Kiddie Parties Fun!

Attended two birthday parties within a week... The first one is of Marlon's inaanak who's family was vacationing from the UK. Since it's a kiddie party, my Benedict was the one who enjoyed it the most. He couldn't get enough roaming about and checking out the party scene, hehe... He is so wanting of a playmate/s that every kid he meets (esp. the older ones), he would immediately befriend =D He participated too in the games, although he never won anything. But he took my hand when the party host called for a kid to bring his/her pretty mom in front. aaaaw, I feel so proud that my son thinks his mom is pretty...fishing for compliments?, haha. But really, dont we all think that our moms are the prettiest when we were small kids too? When did we start to change our opinions ba? I dare hope my own son would never change his?!! haha, vanity!!! Even danced with Dora and Barney...who totally wowed the kids with their dance number :-)) My little one is sooo delighted that he was dancing in his chair too while the mascots are putting on a show. And when the part came where the kids are allowed to dance with the mascots, my little one was the very first one who joined them...much to the delight of his vey shy Daddy and his friends..hehe. Dont look at me, I am not much of a dancer myself. So I guess he got that part of his genes from his Gua Ma (my mom), hehe... The venue of this party is in Harbour Lights. It's a resto with a garden setting and a bayview. But the property is a bit built on the higher grounds so rails separate it from accessing the bay itself. And the interesting thing here is that while we were leaning on the rails, me holding Benedict...busy making small talks (read: chika) w/ the gay party host, my little boy kicked his shoe and down it fell on the sandy shores. Good thing it's low tide so it rested on the shore along with other debris from god knows where! And this is the bad thing about this establishment...when we asked for help form the 4 waiters roaming about, whoooa they're all too busy and refused to fetch the fallen shoe. Hmmm, I even tried asking help from their supervisor who also acted as cashier that night. But her not interested reply is to ask from the waiters if they are not too busy to fetch my son's shoe! I could have raised hell and tell them off, but I remember that we are merely guests here. I would never dream of ruining a party for someone esp. since I dont even know the hosts personally as they are my husband's acquaintances from his business dealings. And my parents naman had taught me good manners. So there, Marlon told me to just throw the other shoe as well to make it a pair...reminds us of the old Jose Rizal tale? =D Good thing my Yaya volunteered to try going down the railings and she fetched the shoe herself. Haay! thank goodness for Yaya's "spiderwoman" skills, hehe. So we went home with my little boys red Crocs in pair. And I vowed never to hold any event of ours in this particular venue. Oh well, they've just lost a prospective client in me. The controversial shoe... can you see it? it's the red speck somewhere just below the center The second party we have attended within that very same week was of twin girls, Andrea and Agnes...our neighbor and Benedict's occassional playmates. I was amazed with my tiny tike. He seems to be a people person. He got anxious when we arrived but soon loved mingling around. He went straight to the twins. They're playmates so he is comfortable with them na. He participated in most of the games such as "simon says" and "bring me"...although mostly saling-pusa ^_^ but he loves the feeling of being included, hehe.

For the bring me game, he proudly showed me his prizes..haha. He keeps on coming back for more :-D

I love the stage Benedict is in right now. He is also very sociable. Oh well he seems to be such even as a baby. Due to his being a breastfed baby, he goes with me everywhere. And esp. when we go out malling, he enjoys the attention he gets from salesladies and even complete strangers. Thus he somewhat developed his friendliness. =D But I also sense that he is a bit shy and reserved, esp. if he is not familiar with the person/place yet. Not a bad combination dba? I guess he got that from me. Many of my friends would tell me that they find me suplada at first, but changed their mind when they have known me more. I guess that's better than being plastic?!!! ^_^

My Boys are both sick :-((

It must be because of the changing weather that's why my Benedict caught the colds. And as always the case when kids are sick, he is whiny and grumpy. The littlest things would irk him. And I have to bring out an extra ounce of patience when dealing with him. Brought him to his pedia the other day but Doc couldn't find anything wrong except for a low grade fever at 37.8 C, and prescribed the usual paracetamol for him. But yesterday Benedict was sneezing already and has runny nose. A clear indication that he's displaying an allergic reaction again. So 2 days after we have changed all the sheets in our room, we just have to vacuum all over again. And he is put back on medication. We had him on Singulair again. And Aerius for 7 days or until the runny nose would clear out.

So far, his sneezing has ceased na as of today. And I guess he feels better na coz his appetite is back. In fact he wolfed down his meal of nilagang baka na this noon. I hope he is all well na tomorrow.

As for the daddy, Marlon's been to his EENT coz there's a mump on both areas of his lower ears. Although the doc could not really confirm that it is indeed mumps, we just took the necessary precaution and had him sleep at the guest room since last night. As they say mumps are contagious and harmful for little boys as it may cause younger boys (adolescents) to be sterile. We just dont want to take the risk, so we'd rather be safe than sorry.

