Family Photoshoot 2022: Panglao Island, Bohol

Family photos are souvenirs that immortalize special moments in life and remind us about milestones, travel and happy memories.  We look at a photo, remember that exact moment and smile heartily as if we actually feel what happened when that shot took place. 

However, taking family photos is challenging to do during a trip when you have running kid/s in tow, luggages full of family stuff and at the same time, exploring new territories around you. Even if you are an expert in taking selfies, the outcome doesn't always turn out well.

So during our recent family trip to Bohol, we looked for a professional photographer who can take our photos. We got some proposals, but we were very grateful to be referred to Boy Kuyaw Photography, who is a talented gem in Bohol.

Sharing with you some of our photos:

What we loved about Boy Kuyaw Photography:

• Directed the photoshoot - came up with a story and helped us in coming up with candid poses
• Always cheerful and not a single frown even if the shoot took hours
• Super cool and provided fresh ideas
• Very affordable and delivered more than required 

We arrived in Bohol after typhoon Odette. The locals, including our photographer, were affected by limitations in electricity and resources, but Boy Kuyaw Photography was able to overcome all challenges just to deliver. He even arrived wearing a rash guard, because according to him, most of his clothes were wiped out by the flood. It was a good opportunity for us to help them in our own little way by availing of their services.

With a little bit of planning, engaging with the photographer and just being yourselves, you too can have a memorable family photoshoot and the souvenir of a lifetime. 

Contact Info:

Venue: Henann Resort Alona Beach, Bohol

Photographer:  Boy Kuyaw Photography

3-Ingredient Avocado Ice Cream

It is the hottest season of the year and so we are craving for ice cream. Sharing with you how to make a 3-ingredient ice cream with avocados. Super good for all of us – healthy, not too much sugar and easy to make. You can prepare this in just a few minutes.
 

Thankful that there are available avocados even during ECQ

Here are the three ingredients that I use: 

1. Avocado – the star of the show! Avocados have a smooth and naturally creamy texture that makes it such a perfect candidate to throw in smoothies and even make into ice cream.  
2. Fresh Milk – you may use coconut or almond milk if you want if you prefer a low-calorie alternative
3. Condensed Milk – you may use stevia or honey as a healthier option

Because we are under Enhanced Community Quarantine, these are the only ingredients available in our kitchen. Others may prefer more cream (add Nestle Cream) or top it with almonds or nuts. One tip though, add lemon juice to prevent the avocados from turning brown.

The smooth and consistent mixture we need to achieve

Here are the steps:

1. Slice the avocado and put all the ingredients in a NutriBullet Blender. Adjust the proportions based on your preference. You may also use an ice cream maker to achieve the same texture or whip it up manually.
2. Blend all the ingredients together. Afterwards, it will look like a super thick vibrant green smoothie, and that is exactly what we’re looking for!
3. When the mixture is smooth and consistent, transfer it from the blender to a loaf pan, put a tightly-wrapped plastic or clean wrap on the ice cream’s surface to avoid discoloration and freeze for a minimum of four hours. I did mine overnight.

Afterwards, you’ve got homemade avocado ice cream! Enjoy this refreshing treat with your loved ones. Stay healthy and stay home.

It’s time for a little summer treat while staying home. #StayHomeSaveLives

Jewelry Containing My Preserved Breastmilk

Women tend to become sentimental the moment they experience pregnancy, giving birth, and overcoming the struggles of breastfeeding. These moments are worth celebrating and remembering. 

For most moms, there’s nothing that signifies motherhood more than breastfeeding. There’s no better feeling than cradling their little ones and looking into their eyes while they nurse. So aside from capturing a million photos of breastfeeding moments, how can moms capture this special point in their lives when they are the only ones that their babies need — and that they served as a 24/7 buffet for their babies? The answer: preserve it of course with breastmilk jewelry.

Breastmilk jewelry is personalized jewelry that gives moms an opportunity to turn their liquid gold into wearable keepsakes. 

My breastfeeding journey lasted for 3 years and 2 months (April 2015 to June 2018). This includes all the struggles and triumphs of nursing and pumping. The weaning stage was a bittersweet moment because back then, I knew that the day would come that it will all end.  Breastfeeding moments will be over. The day would come that I shall nurse no more.

To my surprise, my husband surprised me with a reminder of my breastfeeding journey. Knowing that I always have pumped milk in the freezer, he gave me a pendant that contains my preserved breastmilk. I have never been a jewelry lover, but with the sight of a breastfeeding keepsake, I was so happy. 

My breastfeeding keepsake is a pendant containing my preserved breastmilk.

This is what it looks like when worn.

The necklace pendant was made by Pumped With Love, a jewelry store that offer customized jewelry made of breastmilk, hair, cut nails, umbilical cord, baby tooth, and even cremation ashes. 

My son has stopped breastfeeding for more than a year already. But every time I wear my breastmilk jewelry, I still have the moments close to my heart.

Memorize Bible Books - Activity for Kids

In order to study the Bible, it is important to teach children the order of the Books of the Bible.  This activity one of the initial steps for kids to love the book, appreciate its content and eventually, cultivate love in their hearts.

With a little help, repetition and fun-filled activities, most preschool children can master this task. We used flash cards (downloadable from www.jw.org) to help our son memorize the books in the Hebrew Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi. These flash cards may also be used as a game to quiz family and friends for fun!

Sharing a video of our three-year old memorizing the Bible books.



To download free flash cards, click here. 

Enjoy learning with your little one!

Enjoying Singapore with A Toddler

During our visit to Singapore years ago, we didn't have any toddler in tow so we just enjoyed the island city-state as is. Now that we travel with a toddler, we just had 2 major travel destination in mind:

• Universal Studios
• Singapore Zoo 

Universal Studios in Singapore officially opened in March of 2010 and since then many new attractions and shows have been added. The park is divided into five different themed areas:  Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World and Madagascar. Although there is a lot to see and do, you can easily complete the entire park in just one day. Sharing with you the first part of our travel video.

Second itinerary is the Singapore Zoo. Unlike other zoos where animals are caged, Singapore zoo implements the award-winning "open-concept zoo". We saw the animals roaming freely in their habitats, even the wild ones. Being able to get up close and personal with these creatures, we appreciated more the wonders of creation. 

Sharing the second part of our Singapore family trip video, featuring Singapore Zoo.

Here are some tips for families who want to take their kids to these two Singapore attractions:

1. Allot a whole day for each attraction. Catch a scheduled show (the times change daily, so make sure you get a schedule when you enter the park).  

2. Bring water and extra clothes - there will be spots where you can get wet.

3. Getting around is relatively easy.  There’s a convenient train system (MRT) or you can take taxis/ Grab rides. Family Grab rides offer car seat for children. Our Grab ride offered a booster seat, gave away lollipops and offered cartoons to keep kids comfortable. The driver even gave our son a souvenir.

Enjoy Singapura! :)