Category: Raising Twins

Life with Our Darling Twins

How I Want to Remember this Christmas

Rhiza1 Comment

Christmas 2019.

“Best Christmas ever!”, says my daughter mid-jump, eyes twinkling bright like the northern star.

I may have said something like “woohoo!” but deep inside I tried to recall past Christmasses and, taking my daughter’s declaration too seriously, secretly doubted that #Christmas2019 was our best one.

The other day my husband and I were talking about the ordinariness of this Christmas. It’s really not that bad, to be honest. It’s just mostly uneventful and maybe even forgettable.

Sure there were pancakes in the morning, Christmas carols on loop all day, late-night Christmas movies. But some Christmas traditions were amiss, no out-of-town holidays, no advent calendar, no homecooked meals, not a lot of Christmas shopping or partying. Most of this was because I had to work through the Christmas break, which means I was pretty much holed up in front of my laptop, with little energy left for merry-making when the work hours were over. (Shout out to David and my Mom for holding the ~Christmas~ fort when I couldn’t.)

As a mother who wants to create memorable Christmasses for her kids while they’re still young, I have to admit I worried a lot about not being able to give them something worth remembering this year.

Then again, this is why “grownups” don’t always know better, and why it sometimes feels like children know something we don’t. In retrospect, there’s a reason why the Messiah came in the form of an unassuming child, in a stable, on an ordinary day.

We tend to think we need to offer Him myrrh, frankincense, and gold because that’s what the wise men did. In the same way, we focus too much on splurging on expensive gifts and planning the best holiday trips, thinking that these are the stuff that “the best Christmas ever” is made of.

I learn it doesn’t really take so much to make Christmas memorable for the kids—just some extended cuddle times, a new pair of fluffy slippers, a stack of pancakes, Christmas carols all day, store-bought cookies, our presence, our love, our time.

And this is exactly how I want to remember Christmas this year.

That somehow, for all its ordinariness and for everything it seems to lack, my daughters still think it’s “the best Christmas ever.”

What a humbling experience, to receive this kind of grace that children are capable of giving so generously and effortlessly. And, ultimately, to receive this amazing grace of a good, good Father who simply loves us for all our ordinariness. Every day of the year.

Thank you Jamie, for these beautiful keepsakes to remember this Christmas by. We love and will forever cherish every single one of them!

Family lifestyle photography by Jamie Mapagu.

And Just Like That, Dawn and Rain are 7

RhizaLeave a comment

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Hanging by the door of their classroom in Kids Church, a signage goes “Pre-school: 4-6 Years Old”. One Sunday afternoon, as we were picking them up after the church service, our conversation went something like this—

“Mom, what happens when we turn 7 years old? We can’t go to Kids Church anymore?”
“What do you mean? Why not?”, I asked.
“Because the sign on the door says ‘4-6 years old!”

Ohhh yeah. Good thinking. And thanks for the reminder, kids.

Although Dawn and Rain are already Grade 1 in homeschool, we kept them in their pre-school class in Kids Church per habit. We’ve been dropping them off that room every Sunday for the past year or so, it just didn’t occur to us that they’re supposed to join the tweeners (7-12 year old kids) soon.

How does something as trivial as moving up to the next class stir so many feelings in a mother’s heart anyway?

And so last Sunday, as they officially turned 7, we threw them a little surprise birthday party in their pre-school class and took the opportunity to let them say a proper goodbye to their friends and teachers there.

It felt like a rite of passage of sorts. The end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Like closing your favorite chapter so far in this book you couldn’t quite put down—you turn the next chapter with sheer curiosity, excited to know what happens next but not wanting the story to end.

Cue the tears. And that Michael Buble song.

Turning 7 years old

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Everything’s changing! I know kids outgrow all the things all the time, but 7 feels like a huge leap.

Clothes they’ve been wearing for the last 3 years suddenly don’t fit anymore so we’ve been slowly building up their new wardrobe. (In classic #TitasofManila fashion, yung one-size-bigger para tumagal!) And so, in a funny way, these days everything in their closet is either too small or too big.

