Official Chosen Fate.

Dad’s Photocopy

2012-05-18T14:49:00.001+08:00

This pictured made a lot of my Facebook contacts smiled the moment I posted this. It’s undeniable that Ashley has gotten his Daddy’s looks. Absolutely no need for a paternity test to prove that. Whenever I post pictures of Ashley, friends would always comment that she is actually her Daddy only with a headband. So last week, I made Daddy Paul wear Ashley’s headband and took a picture of them having the same angle. She’s a photocopy, right? Some has even given Ashley a new monicker..they’re calling her Paula. The girl version of Paul.

Last Two Weeks of Summer School

2012-05-09T16:15:00.001+08:00

Asher’s down to the second to the last week of his Summer Class in Reading. Just 3 sessions to go and he’ll have the remaining 2 weeks of May getting bored again here at home. Enrolling him in the said class was indeed a good decision. Not only he was kept occupied on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings but he has dramatically improved as well in terms of his reading skills. He still finds difficulty in recognizing the sounds and letters but he’s on his way there. We’re looking forward to his Kindergarten year. I’m confident that he’ll master it and learn even greater just like how he did when he was in Nursery.

Speaking of Summer Graduation, that means we have to get our wallets ready for the enrollment, new uniforms and school supplies. Yikes! I’m thankful that we’ve been constantly provided and I hope that it will continuously be in the next months to come. The little one’s excited for a whole new school year of seeing his classmates and teacher again. But until then, he’ll enjoy the remaining days of summer vacation. He’s been bugging us to buy him an indoor playground equipment. If that will help ease the boredom he’s feeling, I think we might give in.

Wacky Asher

2012-04-30T19:28:00.001+08:00

Asher was being in his wacky self last Saturday. He saw me holding my phone and he requested that I take a picture of him. At the count of three, he struck a wacky pose then laughed non-stop upon seeing the photo. He is his own dose of laughter.

This picture was taken within the premises of Sta Rita Church while waiting for the Parish Office to resume office after lunch break. We finally got hold of Ashley’s Baptismal Certificate. It’s not that it was difficult to locate or find just like those hard to find peacock plant supports but it was just last Saturday that we had the chance to pick it up.

Personalized Story Books

2012-04-30T18:45:00.001+08:00

I’ve been so stressed lately and I wished for some online retail therapy this afternoon but I ended up browsing stuff for the little ones.

I found these personalized story books really nice as Asher and Ashley would be able to understand and relate with the story better if their names are mentioned or referred to as the main characters. Not only will they feel as stars of the story, but these books will also help them to recognize and learn letters, build vocabulary and spell their own names. These personalized story books make as great monogrammed gifts for birthdays, Christmas and any other occasions.

Sibling Love

2012-04-21T20:06:00.001+08:00

My heart melts every time I see instances like this. It gives me a preview that Asher will take care of his little sister even until they grow up and Ashley will always look up to his “kuya” as her role model. I’m so proud of Asher that at such a young age, he’s very fond and is very caring of his baby sister. Sometimes, I can already count on him to take care of Ashley by watching over her on the bed while I need to attend to something for a few seconds like grab Ashley’s stuff, have a quick drink, etc. He also makes sure that Ashley’s attended right away the moment she starts to cry while in her crib. He yells, “Mommy, iyak si Klong-klong!” Ashley, on the other hand, loves staring at her Kuya all the time especially when Asher’s dancing, running around or doing his funny antics. In fact, it was Asher who was able to make Ashley giggle so hard the first time. Paul and I are really thankful for these two wonderful blessings. We pray that we’ll be granted a long life so that we can see these siblings grow and take care of each other in the future. We pray that we be granted with strength so we can work hard, save for their future and with high hopes, witness them succeed in nurses uniforms, doctor’s lab gown, with an engineer’s hat or whatever career wardrobe they’d don.

