Thomas At Mirdif City Centre

My boys are huge fans of Thomas and friends. Lately Kaden has outgrew his Thomas addiction and moved on to Bakugans and Power Rangers so he passed on his train collection to his younger brother Carlos, who is now the Thomas addict.

For Dubai Summer Surprise, they had this little Thomas presentation at Mirdif City Centre, so I took my boys. My little Carlos was beyond shocked at the sight of Thomas and Sir Topham Hat that he froze in his stroller seat. I had to carry his little stiffened body over to a higher place so he could get a better view. 

See his arm? It's been suspended in the air like that since he saw Thomas.

We didn't go close to the stage because I don't want to bring the three kids to tight places when I'm all by myself. The distance didn't bother them at all, they still enjoyed the show even from afar. 

The pictures and poor quality because they are just from my phone camera but Carlos loves the poor quality video we took of the show. He watched it 20x when we got home and each time he was just as excited as the last. I regret not bringing my camera that day. 

Little Amber was fast asleep in the stroller and missed the whole show. Bob The Builder is at the Mall of Emirates but it's too far for me to take the kids, I wish my husband were here so we can take them all together.

Some Things I Wanted To Blog About But Never Had Time To

He was writing this while I was yelling at him to finish his food. :)

and this

Motherhood really is love, and so much more. ♥

Kaden, My Little Bookworm.

My five year old is starting to develop a keen interest in reading beginner books, which of course delights me because once upon a time I was a big [pocket] bookworm myself.

I can never forget the book that ignited my interest in reading. I started in third grade, much later than Kaden.  I was introduced to Sweet Valley Kids , by Owesa, a classmate of mine who transferred schools the next year. We were not close friends but because of this, I never really forgot about her. :) 

The Twins Go to Hospital (Sweet Valley Kids) 

This is the first Sweet Valley I ever read.

One book and I was hooked! I started my Sweet Valley Kids Collection the very next day. I saved up my allowance; scrimped on canteen food; bypassed street vendor mangga with bagoong, taho, and my favorite scramble; just so I can get a new book or two every week. From there, I collected Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High, and Sweet Valley University! I remember how excited I got when they had a Sweet Valley High series which ran for like three seasons but  then it got canceled due to low ratings. 

I also remember reading my those dusty, antique, hardbound Nancy Drew books at my Lola's house, as well as Sweet Dreams, Love Story and Archie comic books. But then by the time I was in high school I started finding these books boring. I wasn't too fond of my mom's romantic novels so when my Uncle Jong introduced me to books written by Sidney Sheldon, James Patterson, John Grisham & Mary Higgins Clark, I couldn't put them down! Of course, I do like reading my mom's nakakakilig na Judith McNaught novels, as well as an occasional Danielle Steel but that's mostly as far as I go when it comes to romantic novels.

But I digress. I am actually very supportive of Kaden's new interest. I used to read stories to him every night before going to bed. He has shown a keen interest in reading by the time he was three by reciting the stories of his favorite books. Back then it was Three Little Pigs (Little Golden Book), Walt Disney's Peter Pan (Little Golden Book) and Guess How Much I Love You. By the age 4, he showed readiness for reading so while I was in Carteret preparing for little Amber's debut, my mom enrolled him in Kumon for three months. That's how long took for him to master reading and he now likes to read on his own.

Kaden in the earlier days of collecting

He started with one Thomas & Friends book which he tremendously enjoyed when I read to him that he ended up reading it by himself the next time around.

It started with me reading him stories before bedtime, then we started alternating pages to read, until he finally read the stories on his own. I'd encourage him to read out loud so I can tell if he is reading them right and I can easily help him with words he is struggling with. It's also an added motivation when I tell him his brothers and sisters are "listening" to him.

Out of 65 on this collection, his Mama (my mom) bought him 20 of them and his Ninang Jen bought him another 20, he bought the all the others from his "allowance" and now he finally has them all.

Kaden likes reading to his baby brother.

and his baby sister.

Kaden very proud of his collection.

Recently he's had a new found interest in Dr. Seuss books and I'm encouraging him to collect them. They are very fun to read for kids his age!

He only has two so far. But he loves them!

I just hope that Kaden will keep his interest in books even though he is addicted to video games (DSI!) and tv shows (bakugan & power rangers!). When I was younger, I always found guys who actually read for leisure very appealing. Actually, I still do. ;) I shall teach my sons that these days being a bit nerdy is pogi points.

Happy 5th Birthday Kaden! :)

Kids. They grow up so fast. I can't believe it's already been five years since my firstborn came into my life and turned it upside down.. for the better best of course! :) Being a mother has brought so much joy to my heart. I never imagined how motherhood can make one person feel so blessed until I became Kaden's mom.

I've been looking at old pictures and reminiscing earlier this afternoon. Here are pictures of Kaden before he turned 1. I really miss his long hair, which we shaved the day his birthday. This little boy was mommy's great source of strength. 

Kaden's first birthday at Patio Palmeras. He was just learning how to walk. 

Pictures of one-year-old Kaden until he turned two. This is the year he became one of the most talkative  little boys you will ever meet, and he still is. He has been a great inspiration to me and because of him I made a few of the best decisions in my life. 

Kaden's second birthday party was in Jollibee, since he adored going to Jollibee and was a huge Barney fan. 

Two-year-old Kaden until he turned three. This is the year he started going to Toddler school. 

Kaden's third birthday party in school. My mom took care of everything since I was pregnant and recuperating from an operation. The Jollibee mascot made an appearance in his classroom.

Pictures of three-year-old Kaden until he turns four. 

This was the year Kaden stopped being the baby of our family, and he became the proudest Kuya in the whole world when his baby brother was born.

This was also the year he learned how to write and spell a few words that were important to him.

Kaden's fourth birthday party at Lantaka. He had a spiderman cake because spidey was his favorite superhero at the time. 

Pictures of four-year-old Kaden until he turned five. Sometimes when I talk to him, I forget that he's still a kid. :) In the six months we spent in Dubai, Kaden was really a great help to me. He likes to call himself mommy's handy helper, and he really is. 

This year, I'm so sad to be missing his birthday. :( Good thing my mom is there to make preparations. He had a little celebration with his classmates at Mcdonald's, and yes he is into Ben 10 now... among others.

I really miss Kaden being a baby. :( He grew up so fast right before my eyes. We really should cherish every moment with our kids. Sometimes I find it funny that as parents we try to teach them what we can, but there are moments when we end up learning from them instead.

Happy Birthday, my love! 

Mommy loves you very very much and is missing you everyday. There is still so much ahead of you and I want you to know that mommy & daddy are doing their very best to always be there for you as you grow up. Always know that we only want what's best for you and we are only here to guide you and support you as you start your journey into finding yourself. 

At this point I can see how competitive you are becoming sweetie, and I want you to remember that life is not a competition but rather, a journey, so just let yourself learn from it and enjoy every minute. Also it's okay to make mistakes as long as you make sure that you are learning from them. 


Love deeply, get hurt but don't hold grudges. Treat others the way you want to be treated, and respect them the way you want to be respected. Life will be hard at times but never forget to turn to the most important person in your life and don't only remember Him in times of sorrow and grief. Recognize that all your blessings are from Him and never fail to thank Him everyday for them. Cherish life, appreciate the simple things and if possible never lose your sense of wonder.

Even though I feel that you've already grown so much, you're only five and you still have so much growing to do. Don't rush sweetie, because mommy & daddy aren't getting any younger and we might not be able to catch up with you. 

Even when you're all grown up and you'll be a man someday, you'll always be my sweet little boy. :)