Clothing situation aside, we’ve boxed up more books and toys than ever before. Preferences are shifting, conversations changing.

For the first time, Rain is okay with discarding some of her toys, when, wasn’t it just yesterday when she begged to “keep all of her toys forever“? Last month we passed by a store in the mall and for the first time, Dawn took interest in toy makeup, accessories, and nail polish. (What is going on?)

And yet, some things remain the same.

They still love dolls, and books, and dresses, and milk + cereals for breakfast. And cuddles! They still love cuddles. (Which makes this momma so happy.)

They still love tagging along wherever we go, riding trains, walking around the neighborhood, and although they started to say “no thank you” to grocery runs, they still in general love doing things with us.

There is definitely a lot more talking, and asking questions, and negotiating, and joking around. (7-year-old humor is hilarious!) There’s still a lot of playing, and singing, and silly dancing, and laughing, and even though they started reading on their own now, we all still enjoy some good bedtime read-alouds.

There’s a lot more individuality and personality shining through. One twin loves math and technology; the other one loves music and arts. One twin loves being right in the center of the party, the other one warms up easier in smaller groups.

I miss them being babies and toddlers but age 7, oh my heart, this age is special. Every age has its own magic, for sure, but I’m here to report that as your child turns 7, you can still absolutely say that each year is still better than the last.

Magical Spaces, Magical Year

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Along with turning 7 comes the purging of things and the transitioning of spaces.

The purging was intense! We KonMari’d the heck out of their toys and books. There was so much to declutter, the process took us days. But once the room was clean and ready, everything was a breeze!

Since we wanted to surprise them on their birthday, we woke up early and quietly decorated their space while they were sleeping. Took some ninja moves but overall it was a successful setup.

We had the balloons delivered early in the morning. There’s a box of Spinkie decors all ready to put up. Crates and baskets of new books hidden in the storage.

5 days before their birthday, we were in Spinkie’s anniversary celebration which Dawn and Rain really enjoyed, so they were ecstatic to wake up and see some of that Spinkie magic brought into their own little space.

By now the balloons have popped and the confetti thrown away, but Spinkie’s Dream Canopy, Dolls, and Garlands are the party decors that you can keep throughout the year!

You’ll notice in earlier posts that we had Spinkie’s Sheer Canopy (in Mist) for the longest time, draped on top of the twins’ bed. But this new season calls for something new and the Dreamy Canopy (in Champagne) completely transformed the space!

You can just imagine all the reading time and storytelling and happy memories we’ve already had in this corner of the house, and we’re not even done yet! Their bedroom is still a work in progress. Watch this space as we continue to share progress with you guys.

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Happy 7th birthday, Dawn and Rain! We may have set up this magical space for you on your birthday but YOU TWO are the real magic in our lives. We love you!

Shoutout to Mutya and the rest of the Spinkie team for helping us make this possible, but most of all for inspiring imagination and creativity in our daughters and in children everywhere.

Shop Dawn & Rain’s Reading Nook

Reading Nook for Girls

Decors: Spinkie’s Dreamy Canopy and in Champagne, Pom Garland in White and in Champagne, Star Garland in Gold, Baskets and Crates from Common Room; Faux Fur Rug from Landmark.
Toys: Dreamy Doll Tala, Dreamy Doll Marikit, and other Spinkie dolls we collected through the years.

About Spinkie

Over the past 3 years, Spinkie has built a homegrown brand that was able to resonate with a global audience.

Most people online think of Spinkie as an Australian or British brand but they are, in fact, a global brand that has its roots in the Philippines. Spinkie is proud to support a growing community of Filipino Moms who lovingly sew its products and an international community of Moms who sell their products in their own countries, each one of them caring for their children the way they desire as they build their own careers at the same time.

