Amy Poehler is on Cozmo TV

Amy Poehler is one of my favorite comediennes on TV. She's really hilarious, very talented and creative. I'm happy to learn that she has her own gig on Cozmo TV together with her two bestfriends, called Smart Girls at the Party. She appears to be serious but still very funny in this show where she interviews equally talented and well-rounded young girls. The show is very informative and the interviews pose very positive message to young viewers. The young kids interviewed on the show are into different endeavors like art, music, dance, garden and yoga. Young kids can learn a lot of thing from the show and can be encouraged to pursue the things that they may be interested in doing outside of school. This is a very good show that I would recommend to young kids so they will get inspired by young people who are making a difference in their lives. You can actually share this show to your friends via email or get your own widget here. You can click 'Grab this TV' and choose between emailing the url to your friends or embed the html code in your blog, profile or web page. If you click the gallery there are still a lot of featured widget you can click and watch. So grab this widget now and embed it on your blogs, My Space or Facebook pages.

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Have You Ever Tag

I've been tagged by a new blogger friend, Beth of Everything Under the Sun. This has been sitting in my draft together with other tags and awards I received just waiting for the right time to get posted. Sorry for the delay ;-).

1. Have you ever been on TV?
*No. But I've watched a TV show in a studio.

2. Have you ever sung in public?
*Not really. But I used to sing in a church choir during mass celebration, so I guess that was considered singing in public.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
*Nope, but have been thinking about it, NOT! ;-)

4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?
*Yup. They just tasted like chicken.

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?
*Not really hated but just didn't like, so I just re-gifted it, LOL.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
* Yes when I was still in high school. I was busy chatting with a girlfriend while looking the other way, and next thing I knew I got a big bump on my forehead!

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?
*Not really. I cooked some dishes good to feed more than 15 people but the rest of the food are brought by friends in a potluck party ;-).

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
*Yes, when I was in grade school I was a bit clumsy!

9. Have you ever done volunteer work?
*Yes, while still in the Philippines. My favorite volunteer work was with little kids in orphanages.

I'm passing this to my good friend Yen of In His Shoes. And to all other bloggers, feel free to grab it. Have a nice weekend.

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Self Defense Products

When I hear horrible stories in the news about home invasion resulting to either injury or worse death of any member of the household, I can't help but worry also about our own safety. Although we live in a very safe neighborhood, still you never know when you will need to defend yourself from criminals. It pays to have self defense products always within reach, which of course I pray I wouldn't have to use at all.

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Unconscious Mutterings #3

1. Unwanted :: Unwelcome
   


2. You’d better :: Make sure
   


3. Woman :: A blessing
   


4. Weighed :: Put
   


5. Upright :: Straight
   


6. I feel :: Emotion
   


7. Ill :: Sick
   


8. It’s like :: The same


9. Poor man :: Helpless
   


10. Great :: Wonderful
    

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My Favorite Electronic Gadgets

One of the things that I enjoy doing in my spare time is playing Nintendo DS. The games that I play are all brain boosters like Brain Age and Word Puzzles that help stimulate the brain. I need this to break away from monotonous mothering and homemaking chores. I take them with me as well in any appointments that will require long boring wait, to entertain myself. I wish I could bring my laptop with me too but it's not very convenient to carry it. I guess I'll get me a notebook computer instead so I can just put it in my purse. So there, in addition to my digital camera which is a permanent 'fixture' in my purse, a DS and a notebook computer complete the ensemble.

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Win Cash , EC Credits, Blog Layout and More!!!

My 2 blogs Random Thoughts and A Moment to Exhale are celebrating their 1st Blogversary in February. And to celebrate such milestone, I am giving-away lots of prizes with the help of some generous sponsors. The contest will run from January 25 until February 10, 2009.

If you want to win any of the prizes below, visit my blog Random Thoughts now to join, you have 10 different ways to enter in the contest. The more entries you make the more chances you have to win.

1st PRIZE -
$25 - c/o Random Thoughts
Customized Blog Layout (blogger platform) c/o My Web-Blog Designs
1 Swarovsky Bracelet c/o Yen's Handmades [Click here to see the ITEM]
$20 + 2000 EC credits c/o Windmill on the Hill
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o My Life's Journey to Success
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Things I Did Not Know Before
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Unique Ideas For Your Beach Weddings
2000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Night Clicks
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o NetFreeSource
3000 - EC credits c/o Random Thoughts
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Dashing Beauty
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Tales of a Pinay Single Mommy
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots


2nd PRIZE
$20 - c/o Mira's Web Journal
2500 - EC credits c/o Mira's Web Journal
2000 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
20GB Web Hosting c/o http://angelic-melody.net + 500EC credits
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o My Countryhome
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Live Love Pink
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Samantha's Own
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o 1716 South
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Garage Sale
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots

