Parenting a Tween and Dinner for Two

In just a few weeks, I will be a mom to a tween.  Imagine that!  Just like any growing girl, J is stuck in that awkward phase of too young to be a lady, but to old to be a baby.  

 Suddenly, her friends have taken a more important part in her world.  Just over the summer break, she had been constantly asking permission to go out with her swimming team-mates for movie dates and nail-spas - with an increasing frequency that is sometimes too much for comfort, prompting her dad to tease her to not grow up too fast.  Add to that, she has also recently gotten an invitation from a classmate for her first sleep-over party, which has caused me to pause several times mid-day as I ponder on the wisdom of allowing her.

Now, more than ever, I need to be a big, constant, and primary presence in her life.  She is straddling the fence of adulthood and childhood, and I want to be able to show her my support and offer a much needed balance as she goes through that transition.  So while I support her increasing participation in wholesome social activities, I also make sure that I am closely standing-by to rein her back in should she suddenly have the need to be protected physically and emotionally.  

I realize that the relationship I encourage and nurture now will lead to a more open and trusting relationship in the future.  I am a firm believer that there is no quality if there is no quantity.  Our kids will only allow us to influence them if we spend a lot of time with them.  The closer the relationship, the greater impact we will have on them.

Before I end this post, let me extend an invitation for you to drop by Dainty Mom's blog. Martine has an ongoing promo for a Dinner for Two at Chef Tatung.   Her contest ends 11:59PM on June 19, 2011.  You still have time to join.

As for me, I am joining and keeping my fingers crossed for this would be another good opportunity to take my eldest daughter on a girl-bonding/dinner date. 

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Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay

School has just started, and yet here I am looking forward already to the next long weekend.  One of our favorite places to visit during long weekends is Tagaytay.  Surely you can understand why when its proximity and cool weather makes it the obvious choice for a quick retreat.  (You can read our Tagaytay adventures here.)

Still on Tagaytay and long weekends, Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay offers a Book One Night and get the second night for only P1.00!  

*All photos are from the press kit of Hotel Kimberly - Tagaytay

The lobby is spacious and airy.

 
The hotel has a beautifully landscaped exterior and the wading pool is just the right size.

The rooms are immaculately clean and well-appointed.

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Hurry and Book! The promo runs the whole month of June.

Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay
Amadeo Road, Brgy Kaybagal, 

Tagaytay City, Philippines

+63 46 483 8888  http://www.hotelkimberly.com/

Like Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay on Facebook\

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Have You Caught The "Pinterest" Bug?

I have just discovered the newest thing to love on the Net – PINTEREST.  Pinterest is simply the most addicting thing there is for people like me who love to hoard ideas and inspirations. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love. Gone are the days when I have to carefully cut out magazine clippings and keep them in my clearbook; no longer do I have to save files and images to my digital inspiration album on my desktop.  All I do now is just click on the "Pin It" button on my desktop and the computer automatically saves it to my Pinterest board.

Pinterest is the most amazing moodboard for curating and showcasing the things that you love and are in endless awe of.  I use Pinterest to keep track of design ideas for my home, for organization tips to make everything tidy, for some fresh kiddie party ideas, for cutesy baked goods packaging, for style tips and tricks.  This magical place on the Net allows me to keep all of that delightful inspiration in one blissful place on different boards.

One more thing that is so good about Pinterest is that is automatically tags the website of all the images I have pinned; this way I can always refer back to the source of the image for the full article.  Now when I look at all my boards and across all the images that I have “pinned”  I have the option to go back to the original location.

Have I convinced you enough of its merit?  Consider it a warning when I say it is addicting!  Head on over and request for an invite.   It takes a while to get an email confirming your invitation, but once you do be prepared to spend the whole day "pinning".  

Should you encounter any problem getting invited, simply post a message and I'll gladly send you an invite.

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