Elle Marie goes treat or tricking 2008

After the program, Elle and her classmates went treat or tricking in the nearby establishments. They first went to Bel-Air public clinic where they were given plastic bags of goodies... then they went to Mini Stop along Tordesillas and for the last stop they went to Banco de Oro. Elle was so excited. She walked the whole time!!! She did not cry and just smiled despite the heat and exhaustion (from all the walking).



I never experienced "treat or tricking" in my entire life. I never had it in Iloilo nor in Quezon City. Sooo this is how it feels to be in a "costume", walking outside and asking for treats. Thank God, I had Elle or else I never would have experienced doing treat or trick.



Elle's teacher Lei looked very beautiful in her Little Mermaid custome! Everybody who sees her really stopped and stare. Next year, I think I'll buy Elle a little mermaid costume for halloween:-)

Elle Marie's first performance on stage

It all happened so fast. I prepared for that moment but when it came, all I could do was freeze and just watch my daughter. When I finally came back to my senses, I remembered to take pictures of her latest milestone: performing in front of her school mates, teachers, parents and friends for Toddlers Unlimited Halloween program.

I am not familiar with Barney’s rainbow song but Elle was supposed to be “yellow” in the rainbow that is why she made her wear a yellow shirt, black tutu-like skirt, and black stockings. Honestly, I was hoping that Elle can dress up as a ballerina or princess or something “Halloween” but being “yellow” is okey with me… because Elle looks good in yellow, she likes the "sun" and she loves singing and dancing the “Mr Sun” song of Barney.

I am so amazed by my daughter’s independence. She went in front all by herself while her classmates were crying and being carried by their moms. Funny though, when the rainbow song was played, Elle just stood in front holding her ribbon and froze (like mother, like daughter). Yes, Elle just stood there the whole time it was being played!!! I guess she was overwhelmed by all the eyes looking at them; overwhelmed by the flashes of the cameras; or plainly overwhelmed. Noy attempted to make her dance by going in front of her and dance to the tune of the rainbow song (yes, just like Elle, Noy was also wearing a yellow polo! Talking about stage parentsJ) but failed. Elle just stood there and when the song ended, she shouted yehey! Clapped her hands and gave me a very big smile!

And that’s another milestone in my daughter’s life.

Field Trip: Gonuts Donuts, Fort Bonifacio

The Little Lamb Class went to Fort Bonifacio today to visit Gonuts Donuts and learn how to make donuts. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. It was gloomy when we arrived in Gonuts and just a few minutes after, it rained so hard that we thought the field trip will be cancelled. Good thing, I made Elle wearher new pink barbie jacket over white shirt and jeans.

To aggravate the condition, the area was so crowded because there was another school who brought 14 buses loaded with students! We are talking about students from grade 1 to grade 6! and they were roaming around and talking loudly... God! they were so big compared to my daugther .The mom in me wanted to go and complain as I don't want my daughter to be subjected to such condition. But, good thing teacher Lei was quick to explain that there was a misunderstanding between Gonuts and Toddlers Unlimited. The trip was supposed to be exclusive for the Little Lamb Class but Gonuts got confused and booked the other school as well.

Following that, I was surprised that the "baking lesson" was done outside Gonuts. I thought that they will let our kids go inside and see beyond the glass window how they make donuts. I thought... One of the things that Elle and I enjoy so much is hang out in Crispy Creme (also in Fort Bonifacio) and eat as many donuts as we can. What's so special about this field trip then?! since we get to look at the Crispy Creme crew prepare the donuts outside their glass window?
Anyways, I don't think Elle will even remember their "baking lesson" with Gonuts. The important thing is that she got to play with her classmates and she is happy.

Elle is TWO in Laguit...

Elle turned 2 last October 1, 2008. Aside from her birthday party in Toddlers Unlimited, we decided to have another one in Laguit, Bugallon, Pangasinan where the farm being managed by Noy is located.

