Second Day of the Kingdom Rock 2013

The Kingdom Rock where kid's stand strong for God is the theme for this year's Vacation Bible School in one of the churches in Merritt Island. I volunteered as the in-charge for the crafts for the Preschool children. This is Pip's Palace with the Preschool children and the crew members.

They were having a break before the craft and play begins.

As the other mommy volunteer and I went at the courtyard to set up the game called Parachute Pals, the kids were having fun playing in the castle.

They are all adorable, very respectful and behave to everyone. This is the second day where the children taught about Duke, their Bible Buddy for the day.

On this day, children learn that "Family and friends help us, stand strong!"

They love the Aqua Booster craft to do. They were able to learn that when they are down at the bottom, having problems and all; just like the green man, family and friends will always be there to guide and support them. Children learn thing s easy when they are happy and having fun.

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Educational Tour for the Family

When I was growing up, my brother and I were not exposed on traveling outside the city except summer time where I spent my whole vacation in the province. I like spending time with my cousins especially when we go swimming in the nearby waterfalls. Picking wild fruits in the forest was pretty exciting for me.On school days, I can't really remember that I attended an educational tour. I only started traveling when I was in college and I learn a lot from it. I believe that acquiring knowledge is not limited in the four corners in the classroom.Last Valentines Day, I treat my brother and his family for a trip to Manila for 5 days. I shouldered the plane ticket, food, entrance fee to some parks and museum, hotel stay and gave my mom some pocket money. All 6 of them deserve to have a bonding vacation. The pictures here were taken at Museo Pambata in Manila, Philippines.My brother made it sure that their itinerary was focused for the kids. It was an educational tour for the kids because they went to the museums, Manila Zoo, and travelled to some of the major attractions in the Manila. Well, the adults enjoyed their vacation too.

Affliction of a Mom and Wife

Guest post written by Vivian Besas:

I left home for the fourth time on February 7, 2012 after spending a 2-month holiday with my husband and our 4 girls, Ysabel, Yleiza, Ymealle and Ylleine ages 9, 5, 4 and 3 at my parents' house.

As soon as my husband and I together with a friend arrived at the Airport I faltered and felt butterflies in my tummy that sent me crying saying to my husband: "Please don't let me go. I don't want to leave anymore"..But we both knew I needed to so I helplessly took my suitcases with me and checked-in which after I did, went to the exit taking my hand-carry luggage and rushed out straight to the waiting area not bothered about the time which gave me barely 5 minutes till boarding schedule just to kiss and hug my husband goodbye again.

Tears were running down my cheeks from when I entered the airport again until I was seated in the plane. He painfully watched the aircraft with a heart crushed as it took off while I cried incessantly, defeated by the need to go.

It was a very long and agonizing journey as I'm bound for Europe where I work for an English diplomat. During the flight I couldn't stop thinking about my family. If I dose off all I dream of are the girls and my Hubby. I lost the appetite to eat as well that I refused the airline meals. I survived the entire flight with water, coffee and tea one after the other.

I reached Switzerland in an extremely freezing weather of minus 10 degrees centigrade bringing me right there and then winter blues which mercilessly added insult to my injury. It was nonsense as it is impossible but I wished for the snow which covered every roof of every house I saw and everything around to cover me as well and make me numb to ever feel the pain of having to leave my life - MY FAMILY.

It was too impossible to get myself to sleep on the night I was back. Apart from jetlag, I was crazily suffering from homesickness - the worst enemy I believe of people going abroad without their families. I was awake from half past 12 midnight on. Same thing happened the second night

Today, February 10, 2012 I was fumbling through my suitcase which hasn't been touched since I arrived when I found 3 unfamiliar things as they aren't mine:
1. a small blue rosary
2. a yellow-colored smiley eraser
3. a note saying:

"mama I will miss you
ingat diha I love you
I miss you
we love you
we will miss you
from Ysabel, Dagz, Winwin and CS".

