parenting – Page 2

CDSL Foundation Week 2012: Playdate

Such a busy week this is. Thanks for a one day rest, I have time to take care of my blogs.

Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL), Quezon City, is celebrating its 25th year. In celebration of this milestone, there are many activities lined up for students and parents.

I was really curious at how things will run. I have been to a big school and foundation week is a blast for everyone. While CDSL is a big school, the space it has is really limited. The parking alone can break your day when there are school-wide activities.

There was a huge inflatable slide that even a grade six enjoyed. There was the HIT flying swing (similar to Enchanted Kindom’s flying fiesta, only smaller). There were a handful of stalls that offer games much like in a town fair. There was an area where make-shift bump cars can be used. Then there was a stall that sells figurines made from plaster of paris which can be painted.

Students were given a letter about the ticket, priced at PhP130 each. It was not mandatory but you would not want your kid to miss the experience with the rest of his/her classmates, right? The tickets are valid for three rides and 1 play in the town fair stalls. The rides available are: make-shift bump car, flying swing and inflatable slide.

Here are the girls waiting for their turn in the inflatable slide, our first stop. L-R: Alex, Anika, Hannah

Finally! Ang bagal nga lang umakyat ni Alex, mukhang inip na yung iba sa likod.

There was no rule where to go next so we decided to go for the flying swing. For our kids to be able to ride, there should be 24 kids in the line as the operator cannot mix the small kids with the bigger ones. Magkaiba kasi sila ng intensity sabi ng operator.

Anika, Alex and Hannah in the flying swing. Super excited si Alex habang ako kinakabahan kasi hindi pwedeng basta itigil ang pag-ikot porket ayaw na nia dahil nahihilo xa or whatsoever.

Gelo, Anika’s baby brother, also enjoyed the ride. Visitors can also use the rides provided they have a ticket. Kung alam ko lang andun si Gelo, isinama ko si Maxyn!

Surprisingly, Alex enjoyed the flying swing so much! Nagrereklamo pa xa kasi ang bilis daw matapos!

I brought her to the make-shift bump car and she did not like it. She asked if she can use the remaining ticket in the flying swing. She did not want to go back to the inflatable slide because she kind of injured herself. Bigla xang tumaob tapos natukod nia yung right arm nia. Buti hindi napilay.

So we went back to flying swing for a second round. Na enjoy nia talaga!

Hindi naman halatang sobrang excited at enjoy ka, anak.

After we used up all our tickets, everyone was free to go home. No classes that day, just play.

Sabi nga ni Mama Fe ko, the perks of enrolling Alex to a big school.

A Mom’s Reward

Exam week is finally over. Both Alex and I are now back in relax mode. I still get stressed out though by the usual stuff: girls fighting over toys, little accidents caused by carelessness, and fixing Alex’s hair the way she wants it with very little time.

Anyway, today, was the start of foundation week in Alex’s school. Their class schedule was different from the usual one. My schedule for the day was actually on time until I decided to braid Alex’s hair, which she loves. I ended up not bringing her to school, instead, only Maxyn and Dada drove her to school. When I picked her up, she was so excited. Her voice was very loud while she says May papakita ako sa iyo Mommy! with her eyes beaming with pride. She took out her notebook number 1 and showed me the pasted exam results.

I am so proud of you, Alex. All your hard work paid off. Never-mind the three mistakes you made in Math. I know within you, you know the right answer.

Ah, I just wish that people will simply compliment her hard work and not complain anymore of the tiny mistake she had. It was hard studying for these exams and she missed playing outside to prepare herself. It hurts me when someone does that and I hate it when I have to correct that attitude. Ayoko lumaki si Alex thinking na her efforts with regards to her academics is always not enough even when she knows she has exhausted everything she can. Been there, done that. I don’t know where and when it started but the effects are still with me until now. I do not want Alex to have the same baggage. Keep this in my my dear readers.

Sleeping Problem

That is what I have been dealing for the past couple of weeks or so. No, it is not me. Er, yes, it is me. Ok, so that you will not be confused, here is the scenario.

For the past weeks, my daughters got sick, recovered and got sick again. Both of them became very clingy, specially Maxyn, our youngest. Unfortunately, the time she got sick was also the time I was trying to wean her from breastfeeding. Since she is not feeling well, I gave her what will make her feel better and comfortable – breastfeeding on demand. I knew that when I do that, I will start over again with the weaning process and the the two nights that she slept through without feeding from me will be all gone. I was ready to start again but I did not expect that it will be this hard.

Maxyn has been well since Sunday. Since then, she still wants to feed on demand. Let me correct that. She is not really feeding, she simply wants to have the nipple in her mouth all night. And it has given me two consecutive sleepless nights, not to mention an aching neck! Just before I type this post, she woke up briefly asking for milk. I did not give in and let her cry a little. I tapped her bottom and her sister’s at the same time to make them go back to dreamland.

Honestly, this scenario is frustrating me already. I am unable to update my blogs when the urge is there because Maxyn and/or Alex will suddenly wake up. When they are back to la-la land, my online time is already done. And I do not get to sleep straight, even for just three or four hours. In some cases, I wake up every hour!

Tell me, how do you keep your children asleep the whole night? What do I need to do to a 5yo and 2yo who co-sleeps with us so they stay in dreamland through the night?