Birthday Party Souvenirs

Yaya teased me the other day. She said that Belle's daddy escaped spending money for Belle's 2nd birthday last year, since we only celebrated it at home, and did not do anything fancy. I only bought some seafood at Seaside Market in Baclaran, and called my family to have dinner with us. Now, since Belle is enrolled in school, yaya said I cannot help but spend a bit for a school party. Most children have school parties nowadays, not like when I was younger, when birthdays were just "Happy birthday!" and just that. Now, moms like me have to buy souvenirs, a cake or cupcakes, drinks, and balloons. Some even bring clowns and entertainers to their kid's classroom.

I told yaya that I really don't want to make a big fuss over every birthday. Belle might grow up thinking birthday parties are a must, instead of a privilege. So I think I might just bake the cupcakes and the cake myself, and yaya volunteered to cook spaghetti. I'll just buy juice in tetra paks to complete the food. Most of the parties in school had food brought in from McDonald's or Jollibee, but I really dislike that kind of party. I think that kids are entitled to a happy birthday, not a birthday party per se. I said that we will have a bigger party when Belle turns 7 years old.
But of course not everyone shares my opinion. My friend is determined to give a birthday party for her sons every year until they turn 7. That's 14 parties in all! I'm helping her choose lootbags this year. I told her the fastfood giveaways and the stuff she can buy in Divisoria are so cheap-looking. I gave her the site where she can order classy-looking kids backpacks. That is the kind I want to order for Belle's 7th birthday party souvenirs.
I will have it personalized with each child's name. Cool huh?

Tagaytay and the ZipLine

We went to Tagaytay last Monday. We ate at a new paluto place which I forgot the name. Belle and Alex enjoyed the garden, while Llance enjoyed feeding the giant carp.

Belle and Alex, with Cheche and Tina.

Afterwards we rented horses and a calesa and went for a few rounds.

Then we went to Picnic Groove. It was my first time there, and we were amazed that they had a zipline and a cable car!

Llance and I went on the zipline together, as Llance was a bit afraid of going by himself.

picture taken from actual hardcopy picture

The zipline costs P100 for a 1 way trip, P200 for a 2 way trip, weekdays. Prices double for weekends. Pictures cost P100 for 2 5R copies.

Pictures from our Club Manila East summer outing.

Daddy and Belle, the little princess making lambing.

Family picture outside our cottage.

Inside the cottage.

Belle, Auntie, and Ama, playing outside.

Bulacan

We went to a resort in Bulacan last month. I forgot the name of the town and the resort, I just know that my brother knows the owner. Fishing and swimming were the order of the day.

This is Belle's hand touching makahiya. I was thrilled to see large patches of it on the grounds. I immediately called Belle to let her see and touch it. When makahiya is touched, the leaves? fronds? close up tight. After a while, they open up again. Belle was amazed at her discovery, and kept wanting to touch the leaves even after they were all closed. I'm just glad I was able to introduce to her one of the wonders of nature.

I've Missed Blogging!

I've missed blogging!

I've been busy the past 2 months, Belle's yaya was on a month-long vacation, so I had my hands full with Belle. Good thing my mom's helper recommended her younger sister to me for a maid, otherwise I would have had no maid nor yaya!

I actually asked my mom if I could move in with her during my yaya-less month, if I didn't have a maid. She said yes, and we were thinking of what stuff we would move to my mom's house. But God heard my prayers. My new helper arrived a few days before yaya left for the province, and Belle liked her. They dance and play together, to give me a much-needed breather, during those long 4 weeks.

This summer, we went to Club Manila East, our regular Holy Week destination. Belle and Alex enrolled in a 10 day summer toddler class where they were the only students. We swam in the 12 foot inflatable pool most days. We attended a couple of kiddie parties and my college barkada reunion. Sister had her eyes lasered. (Or is lasik-ed the right term?) I watched Star Trek and Angels and Demons.

It's been a busy summer. I've missed blogging!

Looking for A Fireman's Hat

Next weekend is Moving Up Day for Belle's toddler class. They will be performing their fireman song. They are really so cute while rehearsing. But I didn't get to take pictures yet. Maybe on Wednesday when they have a dress rehearsal.

