Loaded Week

Hello guys, I'm still alive! :P Did you missed me or namiss nyo ba ko? haha,feeling lang! kase ako namiss ko kayo lahat while I was away. My day is not complete without checking my daily reads here in my blog :(

Our internet connection is just so irritating that it really stuck me to being lazy to blog. Plus I was really busy for the past few days with my life at work – my new workplace, new workloads, new schedule and I'm still on the adjustment period although I'm still on the same environment pa din naman and still working in the same school but this career change of mine is something positive which gives me the time to go home earlier than my previous work. Meaning, more time with my Xian! Then aside from that, I'm tending to our school boy everyday. Before I go to work I make sure that all of his daily needs are ready and when I got home naman, we'll talk about their activities at school that day and will ask Xian to sing the new song or the new things he learned from Teacher Anne as our bonding time. This kind of busyness especially with my school boy is what's giving me a new kind of high nowadays. Hindi sya yung stressful, in fact I love everything about it especially after a tiring day at work then Xian will show me his activity sheet from school as soon as I enter the house.

So I just dropped by to have a quick post. quick daw ano eh kanina pa ko daldal ng daldal. Honestly I don't know where to start. The new blogger's layout didn't help. Kaloka! Andami ko gusto ikwento especially Xian's summer class. by the way for the past 8 days, he's doing great in school. As promised, I was the one who dropped him off to school on his first day and nag-sit in ako together with the other moms while they're having their activities and OA man sabihin pero alam mo yung feeling na nakakaiyak sa galak just by merely looking at him with his new milestone and that is his life as a preschooler enjoying on his new environment. On his second day I told him that I need to go to the office and I cannot go with him sa school kaya si inay na muna maghahatid since may service naman sila. I thought iiyak sya but to my surprise, ok lang sa kanya and when I called Inay at school to check them, she told me that Xian's inside the classroom already and there's no crying moments. in fact, she's already at the guardian's area together with the other parents/guardians. Then when I went to his school few days ago, according to Teacher Anne, he's very good because he's really participating in class and active in every activities. I noticed that school became Xian's happy place together with his classmates as his new-found friends and playmates.

Then kanina, I filed a half day of leave because I attended my first ever parents' meeting! Hello PTA meeting, I belong. Haha. The meeting is about the Culminating Activity on the 3^rd week of May which is the kids “graduation day” because they'll be having some dance presentations so meaning they also have costumes and all. I can't wait to see my Xian participating on the school program.

As much as I want to share some of Xian's memorable photos at his school right now but I have yet to download them from my camera, imagine paga-upload lang wala din ako time.haha,this time being busy is bad! So let me just share you some of preschool-related photos of our Xian from my phone.

 first day high -- off to school!

puzzle time!

 their first ever coloring activity.

my first ever parents' meeting notice.

 

That's all for now muna! :)

 

Preschool Hunting: The Final Edition

Like what I've mentioned before, initially we have four choices of preschool for the little man. I'm done with preschool #1 and since preschools 2, 3 and 4 are all near our place approximately 5-10 minutes travel time, I had the best time to check them in one day. So during my 1 week bed rest after I had my surgical operation last month, I allotted one day to check these schools together with Inay and Xian for ocular visit. Nung nag-ocular kami, magkakalapit din lang yung inikutan namin. hehe. Unfortunately, I don't like preschool #3 because of some factors, imagine yung feeling na first impression pa lang pero sablay na. preschool #4 naman (which is also a catholic school where I graduated) is my last choice if ever preschool #2 will not pass my standards.

So I'll just focus this post on our preschool of choice.

Preschool #2: St. Jude Science and Technological School

They're one progressive school in our town being 4 years only in the business.The name is quite confusing at first because it doesn't sounds like a "normal preschool name" but they're actually one. While there are several existing schools offering pre-elem, elementary  and highschool courses within our town, SJSTI is the first Science and English-speaking school in the area. They also offer grade school and high school that's why the name is a little bit different. What I like about this school is that it is somehow aligned to our family values or values that I wanted to teach him since I also studied in a catholic school.

I don't have any photos of the facilities to share since I'm too shy to take pictures that time since the principal is there.haha! But they have nice classrooms and clean playground, same thing with other facilities.The school for me provides a conducive environment for the little man's growth,away from the noise of the vehicles in the street. While we're checking the school, we saw some hollow blocks and other construction materials present that time but that's understandable since they're undergoing some expansion.The approved building plan also is very promising. The staff  and teachers are courteous and even the security guard speaks in English.  There are a couple of students at the area that time and seems like they're well-disciplined. We also saw the school canteen and most of the foods we saw there are nutritious ones. Wala akong napansin na junk foods.  And although may mga big kids na kasama sa school, the pre-elem's classrooms are far from the elementary and high school so I don't have to worry na may makakabangga sa kanya na malaking bata. You know naman mga kids, they have the tendency to get rowdy sometimes especially with the little ones.

