The Sun, Sea, Sand and my #Smartlife

It was a perfect weekend for a beach trip. The sun was out, summer’s scorching hangover was still in effect, AND our brother Jude was in town from Bacolod where he is now based. It was also perfect because me and the two younger kids have been missing Gary and Coby who had flown off to Canada for a month and the best antidote for this is to get away!So the Crisostomos (my side of the family), booked our Auntie Joy’s beach house in Natipuan, Batangas (a cove away from Punta Fuego and MayaMaya) and got geared up for our family beach weekend.The terrific trio on a road trip!Auntie's beachfront property is a few heroic steps away from the parking areaWhen Jude told us about the trip schedule, I was at first a bit anxious because we had our Pregnant Pause event scheduled that Saturday. Then I also knew I had very able and efficient team who can very well take care of the event on their own, our super supportive venue partner, F1 Hotel at Bonifacio Global city to help us with logistics, plus I got my very charming mompreneur friend, Denise to host the event. Well if needed, I can also still easily be in touch, if not physically, at least virtually via email, sms or chat through the connection that Smart provides me with.So it happened, our perfect beach weekend with the family. Out there where this is just sand and sea, there was precious time for sand play...The 3 younger kids were in the sand almost the entire timeMy nephew Jake making some sand meatballs that transform into canonballs when needed:PSome rough play...my niece Zoe and Jude battle it out in an arm wrestling matchNew experiences.....like sleeping in the kulambo. Something we used to do when we used to go to Natipuan as young kids. The fun is in setting up your own kulambo then sleeping in it, making sure to tuck in all the seams so no insects can go in. Now our kids get to experience it too.Sleeping in a kulambo is like camping!Jumping the waves...The waves were almost at surf-levels! Photo-op for my kuyas with special thanks to Otterbox:PSome old games...Dungeons and Dragons makes a comeback!and new games!Jenga!Time just for hanging out ...and hanging loose!I also made sure to sit down to write and blog, not only because I had deadlines to meet, but because the sea, sun and sand always give the best inspiration for writing.Best to take advantage of the sceneryI used my #smartiPhone6 as a hotspot and had my #Smartbro as back up. Some members of my family were connected to the pocket wifi too since it can connect up to 10 devices at a time.Since it was father’s day weekend, the kids made cards using the #LikePapa kits that McDonald’s sent us.Then we greeted Daddy Dribbles, Gary via social mediaand did a video chat with him through ViberReese aka Aladdin heehee!I also finally had time to checkout the much talked about iFlix and was super amazed with the service. Imagine for just P99 a month (special price for Smart subscribers), you can watch your favorite movies and tv shows!There’s even an iFlix kids section with all the cartoons and kids’ shows, plus it allows you to regulate your child’s online viewing. Can't wait to share this with movie buff hubby when he gets back!And see, I was event able to post about the beautiful moms-to-be and involved expectant daddies in Pregnant Pause:).I so loved the time with my two cohortsmy again reunited three coconuts brothers who make life so much fun, now and growing up (though I didn't know it then haha)and the rest of the family.Whether it be about fun, work, family time, being connected allows me to fulfill different roles in my life. I think that is what the #Smartlife is all about and that's why I love this new campaign of Smart! For more info, check the website here.Disclosure: Smart Communications is a sponsor of this blog but in no way influences my writing, opinions and reviews about the company and its services.