Another weekend.....

So, this weekend we tried the "Fun Ranch" in Tiendesitas.  I love that we can do these little family adventures with friends.  We had Louise and family join us and we also met Sunyoung and her family there.  It's nice that the boys can all play together and have fun.  The 'Fun Ranch' was like everything else here - LOUD!!  I wonder how many deaf people that there are in the Philippines resulting from the loud music that was played when people were young.  It was really hot outside so we spent an hour inside at an indoor play room (a bit like Gymboree but bigger).  Inside they were playing club music - very loudly (boy I must be getting old).  I just don't understand why it's necessary to play loud club music at a children's venue.  The boys had fun though and we got to escape the heat for about an hour.  

Here are some photos:

They had rides, etc at the Fun Ranch but we felt that Max was a bit too young for bumper cars and rides so we decided to visit the zoo next door.  The zoo is called Avilon Zoo and really didn't seem like a zoo but more of an exhibit place.  The zoo is a bit different as everything is inside an ark.  Here is a photo of the facade taken from their website:

 They did have a tiger and a lion.  I tried not to look at them too much as it made me really sad that they were in such small cages.  You really feel bad for these animals.  It's definitely not the San Diego Zoo.  There were a lot of birds and reptiles.  Also a huge snake that you could take a photo with if you wanted (um.....no thanks).  Upstairs they had rabbits, donkeys, sheep, pigs, etc.

 The main attraction was the orangutan.  The person that was taking care of it asked if I wanted to sit Max to the orangutan and take a picture.  Are you f'ing kidding me???  There is no way in hell that I would put my child next to a wild animal and take a picture.   Our luck Max would try to bite him or pull his ears thinking that it was fun and that would be the end of Max.  The orangutan did look quite sweet though.......(still not putting my child near him.....).  Max also got to feed deer, a pony, and fish.  He seemed to enjoy it up until his 'I am tired meltdown' and then we called it a day.

Somo photos of the Zoo:

Another one bites the dust........

Well, today I had to personally fire a helper for the first time.  Let me tell you, it's not fun.  To be honest it is a lot of work having a helper.  After working with three different people in one month I am tired.  I am really, really tired.   Some reasons why I am tired:

1. Nothing ever works and things are always breaking down (esp. in our apartment).

2. It's takes so long to get anything done.

3. Having a helper is like having a second child.  The straw that broke the camel's back today was when I had to tell the helper to go take a shower and get ready for the day after she was walking around in her PJ's and it was 8 30am.

4. I couldn't get through today to our driver after trying for an hour.  we had to wait, and wait, and wait (with Max who was hungry and tired), when in all actuality we were close enough to walk back to the apartment but it is almost impossible to cross the street with all of the traffic.

5. I ask for one thing but get another.  for example: I had time to get a pedicure today so i decided to treat myself.  all the girl did was repaint my toe nails.  I was confused and miffed b/c I need a good pedi in the worst way.  I asked why she was just painting my nails.  well, ma'am she explained 'you just asked for a pedicure.  you should of asked for a foot spa'.  now why in the world didn't someone tell me?  How in the f' am i supposed to know that i am to ask for a foot spa??  Then she kept commenting how dry me feet were and that they really need a foot spa.  I almost screamed.

6. I booked Callie for a grooming appointment and they just looked at me when i walked in with her
 No one there had ever groomed a Westie and they didn't know what to do with her.  They told me that I could wait until 12pm (our appt was at 10am) if i wanted someone who had groomed a Westie.  Well, why in the world wouldn't you have made the appt for 12pm instead of giving me a 10am appt with someone who doesn't know what they are doing (esp when I told them the breed of the dog)???

7. The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world yet no one understands a bloody word that I say.

8. I eat dinner alone every night during the week and I miss my husband.

9. I have been through my third helper in one month.  That is insane.  I have an interview with another one on Saturday - wish me luck.

There should be a #10 but I can't think of anything else at the moment!

OH - I just thought of something.
10.  The place that we wanted to take Lars' parents for Christmas and a little holday is fully booked.  Of course it is fully booked, we should of looked into it when we first arrived.  


Thanks for listening to me vent.  Don't worry, don't feel bad/sad, etc, etc.  Everything IS fine and I AM okay - it's just been a rough day today.  We all have rough days and I know that tomorrow will be better.

Another adventure

On Saturday we went to the Butterfly house with friends.  When we arrived, we saw that it was closed.  Then we tried to go to the zoo since it was nearby.  We were informed when we got there that it was closed for renovations.  Luckily Louise's driver knew how to get to Echo Park.  Since we were two cars in transit with antsy children Echo Park became our new destination!    It was nice to be out of the city and see some greenery.  I need to get out more often......  This city can be so suffocating and you can barely hear yourself think sometimes.

There were a lot of locals there and everyone was more than happy to have their picture taken.  I should of taken advantage of it but didn't, so only managed to get a few shots.   I really need to start working on my photography.  Once I get more settled I am going to start taking classes again.  There are so many great opportunities to shoot photos here but it's hard when you have the little one in tow and it is sooooo hot.  

Max and Daddy brushing their teeth in the a.m.

The guys were put in charge of the prams as we are the ones that always push them.

Orchid Farm

Ants - they are everywere (including our apartment!)

Friendly boy in a tree.  (I know - back ground is over exposed, not as sharp as I would of liked - sorry Kristian!)

Kids taking their lunch to the picnic grounds

Our driver Sammy - guarding the car!

Museo Pambata

On Thursday we went to Museo Pambata http://www.museopambata.org/  with our new friends.   Quite frankly everyone needed to get out.  It's been raining a bit and it's hard to find anything to do outside.  We decided to check out a children's museum in Manila.
As with most things in Manila it seemed to be a bit old and dirty but we had fun anyway.  Here are some of the photos.

My little man isn't so little any more.  He has been GROWING!!  I also think that he might be eating a bit too many mangoes!

Silvester, Axl, and Max

Yes, they have a Christmas tree up already.

Checking out how things work.

Beep Beep!

Max looks like he is in no shape to be driving

This exhibit shows how your digestive system works.  You can pull out the intestine to see how big it is.   Ummm......no thank you.

If you press the bum it makes a fart noise.   The noise was loud and scared both Max and me!

Ms. Digestion....Open the door below her bum and you find.......

POOP!  (This would be great for my nephew Andrew who is being potty trained.  Where's the poop Andrew??!!

Mr Max

Not sure that PETA would approve.....

Rains that we encountered on our way to a birthday party

People riding on the back of a Jeepney

A bit dangerous

ummmmm.....hotdogs with marshmellows?

Yikes