Today, Spinkie is in 21 counties with over 65 stockists globally, upholding its vision to make magical spaces that aim to create more meaningful memories for both parents and kids.

Get Daily Dose of Spinkie Inspiration

Instagram | Facebook | Website

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Part 1

Our Spinkie Story

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Part 2

Magical Spaces with Spinkie

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Full disclosure: This series of essays is written for Spinkie. We’ve been happy Spinkie customers since 2012 and therefore personally purchased and collected many Spinkie products through the years. All opinions are my own and most photos in this blog, unless otherwise stated, are also ours. :)

Dreamy Dresses and Magical Spaces with Spinkie

RhizaLeave a comment

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A Spinkie event, you say? Expect magic and whimsy and all things dreamy. Also, photo-worthy spaces, everywhere you point your camera.

It’s been two weeks now since Spinkie’s 9th-year anniversary celebration and here we are, still talking about it. Dawn and Rain are still raving about the party, drawing canopies and rainbows and unicorns, and me, well, I’m still sifting through photographs. (We have A LOT!)

If you read the previous post, you already know that Spinkie holds a special place in our life as a family. So special that I occasionally (and unapologetically) wax poetic about it. :)

As we watch our daughters grow, in a way it feels like watching Spinkie grow as a brand too.

We’re very happy to have witnessed what went down at Green Sun Hotel last 10.19.19, especially as we were also celebrating our daughters’ 7th birthday this October. Not gonna lie, the twins did feel a bit like it was their own party! Haha.

Dawn and Rain had so much fun playing around all the magical spaces set up around the event venue. And we all enjoyed watching them, adorable Spinkie girls, work the runway in their “fairy dresses”.

Mutya

Meeting Mutya

Meeting Mutya in person for the first time felt like meeting an old friend. Through the years I’ve interacted with her and her team online, exchanging DMs and emails every once in a while.

I remember that one time, a few years ago, when we lost one of our Bitbit dolls on a trip. I frantically emailed their team knowing Rain would be devastated once she found out we lost her Bun-bun (that’s what she calls it). Mutya made sure to have someone accommodate my rush order, which was something I truly appreciate.

It didn’t take a while for Rain to notice her missing bunny and was very sad and worried. A few days later a new Bitbit was delivered to our doorstep, and everything was alright in the world again.

Isn’t it funny how mothers like us can instantly connect and bond over these seemingly little things?

I encourage y’all to get to know the story and the people behind the brands you support, and the products you purchase for yourself and for your kids. We’re all prone to aimlessly buy and hoard things. I learned that being intentional in our purchases and knowing the causes and the people we support puts so much more value into the items we surround ourselves with and use every day.

Listening to Mutya talk about Spinkie’s story and how they happened to have created this global community of women helping women is nothing short of inspiring.

10.19.19. All the magic we normally see on Instagram came to life for a day in their anniversary celebration. Here are some of the event’s highlights, and the latest happenings in the magical world of Spinkie—

The launch of Spinkie Wear

Think real-life fairy dolls. That’s how I would describe this first collection of dresses by Spinkie Wear. Inspired by its very own doll collection, every piece is made with love, and silk, and tulle, and the same tasteful and timeless style that made Spinkie the global brand that it is today.

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Spinkie Wear photos courtesy of Sweet Escape and Game Changer

You’ll love seeing your little fashionistas and ballerinas in these classic pieces, and dressing up as their favorite Spinkie doll!

Shop Spinkie Wear Dresses and Accessories Here

A Rare Spinkie Popup

I’ve never seen this many Spinkie toys and decors in one place! From its classic Bitbit the Rabbit line, to the Cafe Delice collection, to all these Dreamy Dolls, Princesses, Fairies, and Unicorns. The gang’s all here!

These Spinkie Popup photos courtesy of Sweet Escape and Game Changer

Dawn and Rain (and their mommy!) wanted to take home everything, but we ended up getting—no surprise here—the Princess Bunnies, these two specifically, plus some decorative pieces for their room. Thanks to Spinkie, we also took home some dolls from the Cafe Delice collection, which the twins are also crazy about!

