pet project

We don't have pets ... and we never attempted to buy any pet. You see, hubby and I share the passion of ... NOT having any pets. We are lazy, and we don't like the smell of pets inside our home. We are also afraid of getting any disease brought by any household pets. Thus, despite loving those cuti-cutie puppies...we opted not to have one!

But for Sam's school project, we are forced to buy pair of hamster to comply with the requirements. Believe me, the bratinella was giddy happy when she saw her pets! Totally delighted and named her pets, po and ming ming. The day hubby went home with her hamster ... she couldn't sleep! Very much excited. As a matter of fact, overly excited feeding and giving water to her new pet "toys".

Now we wonder ... can she have her own pets? Hmmm.. too early to tell.

sick no more

Finally, her fever subsides, her throat infection gone, her appetite's back .... she's sick no more!
After mising three-days of school, she's ready and excited to be back!

Thursday, regular day class



Friday : in her PE uniform for gift activity time (ballet)

Hay finally...mommy too can now relax. I now have the entire Friday for myself! So, it's gonna be a ME time today. Will do little shopping for myself at Shang and probably have a spa massage tonight at Suriya Spa. By Monday, will be back to work! Oh so sad....

Will miss being a SAHM. As a matter of fact, I am starting to enjoy it and already asking hubby if I can retire na... hahaha! How I wish I can.

sam the bday girl and sam, the sick girl.

We attended yesterday 4th Birthday Party of Samantha Dizon at Loyola Grand Villas. It was an awesome party with Hannah Montana party theme. Kudos to Mommy Rubai for another successful party of Sam! The balloon set-up was beautiful with a lot of kiddie carts provided by Yan-ple party shop. My sam enjoyed hopping from one kiddie cart to another. Enjoying the pizza and hotdog carts the most!

Sadly, we left the party quite early since Sam's running with a slight fever. After eating, I noticed she's in no mood to participate with the games and began to change her mood, from festive to grouchy mood . Quite unlikely because just few hours before, she was playing and joined all the games with so much enthusiasm. She even won a lot of looties for playing the game. But, looking how sick my sam was...I've decided to go home immediately and said our thanks and goodbye to our party host.

winning the sticker contest

amanda, sam --the bday girl, and my sam!

Anyway as soon as we arrived home, Sam still no mood to play. Still with fever, she just played with the loots we got from Sam party. Despite not finishing the party, Mommy Rubai was very generous and gave us tokens and loots which made my daughter happy.

sam here cheking out her loots! (lo-batt and really sick na!)

As of writing, the little girl's fever ranges from 38-39C. It's been at this high for the past two days. Been giving her Tempra medication and a lot of soup but somehow she also lost her appetite. Tried bribing her Mc Do and Jollibee chicken, but it won't do the trick!

Oh I just hope she'll feel better tommorow. She already missed the enitre classes of June and she's been doing a lot of catching up eversince. Quite sad if she'll be absent again this week...she'll definitely miss a lot of school activities. Oh well, can't do anything but wait and see... If her fever persists until tomorrow evening, might bring her to the hospital. Oh..this is bad! Really hope she'll feel better soon.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

It's a happy monday morning here for the bratinella. This picture taken inside the car with yaya on her way to school.

On her 2nd week to school, so far ... so good! She's loving her new school to the bits! Very eager and excited to go to school with Daddy and ride the big, white car. Always smiling and looking forward to see her classmates. I just hope her excitement will not fade. Let's see ...

first day of class ... and with little ooopppss!!

Finally, I can post Sam's first day of school!

Today, June 30 is the official day Sam entered school at St. Paul College of Pasig. Despite the traffic along C5, we were able to make it at the school grounds three minutes before 8am... just in time for the morning assembly.

I must say, I am very proud of my little girl today. Despite being new at the big school, she went with the guidance counselor with no hesitation at all. She was endorsed to her teacher, Ms. Reyes (btw, they call her by last name and not Teacher Anne) and I can see that Sam was able to blend well with her classmates too! We were allowed to stay inside the classroom for a few minutes as we talked to Ms. Reyes for last minute bilin and instructions. When we left her, she was already mingling with her classmates and didn't cry at all. She even waved and said her goodbye to us. No tears, huh! Hope it will last...

BUT when I called yaya's cel after class, I was told she slightly cried (yun drama iyak nya ha!) as soon as she saw her yaya at dismissal time. Funny, because she didn't cry the entire class time. As a matter of fact, there was a big booboo done by Sam, and she didn't cry at all! You know, little accidents do happen..hehehe! I was told she pooped today without warning, and teacher got the first taste of Sam's naughtiness! Very bad. lol. Since we haven't given Sam's grooming kit yet, Sam went home with different skirt on na! Yaikkees!! Call it first day jitters or probably she's just too shy to tell her new teacher. Hahaha! Take note: she's already toilet-trained ha but she didn't tell teacher! Hay, pasaway talaga!!