The tuition fee is ok and fit nicely in our budget and I believe that it commensurate to the quality of education they provide. The best thing about it is that when I asked Xian if he already like there as his school, he answered me with "yes" and everytime may magtatanong sa kanya sa family namin kung saan sya papasok he'll proudly reply with "St. Good (Jude)!" so that's a big factor for us to consider-- Xian liked preschool #2.

Here's one of Xian's snapshot during our ocular visit.

With their mission "Your partner in the holistic development of  your child" . After careful deliberation with hubby Allan and weighing the pros and cons of our top 2 school of choice -- Silvercrest School and St. Jude and carefully comparing them, we came to our mutual decision and that is we're finally going to send Xian to St. Jude!  We'll see and try there muna for 1 year. After all St. Jude passed our criteria especially the convenient location without sacrificing the quality of education. Although sayang yung discount sa Silvercrest as one of Xian's benefit as my son, who knows maaavail din naman nya yun in the future pag big kid na sya. 

I already enrolled Xian at St. Jude's 1 month summer "practice" class which will start on Monday. This also served na din as reservation fee and they'll just deduct 50% of what I paid for the summer class from the actual tuition fee for the whole year.The staff said that it's more of playtime and socialization and some activities for kids in preparation for the opening of classes this June. As promised, I will be the one to accompany the little man to his school on Monday. I already filed a vacation leave. :)

So yes, we will finally send a kid to preschool! I'm a bit excited and scared. Hopefully, Xian's first day will be a smooth one.Wish us lots of luck.hahaha!

 

Xian and Magnum

During the hype of the Magnum Ice cream when Xian's tita ninang Twinx got this adorable puppy as a gift from a friend,hence she named him Magnum which became additional member of the family in our compound.

 Hello Magnum! :)

I think this is the perfect time to test Xian's nurturing skills to have his own pet in the future. If ever he'll have one, through taking care of his pet Xian can know how to take care of others which will cultivate his own sense of responsibility. Magnum is the best candidate for now! Good thing his Tita Ninang made Xian as one of the co-owner.haha!

 during their playtime

Here's one side kwento about Xian and Magnum:

Xian: mommy,kakainis si Magnum! (frown face)

Me: huh? bakit naman?

Xian: eh kase dinilaan nya ko dito sa ulo (sabay turo) 

Me: yun lang naman pala eh,naglalambing lang sayo si Magnum.

Xian: ok! pero sabi ko sa hand lang eh.bawal sa head...

hahaha,yun naman pala eh.Magnum,di ka sumunod sa instruction! :P 

Speaking of the real Magnum, here's the little man in his favorite Magnum Classic.

Comeback Post: Our Holy Week 2012

May hangover pa ko ng long weekend but I'm officially back to work after a well rested week yesterday.

I hope everyone were able to reflect and spend quality time with their loved ones, just like what I did no wonder I was also on a blog hiatus for the past few days. :)

For most of us, the best part of the vacation is hitting the beach or any resort within our area and like majority of the peeps, we're one of them.Yun nga lang, this is the first summer that we're not complete after hubby's overseas work. Dati rati last week of March pa lang we already had a resort in mind. My boys love the water so much. We even had an out of town swimming a month before Christmas kung saan taglamig na pero gora pa din.haha! Allan is a Pisces while Xian naman is Aries, although a Fire element he still love the water so much. Ako keri lang ang tubig, Virgo eh.

This time, no family picture for Summer of 2012 :( di bale, babawi kami sa December,promise! ganyang style din,dapat nakalublob sa swimming pool.lol.

So here's how we spent the precious 5 days in a couple of pics:

Maundy Thursday

At first, I thought pass muna kami ni Xian sa swimming this year. I'm just planning of buying him a bigger inflatable swimming pool compare to what he's been using last year . But my family had other plans for my sister's birthday so join na din kami ni bagets. We had our family swimming at La Leona Resort near our hometown. By the way,belated happy birthday sa pinakamabait kong sister next to me of course (haha!) -- my 4th sister Apple!  My little family - me, kuya Allan and Xian kulit loves you so much.

Xian and the Birthday Girl. Wapakels na sa picture taking si Xian,mukhang langoy na langoy na eh!

 

Oopps, checking the water first.baka daw kase malamig.

