Thanks goodness! Summer school break was extended up to the last week of June and it means more time with the kids and the family. We welcomed the month with a short getaway to the islands of Boracay and it has been a relief seeing a new place, having some dose of vitamin sea, while enjoying it with a group of happy people. Talking about summer and my pregnancy journey, one of the perks of having a baby bump over this season is dressing up and flaunting that belly without any hesitation. I love it more that i can show off my big belly rather than flaunting a flat tummy or bikini body.

One of my resolutions for the year is to read more and surf less. I've been putting this thing on my yearly resolution but i always fail. I'd like to believe that it's normal for the kind of work i have right now- taking reading out of the equation. However, reading has always been my favorite thing to do. I read because i love reading and i love books apart from the knowledgeable take aways i get from it. And when i don't read, it makes me feel dull and empty. While e-books are much more convenient nowadays, still, nothing beats the feeling of holding a real book, turning pages, and the smell of it. Bookworms can relate to this, yeah? 

Being a true blue Southerner, i could say that the thriving Filinvest City in Alabang is probably one of our favorite go-to escape when we needed to shop, eat fancy or perhaps stay the night away to spoil ourselves with the most needed rest and relaxation. Weeks before my birthday my husband's asking what's my plan. And i said, all i ever wanted for my birthday was to REST and to shop (a little) for the holidays for the kids and our family as well. I was looking at my bucket list and was contemplating if we should to go back to Crimson Hotel which is my favorite, or perhaps try other hotels on the list, until i came across Somerset which was the newest in the area. So, there we agreed to book a room for my birthday.

Being confined with routines and all the same things can be boring & so, i'm always in the look out for new experiences that can lead me to new hobbies and enthusiasm. I have always wanted to try archery, apart from the very truth that i am an avid fan of Oliver Queen, the fictional hero on the TV series Green Arrow played by Stephen Amell plus i'm an inborn Sagittarian by zodiac. While my kids admire Katniss Everdeen too, from the movie Hunger Games, i thought that maybe, it's about time to unleash our potential in the archery department yesterday after a disappointing itinerary.

Hello there lovelies! 

Today, allow me to introduce the newest category in this blogosphere of mine (drum roll, please)! Fashion and Style by Mommy Queenelizabeth is a page which will feature my occasional "Outfit of the Day" in the intent to encourage other women, specially MOMS, to dress up and look fabulous regardless of age and size. Take note: Style and being fashion-ate doesn't have to be expensive at all! 

Balay Dako is the latest Filipino restaurant in Tagaytay owned by the famous Chef Tony Boy Escalante, . If you have tried its sibling restaurants like Breakfast at Antonio's and Antonio's Fine Dining in Tagaytay, you'll probably get a hint of what food is like, heavenly!

It's been a lovely day at Tagaytay weeks ago, despite the typhoon forecast that was expected to hit Luzon area in the afternoon of that Wednesday. I was able to brave the 1-hour drive via Talisay Road from Batangas, with views of the Taal Lake from the zigzag road going up. 

Together with amazing bloggers, media personnel and the organizers of Avida X Make It Blissful event, our day had been blissful indeed.

Born under the sign of Wood Rat, i must say that it somehow has something to do with my penchant for anything wood or wooden in nature. My friends and family can attest to, as our home is filled up with pieces of wood furnitures and the like. Anything that looks wood, made of wood, resembles a wood, color of wood and wood crafted ornaments are just so pretty in my eyes, hence i invest in collecting those kinds of furniture pieces one at a time. 

Thanks to the long weekend! My son's long overdue birthday wish to visit The Mind Museum has finally granted along with the Dino Play experience! It was actually my kids' first ever visit to The Mind Museum, because i really doesn't find it fun for myself (forgive me please, hahaha!) so i always end up ignoring their request, not until i heard about the Dino Play (at a limited time only) and it was so timely that i chanced upon a promo at Metrodeal for a bundle perfect for my family at a really reasonable price so i grabbed it right away! Also, if not for my son's fascination about dinosaurs, this weekend trip with their cousins would've not been possible. So, as a self-proclaimed good mom who keeps her promises, there we go! 