Sam on her first morning assembly with nursery and kinder students...

her assigned classroom: nursery rm 5

inside the classroom ... blending with her classmates

what's her baon today? 3 pcs. oreo cookies, TJ cocktail hotdogs, chuckie and grape juice

Anyway, I am hoping tomorrow will be a better day for the bratinella! No tears again, and definitely no poop! We are also prepared for any emergency tomorrow, with extra clothes and her grooming kit. Let's see...

getting ready for school

Which one? The little girl can't decide ... very much excited!

I think she can also tell that Mommy and Daddy are equally excited on her first day of class tomorrow! Yes, ten (10) days late! And I am hoping she won't cry tomorrow ... this will be her first day on the big school.

dora school stuff bought online : lunch boxes, lid/sippy cups, utensils, bag tag (from mall)

getting ready for the big day

Poveda pictures

Since we've already decided to enrol Sam at St. Paul, let me share with you some of the school pictures I took during the parents orientation last Wednesday. Other mommy bloggers might be interested to consider Poveda for their daughters next school year.

Poveda play area and classroom

kids bathroom area

Poveda school uniform in shade of pink, blue and yellow for nursery/toddler class

No regrets, Sam maybe not meant for Poveda...for now. Maybe next year, kinder or grade school perhaps. Who knows, she might beat the birthdate window of Poveda next time. :)

... and she's officially a PAULINIAN!

After getting all the insights, helpful inputs from friends and relatives … we’ve decided, Sam will be a PAULINIAN.

Hubby and I tried to weigh things, the pros and cons of letting Sam stay at Poveda last night. And the only thing stopping our decision, hubby’s ultimate desire to have daughter from Poveda. His perception of good quality education was somewhat biased and thinking Poveda will be the best environment for her to grow academically, spiritually, emotionally and morally. (actually, I was able to pin down the right word for his school choice : BRANDING! aha!)

I don’t have any complaints in St. Paul. I love my alma mater. Coming from the same school makes me happy thinking my daughter will have the same Paulinian core values I have now.

The deciding factor was the input we got from MIL, a school principal. We went to my in-laws house last night to share our school dilemma. Surprisingly, my MIL was not bothered with the additional one year at Poveda. As for my previous post, this is my main concern. For me, it is a waste of time, money, effort going through the same phase (toddler) she had last time. My MIL take on this, four years quite long but if we are really keen on putting Sam at Poveda … then we must bite the bullet of school policies and regulations. It is unfortunate she will be the oldest among the toddlers batch. She will be the oldest and probably the brightest since she’s already advanced for this level. BUT instead of thinking sayang one year … she pointed out that Sam will have classmates with 2.5 to 3.5 years old age bracket. Of course, being on the same class they will have same activity and curriculum. The young tots will start learning things that Sam already knew like colors, numbers, songs etc. The teacher will definitely do lessons based on the learning and readiness capacity of the class. Since Sam will be mixed with the tots, the teacher will adapt to the learning level of ... mostly, tots! Instead of Sam learning in advance, Sam will have to adjust with the learning capacity of her classmates. Rather than academically progressing … her learning capacity will be stagnated! It will be very unfair for Sam! MIL was able to hit the right logic!! :) Yes, the teacher might give Sam extra work, extra projects to challenge her mind but still, she will be trapped with the same learning age level. They will still be treated/handled the same way. Sam will be no special case since Poveda does not apply “accelerated” or promotion status at the mid-school year.

After hearing this, hubby was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel… hahaha! He was finally convinced that we are doing Sam a huge favor. Transferring her to St. Paul will be the best option.

Hence as early as 8am today, Sam together with yaya we are at the guidance office of St. Paul pre-school department. She was so excited to see the big school! She was greeted by the Ms. Trina, the guidance counsellor and Sister Teresita the pre-school principal. She was participative and cooperative during the session. As a matter of fact, I saw her liking Sister Teresita so much for she hugged and kissed the nun good bye when we left. She never showed that much affection to strangers before! And I was so happy… I know we’ve made the right choice.

Ms. Trina gave us a tour of school facilities, classrooms and a one-on-one parent’s orientation (hah, we missed this also. so, special orientation din ako!) I felt we were given so much special treatment at St. Paul. Parang homecoming talaga! I paid her tuition fee, books, car stickers, uniforms in less than an hour … super bilis and convenient! Everybody was so helpful and accomodating! I felt mas masaya pala pag late enrollee ka! Special treatment! Hahaha!! Sam was even allowed to start her class tomorrow, Friday. But I opted not to… need her to get some school things pa! Wala pa sya school shoes noh! Hahaha!

So, we’ve decided Sam will officially start her class on Monday, June 30 at St. Paul Pasig. 10 days late..but what the heck, I know she will adjust and catch up!

Our dream of sending my daughter at Poveda may be a dream for now… probably by next year will transfer her as K1. Though she will be forced to complete until K3. But nevertheless, it will be different curriculum or lesson. Not for tots age na! Or probably transfer her by gradeschool na lang. I can transfer her not as Grade 1 (kasi laglag pa din sya sa age bracket! Paulitin sya ng K3) but transfer her as Grade 2 or 3 … I don’t think may pinag-repeat na Grade 2 di ba because of age requirement !?! Hahahaha! Let’s see… 5 years pa naman yon.

