off to plantation bay cebu

As C&P Team last hurrah for summer, we've decided to go down south this time. Instead of the usual family outing, it will be all-girls trip at the very famous queen city of the south, Cebu. And part of our itinerary is to visit famous Cebu beaches, drink and dine at Tops, visit the Mactan church and enjoy Plantation Bay Cebu. Just can't wait. I heard that The Plantation Bay Cebu is rates as one of the Top 100 best resorts in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, thus it will be a great treat for us. We've already booked our trip, and we are just counting the days and we are off to Cebu May 28-30.

Heavenly treat at Plantation Bay, Cebu

summer time

It's officially no more school for the kids. It's summer time! No more books, no more classes and no more assignments. The kids can just sleep, sleep, sleep, play, play, play and watch TV all day! And of course, it is the perfect time of the year to go out and have some fun under the sun! So I am thinking of checking out Branson vacations for possible relaxation and crecration for the entire family. Lovely summer homes at affordable prices and great locations. Now I am really excited! I just wish there's also summer break with pay from work. Hahaha, and that would be even perfect! (yeah, wishful thinking!) Enjoy your summer vacation people!

Summer Get-away at Tagaytay Highlands

As I've posted here, the Mommy Bloggers enjoyed their summer get-away at Tagaytay Highlands. It was a day filled with so much fun and laughter as Mommies, Daddies and kids enjoyed the activities prepared for them. Daddies gamely played the basketball game, kids enjoyed the animal farm and swimming pool, while the Mommies ... busy eating, taking pictures and talking. It was indeed a perfect summer get-away for everyone.

The pretty Mommy Bloggers


Enjoying the pool swim under the summer heat

Kids doing the jump shots

With the success of the Mommy Bloggers first summer get away, I am hoping that we can do this as a yearly tradition. It may not be same activity as what we just did in Tagaytay Highlands, but probably explore a new bonding options like engaging to sports fest or rv camping options with the kids. Awesome idea, don't you think so?

summer get-away at Anilao

Back from our short summer get-away from Sombria Anilao, Batangas. The place was a complete haven ... ideal for R&R with families and friends. Quiet and very private place. Highly recommended resort if you want to have bonding and quality time with your loved ones and friends. Despite no TV, the amenities (pool, dart boards,billiards) and rooms really superb. The food was good, buffet price reasonable at P1,025 per head for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Travel time was a breeze, around 3 hours from Manila via Star Toll Batangas. Over all, place was good and we had so much fun here. Allow me to share some of our Anilao pictures and let the pictures below speaks for itself.

The C&P Team enjoying the sun ...

Fun in the sun and the sand with Ico and Sam. Simply perfect!

at the infinity edge pool ; sam taking the plunge!

at the beach front -- cool and clear water but not ideal for kid's swimming. too rocky.

off to Batangas ...

for our summer get-away.

Instead of going to Boracay or Cebu, we've decided to go somewhere near and closer to home. And as we do cost saving measures this time, I've decided to bring the family to one of the premium resort in Laiya, Batangas. Tentative date end of April or 3rd week of May. My only problem, I heard the husband the other day doing some travel arrangements for Europe. Not sure yet if he will leave this coming May, but definitely he will leave for UK anytime this year. Anyway, going back to the Laiya resort, I browsed the web and checked the accommodation rates. Kinda steep for a Laiya resort, but I heard the place really nice and with brand new facilities. With infinity edge pool, excellent dive sites, jacuzzi and breath-taking beach view ... really a haven! Do check out http://www.acuaticoresort.com.ph/ for more details.

And for our annual teambuilding, we're off to the famous dive spot in Batangas, Anilao. We are booked this coming Friday and Saturday to Sombria Anilao (http://www.sombria.com.ph/). We reserved the entire resort for our team as we look forward to spending quality bonding time with our family on this day. More pictures and kwento to follow.

summer heat

To beat the summer heat, we all trooped to Club Manila East last Saturday for a quick dip in the pool. With CME just ten minutes away from our place, this has become our impromptu resort whenever the summer heat is unbearable. Aside from the nice and clean facilties of CME, I heart the place so much with all the yummy fast-food like Jollibee, Chowking, Shakey's and Italianni's available for the patrons. Plus the new pool ammenties like the giant wave and dive pool. As a matter of fact, these new pool attractions were featured several times on TV as one of the hot spots this summer to do surfing. So do check it out ...

For our impromptu get-away last week, we just had few pictures. Blame it on my preggo blues, I was so lazy to take pictures. LOL! Anyway, allow me to share below "new shot" of the husband and sam, enjoying the kayak.

