Exactly how does one achieve a stress-free life?  That is one question not everyone could answer– because as long as we are alive, we are always prone to get stressed out.

If you have been beating deadlines and so sick of this rat race to promotion and building up your career trying to please everyone, that’s not easy.  This is why it’s best to unwind and take a break, go someplace else for a vacation at least once every quarter.  But of course we know that this would not be possible for many people, so to bring custom stress relievers  to work might do the trick.

Speaking of which, would you believe that these stress balls have so many designs now?  I think it’s a clever idea!  Like this one:  a stress ball shaped into a cake!  Just by looking at it, I guess I could smile, thereby lessening my stress level.  Others unique designs are : carrots and many other vegetables, sports equipment, ice cream, and even cheese.

This kept me thinking, though… I think people who are stressed would love to use this but maybe they would be hungry and eat their hearts out to get rid of what they feel!

Now that’s another story.  Well, I guess eating out is also one way to get rid of stress, too, don’t you think?

Actually, writing this post just made me so hungry! LOL!

 

 

[ Tagged In ] stress balls

I have been to many kiddie parties before and being a mom of two,  have hosted them myself.  But the most recent children’s party that we’ve  been to is by far the most enjoyable and fulfilling for my kids.  Let me tell you why.

First, I would like to thank my blogger friend Cheerful for inviting us to her son’s birthday last week.  She lives in the downtown area and it would take us at least an hour to get there, but since the kids don’t get to attend parties here as much as they do in the Philippines, we decided to go.

We were an hour late because aside from traffic, we got lost  But I won’t tell you the details of that– long story short, we arrived Che’s place and by then the kids were already enjoying themselves.  We found out that they were supposed to do certain tasks to complete “an Astronaut’s Training Course.”

The kids had six tasks:

Level 0:  Shuttle Orientation

Level 1:  Rocket Launch

Level 2:  Shuttle Repair

I was so happy about Roi because usually he would be so impatient when it comes to accomplishing a task that would involve tiny details, but he did not complain.  He was determined to finish everything– just like a good astronaut would!

Level 3:  Collect Moon Rocks

Level 4:  Tranquilize Aliens

Level 5:  Anti-Gravity Balance

Ria had one of these, too except that she was not able to participate in all the activities.  She was a lot older than the kids who attended the party and only did two of the main tasks, but she enjoyed the party as much as Roi did.

 

Here are some helpful tips that I learned when holding a kiddie party:

 

1.  Have a theme and stick to it.  In CJ’s, it was about rockets and astronauts.  It is helpful to have a theme because you won’t have a hard time finding decorations as everything would evolve around the theme you’ve chosen.  Look for games and toys that would go with the theme as well.

2. Have a set of “tasks”  to be accomplished by the party-goers.  I have never seen Roi so determined to finish something.  Also, I have seen him get bored in parties but not to this one.  He was so focused on finishing the tasks and was excited about the rewards as well.  Having a set of tasks would also teach kids the value of teamwork and being a good sport.

So we went home from that party happy and yes, the little astronaut felt that sense of accomplishment.  It was not easy for him, but it was all worth it, I can tell!

Shared for:  KIDS IN DOODLES and BLOG PHOTO CHALLENGE

[ Tagged In ] activities for kids' parties, Party tips, themed parties

Ria is really doing well in her violin class.  Roi seems to be bored with his drum lessons, so we are not quite sure if he has to be enrolled for another term.  He has always been fascinated by drums as a child, so we thought he was going to enjoy this course.  Maybe he is too young to decide what musical instrument he really wants to play.

After two months of learning drums, he now claims guitar would have been his first choice. Oh, well.  His drum lessons are already paid for so I guess he has to finish it.

For guitar, I guess hubby can teach him at home and we don’t have to hire a teacher. I wonder if he would be interested in learning Hofner Bass? The bass is one instrument that I am so keen in learning when I was younger but no one was really patient enough to teach me.

I hope Roi would grow to love this instrument, as well. Which reminds me, I still have not have posted photos of Roi playing the drums when I secretly sneaked into the room with his teacher and took photos! Yes, I am a certified paparazzi mom!  :)

 

[ Tagged In ] hofner bass, music