Teacher Ruth informed me that the kids need firemen's costumes. They can borrow from a classmate's dad, who is a volunteer fireman. But they only have about 5 kiddie size jackets and hats. They need another 5, since they are 10 pupils in the Jolly Joeys class.

I can make a yellow raincoat into a fireman's costume for Belle, no problem. Willy sells kiddie raincoats in his store, and I already told him to bring home 1.

But, where, oh where, can I get a kiddie fireman's hat? I don't want to buy 1, since she'll only be using it for 10 minutes at the most.

HELP!!!

Belle's Swimming Day

Belle's class, the Jolly Joeys had their swimming day last Feb 18. They had a kiddie pool beside the big pool, and parents and yayas could swim with the children if we wanted to.

Belle really loved this flotation device her classmate brought. I guess because she really likes cars in general, the toy had a steering wheel and was designed like a police car.

Here is Teacher Ruth putting a life vest on Belle.


Watch out Teacher Ruth! While you are putting on your own jacket, Belle is removing hers.


Teacher Ruth is not finished putting on her life vest, Belle has already removed hers. Belle is not used to wearing anything over her swimsuit.

The coach took her out on the boat, but she didn't like it. She only wanted to play in the kiddie pool. I should have brought my swimming stuff so I could go in the big pool with her.

Family Fun Day

Family Fun Day at Belle's school last Feb 15 was fun. Willy took the morning off from work (he has work even on Sundays). Belle's class was required to wear red, even parents were requested to wear red. So off we went!

Here is the Chinese teacher singing the "Kong Si" song with Belle. Belle was so happy singing and dancing. But when I took this picture, her mouth just happened to close.

Here, the teachers are asking Belle to shout their class cheer, H-E-L-L-O! That's the way we say HELLO!

Here she and her classmates were singing the school hymn.

The one in front with 2 ponytails is her teacher.

She really follows the teacher's actions, we're so proud of her!

This is a group shot of her and her classmates. The ones in the back wearing red also were the parents and grandmothers of her classmates.

Family Day Today

I'm tired! It's yaya's day off, and Family Day at Belle's school. I'll post our pictures and story tomorrow, let me just leave you with a picture.

School Uniform

School for the Little Princess

We finally found a toddler school which satisfies our requirements. The little princess has been attending since November, second semester. She enjoys it so much, and looks forward to going to school everyday. More details soon.

First Dental Visit

I brought Belle to the dentist last month. It was her first time to get a check up, but she had already seen her auntie and I have our check up before.

We practiced opening our mouth at home and I told her the dentist with count her teeth and clean them, so she knew what to expect and sat on the dental chair quietly. I was so proud of her!

Now I had to sit with her because the dentist was going to clean her teeth with the machine. I held her tightly, but she didn't struggle as much as I expected. I was actually afraid she would cry, and I would have cried with her! I really hate the sight and sound of my daughter crying.After cleaning her teeth, the dentist put fluoride. The entire thing took only 15 minutes or less. Then she told us to come back in 6 months.

Dra Des Dental Clinic

SM Manila

SM San Lazaro

Sore Eyes last Week

Belle had conjunctivitis last week. She woke up last Wednesday with a red left eye. I knew at once that it was sore eyes. The guard downstairs had them, and Belle always "blessed" the man, calling him lolo. We didn't go to school anymore, because we might infect everyone.

I told Willy he had to drive us to see the pedia right away, since our driver pulled a disappearing act on us again. We had to borrow my brother's delivery van, because our car could not enter Makati that day.
We were caught by the smoke-belching cops! Rather, the cops flagged us down and subjected the van to a smoke belcher/detector thingy, and told us that our van failed the test. Argh!
When we finally got to the doctor, she told us that we were the third sore eyes case she had seen this year, considering it was only 3 days into regular clinic days. Conjunctivitis cases seem to be on the rise.

