Wordless Wednesday # 5 - Playing with the Shark

First Field Trip @ Manila Ocean Park – April 25

Bela had her first Field Trip with Toddlers Unlimited last Friday at the Manila Ocean Park. Call time was at 8:45 AM and when we arrived some of her classmates and Teacher Gabby (Toddler’s Unlimited Directress) was already there.

Since we have an advance booking, Teacher Gabby just claimed the entrance tickets and we we’re allowed to go inside the park at 9:00 AM even though the park opens at 10:00 AM so we have the whole park exclusively for Toddlers Unlimited students only for an hour. This is good since we we’re able to enjoy the park since it is not crowded.

Bela had so much fun since she really loves sea creatures. Her favorite were the stingrays since she can recognize it as Mr. Ray from the movie Finding Nemo. We we’re also able to see the Shark mascot and Bela was able to play with him and even had a pictorial with him.

Bela’s favorite was the big aquarium located at the last section of the park. She just stayed in front of that big fish tank for more than thirty minutes, I think. She happily watches the fishes and the sting rays, she sometimes run after the fishes; she also tried to pretend that she was tickling the fish. When I asked her to say goodbye to the fish because almost all her classmates went home already, she answered “No bye. Having fun.” And so we stayed for a couple more minutes until she felt tired already and asked for her milk.

The park was nice but there are still some attractions that are not yet open. We will definitely go back here when it is already fully operational.

Weekend Snapshot #2 - Mr. Ray

My daughter had her first field trip last Friday at the Manila Ocean Park. She really had fun as she really loves sea creatures. Her favorite was the sting ray because she can recognize it as “Mr. Ray” from the movie Finding Nemo.

She was so amazed by the site of the sting rays that we stayed here for more than 30 minutes while she just stood there in front of the big aquarium just watching the fishes.

Dora Show – April 24 / Aliw Theater

We watched the Dora Concert at the Aliw Theater last April 24. And just as I expected, Bela did not enjoy the show.

We bought the tickets right away after I found out of the concert. A few weeks after purchasing our tickets, I saw the sneak peek of the concert at Nick Jr. and I was surprised to see that Dora and Diego is not a mascot but a real person. I got worried because I know that Bela might not like it.

After I read from Jane’s blog that Sophia enjoyed the show, I found a little hope that Bela would love the show too. But I was wrong. She was excited at first when she saw Isa, Benny, Boots and the Map. But after she saw Dora, I’m not sure if she got surprised or scared or what that she wants us to carry her. We will try to divert her attention and she would watch the show for a couple of minutes but then she would start to ask Howell to stand up and carry her again. We are seated at the center aisle and so we can’t stand at the aisle while carrying Bela so Howell took her to the top of the theater while she is warming up. I thought she just needs to warm up for a bit and she will enjoy the show after a while, but she wants Howell to carry her during the entire show. And so we have to leave our seats and move up to the Deluxe seats because Bela prefers to watch the show from there. When we moved to the deluxe seats, she’s more relaxed and she watched the show while Howell was carrying her. She even danced during the last part of the show.

I don’t know what happened because she was able to watch the Sesame Street and Barney show and she did not react this way. Maybe she was thinking that it is not the real Dora performing on stage.

Too bad since the production of the show was good compared to Barney and Sesame Street. They even have a boat as props, they have lots of animals as props too and they change backdrops every now and then.

Oh well, maybe next time. At least she enjoyed some parts of the show. Here are some pictures of the show that I took. And by way, we were able to join the meet and greet with Dora and Diego. It was supposed to be for Nickster members only who won the contest of Nickelodeon. But we saw again the official photographer of the show whom we met when we watched the Sesame Street show and he invited us to have a picture with Dora and Diego during the Meet and Greet.

Executive Privilege

Every man and woman that once upon a time were enjoying an exhilarating life, but whirled and turned it drab when they got hook to alcohol and illicit drug used. Though their right senses impart caveat signals to get out of the murky situation they couldn’t do so because they were powerless to repulse the craving as it comes hotter than the desert sun.