Shop Spinkie’s Toy Collection Here

Magical Spaces with Spinkie

We’ve all seen and loved Spinkie’s signature Dreamy Canopy, but these sheer Teepees debuted and, needless to say, the kids and mommies are very happy!

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One of the most recent additions to Spinkie decorative pieces, these lightweight, multi-purpose Teepees are easy to set up in any room and can instantly transform a space. The colors are beautiful.

Shop Spinkie’s Decors Here

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We’re taking some of this Spinkie magic into our own home!

Back home, we’ve been purging Dawn & Rain’s toys, clothes, books, and spaces, especially now that they’re 7 years old and entering a new season.

These little humans, they grow so fast! Sooo fast. I’m perpetually catching my breath! Thankfully, these Spinkie decorative pieces transcend age. So whether you’re decorating a nursery or a toddler room or a school kids’ room, you can never go wrong with Spinkie decors and toys here and there. Dawn and Rain’s room has been a work in progress so far, but you’ll see a glimpse of that here on the blog soon, too. ;)

About Spinkie

Over the past 3 years, Spinkie has built a homegrown brand that was able to resonate with a global audience.

Most people online think of Spinkie as an Australian or British brand but they are, in fact, a global brand that has its roots in the Philippines. Spinkie is proud to support a growing community of Filipino Moms who lovingly sew its products and an international community of Moms who sell their products in their own countries, each one of them caring for their children the way they desire as they build their own careers at the same time.

Today, Spinkie is in 21 counties with over 65 stockists globally, upholding its vision to make magical spaces that aim to create more meaningful memories for both parents and kids.

Get Daily Dose of Spinkie Inspiration

Instagram | Facebook | Website

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Part 1

Our Spinkie Story

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Part 3

Dawn and Rain Turns 7

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Full disclosure: This series of essays is written for Spinkie. We’ve been happy Spinkie customers since 2012 and therefore personally purchased and collected many Spinkie products through the years. All opinions are my own and most photos here, unless otherwise stated, are also ours. :)

Our Spinkie Story

RhizaLeave a comment

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Spinkie dolls

Above photographs were taken in 2016.

Many would have discovered Spinkie through their magical and inspiring Instagram presence. But for us, discovering Spinkie was more, shall I say, random (or fate!)

It was the year 2012. I was a new mom, on a quest to find our first Christmas gifts for our then barely 2-month old twin babies when I happened upon Spinkie’s stuffed bunnies in a little baby shop along E. Rodriguez Avenue.

I remember wanting to give our babies something they would love to carry around wherever we go, and something that would grow with them through the years.

We thought of getting them soft dolls, and I know this sounds strange but we were specific about finding stuffed bunnies. Nope, not teddy bears, not baby dolls, and not any kind of stuffed animals. We wanted to find bunnies.

And that was a challenge because, while there were plenty of plush bunnies everywhere, we needed something that’s safe for newborns.

So back to that day in 2012, on a random shelf at some unexpected shop in the middle of nowhere, we found the perfect stuffed bunnies for our babies. They’re called “Bitbit the Rabbit“, and they’re just the right size and style we were looking for.

Dawn & Rain’s first Christmas <3

Spinkie’s Bitbit the Rabbit

Quickly looking it up online, I found that these plush bunnies are—

  • made with non-allergenic and dustmite-proof materials,
  • with soft dot minky texture that’s safe for biting and snuggling,
  • designed for sensory development, teething, and sleep assistance,
  • and triple-stitched for utmost durability and baby safety

I also learned that, although the brand was initially established in Singapore, it’s proudly Filipino-made and created by our very own Mutya Laxa-Buensuceso. These details, and the fact that the bunnies are obviously so adorable, won me for life.

And that’s the story of how these Bitbit the Rabbit toys ended up under the tree on our daughters’ first Christmas, and ultimately how Spinkie became a part of our life.

