My elder daughter was hesitant to have me accompany her for this year’s school field trip. Oh kids nowadays! There is this slight hurt inside (she is growing up so fast) of course but I told her that I may allow her to go alone next school year’s field trip instead. Her close friends did not have companions, that is why she would like to try to be independent too. I understand her but she understood me too. I am but a worried mom who would like to spend time with her and so as ensure her safety everytime.

Our first destination was the “Mind Museum” at The Fort. The kids got to explore outside in the Science-in-the-Park ares and indoors too. Keanna even mentioned that this is such a cool place. There were other schools at that time so we somehow waited outside for our turn. Most kids, High School students, grabbed the opportunity to buy food from the Jollibee branch at The Canopy Plaza. Others, including us, took the time to play and enjoy outdoors.

The Mind Museum is a perfect place for young explorers to know more, and enjoy Science. Proudly a Filipino concept, The Mind Museum is a huge learning venue for young minds – for adults too! It was not just Keanna who enjoyed that exploration at The Mind Museum’s interactive exhibit – me too!

After our Science exploration, we head off to a fun and literally wet part of the trip – Splash Island Resort! Keanna and her friends enjoyed an afternoon dip at the resort’s pools. It was also at the resort where we were served our lunch meals. I took the time to somehow rest a little as I did not bother swim even if some other parents did. Glad I was able to recharge my netbook but unfortunately did not get the chance to go online for work as the place do not have free Wi-Fi. I wish they have it available like with Mind Museum. Some of the pools in Splash Island resort were not open the time we arrived. We have learned that each pool have their availability schedules. Even so, the kids still had a great time at the resort. It was a tiring but fun-filled and educational field trip.

At the end of the day, both Keanna and I did not regret that we were together for this memorable field trip. And, she might still change her mind for next year. Ha ha!

It was what? 17 years!

I still clearly remember how I scream in excitement every time Bal David scores way back when he was still playing basketball for Ginebra Kings. And he gets a crazier scream-jump–clap reaction from me too with his numerous buzzer beater shots and flash moves. Oh well, he is definitely my ultimate PBA crush.

It was last the week of November when we attended the baptism of David Christopher, a friend’s new baby. We were late for the baptismal itself so I decided to just head off the reception at Max’s, Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas with my girls. It has been a while since the last time we were at Robinsons so I really had to somehow let the kids enjoy that rare mall visit.

Right after the celebration, we walked out of the restaurant and heard a live interview as we were walking around Robinsons mall. Out of curiosity, I looked down (from the 5th flr) the ground floor where the voices came from. I saw a basketball player being interviewed wearing a White jersey. My elder daughter asked me who it was so we moved around the other side of the mall to check and it said – #1 DAVID!

Wow! I almost screamed out of excitement. So High school? LoL! I asked my daughters to move fast and we were at the ground floor, in line for the meet & greet in no time! Even if my elder daughter kept complaining that its embarrassing, it did not stop me. I handed him a box of my home made cupcakes. (The cupcakes were supposedly for a friend who didn’t make it to the gathering) I was definitely happy to have finally seen the basketball star Bal David. He is actually my ultimate PBA crush!

Off to a Bataan beach we go!

My family wasn’t able to join last year’s family outing so I made sure that we will make it this year. Cruz is my maiden name. We have a big clan and is still growing. Since I am an only child, I grew up with cousins to guide me as siblings. I can say that we have a tight relationship. We make it a point to gather and celebrate birthdays, feasts, summer and other types of celebrations.

My elder daughter was the most excited about this year’s trip to Morong especially when she learned it was a beach outing. I was excited too since I haven’t been to a beach for sometime now and I haven’t been to Bataan either. It was my toddler’s first time in a beach as well. We left the house as early as 5:30 AM and the bus arrived to pick us up past 6AM. We had about 3 hours of travel to get to Morong, Bataan. It was a smooth ride though both my kids threw up when we were almost there. Good thing I was ready for that- Mom scout?!

Ate Jenny and Ate LIza in front of the bus.

The entrance, Fort Morong

Music room

Fort Morong was said to be one of the best resorts there in Morong, Bataan. True to its word, they have a very nice facility. The music room was big which also has its own dining table, a bed and a sofa. Add a bathroom and small kitchen and you can already consider it a condo unit here in Manila. My cousins and the kids had a good time singing their hearts out.

My little miss roamed around the resort excitedly but cried and got really scared of the big waves at the beach. Our room was just few steps away from the beach itself.

My 32 months old daughter.

That is my elder daughter, K.

The sunset was totally breathtaking. I was only using an ordinary digital camera but I can say that I was able to capture the sunset’s beauty…did I? I had few more sunset shots. I just can’t get nearer the beach since my toddler would not allow me to.

Our family summer escapade this year was really a memorable one. My cousins, nieces and nephews paid an artist for Henna tattoo. K wanted one but I reminded her that she has a very sensitive skin and we do not know if there’s any negative reaction so she agreed not to have one instead. I was wanting to have a tattoo by my shoulders too but decided not to have so as K would not feel really sad and disappointed.

We will definitely go back to a beach, for another family summer outing. My cousins were teasing that each family should already save up because we’ll head to Boracay by next year. That would be awesome but I don’t think they were even serious about it. We enjoyed Morong, Bataan and this summer adventure will be a treasured one.

These photos were taken at a place in Batangas that they call Fantasy World. During my elder daughter’s first ever field trip, this is where we spent time and ate lunch.

