Happy Birthday Aldie!

In adversity you gain new friends. This was true for us last November 2007.

Elle and I always maximize the children's lounge inside the old airport whenever were out on a trip. We would stay and play there while waiting for our boarding announcement. Last November 2007, we were playing inside the lounge when I noticed this mother and son pair. The son was distinct among the boys playing inside the lounge because he was wearing an id indicating his name "Aldie".

That time, I said to myself that wearing an ID is a very good thing to do for babies on travel so that just in case something happens, there's a way to identify him or her... I promised myself that time that I will buy Elle a beltbag or shoulder bag which she can carry while on travel. I can either insert the ID inside together with all our contact information or have it sticked on the bag... great idea!

The boy played with Elle. He exchaged balls with Elle and even smiled at her once! The mom kept on looking out the window and showing to the son all the planes that are taking off and landing...

When we heard the most dreaded announcement... Flight will be delayed! I don't remember how it started but the mom and I chat a little and it turned out that they are also on their way to Boracay.

The mom who turned out to be Sally approached us outside the lounge and asked how we plan to go to Boracay with the weather condition. I told her that we already called our partner in Kalibo and should the weather gets worse we will just stay in their inn. I also encouraged her to do the same since it would be very difficult to travel with a baby... and that was it.

Mike, Sally and Aldie stayed in the same inn with us in Kalibo. The next day, (with a very good weather!) we went to Boracay. Since then, we have been texting each other during special occasions. And yesterday, we went to Aldie's 3rd year birthday in Jollibee, San Joaguin!

Indeed... life is full of surprises! that is why one should always be ready with a smile!

Weekend kena Fya...

We spent the weekend at Fya's house. They just transferred from Visayas Avenue to Congressional Avenue. I like their new house. They have very tall stairs and I love climbing stairs!!!

Fya's parents are Mama and Papa's close friends too. Both her parents were classmates of papa when he was taking his masterals. Fya's mama was my Mama's guru when they were both still carrying us in their tummies! Both of them gave birth on October 2006:-) (that's me and Fya!!!)

Last Saturday, I met Fya's new friend Justin. Fya and Justin were neighbors. He is one year older than us, but he was nice to. Fya's mama set up the pool on their roofdeck. All three of us really loved the water!!!

I enjoyed the weekend... I can't wait to play with Fya and Justin again... I wonder when Mama and Papa will bring me there again...

-Elle Marie Oplas

I am proud of you, Anak!

I am so proud of my daughter Elle Marie. Ever since she started her Gym Classes she has been exhibiting different level of confidence in her physical and cognitive activities. She would climb anything, anytime and anywhere!!! She would utter words that makes us look at her and wonder where those words have been hiding all the while!!! She would smile, smile and smile...

Last weekend, Elle learned how to play basketball and ride the donut with confidence. Last Saturday, I almost fainted when I saw Elle crawl in a long tunnel from one end to another! I remembered that she doesn't like going inside a tunnel BUT last saturday she crawled inside with confidence! But, I think she felt my nervousness and wanted to comfort me that is why she gave me a big smile when she completed the tunnel!

Elle, I am sooo proud of your progress anak... I love you!

Reasons why we are enrolling Elle Marie at Gymboree-Manila Polo Club...

After the tiring toddler school search and trial classes that Elle had to attend, Noy and I finally met half way and decided to enroll Elle to the Gymboree Level 4 program at Manila Polo Club.

Through exploration and play, the program would help build the cognitive, physical and social skills Elle Marie needs to become happy, confident and successful learner.

1. Good Price for the Quality.

We availed of the once a week for 48 weeks Gymboree Learning Program Level 4 for Elle Marie. The price for the whole program is half compared to the other gym class that we tried. For the same quality, we went for Gymboree.

2. No Gym class-related-expenses.

Noy is very particular about the parking fee that we need to pay should we enroll Elle in a gym class inside a mall or commercial area. At Manila Polo Club, the parking is free of charge! This gives us at least P1,740.00 minimum savings from parking fee! (Market! Market! Parking fee: P30X[48+10]=P1,740.00).

But for me, the best part about this is that I am saved from the temptation of shopping inside the mall! I am estimating that I am spending a minimum of P150.00 everytime Elle and I go to the mall (be it on purpose or just passing through) hence, I get to save P8,700.00 from impulsive buying! (P150.x[48+10]=P8,700.00).

3. Longer GymPlay time.

The program comes with free GymPlay on the day of class which means after Elle’s 10:00-11:00a.m. class she can either stay and play for more or have merienda break and come back to play again inside the gym.

On the other hand, the annual Gym Club membership fee comes with 10 GymPlay coupons that Elle can use any day other than her day of class.

4. Bigger and Safer Gym area.

We went to one gym school last week to see what they have to offer. The area was really big! Relatively, bigger than what Gymboree has. However during my chat with the teacher, she told me that kids are really uncontrollable. They have instances where kids fell from the slide or bars and ended with a broken arm or leg. The latest they had (just last school year?!) was a boy who broke his legs after falling from the big slide and his bone surfaced (gruesome!) I only had one question in mind while she was talking… WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE ME ENROLL MY DAUGHTER IN YOUR SCHOOL AFTER HEARING THAT STORY?!

