Jami finally finished his Nursery year. He graduated on March 22nd, held at Cecile's Restaurant in Las Pinas. The school he went to was a small pre-school in our community so they don't have grounds/auditorium to held the event to. Their graduation fee was Php 1,900 inclusive of the kids meal after the event. I found it really steep actually since I don't remember paying this much during my time. Syempre nga naman, sa public school ako all my life. Anyway, I was told by a friend that she paid the same amount for her son during graduation so baka yun nga ang standard for private schools.
I took a leave from work just to witness this special day! It was a good thing that it was Daryl's off from work too so we had the chance to go together with no problem. I intended to arrive early since it's our fist time. The invitation stated that the event will start by 1pm, ni hindi man lang kami nakapag lunch. We bought one meal from a fast food nearby and waited for the event to start.
I am glad there were seats allocated for parents. Hindi nagkakagulo in finding a seat plus, walang mawawalan ng chairs. Each student were given two seats for their parents so if they brought additional person, they will be standing in the back unless there were seats that the venue could provide pa.
The ceremony started 30 minutes after everyone else settled down. Kids were seated in front while us parents were at the back. Kakatawa lang, I told Daryl na hindi ako sanay na nakaupo sa likod or middle because I am so used on my last name being letter A so I am always in front. Hahah! While waiting for the program to start, the teachers allowed the parents to take pictures on the stage.
I realized na mejo mahirap pala if you're a family of three no? It's either me and Jami on a photo, or Daryl and Jami. Challenging ang pag take ng photo with us 3 in it.
With teacher Jess
With Ms. Anne
The graduation ceremony started, giving out special awards and diplomas. I wasn't really expecting Jami to be the class first honor because he's really playful. During their practice days na sinamahan ko sya, I noticed that the teacher often calls him because he's playing with his seatmates. I think he somehow needs improvement on being quiet and focused haha! Kaya okay na okay na sa akin ang pagiging top 2 nya.
It was also a surprise to me and Daryl that he managed to get the 'Best in Mathematics' on their batch. Most of the time kasi, madalas kong ma ituro ang reading and language subject than Science and Math. I came to a realization that he wasn't that interested in Science as of yet. Maybe in the future I could review him more in Science especially in Math if dun pala sya mas nag eexcel.
Class' Salutatorian
Accepted his first diploma
One of the happiest day!
After the ceremony, the kids had one set of meal. Then off we went to SM Southmall to celebrate this special day. We decided to eat in Classic Savory and ordered their family meal. Super filling and budget friendly. We even had take home food after.
Family Picture muna bago kumain.
Set Meal 1 - Half Chicken, Corn and Crab Soup, Sweet and sour Fish Fillet, Pancit and 4 iced drinks.
I didn't know the feeling until I was there. Ganito pala ang makapag pa graduate ng anak. Super sarap ng pakiramdam. I was joking Daryl na nakapag patapos na kami. Hahahah! One year down, 17 years to go! Whew! Kelangan pa ng madaming madaming pasensya at pera.
Dear Jami, Anak! Congratulations! You made it! Pa bonus mo na lang sa amin ni Daddy that you graduated with flying colors! I am the happiest Mommy and for sure Daddy feels the same. This is the result of our late night study time. When Mommy gets home from work, tayo naman ang maghaharap to check what you did at school and if you have assignments, or if exam/long quizzes, nag rereview tayo. Bale wala ang puyat and pagod. Pinalitan mo ng dalawang medal anak. Thank you and I hope you study well in the future. It wasn't your medals that defines you for who you are so don't feel the pressure. Just as long as I know you're doing your best, okay tayo jan, anak. We love you so much and we promise to work even harder. May God bless you and hear your prayers, my lovey!
Couple of months ago, we joined several school activities including Buwan ng Wika and Nutrition month. I felt this was a milestone for the both of us being me as the official Mommy of a school boy while Jami was a real school boy. Hahah!
May masabi lang. =D
Anyway, let me share with you our Nutrition Month celebration. They were asked to come on a costume based on the category given to their classroom or on P.E uniform with hat while mommies wear a color coded shirts like red for nurseries and yellow for kindergarten.
I had a hard time looking for a costume while too lazy to make one. Alam nyo naman I wasn't a very artistic type or person at wala talaga akong ka art art sa katawan. It wasn't also a competition na may mananalo so I didn't exert to much effort. We ended up buying a hat and added fresh vegetables on top. Hat costs Php 50 then Php10 for the veggie. Our classroom was to represent the Glow food which was mainly the veggies and fruits.
We had a short parade around the subdivision. This was our first event for this school year and I think was such a good experience after all. The kids were all sweaty after the walk but their teachers prepared some refreshments.
Nagulat lang ako since some students had a donut for grow food. I wonder if donut was really part of nutritious food ha?! Lol.
Couple of weeks later, we were then asked to wear a costume for their celebration of Buwan ng Wika plus school foundation day. The kids had a short dance presentation to perform in front of the crowd which mainly were the parents and students.