Our Vegetable Garden

2012-04-21T19:40:00.001+08:00

Ever since they planted and nurtured their own sunflower plant in school, Asher has become fascinated with having our own plants at home. Yayie started our own vegetable garden by planting the seeds of vegetables that are easy to grow like tomatoes, pandan and bell peppers. Asher is liking the idea so much that he claims all these plants as his. He constantly reminds his Yayie to water them and make sure that they are just okay. So far, they’re all growing well. Most of the seeds that were planted have sprouted already and most have grown to little shrubs already. We’re all excited to see (and taste) our first produce which I hope won’t be too long. For now, we have to do more research about weeding, compost bins and other effective ways of growing a vegetable garden.

Asher’s Summer Class

2012-04-19T12:35:00.001+08:00

Asher’s Reading Summer Class started this week. It’s scheduled every Tuesdays and Thursdays only. But if Asher is to be asked, he would prefer to have it daily. I can see that he’s really bored at home. He has plenty of toys but it seems they aren’t enough to entertain him. He has also memorized almost all episodes of Adventure Time, Tom and Jerry and The Adventures of Gumball on TV. The whole house is a mess because he’s in constant pursuit of things to tinker and play with. Even our TV stand from standsandmounts.com didn’t escape him.

Just like during regular school days, Asher loves going to the school and learn. He still has a little trouble with letter and sound recognition but his writing has dramatically improved. He can now write his name legibly.

Look who’s also joining the class..

Why I Like about my Kids’ Doctor

2012-04-18T20:31:00.001+08:00

For my kids’ welfare, I made sure that I’d get the most caring and commendable Pediatrician to look after their health. She may not be young anymore but her grandmother-like approach is what probably make them have good vibes. She talks with them with a sincere smile and she makes sure that the kids won’t get afraid so that every doctor visit won’t be traumatic. She’s the kind of doctor that every patient would love to have.

I’m sure that the patients of Tuan Duong MD will also say the same. After all, he won’t be one of the topnotch doctors whose profile is among the well searched and sought after in the Doximity network if he isn’t good. Doximity is an online exclusive, private network of US physicians through which they can communicate and reach out among each other for referrals or any other medical-related concerns.

Asher’s Drawing

2012-04-04T12:17:00.001+08:00

Asher has been drawing and writing a lot these days. We gifted him with this white board (that can also serve as a table when put down) and he’s enjoying it. In fact, we see him often writing or drawing whatever he thinks of.

According to him, the image above is his illustration of our family. There’s me on the left most, then Ashley next to me, Daddy and the biggest one is Asher. He’s not that particular yet with the sizes but what I did notice is that his illustration of himself would always be the biggest. Perhaps, to emphasize or highlight who he is among the characters. The little triangle one at the bottom is his drawing of our house.

I really hope he continues to be fond of drawing and be a good artist just like his Daddy. This is the reason why I’ve also been giving in to his requests to buy him art materials. I ordered a few online so I’m expecting some poly mailers to arrive soon. Way to go, Asher, keep on practicing.

L.O.V.E.

2012-04-04T11:29:00.002+08:00

Asher: Mommy, help mo ako please find natin si Yayie sa labas.
Me (while typing): Asher may ginagawa si Mommy. Dami ko pang work oh. Hintayin mo na lang sila.
Asher: I love you Mommy...I love you..I love you..I love you (while kissing me unendingly).

Sigh..how can you say "no" that.

And earlier this morning, out of the blue...
Asher: Mommy, kiss mo ako please.
Me: Bakit? May ouchie ka? (It's been our habit that I kiss his booboo away every time he gets hurt)
Asher: Love mo ako kasi.

FruiQuet

2012-04-04T09:26:00.000+08:00

I was craving for Mango Bravo Cake from Conti’s or the Lemon Raspberry Delice from Sharis Berries.com on my Birthday but the husband and the kids gifted me with this. A Fruit Bouquet or better known as FruiQuet. Yes, a healthier option. Perhaps, the husband doesn’t want me to fatten me up that much that’s why he opted to give me fruits. He said that I already had a cake the day before so enough with sweets. He knows that I adore flower bouquets too but he wants something that doesn’t wither. Great gift choice, Daddy! Thank you!

