Who would have thought that after ten years, we’ll be celebrating our fifth year wedding anniversary, that we would have a three-year-old son and expecting another one in a few months? Our ten years together are filled with a lot of wonderful memories which I love to look back on. If the past decade is a preview of our next decades together then I know that I’m in for more wonderful and exciting times.

Since I was wary that Mateo might not want to go inside the tunnel, I told him about what’s going to happen days before the trip. Since he will be bringing his huge flashlight, he became excited. He was looking forward to the tunnel simply because he wanted to use his flashlight.

Upon seeing the tunnel from the bus, he excitedly kept on pushing his flashlight button like a doorbell button. While walking inside the tunnel, the flashlight was pointed towards the walls and the roof, everywhere except on the rocky floor, which made it difficult to walk.

There was a small exhibit area showing pictures and artifacts from the time that the petroglyphs were discovered. Mateo wasn’t too interested in the wall writings and was excited to go back to the tunnel. Needless to say, he found the tunnel more fun than the petroglyphs

It was very tiring being Mateo’s field trip companion. I would have found it easier if my body wasn’t carrying additional weight and it’s not doing the extra work of making a baby. Nevertheless, my little boy enjoyed it immensely so I did too and we’re looking forward to next year’s field trip.

I didn’t expect him to enjoy it as much especially since he was supposed to be taking in his usual daily dose of human growth hormone by taking a nap. However, he surprised me with how enthusiastic he was upon seeing the exhibits.

Mateo got a bit bored with the seminar but afterwards, he enjoyed posing for pictures.

After the short talk and tour, I bought two liters of fresh milk for us. I wanted to buy more but I was afraid they might spoil before we get back home. Mateo and I finished one liter in just around two hours and quickly finished off with the second liter even before we left UPLB. Knowing that milk is great for me, some even use it on their skin as an anti aging product, I didn’t mind if I was not drinking low-fat milk. I was pretty sure baby #2 was very satisfied as well. We definitely should have bought more especially since Mateo was guzzling it like water. We’ll definitely come back for more.

Well, Mateo has been on several field trips already. He has joined the annual Bataan field trip of first and second years TWICE and just last week, we also tagged along with the third and fourth years to UPLB/Makiling. His class also had a minor field trip a few weeks ago to a nearby barbershop and coffee shop.

BUT, tomorrow is his first real major field trip. A field trip wherein he’ll ride a bus with his classmates and he is an official participant. As early as last week, they were already asked to bring to school their field trip backpack. No chance for mommies who tend to pack everything to bring a Titan luggage because a list of things to bring was provided.

I’ve already packed our lunch bag with our snacks. The only thing missing is our lunch which I have yet to cook tomorrow morning. Mateo is fast asleep with the warning that he has to wake up early if he wants to join the field trip.

My little boy is excited because I told him we’ll visit a dark tunnel where he’ll need to bring a flashlight. He’s been saying that he’ll go on a field trip with his classmates and his Teachers Madelle and Gerl. I am excited for my little boy as well. I hope he enjoys this as much as he did all the other field trips he tagged along to.

For once, everyone gets his or her own bed to sleep in – with a pillow and a bed sheet. Some rooms even have TV and a kitchen. Heck, there’s even hot water in the bathroom! Of course, it’s not like the fancy hotels that even have stainless steel tiles but it was definitely an upgrade from the other field trips we’ve joined.

We stayed at the TREES hostel which was conveniently located right at the start of the path going up to Mt.Makiling. There was even a volleyball (or was it a badminton?) court, a pingpong table, and a foosball. The children enjoyed very noisy games of the table football and even Mateo tried it himself.

It was definitely a good trip/break for Mateo and me.

The trip consisted of a tour of several places within UP Los Banos during the first day and a hike up to Makiling the next day. I would have gladly joined the hike if I wasn’t pregnant and if we didn’t have Mateo with us but I had to settle for walks around the foot of Makiling with Mateo.

One of my favorites is our time in a field in front of the Forestry Residence Hall. There was a basketball court and a field (I think it’s used as a soccer field). We brought Mateo’s small soccer ball, knowing that there would be such places to play with it.

We also brought snacks with us so we had a grand time just lounging in the field, munching on snacks, and enjoying the cool mountain air. There was some kind of preschool sportsfest happening in a part of the field as well so Mateo and I also enjoyed watching them.