Under this circumstance, the coolest thing to do is to seek medical care. Medical care from the experts which is a finger away from you. Get on your seats and log on to http://www.executive-recovery.com/, and it would lead you to Southern California rehab, the perfect and ideal place to go and get treatment for alcohol and drug abused. It has complete facilities and medical supplies for patients who need to undergo “ALCOHOL REHAB” or “HEROIN/OPIATE ADDICTION TREATMENT.” Also included in the menu of “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REHAB” is “MARIJUANA ADDICTION TREATMENT” together with drug intervention and executive sober living program that suit the need of every patient.

Patients housed at Southern California rehab are culled in accordance with the kind of medical treatment they need. Only resident and specialist medical doctors with hands on knowledge in the case will administer the treatment for the various patients. Possessing the same qualifications are the psychiatrists and therapists who assist the medical doctors in monitoring the patients. Service of counselors and coaches is also in line with the program to guide, motivate and rebuild a staunch confidence of the patients.

Southern California rehab has impeccable record to show and bolster its credentials for its superb performance in delivering its function and help every patient to completely recover from the influence of alcohol and drugs Patients who were treated under the tender and loving care of its medical doctors and staffs were totally freed from the grime and filth that once darken their horizons. They are once again back on their feet and live a normal and happy life with their love ones.

Aside from the 100% full recovery of the patients, Southern California rehab, being one of the most sought resort in the country has designed an executive package for every patient to avail and make their stay and their life easy while undergoing rehabilitation treatment. They can splurge and enjoy the beauty while swimming at the beach, or do other outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, sailing, jet skiing or play golf or tennis and many other amenities that can readily be enjoyed anytime once your treatment session for the day is done. The executive package also gives you the privilege to bring your family with you, invites friends or makes an office to continue doing your business. If there is a necessity to keep your stay and records a secret, Southern California rehab guarantee it’s done.

Don’t wait for another day. If you belong to what has been describe, make your way now to Southern California rehab and visit http://www.executive-recovery.com/ for more relevant information and vivid details.

Touch of Beauty

One of the most startling facts about women is their never ending quest in search for ways to enhance their beauty. Everyone tries to out do each other and want to partake in the whimsical nature of fashion. Somehow it’s a well worth effort to some that because of their beauty they landed a place for the Look of the year award. What a best time to stand out and make a statement especially for the young women, it open windows of opportunities that could bring fortune to them it may not be so surprising if someday their beauty is among the model that flaunt on the stage or be the winner in the beauty contest.

Women being conscious of their beauty turn out to be a good investment after all. Being beautiful isn’t their fault anyhow, having been gifted with such quality, to take care of it is the coolest thing to do.

Visit www. LOOK OF THE YEAR.com and find more about some details.

Anecdotal Report, Etc

We just got back from the Dora Concert at Aliw Theater. I’m so dead tired as we went to the concert straight from the office. I haven’t downloaded the pictures yet so I will just make a separate post about it tomorrow.

For now, I just want to share with you Bela’s first anecdotal report. My mom got really excited after reading the report that she called me to read to me what Teacher Nyra wrote about Bela as soon as she finish reading it.

So here it goes…

Child’s Name: Bela
Teacher/s: Maica and Nyra
Date: April 24, 2008
Class: Raindrops

We thought you might like to know:

Bela is adjusting well to the program! Once she comes in the room, she immediately looks for a toy to play with. She explores the different areas in the room and plays with her friends well. During Circle, she excitedly joins in singing “MR. Sun” and the “Rainbow Song.”

I’m really glad my daughter is having fun at school. This is really our goal for now – to let her enjoy her first school experience.

Tomorrow will be their field trip at the Manila Ocean Park. I’m excited as this is Bela’s first field trip. I will post another story about it so watch out for it.

Wordless Wednesday # 4 - Peek-a-boo

Dutch Mill - Bela’s Power Drink

This has been Bela’s power drink lately. We do our grocery twice a month and every time I do our grocery, I always buy Bela 20 pieces of Dutch Mill and this would last until our next grocery schedule.

But lately I noticed that she can consume seven packs of Dutch Mill a day. She really loves drinking this yogurt drink that she will sometimes prefer it over her milk.

