Gabby with classmate Amber and schoolmate Cassidy. This was taken two weeks before their summer vacation. How time flies, school year 2008-2009 is finally over! Hello school year 2009-2010! Gabby is moving up to Grade 1.
Just wanted to share with you our newest picture. She’s more vibrant, smart and adorable than ever. She is also becoming independent and responsible. Now, she can take a bath on her own! Yahoo!
I just thought of posting this entry here to share with my Blogspot friends…DENTAL DAY
Yesterday was “dental day” for Gabby and myself. We visited our dentists, mine an ortho, hers a pedia dentist. My dentist happens to be the brother of Gabby’s. We went to their chic clinic in Alabang where we had our bi annual Oral Prophylaxis. Their clinics were adjacent to each other so it was convenient for us to have the treatments done on the same day. The other clinic has just been constructed and it was Gabby’s first time to see it. There is a small play area in one
corner of the reception area. The toys, slide and mats looked new as well. Kids will enjoy spending time there. Mickey Mouse is the overall theme of the clinic. The walls are painted with Mickey Mouse character, he is also on cups, goggles, scrub suits, down to paper clips and ballpen. Gabby didn’t get bored during the whole 30 minute procedure as her eyes roll about around the room, enjoying the scenery. Pedia Dentist is relatively a new evolution dental practices in the country. Most of us didn’t have this back in our time then. And I am glad we have them now to take good care of our kids dental needs.
Every parent and school must have known Eric Carle through his wonderful children’s books! His number 1 work of art in 1969 – “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is the most popular book he has written. Very colorful and artistically written and created, every child is drawn to it! This book has been translated to more than 45 languages and over 25 million copies sold.
His art work is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. As an added dimension, many of his books also has die-cut pages giving them a playful quality – a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched. The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his knowledge and love of nature, which is also shared by most small children. His books also offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world around them. Learning, stimulating, creative and fun experiences for very young children.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is one of Gabby’s favorites. The story not only follows the very hungry caterpillar as it grows from egg to cocoon to beautiful butterfly, but also teaches the days of the week, counting, good nutrition and more. Very interactive fun! Some of Gabby’s collection of his works include “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” , “Pancakes, Pancakes”, “The Tiny Seed”, “Do Kangaroos Have Mothers Too?” and “From Head To Toe”. Each month, I bring her to a bookstore and let her choose a book that we will read for D.E.A.R. (it’s our Drop Everything And Read day!). It’s smart to surround them with books to read!
It was the first Filipino Presentation in Gabby’s school. It was only recently that the school decided to add Filipino subject into their curriculum. We recognize that being able to communicate well in the english language is as important as being able to communicate well in Filipino.
The children sang “Bahay Kubo” while holding on to cut out vegatable-shaped boards. The preschool level were assigned to be sesame seeds or “linga” in Filipino. Gabby had a great time memorizing the song a week before the presentation and have learned a lot about vegetables!
It’s a great Saturday morning. The weather is not too hot! Just enough warmth to start the day right! It’s a rest day for me and Gabby and I am excited to go to church this evening!
I am composing this while Gabby is right beside me on the bed still in her deep and calm sleep! She’s been so excited and looking forward to her 5th birthday on July 16. How time flies … she’s already 5!!! Her Auntie Llana is going to bake a cake for her on her birthday. I am not planning a big celebration though. I just want it to be a small and intimate family thing-y (LOL! Got that from Gabby). Her Dad promised to give her that trolley bag for school. How about Lola? Lola said she has a big surprise for her!!! Well, we’ll find out soon!
More than all these, I am thankful to God for His protection over Gabby and for loving her. He is my Partner in raising her up to be a wonderful child of God. He’s been our Provider and our Help. Thank You Father!!!
One of my favorite moments with Gabby is when both of us are all cleaned up just about ready to hit the bed. It is a relaxing time when we can talk about how our days went, about funny things, what we expect to do the next day, etc. We cuddle, giggle and sometimes tickle if we still have some energy left. It’s also a time when we get to pray together and say our “I love You’s”, no matter how short or long the conversation is, or even a warm hug or a loving kiss makes it meaningful. Here’s one of those nights that makes me want to do more in life and continue living.
Sarah, Gabby’s new pet fish, is a Siamese fighting fish. It has a specialized breathing organ that enable it to breathe oxygen from the atmosphere. That is why we got her, (remember Gabby has a very small rectangular aquarium so there’s really no space for an oxygen motor) we can keep it without the need for water oxygenation. Fighting fish can be found with a range of color variations, the most dominant colors are red and blue. While the most common fin shape is the veil tail – long flowing tail fins that look like satin sheet smoothly moving in the breeze. These describe Sarah, a blue veil tailed fighting fish. Welcome Sarah!
So glad the sun is finally out after over a week of rain, drizzles, and cool weather. Gabby is back to polish her swimming skills and learn new things. Coach Rudy, her favorite coach, was there to teach her so she was also enthusiastic today. I understand that kids, specially toddlers, learn faster when they feel safe and comfortable with their instructors or teachers. She got scared in class one time when one instructor, probably not having a “way with kids”, handled her. He seemed strict and firm, friendly but not charming to kids, I should say. Though some of the students there who are older enjoy his company and have a positive opinion about his style. I guess there isn’t a single general approach to it, not a “one-style-fits-all” prospective in this case. There are age appropriate “syles or methods” to be applied. For now, we will be sticking with coach Rudy though I never discouraged Gabby from taking up lessons under the “stricter” coach because I want her to be able to cope with the fear and discomfort that she felt that time, teaching her not to run away from it but to face it with courage and objectivity.
We were absent from class for a week because Gabby had an eye infection. The swelling was gone yesterday so we decided to come to class this morning. Her favorite coach was absent which made her a little sad. I noticed she was not that comfortable in the water at first. I said maybe because the water is cold since we have been experiencing windy and rainy days for the past four to five days. Also because she rested for a week and needed a “break in” initially to get back the feel of it and begin to employ the trainings from her previous classes. However, the weather did not cooperate as it begun to rain while we were half way through the class so we had to cut short her lesson and went back home.
Gabby and I got our flu shots yesterday. It is the single best way to protect ourselves against the flu each year. It is approved for use in people not younger than 6 months, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions. The vaccine contains three influenza viruses that alters each year. Two weeks after being injected with it, antibodies that gives protection against influenza virus infection build up in the body.
It is important to know when the Flu season begins and ends so you would know the best time to get vaccinated. Flue season starts in October and lasts till late May. Hence the best time to get the vaccine is within October to December. We got ours this month as per our doctor’s advise, in preparation for the coming school year.
There are also different minor side effects from the flu shot that usually last from 2 to 3 days like soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever and aches. Gabby got a slight fever while my upper arm still feels sore and numb.
