Back Track . . . Part 2

May 17 - Kaila's assessment and enrollment

As previously posted, we were supposed to enrol Kaila in the summer class but this didn't push through. The ten sessions that was referred to over the phone were the non-academic courses. The academic courses would last for a month as well so Philip and I decided not to push through because Kaila will have a little time to rest in between the summer class and the opening of the regular class in June. Kaila was assessed through a test but Kaila was not answering at all to think that we even had a review and a rehearsal prior to that. I know Kaila knows all the answers but she wouldn't say a word to teacher Liza. Anyway, understandable as what teacher Liza said. Most of the kids are really like that but come the 2nd or 3rd week or regular school everybody would be playing around. The funny thing is teacher Liza was also talking to JM and my little boy was answering. They kept on talking to the two kids until the topic became singing and dancing. I tried to play the "papaya song" from my celfone and both kids danced. Kaila danced and JM followed. The people were so happy to see the two kids perform. Nagmukhang audition tuloy sa talent search ang assessment ni Kaila.

Since Kaila didn't answer during the assessment she'll be enrolled under Junior Casa. According to teacher Liza, they have an acceleration program. So if they can see that the child is ready and will be able to cope up with the higher level, they can accelerate the child.

While daddy and the kids are chatting with teacher Liza, I was already paying the tuition fees, books and uniform. Did a few queries on some things and issues. The mom was so excited at this point since Kaila is officially a school girl come June. After this, we treated the kids to a nearby Jollibee and had their favourite snacks. We went home afterwards.


May 23 - Friday Night Out

It was a busy week for me. I even stayed up late in the office to think it was Friday already. Philip and his officemates were out in Paseo de Sta. Rosa. Instead of them having a summer outing they agreed to use their subsidy to just eat out. Since they were just nearby, I told hubby that we could meet in time for dinner. I'll treat him to Poquito Mas so he'll get a taste of my favourite sisig. I was in Paseo de Sta. Rosa past 7pm. I went strolling around trying to look for a gift to hubby. I went to National bookstore first to buy a birthday card. I went from store to store but I don't know what to buy. I went to Poquito Mas around 8pm so that I can order our dinner just in time for hubby's arrival. I ordered my favourite sisig and the spicy shrimp pasta. Since Philip was on a diet already (he was diagnosed to be diabetic last month), I didn't order that much. I'm not even sure if he'll rice since he's not eating dinner anymore except for oatmeal and fruits. Philip arrived a little past 8pm just in time after our order was served. He ate a little and told me to finish everything. Huh? The sisig and the shrimp pasta is good for 2 to 3 persons and he wants me to finish it! Anyway, since both are my favourites I tried to eat as much as I can but still I can't finish everything. While eating he told me that we'll stay since his staff will still have their drinking session. I asked him if it's alright to join them. He said yes so we stayed until midnight and enjoyed the band that night. Every Friday is party time in Paseo de Sta. Rosa and it was my first time to experience it. Hubby and I enjoyed the night and we're thinking that we should do it regularly- going out just the two of us. ( I still have to work out on this since I would feel guilty if we go out without the kids ).

Christmas Day Celebration

My parents and siblings were early in the house. All of us were still asleep when they came. I woke up ahead of everybody to start preparing our stuff. Of course it will be a bagful of stuffs for the kids. JM woke up first so I started to fix him. Gave him a bathe and dressed him up. Of course he was not able to open his gifts last night so it's time for him to open the gifts. He has a handful of gifts ( clothes, toys and bags ). Santa's gift was a red remote controlled car. He had two cars because Ninong Charlie ( my BIL ) gave him a remote controlled car as well.

While they were enjoying the opening of gifts I sneaked out to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast. Of course it's the left overs from the noche buena. :) Philip was awaken next then Kaila. We all fixed ourselves and had a picture taking moment before heading to Pasig. We left at already past 10AM.

Since it was a no traffic day, we were there ( Ciudad Grande ) in just over an hour of travel. My uncle and my cousins were there immediately to welcome us. It feels nice to see them again. We really don't see them that often unlike my cousins in Cavite. We stayed for awhile first in my cousin's house since the party will be held in the clubhouse. We thought that it's just going to be a simple get together but it seems many will be attending.

We went to the clubhouse past noon already. It was just a walking distance from their place. Personally, I was surprised to see that the place was arranged with tables & chairs, tarps and the food was catered. What we thought as a simple get together turns out to be something more special. Guests started to arrive though it was mostly the relatives of my auntie so ( wife of my uncle - mother side ) it was really us only and their family who belongs to the Espolong clan.

The program was just informal. It was initially hosted by the sister of my auntie. We had an opening prayer and the cue to start the meal followed as it was way past noon already. After the sumptuous meal, the program resumed. My cousins were introduced and welcomed. They came from Pakistan, Korea and Singapore. One of my cousins on the otherhand is the head chef in Malacañang. So the kids and adults alike had their "pamasko" from each of them. There were several games for all the kids and adults. Monetary prizes were courtesy of my cousins. The finale was a raffle courtesy of the sister of my auntie ( she works for Erap - so dami nya pera ). We really waited for the raffle hoping we'll win. But we were not that lucky enough.

While the program is on-going of course we had a chit-chat with my cousins. Some updates about their lives and our lives . . . It's just nice to know that most of them are all successful in their own fields. My cousin who works in Malacañang has gone to many places already including Europe. He always goes with the President's entourage (local and international destinations). Hubby was trying to fish some "tsismis" from him but to no avail. he he he . . . My other cousin worked in DFA in Pakistan for six years. He and his family is now here because they have to wait where will be his next assignment. My cousin in Singapore is a board top notcher in ECE so he's also successful there right now. I just forgot the name of the company he's working for.

