Laptop Fights

I have to post this, before my daughters reprimand me again for using the laptop for a long time (read: long time as in more than 15 minutes).


First, there was Facebook, now babytv.com was discovered. I am officially left to do nothing but read a book or just take a nap or be a referee while they argue about who's going to do what or who's going to go first.


My desire to have my own laptop now is much more intense. How can you compete with their desire to learn the shapes, colors, numbers and letters or check if their pet is doing fine or their restaurant is clean? Emphasis on the word "their" it's as if they have their facebook account. And they are still 4 and 2.....what's next? It has become a daily routine for me and has come to accept the fact that this can get more often and the time when they won't bother me anymore is about to happen. I don't know if I should feel happy but the knowledge of my girls getting busy with these "gadgets" is scaring me sometimes. Am I introducing these things to them too early? How can I stop them from getting addicted to it? A lot of questions and only time can tell but for now I am happy that they allow me to watch them while they do what they do....even if it means waiting for my turn in using the laptop.

A Taste of Twilight

How would a mother react when your 4-year old daughter suddenly says, " Are they not going to kiss yet?" These were the words Amber uttered while watching a scene in the first of four-part Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I was of course, surprised and got a little worried because at her age she already knows when a girl and a boy should kiss. Not showing her my uneasiness, I just made it into a funny moment by asking her why she said that and if she wants to be kissed by a vampire. Then that moment turned into a lot of giggles and tickles. I was relieved, for now.


My girls' fascination with the movie started when they saw me and their 10-year old cousin, Phoenix so engrossed with the movie and the sight of a new creature that is a vampire made them ask me with a lot of questions along the way while partially covering their eyes with their hands or their blankets since we were watching at the bedroom. This wasn't their first exposure to adult movies because they also like Beowulf. Yes, they did watch this digitally enhanced version and they watched it two, three times already. My youngest, Ina even reminding me out of the blue about the bravery of Beowulf. Now, Twilight. I guess I have to contend myself with listening to their stories about the movie as if I wasn't with them when they watched it, for the next two to three weeks or maybe longer.


Watching movies like Twilight and Beowulf was a learning experience for me and my girls. I have to admit it is too early to introduce them to these kinds of movies but the important thing is I was with them when they watched it which I think is really important because I got to guide them, explain to them and do the censoring as well when the need arises. Although the Twilight experience made me realize how fast my Amber thinks or understands things or situations. I got scared and now has to think thrice before I decide to make them watch adult movies again. I am one of those mothers who worry about the idea that kids nowadays are more advanced in almost everything. I have no problem with my kids' fascination with the Iphone, mobile phones, PSP, Nintendo and my Facebook games/applications but the idea of being advanced in things other than being techie is something that I have to prepare myself with.

Hand-me-downs

"Nanay, this is Amber's shirt, " my little Ina said the other day. My smart daughter was referring to a shirt that still looks new but has been used by her big sister before and she was of course surprised when I was making her wear it. This has happened not only once or twice or thrice but several times to her and sometimes she doesn't need to ask why she's wearing Amber's old pants or shoes or dress because she knows that my answer would always be "it doesn't fit Amber anymore," she even beats me to saying it. My funny Ina.


This funny scene made me think of the hand-me-downs that I used to have. Of course when I talk about hand-me-downs I also refer to ukay-ukay or segunda-mano. I am the eldest and I only have one sister, although I remembered borrowing some of my sister Liezl's clothes before, I also remembered giving her some not on purpose but because she often uses it until I forget that it's mine or sometimes it's the other way around. I also remembered getting hand-me-downs from... surprise, surprise, my Mother, no less. Never mind the size, it's more of the comfort that her "pambahay" clothes gives me that matters. I use it inside the house only, of course.


I used to visit ukay-ukay stalls when I was single. I can say, I know how to choose and somehow all my purchases were worth the sweat, smell and dust that I have to endure. I can say I made all our old clothes to good use. We donated some of our clothes to Caritas Manila. They have boxes for this that are located in churches. There is that feeling that somehow we made some people happy.


Having two kids with only two years gap has its "perks." It saves money and energy. My daughters used the same stroller/car seat, wooden crib, high chair and of course, clothes and shoes. Sometimes when you have small kids one forgets that they grow so fast. When you only have one child, you tend to "overbuy." Of course, if you can't really help buying, it helps when you buy bigger sizes, like 2 or three times bigger. You're lucky if you have another child, the "guilt" that went with the crowded cabinet gives you a sigh of relief.


Before I decide to give my little girl her big sister's stuff, I have my own set of rules. I make sure it doesn't look old and its color is still okay or not "kupas." It should have no stains, lost buttons or holes in it. Most of Amber's clothes for going out are usually used for Ina's house clothes. The shoes should have no stains, marks or not overused. Luckily, most of Amber's old shoes were used only twice or thrice that it usually looks quite new. Not bad, not bad at all considering most of my girls' stuff are a little expensive. Saves us money, indeed.


Having hand-me-downs is not bad at all. My girls are not complaining and no one's talking except for the reminding from my Ina.