Date With Mom

One more thing I like about Liam’s school is that they have activities like “Date with Dad” and “Date with Mom”. It’s some kind of field trip with activities for the children and their mom or dad. They really encourage that only the mom or dad join the activity. No yayas, no mommies on dad’s day and vice versa. Though, if dad or mom is not available, they suggest that lolo / tito or lola / tita to accompany the kid so they won’t be left out just because their parent is working abroad (or that day, in our case). Nice diba!?

Last year’s “Date with Mom” was held at the Movenpick hotel in Mactan (former Hilton) where teachers have organized different activities like arts and games for the kids and their moms. Unfortunately, it fell on Liam’s nap time and I have this rule that his sleeping time (and meal time) always comes first. Thus, us not joining.

The “Date with Dad” on the other hand was held on school grounds where they played different sports.  It was also scheduled during class hours so Liam and Dino were able to join.  They both had lots of fun that time.  But since we’re not sure if Dino can handle a 2 yr old Liam, Ate Donna was in tow then but waiting to be called lang.

This year’s date days were both held outdoors.  Dad’s day was in Shangri-la Mactan.  They’ve organized painting, tree planting and games for the participants.  Sayang lang kasi, we had a major event in our work that Dino cannot miss.  So they weren’t able to join.  Night before the date pa naman, Liam was excitedly telling us that he’s going to Shangri-La with his teachers and classmates.

With that guilt at heart I made a resolution that I will join the date with mom by hook or by crook.  So the day came and off we went to Crocolandia in Talisay.  It’s an hour drive from the city so we left a bit early. The day was consist of an educational tour (where nobody understands what our guide was saying, hehe), a short educational classroom type experience for the kids, arts and crafts, fishing and fish feeding and a little dance program from the kids.

We arrived a little early before call time, and program did not start right away.  So Liam and I walked around and looked at the animals in the zoo. Liam liked the birds the most.  Un lang, better if we see them in the wild.   Can’t wait for Liam’s first birding adventure.  Anyway, did not take pics na with the crocs and other animals.  Ayaw ko pics na puro wire mesh.. hehe.. 🙂

We went fishing after the zoo tour, and Liam and I enjoyed it a lot.  We did not catch any fishes though.  I think it’s because he and one of his classmates kept on throwing the fish food directly to the pond.  Wala ng hirap for the fishes. No need to go to our baits. hehe

fishing time.. 🙂

Liam and his classmate busy throwing fish feeds to the pond.

In the class type demo, they were introduced to different animal eggs, parts of a turtle and snakes.  They were asked to distinguish the eggs too.. Ganun pala un no?! may kaba na kasama if your child will be able to answer or not, kahit di pa totoong exam un.. haha.. oh well, he did very well naman.. Liam was initially afraid to touch the snake, but overcame his fear.  Proud mommy moment again for me. 🙂

Liam’s turn to hold the Tortoise’s egg

Liam unsure if he will touch the snake..

But kuya is very encouraging and was able to let Liam hold the snake..

Yey!! He did it! 🙂

We then went to the reptile gallery and was able to take photos with the albino snakes. 🙂  Liam was not afraid of it anymore.. 🙂 We also did our Crocodile project there.

 

Photo opt with the albino snake na mas ako pa ang natuwa

 

Project time with mommy.. busy putting the hearty scales..

 

After the project, the kids all danced for their mommies.  Was too excited to notice that I failed to turn on the video cam while taking it.  (yeah, ako na ang excited! haha) It’s ok, since Liam danced so well and I can still remember the smile he has while dancing his heart out looking at me (like he was saying: “Mommy watch this”.) 🙂  After their presentation, it was time to feed the biggest and oldest crocodile there named Lapulapu.  I got a good spot where Liam can see the action, but the guy who’s feeding Lapulapu have a different idea and let the crocodile come near us.  It ended up eating the chicken right in front of Liam face which really scared him.  He ran off and doesn’t want to go near Lapulapu’s cage anymore.  I then decided to call it a day kesa masayang pa lahat ng memory kakapilit ko saknya.

Bye Crocolandia, ’til our next visit. 🙂

He enthusiastically recounted all of the morning’s happening to his Dad that night and even to his lolo who came 2 days after our date.

Oh, another thing I like about this date was the chance I had to meet other parents, one of which is my constant text mate now, exchanging notes and plans about our kids. We are planning to have play dates for our kids soon.  Sana matuloy.