Perhaps the twins won’t remember that first Christmas morning the way we would but just as we hoped for, Dawn and Rain literally grew up with these Spinkie dolls like they’re part of the family.

If you browse through our old photographs, you’d spot these bunnies here and there—each one attached to a memory, big and small.

For the first 3 years of their life, we looooved the classic Bitbit the Rabbit in Flamingo Pink. This color may be phased out already though, but this light pink one is very close.

They love the bunnies so much that, at one point, I had to quietly replace their old worn-out Bitbits—poor overworked little playthings, lol—without them knowing. And another time I had to repurchase the same Bitbit to replace one we happened to lose on a trip.

The girls had these bunnies tagging along literally everywhere. From bedtime to playtime, from cuddles to trips.

So when they turned 3 years old, we got them Bitbits again for Christmas. The bigger ones, this time.

I mean, it worked so well the first time, might as well do it again, right? ;)

Spinkie Christmas gift

From here on out, their collection of Spinkie dolls just keeps growing and growing.

Needless to say, I naturally gravitate to Spinkie whenever I’m looking for special gifts to buy the girls! (To be honest, it feels like buying gifts for myself too!)

And I love that I never have to second-guess if they will love them or not.

In many milestones of our life as a family, there’s a little Spinkie story somewhere.

So much that, as we watch our daughters grow, it feels like watching Spinkie grow as a brand too.

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Today Spinkie has added more bunnies in their Bitbit the Rabbit line (the Princess Bunnies are Dawn and Rain’s current favorites), plus more whimsical toys to choose from.

Mutya, being a mother herself, knows just how important it is to create tasteful and timeless pieces that parents and children alike will love, no matter the age.

They’ve since introduced decors that make for magical spaces, and naturally, we also have this Sheer Canopy (Mist) draped on top of the twin’s bed.

And recently, as Spinkie celebrated its 9th year, they also introduced their very own clothing line, Spinkiewear, as well as more additions to their collection of decors and toys. Which I’ll talk more about in the next post.

I can gush about Spinkie for days!

Not only because I genuinely love their products (for our daughters and for myself haha), but also because the story behind this much loved, globally known, and humbly Filipino-made brand is just truly inspiring!

Behind every piece of thoughtfully created decor and toy is a group of moms who work hard with their hearts on their sleeves, and have their own children’s best interests in mind. As a result, we get to support, benefit from, and enjoy their labor of love too. So much magic and goodness from all sides!

Congratulations, Mutya and Team, for a great run so far! I’m excited to see what’s more in store for you guys, and for all of us Spinkie lovers around the world.

Shop Dawn & Rain’s Current Spinkie Doll Collection

Just click the images and it will take you to their corresponding product pages.

Shop More Spinkie Decors and Toys Here

About Spinkie

Over the past 3 years, Spinkie has built a homegrown brand that was able to resonate with a global audience.

Most people online think of Spinkie as an Australian or British brand but they are, in fact, a global brand that has its roots in the Philippines. Spinkie is proud to support a growing community of Filipino Moms who lovingly sew its products and an international community of Moms who sell their products in their own countries, each one of them caring for their children the way they desire as they build their own careers at the same time.

Today, Spinkie is in 21 counties with over 65 stockists globally, upholding its vision to make magical spaces that aim to create more meaningful memories for both parents and kids.

Get Daily Dose of Spinkie Inspiration

Instagram | Facebook | Website

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Part 2

Magical Spaces with Spinkie

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Part 3

Dawn and Rain Turns 7

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Full disclosure: This series of essays is written for Spinkie. We’ve been happy Spinkie customers since 2012 and therefore personally purchased and collected many Spinkie products through the years. All opinions are my own and most photos in this blog, unless otherwise stated, are also ours. :)

Weekends and Board Games

Rhiza1 Comment

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At home, I’m the go-to parent for making art, and morning cuddles, and reading books. But when it comes to fun things—like movies and field trips, and singing and dancing, and weekends and board games—their Daddy is undoubtedly the crowd favorite! (Two’s a crowd, y’all!)