Congratulations, Asher!

2012-04-02T16:27:00.001+08:00

Written on March 23, 2012:

Congratulations, son, as you are now Moving Up from Nursery. From a timid, guileless, short-tempered toddler to a witty, more patient, cooperative and obedient little man. You're Mr. Angry Bird no more ..yey! You did grow a lot in all aspects and I sincerely thank your teachers (especially Teacher Bing) and your classmates for making your first year of schooling an enjoyable experience. Teacher Ada is right. HVCC (a progressive school) doesn't need to reward you with awards and medals because what you've become is your very own medal. Great job, son! You're now moving up to Kinder. It's a whole new journey but Daddy and I are confident you can valiantly make it through. You’re no longer a baby, indeed, as you say…and it’s a bittersweet feeling. Your growing up the way we wish you’d be but with all honesty, I want to cherish and halt the time so that I can still somehow “baby” you. I know time flies so fast. So fast that in a blink of an eye you’re applying for job or even shopping for 3 stone engagement rings. Please do not hurry growing up. I still want to smooch you, wash your bottoms, and even carry you while I still can. I still savor and enjoy the moment every time you cry for Mommy and ask for the magic kiss to blow the booboo away when you’re hurt. Can you just be my baby, forever, son?

Summer Reading Workshop

2012-03-01T18:12:00.001+08:00

A co-parent of mine from Asher’s school alerted me of the Reading Safari Workshop that will be offered at The Learning Library. Just like last summer, we really intend to let the little one undergo a summer workshop so that he’ll have something to busy about during the 2 months school break. Further, Asher still needs improvement with regards to his letter recognition skills so a summer reading class is definitely the ideal workshop that he can join. I have inquired today and I learned that the workshop will be held twice a week from April 10 onwards with a total of 8 sessions. I can’t decide yet since Asher’s school is also offering a similar reading summer class so the husband and I will need to weigh which is better between these two options. I don’t think it would be effective if Asher will join both for he might get overwhelmed. Besides, it’s summer anyway and although I want him to not get bored, I also do not want to overload him as if he’s attending regular classes. I’ll inquire one of these days from Asher’s teacher regarding the school’s summer class. Meanwhile, we’ll make use of the reading books that his Lola gave him to practice on. I’ll also check out the video tutorials from my vlc download for tips on effectively teaching a preschooler about letter recognition and reading.

Best Friend

2012-02-24T22:55:00.001+08:00

At such a young age, I’m delighted that Asher already knows how to nurture friendships. Angela lives in the same compound we’re in. Their house is just a few steps away that’s why it’s so easy for her and Asher to invite each other to play. Asher sometimes invites her to our house where they play (or read books) and vice versa. Sometimes, they turn our common area in the compound as their playground and dining place. The pictures above were taken yesterday. They had their lunch and snacks outside as if they’re having a picnic. After eating, they brought out their toy laptops, teddy bears and toy POS machines. They pretended they’re working in an office, surfing the net and doing business. I wonder if they were pretending to buy gold online.

Watching them play is such a sight to behold. It’s fun to see them enjoying each other’s company. The other day, another kid neighbor pushed Asher and Angela was his defender. She scolded and shooed the boy away angrily. What’s funny about these two is that yes, they can be the best of friends..but there are also times when they argue. If one wouldn’t give in to another’s desire, the threats would either be she’d go home or he’d cry. I really can’t help but giggle every time they argue.

Angry Birds Birthday

2012-02-24T22:07:00.001+08:00

Asher will celebrate his 4th birthday next week. Deciding for a theme wasn’t that difficult because he already has in mind what he wants. And yes, the picture above is a sneak peak of his invitation which I personally designed. Angry Birds, it is!

