Our First-Grader (a retro post)

The daughter went to two different schools for her Nursery and Kinder education. When  she decided to go to PAREF for grade school, I was both happy and anxious --- happy because I wouldn't have to drive her and her brother to and from school separately (the coed PAREF pre-school and the all-girls school shared one school gate). I was, however, worried that she might have a hard time adjusting to another new school because she's shy! 

When we took the admission test in March 2012, I wasn't really confident because back at her previous school, I found that there wasn't much emphasis on Reading. After the test, I was told that she passed all subjects but she lacked fluency in reading. It really didn't come as a big surprise! The assistant director for academic affairs advised me to just let the daughter practice reading everyday from that day 'til classes start in June. I actually got a similar advice from one of my friends (who always gives the best "words of wisdom") --- to spend at least 20 minutes everyday on reading.

Being the worrywart mom that I am, I religiously spent time letting her read and as soon as we got some of her text books in May, I let her read some chapters to somehow make her familiar with what their lessons would be.

first day at her new school

I was so happy when, on their first quarter exams, she got a high score in Reading and happier when she got a 100 grade in Reading in one of the grading periods! Sometime in March (this year), I got an SMS from the daughter's class adviser to let her and us (parents) attend the recognition day because she's one of the awardees! There was no mention on what award she would get. 

Fast forward to THE day. It was our very first time to attend a recognition program (as parents). In her previous school, no awards were given and in her brother's pre-school, the awards were non-academic. After the community singing of the national anthem, the emcee announced that subject awards would be given to students who got the highest grade (from the first to the fourth quarter) in their respective levels. I almost shouted and burst into tears when the emcee said, "for Grade 1, Reading: MARTINA SOFIA HERRERA VILLARUEL." I had to secretly shed tears of joy (before going up the stage) because being the shy girl that she is, she would really be embarrassed! (: what can I say?! our hard work paid off! 

look how shy she is! posing for the school's official photographer

After all the subject awardees from Grade 1 to 5 were called, another set of awards was given. Our first grader got a GOLD award, no less! The gold award is given to students with grades not lower than 95 in all subjects and a grade of O (outstanding) in Personal Development (behavior). That day's got to be one of my happiest! I said many, many prayers of thanksgiving for the daughter's amazing first year in her new school! By God's grace, she did really well despite being shy and having a "challenged" vision.

I'm one proud mom!

Mother's Day's Thoughts

It's true what they say that "motherhood is a choice we moms make everyday to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own."

Although yesterday was supposedly my and Mama's special day, it was the kids who chose where to dine and what to do after dining. We didn't mind because their happiness comes first. :)

They didn't want anything fancy. After we heard Sunday mass, we went to one of their favorite local fastfood chains, the Orange Brutus. They love their sizzling burger steak, fried chicken, and hotdog-on-a-stick. 

me and my most precious treasures

"Motherhood is a choice we make everyday to do the right thing, even when you're not sure what the right thing is and to forgive yourself over and over again for doing everything wrong." Since the day I became a mother, I have been faced with this challenge for how does one really know what is right in parenting. Many times I wished motherhood came with a step-by-step manual and I wish, too, that it is that easy to forgive one's self when she has done the "wrong" thing. 

Mothergoose and me on mother's day

One of my all-time favorite quotes on motherhood goes "a mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." I am very blessed to have a mother like our Mama. She loves me and is very patient with me even at my worst! I could not really imagine how I would be without someone like her. 

of 13th month pays and Christmas parties

it's been over 2 years that i have stopped working and having my own income. most days, i love being a stay-at-home mom, always counting the simple joys that come with it. there are, however, times when i get "depressed" for not having my own income and spend it the way i want. 

the past weeks, i've overheard a lot of people talking about their 13th month pay to be credited soon and how they're going to spend it. the corporate ants have also been discussing what to wear to their Christmas parties and wishing they will win the major prizes in the raffle. these things used to not affect me but this time, they have! i guess i'm only human (haha) to feel this way -- to miss working and earning and spending. i remember we didn't only have the 13th month pay (at the bank i used to work for), we also got a Christmas bonus. oh how i miss shopping for so many things on the first week of December! and i miss how i would dress up at our themed parties back then!

yes, yes, i know that despite not having all these now, i still have many blessings to be grateful for. pero makamingaw lang sad gyud ang naay bonus ug corporate parties! =)