First Day High

July 1, 2008 is a another wonderful event in the life of my toddler. It's his first day of school...well first day of being "saling-pusa" in his lola's school. Willie and I agreed that before we have Matthew assessed, Matthew will be exposed to other kids in a more structured environment. He has been hyperactive ever since but has grown to be the sweetest boy ever. He would always kiss us and hug us yun nga lang parang sinasakal na kami sa pagmamahal hahahaha...

I however failed to video his first day but I could very well remember every second of it. He was excited to go to school as he jumped up and down towards his classroom. He only had 5 classmates - 3 boys and 2 girls. Michael Alec became an instant bestfriend when he offered Matthew the chair next to him. We arrived when the teacher was teaching "hand" and "feet". Matthew was quiet at first observing the people around him. He was looking at the ceiling for sometime but when the teacher asked him, "Matthew, how many hands do you have?" He did not reoly at first so I coached him a little and whispered, "two", to which he answered back to his teacher, "tooooh".

Then the teacher asked where is your left hand? Everybody raised their hands (some their right ones) so I coached Matthew again by tapping his left elbow. He immediately raised it may kasama pang wiggling ng fingers; how cute hehehe...the teacher then directed their attention to their fingers telling them that everyone has 10 fingers (well my classmate in high school was an exception because he had 11 fingers! well that's a different story *wink*). Matthew then raised his fingers and then placed them on the table. He then made his fingers "crawling movements" to which the other kids also imitated. Hmmm mukhang born leader ang anak ko hahaha.

After a few minutes it was time for recess. They all got up and started to say grace. Matthew followed thru since he has learned this at home. During recess, my hyper son headed straight to the Little Tykes slide and played while his classmates followed too.

It was now blackboard activity. Naku Matthew loves the blackboard and chalk. He got the chalk and started to draw. Tapos ang gusto nya is using the eraser kapag tapos na siya. I even saw him "monologuing" in front of the class parang nagtuturo daw cya (hmmm baka maging trainor ito like me).

Color time naman. The teacher handed them pictures to be colored as well as their crayons. I started Matthew with coloring a few months back already so he knows how to hold his crayon na. But he was quick to point to the butterfly that was suppose to be colored. Everyone was given their crayons. I suspected that the kids had their own crayons; then the school just keeps it for them. Everyone had single crayon box while another classmate had a double layer crayon box. Nakakatawa kase napansin ni Matthew yun. Kita ko kung paano nya tingnan yung box nya then glance at the double box and then glance back sa box nya. Parang sinasabi nya na bakit iba yung sa kanya? Hahahaha

After coloring, they were asked to take a rest. The teacher tells them "Ok children bow your heads". Everyone follows including my son. Pero ilang seconds lang tumayo na at takbo ng takbo around the classroom. Soon enough the other classmates. Michael Alec ang sparring partner nya sa kaguluhan. Cars daw sila. Yung ibang classmates nya acted as bridges yung linalagay yung arm sa upuan tapos itataas kapag dadaan na yung mga "cars" hahahaha...promoter ng kaguluhan pala ang Matthew ko hehehe...

It was time to go home. They prayed and thanked God for the wonderful day. The tecaher started to sing "Paalam na inyo" their signature goodbye song for the students. Matthew was as cute as a button when he started singing sabay kembot hahaha really cute even the teacher and the teacher aides laughed.

They were asked to get their bags and line-up para paglabas maayos. nakakatuwa naman si Matthew kase sumunod cya. Hay it was really a wonderful day :)

Agoo Bebe

Matthew is indeed comfortable with the camera. He will pose in whatever position as long as he is smiling and he looks crazy hehehe...I bought a vintage-type shirt for him at www.agoobebe.multiply.com and the shirt was a nice find (although mild detergent/soap is required to wash these cuties since they fade a little when washed with a strong one). Matthew even learned to say "Milk is Cool" when he just turned 3.

Agoo Bebe has more unique locfally made products for babies and toddlers. Visit their site.

Double Bash

Yep, you read it right. Matthew and I had our double birthday celebration last December 1 right here in our very own garden. I chose the Pirate theme not only because Matthew's first soft book was about pirates but because it was also thanksgiving for my mom who now showcases her signature bandana look. I also liked the Captain Jack Sparrow movies and I had tons of ideas from the net. It was truly a memorable event as guests flocked to the party geared up in their favorite Pirate costume.

Everything was a first in our party - first choco fountain set-up; Matthew's loot shop where the kiddos were treated to goodies in exchange for plastic coins they won during the games; our first mcdo party; our first garden party (with all the heat); and first dual celeb. Long tables were set to depict a pirate's table cabins complete with pirate printed cloth (scotched tape mind you) over my mom's ever reliable red cloths. They were actualy long curtains. Colored palm tree streamers provided much ambiance to the rented tents. The tents were my gift from my mom and dad. I also made a treasure chest made out of cardboard box to hide the special treats for the guests. We had two cakes - one was from McDonald's and the other store bought. I found the cutest pirate ship toy complete with casts, steering wheel, ladders, chests and pirates which we made into a cake topper. Loot bags were doubled as I had my own version in addition to McDonald's loot bags.

Food was all pirate with street goodies such as kikiam, squid balls, fish balls and hotdog balls. Everyone visited the food dock. The main course was of course courtesy of McDonald's (and Willie for paying the bill hehe..)

The winner of the best in costume was Declaro family who painstakingly made each detail of their costumes realistic most especially Tito Paeng who even had a long wig to boot. He was our very own Jack Sparrow. the main celebrant of course had a truly unique costume straight from the US courtesy of his Ninong Anthony. It was really unfortunate that he and Mama Lods were not able to join us as their flight was scehduled a day before the party (sayang talaga). Most of the pirate items especially the plastic gold coins were all from Anthony.

We had the event photo and video covered as my dad insisted that it be done that way. I hope to collect other pics from guests who graciously took pics during the event. Matthew and I had a blast as everyone we wanted to come were all there.