Fish Steak ala Pobre

Description:
Found these fish (Laya) in the grocery that looked good to eat. I thought of making Fish Tinola but found out too late that I forgot to buy vegetables (pechay) for the soupy dish. I decided to just marinate it and fry it instead. Turned out quite well! Raya loved it and even had seconds that evening. On leftover day (a few days after), the three girls had it again and it actually tasted yummier. :D

Ingredients:
1/4 cup calamansi juice
soy sauce
worcestershire sauce
knorr seasoning
garlic (minced)
butter
olive oil

Directions:
1. Marinate the fish with calamansi juice, little soy sauce, some worcestershire sauce and knorr seasoning.
2. When time to cook the fish, heat butter and olive oil in pan.
3. Fry the garlic until brown. This is tricky. When the garlic turns a little brown already, start removing them or you might burn the garlic.
4. In the same pan, fry the fish being careful not to overcook. About 2-3 minutes per side only. Remove from pan.
5. Place marinade in pan and let boil for a minute or two. Pour sauce over the fish and sprinkle garlic on top.
6. Serve hot!

Model in the Making

Alyssa was dressed up and all ready to go when she started posing. She loved her outfit, little fashionista that she is. Couldn't resist taking these photos of her. She's so adorable!

Playing in the rain on Father's Day

We had a full day during Father's day. Our ever reliable yaya asked for a day off because it was her birthday the day before. How could we say no when she seldom even goes out? So it was really truly a family day for us. We started off with breakfast at McDonald's. We would have gone to some place fancier but the kids were hungry (I think Mier was too) and McDo was an instant food supplier.

After breakfast, I wanted to buy some stuff at Gaisano City (Speedo cycling shorts for only P50! And some Girl Scout paraphernalia for Raya) so off we trooped to our favorite bargain mall. Mier found some Lego plates which he has been looking for and a big Lego ship all at a bargain. He also got the girls those new Toy Story 3 toys, which the girls were so thrilled about.

Then off we went to my parent's place for lunch. We ordered a leg of lechon baka and potato salad for a yummy lunch with everyone. We were just sooo full! Sorry, no pictures for that scrumptious meal. Hahaha!

When we got home, it suddenly poured! Mier asked the girls if they wanted to play in the rain and they were just really enthusiastic. It was a good day to spend with family. I think Mier enjoyed it just as well.

Shrimp Dampa

Description:
Had a kilo of shrimp in the freezer and wanted to try something new. Found this recipe and tried it. Turned out pretty well although I plan to tweak it a little more the next time I cook it. :D

Ingredients:
1 kg medium-sized shrimps
2 tbsp calamansi juice
4 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 cup chili Sauce (I omitted this because I didn't have any in the pantry)
5 tbsp oyster Sauce
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup sliced leeks

Directions:
1. Combine shrimps, calamansi juice, chili sauce, oyster sayce, garlic, minced and butter and 1/4 cup of leeks. Bring to boil.
2. Lower heat and simmer until shrimps turn orange in color.
3. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup of leeks before serving.

Books to Read

Found these books in Booksale last night when Mier and I went around. I knew right away that Nadine would love the stories of these young princesses. I bought the ones of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Isabel of Spain and Queen Cleopatra. Nadine finished reading them in one morning and was so enthusiastic about their stories. She said she'll try to find more of these books when we go to SM.

I love it that she enjoys reading as much as I do. I've always been fascinated with stories on history and mythology and I'm so pleased that Nadine is discovering a whole new world in books.

I am trying to encourage Raya to start reading too. She can read already but doesn't have the patience for it. She sight reads instead of reading the words and so she sometimes gets the words mixed up. But she loves books just as well; just different kinds of books. She enjoys the ones with lots of pictures in it.

Raya actually has a collection of I Spy books from Scholastic and she loves looking for these stuff in the books. Was able to find another one to add to her collection.

I love Booksale! They make reading so much affordable!

Trying Out Big School

I finally made Alyssa try out big school today. I talked to the school registrar and was planning to have her sit in for five days next week. But yesterday, I got a set of preschool uniforms from a friend which were actually her size. I had them washed and asked Alyssa to fit them just to see. The uniforms fit perfectly!

