just amazing

I am just amazed...

Looks a lot like my handwriting hehe.

see: zaiid writes on his own

'Giyang Pasko!

We arrived just 10 minutes before the program starts. We had to drag Zaiid all the way from the gate to his teacher. He was still very sleepy. Poor baby, we had to wake him from his afternoon nap.

He was kind of wondering what he was doing up there. He stood there motionless, looking at the crowd. Aaaw... my baby still looks very sleepy. He sings the whole song "Give Love on Christmas Day" at home happily but right now, he's just not feeling it.

After two more numbers, the children were brought up to the stage in groups or individually to say "Merry Christmas" in different languages. To my surprise Zaiid spoke up clearly a "Giyang Pasko!" (Maligayang Pasko) It was sooo funny! I wasn't prepared for this! I missed a video!

After the children's singing, the parents were asked to join in the games. Uh, no thank you hehe. While the prizes and games were up, the boys had a great time on the playground. Dirt and sand yes, but who cares? Tonight they're having their party! Finally we were up close with the famous yellow slide. A chanting after school hours saying how cool was the slide in school. Baby Manghud gets a fun share at the little pink slide too.

And finally, it was gift giving time. The pupils were asked to bring one new toy in school so the teachers can exchange it with another toy. Zaiid got a teddy bear and immediately gave it a hug.

'Giyang Pasko everyone!

N3 Class of De La Salle Montessori

first lollipop!

It's his first time to eat a lollipop. He got it from his "trick or treat" in school.

Happy Halloween everyone!

idol si papagoy!

Getting ready for his first trick or treat at school tomorrow.

My little policeman, idol ang papa nga Sikyo!

(husband as a security guard on halloween '04)

zaiid writes on his own!

For a month, my 3.3yo has been tracing his name on broken lines while reciting the letters that compose his name. Today, he's on his own. I'm in awe to see how he does it almost so perfectly with his chubby little hand, that you'd think "oh my, he's actually learning something in school". Of course he's learning other than singing, dancing and counting, he's made progress in writing. Amazing.

United Nations Day

We just celebrated United Nations Day at my 3.3yo's school, De La Salle Montessori. Ohmigoodness are we ever the proudest parents in the world! Not an exageration. It was a crazy, overwhelming, new feeling. It was the first "school program" we attended so it was a big deal for us. We were all excited and hoped to see Zaiid dance on stage (as eagerly as he does at home.)

The puddings were complete. Younger brother was as hyper as mama and papa, entertaining some people, or eating mama's nose, or experimenting on papa's face. We all waited for kuya's big number.

The program started with the big bang from the DLSM Band playing the UAE National Anthem. They were very entertaining and looked so stunning with their full band getup and little instruments that didn't even mind if they were hitting the same note. They were amazing!

The aim of the program was to promote peace, love, and happiness through Dance - "It doesn't matter if you're black or white, we are ONE and the same". Each class presented a dance from different cultures around the world.

"Taas Noo" by the N1 and N2 Pupils

"Ojos Asi" by the N3 girls

"Nobody" by the N4 girls

And finally. "Jaiho" by the N3 and N4 boys.

*my heart melts under his spell...*

*he gets distracted by his costume. haha!*

*oops. he spots me!*

*exits.*

*goes to teacher and asks if he could come down...*

*he obeys teacher, comes back to dance...*

*bow. that's my mama!*

They ended the program with Michael Jackson's Black or White. These little ones are giving us pure joy and contentment. They are the little ambassadors of hope - the children of De La Salle Montessori.

We are so proud of you Zaiid, you did great Jai Ho boy! We lovelovelove you!

I would also like to congratulate the teachers and staff who exceeded beyond my expectations. You deserve our standing ovation for a job well done - from the costume-making to teaching the little ones to dance, almost perfecting the art of "follow teacher!". You guys are amazing. Keep it up!

little lasallian

do the penguin parade!

Today is Zaiid's first school field trip. N2 and N3 head out to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. I would never miss it for the world. But parents were not invited so we need to keep our distance from the group so Zaiid wouldn't see us. I should say we were good at stalking our little boy!

Little brother getting ready to stalk big brother...

There he is!

They all lie down to feel magic of the aquarium tunnel...

Doing the Penguin Parade...

Heading back to school for lunch...

Can't get enough of the penguin parade hat :)

School Field Trip letter

It's just funny to get a letter to parents for the first time. It's a funny feeling because I'm already part of a school-parent relationship which I thought was a very grown up matter. I still don't feel much of a grown up. But at the same time it made me realize that my baby is already starting to be independent from me and creating his little adventure all on his own. I'm sure my little shoolboy would be thrilled to join his first school field trip.

Dear Parents,

This coming Monday, October 5, we will be taking the N-3 and N-2 on a trip to Dubai Aauarium and Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall. The N-3 and N-2 will be taking a tour of the aquarium and underwater zoo as well as attending the Ocean School Education Program.

Should you permit your child to join the field trip, please duly complete and sign the permission slip below and return to us on or before Sunday, October 4. Children without permission slips will not be alllowed to join the field trip.

Thank you for your cooperation.

With best regards,

DLSM Management

a haircut and a new bag.

A haircut and a new bag. Feels good to go to school. What's inside: two milk bottles, juice, chicken nuggets for breakfast, chicken adobo for lunch, rice, spoon and fork, plate, extra brief, shorts, t-shirt.

special thanks to: Auntie Nana and Tita Eva for taking Zaiid to the barbershop.

stuff

I need to buy/do stuff for my boys:

[ ] definitely get zaiid a haircut.
[ ] akii's birthday celebration poppers, balloons, backdrop!
[ ] zaiid's white rubber shoes for his P.E. day
[ ] bigger school bag
[ ] bigger breakfast and lunchboxes

Hope we can get all these done before the week ends.

The recycling of a kimono

Zaiid needs a painting apron for school but we left his apron in Cebu where I made a little burda design. So we recycled his little kimono (worn when he was still 5months old) and turn it into an apron. Great handwork by Auntie Nana, thank you!

The original litol kimono:

The new adorable apron:

The little artist:

big yellow bus

I am relieved to know that my boy is not going to get on an ordinary van by himself to school. Starting this school year, the government has implemented all private schools in the Middle East to obtain the yellow bus with a trained school bus driver holding the exclusive school bus driving license.

The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) completed a training course for 50 school bus drivers issuing them with exclusive school bus driving licenses, for the first time ever in the Middle East.

The ride to the big yellow bus starts on the 15th.

First day of School!

He was as excited as going to other places - only that it's got bonus points because he's loving his school uniform and new black shoes! But school bus isn't picking him up yet until the 15th so we had to get a carlift instead.

We picked him up at 12:45 - all smiles, holding his bottle of milk. He can't wait to go to school tomorrow morning again. "See you mowow!"

the hunt for the coolest black school shoes

We are in a mission to find Kuya Zaiid's cool black school shoes. What better way to start the adventure with a smooth riding taxi ride?

Mission completion! Presenting to you the coolest black school shoes!