So it is now official . I have a Paulinian daughter…just like Mommy! :)

in dilemma

Just came from Parent’s Orientation this morning of Poveda. And I must admit I liked what I heard and saw. Will post separate entry about this since I need to come up with a very important decision and finalize Sam’s schooling on the next two days.

Anyway my dilemma ... after the parent’s orientation, I had a very, very surprising revelation. Before reaching Grade 1 Level, preparatory classes are as follows:

Toddler : 2.5 to 3.5 years old
Kinder 1 : should be 4 years old by October 31
Kinder 2 : should be 5 years old by October 31
Kinder 3 : should be 6 years old by October 31 --- This came as a surprise to me!! Never was I informed there is still Kinder 3! And really stupid of me to assume that there will only be three levels before reaching Grade 1! (well, all the private schools I know consists of nursery, kinder 1 and 2 like Miriam, Assumption, St. Paul etc… )

And since my daughter’s birthday falls on November 4 …four days late of their cut off date, she was admitted to Toddler class. As I’ve blogged before they were are very strict with age requirement ( gusto ko na nga dayain birth certificate anak ko eh!!).

I don’t have any qualms with the school, as a matter of fact I SO LOVE my daughter to be a Povedan but realizing that it will take her 4 years before reaching Grade 1..well, that is a different story. With Kinder 3 and Grade 7 as an added curriculum, my daughter will be graduating from HS at the age of 18!! By college, nag-debut na sya! Tagal non!!

And I feel that Sam doesn’t belong to Toddler class anymore. Well, she’s big for her age … and she’s ready for formal curriculum. She can recognize colors, letters, shapes, parts of the body, write letters, sing, dance, express herself, etc … and CAPEX and OPEX-wise, time and effort … saying ang one year!

After the orientation, I immediately went to St. Paul Pasig (my alma mater). I asked if possible to do late registration for my daughter since the class already started. Happily they obliged and accommodated my request. They are willing to accept Sam as late enrollee…and I was able to choose na AM class pa! Wow! Good news! I inquired what level my daughter would be, and I was told she will be an incoming nursery student. Next to nursery, Kinder 1 and Kinder 2 ..then she will be in Grade 1. Just three (3) years before reaching Grade 1.

Now my dilemma … should I continue Sam at Poveda (toddler –class)or enrol Sam to St. Paul Pasig (nursery)? I have until Friday to decide. Need your inputs please.

Getting the tuition refund is no problem at Poveda. Less 10% tuition will be deducted until next week only.

I am trying to weigh using the pros and cons .. I’ll share with you my evaluation exercise:

POVEDA

Pros: good catholic-education, hubby loves sam to be a povedan, very good school environment (toddlers have their own entrance gate), superb and brand new school facilities , remarkable teachers, small community of students only, tight-security, brings out independency students, 15 students per class only (2 sections), Spanish class, perceived by many as prominent school.

Cons: will take four years before she reaches grade 1.

ST. PAUL

Pros: three years only before reaching grade 1, good school environment, good teachers, 15 students per class only (4 sections), superb school facilities, my alma-mater (may bearing ba ito?),

Cons: big school community

Btw, I also thought option of enrolling Sam initially at St. Paul and transfer her to Poveda by Grade 1. Age requirement at Poveda should be 7 years old with cut off October 31. If she won’t meet the age requirement, she’ll be asked to enrol to Kinder 3. And now I am back to square one! lol.

Oh I never thought birthdates will be a big factor in school choices! Grrrrr… if I only knew, nagpa-ceasarian na lang ako so I gave birth earlier than October 31. bwahahaha! :)

So please … help me rationalize my options :)

online shopping for party treats!

Online shopping is my recently found happiness and hobby. Hahaha! Eversince Peachy taught me how to buy stuff online, I've become frequent visitor of allaboardtoys.com, old navy, gap and amazon sites! Not that I don't do much online shopping before, but I never realized I can easily shop using my paypal account! lol. It is guilt-free spending, believe me! Hard earned money from my daily rakets ... buying great stuff from my new source of moolah! Oh my!! Never thought my "rakets" will give me so much joy and be this fun! lol.

Weeks ago, I've purchased items from allaboardtoys.com for Sam's 4th Birthday party this coming November. I know still early and quite OA, but ... sayang the discount eh! Hahaha! It will be a Strawberry Shortcake party theme this year and the party will be held at Poveda. (you see, i've already asked around if they allow kiddie parties inside the school, ok naman daw! hihihi!)

So here are the great finds I got online ...

invites and thank-you tags

ruby red plastic knife, spoon and forks

snack treats/looties

stawberry shortcake felt hat

strawberry shortcake polka-dot party pack

I am sure the party will be a big hit with Sam's new classmates. Oh the best part of having school party.. really really budget-friendly! I just need to provide snacks for 15 kids ... plus two teachers! No pressure! Hahaha! So, go with this kind of party planning! Highy recommended!

Thus, 4th Birthday party plans...mission accomplished!!