It's also nice to see our own kids. We also met for the first time the wife of my cousin from Singapore. It was also a time to reminisce "our" times when we were just kids. How time really flies so fast!

As I said we just waited for the raffle and we're off home after. I guess it was around 4pm already when we left. I can say that we enjoyed it very much and hopefully there will be a next time soon.

Early Christmas Celebration

In previous years, we would normally spend the 25th with my relatives (father side) in Cavite. This year, we were there on the 24th as the 25th was reserved by my relatives (mother side) in Pasig since my cousins working abroad are all here for the first time altogether after so many years.

On the morning of the 24th, we were fetched by my parents going to Cavite. We were expected to be there before lunch. Thank God for the Daang Hari road. Our usual travel time ( Carmona-Dasma-Imus-Bacoor) was reduced to half. We were just in time for lunch. Our meals include kare-kare, camaron and other seafood specialties of my tita. In the family, she's the one who can really cook well. Name it and she can do it. Desserts include fruit / buco salad and ube halaya. We were so full after the sumptuous meal.

After lunch, we already distributed our gifts for our inaanaks and the kids received a lot of gifts as well from my cousins and their children. At the same time, they were preparing the names for our yearly kris kringle during the new year celebration. I asked hubby if we will join because I'm not sure if we will be spending the New Year there. He said we'll join the kris kringle.

For merienda, they bought a special bibingka and we ate some of the desserts during lunch as well. After merienda, we were already off going home as we still need to prepare the noche buena. My dad was asking if we were still coming home with them but we beg off since we don't have much time already to prepare the food for noche buena.

At home, Philip started to prepare the spaghetti sauce right away. I also asked my yaya to prepare the ingredients for the chicken-macaroni salad that I'll be preparing. While they were in the kitchen the lolo and lola asked the kids to open the gifts already. I stressed that not all the gifts will be opened. They just wanted to see if the gifts would fit well with the kids. Obviously their gifts are clothes for the kids. It was a red (San Beda) jacket for JM and a pink dress for Kaila. Picture taking followed.

As usual, Kaila took the centerstage again. She willingly posed for the picture taking. A model in the making yata ang anak ko. At least marami ng career na pagpipilian. From videoke queen to a fashion model. JM on the otherhand is very difficult to handle during picture taking. It's either wala sya sa picture or paalis sya from the scene. Di mapirmi sa isang lugar!

When my parents and siblings have left, we started to fix the house. Clean up a little bit. Prepare the stuffs for the noche buena. In time, we were already preparing ourselves for the evening mass. JM was already sleepy so I told hubby that we'll just leave JM because it will be difficult for him to come and I'm sure that we will be standing the whole time during the mass. At first, he was hesitant to leave JM but when he saw JM peacefully sleeping he just asked our yaya to be with JM. It was only me, Philip and Kaila who went to hear the mass.

Kaila was such a good girl during the entire celebration. I know she's very tired and sleepy as well but these were overcomed of her excitement to open her gifts including the one from Santa. After the celebration, we went straight home and JM was in deep sleep already. I asked hubby if we would wake him up but he said just to let JM sleep because we would have a hard time to put him back to sleep.

Philip and I were in the kitchen preparing our food. We have yet to put the gift of Santa. Our meal includes spaghetti, chicken-macaroni salad, ham, cheese and lots of chocolates! While Kaila's eating, I sneaked out for a while to put Santa's gift on the tree.

After our meal, we went back to the sala to open our gifts. Kaila was very delighted to see Santa's gift. It was a Disney Princess rubber shoes ( just what she requested ). She opened the other gifts mostly school stuffs since they know that Kaila will be going to school already this year. JM was not able to open his gifts. Of course the finale would be our exchange of gifts. I was able to surprise hubby with my gift although he has it on his guesses. It was a Carolina Herrera for Men Classic perfume gift set. Hubby's gift for me on the other hand was an Anne Klein wrist watch.

More than the gifts, we are very happy spending Christmas at home with a complete and healthy family.

Kaila . . . the videoke queen of the night

Last December 22, the kids had their yearly Christmas party within the village. I was more excited this year as we will be attending the party as well since it was scheduled at 9pm. I was excited because I know the kids will appreciate it more this year since Kaila is already 3 years old and JM will be 2 years old next month. I bought their gifts for the kris kringle including the one for my yaya. We also bought "puto Biñan" as our potluck.

Excited as we were, we came in as the first guests of the night. Some kids were already there but they are the host family. The kids were already singing in the videoke. Kaila was watching them closely and would dance once she hears a familiar tune.

When the kids were playing around and the videoke was free, we asked Kaila to sing "Beautiful Girl" by Sean Kingston. She willingly got hold of the microphone, stood up, danced and sung the chorus :

You're way too beautiful girl

That's why it'll never work

You'll have me suicidal, suicidal

When you say it's over

We are so proud of her because she can perform even though there are strangers around her and I can say that she sings well and she knows the timing very well specially the "suicidal, suicidal when you say it's over" part. Tinalo ako ng anak ko sa pagkanta sa videoke! he he he . . .

JM on the other hand was running around, and round and round. He was second to the youngest who attended the party. He's such an active boy! At his age, he's the kilabot ng mga yaya. All of them were so fond of him. He's so handsome daw especially in his pants and polo shirt. JM even kissed one of the the yaya who is really a fan of him already.

All in all the kids enjoyed the party although it was late at night already. Philip and I were talking maybe next year we could host the party in our place. (hopefully we would have time to prepare).