Our supplies for her yogurt drink are all gone so we really have to do our grocery, ASAP. Though I don’t know when can we do it as hubby is always working over time.

Weekend Snapshot #1

A snapshot taken by my husband while my daughter was enjoying the pond at the Café after her swimming class. She was really enjoying playing with the fake frog, that she didn’t mind getting wet while playing with it.

1st day – “My Baby & Me” Class

Bela had her first day for her My baby and me class at Ace Water Spa yesterday. Howell joined him for the class. (That’s one thing that I don’t like at Ace Water Spa. They are very strict with the number of companions for the students of BLSS. If I want to join the class, I have to pay the entrance fee for the spa which is P500. So Howell was the only one who can be with Bela for the class.)

I was watching them at the waiting area and I can really see that Bela was having fun. She is comfortable with the water and was not even scared. On her first day, she participated in all the activities right away. They were also asked to stand by the edge of the pool and then jump on the pool. Bela was scared at first but when she saw that her classmates was doing it, she didn’t hesitate and imitated her classmates in jumping.

After the class, Howell and Bela stayed for another hour at the pool (that’s one thing nice about Ace Water Spa – they can enjoy some of its facilities for free after the class. LOL).

Here are some of the pictures that I took. Pardon the pictures as I was taking it behind a glass wall and I was several meters away from them because they are on the other side of the pool.

.: during class :.

.: enjoying the kiddie pool after class :..: on her own - so brave :.

After the class, we ate merienda at the Ace Water Spa Café. Bela was saying while we are eating “Come back next week.” This is a good sign, she must have really enjoyed her class.

Live TV

With the confluence of the Internet that piqued the interest of users, BlogTV.com has become the most hit website sought by people from all walks of life. Its live TV program and live broadcast were culled together to take you to a whole awesome level of exhilarating experience and adventure in the field of entertainment.

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Or you can share the excitement to every one by playing some of your video collections. It’s your time to sparkle and be in the limelight. This is your time to shine and step into the spotlight.

Truly BlogTV.com is a walk in the park experience. Its innovative features are set to flaunt your talent. Discover it yourself, visit the site and catch more details.

Bothered

My mom read from a magazine that those kids with speech problem should consult a speech pathologist. I searched from wikipedia.org, what speech pathology is and this is what I gathered.

“Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's speech, language, cognition, voice disorders, swallowing disorders and the rehabilitative or corrective treatment of physical and/or cognitive deficits/disorders resulting in difficulty with communication and/or swallowing. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) address people's speech production, vocal production, swallowing difficulties and language needs through speech therapy in a variety of different contexts including schools, hospitals, and through private practice.”

My mom said that we should get a recommendation from my daugther’s pedia so we can consult a speech pathologist. Honestly I don’t see any problem with my daugther. She can very well express herself, she knows the alphabets, all the colors & shapes. She can even construct sentences composed of two to five words like:
“Mom, help me please.”
“Mom/Dad, where are you”
“Animals from the Ocean”
“This way”

and many others. The only problem is that she is “bulol” and when she gets excited or angry she tends to speak fast and she blabber that we can’t understand her. But my mom and my aunt said that by this age (my daugther is now 2.5 years old), she should be “matatas na” and not “bulol.” This is base on their experiences from us and from all my other cousins.

This makes me really concrened all of sudden. Should I be bothered about my daugther’s speech ability? Should I consult a speech pathologist for an opinion?

Your thougths please.

First Field Trip: Manila Ocean Park

Ever since the Manila Ocean Park opened last March, we have been planning to go there because my husband and I know that Bela will definitely have a great time there. Bela is so fond of animals specially sea creatures. And every time she sees a fish or a turtle she gets really excited and will keep on saying “Animals from the Ocean.” (She learned this from her Brainy Baby DVD).

So when I received the letter from Toddlers Unlimited that they will be having a filed trip at the Manila Ocean Park next week, I didn’t think twice and immediately signed up the confirmation form. Howell will be coming too so we will have an official daddy photographer. LOL. Good thing we are just near Ocean Park so we don’t have to wake up that early to join the filed trip. We will just go straight there instead of meeting up the rest of the group in Makati before 8 AM .

