Swimming bonding @ The Rockwell Club Pool

Lately, The Father and Son had been addicted to swimming.  No swimming invite
was turned down.  Who would not love to swim @ The Rockwell Club's Pool
anyway? It is really one great place to swim and relax.

It has 25-meter lap pool where you can swim laps for health and fitness,
play pool for toddlers, a 7-feet deep pool and a SPA pool with Jacuzzi beds. 

My son enjoying fun swimming with his cousins.

With great menu for lunch or meryenda after a tiring but fun swimming,
clean shower and comfort rooms.

Big thanks to my ever-generous sister-in-law for this one great place and
swimming bonding with relatives. 

Taekwondo: My son's TKD Promotion to Low Blue Belt

Marty on his new low blue belt.  Promotion went well last May 26, 2012
at Ateneo de Manila.

It was almost half a day of waiting for Marty's turn to start.  Kids from
different summer TKD sessions came to town  for this promotion.

Taekwondo: My son's TKD Promotion to High Yellow Belt

My son took his TKD promotion to high yellow belt last March 18 at
St. Paul College, Pasig City.

The assessment consisted of their Taeguk 1 form, self defense, different kicks
demonstration and the sparring. Results usually comes out 3 weeks after the
assessment.

With focus, strength, power and determination that my son is showing, we will
surely support him for his love to this sport. 

 

My son's sparring with his MSA TKD team mate Basty.

 

The MSA Whizkids TKD CHAMP and PRIDE!

Taekwondo: My son's Promotion to Yellow Belt

After 3.5 months of TKD training, my son is now a Yellow Belter.  His promotion
was held last Dec. 18 @ Ateneo. TKD kids from different schools/groups gathered
together for this one big event.  He was very happy with his coach Jec Panotes
and fellow MSA TKD kids.

Getting ready for the warm-up.

Warming-up. Stretching....

 

So bad, I received error in uploading the video of his exam and interview.

At last, received his yellow belt. 

 

With his coach Jec putting on the belt. 

My son's Taekwondo Protective Gears

Had been off from blogging due to my new Saturday bonding with my son Marty.
After his Kumon in the morning, I am a stage mother on his Taekwondo lessons
in the afternoon.

Last Saturday, we bought his Kix Taekwondo protective gears after several
sessions of borrowing gears from his team mates during their sparring sessions.

I was surprised with the price of these gears. From all the sports houses we've
checked, these are available only on a per individual purchase.

Its very important that you fit the gears when buying and try to do some kicks,
punches and forms to check if you can move comfortably and properly with
the gears.

My son's uniform called Dobok.

Here are my son's Taekwondo protective gears which we bought from
Sports Central and Toby's.  Prices are the same from these two stores.

1. Head Gear - protection from head kicks

2. Chest Protector - hogu is essential for sparring.

3. Groin Guard - for taekwondo tournaments you need to wear your
    groin guard underneath your dobok.

   Male groin guards have more of a cup shape. And female
   groin guards are flatter.

   To put your groin guard on step into it. The elastic goes round
   your waist and round the back of your legs to hold it in place.

4. Shin Guards - protects the front of your shins.
   Make sure they're not too long. You need to be able to bend your
   ankles and knees fully.

5. Arm Protectors - When you block a kick they help protect the
    bone running down the outside of your forearm (your ulna).

Other equipment which are still optional but required when you join
sparring tournaments: Face Shield, Mouth Guard, Sparring Shoes,
Foot Protectors.

He also has Kick Pad to practice focus, strenght and speed in kicking.

Loving Ace Water SPA

It was our second time in Ace Water SPA in its QC branch last Oct. 9 and the want
of going back there if budget permits always holds true. Again, we availed of the
discounted price offered by CashCashPinoy group buying site.

The Family enjoyed the different massage systems while my Marty loved going
around the lazy river.

However, the sad part is that their complimentary soup was discontinued since
Sept. 1.  We just ordered their seafood chowder soup to at least ease the
coldness inside. Along with their fish and potato chips, shrimp popcorn and
brewed coffee.

Just hoping that other complimentary items such as shampoo, soap, cotton
buds, lotion, etc. will remain.

The Family finds it really relaxing after a week of stress-full activities from the
office and school.

Taekwondo @5

My son Marty is quite not like typical kids of his age who are very playful
in school.  When I say to him that its fine to play with his classmates, he
always tell me that "study only in school, and not playing".  Yeah, he is so
timid, sluggish on some of their physical activities and often times works/plays
alone.  Maybe his weight also contributes to his slow moving sometimes.