Definitely looking forward to more dates with Liam, not only in school activities, but hopefully until he grow bigger. 🙂

What He Wore

I’ve posted about Liam’s costumes last year and as you can see am a bit pasaway. Anyway, this year, I will try my best not to be pasaway. But comfort will still be top of my priority.

Here’s what he wore last Linggo ng Wika celebration…

Here’s our star minutes before his performance… 🙂 

One thing I like about Liam’s school is that they send out memos weeks before actual event.  This gives parents more time to prepare and plan their trips to the mall.   So walang cramming.

3 weeks before their program, their required costumes was announced – Camisa Chino, Khaki tokong pants, scarf, buri hat and any thong slippers.  Easy lang yan!! hehe

Buri hat was needed the following day so we bought that one first.  Good thing we found one in the nearest mall at only 25.  I just asked Donna to sew a lining inside para di makati for Liam or else he might not wear it.

Scarf was also easy as we decided to let him use his “unused” scarf last year.  He did not wear it last year as he don’t want anything on his neck.  This year, ayaw pa din nya, but I did not give in to his pleas and cries. (read:  “Tanggal this, please”) Snob ang beauty ko. He obediently wore those din whole time.  Yun lng pala ang technique! 🙂

Khaki tokong pants was a bit hard. Initially, I plan to buy a soft khaki fabric and have 1 sewn for him.  Unfortunately, did not find anything I like, so I decided to look for a ready made one.  While painstakingly looking, I remember Liam having a Beige Columbia (mosquito repellent) pants.  So I just asked Donna to fold and saw. Voila!! Tokong na sya!! ok naman diba?!?!

Last was the camisa, this was the easiest but dito ako muntik sumablay (hehehe).  Another good thing about Liam’s school, days before the program, they require all kids to bring their costumes for checking.  So we chose Liam cleanest white shirt (this is what he wore every night to sleep) When we got home that night…

Donna:  Ate, mali ang damit ni Liam
Me:  Anong mali?! e Camisa Chino lang naman ang need
Donna:  Kailangan po pala may kulay.. Bright color po sabi ni T’May…
Me:  Di naman nakasulat sa memo un ahh..
Donna:  Nakasulat po ate.
Me (checking the memo again):  ok, will buy colorful camisa chino..
TOINKS!!! di nagbabasa ng mabuti ang nanay!! It was clearly written – Bright colored camisa chino! hehehehe

Thanks to our ever reliable Gaisano Countrymall (2mins walk away from office or from home), we were able to buy Liam a blue one. 🙂

Watch his performance here.  Enjoy!

Linggo ng Wika 2013

Last week, my in-laws were here to celebrate Dino’s birthday with us. Sakto din, it was Liam’s Linggo ng Wika presentation.

We were all expecting him not to dance, like last year, since he was not participating during practice. Tuloy, T’May placed him at the back of the formation, nasa side pa.

Liam was acting up when we got there. Since it’s very rare that we go with him na to school. It’s their new policy that parents and yaya cannot go inside the school na so kids will be more independent.

Anyway, am a bit positive na kahit he is not in the mood, he will participate naman. I talked to him that we will all watch him, kaya he needs to dance.  Tama nga ako, when his group is in queue na, he obediently joined them and went up to stage. And, siya lang ang sumayaw sa klase nya. hehehehe.

Well done Liam! We are all so proud of you. 🙂

Costumes! Costumes!

Ako na siguro ang pinaka-pasaway na nanay when it comes to costumes. hehe.. One of the things The only thing I hate about Liam’s school is their open air auditorium.. Yes, it’s not air-conditioned.  They always hold their activities there and I feel sorry for those Kids who wore “costumes”. You know all the works, wool, synthetic, polyester materials. I bet Liam will complain if he wears those.

Anyway, just want to share some of Liam’s activities where they have to wear costumes..

LINGGO NG WIKA

This was an easy one.  They were required to wear Kamisa de Chino (easy, this is Liam’s staple sleepwear) and checkered pajama pants and a matching scarf to be tied on the neck.  Since this was his first school program, medyo nag-effort pa ko. I bought a good clothe na checkered and had it sewn.

During practice Liam danced with his teacher and he was the only student following. On the program proper, nanibago ata with the loud sound system.. kaya eto sya..

