For September, we have two fun events. The first is MOMS ON THE FLOOR, a floor-based bonding and learning activity for expectant moms and dads, and for moms of babies 0-1 year of age. This unique event allows moms and dads to learn new things, while being relaxed, sitting on their mats or blankets. This year’s Moms on the Floor activity will feature the following:

Laughter Yoga: by Pinoy Laughter Yoga
Kindermusik with Teacher Jeannie Castillo
Infant Massage
Breathworks by Dona Esteban

Get on the floor with us!

Moms on the Floor happens on Sept 11, Saturday 1-4pm, at Top Shelf, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. Participation is free for Moms on the Floor but pre-registration is a MUST. Reserve your slot by calling 4088070 or email email@mommymundo.com. Moms on the floor is organized by Mommy Mundo, PACE, and GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson’s Baby and Mommy Matters. Supported by RCBC Savings Bank, Cycles, Cradles, Citibank and LIfestyle Network.

The weekend after, we hold the 1st Mommy Mundo Clearance Clearout Sale. Your fave mom and baby retailers and mompreneur brands unload their samples, stockouts, off-season items and some even the regular items at 30-50% off! Mommy Mundo Clearance Clearout Sale happens on Sept 17-19, 2010 at the Big Red Barn in Fun Ranch, Frontera Verde, Pasig. Official credit card partner is Bankard.

I personally love sitting on the floor with my kids, on the bare wood, with a mat or blanket. When the boys were younger we would roll balls to each other, build towers with blocks, make imaginary roads with toy cars.  Now with my daughter, we’d color, do crafts, read books and play with her dolls. Seeing and being with them at their level (and having all the space with no edges for our stuff to fall off from) truly magnifies my time with my kids into an ultimate bonding experience.  After one of our fun bonding moments, Z made this for me with rolled up pieces of paper…:-)

From here, a new event idea was born as we want to have this same experience with other moms, even those who are still in their expectant stages.  MOMS ON THE FLOOR happens on August 8, Saturday, 1-4pm at the Sapphire Room of Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center.  It is open to expectant parents and moms and dads of babies between 0-1 year old.  

Participation is free of charge but pre-registration is required.  Call now to reserve a slot at 7138144. 

I’m so excited to “get on the floor” with all of you!:-)

Here’s the programme schedule for EXPO MOM this weekend!    See you there!

MAY 9, SATURDAY

10:00 am- EXPO MOM OPENS

11:30 am- FORMAL OPENING & WELCOME

10:00 am- EXPO MOM OPENS
11:30 am- FORMAL OPENING & WELCOME
1:00 pm – Sponsor’s Portion
1:30 pm- What every woman needs to know about cervical cancer
2:00 pm- Kindermusik for Toddlers & Kids  by Teacher Jeannie Castillo
2:30 pm- Baby Sign Language by Jaymie Pizarro
3:00 pm- Sponsor’s Talk: Baby Ready with J&J
3:30 pm- Attachment Parenting & Baby Wearing  by Jen Tan
4:00 pm- Yoga Kids by Michelle Aventajado
4:30 pm- Musical Number by My Masterpiece Multi-Arts school
5:30 pm- Onstage Games
6:00 pm- Mom Massage Demo by Vier Tajonera
Raffle Draw
8:00 pm CLOSING
MAY 10, SUNDAY

10:00 am- EXPO MOM DAY 2 OPENS
10:30 am- Musical Number by My Masterpiece Multi-arts School
11:30 am Onstage Games
12:30 pm Gymboree Portion
1:30 pm Healthy Meals by Dona Elena Olive Oil
2:00 pm Belly Dancing for Expectant Moms by Dr. Faye Cagayan
Onstage Games
2:30 pm Your Baby Can Read! Talk
3:00 pm Happy Belly Health & Fitness by Rome Kanapi
3:30 pm A Mom’s Life Talk Show (tentative)
4:30 pm Mommy Fashion by Contour Fashion/ D&A Fashion
5:00 pm Expo Mom Get Together with Live Acoustic music by Paolo Santos
Raffle Draw
8:00 pm Closing

*Schedules may change without notice.

Having 3 children with ages ranging from 2 to 11 years old, you can just imagine the wide range of toys my kids receive as gifts from relatives and friends during special occasions, like this Christmas. That is why the times I shop for toys for them are quite few and far between, and it is only when I see something really special that I buy.

A visit to a new and unique toy store late last year proved to be a test for my mommy willpower.  Actually, it doesn’t even call itself a “toy store” because its interactive corners, toy display areas built like little houses, interesting features like a talking (indoor) tree makes it The Pocketful of Kids Toy Village.  It is located in a building and not a mall, making it truly a treasure find for moms and a virtual toy heaven for kids.

One of my fab mommy finds at Pocketful was this: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks.

To start with, I am a person who loves and collects all sorts of boxes and containers.  So this is probably why I was automatically drawn to this particular toy, amidst all the other fun and educational products found on the Pocketful shelves.

I admit there was a bit of a debate in my mind on whether spending that much money to buy a “box of boxes” was smart, when it would be more practical (and earth friendly) to just give my kids used carton boxes and make them build whatever they wanted using those.  But then the colorful brick printed boxes in this Melissa and Doug product was too tempting.  It didn’t help that the Pocketful staff told me about its durability because of the cartons being double layered inside.  As I imagined all the structures I….er…my kids could build with these carton bricks, I handed over my toy budget.

Sure enough, it was a good buy and it remains to be one of my favorite toys at home, to date. My boys have built super tall towers…

I caught my daughter and son having a picnic yesterday…

The boys built a fortress for their little sister, who was just all smiles…

It’s been so much fun for us thinking of what to build next. Then challenging each other to get it up (extra challenging with a 2 year old around). Then when the structures fall (or are toppled over, by that 2 year old!), then we all cover our ears and just laugh together.

Who would’ve thought a “box of boxes” could yield this much fun and unadulterated bonding! Now I wonder what I can find next at Pocketful…

Pocketful of Kids is located at Unit A, 15th floor, Emerald Ave., Pasig City. Tel no. 6347888 and 6342888.  Pocketful of Kids launches its series of workshops and events for parents and kids starting January 10, 2009.  Inquire about their iLearn Courses in basic acting, arts and drawing, literary appreciation, Kindermusik demo classes, Camp Millionare (Life skills workshops), and a lot more.