Sam's School Halloween Party

my little darling lady bug

Instead of celebrating the United Nation week in Sam's school, we the parents and the teachers agreed to have a Halloween Party instead. The kids just finished their 2nd grading periodical exam yesterday and the party was the best treat for our little examinees We were just asked to bring food share and goodies for our little Trick or Treaters. Sam wore this cute Lady Bug costume i purchased that was on sale. She was really excited and really had a great time on the party. Another big day tomorrow awaits for her. Happy Halloween everyone! :p

her classmates in their adorable halloween costumes

Sam's !st Grading Awarding Ceremony

top 4 in her nursery class for the 1st grading period

Sam had their First Grading Awarding Ceremony held at their school last Sept. 19, Friday @ 7:30am. I just put her into bed prior the big day, earlier than her usual sleeping time. Woke up @ 6am and prepared all the things needed. They don't have the classes na that day but the students from all level were asked to attend the said program. The nursery were the first in line to receive the certificate of awards. Though she's not the top 1, I am very proud to say that she's the 4th placer in their class. The feeling is really overwhelming seeing your kid going up in the stage and accepting her very first school award... hays, para ka na rin nanalo ng lotto. :)

the 5 outstanding pupils for the 1st grading period

I admit that I'm a bit strict with regards to Sam's studying routine. But I'm not particular with the time...in fact I let her watch the tv first before doing her homework if she wants to. For me kasi, I'll just follow her frame of mind. I can't force her to study if she don't feel studying. Sayang lang yung effort on both sides and for sure she'll learn nothing because she don't want to focus. But this happens very seldom. Most of the time, she's doing her assignment right after her class. Pagkading sa house, she's looking agad for her homeworks. I always let her do her homework by herself... I'm just at her side to teach her, give an example and guide her. And I'm really glad that my effort produced her of being included in the top 5 of her class. I'm really proud of my little girl!

Sam made me proud again! :)

a note from her Reminder Notebook

I've been waiting fo the release of Sam's report card ever since after she took her first grading examinations. I already talked to her teacher and she told me it's already done and the release will be this Friday. As a first time mom, I'm really concerend how she did in her academics. With regards to her exams, she did very well naman with less mistakes in all her subjects. The two got almost perfect with just one mistake. I'm kinda confident naman that she'll get an acceptable overall grade but still need to wait for the report card.

Until today after I picked her up from her class, it's already a routine for me to check her things. From her pencils to the number of her crayons, yes!... i'll make sure to check those because sometimes, she's loosing a piece or two. And each of her crayons and the rest of her school stuff has name on it!...haha It's very expensive if you'll buy another set to think one piece lang ang nawawala diba? Anyways, I also check if she has assignments. And upon checking her Reminder notebook, I was really surprised to read what's inside. Sam made it to the Top 5 Outstanding Pupils!...Yey!!! I still don't know about her place but then, I'm really really proud of her. I'm not expecting that she got the top 1 nor the top 2 since two of her classmates were supposed to be in kinder 1... based on their academic capabilities and age bracket which are both 5 y/o already. It was a concern for us, the parents of 3-4 y/o students before because the parents of these two students refused to jump their kids to kinder 1... Imagine that? If i'll be the parents of these kids, I'll be more proud because my kid will be accelerated... Hays!

Anyways, I'm again very thankful that Sam did very well and made it to be somewhat level with them. They'll be having an awarding ceremony this friday at 7:30am...goodluck sa pag gising ko kay Sam...hehe! :p From another proud mommy here...

Sam's very first school class picture

the unofficial class picture

Yesterday, Sam had her very first class picture shoot with the official photog of the school. I didn't bring any cam because I thought that they will have it inside the classroom...which parents are not allowed to go inside anymore. We don't have any idea that the shoot will going to be on school's gymnasium on the 2nd floor of the building...arrgh! Please bear with the poor quality of the pic because it's only from my low-tech and super low reso cel phone cam..lol! They posed together with their two nursey teachers ...teacher Zeny and teacher Lor, and their school principal that I already forgot the name...hehe :p

getting ready

I just gave her a simple hair style

look at the camera children...