Alyssa was so excited that she insisted on going to school the next day. So when I picked up the older girls yesterday, we dropped by the preschool faculty room and I asked Teacher Apple if it was okay for her to attend class today. Of course, Teacher Apple said yes.

Alyssa was so excited! She actually slept early last night because I told her she needed to wake up early so she won't be late. Hehehe! Look at her all excited in her uniform and her bag:


So now, I have three school girls. Here's another picture with Alyssa's big sisters, who were just as excited that she was going to school:

When we got to school, she said goodbye to me and just entered the classroom as soon as she saw Teacher Apple. Her class schedule is from 8am to 10am and she was all okay the whole time according to the teacher, as if she has been going to school from the start.

Teacher was so amused with her. She said that she was telling a story and asked the children what they think was inside the magic box in the story. All the other kids replied, toys, books, etc. But Alyssa said, "Jewels!" Hahaha! Kakaiba daw siya. :D That definitely is my Alyssa! :D

So I guess she'll be going to school again tomorrow and the following weeks. I think she's definitely ready for it. :D

Tuna Roni Casserole

Description:
On days that I forget to bring out meat from the freezer, this is such an easy alternative. The kids like the cheesy, tuna taste. :D

Ingredients:
Green and red peppers, diced
1/4 cup butter
1 onion
2 cans tuna in brine (I use Century Tuna)
Cream of mushroom soup
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Elbow macaroni
Grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook elbow macaroni according to directions.
2. Fry green and red pepper in butter. Set aside.
3. Saute tuna followed by Cream of mushroom soup. Let simmer. Add a little water.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the green and red peppers and grated cheddar cheese.
6. Top with parmesan cheese.
7. Bake in 350 F for 10 to 15 minutes or until top is browned.

Ready for School?

I have been contemplating whether to send Alyssa to school already. She’s 2 years and 9 months right now and sooo very smart! She knows her shapes and colors and can count from 1 to 20. She’s very observant and alert and knows so many things that she surprises even me and her dad.

Mier says not to rush her, that she’ll be in school for a long time anyway and that we need not let her start this year. I feel, however, that she knows enough of the basics and that school is not just a learning ground for the academics but as well as for socialization with kids her age and other adults aside from us in the home.

Although Alyssa gets to socialize with her two older sisters, she usually gets her way simply because she’s the youngest and screams the loudest. (Hehe!) I want her to learn how to deal with other people especially with those her age.

I remember enrolling Nadine in a toddler class at age two years and three months. At that time, Raya was just a month old and I thought Nadine needed an activity that was hers alone. I was wrong. She wasn’t ready for school and wasn’t ready to be away from me and the baby. I didn’t want her to feel that she was being sent away so I can spend more time with Raya. I decided to pull her out and wait for a better time.

That summer, when Nadine was two years and seven months, I enrolled her again in preparation also for the incoming school year. Although I had to sit down with her in class for a week, this time she was more mature and more ready to go to school.

Raya was a different matter. She had expressed independence even at a very young age. Four days after she turned two years old, she DECIDED that she was going to school. She chose her bag and her clothes and her shoes and was ready to go with Nadine to school. I thought, let her try it. She’ll probably ask to be picked up in the middle of the class or maybe not even enter the gates once we were there.

Boy, was I wrong again! She neither looked at me nor said goodbye! She went straight inside the classroom. I was left standing by the gate with my mouth wide open. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! I went to school early to pick her up and she didn’t even want to go home just yet. Although she is always one of the younger ones in the class, Raya has always been one of the top students.

Now with Alyssa, I’m still not sure whether to send her to school or not. She doesn’t insist on going although she does say that she misses her sisters when they leave in the mornings. I feel that she’s ready for this adventure called school and would enjoy it tremendously just like her sisters before her. I also think that she’s old enough to understand about the coming baby and won’t really feel left out. Besides, school will only be a few hours a day for her. Maybe I should let her try a few days and see how things will turn out. We’ll see.

First Day of School - June 2010

I think I was just as excited as they were for their first day of school. :D But I must admit that seeing Raya in her Grade One uniform brought tears to my eyes. Can't believe she's in Elementary already! Sniff!