AskAnissa: I’m so excited. Our family will be having a trip to California this month and we still haven’t packed our things for the weekend trip. Of course, we’re planning to visit Disneyland because I’m sure my kids will enjoy the magical experience there. Can you give us any suggestions on what to bring to make our trip more memorable? Thanks a lot. – Anonymous

Answer: Don’t fret. I have prepared your “Disney tips” to fully enjoy the theme park’s magical experience. Every time you take a visit to Mickey’s World of Magic, you should not forget the following:
1. Good shoes. Always use a comfortable pair of walking shoes for you’ll get those feet working the whole day. I’m certain that you have to keep walking to get the chance to see the whole site and running to each ride
2. Matching shirts. Whenever you visit a crowded place, it is advisable to have matching shirts. It’s preferable to use bright ones so you can be able to identify each other even though you’re in a bunch of people.
3. Camera. It’s always fun to keep the perfect magical moments inside the mark so never ever leave them in your house or in the hotel room. Cameras are the only proof that could prove to your friends and family how much fun you had during your Disney tour.
4. Messenger Bag. Keep all your necessities in a small messenger bag like cellular phones, ticket pass and you wallet. Avoid carrying backpacks for it’s too bulky to carry whenever you go for a ride. Keep in mind that you’re having an enchanting trip and not a camping.
5. Water bottle and munchies. Your little kids will really get hungry after a long day in the park. Always pack your bag with something to eat and bottle of water.
6. Hats, sunscreen and sunglasses. Be protected. Avoid the rays of the sun by gearing up. Make sure that your kids have applied sunscreen on their skin to avoid sun burn and skin irritations. And they should wear their caps or hats to protect themselves from the sun’s heat. If they get headache, all the fun will be spoiled. And I’m sure parents don’t want that to happen.
7. Medications. Just prepare a small medicine kit and put it in your bag for you might not know what will happen inside the park. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

AskAnissa: I'm a working mom and I don't usually get to bond with my kids. I don't have time for them and they always say, "Mom, do you love us? You're too busy and you don't anymore have time for us anymore." I feel sad but I really need to work double time for I'm a single parent and I have to raise two kids. Can you give me some advice on how to keep our family bonding stronger despite the busy schedule I have? – Anonymous

Answer: It's all about how you manage your time and how you give importance to your kids. The most crucial stage in a child's development is during their toddler years. They really need to have their parent's guidance and attention because they're emotions is very sensitive and they always want to have their parents by their side. Parents should always spend time to bond with their kids despite their busy schedule at work or at home. Children value play and bonding time with their parents and they always feel important whenever their parents appreciate them in everything they do like play, school or when they behave at home. Kids are very responsive to how their parents would treat and when they are being neglected during their early age, there's a tendency that as they become older, they would badly behaved or become troublesome.

Playing with children is really appropriate during their early days because they appreciate the effort that is being given to them by their parents. Being with your kids and attending to them doesn't have to be 24/7, just an ample time is just enough to make them feel that they're still special. Parents should take time to play with their kids even for an hour or do some crafting activities together. As parents, always ensure your children a safe play in order for it to be more stimulating and exciting. Parents should check materials and equipment for safety.

Adults play a vital role in the development of toddlers. Adults need to let children know that play is an important part of their learning experience. This can be pulled off by promoting play and allocating sufficient time for children to play, both at home and in school.

AskAnissa: My sister will be having her baby soon and we are all excited to welcome her in this world. We have already shopped for baby supplies like cribs, baby bottles and infant clothes but still we would like to give her a personalized item that she could use. What can you suggest? – Anonymous

Answer: Have you seen a hooded towel in the stores? If yes, I'll teach you how to do it. It may take some time but I guarantee it's the cutest personalized gift you can give your niece. Let me call this project a Hooded Ducky Bath Towel. These towels are super easy to make, needing only some degree of sewing know-how. And they can be great presents for baby showers and birthdays too.

What we will need:

One large yellow bath towel
One yellow hand towel
Felt cloth for the duck's beak and letters
Polyester fiber filling
Scissors, pins, sewing machine
Double sided tape

Since we are giving this as a gift, we prefer to have the towels in brand new condition to avoid causing rashes on the baby's skin. First, we have to cut the hand towel in half horizontally. Then lay out the large bath towel on the floor and center one of the cut pieces of hand towel on top of the bath towel. Followed by the putting of the cut side up, so that the sewn end in the one is being sewn to the large bath towel, through which you don't have to fold over the edge anymore. Pin the cut hand towel to the large towel and sew in place. Fold the hood together in half then sew it together since this will be the part that is on the inside which will eventually cover the head. Then that's it. The basics are already done.

Now, we need to create the appliqués. For the hood, let's create a duck's beak. Layout a duck's beak on the orange felt paper and make about two pieces of each. Sew them both and afterwards, stuff a polyester fiber filling inside it. It should look like a pillow. Then sew it on top of the hood and we're almost done. Then don't forget the eyes, cut out an eye-shaped fabric then just sew it on top of the hood.

Take note, you need not to be an expert to do this. Patience and determination will all it takes to come up with a Hooded Ducky Bath Towel for the newborn.

Behold. Preparing for a Halloween party could be energy consuming but would really be fun. Every October, neighborhoods are just so busy preparing their children’s goodie bags for their trick or treats, healthy meals for the entire family, friends and other guests. All of this fun stuff is happening when the sun starts to set; it’s most likely after seven ‘o clock. I believe, no one in the neighborhood will organize and celebrate a Halloween party by lunch time, right?

When preparing for a Halloween blast, costumes should be ready the day before the event which includes the jack-o-lantern, skeletons, fairy or Frankenstein perhaps. There’s so much preparation to do but what’s most crucial is the food. The food must match up with the event and do not serve foods that’s for a wedding or a debut. Meal preparation should be likewise scary just as the same with the costumes, backdrops and even make-ups.

Setting up a treat table for the Halloween would really be fun considering the type and names of food to be served. It needs not to be coming from a brain of animals, eyeballs of some other specie or rather exotic foods. It just needs to have the right meal preparation and taste for the said event.

For the appetizer let’s try, French Fried Eye Balls. It’s pretty alarming right? Just imagine eating an eye of a human. Oops, but not in here. It’s just a mashed potato and molds them into balls then adds some relish.

Another dish is the Bat’s Lips Sandwich Tray. Don’t fret it’s just some finger sandwiches made with yummy fillings of roast beef, ham, chicken salad and cheese.

For the drinks, let’s have Dracula’s Blood Shake. Many children get scared when they hear the name Dracula but this meal couldn’t be that horrifying. It’s just a combination of plain yogurt, strawberry ice cream, vanilla extract, frozen strawberries and ice cubes.

Lastly, for the desert, it’s a Spooky Cupcake. It’s just the old timer cupcake recipe but will be designed with a spooky theme like spiders, ghosts and pumpkins.

Have the scariest and funniest dinner for the Halloween, enjoy!