I didn't know how to react. But I thought I felt anger. Anger because it hurts! It's Ysabel's and I literally felt her pain too from being left behind. Anger because it filled up that chamber in my heart for keeping my pain in and made me want to scream and cry! I quickly got my phone, navigated to the notepad to write something about what she'd done when a page appeared, caught me completely off-guard and gave me a real painful blow when I read:

"Mama I love you i miss you
Ingat ka diha@"

This time I was sure I was feeling guilty! Guilty for letting her undergo this kind of pain! My mother worked away from home when I was young and is back home only on weekends. But the pain of not being with her over the weeks sent me crying almost every night. How intense is Ysabel's pain then seeing me only for a month twice in a year! Awful lot of pain!

I can no longer allow our pain to go on. My husband feels incomplete, I do too! I'm going home for good before I ruin my children's emotional stability and live my life in regrets. And besides, there's no other place better than home.

A Valentine Gift

After graduation, my brother landed a permanent job and got married. He got a beautiful family and he works harder to provide for them. His wife is a professional and licensed engineer but, taking care for her children is more important than being a career woman. I admire them for that. I know being a parent is 24/7 career and I know it is tiring but, wonderful. I thought, they needed a break so; I booked their hotel accommodation (4-star hotel) and an airfare for 6 which is my Pre-Valentine gift for a deserving family.My brother chose an Educational Tour to Manila and the kids enjoyed it the most.These pictures were taken at Museo Pambata which is an interactive museum for children. I was here 18 years ago, whewww...that was a long time.I talked to my nephews and niece on skype and they have so much stories to tell. I was really glad to see them having fun and learn something on this short vacation. They went to explore some historical places such as Intramurus at Fort Santiago which is a defense fortress structure in Metro Manila. They also explore the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica which according to my mother, a huge place full of statues, carvings, beautiful portals, with 6 chapels, grand stone arts, and beautiful artistic designs of stained glass windows.They also went to Enchanted Kingdom and took their favorite rides, shop at Mall of Asia, dine hearty meals and just enjoy the time with the kids. Spending time with family in leisure trips like this is worth it.

Educational Toys

Check out this toy which is only $69.99 at CP Toys, an online store which you can buy creative and educational toys. This specific toy is good for your child because it promotes his psychomotor ability. This toy has a steering wheel and a brake plus there is a moving screen on the dashboard and it helps sharpen your son's physical skills. It has 11 car sounds which are good to sharpen his listening skills too. I love to shop online and I admit, this Website has toys that are creative, inspiring, educational and fun for families. The bricks, blocks and Lego are educational toys for kids which are good to sharpen the knowledge of children. It also measures the child's affective domain because he will not stop until he is able to create the shape he wanted or build the object he wanted to accomplish. Parents should purchase toys that enhance learning and aid the child's ability to manipulate. If you have a daughter, check out the children's play furniture in this Website and I am sure, you will agree that their price is affordable. You can find toys that are good for all ages. Visit the Website now and start shopping.

Great Wolf Lodge

When I saw this gigantic pool, I was really blown away because the design is so impressive and beautiful. This is the Great Wolf Lodge and it has the Largest Indoor Water feature which is fun to explore. Children would love this place because they can swim and splash all day long. Of course, all ages would appreciate to stay here because of the fun times and exciting slides on the Howling Wolf, Totem Towers and Whooping Hollow. All members of the family would love to experience this type of slides.This place has interesting Indoor Water Park which every family will enjoy such as the Fort MacKenzie, Alberta Falls and Cub Paw Pool which has a spray and play feature. There is also a place for learning crafts at the Cub Club and also an Arcade where everyone can explore hundreds of games at the Northern Lights. Not only that, Great Wolf also has a mini golf area, a kids spa, and many more activities such as The Great Clock Tower Show. The Activities for Kids are endless at the Great Wolf. They have Magi Quest and Story Time too and I am sure children would love to explore. For more information about the amenities and reservations, visit the links or call them at 231.941.3600.