I2C update # 9 . . .

We are now in another phase of this immigration thing . . . Since I have submitted my IELTS result last December 23 it was a very loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg wait for the next step. Finally, last February 15, we have received the medical request from the Canadian embassy. Too bad that I was down with a bad cough as well as the two kids that's why we were not able to undergo the medical exam right away. I consulted our company doctor first if my cough would affect the result of the x-ray. She told me that it wouldn't have any negative impact on the x-ray since it's just a normal cough.

Last Saturday, February 20, the whole family went to Nationwide Clinic in Makati to have our medical exam. We were accompanied by my mother in law so that she can help us with the two kids while hubby and I are undergoing our respective medical exams. We were in the clinic before 9am and there were quite a number of people already.

We immediately went to get our forms and it was a lot! Specially for me that I have to fill up the forms for the two kids as well. The medical exam was the usual thing except that they have different parameters. They are looking into the more serious illnesses like AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis and tuberculosis. We were asked to wait for the result of the laboratory tests before we were cleared to leave the clinic.

We had our sighs of relief when our numbers were called and told us that we can go home already. We were indeed lucky! Some of the applicants were asked for repeat urinalysis while others were asked for additional tests like ECG. Good thing that we are really into healthy living except for the occasional coffees and some food tripping . . . he he he . . .

We are now into the next waiting game. This time for the passport request from the embassy for the visa stamping. I hope this will come before end of March so that we can avail of the promo from Cathay Pacific since it is really a good deal. 'Til my next I2C update . . .

SJWMS's Children's Day Celebration . . .

St. John's Wort Montessori School had their "Children's Day Celebration" last Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 2pm to 6pm. This replaced their annual trick or treat celebration so the kids were also in costume but no more scary costumes this time. Most of the kids were in their favorite fairy tale character costumes and super hero costumes. Each level prepared their special dance numbers and even the parents and teachers performed this time.

I was a proud mommy to my two little kids who performed well during their respective presentations. Kaila's performance was getting better and better after each of their presentations. She has really built up her self confidence in performing to a big crowd. Click on the link to see her video. For JM, this is just his second time to perform. It was really better than his first performance during their Linggo ng Wika celebration. I really enjoyed watching him. Click on this link to see his performance. See more of the pictures below and see how the kids enjoyed the party:

Ate Kaila in her fairy costume . . .

JM in his spiderman costume . . .

The kids while waiting for the program to start . . .

The kids lining up for the parade of costumes . . .

Ate Kaila with Marcus . . .

Kaila with her "new friend"

Kaila's having her butterfly face painting . . .

Here's the final outcome . . .

JM's turn this time . . .

Can you guess what it is?

Of course it's a car!

The kids getting theit loots in the different booths . . .

JM likes her facepainting very much that he asked me to take pictures several times . . .

Another shot of JM's car . . .

First day of school . . .

turned out pretty well. Ate Kaila went straight to her classroom just as she got off from the car. No more crying. No more good bye kiss with mommy and daddy. hu hu hu . . . Our little girl has grown up so fast. She's like a small lady in her uniform. But we are proud parents to our little girl as she has really transformed into a very confident and bright student. The teacher has only good words about her. :)

Our little boy on the otherhand, held my hand as he was about to enter the classroom. But once inside he was asked by Teacher liza to sit in the table with some of his classmates. He was behaved while waiting for his other classmates to come in. He grabbed a book and ran through the pages as if he was understanding what he was reading. He was looking for me once in a while. I stayed inside the classroom the whole time as I wanted to witness his first day in school.

During class, he was participating as his name was called several times and he would answer Teacher Liza's questions. During circle time, he participated in the activities as well though he was kinda playful at times. I hope he would behave most of the times though hubby and I are preparing ourselves for we might be called in the principal's office during the school year (still keeping my fingers crossed).

The kids enjoyed their first day in school as much as the mommy enjoyed it. If only I can do it more frequently. Who knows that might be soon. he he he . . .

Here are some of the photos I have taken :

Kaila with her signature smile . . .

Taking time to pose before schooltime . . .

Ate Kaila in her complete uniform . . .

This dramatic shot choreographed by the daddy . . .

JM by the doorstep . . .

JM and the rest of the class while waiting for the others to come in . . .

Another love team in the making ? ? ?

JM during circle time . . .

JM will be taking his first snack in school . . .

JM is left-handed just like mommy . . .

JM is seriously writing in his book . . .

See JM raising his hand . . .

The little boy saw me taking his picture behind the wall . . .

This is it . . .

Finally, school starts today for the two kids. Hubby and I are both on vacation leave today. We really make it a point to attend all the school activities of the kids. Kids will never be kids forever. They won't we needing us parents as much as they need us today. So, better make the most of it now than regret it in the future. It's important that we, as parents, spend quality time with our kids rather than spending quantitative time with them. Those quality time that we spend with them are those that they will remember and cherish as they grow up.

OMG, I'm been starting to write and write again! Writing is really addicting once you've started it. But I need to stop here for now since I need to prepare the things of the kids for school. I still have to cook pancakes as requested by Kaila.

Let's wait how the first day in school will turn out. :)

A quiet and simple day . . .

It has been a while when I just spent the whole day at home without worrying anything. For the past few weeks hubby and I have not spent a single weekend at home. As I have previously blogged, my FIL is battling the big "C" that's why we spend every free day at their home in Pacita. We also try to visit our house in Canlubang since my nephew is there already. Our weekends are spent shuttling from one house to another with groceries in between and other errands. We also try to balance our time with the kids as well.

Today, I just spent the whole day at home and I had the time to have enough sleep. Late in the afternoon, the kids just played outside with their bikes and balls. After a while, they started to water the plants and in no time the kids were already having their evening bath outside the house. I allowed them to play in the water for a while and they enjoyed it so much that they don't want to stop. These are just rare moments for the kids that's why I try to be lenient once in a while.

This is a perfect day well spent except for one. Hubby is still in the office and he missed all our adventures for the day. I'm hoping for more quiet and simple days like this . . . . :)

Early to bed ? ? ?

We were home by 8pm today which was quite early from our usual time. Both kids were still awake when we arrived. We spent about 10 or 15 minutes with the kids before they went upstairs in our bedroom. Hubby and I ate our dinner afterwards. We went to the living room after our dinner. We could still hear the kids playing upstairs. After a while, I couldn't hear anything from the bedroom. I was thinking if the kids were asleep already. But I told myself it's impossible. You see, our kids would usually sleep from 11pm to as late as 1am. Yes, you read it right. My kids would sleep this late on a weekday. So, imagine me sleeping at 1am then I have to wake up at 5:30am to catch up with our shuttle service. Or else hubby would be driving me to the office ( sayang sa gas! ).

Then, I took my evening bath and I was so surprised to see both kids asleep when I went upstairs. According to our yaya, Kaila was the first one to sleep followed by JM. Are the kids sick? What happened? How I wish our nights would be like this. Sleeping time would be effortless for everybody. But somehow I miss the "kulitan"of the two kids before going to sleep. It's a sort of bonding time for us as well. Anyway, might as well take advantage of this very rare moment. So, right now I'm here in front of our PC surfing the net while doing some blogging. ha ha ha . . . The daddy will be back in a few minutes and I tell you he's addicted to facebook already. he he he . . . I was the one who opened up his facebook account but now he has more friends than I.

Hay, it feels good to blog at home. No need for rush and no more checking if somebody might see me doing some blog at work. he he he . . .