done!...lining up to go back to their classroom

Kumon Workbooks for my Sam

I already got some Kumon workbooks for Sam. Thanks to Mommy Tin of Vien for posting a blog about these workbooks. I'm really interested about the Kumon programs ever since I heard about it. I'm just not aware that workbooks are available for the home school tutorials at our leading bookstores already. I've planned to use the EGC that I won from the Mom & I portrait at Trinoma photo competition to purchase these books. Unfortunately, the NBS in Trinoma is not yet accepting this electronic gift check. I also inquired about the Powerbooks store, and yes...they are already accepting this card! But unfortunately again...huhu..when I called the store, the workbooks were already sold out. Still don't know when would be their next delivery, the stock kasi is based on the availability of the books abroad and they really can't assure me of when they can have the books again...arrgh!

The very eager mom has no choice but to purchase the books in cash...ouch!..haha! Well, anything for Sam that is educational and will surely benefit her will not become an issue for me, as long of course that I have the budget. Telling it to her dad will just follow...hehe :p

Now, Sam is really enjoying her new set of workbooks! She can't get her eyes away from these books!...She's really enjoying each activities. Well maybe because of the colorful pages of the books compare from her b&w pages school workbooks. She loves to trace the letters, color the blank spot of the animals, connect the dots and the challenging mazes. We'll just do the Cutting workbook as her last activity. This skill needs a lot of supervision because scissors is already involved in each activities.:p

my little learner

For more info about the Kumon Workbooks, visit their site. :p

a simple celeb...

In celebration of my __th birthday...hehe, I just treat Sam & my brother out. We just went out on the 7th of July since my brother is on duty on the 6th. We headed off to The Block of SM North after Sam's school and treat them out with a sumptuous lunch. After dining in, I decided to give my Sam her very first movie house experience. Good thing that Kung-Fu Panda is still showing. Before entering the movie house, I told Sam that "we are going to watch in a very very big tv, and it's really dark inside...but don't worry because mommy & tinong are going to take care of you, so don't worry and behave ok?...no talking and no screaming inside the cinema ok?" And she did! She enjoyed her very first movie date! She's so fond of the Furious Five especially the fat lead star Po. Though hubby was not here...as usual!...heheI I still did enjoy my special day though we just celebrate it in a simple way. :p

sam beside the Kung Fu Panda Movie Poster

My Little Pre-schooler's First Day In School!

I'm very proud of my little Sam because she was able to overcome her shyness by being brave and cooperative on her very first day of school! I thought she would be clingy to me and will refuse me to leave her inside her classroom. Since it's the first day of school, the teachers still allowed us...the parents, to sit-in that's why i was able to shoot and captured some shots.

Teachers started the class with a prayer (that they need to memorize, by the way) followed by singing a couple of nursery rhymes. Then the teachers had this activity about the different animals and asked each of the student to identify some. So proud of Sam because she was able to answer all the questions that her teachers asked her :p Then for the story telling, they were asked to transfer to the other room (with floor matting already, toys, etc.). Sam was so mesmerize with this colorful room..haha! :p This time, parents were no longer allowed inside. But there's still this big window so we can take a peek once in a while. Again, my mamarrazi mode was turned on again!..hehe! The other classroom that they'll be having their formal class will be closed for us. Sam listens very well in the story telling and even tried to answers some questions. The other kids were not listening and just keep on playing at the back. After the story telling and some question & answers activity, It's time to go back to their classroom. But first, they need to identify their own shoes (because they were asked to removed it earlier) and wear it without any help. Good thing Sam was able to identify hers and was even able to put it back on her own. :p When they were asked to return to their classroom, parents were already off limits inside their room! They had their recess and the teachers checked on their things like the required books and other school stuffs. When their class was done, Sam immediately showed me her big Blue Star with a Very Good stamp in her left hand! Of course, I was surprised and really very proud with her very first achievement in school! Don't know what happened inside but I'm sure she did very well. :p

They're more than 10 students in the class with 2 teachers. Actually we still don't have a formal orientation yet, which I know is a must for us...the parents, to know the "what's in it" for our kids. I don't know when will be the schedule for that...arrgh! For now, they'll be having 5 subjects (5 books), a 20 mans recess from their 2 hours class..hehe, PE's on friday and that's it! When i asked the teachers, there's really a schedule for the orientation to discuss some important matters about the things they'll be teaching & what to expect with our kids academics and everything. Tomorrow will be their formal start of school na, so meaning no parents allowed na inside the classroom...huhu! :p... And to tell everybody, Sam is so excited and can't wait to go to her school again!

