tales from the Tango House

The Pick-up Line

2010-08-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

I only realized last Sunday that my son has indeed grown-up. No matter if I have to shop for a new set of pajamas twice in a matter of 6 months as he was getting taller everyday, I just did not notice it. Even when he picked up Grisham’s A Time to Kill and reads the cover and copyright page with the proper pronunciation and crisp tone, I still did not notice. I was taken aback with pride of course, I thought “Wow! He reads perfectly." Still, I did not acknowledge it to the fact that he has grown up, after all he just turned 6 last August. When you’re a Mom or a Dad, I guess you are in complete denial that your once tiny baby is growing up before your eyes and you just can't process it as fast as it happens. Well that was not until Sunday…

While waiting for Dada in the parking lobby, Sharkboy and Baby Diva asked for their new books. A little girl with an angel’s face about my sons’ age suddenly approach our bench and sat beside them. It’s really cool to be a kid, you make and become friends in a heartbeat, and she was getting along well with SB and BD browsing through SB’s dinosaur book. After 10 minutes or so, Angelface gets bored, gets up and walks away, my SB takes notice and gets up from his seat as well and exclaims, “Hey! Do you want me to read to you the names of the dinosaurs?” I could not keep myself from chuckling. SB got a pick-up line and what can I say? T’was good and somewhat geeky but still it was good. He has indeed grown up. Did he get Angelface to go back? That’s another story.

vivi, ama e ridi,

Will travel with kids

2010-02-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Travelling may sound simple to many but wait until you become a parent and you need to travel with your baby or toddler or both with you along with the heavy luggage and other necessary infant/kiddie trappings and paraphernalia, minus the Yaya. This is like an extra challenge, travelling with kids is a skill one acquires through practice. Every Christmas and New Year, the momentous holiday of them all, my little family gets to choose between travel by air to get to the southeastern portion of Mindanao to spend vacation with DB’s family or travel by land for 8-10 hours to get to the northern part of Luzon to spend holidays with my parents and relatives or we come over a split-decision, we do both, land and air, we jump from 1 trip to another and this is when the travelling and packing gets a little bit awry.

Since the Christmas holiday is immediately followed by New Year celebrations, I nearly have time to pack and re-pack clothes considering we spend an average of 4-5 days in each of our parent’s home. If you have a bounty supply of wardrobe, then this is not a problem, you may prepare a separate luggage for the next trip. However if you are like me, I seldom buy clothes for myself and the rest of the pack, hence, we have limited clothes supply and selection, then double time is required.

Here are some simple learnings:

1. List. Come up with a list of things to bring, from clothes down to miscellaneous items; essentials for me include paracetamol, small toys, cell phone charger, off lotion, batteries, snacks, bottled water, wet wipes and a book.

2. Wardrobe schedule. This minimizes the number of clothes going into the luggage per person. Before, I was accustomed to bringing too many pairs of socks and underwear for the children that end up unused. Think of all the additional weight this has contributed to the baggage and the amount of human exertion required to drag it; it’s just not worth it, not to mention the possibility of paying for an excess baggage. I always bring though an extra shirt for each of us in case there is no way for me to do laundry.

3. Bag limitation. If you can, travel with 2 baggage only and bring a utilitarian handbag as the 3rd bag which you hand carry or strap to yourself. The 1st big luggage contains all the clothes, the 2nd smaller luggage for all the other non-clothes items and the 3rd small bag is for the money and meds and essential documents. This is relative however, in a family of 4 like us, I managed to pack all our things in 3 bags (the 3rd bag is my handbag) for a 4-5 day vacation. I almost forgot an additional carriage, the stroller which can be a little trouble when you’re not used to folding and dragging it around.

4. Simple packed food (eg. boiled eggs, cup noodles, tetra pack juice and chocolate drinks, apples, banana). During land travel, since I do not have time to cook packed food, and consider it a bother to eat packed lunches when you have small children, we eat at stopovers. If you have reservations about feeding your child with stopover meals, then you may find solution with boiled eggs and cup noodles.

5. Diversion. During air travel, it is really helpful to feed your baby/toddler with bottled milk or let her browse the magazine to take her mind off the change of pressure in her ears.