Well, I’m glad that his choice was an easy one. It’s one of the latest trends so googling around for stock photos to use on the invitation didn’t entail any difficulty. I thought he wanted a sort of rock and roll theme since he has been more of a rocker or a musician wannabe these past few days. (He even pretended that my laptop was a type of vestax mixers.)

I’m so excited for Friday because I can just feel the little one’s excitement to blow the candle on his Angry Birds cake. Advance Happy Birthday, my Asherito!

Favorite Timezone Ride

2012-02-18T18:41:00.002+08:00

It’s Saturday once again..our favorite day of the week! We always look forward to this day because it means it’s Family Day. Asher was thrilled when we told him we’re bound to Eastwood because he knows that we’ll certainly go to his favorite place on Earth – Timezone!

And there he is, enjoying his favorite ride..the kiddie jet plane. It’s a must that he rides this whenever we’re in Timezone. It seems that he’s inclined to become a pilot someday, huh? And I thought, he wants to become a doctor or any of those who are in the medical field pushing med carts in the hospital. Anyway, he’s still young and he can dream whatever he fancies.

In The Mood

2012-02-12T15:06:00.001+08:00

On our way home yesterday from the mall, Asher was in the mood to review his lessons in school. Surprisingly, he answered all of our questions gamely and every excitedly. Normally, he’d just ignore our questioning or insist that we stop reviewing him because he’s already tired even though we just started. Anyway, we were surprised how he has learned so much. He also told us stories about happenings that transpired in school like who was absent because he got sick, whom he chased and played with in the garden, like who among his classmates smelled good (perhaps he smelled the scent of a discount perfume), who helped him opened his food during snack time and many more. I wish he continues to tell stories about school so that I’ll know the right approach to supplement the learning he gets from school.

One Month To Go

2012-02-06T17:20:00.001+08:00

Kuya Asher’s 4th birthday is just a few weeks away. He’ll just have a simple party in school with his classmates then we might have a simple celebration here at home with his cousins and grandparents. We might also invite her Ninangs who have been yearning to visit us here in our Little Mansion. Besides, it’ll be my birthday too a week after Asher’s so just like last year, we’ll have a joint celebration, a special dinner perhaps. He’s aware that his birthday is near. In fact, he really looks forward to it. He’s not that excited on the gifts he’ll be receiving but his simple wish is that he gets to blow the candles on his own birthday cake. But of course, we wouldn’t let his birthday pass without giving him special gifts that he deserve for being a sweet and obedient son and a loving Kuya. He wouldn’t appreciate charm bracelets or any accessory like a necklace so we might just give him something that can aid him in his studies perhaps an easel type board or a new study table.

Facing His Fears

2012-02-02T21:15:00.001+08:00

Asher is one brave boy now. He used to be afraid of a lot of things when he was younger like mascots, the thunder, etc. But as they say, kids usually outgrow their fright over time. This holds true to Asher as he now bravely do high fives with mascots and ignore the sound of the thunder. However, just like any other kids, he still has his own fears and that includes the fear of roaches or any tiny insect moving towards him. He screams at the top of his lungs and cry whenever he sees one. We console him and explain to him every time that it’s just okay and it will not harm him. This is the reason why we also make sure that our surroundings are kept clean and pest-free. We also regularly invite over a Houston Pest Control expert to check, identify and do the necessary cleaning should there be nest of pests seen.

New Learning

2012-02-02T21:00:00.001+08:00

The school year is about to end in a few weeks time. Looking at what Asher learned in that span of time, I’m so happy and thankful that we made the right decision to enroll him as a Nursery student this school year. We owe all of Asher’s great improvement and development to her teachers who patiently imparted all the things that he has learned. He can now recognize and write most of the alphabet and numbers, do rote counting, identify colors and shapes, do basic sequencing, and many more. I won’t be surprised if soon he’d be able to tell time in a citizen watch. Socially, he also has improved a lot. He interacts and loves playing with kids of his age. I can’t wait for their Moving Up Day. I will surely be sentimental again seeing how my little caterpillar then is now blossoming and starting to spread his wings as he explore further the world.