What worries me the most is that Marlon said his Doc told him that he saw a small 'bukol' at the back of his nose too when he did an 'endoscopy' (i dunno if this is the correct term here) on him. And while he was only prescried antibiotics now, if he wont respond to the medication, he will be recommended for a biopsy. Although there is not much to worry, but to check on it will be best. It could also be just part of his mump inflamation. I am definitely looking at the bright side here.

I came from a family of cancer-patients. I lost my Ah Ma years ago to pancreatic cancer. So I am worried sick. It's not as if Marlon's diagnosed with such na, but I am sooo afraid of that possibility.

Right now, I am wide-awake...staring blankly at the computer screen...at least for a few hours now before I started composing this particular blog. I have just finished praying the entire decade of the rosary. And have lifted up all my prayers to him for Marlon's intention. Now I wanna rest all my cares to Him. But I couldn't seem to stop worrying still...

I have always been strong and steadfast in my faith in Him. I know God wont give me any situation I can't handle.

If you came across this post of mine, pls. whispher a short prayer for the intention of my husband and for my little boy as well. God bless us all!

Benedict's 2nd Birthday Preps

Barely a month to go before my little one turns TWO (2). How time flies!

We have long ago decided that we will be throwing him a Disney Cars-themed party as he is currently obsessed with the movie. Oh yeah, he will watch the same flick every single day without miss, sometimes even twice a day if we would allow him to. Haay! Such a big fan that his Daddy and I alternately buy him the Megabloks collection of these characters, as well as the die-cast toys. Although I have kept all the die-cast ones in the closet na. I dont like tripping over them and I think Benedict is way too young to be able to take good care of them pa. Hay, my heart goes to the Mc Queen die-cast all chipped and dented na for banging with his other die-cast collections. And they dont come cheap ha.

Anyway, I have already booked the services of Party Mascot to host my son's party. Most of items for the loot bags as well as the prizes are bought na from 168 courtesy of my SIL. Thank goodness for sisters-in-law who's really more like my own sis. (I am one of the luck ones!)

His cake will be made by Carol Cheng of Cake Studio this time around. And we have recently ordered a bunch of cupcakes and a moist choco cake from her...and most of the recommendees are right, she bakes them yummy! I am crossing my fingers that Carol will be able to execute the design that we have in mind. This is one of the stuffs I am sooo excited about.

Another thing is the custom-made race car suit I have ordered from a fellow multiply-mommy who had a Cars-themed party for his son previously. Ms. Vimz, as I call her is such an accommodating person, even suggesting a few stuffs here and there on the outfit and some recommendations on where to buy some of the stuffs for prizes. Fortunately, Disney Cars merchandise abound at 168 Mall. And I was also able to source out some stuffs at local NBS and Toy Kingdom branches. As well as in the department stores of SM, Ayala, Limketkai and Gaisano.

I still have much to accomplish as I intend to do some things myself. But its always a joy to do stuffs for my precious tiny tike. I know he is going to have a very happy birthday.

Free trial class for Benedict at Kumon Center

Late this afternoon, as in around 6 pm, we brought Benedict to the local Kumon Center in Macasandig. Few weeks ago, I visited the center in search for the elusive Kumon First Steps workbooks. I got to talk to Teacher Elaine, whom I have asked about the workbooks. Although she said that those workbooks are actually printed by Kumon Inc. and they dont carry it at the centers because they are using photocopied materials to save on cost, but nonetheless, the materials they are using are comparably good if not far better bec. it is accompanied by a guiding teacher.

She got interested to meet my little boy, when I asked about the earliest age I can have my son enrolled at the center. Although at first she was actually reluctant especially when I mentioned that he is barely 2 years old, she changed her mind and asked to meet my son upon learning that my wee little baby (he will always be such to me) knows the alphabet, numbers and colors already, among others.

I never really intend to bring him back sooner. Instead we were looking at a playgroup or toddlers school for him. But my hubby said we have really nothing to lose if we have him assessed by them. If they will find him ready fort he program, then we enroll him. The moment we feel that he does not like it there at all, or the activities are too difficult, boring or plainly not meant for him, then we pull him out. So there, with that kind of reasoning, we brought him to the center.

A kindly teacher, whom I havent really asked for her name (shame on me!) approached us, and my baby immediately befriended her. So she took him to the pre-school area, and gave him a 'matching' test...a magnetic pad was laid out in front of him with the numbers 1-10 written, and Benedict has to match the appropriate button with the corresponding 1-10 numbers also. And I was very much pleased when he got it all right. hurray!!!

He became good at 'matching games' bec. of a Disney Cars game given to him by his Ah Ko, but that is entirely a different story na. Suffice to say that I should post a video of him doing the matching game soon. It's cute!

Anyway, back to Kumon...the teacher was impressed that he matched all 10 numbers correctly that she told us to bring Benedict back to the center on Monday so that he can try the activities that they have. And it's all for free, for two weeks at least. We are actually given a free-hand in choosing what time we would want to bring him in, but Marlon thinks it's best if we bring him between the 8:00-10:00 am sched. which is allotted for pre-schoolers like himself.