6. Diaper again. While travelling, when your child is not yet fully diaper-free, this is the time to let her wear one again compared to the hassle of letting her use the public CR or the tiny CR on the plane.

7. Essentials. Water is important though there is limitation with the amount you are allowed to hand-carry when you board a plane depending on the airport. Small toys and books can be tossed in your handbag and can save the day of a bored kid.

8. Small talk. Inform your children about the length and type of travel and what to expect, this way you would be spared from the relentless question “Are we there yet?’

9. Little prayer. Pray for safety and protection with your family before the actual trip.

There you go, happy travelling!

vivi, ama e ridi,

Gangstah Mum

Feeling Guilty!

2009-11-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

I realize lately that I have enough work for my two hands, I believe that there is not too much work rather just imposing deadlines to beat. Monday last week, my sweet anticipation for a longer sleeping time and more play time with the kids did not materialize, I found myself exactly in the office, the least favorite place I’d want to be on a day declared in this nation a special holiday. This specific day set the tone for me for the rest of week, laden with guilt on what kind of mother am I becoming, reporting for work on a holiday. Hence, the weekend after, I devoted my time entirely to my children, one scene was quite eye opening for me, it was during BabyDiva’s feeding time during breakfast on Sunday. We were playing complete the sentence, here goes…

Caution: I am very guilty of utilizing wonderful adjectives when it comes to describing my family, who isn’t?

Gangstah Mum (GM): Daddy Bee is…. (whispering) gorgeous!

Baby Diva (BD): Gorgeous!

GM: Kuya Sharboy is … (whispering) handsome!

BD: Handsome!

GM: Baby Diva is... (whispering) beautiful!

BD: Beautiful!

GM: Mommy is … (whispering) pretty!

BD: In the office!

I laughed when I heard this. I assume that maybe BD got accustomed with this phrase whenever she looks for me in the morning as she wakes up and I already left for work. This morning I remembered BD’s remark and I am not laughing anymore. I feel sad that my child is getting used to my being away from her. I wish I could pull time so I could liberate myself from my current commitments as planned. (sigh!)

Photo: All-free-download.com

Something Fishy

2009-09-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

DB bought Sharkboy and Baby Diva a freshwater aquarium with 7 resident fishes last weekend. Our happy little boy and little girl named them fish no. 1 Nemo, fish no. 2 Nemo, fish no. 3 Nemo…I’m sure you get the drift. Maintaining an aquarium can be quite time consuming as I delegated this task my sole duty after having been traumatized by Sharkboy’s Nanny performing a nightmarish cleaning incident last January. Sharkboy used to own a Flowerhorn fish, a gift from his Ninong H who told him that this particular fish will bring him good luck. It was too late when I caught Sharboy’s Nanny pouring the entire contents of the aquarium tank in a basin one Saturday morning, “QUE HORROR" imagine with the poor little fish on it. I refuse to divulge further details of this incident as I did an exceptional impersonation of Mrs. Edward Hyde as expected, let’s just say she was hotly reprimanded. I understand the intention was good, it was an initiative of hers to clean up the aquarium but her slapdash means was torturous to the fish and to the eyewitness. A fish enthusiast would have burst an artery and I got lucky because I am not yet a certified fish lover.

So the story of the not-so-lucky Flowerhorn fish ends this way, it died a week after the incident and I guessed it did not endure the stress of being thrown into the air along with the sands and decors. I stored the tank and trimmings after its death to help Sharkboy recover from the painful memory of losing his orange fish.

On the lighter side, I am currently researching the aquarium hobby for my children from very helpful sites, for those interested you may take a look at the bounty information these sites offer:

Fish Channel

Fantasy Reef

The Gab

Total Fishkeeping

Amy & Phillips's Amazing Aquaria

vivi,ama e ridi,

Photo: Kidstoychest.com

Next question please

2009-09-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

One pretty Sunday morning, Sharkboy woke up early to find my women’s magazines strewn all over our bedroom which I left the night before when I got sleepy while browsing for house decorating ideas, a recently found obsession. When I realized that I have scattered my magazines which have unfriendly content for children, ‘twas late as I pulled myself from the bed I found Sharkboy standing in the bedside holding a magazine with a photo of a boy in the act of kissing a girl’s body.

Sharkboy: Mommy, why is the boy kissing the girl’s ”pwet” (butt)?
He points innocently to the photo of an article that provides pointers on how to enliven one’s married life.