 

 emo ang Xian

 

Xian with his Tita Ninang Sol

 

  mommy and my little merman

And now,don't ask what is the shade of Xian's skin.hahaha!

Good Friday and Black Saturday

We just savor our staycation, do household errands, playtime with Xian, visit our relatives, watched some kiddie movies. By the way, Gnomeo and Juliet was the little man and I's favorite movie at the moment, then sleep, munched the food we hoard prior to holidays.Takot magutom since majority of the establishments and malls in our place were closed for two days.

These are two of our favorite snack discoveries:

 M & M's cookies for Xian. he loves the combination of his favorite chocolate and cookies. I must say,masarap nga!

caramel cheesecake icecream for mommy, although nothing can replace Magnum's special place in my tastebuds.kaso di available ang Magnum nowadays (ganun na ata talaga kalakas ang Magnum fever na out of stock sila palagi) so this is my next choice.

Easter Sunday

After the mass,we went to my in-laws place. Xian also had a taste of the summer league where his daddy used to play basketball. The little man even have his own jersey courtesy of hubby's teammates/friends (which are also Xian's  ninong's). Allan kase is a basketball player, that's his ultimate hobby when we're not yet married. Bago pa man nya ko minahal nung nagkakilala kami eh mahal na nya ang bola ng basketball.No wonder he's one of the best varsity player in our university wayback,kaya nga ko nainlove di ba.haha! #oneproudfantalkinghere.

 Xian #3! I hope he'll also be a good basketball player when he grows up. Magstock ako ng madaming cherifer para sayo,anak!

Monday

It's Xian's Jollibee Day for the last day of the long vacay. I don't have any pics since the usual routine naman whenever we're there eh playtime then eat his favorite  food - chicken,spaghetti and fries.


 All in all, this mommy still finds time to rest and reflect for the past few days together with my little man! Looking forward sa next long weekend! :P

 

Preschool Hunting

This is a super delayed post. 


Like what I've mention before, our Xian will start schooling this June as Nursery. Allow me to say my favorite motto but time really flies so fast! May preschooler na kami! I wish there's also a ticker here on how many times I've said that statement eversince this blog was born no? I know utang-uta na kayo sa line na yun.haha!

Although I started my hunt late last year through checking the school's website but not that serious,tamang preschool hunting,steady lang. Early last year, Allan and I are already considering of sending Xian to school at 3.We did a round up of possible schools in our town. Others may think that it's way too early especially the oldies, I totally recall one scenario although this is not our case but I heard this one time while I'm riding a jeepney on my way home. Can't help but listen to the  woman in front of me.Sa lakas ba naman ng boses nya. According to the woman,"sus kaya pinapapasok ng maaga ng magulang ang anak nila eh tamad lang alagaan!" Ano daw? Where in the world did she get that idea.

Although I don't know who she is referring to particularly; but as a mom,  I was really pissed off with her statement. Hindi rason na dahil tinatamad lang alagaan kaya pinapapasok ang anak at an early age.  As a parent, it is my desire for my son to be exposed to other people with a very conducive environment for his growth and develop more of his skills.  I don't want to put pressure on the little man's schooling, I just want the whole thing  to be  a fun and enjoyable experience for him. 

One more thing to consider is the child's readiness.  2 years old pa nga lang si Xian but he already knows the concept of schooling because of his cousins and he's already excited about it. As much as I want na 4 years old sya magstart and do the homeschooling type first (as our initial plan), there are still a lot of things na mas matututunan nya at madedevelop sa personality nya away from home together with kids of his age since at our home, big kids na nakakainteract ni Xian that's why we always bring him to the play area at the mall to play with the same age bracket.

Oh well,sana lang naexplain ko yun kay ate no? hehe!

Anyway moving forward, at the start I had around 4 schools on my list. 3 in our town and 1 near my workplace.

Let's start with the latter.

Silvercrest School

What I particularly like about the school since they just opened last year is the premises, there is a small teacher-student ratio, faculty and staff who are highly qualified and competent, fully air-conditioned classrooms and laboratories,state of the art play and swimming facilities and effective system of linkage for it's site learning activities.

It is stated that their program center on the children's development which could make them socially, spiritually, emotionally, academically and globally prepared for the demands of higher learning and of the real world.

Why do I know all about these things? 

It's because this is the preschool department of the school I'm working for 5 1/2 years,I'm only assigned at the college department and no, I'm not part of their marketing team.lol. 

What I'll be stating here are unbiased observation of a first time preschooler mom. Allow me to share some of the photos I had during my ocular visit (well,sort of) hehe.

Let's tour Preschool #1,tara! :)

This is the main entrance of the building.

Welcome Greetings for Parents and Students. Noticed the date? I told you, I've been checking prospective preschool as early as last year. hehe.