The children in Laguit are very close to our hearts because everytime we bring Elle to Laguit they would treat her like a "movie star"/ "princess". They would crowd around her, entertain her, play with her. Elle loves them too... Everytime she sees them she gets excited and automatically plays with them. These children reminds me of how simple life should be... there are times that i worry a lot about elle's complexion (that she should put on sunblock everytime she is out of the house), i worry about what toy to buy for elle, i worry about elle's look, i want her attire to be ALWAYS color coordinated, i worry about her shoes that it should match her attire... at times i really worry a lot but looking at these kids... i am humbled.

Of course i wanted my daughter to have a fair complexion but as Noy would always say it should be the least of my concerns! Should Elle's foreigner classmate sees Elle's tanned complexion for sure they would want to have one also; considering that our living room already looks like a toddlers school because of the soo many toys that was given to Elle, I still find time to worry about what toy i should give Elle... while the Laguit kids just get contented with swimming in the sapa, playing with cheap, barbie immitations...Once I got a request from one of the kids... she requested me to bring her back with us to Manila because she wanted to play with Elle in our house. I asked her why because she can already play with Elle in Laguit... I was almost in tears when I heard her answer... "I saw in Elle's picture that she has a lot of toys. I just want to play with them even for one day"! Grabe! Anyways, these are the reasons why we decided to hold Elle's second year birthday party in Laguit.

We were expecting 40 kids to come. Given that it is so difficult to go to the farm without transportation, (we fetched the kids from the barrio with our ever reliable UNA) I was thinking that possibly it can go up to 50... BUT to our amazement, more than 60 kids arrived! YES most gatecrashed! And they walked very long just to get to our place. I was in awe! We ran out of giveaways (but we prioritized the toddlers) but the food was more than enough. (some even took home some food). Funny but the "cotton candy" man that we got almost surrendered with the number of kids asking for cotton candies!!! We had longest happy birthday, balloon walk, apple eating, bring me, banana eating, longest line, beer drinking(for fathers), softdrink drinking (for moms), break the pot and pabitin!

At first i was worrying about the venue set up, tables etc BUT i was amazed how innovative people from laguit can me... they sat on the trees, some looked for a big rock and sat on it, three kids were even sharing in one paper plate... they never cared about the party lay out or decoration... they just want to eat and enjoy!

At the end of the day... the kids and parents really had a great time. They told us that it was the first time that they were invited to a birthday party as grand as that (ngek) They were very happy with the giveaways, all of the kids are excited to go to school because they have new school bag and school supplies...


When we were left alone, Noy, Elle and I swam on the natural pool beside our tree house and thanked God for all the blessings that He has showered us with. He has showered us with each other... supportive friends and families, good health and just enough financial resources to keep us alive...

Barney in Toddlers Unlimited

Today, Elle Marie celebrated her 2^nd year birthday with her classmates in Toddlers Unlimited. They had a Barney Day in class! Elle blew the two pink candles on top of her Barney Cake and they all had Barney cupcakes! Elle Marie was wearing her light pink, polka dots jumper while her classmates wore their Barney party hats! Elle especially enjoyed distributing her giveaways-Barney stuff toys to her classmates.

Elle may not completely comprehend everything that is happening to her right now but, I know that someday she will remember and appreciate her “Barney in Toddlers Unlimited Day”.

The day Pablo came for Elle Marie's birthday

Today, Elle Marie turned two. Pablo came to visit Elle but we told him that as much as we appreciated his visit if he can make it very short as Elle is having a birthday party tomorrow. PAGASA was forecasting that his full strength will be felt by NCR early in the morning tomorrow just in time for Elle Marie’s party in Toddlers Unlimited. Thank God! Pablo was nice, after seeing Elle he changed his pace and immediately proceeded to Japan.

I remembered it was also like this when I gave birth to Elle two years ago. Milenyo came to town thinking that I will give birth to Elle earlier but she missed Elle by two days. Also, last year when another typhoon came just when Elle was having her first year birthday party in Makati Park and Garden.

I don’t know what’s with these typhoons that they just can’t have enough of Elle. Maybe they just want to add spice to Elle Marie’s birthday. Maybe they just want to shower Elle with blessings. Or simply they just want to greet Elle on her birthday.

If you’re going to ask me, I think it just show that Elle is well loved by everyone including the typhoons…