Miya's Swimming Class - Day 1

We enrolled Miya in swimming classes this summer. I wanted to enroll her in Trumpets Playhouse workshop as well but they can't give me definite date on their culminating activity, which might coincide with our family trip so we won't push for her enrollment there. I want to enroll her in as much activities this summer to take advantage of the time that she wants to do things. Last summer when we asked her what she wanted to do, she said she just wanted to relax hahaha! So that's what she did.

Yesterday was her first day in class. We enrolled her in Aqualogics because I liked the feedback I got from a friend and the teacher:student ratio was 1:4. I wanted to share a few first impressions on the program. First off, there wasn't any orientation when we got there. Someone took the hard copies of the form from me and gave me some things to sign and then that was it. The teachers didn't even double check if the kids that went to the pool are indeed enrolled (because another staff took care of the forms). Maybe they did check but I did not see, we had to ask how we'll know which group to go to. Their head teacher, I think, just told us we can join that group. In Miya's group, they were 3 girls with 2 teachers which was great because she was almost practicing the whole 1 hour they were there. She didn't have too much idle time waiting for her turn. I'm not sure how they assessed Miya's swimming ability but the first thing they did was for her to float on her back, which Miya can already do and the two other girls with her. I don't know how they would have taught the kids if they were in different skill levels. As I've already mentioned the class is for 1 hour, and I'm happy that the lesson was really for an hour. The kids just have enough time to rest in between their turns, there were some "play" time but it didn't feel like they lost time just playing in the water. And then after the class, Miya was able to linger in the other pool and swim on her own. All in all, I'm excited for her to finish her lessons. We plan to extend her lessons if she wants to later on.

Here are some photos and videos from yesterday.

Miya's Moving Up Day

We attended Miya's Thanksgiving Mass and Moving Up Day ceremony last Saturday (18 March). I think I was emotional the whole time I was there. Haaay! Let me share the photos before my emotions get me.

They had a processional inside the chapel before the mass began.

Was very lucky with where we sat because we were very close to where she was seated. Good thing nakinig ako kay Sister Lui when she asked us to move forward.

Our little graduate

After the thanksgiving mass, we proceeded to their convention hall for the Moving Up ceremony. They also had a processional there which we didn't expect so our seats were not ideal. Good thing, we were allowed to stand up and take videos.

It's so cute that she was all smiles during this time. I couldn't help but feel so proud of her (sans the tears)

That's her our little graduate!

After the ceremony, we picked her up from the Grade 1 classroom. She asked for a picture with her Kinder teacher.

Photo-op before leaving school with Daddy and Mommy.

We then had lunch and watched Beauty and the Beast.

My dearest Miya,

Just this morning, I felt an overwhelming sadness because it dawned on me that you're already 6 years old. Where have all those 6 years gone by? We are so proud of you anak! The priest in your Thanksgiving Mass said that Kinder graduation is more important than college graduation because you transitioned from being innocent to knowing so much. From letters, you can now read. From those numbers, you can now count. And I so agree with him. I look at your photos from last year and I can't help but sigh and realize how much you've grown. That's just in one year. I hope you take with you what we always teach you. And I hope you keep in your memory all the good times that we had in your childhood. In the welcome remarks of your schoolmate she said, "We are not afraid of grade 1, we are not afraid of grade 2, we are not afraid of highschool or even college." Naku anak, Mommy and Daddy are the ones who are afraid. We're mostly afraid that you are leaving us behind but I know that it is our roles as parents to prepare you and guide you to the time that you will be on your own. Sister Dedicacion mentioned in her remarks that each of you has a beauty, faith and strength in you that we are helping you see. May you always find your inner beauty, faith and strength, anak! Know that we are always here behind you to support you in whatever you want to be. Remember what Daddy tells you, you can be whoever you want to be, you can do whatever you want to do. We love you so much, Miya! You make us so proud!

Love,
Mommy

Little Miss Sunshine Is One

I can't believe Nina is now a year old! I took a day off from work yesterday to celebrate with our (now officially a) toddler.