Though the name itself sound fantastic indeed, there’s not much to do there but roam around, take pictures of the beautiful “castles”, and maybe enjoy a picnic with family and friends.

K enjoyed running around the area with her friends and classmates and gamely posed for Mommy. I remember she even said that she wants to live in a castle. Every girl’s dream, right?

This is one of the castles you’ll find there. I am sorry that these photos are so obvious to be old. LOL! One can only enter the ground floor as they have not allowed anyone on the other floors.

We were told by the tour guide that this place was once part of the “Fantaserye” in GMA7 – Encantadia (if I recall it right). K definitely had a short yet memorable stay at the Fantasy World. I am not sure though if this is still open for public until now.

There are a lot of people that head of the beach last Holy Week – it was a long weekend to be exact and was perfect for family bonding. I then remember our trip to a beach in Laiya, Batangas. We first visited Tagaytay and after having lunch, we started our travel to Laiya, also in Batangas.

My only daughter, then, had so much fun practicing her new learned skill – swimming! We enrolled her that summer in a swimming lesson and that day, she’s showed off! There were times that her Dad still had to guide her, though.

Though hubby was a little awkward riding this motor boat, it still showed he had a great time. He rented the boat from someone at the beach and checked out an island they called “Dulo”.  I guess it is because the island was about 10-15 minutes away from the beach.

This was at the other side of the island we visited and the water was so clear and inviting! We also saw some people snorkeling and feeding the fishes.  My friend Pia got to experience that since she’s a good swimmer.  This wasn’t my first visit in Batangas and will definitely not be the last. We didn’t get to go on an outing last year and most probably, we will not have any this year too. Time, budget and circumstances won’t allow it, I guess. In case we’ll get to have another beach trip next year, I’d suggest for us to go back to Batangas.

We have been to Club Manila East twice already and I guess we will never feel bore in this summer venue. Aside from being near the metro, Taytay Rizal to be exact, Club Manila East is really spacious. A summer getaway perfect especially to those who do not really want to bother travel for hours anymore.

CME Central then boasts six pools:  Kiddie Pool with waterfalls and fountains, Adult Pool with a giant 3-looped slide, the Lap Pool, the Shaded Pool, the Bean-shaped pool and the very unique Beach Waves pool. Plus they also have Boating area for kayaking, and the Buzzy River too. It has been a while since our last visit do I am not sure if there were any pool additions into this list.

Swim wear attire is required of course. They won’t allow for anyone to bring in food – there were plenty of food choices inside. I think I saw 2 Jollibee booths, Pizza Hut and Selecta too. We found a food store where you can place your order, leave your name and Cabana number and leave –  our food was delivered! We ordered sizzling Sisig and chicken. We also enjoyed servings of Green Mangoes and Bagoong.

We were there early before Club Manila East has opened that’s why the “dads” were able to get a good spot – a cabana right in front of one of the pools. It was yet another proof that the early bird catches the worm. There were so many excursionists that day.

We had fun kayaking. My daughter enjoyed it so much that she didn’t want to get off the kayak anymore. There were people lined up and waiting for their turn so, she really had to get up and let others enjoy too. She even exclaimed that she wants to spend another summer fun at Club Manila East  a week after our visit.

That summer was definitely a memorable and fun filled for each one of us. We are looking forward to have another summer getaway this year with our friends and who knows – it could be there again!

These photos were taken back 2007 (as seen in each of the photos, he he!) during my elder daughter’s school educational field trip. It was her very first school field trip to have attended and was really excited. Mommy here felt the same way too, for my daughter. It was a milestone to consider. Our first destination was Batangas. It was a long trip indeed especially for little kids in primary level but I can say that the trip was all worth it. The kids and the parents and companions all enjoyed the place – Batangas Farmland.

K and her friend Korinne posed in front of the info board after gladly reading what it says. K was then 4.5 years old and Korinne was almost 4, they can already read. There were many boards like this which served as an avenue for the nursery and kindergarten students to practice their reading skills. Their understanding relies from the parents and their teachers, of course.

Little K as she posed in front of the baby plants while our farmland guide gave info about the plants and the process on how they take care of them.

She exclaimed “wow they’re cute!” as we enter the section where eggplants were planted and taken cared of. The farmland itself is huge and has different sections for seeding veggies, trees and flowers.

This is my favorite photo of K as she gamely posed as if she is so eager to take a bite of the still Green tomatoes. I remember to have submitted this photo to online contests. Yes, I have a stage mom blood running in my veins. LOL!

She had a little difficulty catching up the butterfly but almost didn’t want to let go of it too. She’s learned that butterflies don’t live that long and it somehow made her a little sad and asked how a beautiful living creature can’t “stay alive” that long.

As I have mentioned, I consider our Batangas Farmland experience or the field trip itself a milestone for my daughter, not just because it is her first field trip ever but also got to see lots of things for the first time and experience things out of the ordinary. They saw different types of animals and learned what food they eat and how to take care of them properly. And, check out the photo above, she bravely held a healthy Earthworm! We wouldn’t let her do that at home, but knowing that particular Earthworm is not the dirty type, she volunteered. I know there’s fear in her but with the help of her class adviser, she faced her fear! All she said was ” it’s cold!”.

We visited other places in Batangas and I will definitely post photos and stories of the places we’ve been there. As for this particular place, it is highly recommended for educational field trips as students didn’t just enjoy sight-seeing and spending time with plants and animals but also went home packed with new information and an understanding of nature’s importance.