Visit to Our Lady Of Mananoag

After visiting the amusing Tacsiyapo Wall in Tarlac, we headed to our next destination...the church of Our Lady of Manaoag. I'm always hoping to visit this place ever since and I'm really glad to had it finally granted. Visiting the church with my familly was indeed a blessing for me and will be kept as one of my most treasured and memorable experience. We may not be that religous, but introducing to Sam at an early time the importance of being a good servant of God and thanking him for all the blessing she received is really important. Still looking forward to visit the church again in the future ni matter how far it is.

Manaoag Pangasinan is one of the Philippines pilgrimage centers, thanks to the presence of the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine, home to the image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario (i.e., Our Lady of the Rosary), which is believed to have miraculous powers. Non-Catholics may scoff at such idolatrous devotion, but that has not deterred millions of Filipino Catholics from visiting the shrine and venerating this representation of the Virgin Mary.

The image of Mary itself is said to have been brought to the Philippine Islands by way of Acapulco, Mexico by Padre Juan de San Jacinto around 400 years ago. Folk history even declares that it was the Virgin herself that designated where the church to house her image was to be built. Nowadays, pilgrims visit the church all year round but it is especially busy during the summer months of April and May. Many leave their homes before daybreak just to reach the morning masses in the shrine and to be the first in line to touch the image's robes through a small hole at the back of the altar.

Trivia:The church of Our Lady of Manaoag was established 400 years ago. Ten years after which, The ivory image was brought to the Philippines by Padre Juan de San Jacinto from Spain via Acapulco. Folk tradition has it that the Blessed Mother mary Herself designated the place where the church would be built. The church and Our Lady passed through unnumbered historical events, and remain unmoved by them.

Sam's New Pet!

Sam is going to school already this monday. And her school stuff are not yet complete!Gosh!..lol! Since we're already running out of time, I decided to take a short trip to the mall with my little girl. We headed to National Bookstore to shop for the rest of her school supplies. When we're done, we took our lunch first then we stroll around the mall for a while. Sam always requesting to drop by to Toy Kingdom to check some toys. After checking some toys, she was amazed to see a girl with this animal foil helium filled toy. The girl really enjoys her "pet" playing and running with this balloon type toy within the mall. Though Sam is not the type of kid that "what she wants, she should have", I decided to buy her her own. She was delighted to see that were heading back inside the toy kingdom. Approaching to these foiled animals, her face already filled with this awesome smile! I asked her choose your pet Sam & Mommy will buy it for you. She immediately choose the dalmatian design dog and handed it to me... "I like this mommy!" After paying the purchased dog at the counter, she said.."Thank you mommy!" ...aaaw! It really melts my heart that she appreciate my small gift for her. She already can't get enough of her new pet!. She's really happy playing and even talking with this toy even we're already heading home. I'm happy to see her also for giving her an instant playmate. Just need to maintain the helium inside every 5 days to retain it's shape. Cost P149.95 /Toy Kingdom.

Sam's School Stuff

Sam can't hardly wait to go to School already. The start of her class will be on the 16th of this month. I can't believed that I'm having a pre-schooler already! I used to have this odd feeling of "Separation Anxiety for Parents" before just thingking of enrolling her this school year. But now, I am the one who is very excited for her. I'm just glad that to see that she shows a lot of interests in school. During the time she wore her uniform for the first time, she refused to remove it na...haha! With matching black shoes pa yan and her white socks. She asked for her Dora backpack and the books & notebooks we bougth from her school. Then off she go, mag school na daw sya!...haha! And what's funny more about that was she wanted to go to her school all by herself!!! (walking distance only from our house) and me should be left alone na lang daw sa house!...imagine that? kalokah diba?...lol! My little girl is very brave! :p

