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This is inevitably the hottest recorded summer in the Philippines -- in my lifetime! I feel like living inside an oven! Not to mention the frequent black out. *argh* I swear I don't mind being exiled to the north pole! But my girls have a realistic solution...dive into a pool!

We really were pleading the big boys to build a pool on our backyard -- a more permanent solution of the extreme Philippine heat during the summer. I'm guessing we'll get their heads up soon. But before that happens, we drove the kids to El Dorado Waterpark in Smallville complex.

Now that the girls have their share of fun, it's time for their tummy to start to have some fun too. And the solution was just a few steps away.

Janiz: Do I hear extra rice? Going once, twice...

(Girls readily raise their hands.)

Janiz: Now what's the plan?

Kiara: It's up to you.

Janiz: Go home?

Kiara: Cool us down with some ice cream please!

Janiz: OK. But finish your food first.

Kiara: No problem with that!

Family nights are made of these:

1. Binging/Eating

2. Singing/Grooving

3. Posing/Modeling

These are just some that make up what we call family nights.

Kiara and my cousin Shatella thought of going out wearing the same top. They love the idea of being twins, even just for the day.

Subsequently that day, we went to the Cheng twins first birthday party. They were so a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!!!

I love kids, and carnivals too. *sighs*

As an evidence on how my family loves the water, we went on an hour drive out of town in mid-December. We took advantage that the sun is not as hot as it is during summer.

We love that the place is still unknown to most, it makes us feel like it's our own private island.

This was really the perfect place for some R&R.

And apparently for some photo op too.

We were all in a survivor-mode, we cooked our own food and we took turns because everyone was really having fun cooking survivor-mode style.

My dad was the top chef for the day, while the little ones were taking on his orders.

This is a perfect pig-out scene, after the heavy meal, everyone tried to find their places to doze off.

After a short nap, everyone got up to hit the beach.

The kids were having fun with the underwater camera, they don't mind looking funny.

The highlight that day was when Kiara transformed into a "Sand Spa" owner.

Kiara: Welcome everyone to our Sand Spa. It's renowned around the world for it's great exfoliating wonders.

Daddy: Wow! Let me try your wonder Spa.

Kiara: Sure sir!

We were all laughing all so hard, Kiara was something else that day. Here's when my brother tried mocking my jolly daughter.

Jerard: World renowned?

Kiara: Yes sir, even Vicky Belo recommended it to her celebrity clients.

Jerard: Funny, I've never heard of your spa services before.

Kiara: We only cater to rich clients sir. So would you want to avail of our sand spa services sir?

Jerard: Do you have free trial?

Kiara: For you sir it's just free.

I swear I regret that I wasn't able to record the whole thing on video. It would have been something I would treasure, seeing my daughter's marketing skills at work.

My water baby. It must be the water that transformed her into something other than her usual self.

She got my genes for sure! Blood and water run through our veins.

It's a great family bonding time.

Everyone had a blast. We'll definitely be back.

Once upon a time I put the word "little" before their name. Now they're not qualified in the category anymore. It makes me sad how fast time flies and how they've grown at a blink of an eye.

Here are my girls sporting their Chucks just before movie night. *sigh*

I can't believe it's almost been 2 months! I feel life it's just been a couple of weeks.

If not for family, I'm not sure if I'll find myself home at any time. Every little moment spent with family is always an endearing memory.

It has been 9 years since mom left, but every holidays it always seems like she was just in a tour somewhere and that she'll be back soon. I give my dad credit for doing his best to raise our family. Thank you dad for giving us all the love that you can, eventhough sometimes there's nothing more to give.

The best thing about having kids around is their love for crazy ideas. I would like to think that the kids got the better of us. They made us jump around with these things, just for them to beat us in their own game.

Love, love, love from my family to yours.

After that flying edition the girls did, time for a style break.

By order of age again...Katya, all grown up now.

Top by Pomelo Lifestyle, shorts was a bazaar find, shoes by Tonic.

Kiara, my little girl giving the camera a time of day.

Top and shorts by KOB, gladiator sandals by Secret Garden.

Keanna, our big baby with a big sense of humor.

Top and shorts are bazaar finds.

For my daily sneeze on fashion, entertainment, etc. go to "www.sneezeniz.com"

Whenever my cousins are around, I'd be transported into my 10-year-old self. Being around kids have that effect on me, thus the youthful bliss.

Kiara to my cousins: "What shall we play?"

Katya: "Watch DVD?"

Keanna: "I want to play."

Me: "Let's fly!"

Kids: "Huh?!?"

I'd have to say that grown-ups sometimes have the silliest and wackiest ideas. The eldest gets to do it first, so Katya, my 12-year-old cousin led the way.

Next, my perky daughter was giggling non-stop at the corner while patiently waiting for her turn. Now baby, it's your turn to fly.

Last, my 8-year-old cousin Keanna Shatella's turn. I believe she had the best shots, coz she'd surprise us with her new moves.

All together now!

It was so much fun! I think their last shot was Marvel-comic-worthy...don't cha think?

For my daily sneeze on fashion, entertainment, etc. go to "www.sneezeniz.com"