So when his school offered Taekwondo again, we did not think twice to
enroll him.  Aside from it is being translated as "the art of kicking and punching",
it is a good sport, exercise, and also a form of self-defense.

It was last Sept. 10 when he officially joined their school's Taekwondo Club.
After their 1st module with 6 sessions as white belter, Marty has loose weight and
became quite active on his physical activities.  He is now developing his stamina,
speed, and power in every kick or punch he throws.  As I observe, this sport and
martial art, is also developing control and discipline in my son. And most of all,
he has another group of friends he is enjoying with every session aside from his
class.

Their Taekwondo is every Thursday and Saturday which allows me and
my husband to enjoy watching his kicks and punches.

I just hope that we'll be able to sustain this sport for him as he is very
serious to learn in every session.

Goodbye to his feeding bottles

Yeah, quite too late for a 5 year old kid to say goodbye from his feeding bottles.
Big thanks to his tooth ache which made him understood that the milk that stays
overnight to his teeth is the culprit.

Its also a big relief for me - no more "Milk please Mama" in the middle of my
sweet dreams.

As of this writing, its been 4 nights that he is drinking milk in a glass.

A fun-filled halfday Friday with my son

Big thanks to my  son's school activities which give me valid excuse to have a day
out from the office during the weekdays.  Of course, mommy's call of duty first
before anything else.  

This morning was the closing event of the Nutrition Week celebration in my son's
school.  For the past two days, they already had a visit to SM Hypermarket and
were able to see where their source of nutritious food are being bought
(vegetables, meat and poultry products, fruits, etc.) The kids also tried to buy
food for themselves and witnessed a baking demonstration.

And the highlight was the Kids and Parents Fun Run held this morning.  My son
did enjoy the run but I saw a sign of sadness on his face as being one of the three
kids who finished the line last.  To appease him, I whispered to him "Good job
son.  Next time we'll prepare for this."

As a surprised to my son for the good job, we went to SM after the event for a
play in Timezone and had lunch in Jollibee. 

And as a new experience for him, he enjoyed riding on a tricycle and jeepney
for the first time. 

My Stress-Busters

How I wish I can attend the Stress Management seminar that our HR will be
sponsoring 2 weeks from now but unfortunately as early as now, my dates are
all fully-booked.  I know there is a lot more tips to know in coping with
stress management which I can apply in my life @work.

I have been in the IT field for quite a long time now and I tell you that it is not
an easy job. I am required to develop error-free programs that automate other
people's job + perform user support as needed + have initiative to develop or
acquire new technology + manage people with different skills and personalities
+ meet with my users, bosses and consultants + report to many bosses make
my  work life equation not balance but a very stressful one.

There were times I felt so low and sometimes want to freak out. True to the saying
that when it rains it really pours.  Aside from the scheduled projects, concerns
from left to right keep on hunting me.  By the time I am about to finish my task,
here comes not one but more concerns.  But what can I do? This is my bread and
butter.  This has been my life for almost a decade and a half.

On the other side, I learned a lot and still learning from it.  This is where I met my
husband.  We enjoy speaking the same language.  And despite the stressfull life
@work,  I do love my job, I am enjoying it and still focused on it. 

To manage a very stressful work, here are my STRESS-BUSTERS:
1. I try to always think positive.  I don't run from assignments/tasks.  I welcome
    them with an open mind.  If a task is not possible the way it is required to be,
    I give my insights and provide alternatives until you come into agreement.
    You can't run from problems. Face them with a positive thinking and attitude. 
2. I ask for HIS guidance.  It always work for me.  He gives me the gift of
    discernment in facing different life's situations.
3.  I prioritize.  I list all the tasks, evaluate and prioritize based on urgency
     and impact then keep them in my To-Do List.  Even super heroes could not
     be in two situations at the same time. Just take it one at a time.
4.  Celebrate in any way possible not only the big accomplishments but even
     the simple and small ones with your loved ones and friends. I feel happy,
     contented and relieved for a job done.
5.  Having a ME-Time. I make it a point to have time for myself. I save a part
     of my income and treat my self to a salon, SPA, shopping or date with friends.
     When you know that you can still treat yourself a time, the feeling of being
     stressed is lessened.  

