TOPAZ HORIZON

Monday, March 23, 2026

7 Reasons Why You Should Get Pluto's Not a Planet - a book about a little robot that just won't quit!

Hi everybody! I’m so happy (and honestly a little emotional) to share that we have officially launched a children’s book that has been part of our family story for a long time. Everyone, meet Pluto's Not a Planet!

Pluto’s Not a Planet by Vincent C. Sales and Vito Sales. It makes my heart so happy to see those names on the cover of a real book! Because this was a story that was created years and years ago, when our son Vito was just a preschooler.

As you know, in our house, we are big on storytelling, and my husband and I loved not just reading bedtime stories to our boys, we also made up stories practically every day! Vince, the novelist in this family, especially enjoyed building stories with our boys using toys, imagination, and a lot of heart. And that is how this story about a little robot with a very big dream and a whole lotta love and determination was made!

But... it was a story that only our kids enjoyed. So when Vito needed a way to reach his own dream 10 years later, I figured, "Why not make Pluto a real book and share it with everyone to help make my boy's dream come true?"

And so here it is! And we’re excited to finally share it with you!

Please get this book by Vince and Vito! Here are seven good reasons to get Pluto's Not a Planet:

1. It was made with love (and a lot of imagination)!

This book didn’t start in a boardroom or a publishing meeting. It started on the floor, with toys, paints, laughter, lots of chatting... and a father and son building worlds together. Every page carries that sense of play and wonder.

So... Check out the pages! Vince and Vito built characters and rocketships out of LEGOs, planets out of molding clay, and all the background scenery with paint. I have happy memories of this time! Why? Because...

2. It celebrates curiosity and big dreams.

Trivia: Did you know that Pluto the planetoid has a heart? And that's one of the inspirations of this book! Check out the red dot on Little Robot - he has a huge heart, just like Pluto! Because he's going to need a lot of love and courage to chase his dream.

The heart of Pluto’s Not a Planet is about curiosity and grit. It's about asking questions, thinking differently, and dreaming boldly—even when others say something isn’t possible. It’s a gentle reminder that curiosity is always worth it!

And that's why...

3. It’s perfect for STEM-loving kids (and kids who don’t know they love STEM yet).

Pluto's Not a Planet naturally appeals to young mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and builders. But I truly believe it’s just as lovely for children who simply enjoy space, robots, and imaginative stories. And stories about adventure! And never giving up! Which is why...

4. It makes a meaningful gift!

If you’re looking for a gift that’s thoughtful, a little different, and rooted in values like curiosity, perseverance, and creativity, this book is it!

Plus, you and your family will see how...

5. It shows kids that creating something matters!

As my husband loves to say, "In the age of AI, Pluto's Not a Planet is definitely not AI!"

Yep, because this book was created in 2015-2016!

But seriously, this is a story made by a Papa who wanted to show his son that no dream is too big and by a child who had fun making it... and then grew up. And that detail matters. This book quietly tells young kids: what you make today can mean something tomorrow. Their ideas are worth taking seriously.

And that idea can be turned into a money-making venture because...

6. Every book sold helps a child chase a real-life dream.

This is the reason that pushed Pluto’s Not a Planet from a family project to a real book we want to share with everyone! Vito's really good in his academics, especially math and science. He was part of the Philippine delegation at the International STEM Olympiad at The Hague in 2024, where he brought home medals!

And now he's been invited to the Asia Math Engineering Challenge in Malaysia this July. And we need your help to send him there. All the sales of Pluto’s Not a Planet help fund Vito’s participation in AMEC. Buying the book means supporting not just a story, but also a young person stepping into the world with courage and confidence... just like Little Robot! And every copy you buy is you helping Vito take one step closer to his dream. So please buy Pluto's Not a Planet!

And the last reason is...

7. Because you love me—and you want to support a mama who loves her son very much!

Let’s be honest. If none of the reasons above convince you, dear Loyal Reader, this one might! This book exists because of love: a father’s, a child’s, and yes—a mother’s. My love. My belief. My unending support for the dreams of my family.

If you’ve ever rooted for someone else’s child, believed in a young dreamer, or simply wanted to say “I see you” to a fellow Mama doing her best, buying this book is a beautiful way to do that.

