From Dawn Till Dusk

I haven’t posted an update on the Little Play Area project we’re doing for Nico. That is precisely because the project is not yet finished.  We’ve decided to include the renovation of our living/dining/kitchen area as well, so the construction work was focused to those first.

Meanwhile, I’m posting initial photos of the project progress and am proud to say, with all modesty, that the money used to buy those tiles are from my Blog earnings.

The photos above is the Little Play Area for Nico.  It used to be our stockroom/ quasi-garage area.  Well, it’s not that spacious as those banquet rooms in San Diego CA, but it definitely is just right to house the kid’s furniture and toys and for Nico to explore and enjoy playing.

And that play area has its own bathroom too. Continue Reading »

That photo above, probably that is my most fave photo of Nico with his Lola Mommy.  Photo was taken at Nico’s first birthday.  Certainly reminds of how loving and doting she is to my son, that even our homes are kilometers away from each other, she makes sure to check every now and then, how her apo is doing.

I just love my Mom.  Kinda bit corny and somewhat exxage but I don’t think I can live a day without my Mom at my side.  We may live far away from each other, but that didn’t hinder her from guiding me to be the best parent I can be for Nico. I used to say that her parenting styles are too ancient times and sometimes we have different beliefs, but looking back how wisdomful her thoughts on parenting were, I admittedly concede that her child rearing experience was far the best teacher of which much were never read in a book or bought in a store. Continue Reading »

So Nico and classmates watched the Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang play at the PETA Theater in Quezon City early morning yesterday.  I’ve already conditioned myself I cannot join him since the Teachers in the school emphasized it clearly that they will be going to the theater alone, sans the parents or any adult companion for that matter.  In fact, I’ve made plans that since I’m all alone at home, might as well I go to work na lang.  Hubby and I agreed we will just bring Nico to school and his Daddy will just fetch him at 2PM, the expected time that kids will arrive back in school.

And so as early as 4AM, I woke up to cook Nico his very early breakfast (Arroz Caldo) and prepare his baon for the playwatching as well (hotdog and cheese waffles).  :)  Soon as I’m done, I just rested a bit and then woke up Nico.  He had to be in school at 7, and so in as fast as lightning, he had his grasp breakfast, quick bath and dressing up. After a few more minutes, Hubby and I prepared ourselves too and then we’re ready to go.  Frustrated that I am not to be able to take pictures of my preschooler in the PETA play watching, I armed myself anyway with the cam as I thought to just take photos in school minutes before they leave.

We arrived in school a few minutes before 7 and then once we’ve settled ourselves in the waiting area, I happily chatted with some of the parents. I noticed they were all dressed up too, most were in their rubber shoes and had big bags with them with all the baons and stuff.  Then I began asking questions: kasama kayo sa play watching?.  Everyone replied in chorus: Oo naman, bakit ikaw hindi? Then if finally sank to me all the kids have companion, except for Nico and a little girl named Megan.  “Sumama ka na. Kawawa naman si Nico, walang kasama sa play watching,” said one of the Moms there.  “Ngek, kala ko po kasi hindi allowed ang parents to join the kids kaya I assumed it as that,” I said.  “Naku, sabi lang nila yun. Pero wag tayo paapekto. Sige na, sumama ka na,” said another parent.  Hubby and I talked about it and after a little more prodding from the parents there, I found myself inside the bus, seated beside Nico, and enjoyed half the day inside the dolby digital Theater watching the play.

I say two thumbs up play as a whole.  The setting, plot  and the professional actors and actresses who portrayed the characters, they did great justice of Severino Reyes’ literature piece.  The PETA Theater itself is also very child-friendly. It boasts a great sound system. Not too loud, just right for the ears of little tots. It was like listening to a home theater’s best 3 piece ceiling and wall speakers. Continue Reading »

Mitch tagged me to share my thoughts on the appropriate age for a child to be placed in preschool here.  Right timing,  while browsing the net on great casserole recipes, I happen to have stumbled upon an article by Chris Ashman, a parenting expert, which is but fitting to this tag.

Here’s sharing:

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Your child is three, and it’s school time, must be time for preschool, right? Not necessarily. Not all three-year-olds are ready for preschool. At this age, children do need some social activities. They enjoy playing with others, and are beginning to learn to make friends. However, a structured academic preschool may not be appropriate for all children. Some children need an extra year of unstructured play. It allows them to learn social skills, without the added stress of learning new routines and academics. There are several factors which will help you determine if your three-year-old if is ready for an academic preschool program or if he or she needs a less structured, play group environment.

The first factor to consider is your child’s previous experience. Has your child been in daycare or cared for by a relative? If not, you should consider how easily your child separates from you. What is your child’s experience with other programs? Has your child attended structured programs, such as story time at the library? Consider whether your child sits for story time? Does he like to participate in group activities or does he play own his own, near other children? At this age, it is very important to determine if your child would benefit most from the structure of a program or from its social aspects.

