word?
Riley: Uhmm... Mickey Mouse clubhouse!
Me: It's 'please'
Riley: Please Mickey Mouse clubhouse!

I will chalk this up as a win as he did say 'please' in the end.

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Dialogues with a toddler

As my son learns new words and phrases, I am finding it more challenging to have a conversation with Riley. Here's the starting point to document our little chats.

Me (trying to brush his teeth): Open your mouth wider please.
Riley: Later... (turns his back)
Me: Since you don't want me to brush you're teeth, I'll go downstairs and call Aya to brush your teeth.
Riley: Mama, no. Don't say that. It's not nice.
Me: ...umm...okay...

I don't even know what the appropriate reaction for that is!


And he started getting curious about the taste of the coffee I drink every morning.

Riley: Can I try that Mama?
Me: Sorry, it's for grown-ups only.
Riley: But Riley is a grown-up little boy Mama!
Me: ...umm...no.


After a long day at work, I normally head to the shower before going to bed. But Riley was sleepy and wanted me to sleep with him already.

Riley: Let's go to sleep now Mama.
Me: I'll shower first okay? You sleep with Papa and I'll join you after I take a bath.
Riley: (starts to cry) But I want to sleep with Mama!
Me: I need to shower first because I'm stinky.
Riley: (runs to hug me and still crying) Mama, you're not stinky! You smell good!
Me: ...umm...okay...


I saw him rubbing the top of his head and asked him what he was doing.

Riley: I'm fixing my hair.
Me: You're messing it up.
Riley: No, I'm fixing it because I'm handsome!


I was sick and was sleeping on the sofa so Riley would not catch my cold. He kept insisting I sleep with him and he kept crying if I leave him on the bed. I gave up and just lay down on the bed with him.

Riley: Where's my blanket?
Me: You left it on the sofa. I'll wait for you here while you go get it.
Riley: I'll just get my blanket. Don't cry okay Mama? I'll just be over there.

Oh Riley! You funny little boy!

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