Thank you for reading, for cheering us on, and for being part of this journey. We’re so excited to share Pluto’s Not a Planet with you. Please get a copy and help send Vito to Pluto, er, Malaysia!

Visit our website for more details!
https://plutosnotaplanet-book.my.canva.site/

Buy Pluto's Not a Planet today!

Monday, February 23, 2026

Good-bye, Blue

Blueberry "Blue-Blue" Sales

March 25, 2018 - February 16, 2026

Almost 8 years of pure fluffy gorgeousness and sass.

Loved by a little boy who misses her so much.

This week has been really tough for our family. We knew she didn't have long because Polish rabbits typically have a lifespan of just 5-6 years. So we were happily grateful for every day she was with us in the last couple of years.

But on Christmas Eve, we saw her weakened and old. She was just sitting and didn't want to leave her cage anymore. Sometimes, she didn't even get up for treats. That was when we knew she didn't have long. My youngest son, and the only one Blue loved, wrote a poem for her.

We told her, "Blue, don't leave us on Christmas!" Then it was, "Blue, don't leave us on New Year's Day!" And then, "Blue, don't leave us on Valentine's Day!" But the day before Chinese New Year, she quietly left us while we were at work and school. It hurts my heart so much that she died alone.

I have been crying on and off, but when her ashes finally came back home on Saturday, my heart felt at peace. She's with us again, and my heart is glad. I could tell my youngest boy is happy his fur friend is back home, too. He said he's stopped crying na.

First photo together

Last photo together

Appreciating this thoughtful presentation of Blue-Blue's ashes

Good-bye, Blue. Say hello to Galady, Matilda, Gandalfi, Alice, Sari, Waiter, and CC for us!

Thank you. We love you. We miss you forever.

Sunday, February 01, 2026

The kids are all right

Hi, dear Loyal Readers! I shared these photos over Christmas, and a lot of you were shocked. Yes, malalaki na sila. They're 15, 13, and 11. How fast time flies!

Many of you asked how the kids are. Lalo na kasi yung mga kasabayan kong mommy bloggers na actively sharing pa rin about their kids, nasusundan niyo talaga. Eh, yung mga anak ko very private kaya after 2016 or so, di na ako masyadong nagkwento about them. I archived their photos sa Instagram, too.

But since nagtanong kayo, eto ang pwede kong ma-share. They're very smart and talented. They go to an international school (kaya naging corporate slave ako haha). Malapit lang school nila sa bahay so the high schoolers commute a lot. I'm proud of the fact that they're independent, and I'm glad di sila kilala because I really don't want strangers to approach them and be all, "Hi! I follow your mom's blog/IG/FB!" This freaks them out actually, the rare times it happens.

They're doing very well in school except for Filipino. They play instruments. They sing. They enjoy their friends. Ano pa ba? Oh, they eat a lot. Grabe.

You'll be seeing more of my eldest child soon because meron siyang big fund-raising project. I am so excited to tell you! And I'm counting on all of you na suportahan siya! Kasama siya sa delegation to the International STEM Olympiad in Netherlands. And kasali rin siya sa Asia Math Engineering Challenge in Malaysia. I'm very proud!

My second son naman is really into music. Obsessed. He plays the guitar, piano, and bass. He even played in Sunday worship service once. So that's really cool. I'm very proud!

Yung bunso naman is like the ringleader of his friends. Ang kulit ng batang yan! He likes reading books and baking brownies. And he's insightful and wise. I'm very proud!

But what I'm most proud of is how sweet and good they are. They're really such good kids. Wala kaming problema sa kanila at all. Well, I wish they'd do the dishes and clean their room more, but in the great scheme of things, they're pretty awesome.

And I know you're curious about how they are, especially since many of you saw them born. You were there watching them grow and talk and eat and do all the cutesy things babies do. And suddenly, you stopped seeing them. For 10 years!

Thank you for understanding and respecting their privacy. I really appreciate that, despite the radio silence, you still love my children. I still feel it. Thank you. And you'll probably see more of them soon, with their consent, but just so you know, the kids are all right. Happy, healthy, thriving, and absolutely wonderful!