Since it was Nanay who accompanies Jami to school, I don't have an idea which music piece neither the dance steps that they are to perform. Nanalig na lang talaga ako na alam ni Jami ang sayaw nila. I was asking him to dance in front of me and show me the steps pero hindi ko magets yung sayaw talaga. Lol! I ended up letting it go and just wait for the day of performance.
To my surprise, sumayaw naman si Jami. The only thing was, poker face lang talaga at walang ka giliw-giliw sa pagsasayaw. Hahaha! It was fun watching him dancing. I was so proud kahit gulo-gulo ang steps ng sayaw nya. I have accepted that he wasn't really good in dancing because his Daddy wasn't anyway. Hahaha! By the way, if you wish to watch the video of their dance, you may check my IG feed on the left side of the blog or search @its_mommy_jen.
Our costume was borrowed from my nephew. I just bought a camisa de chino for Php120 in Baclaran. I bought size 10 since his undershirt was a little bigger for him, naisip ko baka sakto lang. Wrong! It was too small. I went back to the stall and had it exchanged to a size bigger than what I bought originally. It fits perfectly this time and could still be used next year in case we need it again.
We also joined our first field trip which I will share on a separate post in the coming days. Sobrang dami ko na kasing backlogs. I hope I can finish them all as a fresh start in 2018! Can't wait for the new year. =)
There have been a lot of events in Jami's school in the past couple of months. We had Nutrition Month, Buwan ng Wika and Foundation Day and lastly, their field trip. I am so glad to be part of all these. I remember those are the usual school programs during my time and it was a good reminder now that I attend them not as the student but as a Mommy na! Emerged.. those good old days! Lol.
Anyway, during the first few weeks of school, I was really worried since Jami doesn't know anything about this new environment which I even blog here. Diba nga hindi naman kami nakapag prepare like going on a summer school? It was pure house training lang.
Fast forward to August, we had our fist quarter exam and long quizzes. I was so anxious we have to review every night on each subject they will take the next day. Good thing ganon na today because you can only focus on one subject unlike when I was a kid. Feeling ko sabay sabay lahat. Lol!
The result came out all perfect!! I can't believe it! I was only expecting at least some checks but Jami proved me wrong. When their card was handed out, he was ranked 4th place over 23 students in their classroom. I was so happy! Imagine our of 23 students, naka top 4 pa ang anak ko!
Couple of weeks back, we had our second quarter exam without any expectations again. Although I was kinda nervous ulit, hindi ko alam if enough ba ang reviews namin every night. When I came home one night, his exam papers were given. I was doing the happy dance inside seeing all papers with perfect scores. This time, yung exams nila were 1-25 to 30 items na unlike nung first quarter na mejo konti lang.
Then two weekends ago, I went to their school to get his card. When I arrived, sabi ng mga teachers if I have a phone with me because they have posted the ranking sa blackboard.
The teachers were congratulating me. From top 4 to top 1? I cannot imagine really.
Now the challenge was to keep it that way. I always remind Jami to listen to teacher and ask questions if he doesn't understand something. Although the feedback that the teachers gave was very encouraging like Jami knows the answer and if he was asked by teacher, sumasagot agad. The only thing that we have to work on is his penmanship. Mejo mukang kinahig pa ng manok eh. Hahah!
Every weekend, we try our best to practice writing specially pag nakita kong bored sya in watching TV. I encourage him to practice and make him copy words na nakikita namin sa kung saan-saan. I think one thing that works for him is that, he looks forward to answering his books so that's what we use in reviewing his lessons. I also do my best to think of the things that he watches on TV, his favorite things or something he usually do so I can relate it to his lessons. In that way, mas natatandaan nya. Well, that's what I think and so far it's working naman.
Like last night, he showed me their activity tracing letter K. The writing is terrible pa rin so I asked the name of the picture which was a 'kettle'. He doesn't know daw. I told him it was the kettle which we use in the kitchen that makes sound when the water is boiling. Ayon, na gets na nya. Haha! When he hears the kettle sounds, sisigaw na yan "Mommy yung init" so he's very familiar with it. Hindi lang nya alam na kettle pala ang tawag dun. :D
I am looking forward to next quarter and hopefully ma-maintain ni Jami yung nasimulan na nya. As much as possible ayaw ko naman na ma pressure sya but I encourage him to study and improve everyday. When I get home from work, bago pa ako mag bihis, tinatanong ko na yan kung anong ginawa sa school tapos we will check his books and notebooks before I eat dinner. We have been doing that since the start of the year and Jami has improved a lot. He recognizes the books they used for the day so hindi na ako hirap mag hanap.
Honestly, I didn't imagine Jami to do good in school. Sobrang malikot nga kasi sya, paikot-ikot sa room and sometimes hindi nagpa participate sa group works. But then, those are the things that he does at the start of the school. Since July kasi, parents are not allowed inside the compound so I am not sure if his behavior has improved too. I guess it did because he had high grades this second semester. I am praying that he will continue the best things that he is doing now. It really brings honor to the family.