‘Can’t blame the girls. Their Daddy sure is fun!!

Shout out to my husband for being as hands-on as he can, on top of working so hard to provide and lead this family. Raising daughters, we’re fully aware that little girls are naturally drawn to their daddies in a way that shapes many aspects of their development, from childhood through womanhood. (I should know! I was raised by a remarkable father.)

I’m grateful to have a husband who takes this responsibility seriously; who would do everything in his power to be fully present in his daughters’ young lives and to give them happy memories.

So you can just imagine Dawn and Rain looking forward to the weekends, usually in anticipation of what their Daddy planned out for us. And almost always, he does not disappoint! :)

Studies consistently prove that spending quality time as a family has infinite benefits.

For kids, family activities allow them to establish self-worth, communicate better, and develop relationship building skills. For parents, spending quality time together is an effective way to create core memories and impart valuable life lessons that kids and parents!) will potentially carry with them throughout their lives.

It’s always a challenge for us working moms and dads to carve out time during the weekends, especially when sometimes all you want to do is to shut down. But the effort to make time is definitely worth it! When kids feel loved, appreciated, and valued, they also develop positive behaviors like kindness and cooperation. And when they do, it results in us being happier parents as well.

The above photos show a normal Saturday morning scenario at home—messy hair, game faces on, board game and caramel bars for breakfast (in bed!), and little girls all ready to battle their Daddy!

Meanwhile, I watch my family as I hold on to my camera, trying to preserve these fleeting moments in photographs, fully aware of how fast they all go by. The best years, for sure.

Thank you, Lemon Square Fun Square, for making weekends all the more fun and memorable.

This story is written for Lemon Square. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Thank You, Blog, for the Photographs

RhizaLeave a comment

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Do you know how it’s like when it dawns on you that you lost an enormous amount of digital files, namely, photographs from the first 5 years of your daughters’ lives? You don’t?

I’ll tell you how.

First, it would feel like a pail of cold water was dumped over your head. You’d spend hours in front of your computer, digging into a pile of old CDs and external hard disks, and you’d go through them many times over in hopes that you just missed a folder somewhere.

You would fight with your husband because it should be his job to keep those files safe. He would argue that he expected YOU to keep those files safe. Shortly you’d both realize you have to stop pointing fingers and you need to stay united through this, um, tragedy. >.<

In other words, it was quite intense!

I didn’t realize I would have so many feelings about losing photographs. I mean, how could we not have kept a backup somewhere? Those files have got to be somewhere in the “cloud”, right? We are millennials, after all, no matter how far into the older end of the spectrum we are.

The silver lining, of course, is yes, somehow we’ve got our devices synced into the cloud. When the twins were younger we posted so much about them on social media. My husband had a Google drive that synced into his gadgets, which automatically backed up his files. And I, meanwhile, dumped a lot of those photos on this blog. (I mean, remember that 52-week Challenge?)

It goes without saying, of course, that we had more photographs in those lost folders than the ones that made it to the internet. It seems that the raw files are gone forever, and now, we have to, little by little, gather copies of these images from everywhere in the web, organize them, and build up a new repository of memories.

And this is why we really should start printing photographs! All of us, parents! Stat!!

This is why we sometimes have to resort to social media to timestamp memories. (Because who doesn’t want to see those “on this day” posts on your Facebook feed?)

This is why we blog those stories we want the web to remember forever.

And this is why this blog is going back to its roots of simply being a documentation of life. (More about this another time.)

PS. The above photographs were from a few Sundays ago, right after church. Nothing much really, just one of those days I remembered to capture the moment. To remind me that anywhere with these three is home.

PPS. Have you seen The Purpose Blog yet? It’s live, and if you subscribed to my list, you’d know by now what this new blog project is all about. Go ahead, take a look!