Pool Boy!

 

Here we are in the same hotel - next to the playground. Dek boy gets in city-swim on. I have so many of these photos where he's "reaching" for the camera, basically demanding, GIVE ME THE CAMERA SO I CAN TAKE THE PICTURE. He's turned out to be a bit demanding. Mostly since he's vain and enjoys photos of himself. Ah toddlerdom.

Back to Manila!

 

Here we are back in Manila after our lovely stay in Cebu and Bohol. This was on the 4th floor of our hotel. Derek was really thrilled to see a playground since it seemed like it had been weeks since we'd done anything kiddy as such.

More of Aloha Beach

 

 

Finally after our short 2 minute walk from our lovely room, we end up checking out the beach. Unlike my sense of what a traditional beach is, there were no waves and surf - this was more lake-like. Lots of kelp and sandy holes to poke your feet in. I think it was also low tide, as the water had receeded over 50 feet compared to what we saw the evening beforehand.

Testing the Underwater Camera

We got a nice little gadget for the trip. A totally waterproof digital camera so we could take photos while snorkeling and such.  Here we are testing it out with Dek in the pool for the first time. As you can see, he's totally thrilled.
 

Ready for the Beach

Dek started getting used to going down to the beach. Here he is even volunteering to get dressed. Note those sunglasses usually stayed on his face on average a 3-4 seconds.

 

Our resort was perched above the beach area, so it was just a short little stroll to get to the beach. Derek has all his sun gear on to make sure he doesn't get burned.

Amarella Garden

 

 

Our resort had a really nice little garden area that was a mix of florals and some veggies. Dek enjoyed romping around (see the bright green crocks that became his standard shoewear for most the trip after his other sandals lost their velcro stickiness).

Mickey Mouse Club Wins Over Paradise

You see that right, over the balcony is the beauty of Bohol's beaches, but Derek would rather watch Mickey Mouse Club on his Ipod.

Speaking of which, when people ask how we made it through almost a dozen flights and countless transfers between planes, trains and airplanes, without too many meltdowns. I must say the little Apple device came in very handy as a bribery device. Now, before you jump to terrible conclusions and judgement about me as a person who willingly rots their child brain to avoid the ire of strangers on public transport, I'd like to say, You are Totally Right.  Usually at home, Derek's TV and screen time are very limited. As my crunchy mama status would convey, as someone who exclusively breastfed and cloth diapered, I was not eager to subject Derek to the brain numbing power of the Ipod/Ipad/TV screen until we absolutely had to.  In this case, we found it to be a very useful tool when traveling for hours and there wasn't much to do for Derek, or we'd be confined in spaces that Derek felt to be "boring."  Since he's still at age where reasoning can come and go, we felt it best to give-in while we're on vacation and allow him liberal use of the Ipod, especially if it would give us a few more minutes to finish a meal or to get somewhere without a huge amount of yelping.

When we got home though and had to explain that vacation was over and Ipod viewing would be a much rarer occasion, there was a bit of a struggle. But like anything else, we tried to remain consistent and providing good reasoning ("No more Ipod, its only for vacation!"), we were met with some resistance ("Ipooooooooooood!" IPAAAAAAAAAAAAD!"). Our new norm is to allow some use of it on the weekends (for 5-10 minute intervals at most) and when its time to give it up, instead of snatching it away immediately, we tell Derek that there is "one more minute left" and that he can enjoy it for that long. After that, he hands it over willingly and is happy to progress to another activity. For somethings, I think we get off way to easy with this kid.  I understand for sanity reasons how these devices can be a lifesaver for parents, but their uses in limited applications in short timeframes is key because they get addicted and can expect it as their norm.