I bought her additional school stuff aside from the required one we bought from her school. Since it's her first time to be in school, i want her things to be coordinated...hehe :p She's into Dora na talaga eversince. She fell inlove with this dora back pack the minute she saw it we went out to shop for her school supplies. Since the bag started it, I decided to buy her also other dora school supplies like notebooks (though the school already provided their uniformed notebooks), cute pencils and crayons, eraser & scissors and other cute dora themed supplies. Along with her back pack is her dora black school shoes, socks, and dora raincoat. Too bad there's no available dora umbrella fo her. I got the winnie the pooh design umbrella for her instead. Now, everything were set already. I just need to pick-up the additional uniform I ordered for her and the PE uniform as well. Oh no, need to get her a new pair of rubber shoes pa pala since she's already outgrowing her old ones. :p

Here are some of her school stuff

her Dora School Backpack

her other Dora School supplies (back-up)

black Dora school shoes

her nursery school essentials

Exploring Manila Ocean Park

sam really enjoy watching the fishes that swims all over the place

At long last, I'm finally done with this uploading thing...hehe! It took me a while to finish posting our photos from our visit to the newest marine life theme park here in the Phils. The Oceanarium also known as The Manila Ocean Park. On with our tour, taking photographs and videos inside the Oceanarium is allowed, provided no flash or video lights are used so as not to scare the marine animals. Upon entering, guests are given a brochure/map of the complex with brief descriptions of the different sections within.

the six section of the Oceanarium

The Oceanarium journey is divided into six sections and each section will carry a Filipino name: >"Agos"; "Bahura"; "Buhay na Karagatan"; "Pating"; "Ang Kailaliman"; and "Laot". The first section, called Agos (Flow), features a rainforest-theme with eight tanks containing freshwater species. This part of the oceanarium -- the only open area in the facility -- shows the interconnectedness between the water and land. Agos would also feature an artificial waterfall and a touch pool, where children could interact with creatures such as starfish and shrimps. The Bahura or the Reef, would exhibit artificial corals in 48 tanks, complete with their scientific and common names, and their roles in the ecosystem. Laot (Fishing Ground), on the other hand, would feature big fish and Eagle-spotted rays in a long tank. A school of barracudas would be seen swimming in a large tank at the Kalaliman (The Deep) section of the oceanarium. There would also be a shark tank and an overhead aquarium featuring the breathtaking beauty of rays.

After our awesome encounter with the creatures of the deep see, we decided to exit the facility. And besides, we are all starving & hoping to find a snack bar somewhere ouside the big tanks. Sam's water were almost empty and she badly requested for a cold "mamam" already. We were confused at first since there was no clear signs where the exits were until a guard pointed us in the right direction through the restaurant. The place is indeed unfinished since we saw floor tiles that still need to be installed. Even the exit stairs are still rough and if one is not careful, you might trip. The pathway led us through a corridor to the souvenir shop. Even the shop still leaves room to be desired since their selections are too common and not specialized. Most of the items on display bears the Manila Ocean Park "sticker" not imprinted nor embossed. So we just continued on. One more turn and we are back in the Dome.

The whole park may not yet be finished, but having experienced walking through the Oceanarium, I can say that it was worth it even though it's not yet complete. Also, I must add that the tanks need a lot of work. A lot of the artificial reefs and corals are obvious. Nonetheless, I can't wait until they finish the whole complex. I'm looking forward to seeing the marine habitat soon and to try out that glass bottomed boat ride That Sam would surely enjoy. Just a little advise, if you intend to visit the Oceanarium anytime soon, do so on a weekday... please!!! Doing so, you will avoid large crowds which will make your visit a lot more enjoyable especially for the kids. :p

my family in front of the Manila Ocean Park

Sam Decorates Her Own Krispy Kreme Doughnut

"We all love Krispy Kreme Doughnuts"

with the trinoma team

Sam was able to experience on how to design her own Krispy Kreme Doughnut. Good thing she's really in her good mood that time when one of the crew approached our table and invited our little Sam to join them and be part of their little crew. Actually this was the second invitation. The first time was last december pa. Anyway, she cooperates well with Kitkat (store crew) and goes with her for the doughnut decoration. Daddy was the one who took the pictures. The rest of the staff were so amused of her behind the counter. The best part of it was she got her decorated doughnut for free na! Thanks Krispy Kreme! :p

sam with ate kitkat

Sam's getting ready for School!