3rd PRIZE -
$15 - c/o A Moment to Exhale
3000 - EC credits c/o Big Boys Have Toys Too
2000 - EC credits c/o A Taste of Both Worlds
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Kharlota dot Com
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o A Girl for All Status
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o A Fil-Am Journey
1 year text link ad c/o http://glamorous-heart.info
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Symphony of Love
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Sweepstakes Girl
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweet...Pretty...Naughty

4th PRIZE -
$10 - c/o My Barefoot Journey
2000 - EC credits c/o Mommy's Little Corner
2000 - EC credits c/o My Online Paradise
2000 - EC credits c/o Kinda Life of Mine
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Just About Anything
1 month text link ad Thomas Travel Tales
1 month text link ad Great Finds and Deals

5th PRIZE -
2000 - EC credits c/o Wife of a Warrior
3000 - EC credits c/o Life's Sweets and Spices
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Simply Irresistible
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o My Sweet Haven
1 month text link ad Work At Home Jobs
1 month text link ad Erlinda‘s Wandering Thoughts

6th PRIZE -
2000 - EC credit c/o The Solitairy Love
1500 - EC credit c/o My Barefoot Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o My Kitchen Table
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Kalidadis
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Cooking is Fun
1 month text link ad CompTechGadgets.com
1 month text link ad Healthy Living and Lifestyle

7th PRIZE -
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Simplement Belles
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Moi et mon univers!
1000 - EC credit c/o Scrappy Mommy
1000 - EC credits c/o Dashing Smiles
1000 - EC credits c/o Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink
1000 - EC credits c/o One at a Time
1 month text link ad Thomas Web Links
1 month text link ad Bohol Paradise

8th PRIZE -
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from My Daily Sunset
1000 - EC credits c/o My Kitchen
1000 - EC credits c/o My Life and Family Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o My Whole New World
1000 - EC credits c/o Definitely Maybe
500 - EC credits c/o I Thought So
1 month text link ad Batuananons

9th PRIZE -
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Lovely Pink
1000 - EC credits c/o Small Side Bits
1000 - EC credits c/o In His Steps
1000 - EC credits c/o Moments of My Life
1000 - EC credits c/o My Crossroads
1 month text link ad Filipino Online Community

10th PRIZE -
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Hobby and Such by Carlota
1000 - EC credits c/o My Life's Adventure
1000 - EC credits c/o Wonderful Things In Life
1000 - EC credits c/o The Joy of Life Forever
500 - EC credits c/o Life's Journey
1 month text link ad from Nita's Random Thoughts

11th PRIZE -
1000 - EC credits c/o Medan Daily
1000 - EC credits c/o Wiehanne Lounge
1000 - EC credits c/o Simply WP
1000 - EC credits c/o Everything Under the Sun
1 month text link ad from Nita's Corner

12th PRIZE -
1500 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
1000 - EC credits c/o My Barefoot Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o EastCoastLife

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Toy Hunt - Round Toys

This is actually a balance ball that I use to exercise. But when my son was around 13 months old he's always fascinated with this ball. He likes tapping, bouncing and pushing it. He used this to glide around the room as he was just learning how to walk.

To see more of Toy Hunt players, please visit JoyD of When Mom Talks by clicking the button above.

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Mommy Moments - Latest Birthday Photos

This is my son's actual 2nd birthday.
We were teaching him how to blow the candles here.

This is his birthday party and he did really good blowing the candles.

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In A Baking Mood

I've been planning to bake cookies since Monday. I've got complete ingredients with my baking tools already out, but I just didn't have the drive till today. Right now, I'm eating freshly baked Oatmeal-Raisins Cookies, my favorite! I just have to watch my intake though before my waistline really grows even bigger I might need diet pill to get it trimmed. My hb and I love eating them with hot tea. I made the very simple one, I just used the recipe on the Quaker Oats box. I have another favorite recipe from Paula Deen that is full of spices but hey I didn't want to stretch too much. It's good enough I got the drive back. I might bake Honey Wheat Bread over the weekend too. I also have complete ingredients for it.

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A Good Day

Today is Gymboree day, the first time we went out since Sunday. No matter how early we started getting ready for this we still ran a little late. I couldn't find my son's gloves, I don't know where he put them. We got to the session at 5 minutes past the time. It was not totally a bad day anyway, my son was pretty cooperative and not clingy anymore compared to last 2 sessions after the holidays. And best of all, he didn't cry anymore at reading time. Although he kept turning his head to see if I was still standing by the window watching him. I'd say he really did great today. When we got home, I took him for a walk around the block. The sun was out but still cold and windy, but it was nevertheless a good day!

