A Pleasant Surprise

The First Trimester ended and Patty and I were called to school to get an assessment of Gabi's performance from Teacher Camille. We were a bit apprehensive. And nervous. Enrolling Gabi in "big school" was a gamble after all on our part.

Although he could have spent another year in kindergarten, we felt that he had already outgrown his old classmates there and may just end up getting bored if he had stayed. So off to a new school he went not as senior kinder but as a prep student already. He may be a bit younger than his new classmates, and he may need a lot of help with Filipino, but we were still optimistic that Gabi's self confidence would carry him past the transition period.

And we were right! Gabi did very well in the First Trimester. And he did well in subjects that we didn't expect him to. He was always good in English. And we knew he was interested in Science. But he got his highest grades in Music. And in Math!

Really goes to show you that even if we claim to know our children very well, we still discover new things about them from time to time.

Good job, my son. Now Papa has to brush up on his Math and maybe learn how to read musical notes to be able to help you with your school work. A syempre, huwag natin kakalimutin ang Pilipino.

Yaya Went on Vacation and We Survived!

Our nanny went on a one week vacation leaving Patty and I to take care of Bela and Gabi by ourselves. Yes, we still had a cleaning lady to take care of the other household chores. But we had to take care of everything else: feeding and bathing the kids, waking up early and getting them ready for school, bringing them to the park for play in the afternoon, putting them to sleep, cleaning up after them.

Okay, I admit it. We are spoiled. And privileged for having a nanny. And believe me, we now appreciate even more those who don't have nannies and who do everything themselves.

We not only survived, we enjoyed! Bela and Gabi seemed to enjoy having us take care of them. And they certainly took advantage of the situation by sleeping past their bed time and snuggle up in bed with us. They enjoyed the play sessions and the movie nights. And the frequent visits to their favorite restaurants.

And even if we are grateful that the nanny is back with us, we now make it a point to spend even more time with the kids. Even if it means allowing them to sleep past their bed time at night.

Small Nuances Mean a Lot

"I am not a cry baby," sobbed my 5 year old. "I am just a boy who cries a lot... There's a big difference, you know."

Yes, my son, I am sorry. There is a big difference. And I promise not to resort to name calling again.