And who says that 24 hours is too short?  You just have to make time for you
can never find time. Never let your stressful job and environment pound you.
Don't you know that you can even get weak and sick if you are in a stressed
mode?  So beat your stresses and enjoy life.

A fun and refreshing ACE Water SPA bonding

At last, The Family was able to try the hydrotheraphy message
last Saturday @ACE Water SPA. For my son, it was all fun of swimming.
For the adults, it was both a refreshing SPA and swimming bonding experience.

 

Cozy place inside.

We went there with a full-stomach since eating is not allowed while inside the

swimming area. Though they have a resto, you can only eat before or after the

session. They have swimsuits for rent but we just brought ours.

They are very strict when it comes to proper hygiene. Wearing of haircap is a

must.  Underwears must be removed. Smoking, cellphone, cameras and 

videos are not allowed even inside the lockers.

Guests are provided with lockers.  The shower rooms are very clean with free

shampoo and liquid soap. It has a number of toilets too. Dressing rooms are big

enough and clean to comfortably get dressed up. The floor was covered with

rubber mat to avoid slipping. 

This was the only picture that we were able to sneak-in.

The swimming area is quite huge. Kids have several activities to enjoy. They can
walk on water and enjoy the floor fountain, have fun in the Bucket Splash, play
in the Mushroom Falls and enjoy floating around the entire pool in the Lazy River.
My son really enjoyed the Lazy River.

For the adults, it has the lap pool, the different hydrotherapy message systems,
the herbal pool that have natural herbs in different temperatures, sauna,
steam bath and 1 cold pool. Each system massages specific areas of the body

categorized as soft, moderate or hard massages.

Potable water, swimming boards and vest for kids are all available.

I tried everything except for the cold pool. I love the sauna, steam bath and
the herbal pool very much. I feel relaxed and renewed inside and out.

If you want to take a break in between, they have a resting area.

True to its name, its hydrotherapy message system with its heavenly ambiance is
really designed for relaxation, stress reduction and many healthful benefits.

After the 4 hours session, there is a complimentary soup to at least ease the

hunger.  We headed to Shakeys for a sumptuous pizza and pasta dinner after.

Thanks to CashCashPinoy who paved the way to an all new, cheaper and great

SPA and swimming experience.

We will surely come back to this place.

Contact Information:
ACE Water SPA
Opens daily 6AM-11PM
399 Del Monte Ave. SFDM,
near cor. Banawe St., Quezon City
(632) 367-8041 to 41
acewaterspa.ph

A FamilyOlympics Bonding

The fun-filled Olympics activities in my son's school paved the way for 
families to meet and bond with each other. Aside from fostering camaraderie,
everybody was heads up for a collective group energy and in developing team
spirit between team members. It was also a chance for parents to have their
stresses released, physically and mentally. And the one that cannot be dropped
off, some mommies had their own lighter side of the world by sharing  stories
with other moms.

For our children, they were not only re-charged with energy but they were
exposed to the different benefits of physical activities - SPORTS. They
exhibited planning of what they are going to do, learned how to play as a team,
developed interaction with other members, built their self-confidence, learned
to accept failures and lastly gave them a sense of accomplishment whether win
or loss.

My Father and Son tandem as the Kinder 1 representative for the torch lighting.
I was very happy seeing them hold the torch together as I envision them to share
their aspirations together as father and son. My son was just so serious despite
the crowd's cheer. He told me that he just want to make sure that he will not
stumble on his way to the finish line.  

We belonged to the Team Violet.  A lot of games and prizes were prepared
by the school for both parents and kids to enjoy.  It was good that the school
prepared medals and consolation prizes for kids to feel that their efforts were valued on.

 

My son playing the Shoot The Straw which is their PE time favorite.

Playing the Sack Race was just too difficult for my son to finish because of his
weight maybe.  But still, no fall.

My son with his strength-full pulling in the Tug-of-War game which they won.

And my husband on his cute emote-full share in the Olympics. So bad, they
they did not make it but still got a prize.

The ever supportive mom(that's me) who was the photographer as usual
did join a number of games. Unfortunately, nobody got me a proof.  For the
record,  I joined in the Moving the Chair and Hula hoop games.

KUDOS to all the teachers, parents and kids that made this FamilyOlympics a success...

Marty's 1st encounter with a dentist

Because of my son's aching tooth, we were able to bring him to the dentist at
Pediatric Dentistry Center Philippines last Saturday after several attempts.
We were actually referred there by my son's pediatrician since this center
specializes on the oral health needs of  children. 