I’m so excited already. For sure Bela will have a grand time there. But before I get really excited I remember I still have to pay the fees and I have to buy a light blue colored shirt since all the participants are required to wear light blue colored shirt/blouse on the day of the filed trip. I have to do some shopping this weekend (which makes me even more excited. Wink)

Wordless Wednesday # 3

Kid’s question meme

tag from Em.

Copy here:
1. Answer the Kid’s Question by Gregory Stock, PH.D. Remember: Don’t respond as you think others want you to. Respond the way you actually feel!
2. Add your name (linked to your blog)
3. Tag everybody else!


Kid’s Question #1
If you were the ruler of the world and you could have anything you wanted as well as have people do anything you wanted, do you think you would get greedy and mean or would you be a good and fair ruler?

>>> I think I would be a good ruler but someone who is a disciplinarian. I want everything in order and I want everybody to follow the rules (rules that are set for the good of everybody.) Greedy? I don’t think so. I hate greedy people and I would definitely hate myself if I turned up to be one.

I am the type of person who wants to help the needy so if I became a ruler I would definitely put the less fortunate in my priority list.

Jhong, Alpha, Women Xplore, Em, Something Purple, Our Journey to Life, My Planet Purple, Princess Bela, add your link here

I'm tagging: Vien, Jacqui, Mich, Issa, Gracie, Jhona, Andrea.

My Baby and Me Class – Enrolled

Yehey, my daughter is now enrolled at the My Baby and Me class of Bert Lozada Swim School.

I tried to call them yesterday to inquire but I was informed that they don’t have an available slot for the My Baby and Me class. So I panicked. I told them that I was informed when I inquired last February that I can enroll anytime and I don’t have to pay any reservation fee. So I was a bit pissed when they we’re telling me that they can’t accept Bela since their class is already full. I know that is a good thing because it means that they are really maintaining the teacher to student ratio per class but I would really like to enroll Bela there since the pool at Ace Water Spa is heated and it is a covered pool so she won’t get dark even if she goes swimming every Saturday.

So I have to convince and beg Mildred (BLSS coordinator) to let Bela join the My Baby and Me class. Good thing, Mildred said that they can accept Bela in the 4:10 – 4:50 class.

And since Howell was on leave today because he drove Bela to school, I told him to drop by at Ace Water Spa to pay the fee before they change their mind. And so I just got a call from him and Bela is now enrolled. Good news is they have an available slot for the 9:10 – 9:50 class. Howell prefers this schedule since she doesn’t want Bela to stay long hours at the pool in the afternoon as he is worried that she might get sick.

So this coming Saturday, Bela will start her class at Ace Water Spa. I’m so excited. Last summer we also enrolled her for the My Baby and Me program and she had so much fun. Hope she will have twice as fun as last year.

Bela’s Last Show Day at the Little Gym

It was Bela’s show day at the Little Gym last Sunday. This will be her last show day since we won’t be enrolling her for the next quarter since she will start her three times a week schedule at Toddlers Unlimited come June. So I was a bit sentimental and I was kind of sad watching Bela, Teacher Clara and her other classmates during the show day. We made a bond with the other parents at the gym and the thought of not being able to see them again, makes me feel kind of sad.

Ok, so enough of the senti part, and let me go back to my story about Bela’s show day.

She was still the active Bela that she is and she is in the mood again this time as she participated with all the activities again. And I was kind of surprised because she enjoyed the bars this time. She usually doesn’t want to hang on the bars but last Sunday she kept on hanging on to the bars with the other kids. And she was really strong as she was able to hang on her own for a couple of seconds. She even approached Teacher Clara when Teacher Clara was doing the wheel borrow with her other classmate so she can try the skill too with Teacher Clara.

Too bad her lola and tita we’re not able to come since they have some previous appointments. But lolo is with Bela to witness her last show day.

Below are Teacher Clara’s comments about Bela:

“Bela has become extra, extra active this semester. As soon as she enters the gym, she will approach teacher and give me a sweet smile. After that, she’s off to running all over the place. She will also do her tumbles once encouraged and she excels greatly in the bars because of her ability to reach for the bars by herself.”