This adorned the hallway

religious statue at the corner of the hallway 

 The Playroom

 Xian will surely love this.

some do's and dont's

The Classroom

During preschool hunting like this, I'm very particular with the classroom because this is where Xian will spend majority of his time. The classroom should be interesting and pleasing to the eyes.Kase ako man nung nag-aaral ako,mas inspired ako matuto kapag maganda at maayos environment ko. So a nice classroom is a big plus for me.

Here's three example of a preschool classroom at Silvercrest.

This is the green classroom. I think this belongs to the Kinder students.

The Yellow Clasroom. Siguro eto naman sa Nursery. 

Sapphire Mommy @ The Blue Room! Malamang Prep level na dito.

cute na cute ako sa design na 'to ng wall.

 This occupy one side of the wall

height chart (with my friend Kai) and animal chart.

The Comfort Room

clean comfort room for the li'l boys and girls

The Playground

hmmm.. isa pang possible hide out ni Xian

final shot after the school tour.
logo @ our back: Silvercrest is where your child becomes the best! 

This is my first choice of preschool actually. Imagine, Allan and I could save atleast 25% from Xian's tuition fee (50% if he's already in high school and college) as one of the benefits of working in a school plus I could check on him every once in a while since the preschool is just a few walks away from our building. I'm sure the little man will not have a hard time to like his "home away from home".

 But since my topmost priority is the location, I wouldn't want Xian to experience 20-30 minutes travel time every morning going to school to think their class schedule is just a couple of hours everyday. Di ba? Gusto ko papasok sya sa school everyday with a happy feeling hindi yung tatamadin na ang bagets maisip pa lang ang byahe unlike preschool in our town na 5-10 minutes travel time lang. One more factor is that, I want Xian to achieve and excel in his preschool based on his own capabilities, I don't want others to think na naaccomplish nya ang isang bagay just because his mom is a school staff. Yung ganun. You know naman I hate politics.haha!

That's why hanging pa si Preschool #1.

Nonetheless, I still continue my journey of preschool hunting down to preschool #2 of my choice and tell you about how our ocular went, but that would be on my next post! :)

 

It's All About Xian

These are some of Xian's photos before he turns 3 years old. Sorry baby if mommy became so busy and preoccupied last month. I promise that starting this month, this blog will be more about YOU. Your new milestones especially your quirky thoughts and antics (because you've got tons of them,my gulay! you're talking non-stop nowadays and you're really growing up as a smart one. #oneproudmommatalking. 

 Since you have lots of photos with different stories from the past weeks, I'll photoblog it na lang. ^-^

taken at my brother's birthday dinner @ Shakey's.That's Xian's trademark pogi pose. He do this a lot of times! pasensya na,wala pa akong tulog dyan.haha!

 Xian with his tita ninang Twinx, the camwhoring tandem.I sooo love this photo,mukhang girl si Xian.haha! magkamukha na sila no? :)

breakfast @ McDonald's. My little man is so sweet, sya talaga nag-insist na magtimpla ng kape ko.kamusta naman ang hair mo dyan anak?

It's a date! @ Red Ribbon after the Sunday mass. by the way, #11 is daddy's all time favorite jersey #.

Malling with the little man is not complete without a carousel ride.

 Xian and his new buddy - Magnum!(I'll make a separate post about it)

Xian with his new apple of the eye - Dora! (that's really her parent's nickname for her)

Xiantukin! kumakain sya snack nung iniwan ko sa sala,pagbalik ko after 5 minutes, ganyan na sya.see the unfinished donut on his hand? haha!

maganda ang gising.good morning sunshine!

Remember the last time when we went to the hospital where I had my check up, the little man kept me sane with his charm all throughout the day to ease my anxiousness. 

 need I say more,favorite pose nya talaga yan.

"Xian: Ang Batang Imbestigador" While peeking at the sonography room, he was shocked when the door suddenly opened with a smiling face of one of the staff and the staff said to him "Bulaga!" Xian immediately run towards us laughing.
Parang kinikiliti lang ang bagets sa saya!

pose ng pagod! by the way,he's just hamming it up for the camera. after I took this picture, he checked my phone for the shot and smiled with what he saw. Klaseng papaulit kung di nya nagustuhan ang shot.haha! According to Allan,manang-mana talaga sa pinagmanahan.

While processing my HMO card.Xian's pamatay na hairstyle with matching folded shirt sleeves. Si Tita Ninang Sol nya ang salarin! :P

These are just some of Xian's photos from the past weeks that I have in my facebook account. haaaay Xian my love,big boy ka na talaga!