The next factor to consider is your child’s personality and interests. How active is your child? Will he or she sit for a short period of time, if interested in a task? How well does your three-year-old share? Does he or she like to hold books and look at them? Does your three-year-old engage in pretend play? Like to sing songs? Has he or she begun to recognize colors, and shapes? These activities will all be part of a structured preschool program.

Finally, consider your child’s level of development. How understandable is her speech to people outside of the family? Are there any other developmental issues? If you have concerns about your child’s development he or she should be evaluated by your pediatrician who will help you find the most suitable program for your child.

Children benefit from being in a simulating environment at an early age. However, not all children are ready for a structured academic program at the age of three. The parent is the best judge of which type of program is appropriate for his or her child.

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Thanks for the tag Sis. It brought back memories of those times I was seriously considering enrolling Nico in preschool at quite a very early age.  He started joining a playgroup at age 2.9 years old and then come June of 2007 (he was 3.2 years old then), we decided to enroll him in Nursery.  The school we enrolled him is semi traditional though and regretfully, it didn’t work right for him. We’re glad to have found a good school for him this year and he’s so loving it there.

Tagging the FMB Mommies: Cookie, Cess, Chats, Lynn, Teacher Julie, and Wenchie. Hope you can share your thoughts.

Nico and classmates in senior preschool will be watching an interactive play this coming Friday dubbed “Mga Kwento Ni Lola Basyang” at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. The play watching is the highlight to end the class’ unit theme on Books, Reading and Literacy. Even before the first trimester ended, the school had notified the parents of the details of the play, through a letter, the fees to be settled, what the kids are supposed to wear during the play, and the Itinerary.

Of course, being the excited Mom that I am, I assumed that parents or any adult companion for that matter would also come along with the kids in the play. So I took it as that.

Then came the Parents and Teachers Talk two Fridays back where the results of the behavioral and cognitive/academic functioning reports were distributed and discussed. Sidelight to the discussion, I took the chance to also ask about the upcoming play at the onset of the second trimester. Again, my asking was based on a previous understanding that parents or adult companion may go with the kids in the play.

Here’s how our conversion went: Continue Reading »

Last Sunday, I went to the Philippine Blogs Awards 2008 together with the rest of the beautiful FMB Mommies and sweet Rach, who was our bet for the Bloggers’ Choice Award. Aside from Rach, we were there to support and cheer for our special ed guru Teacher Julie too, whose post on Study Habits was nominated for the Best Single Post in the Family & Living Category.

It was my first time ever to attend such Blogging event, and as I enter the huge room of Esplanade and saw the faces behind those Blogs which I used to just read online, I can’t help but feel a wee bit of introspection. Pardon for being a little bit sentimental, but honestly, never in my wild imagination I’d be pursuing going to events like that ever in my entire Blogging life.

(Photo courtesy of Chats a.ka. imom)

Two years back when I first engaged myself into Blogging, my only intention was to express my thoughts on motherhood and document my son’s milestones. But look how far I’ve clicked and landed. It was through Blogging that I’ve met so many of my wonderful friends now. Some of them even have become my most treasured friends in real life. We share our littlest of secrets, we share about our daily mundane in life, and we share our own joys and challenges along our journey to motherhood. I can only be thankful for what Blogging has brought me. And that nonetheless, completed me already. Can’t ask for anything more. I was happily and contentedly sitting somewhere in that “little corner” of the Blogsphere with my friends, until that night of the Blog Awards. Continue Reading »

Thank goodness it’s Friday already! A few more hours to go, and I’m off with work stuff.  This workweek, I can say, was one those toxicating and stressful one. So many issues in the media environment that has to be managed, I think I failed to spend quality time with my family, especially with Nico. :(  It’s his first trimester break in school this week and supposedly, our initial plan was to tag Nico along with me in the Office for the entire workweek. There are tons of pending paperwork I need to accomplish and I thought of readying arts and crafts that Nico can be occupied with while I do my work.  But the recent turn of events in the Office prompted a change in plans. And much as it broke my heart, am left with no other choice but to attend first to so many pressing matters.

Monday started with the organization’s budget hearing, I failed to join Nico in his occupational and speech therapy sessions.  Good thing Hubby was there to accompany him in the sessions, at least the feeling of guilt in me eventually subsided.  He just dropped Nico to my Office after the therapy sessions where the Little Boy spent haft the day doodling and coloring while I do some workstuff.  Tuesday was spent at home, but most of the time, I was in work mode.  Had no other choice but to stay online even in the holiest hours, as the time difference between the Trade offices abroad and the Home office is about 12 hours.  I have to get the freshest reports from there, and have them ready for consumption by press people who are eager and all hungry to get their own scoops and news reports.

The whole of Wednesday was almost spent at the briefing of the economic team.  While the briefing was taking place, my mind was all flying thinking how Nico was doing back in the Office.  It’s delivery day for the Hubby that Wednesday so Nico was dropped by his Dad to my Office mid-morning. I was already in Makati Shangrila to cover the briefing.

From the briefing, it was already around mid-afternoon that we were able to get back in the Office and what a sigh of relief I felt seeing Nico sitting oh so comfortably in a portion of my workstation. Continue Reading »