EASY DESSERT KIDS CAN MAKE

I'm still fond of playing the claw machine at the arcade.  I still want to write something about it esp. after winning 10 toys the past week. But 2 posts are enough for now.  This time, I want to share a simple activity that kids will enjoy doing.

Everybody loves to eat.  And sometimes, eating is as fun as the cooking part.  Since summer vacation is about to end, why don't we make the kids prepare an easy dessert  for us?  I made this easy recipe even easier with the step-by-step guide.  It's literally as easy as 123, so they say:

1. mix 2 cups of desiccated coconut and 1 small can condensed milk until fully incorporated

2. put a spoonful of the mixture into small paper mold

3. bake at 350F for 10 minutes or until golden brown (or you may use an oven toaster for 7    minutes

It's simple, it's fun, it's delicious :D. 

My tips on winning at the Claw Machine (My latest adventure)

Last May 12, I wrote something about my Claw Machine experiences.  Since I find it the perfect way to past time while with my son at the Arcade, I might as well enjoy myself.  Four days after writing the blog, we went to SM Mall and spent the day at the World of Fun.  Here are what we got  at the Claw Machine: Fumeshroom from Plants vs Zombies Game, RJ from Over the Hedge Movie, 2 Monkeys we named Strawberry Monkey and Pineapple Monkey obviously because of what they wear :D.

The first one that we got was RJ. I asked my son to play so I can take a video from my cell phone.  Luckily, I was able to capture a video of him successfully catching RJ on his third attempt. 

How did we got them?

1.  First, I spent some time watching how the toys were placed:   are they loosely packed?… is there any special toy strategically on top and no part is underneath the others?... is there any part of the toy that the claw can grip without slipping?  If the answer to these questions is yes, then you have a better chance of winning. (see the video of RJ)

2. Second, I waited for others to play to observe how tight the claw will grip the toy.   If the toy keeps on falling, then it is not yet the right time to play but instead wait a while. Sometimes, the key is the perfect timing.

3. In the case of the monkeys, one of them was placed very near the drop box.  Instead of positioning the claw exactly above the monkey, I placed it at the right side of the monkey so that the claw won’t grip but instead pushed the monkey to the left so it will fall directly into the drop box.  Clever, isn’t it?  But this strategy is not applicable to any toy near the box.  You also have to study the position very carefully.

4.  Fumeshroom is a little bit harder to get because it doesn’t have any arms or legs.  It kept on slipping , until I was able to make the perfect grip after several attempts. Unfortunately, I cannot play and capture a video at the same time. So I just took the picture instead.

You don’t have to spend so much to win in this game. 

Spend less but enjoy more!

:D

MY CLAW MACHINE EXPERIENCES

A person doesn’t have to be young or adult to enjoy life and have some  fun in places like World of  Fun, Tom's World, Funhaus , Timezone and the like.  A  few months back, I felt obligated to go with my son until I tried this machine called toy catcher or claw machine.  I never realized it can be addictingly fun for adults as well.

Claw Machine Winnings 

I started playing last January 2012 and we  already have 18 stuff toys … and still counting :D. 

Here are some tips on how to win…..

1.     Watch before you play.  Observe how strong or weak  the claw grips.  It may take a while but do not play yet while the grip is still weak.

2.     Sometimes, the claw rotates a little before grabbing the toy.  It’s better to also check the sides of the machine to get a better view of the target. 

3.     Don’t play when the toys are arranged so tightly.  Consider a target which is not tucked under another toy that will make it easier to pull apart.

There are so many stuffed toys available for sale everywhere.  But the excitement of winning in a simple game like this is much, much better than just buying from the store.  

ANALYZE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR HANDWRITING

Do you know that your handwriting 

can tell something about yourself?  

You may not find everything to fit 

your  personality perfectly 

because our handwriting differs depending 

on our mood and emotions and impulses

Try to figure out  if some of them 

may be true about yourself.  

Just for fun.

Get something that you have written in the past. 

Maybe several samples that have been written 

with consistent strokes. 

I have simplified the following to make it easier for us 

to analyze our own handwriting.

Let’s take a look at the letter T

a letter T with a cross bar at the left of the stem shows hesitation

a letter T with a cross bar at the right of the stem shows initiative

  a high cross T shows strong will   

 a low cross T shows a person who tends to submit to others

a cross bar that lies above the stem 

is an indication of leadership qualities and intelligence.        

But sometimes, it means a dominating and demanding person

a halfway up cross bar is means calmness and thoughtfulness

So how does your letter T looks like?

Next, the letter I.....................

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FENG SUI?

Sometimes I’d like to listen to what my Feng Sui may be about but sometimes for some reasons I’d rather not. Maybe because I only like to hear good things but is afraid of the opposite, maybe because I don’t see the relationship of certain objects being placed at a certain location to my life and decisions.

Filipinos have our own traditions that we follow and believe in. These, we commonly called “pamahiin’ ,  is being forgotten and is being replaced by this Chinese tradition.

PAMAHIIN, OUT?.....FENG SUI, IN?

We believe when the Feng Sui experts say that their Tikoy makes the members of the family stick to one another because tikoy is STICKY?  (hmmmm…). They say that pancit during birthdays makes us live longer because it’s LONG? (….maybe it’s better off to say it contains vegetables which is good for the body J ).

To each his own, I’m cool with that.

But  with or without these pamahiin and feng sui, what important is that our FAITH is still for the ONE who makes everything possible for us. God bless everybody :)

                                                                   

I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.

Say thank you!
Feel lucky!
Count your blessings this 2012!

Let's  look around us and we'll see so many things that we should be thankful for.