GM: (tongue-tied and looks at a half-sleep DB)

DB: (stifling a yawn) Ayan kasi kinakalat ang mga magazines, sinabi ko na! (That’s what you get from scattering your reading materials)

GM: (finally finding my voice) Hey better ask your Dad (DB looks back at me sternly)

Sharkboy looks at DB and back at me, waiting patiently for an answer

GB: (retreating) Well…its an act of love (duh to kiss a butt!) the boy, err, the husband is expressing his love for his wife and you will understand this more when you grow up okay.

My rating on this: I failed miserably upon losing my coolness on how to handle such situation. I hope to prepare myself well next time with a more credible response not some hoopla taken from the air. My son deserves to know not only the truth but the surrounding concepts and premises on why we got a photo of a guy kissing a girls butt.

Two months before this incident happened, my friend related to me how she would be very critical with the reading materials of her “tween” daughter. She would staple the pages together of her daughter’s magazine for quality control in an effort to delete articles that she deem would be inappropriate for her daughter’s age. We had a healthy discussion on this, the other argument was the necessity of exposing our children to the realities of life so they would learn to be critical and open at the same time. Now I am reminded that while espousing the “other school of thought”, as a parent you are expected to be alert and ever-ready to react to questions that need information-backed and responsible answers. I do not intend to underestimate my son’s intelligence, he won’t forgive me next time.

vivi, ama e ridi,

the Cast

2009-07-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

First things first, before I set myself into becoming a dedicated storyteller of the Tango House, let me introduce its unique residents that make it a topsy-turvy but a charming place to live in…

Gangstah Mum (GM)

also known as Purple Ink in her other blog

Her ultimate dream is to be “Cool Mom” to her two children and believes that it would take time and practice to earn the badge. While others may not agree with her style, she wants to be a bestfriend to her kids, the one they can turn to when the world seem to be difficult or just for the simple reason that they need a listening ear or a tough shoulder. Honestly put, she craves to be their hero, she wants them to see her as Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking rolled into one. She is keen on motivating them to discover their God-given talents with the faith that her children shall embrace these gifts with gusto.

GM is happily married to the Hubby, her staunch advocate and lifetime alter-ego. She is a working mom and her other ultimate goal is to conquer her fear of wearing stilettos and strutting it like she means it in the office.

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Daddy Bee (DB)

other aliases include the Hubby, Papa, Dada, Babah

He has a big heart for GM and their children and is often inclined to spoiling them. He is a certified doting father who makes time to play with his kids and understands their troubles; it doesn’t matter if it has something to do with a broken toy or a favorite cartoon character. DB shares parenting with GM and agrees on committing to parenthood towards raising smart, well-rounded, confident and happy children.

DB dabbles in numbers and logic and is wickedly good at it. He considers himself an old soul and possesses a fine taste in film and music. He is one smart social butterfly who has this talent for making people agree with him most of the time. This talent comes in handy when in an argument with GM.

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Sharkboy (SB)

referred also as Speed Racer, the Fisherman

This little boy stole the hearts of DB and GM the moment he came into their lives one chilly August evening. He did just that by looking at them.

Sharkboy is passionate about 3 things: 1) trains; 2) cars; and 3) underwater creatures. He named himself Sharkboy in honor of the great shark, his favorite fish. He is troubled when someone calls him a fish.

Quirks: recalls all the names and body numbers of his Thomas and Friends trains by heart; great at asking perfect questions; loves to tell stories to friends/classmates; voted as speaker of his Nursery class

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Baby Diva

alternately uses the names Tiger Lily, YB, Pepper and Little Mermaid

This little girl is a perfect gift from heaven. Her arrival on a sunny January day felt like DB and GM has won the jackpot, the only difference is, this one’s better because her presence completed the lives of GM, DB and Sharkboy.

Baby Diva is an avid performer of Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid. She loves to sing, dance and act. She expresses herself quite well by speaking in complete sentences when she turned 2.

Quirks: loves ABBA and her favorite song Voulez Vous; plays Belle and the Beast and Gaston all at the same time; calls herself Little Mermaid; she means what she says, not easy to pacify

vivi, ama e ridi,

2009-07-28T21:16:00.000-07:00