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Japanese Magnolia Trees

Spring is my favorite season of all because I like seeing all the plants and trees coming back to life again after a long winter hibernation. It is the time of the year when I get my hands dirty in the yard cleaning up flower beds and adding more plants. Both my husband and I love flowering trees. Every year we try to buy one tree to plant and so far only one really survived. I always like to have Magnolia trees in the front yard specifically Japanese Magnolia trees because of the lovely light purple flowers. The very large fragrant blossoms usually appear before the leaves, so it is a wonderful sight and gives curb appeal to anybody's yard. I ordered another kind of Magnolia tree online once before and we also bought another in a nearby nursery but they didn't live. Hopefully this year we get some luck with Japanese Magnolia trees.

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First Playdate I Hosted

Yesterday I hosted my first playdate at home with my son's Gymboree classmates. I thought it wouldn't push through anymore since we got a lot of snow the day before, but these moms were still eager to get out of the house to unwind too. Four boys of about the same ages, 32 to 34 months in one room is such a riot. Although I prepared my son about some friends coming over to the house, it didn't really get him ready to share his toys. He got overwhelmed seeing other kids feasting with his toys. He became agitated, he tried to grab everything back, toys that he didn't really care about anymore. Unusually, he easily got upset and frustrated, and there were a lot of crying. Kids can really be territorial, that's all I can say. They cannot fully comprehend yet the meaning of words 'share' and 'borrow'. They think that if other kids hold their toys that he can't get them back anymore.

Anyway, the moms had a great time chatting away and eating through the chaos. This is one of the chances that every moms want to grab, to have some adult conversation once in a while. It's good thing that it was a holiday so hb was at home, he ran some errands for me, lol. He got up early to plow the driveway, then he went to the grocery for some food and afterwards ordered pizza for us. We got home late from a party Sunday night, so I didn't get the chance to do food shopping.

At about past 1pm, 2 moms and kids left but one mom stayed behind and played Wii Sports bowling with us. When she and her son left, I felt so tired I had to take a nap with my son. I thought it was a stressful day, I got headache from too much screaming, banging and running around of the boys. That photo on the right was what used to be a castle that they all knocked down together. I couldn't see myself having anymore kids, geez I salute the moms with more than one kid whose ages are very close to each other.

But overall it was a great playdate. I came to a conclusion that I should host more of these playdates so my son will get used to having other kids play with his toys, therefore he will also learn how to share.

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Personalized Books

When my son showed his interest for books early on, I encouraged it by buying him more books that will trigger his enthusiasm. I bought him colorful books with eye-catching pictures. He was able to recognize and tell pictures in the books quite easily. When we go to church instead of taking toys to keep him busy, I take along lots of books instead. I found an interesting site that makes children's personalized books and I thought it was a great idea for my son to have. I bought him personalized dvd music before where his eyes lit every time he hears his name being sang in a song. I'm sure he will get excited to hear that he is part of a story this time when I read him a book at bedtime.

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Unconscious Mutterings #2

1. Arrival :: Coming
   


2. Vomit :: Puke
   


3. Fit :: Healthy
   


4. Stutter :: Stammer
   


5. Lifestream :: Breath
   


6. Tread :: Walk
   


7. Desire :: Want
   


8. Freezing :: Cold
   


9. Permit :: Allow
   


10. Crinkle :: Fold
    

Click the button above to see who else are playing.

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How My Week Went and More

I had a somewhat busy week, especially when I started working on my upcoming Anniversary Give-aways, I didn't realize it entails a lot of work, LOL. I'm a novice to this blog contest and give-away thingy but I tried it anyway. I'm happy to bring this big event to you, I hope you all stay tuned because there a lot of wonderful prizes lined up. The contest/give-away will start on January 25 until February 10. This is to celebrate my gratefulness for one great and wonderful year of blogging. By the way, I'm still looking for more sponsors.

Anyway, I haven't done any personal posts lately and there were quite a few happenings that are worth sharing about, in my opinion anyway ;-). You wouldn't like to hear what happend on Monday, because it's just my regular Manic Monday household chores day. I mostly do my chores on Monday, so that's a whole day event for moi (how exciting!), LOL.

I've lost my voice on Wednesday due to cold. Yeah, my dear friend Carlota even called only to let me go because she couldn't understand me talk ;-) it was really a struggle to talk. We just chatted on YM instead. What led to losing my voice you might ask? Well my throat was itchy and scratchy since Sunday night, and Monday it got worse. I was stuffy and congested. Then Tuesday, after coming back from Gymboree session and some errands, my son and I decided to go for a walk around the block. Lo and behold I didn't have the house keys in my pocket so we got locked out in a very cold weather that aggravated my condition. Good thing I've got my cellphone in my pocket. After an hour of no luck trying to contact my hb, I decided to call my gf Lea who was at work and luckily running an errand out. She was so nice to offer to pick us up and bring us to our other gf Josie's house. And after few hours of waiting (with free lunch, lol) hb finally arrived to take us home.