Took her photo for her monthly milestone pic

Ate Miya and Kuya Javi sang "Happy Birthday" while the birthday girl clapped along

Then the whole #BrgyAlano trooped to a nearby Chinese restaurant to have noodles for long life.

We were all pooped when we got back home so everyone had a nap. In the afternoon, the kids played in the garden.

The celebration is not yet over as we're going to Tagaytay tomorrow with my side of the family and next week will be a small party with her Ninongs and Ninangs.

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My dearest Nina,

I really can't believe that you're already one year old. It's as if time wheezed by. You are God's gift to our family. When you were in Mommy's tummy, Daddy and I wanted your gender to be a surprise so we didn't see the scan of your gender during my pregnancy. We prepared two names for Baby Bashful, a boy's name and a girl's name. But I was secretly praying and hoping for a baby girl. I wanted your Ate to have a baby sister because I know how special it would be to have a sister and best friend rolled into one perso. I also wanted your Kuya to have a baby sister because I was afraid he'll have the middle child syndrome if we have another boy. Oh anak, like your Ate and Kuya I've prayed for you since you were in my tummy. I thank God for you everyday. Know that you are loved by all of us. I was a bit surprised when you came but God's purpose for you is greater than our plans. Little did I know that it was the perfect time for you to arrive. You complete our family, Nina. As your name suggests, you bring sunshine to our lives. We love you so much!!!!

Love,

Mommy

My 2016 (Part 2)

Happy new year! Here's the second part of my monthly summary of 2016.

July

We discovered Snapchat filters hehe

Nina found her chubby feet

Epoy came back from SG

Miya's nutrition month program in school

August

Dinner with My and Joel

Haircut for the kids one Saturday morning

After the haircut and lunch, we went to Cribs to drop off the kids' old toys. Unfortunately, they weren't able to go around since the babies and kids were sleeping by the time we got there. Next time!

Here's Ate with her new haircut and a "Thank you" card from Cribs

Nina started crawling

First time for the kids na maligo sa ulan!

Celebrated Kyla and Miguel's birthdays

Miya's Buwan ng Wika program

I got sick and then Nina got sick... And this was the start of our monthly illness huhu

September

Miya had viral rashes the week after Nina got sick

My roommates threw a despedida for me. I was so surprised! This was so sweet of them.

I went to my last mission to Singapore.

SQ flight

This was a week before the SG grandprix...it took me by surprise that the tracks were almost set up already.

Nina ate her first sold food - lugaw. She was super excited to finally eat!

And drank her first water intake.

Her first tooth also showed up

For Miya's career day in school, she wanted come in as a chef

Miya's career day fell on the 23rd which was also Mama's birthday, Javi's birthday and Nina's monthsary!

The following weekend, we celebrated Javi and Mama's birthday by checking in to a hotel in Alabang. We all had a blast.

October

We celebrated Javi's birthday together with his godbrother at Ninong Epoy's place.

Then Javi got sick around the middle of the month. I had fever first then he had it then it took him a couple of days to get better. We had to bring him the pedia and then rush him to the ER. It was a rough month for our birthday boy.

Miya watched her first play - Hansel and Gretel - when we went to her school field trip. We also went to Museo Pambata.

On the 30th, we went to the province. It was the first time for Nina and Javi to see their great grandparents. The kids enjoyed our visit because they have their cousins there as playmates.

November

Celebrated our 8th year anniversary

Met up with the Flyfish gang to have our annual Trick or Treat. And also had a baby shower for Janice and celebrated Stefan's birthday as well.

Ate Miya's Family Day in school

Celebrated Epoy's birthday

Had a wonderful time with the Mommies and Kids from our Expression Room

Got a passport for Nina

While waiting for our turn to get her photo taken

Christ the King celebration at Miya's school. She was a "flower girl".

Attended the team building with my new division

December

Spent a day with the balikbayan, Gary, together with Joel and My's family.

Christmas breakfast with my former division

Ate Miya's Christmas school program

As early as the 15th I was already on leave but brought the kids to the office on the 16th to get our crinkles hehe.

Migs Christmas party

Nina's 10th monthsary and first Christmas

Christmas with the family

Quality time with my girls

New Year's Eve celebration

Was so happy Nina was awake almost until the midnight of 31 December