Ballet Class for Summer

As summer activity for the little bratinella, I enrolled her in a ballet school. She officially started today at Effie Nanas ballet studio at the 5th level, Shangrila Mall and so far, so good. Oh let me rephrase that ... so far, she's coping. I don't know if you'll call it as first day jitters, but she refuses to stay put! She was so excited an hour before the class, wearing her all pink ballet outfit. Running around the area. But, as soon as she went inside the studio, she transformed into a shy, inattentive and non-responsive student. Just when all the kids started enjoying the routine, she's making up several excuses to go out. Haaayyy... really don't know what gotten into her. But I am hoping (and praying) next session it'll be a better day for the little bratinella. Otherwise, I might consider engaging her on a different summer activity or probably get her nutritional health supplements to boost her energy. Anyway, posting below some of her ballet pictures in her best mood.

While waiting for her class to start

excitedly lining up together with her classmates

listening attentively with teacher; checking out her reflection in the mirror

Travel to Guam ...

...for the summer. I am lovin' the idea of traveling to Guam with the kids in tow. It originally started with a summer get away at Boracay. But after checking the airline fare, I've decided better to travel abroad with the same travel expense.LOL

Anyway, since we are planning for another baby next coming months ... this might be my last travel for the next three years. Need to prioritize baby expenses you know. And since this will be my birthday gift too this coming June, think the husband will agree with me to travel to Guam instead of having a birthday party. Better option.

I've checked with the PAL Swingaround promo and I can't believe that going to Guam seems affordable. Package starts at $280. Haven't checked the actual cost (taxes, fuel etc.) yet but the package is very, very tempting. Thinking of going to Guam before my birthday in June. Just hope the weather at Guam ok by that time.

Guam Travel Destination Clockwise : Tumon Bay, Tumon Entertainment District, Agaua Bay and Talafofo Falls

So much for our summer travel plans. For the meantime need to check on the web Allsup's provision for disability insurance. The company has a good track record of providing financial and health care services since 1984. With over 110,000 people granted with Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits by Allsup, this will be a big help for my aunt's patients in New York.

Futbol Funatics Summer Camp - end of season

Last Sunday was Sam's last football game. It was their farewell party and it saddens me that she'll miss the game, her classmates and her teacher, coach abbey. She enjoyed this outdoor game so much! As a matter of fact, she always looks forward to weekends because of football ...well, not sure if the football she'll miss or the post-football treat at Mc Do! lol.

But overall, was truly happy (and satisfied) that I enrolled Sam on this summer camp. Really worth it for it enhanced her social and listening skills, she gained new friends, she became independent and confident, outgoing, active and strong. Yes, she knows how to kick hard now!! Will definitely be back for the regular season this coming July!

Check out their last football session pictures below...

The Beckham Buddies (3-7 years old) Summer Camp 2008 at Meralco, Ortigas

Graduation and post football picnic party!! spaghetti, cookies and orange juice!

with her equally "likot" hyper-active, funny, cutie classmate Izech (of Mom blogger Tet)

Futbol Funatics Summer Camp

Registered Sam for Futbol Funatics Summer Camp yesterday, and boy..I was so happy and excited seeing her enjoying the game. Only few girls enrolled for the Beckenham Buddies class (age 3-6 years old) , and I can see that she slowly enjoys the game despite the summer heat.

First day, was simply getting to know the game..playing and kicking the ball around. Sam at first was quite hesitant staying on the field because of the heat, but eventually she participated with the group excercises. The class size was initially overwhelmingly big, with celebrity parents Mylene Dizon and Paolo happily cheering for their son Tomas, while Marvin Agustin came for the trial class with his twins. Real Cutie pair!

Second day was even better, longer attention span and playing time for Sam. She enjoyed kicking the ball towards the goal, running and goofing around with other kids, happily enjoyed doing the warm up games and play scrimmage with her classmates. Class size was divided to maintain the ideal teacher-student ratio too.

Futbol Camp is chika time too with another fellow mommy blogger, Tet. While our kids Izech and Sam busy playing under the sun with our hubbies watching them, Tet and I busy exchanging chika moments away from the sun! Vain mommies!! We’re afraid of getting burned noh! Mahirap magpa-puti..wala na kami budget pa-Belo! Hahaha!

Sharing some of Sam's Futbol Camp pictures... pardon the pictures if too small and far. Afraid si Mommy to stay under the sun! Hahaha!

one-on-one with coach

sam wearing black shorts playing scrimmage with the boys

during warm up excercises

finally, game over ... with proud daddy!