Sam will be entering nursery already @ St. Raphaela Mary School, just a walking distance school from our house. Glad to find this one after scouting for a different school near qc when hubby was still here. I really find some of them appropriate for my little schooler in terms of facilities and form of teaching (traditional vs progressive), but some of them are really way too far from our place. Maybe when she enter already the big school...I'll consider the place even if it's a bit far. For now, my hubby & I agreed to enroll her to this school. Facilities is ok with fully air-conditioned rooms (from primary to secondary). There will be only more or less 10 students on Sam's class and they will have two teachers for 3hours class. And believe my, my daughter is really excited to go na. She always says, "mommy & ninong stay home lang..and Sam (pertaining to herself)...in school"...haha! I'm really delighted to hear her this...that she doesn't want me to roam around while she's having a class...hehe! I'm really hoping that the opposite thing wouldn't happen on the first day...that she'll be clingy to me and begging me not to leave her or else... she'll make a scene...waaah!...oh no! haha!...oh well, goodluck to me!:p

For now I'm the one who is excited to shop for her school supplies...actually she already have some, but i'm not yet contented...parang may kulang pa...haha

My Crying Diva @ the Mini Fashion Show

the runway

in her best mood and still eager to pose

This exciting event was held last May 4 at the Glorietta Park in Ayala Ave, Makati. The show was a part of the Caravan of Fun's exciting and fun-filled 2 days event. The show was supposed to be sched on the 3rd of May. But due to our unpredictable weather condition (as in the sun was on it's finest glare from late morning till 3pm I guess, until to this sudden poured of really heavy rain halfway after 3pm)...imagine that? As in everybody were soaked wet. Mommy Joanne doesn't have any other choice but to cancel the fashion show and re-sched it on the next day.

it's time to do her catwalk

Oh well, It's May 4! The weather looks great, but still.. We can't tell what will happen on the next couple of hours. You know our weather is really deceiving! Call time was earlier than before. We were asked to be there by 12:30pm. We're at the venue at exactly 12:30pm...hehe. So...this is it! Our little girl was about to have her very first modeling experience. We already taught her about the things she needs to do in the stage ahead of time. We've missed the show rehearsal last Friday because of some important reasons. I just asked Mommy Nina for some tips about the practice (thanks sis!) and did our own version at home. At first she's really eager to pose, still providing her sweetest smile in front of the camera. Striking a pose and even winks!..haha! Then when it's already her turn to go up and ramp... I can see already the anxieties on her face…hahaha! The woos and claps of the audience, plus the flashing cameras everywhere and the loud sound system starting to scare her. It seems that her crocs suddenly became heavy that she can’t even walk normally... hehe! Small steps were done with her head down and sad eyebrows. Oh no… my little girl was about to cry! Daddy was on the rescue! Since I’m on the back stage I asked him to position his self in front so that Sam could see him. So this is it… our little girl suddenly melts down in the middle of her modeling moment… my poor little girl.

got scared with the whoos and claps of the audience plus paparrazis everywhere

the "melt down"

Honestly I was a little bit disappointed at her and myself because everything we practice and the motivation and everything just went into waste (very bad mommy me no?...hehe). But then I realized that I shouldn't need to have this kind of attitude. She’s my daughter. Just a little girl who is a first timer in modeling . That normally to have this kind of initial reaction in front of many people. I should be more proud of her because she really tried her best. I know most mommies here were also first timers fully pledge stage moms…as in literally nasa back stage or any sides of the stage while their kids performs. That as much as possible, we want to meet the expectations regarding our kid’s performance. But whatever happened, we should be thankful enough for their achievements, whether little or big accomplishments… diba? Kaya I’m very proud of her whatever happened…my little ramp model. She has her own title na nga c/o mommy Jen…the little "Crying Diva!”…haha! :

she's ok na here and willing to model na after the show....sheesh!..lolz!

click here to see more pics of the mini fashion show

*Outfits sponsored by Jam's by Rustans
*Footwear sponsored by Crocs