I can say that Bela has improved a lot since we first started at Little Gym less than a year ago. She was the shy and quiet Bela at first, but look at her now, she is so active, friendly and confident. All of this we owe to Little Gym. Maybe we can try a new class next summer as we will always love Little Gym and if there is a new class that Bela will surely enjoy, we will not think twice in enrolling her again here.

Below are some pictures that Howell took during the show day.

.: enjoying the parachute :.

.: peek-a-boo dad :.

.: teacher giving bela her appraisal report :.

.: trying the balance beam :.

.: on her own - she's really so strong :.

.: class picture - bela is cranky na as she is already sleepy & hungry :.

The next Efren “Bata” Reyes?

Bela just loves playing pool with the kids outside our house. Every time she goes out and she sees the kids playing, she will definitely have to have her turn playing with it. She is so cute while she is holding the long pool stick and trying to hit the pool chips. Her lolos and lolas and even her dad really enjoyed watching Bela play pool. And aside from that, she not only enjoys playing pool but she also enjoys identifying all the numbers written on the pool chips. She will identify each one of them by trying to hit it with her long pool stick.

She was really funny. Good thing her photographer dad was able to catch it on camera.

Not sleeping here tonight

Bela slept around 10:00 Pm last night and woke up around 3:00 AM crying. She wont stop crying and she went back to sleep around 4:00 AM.

Howell worked overtime (until 3:00 AM) for three consecutive days now while I always stayed up late since I have some things to do, so both of us lack sleep also. So we decided to let Bela sleep at her lola’s house tonight so we can have a long, uninterrupted sleep. Just preparing for another long day tomorrow – it’s Bela’s show day at the Little Gym and then Howell will be covering a birthday party in the afternoon.

So Bela’s not sleeping with us tonight. So I will sign off now as our bed is already calling me. (Gosh I missed sleeping until 4 pm in the afternoon.) I’m tired also because of our long and busy day, so I’ll be hitting the sack now. Good night everyone.

New PM Schedule

I just found out last Thursday that TU will be offering an afternoon class this coming school year for their three times a week schedule.

I got really excited and happy since that is really our preferred schedule. Their initial schedule is 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM so Bela has to wake up early since they have to leave the house not later than 7:30 PM to reach TU on time. Add to that the early morning traffic in Makati because it is the rush hour. So we would really prefer an afternoon schedule so they don’t have to rush to get to school.

The afternoon schedule is from 1:30 – 3:30 Pm which means I can even attend Bela’s class every Friday since I get off from work at 1:30 PM every Friday. And if they can wait for me for an hour, I can even get a ride home every Monday and Wednesday.

This schedule is really perfect for us. So I’ll just have to observe Bela for a month if she will really enjoy it at TU and if all goes well, I will enroll her for this school year come May.

Bela’s First week at Toddlers Unlimited

This week was Bela’s first week at Toddlers Unlimited. I took a day off from work so I can be with my daughter on his first day of being a preschooler.

Since we had a trial class there last February, when we arrived for her first day, it looks as though she was already familiar with the place as she immediately played at the Romp area while waiting for her 10:30 class. And when it is time to go inside the classroom, I don’t have to force her as she excitedly entered the room and immediately played with the toys there. She looks comfortable right away with Teacher Maica as she approached Teacher Maica and asked her to build the train for her.

I was inside the room the entire class for the first day and I was one proud mom as she was participating in all the activities. She was singing with her classmates during circle time, she was playing with her classmates during the free exploration and romp time, she did her artwork, and she ate together with her classmates during snack time. I was really happy because at home, it is really difficult to make her sit down and eat. But during her first and second day, she sat down with the rest of her classmates while eating.

Hope she will really have a great time here and hope she won’t get bored. I know she will really learn a lot from TU and I was really glad that we enrolled her here.

Below are some pictures that I took during her first day at TU.

.: playing with her classmates :..: playing with Teacher Nyra :..: Bubble Time :..: Singing Mr. Sun @ Circle Time :..: Art Time :..: Snack Time :..: Eating on her Own :..: Romp Time :.