Oh I am so excited for my little one. I just hope he enjoys the experience. ^_^

P.S. I'd like to make a special mention to Mommy Carie, thanks so much for all the information about the Kumon Center nearest us. I am inspired by your daughter's progress with Kumon that's why I am letting Benedict try it out himself.

If ever he will be taken in, he will be the youngest student ever in this particular center. ^_^ It's going to be another milestone for him.

PRE-ORDER for Kumon Workbooks now open at TINY TIKES

Hello Mommy friends!

You might be interested to check out these cool workbooks for your toddlers. We are running a PRE-ORDER for a limited time only. I just thought of giving some of my mommy chums a chance to grab a copy of these elusive Kumon worksheets.

Promise we have searched high & low for these stuffs before my partner & I finally decided to purchase this in the US, disheartened that the few NBS branches carrying out copies have either limited titles or totally run out of stock!

Anyway, if you are interested, click this link here: http://tinytikes.multiply.com/journal/item/22/PRE-ORDER_for_Kumon_Workbooks

God bless!

Kumon Workbooks

Just a couple of days ago, I was browsin' Mommy Tin's site again (have you noticed Mommy Tin? I am always making 'tambay' on your site?...aside from getting mesmerized over cutie Vien kc, I also learn a lot from your leads...esp along crafts and activities for the kids). And I came across some pics of Vien using her Kumon books.

I got immediately interested when I learned that those activity workbooks are good even for 2 year old toddlers. (Big thanks to Mommy Tin for sharing the site ---www.kumonbooks.com) And to top it off, it's locally available at NBS. No waiting for more than a month for imported items to be bought from the US.

A quick visit to NBS-SM Branch here yielded me only the My First Book of Maze title. I had them call their LKK branch but unfortunately, as mostly the case, the saleclerks are so lazy to check their stocks...so they said they dont have it daw. But when I personally went there, I saw some other titles in their shelves. Hay!

Anyway, I got the ff. books: My First Book of Coloring, More Let's Cut Paper!, More Let's Sticker & Paste! and More Let's Fold! And I learned that these books should be used sequentially. Or at least according to the supervisor I have talked to at NBS. I still have to visit one more NBS branch in Cogon to check on their availability, but I also asked my friend Che to help me look for 'em at NBS-Cebu branches. Hay, may na lang I am blessed with friends like her!

I have yet to get a copy of Let's Color!, Let's Fold!, Let's Cut Paper! and Let's Sticker & Paste! (which are actually the first books in the series) As well as the MORE Let's Color! copy (which belongs to the second books in the series together with the titles...MORE Let's Fold!, MORE Let's Cut Paper! and MORE Let's Sticker & Paste!). I am also on the look-out of the next book in the line My First Book of Tracing...which is the pre-requisite to the other titles including the My First Book of Mazes, which I already bought and My First Book of Cutting, which I am still hunting for. Mommy Tin, if you are reading this post, I gathered this info. from a supervisor at our local NBS here when I placed an order for the rest of the titles I am looking for.

I am getting excited to get started with these new activity workbooks. I feel like I am a pre-schooler too...all giddy with anticipation and excitement. Hay! I just love being a mom!!! Even if it entails all the tedious domestic tasks...All it takes is my little boy's tiny little arms wrapped around my neck from behind, and a soft "i wub you mommy!" to melt my heart.

Benedict is starting to learn Phonics

I've always been on the look-out for the latest technology, books, activities for my active toddler.

These days he enjoys sharing my laptop with me...nope not his V-Tech, but mine...all because it has "ABC's" on it..hehe.

A few months back I've read Mommy Tin's post about starfall.com and I started to show it to Benedict. Right away, his attention was captured. Since he knows na all the letters of the alphabet, he is enjoying starfall the more. He has gained more words to add to his growing vocabulary, courtesy of starfall among others. (Thanks a lot to Mommy Tin for sharing about it!)

His current fave is the letter O bec. he loves the juggling "ac-pus" (octopus), as well as the letter U bec of the bus and the sun. I can only hope he will soon get to practice reading when he masters the phonics too.

I still play Leap Frog's Letter Factory every other day, although I must admit between Leap, Lily and Tad AND Lightning McQueen, Sally and Doc Hudson, my son seems to enjoy the Disney Cars movies more...hahaha.

But his progress is remarkable. The little boy is also fascinated with colors and numbers as well. He can now identify different shades including pink, brown, gray...but his fave still remains to be "phurr-phu" (purple). I'd say, it must be the influence of Barney!

He can also identify all the numbers from 1-10 although he gets confused with the numbers 6 and 9 at times.

I am so pleased that Benedict is showing interest in the basic pre-school stuffs. Especially since he is a boy, that's one less concern for me...hoping that this early start will also make him get a head start on a good study habit.

At times, I also get worried as he is not exposed to so many kids his own age..that his emotional growth might be stunted. Or that he would grow up spoiled and not be able to learn the value of sharing. But when I see him offer his toys and books to some playmates/neighbors who drops by from time to time, my heart smiles. I have nothing to worry after all.

I am eager to see him start to read soon...another milestone!