Dino’s dub for the event: “Linggo ng Tyan” ahehehe

UNITED NATION

What’s wrong with this event!? They require one of the parents to wear costume with their Kids and walk sa stage! Ang Saya! Para di doble gastos, I decided to let Liam wear his old Tiong Sam, so I have to look for a chinese top na lang though I know that for sure there will be lots of kids wearing same costume…

The pants is a bit bitin already. Thanks to my cousin who gave Liam this set when he turned 1 🙂

Do you now believe me when I said many will wear the same costume? I even end up wearing same piece as the other mom.. APIR kame 🙂

BOOK MONTH

For some reason, Liam is not in the mood this day and end up wearing civilian clothes.  They were requested to wear their favorite characters.  Thinking that Liam would be the only one without costume, I asked my office mate to buy a Spiderman costume for Liam. Buti na lang din, he did not wear it, cause it really was a hot day and for sure double irritation for him, if he will wear it. 🙂

LET IT SNOW CHRISTMAS

This is when I started to be a pasaway. For their Christmas presentation, boys were required to wear a snowman costumes and girls were to wear snow fairy costumes. Pasted in their journals are these pegs…

Ang init ng peg diba!?!? I don’t have the heart to let Liam wear this knowing na open air ang auditorium. Kawawa sobra! so.. I bought him white muscle top, white pajama, red Santa hat and a piece of red clothe. Sew big black buttons (courtesy of T’ Marj) on the shirt… and here’ my little snowman.

cutest snowman if may say… AHEM! 🙂 Okey in our eyes.. 🙂

PIT SENYOR!

January is the much awaited Sinulog Festival here in Cebu.  They had a little program din in school to celebrate it.  Eto sorry, pero we got the advice a day before lang. They were required to wear any Sinulog or Black shirt to school instead of their PE uniforms.  No time for me to buy him a Sinulog shirt and Liam don’t have a black shirt. Sorry this is one Chinese trait that was retained with me. I don’t let my little one wear black.  Pero buti na lang, one of my office mate gave Liam a black shirt as pasalubong from Singapore. Yes, you read it right, Singapore.. malapit naman sa Sinulog diba?! ahehehehehe

with T’Noemi (top), Luisa (left, his partner, hehe) and Ate Raine (right)

In fairness, Liam looks good in black, kaso ayaw ko talaga.. sorry, perhaps when he gets older? hehe

COMMUNITY DAY

Naku, when Donna texted me about this, I was all problemado, isip ako ng isip what to let him wear. Buti na lang I asked Dino and he was the one who came up with the idea.. The shirt, Dino got it from BKK 2 years ago, I bought him the pants and the cap..

a.k.a. “MAJOR HUNK”

Sorry for the low res file, Ate Donna forgot to bring the camera, thus used her phone to take his pic.  Will be getting more pics from T’Marj (sana maalala ko na magpadala ng USB)

MAGTANIM AY ‘DI BIRO

During Liam’s summer class, one of their activity was planting. They were requested to wear white long sleeves kamisa de chino, folded pants ala magsasaka, hat, scarf the work. Oh no! not for my son. Ang init kaya nung May! I told Donna to let him wear a sando and the folded pants he has and put some sunblock on Liam.

Our farmer boy

O diba!? E di ang presko ng anak ko. 🙂 And by the way, his plant is still at home may bunga na!  Ang galing lang. 🙂

Well, that’s it for Last school year.  Not looking forward to this year.. hehehe.. Oh well, I still promise to support all your school activities, anak. Pero I also promise not to let you wear anything uncomfortable. 🙂

Linggo ng Wika 2012

Late post for August..

As Dino put it in FB, we expected Liam to stand out during his Linggo ng Wika performance.  They danced (or make should have danced) itik itik.  During class practices and up to their final rehearsal, Liam was one of the only 2 kids who listened and followed their teacher dance. He is not a good dancer but he tries his best to follow the steps. (Sayang, yaya wasn’t able to take video of their practice, since she is afraid that Liam might run off the stage, so tutok sya kay Liam).  Wowo and Wawa flew in pa that morning to watch him dance. haha

Here’s why I say “Should have”…

“Tyan ng Wika”
;-P

He even covered his ears.. kasi during practice, they only used the stereos.  During the program proper, they used full sound system. Kaya nabingi ata ang anak ko. Isa pa, he can’t hear T’ Marj’s instructions na. (Palusot na nanay)

Liam: Ang iiiingay!

Even di sya sumayaw, we still treated him to his favorite McDo Sundae for doing a good job! 🙂

Thanks Wowo and Wowa…

Sino ba naman ang di matutuwa dyan diba?

MMMMMMM!! SAAAAARRRAAAAAP!