YumBox Bento lunchbox

My mini-ME is not a picker-eater but she wants to eat food in small portion. I tried to find a lunchbox where we could provide her with variety of food while in school but not lucky enough to find them in Dubai. I chance upon the YumBox on the internet but it is not available here either. My friend from the US is scheduled to come home to the Philippines last September 2015. We were chatting online when I suddenly remembered how I wanted to get the YumBox lunchbox. I ordered from the YumBox website and arranged the delivery to her home address in the US. After only a few days she already received the items without hassle.

From Philippines, my other friend's brother is coming back to Dubai from his vacation. Haha! Imagined the travel time of my YumBox! From US to Philippines, from Philippines to Dubai. I was so happy to received them just a few days ago considering my waiting time, but its all worth it as Bella loved her Yumbox and insisted on eating on them even at home. 

I got the Lavande purple and Pink Lemonade from their New 2015 Pastel collection.

The Lavande purple has 6-compartment food tray. Includes exterior box and circus illustrated tray. Five 1/2 cup portions of the key food groups plus dip/treat well. The good thing about it as well is we can pack wet food like yogurt and dips (not water though). This is ideal for toddlers-age 8.

I also chose the Pink Lemonade from their 4-compartment food tray collection which is a 3 cup volume: One 2 cup sandwich/salad-friendly section, two 1/2 cup servings plus a 1 oz. dip/well treat. This one is ideal for kids and adults.

I can mix and match trays and Exterior boxes with the 2015 Paster Collection. Although the previous models are not compatible with it. 

I also ordered the YumBox insulated cooler bag. It is a spacious and sturdy insulated polyester tote bag with removable shoulder strap. This can carry 2 Yumboxes in a flat or side position where you can also add drinks and snacks and other cold packs. 

Its PVC-free, BPA-free, Phthalates-free. Only wipe to clean. 

Its quite big yet for Bella to carry to school. The Yumboxes fits standard sizes totes so we will use her current punchbag.

I am planning to use the bag for breastmilk ones Baby Uno is out and I am back to working.

All the best

LESSON: A E I O U

Its been such a crazy month this is, one of the busiest in the moving industry. I wonder what is it about June, July, and August were most of clients are moving from country to country during these months, aside from the fact that Holy Ramadan shortened the working hours by 2 hours. So expect riot, screaming, cursing in the office. We are not even allowed to take leaves during this time of the year, although, we consider the 12 months of every year anything but relax work environment in the corporate world.

My mini ME already started her summer class too. Far-ouT, Ate Z and I went to school with her the first day of summer class.

Bella was excited to explore her new world.

trying to be independent

Starting to make new friends

Starting to enjoy school

Bella is still adjusting though. There were crying times, when its time to leave her alone. Nevertheless, she's coping up well. I realized preparing her for the school year is a good way to start.

These are the lessons that the school is teaching the kids.

They are starting for A E I O U. Its a good thing that I am now having ideas on what they normally teach in school with this age group. Its surprising how advance the lessons plans are. I thought kindergarten only plays most of the time during the school timings. But maybe they are?

My mini-ME still trying to write now, she just can't decide yet which hand to use, sometimes she uses the right, sometimes the left.

Can't wait for the summer to be over - although, I have yet to explore another resort before the season ends. Of course, I'll tell you about it soon.

All the best,

Assessment Day at United International Private School (UIPS)

Another milestone happened to my mini-ME yesterday as she was scheduled for assessment in her school. It really didn't bother me when we went to the school the first time about the assessment. Well, I actually missed that detail. All along, I thought that I am only awaiting the day of enrollment. Until, I was informed by a former colleague that there is actually an assessment. I double checked the details provided by the teacher and there it was! Shoot! Assessment and Enrollment. Oh yeah, that is after the reservation fee was made. Can't we do the assessment first, before reservation?

Nevertheless, my mini-ME already know the alphabet, numbers 1-10, colors, shapes by heart so I wasn't concerned at all.

On the day, There were a lot of kids doing the tests. Some are 3, 4 and 5 years of age.  Bella is 3 years old and 1 month on the assessment day and will be 3 years old and 3 months for kindergarten 1 on September. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to witness what was happening, work-related. I am hearing bits and pieces from Far-ouT and Ate Z (Ate Z is Bella's friend looking after her during the day, yes! we found the one).

Bella behaving before the tests

Beside my mini ME is a kid the same age as she is, both listening to instruction, I guess.

Bella ready for her assessment

Curious about the colorful crayons

Here she goes, I wonder what my mini - ME is doing here though

Busy Bella

Look teacher

My mini-ME passed English 13 over 15 and Math 7 over 10. I'm a proud Nanay! Far-ouT wasn't able to see the actual test, only the result. Nevertheless, that is more than enough to proceed with her enrollment.

Some were recommended to try again when the kid is a year older. Those were the ones who cried the whole time of the assessment. They may not be ready as yet.

One of their requirements is for the child to know how to write their names already, so better start teaching your kid.

The rest were told to follow the enrollment process

Thank goodness, everuthing went well on my mini-ME assessment day.

Far-ouT and yours truly decided to enroll my mini-ME in a summer reading and writing class offered by the school just so to ready her once school year starts on September 9.

All the best,

Dreamland Aqua Park

I am not actually done with my previous blog post but since it took me several weeks to finish that, I prefer to post another entry for the continuation of our weekend getaway. The deal consist of a drive to another hotel in RAK where we enjoyed a bigger and better swimming pool

and the beach.

Aside from that, we were also given 2 complimentary tickets to Dreamland Aqua Park. Our plan was to go there right after we check out of the hotel but we were already exhausted and just wanted to go home and rest instead. We decided to postpone it a week after.

That was a good idea because the water park was a great new experience that took all our energy as well. From the inside, there was an locker area where you can put all your things for safekeeping. A changing and shower rooms.

There was a mini Zoo inside the water park were you can see few animals:

Peacocks

Monkeys

Pony

deers

and bodies. Upps!

The rest are water parks.

This area is the Jacuzzi, where you can relax. I prefer this while the sun is burning hot.

This is one of there many slides

Far-ouT and my Mini-me bravely tried the blackhole.

and so did I

These are the ones for the kids.

The Hippo land

and the ...sorry, the name slip my mind.

You are not allowed to bring food inside the water park. Nevetheless, there are a lot of food choices, buffet type, your own type of dishes and of course, fast foods. We had Pizza, chicken, and fries.

This is probably the highlight of my day - I tried the Kamikaze, something you would think twice before taking the plunge.

The slide was quick and fast. I actually took in some water already from the nose before I could scream, so I just waited for myself to drop unto the pool. If I happen to try it again, I know better than open my mouth and breathe during the sliding process.

My mini-ME was lucky enough to meet Nemo

and Sponge Bob too.

Thank you dreamland.

 All the best,