This guest post on How To Creatively Manage The Household Budget is brought to you by Hilary Smith. Every mother has heard these dreaded words, “I'm bored” from their kids during summer vacation and “stick to the budget” almost every day from either her spouse or herself. The first one is easy enough to solve with a new toy or a treat for a restless child, but that can make the second scenario even more agonizing. Balancing a budget often means going without those little extra treats, like … [Read more...]
Online Shopping with iprice, Cymplified!
How do you purchase the things that you need and want when you are a stay-at-home-mom with very young children, and it's very rare that you go out by yourself? And if you do, you limit your time so you could be home at the earliest chance possible? a. You ask your husband. b. You go online shopping. Most of the time I choose letter b. I do not want to inconvenience my hubby. ;-) I know that I said that I plan to own less and create more this year. In fact, I have already given away … [Read more...]
Lunchbox And Encouragement, Cymplified!
A few days before the school started for my eldest, I was nervous and almost panicking. I felt like I had forgotten something she would need. I was dreading the first day of classes, even more than Ella did. I guess it was because of the homework sessions up ahead. These are tests of my patience and my creativity in motivating her to do homework, and also to love learning. I didn't want to be the monster mom I was close to becoming whenever I do her assignments with her. Since she's having … [Read more...]
Meaningful Charm Bracelet, Cymplified!
I want to start collecting charms that describe me, tell my story, remind me of a special experience/milestone/event or something that makes me smile. I got this idea from @DaphneOP. I read the entry about charms from her site daphne.ph. I have not really started searching high and low (because I know I cannot afford the ones from Links of London), the idea was just floating in and out of my mind. Is there such a thing as a coincidence? It felt that way although I know that God directs every … [Read more...]
The First 365 Days Memory Keeper, Cymplified!
Being a mother, the desire to record each and every one of my child's milestones is a natural thing. But when life (read: feeding then burping the baby, sleepless nights, changing the diapers) gets in the way, updating the first yawn or the first sneeze in the baby book gets waylaid. Enters mommy guilt for forgetting such a significant event in my baby's life. Admittedly, if I wasn't gifted with a baby book for my first child, I wouldn't think of buying one until it was too … [Read more...]
Momme Planner, Cymplified!
This is my Momme Planner. I was giddy with excitement upon receiving it. I ordered it through my college block mate but my kind hubby paid for it. Yay! I chose the Exotic Platinum French Pochette because it's a limited edition, plus the shine and texture adds character. Lucky me, I got the last one. :-) I can imagine myself going out with my gal pals with just this and my iPhone. It would make a nice "clutch", right? Too bad my chubby Parker pen couldn't fit into the pen holder, so … [Read more...]
Labor Contractions, Cymplified!
Believe or not, I have never experienced (natural) contractions with my first two children while I was pregnant with them. Hence, I don't know what a contraction feels like. Really. Last Sunday was an activity-filled day for me. At 11 in the morning we attended a Thomas Train/Angry Birds- themed 1st birthday party. There were games, a host, a magic show - the works. Since Renaissance 3000 was near the party venue, we decided to drop by the Warehouse Sale part 2. Beth was also there and she … [Read more...]