Ask yourself  when was the last time you appreciate.....

         a glass of water?................... only when you are so thirsty
         your nice, warm bed?  ....... ..only after a day of hard work
         one-peso coin?.....................only when you don't have a single text left
         a blanket?...............................only on a cold, december night

         and a pair of shoes?................

Because these things are there within our reach, we usually take them for granted.

Let's stop whining and complaining and asking for everything.
We have to realize that we own so many while others have nothing.

So the next time you look at your feet with your old shoes, smile and say "I am blessed and I should be thankful".        
       

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE

luigi

We decorated our Christmas tree last November.  This has been our tree for the past 12 years, that's why even though it's just 5 feet tall,  I cannot just replace it with newer style and bigger one because of the sentimental value that goes with it.

supermario

This year, I made fun with my son and put one of his present favorite toys on our christmas tree and I liked what I saw.  So I got more of his small plush toys and came up with this lovely concept of a christmas tree.



Anyway, the season of Christmas is really for kids.  So I know that every kid, not only my son  will be happy to look at our christmas tree.

raichu

But do you know why this is the most beautiful christmas tree for me?  Because our family decorated it with love and laughter.  It's a tradition that we do every year together and will still do for many, many, many years to come.

green bird

red bird

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

snoopy

You’re Invited!

It’s going to be somebody’’s birthday party and everyone who matters is invited.  Because you matter, you are in the list.  Isn’t that cool?                                                                      

    When will be the party? On Decemer 25

IT'S JESUS'S BIRTHDAY!

                      

Come and attend the most important party of the year.    

  

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

       

Christmas is the season of hope, of love and of thanksgiving. For adults, it’s the season of gift-giving. And for kids, it’s of course the season of gift-receiving. Every grown- up individual has memories of Christmas as a kid.


The excitement and happiness of a child upon receiving a gift is more precious than the cost of the gift itself.


If you will be a child once again, what will you wish for Christmas?

FOR GIRLS:

1. DOLLS – Lala Loopsy, Barbie and Bratz?

Lala loopsy dolls


Each doll has poseable head, arms and legs and has her own unque personality. Lots of little girls are going crazy over these charming dolls.

Barbi Dolls


Dolls have always been every little girl’s bestfriend. And who wouldn’t want to own a collection of Barbie dolls line from Mattel? These beautiful dolls come in beautiful dresses and accessories. I love these dolls!


                                      

Bratz dolls


The five Bratz dolls are known for their spunky attitudes and clothing

2. CHARACTER STUFF TOYS – Angry birds, Supermario, Snoopy?

Angry birds


So cute! Who doesn’t know and like these cute fellows? There are so many angry birds and naughty little pigs to choose from. I wonder where to buy the eggs for a change?



















Supermario Bros


Mario and Lugi tandem fights to save the captured princess at the castle. Classic and bring back memories.

Snoopy


Snoopy is a classic cartoon character we've known and loved. His character is that of a dog who pretends he's a human.

3. DOLLHOUSE?

Perfect house for the perfect doll.

4. TOY PETS– littlest pet shop, my little pony

my little pony

littlest pet shop

5. – OTHER COLLECTIBLE CHARACTERS - Hello Kitty, My Melody, Piny Pon

FOR BOYS:

1. REMOTE-CONTROLLED TOYS

2. LEGO

3. CARS! CARS! CARS!

HOTWHEELS

VS

MATCHBOX

4. COLLECTIBLE ACTION FIGURES

5. TRANSFORMERS

MY 5 PERSONAL FAVORITE TRANSFORMERS CHARACTERS

Transformers has been on television since the early 80’s. It’s popularity among the new generation may have started when the launching of the Transformers toy line was made by one of the biggest toy distributors  Hasbro.

My Son's Transformers collection

On 2010, my son bought his first original Transformers at Duty Free Phils.  He started collecting since then and at present, after only a year, he has 18 original Transformers of different sizes. 

I learned from him that there are so many characters…. from the TV series Transformers Armada, Transformers Animated,  to the Marvel Comics of the same name to the very popular Transformers movies and the Transformers PSP, Nintendo and online games.  From  among them, I chose my 5 personal favorites.   

5. Jetfire
Jetfire has the ability to powerlink with the more popular Optimus Prime, 
becoming Jet Optimus.  Together, they create a very strong Autobot.

            The picture below is a version from Transformers 2 Revenge of the Fallen.  

His character in this movie is old and clumsy but I find him adorable.  

His jet mode is so huge.

           

4. Autobot Wheelie 

He is a relatively small  and young Transformers. 

His endurance is not as great as the others, 

but his intelligence and sheer determination  often makes him fight fearlessly 

even against the most hopeless situation.        

  

3. Megatron
The leader of the Decepticons (the bad guys). 

After his near total destruction by the allspark, he returned in Transformers 3. 

Nothing can stop him from destroying the autobots completely especially its leader Optimus Prime.  

He is smart and powerful enough to present a real threat to earth.

This is the toy version of Megatron  from the Movie Transformers 3 Dark of the Moon. 

            

2. Bumblebee
A Chevrolet Camaro in vehicle mode. 
He decided to upgrade as many of his systems as he could and made his weapons accessible.  
Now, when the decepticons come around, he’ll be ready.

           

1. Optimus Prime
Supreme Commander of the Autobots (the good guys).  

He has been a warrior so long that his body has become a huge arsenal of powerful weapons.  Among the most powerful are his energy swords.  They are sharp enough to cut through any decepticon armor.  He  is a trailer in vehicle mode. 

 Feel free to agree or disagree with my list.