Wednesday, I also brought my unwilling son to a playdate. I took him away from his choo-choo trains to get ready for a 10:30 playdate and he was so uncooperative. If only he could tell mom that he was not in the mood to get out of the house and would rather just play at home, he would. Actually he was already telling mom based on his actions, ha ha ha. But mom didn't want to let her gf down since she prepared a lot of food for the playdate. Anyway, it was a struggle to dress him to get out and even harder to get him in his carseat. I had to bribe him with M&M's (which I don't usually do) just to get us going. But he enjoyed the playdate anyway, after seeing toys that he doesn't usually see.

Thursday, hb joined us to Gymboree to watch how our son do in his regular play session. He's always eager to know how our days went when he comes home from work, so now I gave him the actual show of how his son's day goes at Gymboree. This was just his second time to go there and watch. Our son was only on Level 3 when he first went there, now he's on Level 6. I sort of trained hb as well, so he would know what to do when I won't be able to take our son myself.

Friday, I had a dental appointment on a very brutal and bitter cold day. Worse, I've got my son with me. I must have frozen my bottom while strapping and taking him out of his carseat, brrrr. Good thing it was only a short walk from the parking to the clinic. When I had an ultrasound last week, my son just quietly sat in his stroller while munching on his snack. But this time it didn't work. Who would want to be strapped in a stoller after seeing lots of toys and art materials in the clinic's waiting area? So when my turn came, the very kind receptionist volunteered to watch him. And my son was in his very best behavior, yehey! I could just hear him looking for me once or twice, but when the receptionist told him that mom would come out soon, he would go back to playing.

Last night, I just couldn't keep my eyes wide enough not to fall asleep. So at 11pm (very early for my usual bedtime), I just decided to retire and take a much needed rest.

We don't have any plans for this weekend except to attend my bff Barb's daughter's birthday party on Sunday. I hope everybody is having a great Saturday.

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Unconscious Mutterings #1

1. Resolution :: Improve
   


2. Break :: Relax
   


3. Tied :: Busy
   


4. Suffering :: Pain
   


5. Instead :: Other
   


6. Slash :: Cut
   


7. Divorce :: Free
   


8. Cough :: Cold
   


9. Happy :: High
   


10. Sniffle :: Congested

I saw this meme at one of the blogs I always visit and drop EC's at, and I thought it would be fun to play it every week too. There are 10 words that will be given every week to each you will write the first word that comes to mind. Visit the site to see who's playing.

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Toy Hunt - Small Toys

This is a miniature Go Fish toy that I got in Cracker Barrel. You wind the knob and the pond rotates and you fish using the poles with magnet ends. This is a great tool to teach colors to kids. When he gets something he will scream, "Mommy I got fish." Then I will ask "What color did you get?". I thought it was harder to teach colors than shapes and picture recognition, my son still confuses green, blue and yellow. He knows orange, purple, red and pink.

This is an interesting meme that is being played every Saturday. If you want to join in the fun, please don't forget to visit JoyD of When Mom Talks by clicking the widget above.

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I Love Fresh Fruits

I'm almost done with the traditional twelve different kinds of fruits that I served during the New Year. Done meaning I almost ate everything already, lol. Hb is not very fond of eating fruits, he's allergic to citrus fruits actually. He eats fresh bananas and grapes once in a while and any other kind only when they're cooked. I remember when we went apple picking in the Fall, the farm also had varieties of trees like Apricot trees, plum trees, and pear trees we can also pick fruits from. He was just excited to pick them for us but didn't want to take a bite. I'm happy that my son is also fond of eating fresh fruits, he likes just about anything except fresh strawberries. I usually buy seasoned fruits in bulk and freeze them to make fruit shakes. I cannot live without fresh fruits.

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Mommy Moment #1 - Family Picture During the Holidays

Today's theme for Mommy Moments is a family picture taken during the last holiday season. This is one of our family pictures during the holidays taken on Christmas Day after church. It has become a family tradition for us to take a family picture on Christmas Day even while it was just hb and me.

This meme is played every Friday, and obviously this post is already late ;-), I want to thank bff Barb for mentioning it to me. if you want to join in the fun as well please visit Chris of Mommy Journey by clicking the badge above.

Next Week's Theme - January 16 :
First photo of your kid/s

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A Craft Corner

One of my goals for this year is to really get all my craft projects done. I have invested quite a bit already on tools and materials for scrapbooking and sewing and I just can't afford to waste them. I am setting up a craft corner in my study room so I ordered a craft cum sewing table online out of my blogging earnings. I used to craft in the formal dining table and when we expect company I have to pack everything up again. I have a lot of projects begging to be done and I want a permanet place where I can work without interference. I hope to be more productive with my new craft table. I can't wait to start.

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Happy New Year!

Joy, Peace, Prosperity and Success in 2009!

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