Before making an appointment, I did my assignment of researching it in the net.
They actually have a website giving emphasis on  "Committed on the oral health
care needs of children and special children." and with services offered for oral
hygiene and diet instructions and preventive maintenance to name a few. 

We were too early then for our appointment of 8:30 AM so I let my son had a
photo-op to have a remembrance for his first visit to the dentist.

Just on time, we were approached by a gorgeous dentist, handed me a
registration form/questionnaire to fill-out and interviewed me afterwards.
After getting my son's medical background, we were brought inside the clinic
where the consultant checked Marty's  teeth. 

My son was cooperative then that the consultant didn't find it hard to
count and checked Marty's teeth.  Marty was given a Ben 10 toy for
being behave during the checkup.

Not too long, we were called by the consultant and discussed to us
his assessment on my son's oral health condition. Not as detailed as the
consultant explained to me, there are several teeth for pull-out, some
needs filling, needs to be cleaned-up and has 1 swollen tooth. In short,
a major repair/treatment is urgently needed if we want his permanent
teeth to come out and grow properly.

I asked the dentist on what could be the causes of all these.
a. Non-brushing or improper brushing of teeth. Should be 2-3 times a day.
    At Marty's age @4, he can now use adult toothpaste. No need to rinse. 
b  Since Marty is still drinking milk at night time, milk which contains acid
   damages the teeth. There should be no more milk after teeth is brushed
   before going to sleep.

After the assessment was explained, the options were discussed to us
on how the treatment will be done to our son.  If my memory is still right,
these are the options:
a. One treatment at a time, meaning 1 appointment maybe for 1 tooth
extraction which will entail a lot of sessions. And since my son is only
4 yrs old, its possible that he will be uncooperative for each session
and for sure will have that traumatic experience with a dentist which we
don't want to happen to our kids.
b. One-time treatment. With this, patient will be injected with anesthesia.
He is awake but not aware of what is happening and will not even remember
what was done to him. Aside from the side effects that anesthesia will
bring to my son, geez, it will cost us around 28-35 thou.

Contemplating between possible traumatic experience for my son and
that costly one-time treatment, I decided that we will visit our family
dentist this weekend and have my son's teeth checked.  Maybe for
a second opinion? And I hope it would not be that costly. 

Here is the contact information of Pediatric Dentistry Center Philippines:
Website :  http://www.pediatricdentistry.com.ph/PDCP/services.html.
Address: 5/F Medical Arts Building
              Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center
              11 Banawe cor. Cardiz Sts., Q.C.
Tel. No.: (632) 740-7728;  (63917)899-7336
Clinic Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-5PM

Better to make an appointment with them esp. if you want to go there on a
Saturday. Check-up fee is 500PHP.

With all the information I got about my son's oral health condition, still two thumbs
up for the great check-up service. At least, they are just being transparent in
terms of cost.

Marty is overweight @ 4yrs old

At four, Marty is already 23 kilos and is overweight for his age.
As his pediatrician evaluated him as obese, Marty needs to loose a significant
amount of his weight.

Here are some of the advises of his pedia which I agree to be followed
not only for Marty but for our family for a healthy living.
1. Have to change milk to a non-fat.
2. Avoid trans fat which is common in chichirias, chips, and cookies.
3. Lessen on meat due to the cholesterol it gives. More on vegetable and fish.
4. Avoid sweets (candies, chocolates, etc.)
5. Less on fried meals, instead try broiled and steamed ones.
6. Eat vegetables & fruits rich in fibers(beans & legumes, nuts and seeds, fresh
    and dried fruits) and try oatmeals to help in the lowering of cholesterol.
7. Engage in sports activities such as badminton, biking and swimming to
    burn fats.

Wondering why all the donts(change, lessen and avoid) are first on the list?
Of course, we have to take out old bad habits before we can fill it with good
ones to be absorbed by our system.

But in today's world wherein parents have fewer times to prepare for nutritious
meals, as well as kids are spending less time in exercising and more on
sitting down for computer games, I think this is a GREAT CHALLENGE for any parent. 

Yes, it may be a great challenge but if its the health of my son which is at stake,
I don't have to think twice. As one of my goals this 2011, I have to search and
prepare for healthy meal recipes for my family. At least, 2 new recipes every
month which I hope to share through this blog once I've tried them.