Kids are Kids

I recently had a scary experiencewith Kowi. Four years ago, Kuya had the same experience.

For reasons known only to him, Kuya put a Smint candy up his nose. It got stuck in his nostil and he started to cry. And every time he tried to blow out of his nose, bubbles started to come out, which made him cry harder. Kuya was only three years old then. My mom brought him to the emergency room. I couldn't go becasue I was pregnant with Kowi that time.

I would imagine that getting a Smint up your nose would be a bit painful than a bit because it's mint. But Kowi's pink plastic bead is twice as big as Kuya's Smint.

What is it with kids and stuffing up their noses at three years old?

Kids are kids. I know they will stick more than fingers up their noses. Heaven help me get through this phase!

A Healthy Seafood Recipe

As the official chef, I try to prepare healthy meals for the family. I make an effort to serve a variety of dishes during the week by mixing up the menu to include lean meat, chicken, seafood and veggies to give them a variety. Good thing that my son eats anything, even his veggies. But my daughter is somewhat of a picky eater. Recently, she has announced that her favorite food is fish. To get her to eat more, I am including more seafood recipes in next week’s menu.

I recently visited http://www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com and found a great seafood recipe. It’s Mississippi Redfish Courtboullion with Seafood Dirty Rice by Chef John Currence of Mississippi. It’s one of the five recipes in the cook off challenge. The picture looks very appetizing and the fact that it’s made with rice makes it even better. We just love rice.

However, I think I’ll be using tilapia instead of Mississippi redfish and local shrimp and crabmeat. Tilapia is readily available in the local market and it’s always better to buy fresh ingredients. There was a time when I used frozen fish to cook a very simple dish. It didn’t turn as tasty it should. The kids didn’t finish their food and I ended up throwing away the leftovers. Also, I think I’ll use chicken stock instead of beer. I just finished downloading the recipe and I can’t wait to include this in next week’s menu.

Another great thing aside from the seafood recipes available on their website is that by voting for a favorite recipe, I get a chance to go to New Orleans. I just voted and hopefully I’ll be making that trip soon. So visit their website now for a chance to win a “Trip to New Orleans” prize package which includes two Southwest Airline round trip tickets, hotel accommodations, dining experiences and more. And it’s easy, just vote for your favorite recipe.

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen Names I Would Never Consider In Naming My Third Child

13. Zuma
12. Kal-el
11. Sage Moonblood
10. Jermajesty
9. Tiger Lily Heavenly Hirani
8. Poppy Honey
7. Dweezil
6. Diva Muffin
5. Moxie CrimeFighter
4. Fifi Trixibelle
3. Audio Science
2. Tabooger
1. Moon Unit

These are all real names. I didn't make them up. Thank God my name is normal!

A Tag of Six

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then go to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Just graduated from college and barely three months into my first job, an officer development trainee at a bank.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today? Meet a few deadlines, scan and send an important document, clean the house, tutor Kuya and play with Kowi.

3. Snacks I enjoy: Bananas with peanut butter and warm bibingka.

4. Places I’ve lived: Manila, Quezon City, Taguig, Batangas, Las Pinas and Muntinlupa

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire: - Nothing. Just live off the interest. LOL

6. People I want to know more about: - Celebrities. I'm a big closet gossip queen.

I'm hoping to know more about you, Eds, Rose, Jane and Jhona.

More Than Her Finger

I had a very hectic and somewhat scary morning. I was at the computer when Kowi came up to me running and covering her nose. She was saying, "Sorry, mom. Sorry, mom," over and over.

I asked her what happened. But with all the crying, I couldn't understand a word she was saying. In the middle of her sobs, I pieced her words together.

She put a pink plastic bead up her nose!

I looked up her nostril and I still could see the bead. I tried to get her to blow her nose, but she would snort harder after. I just prayed that it didn't go too far up her nose. While driving to the EENT clinic, Kowi was saying that she didn't want a doctor to look up her nose. She held a pink hanky to cover it. I just told her not to cry.

We had to park a block and a half away from the clinic because all the parking slots were full. I was scared, hungry and even angry that I had to carry Kowi and walk under the sun to get to the clinic.

Outside the doctor's office, Kowi was calm. She was still holding the pink hanky to her nose. The receptionist kept saying to put it down.

And while we were waiting for the doctor, Kowi showed me a pink bead.

Kowi had gotten the pink bead out herself. I don't know how she did it but thank God.

Kids will be kids. They will put stuff where they shouldn't go and will stick more than fingers up their noses. This might be funny in a year or two, but now I don't find it amusing. I'm just glad it's over. Whew!

Too Much

Okay, so I haven't been present in my blog for two days. For that matter, I haven't been present in your blogs, too.

I've been busy tutoring Kuya for his first term exams next week and I've also been busy meeting deadlines for my other work.

Aside from being a stay-at-home mom and a blogger, I have also been blessed with freelance work-at-home opportunities.

And now I'm swamped with too much blessings that I am left with little time to visit and catch up with what's happening in your blogs.

Not that I'm complaining. "Too much" is good.

I guess I can now change my title from a stay-at-home mom to a work-at-home mom. Yay!

I just hope you don't miss me too much. LOL

Instant Stress Busters

Moms definitely know the meaning of stress. When you’re running late, your preschooler won’t get dressed, stress kicks in. But before we start yelling (or crying), here are some guaranteed instant stress busters that I’ve browsed over the Web to help us cope better.

Get some perspective. Whenever you're on the verge of a meltdown, try to remember, “Will this matter a year from now?” And usually it won't.

Expect the unexpected. Stress is often triggered by unrealistic expectations. Do not assume that routine will go as planned, especially with kids. When the day goes well, consider it a bonus.

Think happy. In the middle of chaos, moms should learn to visualize a happy scene. Think of your kids laughing or sleeping soundly or maybe something else that doesn’t include your kids. Meditate on it often to stay relaxed.

“Me” time is mandatory. It may be as little as 10 minutes a day. Have that cup of cocoa when the kids are asleep, wake up earlier and update your blog or go out for the night with the girls. Having fun is not illegal. It will certainly help keep us sane.

Breathe in and out. Research shows that deep breathing reduces stress. So slowly inhale and exhale.

Have a stress-free week ahead.