Bible Bearer

2012-02-01T10:44:00.001+08:00

That’s how handsome Asher looked as a Bible Bearer in his Ninang Rog and Ninong Kris’ wedding last Saturday. Initially, he was tasked to be the Coin Bearer but he had to swap with the original Bible Bearer because the latter is smaller/younger than Asher and the Bible might be too heavy for him. Just like his first bearer stint 2 years ago, he walked down the aisle to the altar however, he wasn’t that comfortable this time. It’s all because of the little flower girl who kept on following him before the wedding started. Asher was being timid and he didn’t like that someone was tailing him. When the entourage started to walk, Asher refused that he walked alone. He didn’t cry naman but he didn’t want me to leave his side so I also had to march with him. He jelled up after a while and he was on his own when the little bearers were called to the altar during the ceremony for the blessing of the rings, coins and Bible. He was also game and smiled with the couple and the whole entourage during the picture taking after the ceremony.

Anak, I know you also have your moods and there are times when it takes a while before you loosen up. I completely understand (because Mommy is like that also) because that’s who you are. However, we hope that you’d learn how to cope and adjust better in a given situation as you grow. You need to have confidence when little girls chase you. They don’t mean harm, my son. The little flower girl fondly ran after you because she found you so charming and she wants you to be her friend. Remember this, anak, because when you get older you’ll be the one who will chase girls. You won’t definitely like to turn their backs to you. Or let’s say, you’re engaged in a ActConferencing.com web conferencing, you don’t want getting dropped or being unanswered by your conference mates. So try to jell up and make friends. Life will be more fun if you have lots of friends, anak.

A Preview

2012-01-20T12:34:00.001+08:00

Here’s a picture of me with the two kids yesterday.

It surely doesn’t look like Asher wanted to take up a hairstyling lessons in a cosmetology school here as he fondly held his baby sister’s head but it certainly appears that this is a preview of how they’ll be like in a few years time. Asher bullying his little sister while the other one getting annoyed by his kuya’s pranks. And I can also just imagine myself getting stressed over their catfights. I guess I have to prepare myself as early as now so that I’d just be cool handling such situations later on.

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New Year’s Day at Eastwood

2012-01-20T11:47:00.001+08:00

After hearing mass on New Year’s Day, we went to Eastwood City and had lunch together with Asher’s and Ashley’s Lolo, Lola, Tita, Tito and cousins. The kids had a grand time riding the rodeo and the kiddie rides at Timezone while we had a good time watching them having fun.

Asher’s Christmas Card

2012-01-20T09:58:00.000+08:00

This is the photo I uploaded in Facebook to send out my Christmas greetings. Remember the Christmas Card art work that Asher handed me last month? I took a picture of it and used an iPhone app (Photo Collage) to make this cool layout. I also used a sketch app for the family photo. Cool noh?

Inspiring and Meaningful School Activity

2012-01-19T19:57:00.001+08:00

The Christmas Program of Asher’s school last month was truly meaningful and humbling. It was not only Asher and his classmates who enjoyed the party, gift-giving and the bountiful feast of party food. Kids with disabilities from an orphanage/foundation were invited over to celebrate with them. The highlight of the program was the gift-giving part. Asher and each of his schoolmates brought an extra gift for the orphans and they personally handed them to the kids who were on a cloud nine. They flashed genuine smiles and their eyes were sparkling with so much delight. The Foundation also received our donated old clothes, toys and food staples. Since Asher has so much toys that we also wanted to dispose, Paul cleaned and fixed those requiring minor repairs and we gave them away. His soldering tools that he had in College are still useful. However, it’s no longer complete so he’ll be shopping around for some tools from fctassembly.net, an online resource for quality soldering accessories, Nihon Superior and stencils. Everyone went home happy, inspired and spirited because of the food and gift giving.