I was born and raised in the South (Batangas, specifically) and i must admit that i never regret any single day of my life living it here, in the province, where lush greenery, chilly fresh air, the farm to table kind of food (organic and fresh), awesome scenery and beautiful beaches still exist. Ofcourse, the noise and traffic of the metro and the posh shopping malls of Manila where i can get to shop my favorites is still another story to tell. But I love the South. I grew up here, i love its peacefulness and simplicity. And i will never trade Southern Living for anything else fancy and chaotic.

Moms are great multi-taskers, right? As far as experience is concerned, i could say that i almost, if not fully, had perfect the art of juggling between mothering my kids, while balancing the stresses of running a home-based business as a mompreneur, plus a lot more of important work in between.

(If you are an avid reader of my blogs) I have mentioned before that my kids are not a fan of grand celebrations or fancy birthday parties. In fact, during my son's 7th birthday he opted not to have a big party but rather chose to travel to Legoland. Two years later, my daughter's 7th birthday just ring a bell and believe me, i was the one excited for a grand celebration! But guess what? It didn't happen. Because just like my son, my daughter doesn't want to have a big party neither. No matter how many times i tried to convince her with a glittering tiara, a Cinderella gown, and a dazzling 7th birthday party theme, she answers NO. So, all the magical moments in my head just popped. Boom! No party! All she ever wanted was to travel to Disneyland (wiser choice) and that's the best birthday gift ever (all kids says that!). Fast forward, wish granted! But of course, as a mom, i did not want to just let her special day pass by without preparing something special, but not grand. After all, every natal day deserves a thanksgiving and so i thought of throwing a DIY party for her. 

Active learning and hands-on experience is invaluable, and parents, guardians, siblings and peers play an important role in a child's development. As a mom, with school-age kids, i'm always in the lookout for activities that will keep my kids busy on weekends, apart from strolling in the neighborhood with playmates (yes i allow them to play outdoors a lot) and being hooked up with their gadgets.

For the past years, Mommy Mundo never fails to bring out the best activities for everyone and i'm always looking forward to join its programs. Active parenting and bonding with the family is one of Mommy Mundo’s objectives when planning for events in the pursuit to encourage each and every moms to promote camaraderie & togetherness within the family and the community. And so it has been a great opportunity to be a part of Mommy Bloggers Philippines to join the 6th Mommy Milkshake Run by Mommy Mundo that happened last Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Bonifacio Global City.

Photo Credits to Earbudz Productions

Just a month before the school year ends, some institutions just like my kids' school were up to something grand, like the yearly foundation week. Our school's founding anniversary this year seems to be very special with so many highlights as they were celebrating their 10th year in the academe. In line with this remarkable milestone, my daughter was chosen to be one of those students in their class who will join a group poem recitation. Nothing seems to be very special about her role, but as a mom, of course, i knew i should be proud.

If you'll notice, my posts about food trips and restaurant reviews is centered in Batangas. Yes, because i'm a proud Batangueña who hails in the traffic capital of the province! (Hulaan nyo kung saan yun) My advocacy for entrepreneurship (mompreneurship) goes out to small and medium enterprises and that includes budding businesses that suits my lifestyle. That's the reason why, once in a while i give them some space here in my personal blogsite, lending them the chance to shine and to entice more people to visit Batangas as well. So here i am again with my When in Batangas series!

The mythical valentines celebration with cupids and butterfly kisses is ringing a bell now! Hey it's three days to go and love is in the air. Did you buy something for your beloved already? Or if you are single and ready to mingle, have you thought of something to give to your friends, your parents or for yourself? How about giving your special someone with something unique than the usual flowers and cakes- a home-made special Leche Flan perhaps or something not imported but of great tasting quality chocolates. Love local! How about some proudly pinoy and home- made dark chocolates?