School Searching

It's been 2 years since my last post, already? The boys are now back in Manila.  It was just last August when Holiday and Hunter took their Primary School entrance exams.  I just want to say that when we came home last year, the boys didn't know anything. I mean, they don't know how to read and to write properly.  I don't really know how we will be able to pass the exams.  And so, days before the scheduled exam at Lourdes School in QC, I started  teaching them to write their names properly, review the alphabet and numbers, colors, shapes and everything under the sun. Their first exam was a disaster! The examiner said that since they both don't know how to read yet, they will be tested for entrance to Kinder and not for Grade 1. Imagine my dismay. How can they expect 5 year olds to read the instructions and follow accordingly.  I guess, when the K2-12 program was implemented, they did not adjust their tests to fit the age of the students.  As I would put it, they were lazy! Lazy because they still gave the exam that was supposed to be given for the old grade 1 curriculum.  We left with a heavy heart and promised not to go back to that school again no matter what the result may be.  You can just see the shock on my kids faces.  That was an awful day.

    Review, review, and teach new things.  I got hold of a lot of age appropriate preschool activity books to use as a guide.  Then came the time to take the test at Ateneo.  Ooooh...daddy's big school is coming up.  I think I was more nervous than them.  I think we are more prepared this time.  And so after having some photos taken, we proceeded to the testing area near the Child Development Center.
While waiting for the boys to finish, I had an interesting chat with one of the moms.  Apparently, in the school where her son is studying, they have a review class for those who will take the AGS exam.  Most of the things she said was spot on. Even the jellyace-thank you test.  Doesn't it seem unfair, that some kids already knew what to expect during the test and were prepped to respond appropriately.  Deep breath.  I just hoped that the boys did well.

The last exam they had was at Lasalle Greenhills.  By this time, the boys were more confident and
more equipped to take the test.  Of all the schools, the boys are more pleased with their experience here.  I guess I could say the same.  The students and personnel were more friendly and respectful.  That's just my opinion.  Anyway, Holiday and Hunter came out happy during that exam and that's all that really matters.

The waiting game has started.  What a long and grueling time.  When the test results came out one by one, the choosing part became the hardest thing.  What we decide now will affect them in a huge way.  These are the formative years afterall. The most important and influential part of their young lives.  It was a hard decision.  Do we take the easy way and just let the kids have little difficulties so as not to add to the stress of being away from their dad or do we go for the winding road and let the kids overcome whatever hurdles that come their way? We eventually decided to take the latter. That's just us.  We don't always have it easy.  Whatever we have, we have to work hard for.  Perseverance and hard work are the things we wish to teach them. The school we chose...Ateneo! Their daddy was beyond happy.  He got his own blue eaglets to take care of.  We are thankful.

We Love School

You know that you're getting old when your kids start going to school.  The boys are now 4 years old and just started going to playschool.  No first day blues and long dramatic goodbyes.  I guess I prepared them well.  So well that they always ask to go to school. 
On their second day, their nanny told us that the teacher was so surprised to see that they're the only kids in class who knows their phonics.  I mean, these boys do know a lot now.  I'm afraid they might get bored with their lessons. 
Everyday when we pick them up, they're so full of stories to tell.  I'm glad they have a very positive attitude about schooling.  After all, we want them to enjoy it and get educated.

Child Learning Center, Kenabot, Papua New Guinea

First Project

Christmas in November

Guess what the boys got?  Christmas came early!  I delivered Santa (Lolo Ben)'s present all the way from my recent trip to Manila.  They will be busy for the weeks to come.

Goodbye, Kitties

Today is a sad day.  Holiday and Hunter's pet cats have gone.  Alicia was unfortunately catnapped by a guest.  We couldn't find her anywhere.  I just hope that she's being treated well by her new owners.  On the other hand, Diego had a really tragic passing.  Somebody was stupid enough to feed him with leftover food that he choked with.  He was beyond help as the chunk of food probably obstructed his bronchi.
When the kids asked where their cats went, we just told them that they went back home to their mom.  Oh, men!, they replied.  I know how much they loved their cats and I'm sure that they will miss them.
In memory of Diego and Alicia, here are some of their last photos.  Happy days.

Menacing Malaria

Last September, Holiday had P. Vivax Malaria.  It was the worst I've seen him get sick.  Poor boy couldn't eat, and when he can, he just vomits it or go straight to the toilet.  To top it off, he's been difficult during medicine time.  I don't know what the hell happened!  He used to be very good at drinking meds.  Anyway, we just have to force him or else it's going to take him a long time to heal. 
It was a pitiful sight. I just wished that it would just be me who's sick and not the children.  He recovered after a week, thank God for that!
Three weeks later, it's Hunter's turn.  He caught another type of Malaria...P. Falciparum.  It's good that we caught it early on the disease so he didn't suffer much from the vomiting and fever. On the flip side, he's been having diarrhea for 3 days now.  Very bad for the first 2 days with 30 minutes sometimes less interval between bouts.  I got a little bit worried when I saw some blood streaks and some other foreign body in his stool.  Quite curious, disgusting as it may seen, I picked up that object and discovered that it was a toy (Swiper's styrofoam figure) that he chewed on.  That kid!  He's diarrhea is a lot less compared to the past days, probably because he was able to take the toy out of his system.  I just hope things get better soon for the kids.  They deserve a break!

Up, up and away

The boys got their new swing from the mail today.  Hunter is just loving it.  Holiday doesn't really care much about the swing. He is more interested with his cats.

Creeping Red Eyes

A week ago, the boys started having sore eyes.  First it was Hunter, then Holiday followed.  I guess infecting the other one is inevitable.  It was a scary sight mostly because I could never recall myself having conjunctivitis.  Being a constant worrier helped this time.  At least I was able to remedy the situation at its early stage.  It could have gotten worse if I didn't do it my way.
Now, things are back to normal.