Anyway with gymboree, teacher Welly assured me that they regularly clean their facility and equipments. In fact, every Sunday morning they are closed because they do their regular cleaning. She also shared with me that she personally test their toys. Take for instance the bubble, she shared with me that she literally tasted the bubble to make sure that it is not poisonous for the kids should they accidentally drink it.

5. Secured environment.

I need not elaborate on this because the name Manila Polo Club spells s-e-c-u-r-i-t-y! The security is very strict, nobody can enter without the MPC sticker, forbes-dasma sticker or official business with MPC member.

6. Passionate Teacher.

The cover page of the gymboree brochure says “If your living room had: passionate teachers… then it would be a lot like Gymboree”. Indeed, one of the critical factors that made us decide to enroll Elle in Gymboree is teacher Welly.

Teacher Welly is pretty, young, energetic, speaks straight English and has a really cute smile. I remembered during our trial class, we were a few minutes late and the class already started. At first Elle was hesitating but teacher Welly called her to join the group and I know that it made Elle comfortable with the group. After the class, Elle even went to teacher Welly and held her hand as she goes down the steps! Elle is very picky with people she plays with but I can sense that she liked teacher Welly... and we both look forward to her next class!

Mother's Day Reflection...

I owe who and what I have become today to Mama and Papa. I know that we would never have tasted the comfort of living in this world if not for their love, support, and encouragements. I used to feel bad about Papa’s little time for us but when I was mature enough, I understood that we has to bear the distance so that he can better provide for our necessities. And, I admire my father for that.

Noy’s parents would always tell me that they are very lucky to have Noy. He has never brought them headaches. As a matter of fact, they never got to worry about his education as Noy grew up attending public school and was into scholarship in college. On the other hand, Noy would also tell me that he owe his “second life” to his parents’ constant care and love. He shared that when he was small he had convulsions and his parents would always bring him to the hospital, spend big amount of money for medicines and allot time to monitor him. When he outgrew that sickness, he promised himself that in return he will never cause headache to his parents.

Last Mother’s Day, Elle and I heard mass at greenbelt. We brought our own mat and sat on the grass outside the chapel. I just let Elle roam around while I listen to the priest and reflect on all the blessings that God has given me. Honestly, this activity is very overwhelming for me since I am soooo blessed… Looking at Elle alone makes me feel guilty for still wanting more from God. I have Noy. I have Elle. I have recovering health. I have loving families and friends. What more should I ask for?

I pray hard enough for Elle to grow up appreciating all the things that we have been doing for her. I know that at times I tend to be OA in showering her with almost anything that I think she would need and want but that’s the loving mom inside me who wants to give everything possible to my unica hija. I pray hard enough that she accumulates inspiring stories about her parents and share it with her children as well…

This write-up is a tribute to both my parents and parent-in-laws for everything they have done for us. If not for them, we never existed, then there will be no Elle Marie Oplas in this world…

Thank you “Mama and Papa” Calaor and Oplas!

Noy, Elle and I love you.

Preparing for Elle Marie's First International Trip Part II

Elle Marie and her first MRT adventure!

I see to it that Noy is always present to drive us around the city in his good, old, ever reliable UNA. In Noy's absence, Elle and I already tried the taxi, pedicab as well as the tricycle. Commuting was never a problem for us but the MRT is something new for Elle.


I read that Hong Kong is all about walking, bus and MTR rides that we decided to familiarize ourselves with the adventure of taking the MRT ride last May 1, Labor Day. We woke up as early as 9:00a.m.; took the taxi to MRT-Ayala Station; bought the MRT card and waited for the first train to arrive.


While waiting, a chinese lady approached us and commented that Elle is sooo cute with her pink, black and white get ups. She was amused that at 1 and 7 months, Elle is already exhibiting sense of responsibility by carrying her own things (she was carrying a gym bag that contains her medium sized feeding bottle and extra shirt). I thanked her and shared that it is all part of our training for Elle's first international trip. It turned out that the chinese lady used to reside in Hong Kong and she assured me that the MTR ride there is nothing compared to the MRT ride in the Philippines. She told me that her daughter is already 3 years old and she never had difficulty taking the MTR in Hong Kong. The conversation was very short but informative. I will surely keep a note of everything.


Soooo.... off we went to Elle's first MRT adventure... As expected, we were able to get a good seat since the train was not full. Elle was observing everybody inside the MRT. She would look at the door every time we stop and look at me as if asking me when we are going to get off the train.


Finally, we reached our destination-Cubao Station... It was a quick ride but I think Elle enjoyed it. I would have wanted Elle to experience the rush hours inside the MRT to develop defense and coping mechanisms BUT I don't think we are ready yet.


Things Elle and I learned during our first MRT adventure together:

1. Good that the MRT is gender sensitive already. Trains exclusive for female riders are available for mom-daughter tandems like me and Elle.
2. Security still thinks that toddlers like Elle are not capable of conniving with their parents in a malicious or negative ways. MRT security did not check Elle's mini bag. Just a thought.
   
3. During brownouts, MRT-Ayala Station is not good for mothers like me carrying their babies. Just a thought of going up the MRT-Ayala Station without the escalator scares me.
4. Thank God for malls connected to MRT exits! I was soooo thirsty after our MRT ride that the first thing I looked for was a vendo machine!
5. I need to research more on how to better document our MRT rides.
   
6. With Elle around, always travel light.