She gave us an ointment to put on Belle's eyes, and believe me when I tell you that putting medicine in a screaming toddler's eye is not a walk in the park!
The next day, Thursday, both Belle's eyes were infected, despite the constant hand-washing and rubbing with alcohol. Never mind, it was easier getting sore eyes in both eyes at the same time, rather than getting them 1 eye at a time.
I think, because we went to the doctor and asked for medicine at one, we must have caught the ailment when it was just starting. Belle's eyes never got really red and the stickiness was at a minimum. It wasn't like some of the cases I knew, when other people's eyes got really red and weepy and encrusted with pus-like stuff.
I just thank God that Willy, yaya and I were not infected. We must have used up a whole big bottle of alcohol in wiping down surfaces.
Belle's eyes are fine now, we went back to school yesterday and were given the go ahead to come to class.

My Little Shoe Gal

The little princess saw her auntie trying on some sandals and said

"How 'bout me?! How 'bout me?!"

"I take off my shoe Auntie!"

"Oops, I need to take off my sock too."

"Give me one!"

"I need to take off my other shoe too."

"What do you think Auntie?"

Haircut

Inspired by Serene's post, I decided to post Belle's haircut pictures.

We had Belle's hair cut at a professional salon some time ago. For the past year, my mom would cut her hair at home, Belle would always make a fuss and try to run away. It was very hard to cut it straight without cutting her ears.

with Ama cutting her hair at home

This was her hair before the haircut, bangs falling in her eyes

while having the haircut

the finished product

Doesn't look much different really. I just had the hair at the nape trimmed. Daddy wanted the little princess to have long hair like mommy, so the sides weren't cut.

Toy House or Doll House?

Belle really loved playing in playhouse like this when she had her trial class last month at Cambridge Toddler Development School.

But maybe a dollhouse would be a better choice? Not that I want to give her stereotype ideas, but it would be so sweet to see her playing with a huge dollhouse.

Now if we only had the space. And the money to buy all the toys our little princess desires.

Belle at Raleigh's Party

Pictures of Belle at the 1st birthday party of Raleigh yesterday.

inside the giant bubble

had a Minnie Mouse tattoo

having her nails done at the kiddie salon

(pardon the blurry shots)

Artwork of the Day

This is Belle's artwork of the day. I wonder what it is.

My Pumpkin!

Have to stop thinking about the brownie. Now I know why it's called Original Sin. LOL

Let me just post a picture of my daughter and her pumpkin. She's all ready for Trick or Treat now. I bought a pair of fairy wings for her a few days ago. I'll take a picture of the wings and the gown later.I hope the people don't all give candy. I don't want Belle to get cavities!

Having a Root Canal

My mom has been suffering tooth pain for over a week now. She went to the dentist last week, who took out her broken crown and cleaned her teeth and gums. The dentist told her that she had a gum infection and that was the source of her pain. After the cleaning, she was pain-free for a couple of days, but the pain returned, even worse than before. It transferred to her neck, her head, and the back of her neck. She finally had a root canal treatment done this afternoon.
I don't know about you, but I have to steel myself for dental treatments other than ordinary cleaning. The smell of the dental clinic, the whirr of the drilling machines fill me with dread. I do go to the dentist regularly, but frequency does not make me feel more at ease at the thought of dental appointments.
I accompanied Sister to her root canal sessions last year. I could see her suffering and I was sorry that she had to go through it. I almost had a tooth done a few months ago, but luckily, I didn't need to have it done. I just needed a new filling.
Our old dentist had her own clinic at the ground floor of her house. It didn't necessarily make her more accessible to her patients, because she could only see patients 4pm and down, and on certains days only.
Our new dentist has clinics based in malls. She is required to open on the days the mall is open, which is actually everyday. During holidays her clinic is also open. But you have to make an appointment usually, because she is in demand. She is not the only dentist in her clinic, she has a few other dentists on her staff too.
The dentist is convincing me to bring Belle in for a check up. I want to, but the thought of Belle crying her heart out while a stranger is peering into her mouth is daunting. I saw a little girl a while ago, screaming and crying while the pedia-dentist was examining her. I thought, "Baka mauna pa ako umiyak kesa sa anak ko!" But the dentist was right, I should learn the right way and right position of brushing Belle's teeth. Better a few tears now, instead of a lot of tears when cavities come.