School Bluez: Moving Up Ceremony

March 21, 2011 – Moving-Up Ceremony of Hayley’s Day Care took place at the Social Development Center one afternoon. This is a sort-of graduation/culmination ceremony after ten months of attending Day Care. What makes it different from the Graduation rights is the casual approach of this program compared to the serious and usually stiff program flow you get during graduation.

Messy and noisy yet funny! That is how I will describe the Moving-Up Ceremony. Given that it started an hour late, the children became giddy and restless even producing tantrums for some of them. Add up a hot venue, expect an almost riot situation. Well lets give it to them, kids will be kids. 


Excited and supportive that we are for our Little Hayley, we came before the Call Time with all the props ready at hand. We made sure that the camera(s) got enough memory and sufficient battery, her uniform and costumes were delicately pressed and the kids make-up kit is readily available.


Like the rest of her classmates, Hayley got two ribbons for her beaing Neat and Cheerful. She also got a Certificate of Smartness - MUSIC SMART.

The highlight of the ceremony came during the "Munting Pangarap" intermission of the Day Care Pupils. When they have to dress-up and speak on what they want when they grow up. 


A heartwarming scene also came when the pupils gave flowers to their parents.

School Bluez: COLORING 101

purple for an eggplant

Remember Hayley's first coloring task? The Black Cake? From that day up to this very moment, Hayley comes a long way in terms of her coloring skills.

Enrolling her in a Day Care improved Hayley in different ways. She got more socially interactive, she can identify colors and she can color well. This may be not surprising for anyone at the age of three can do more than that, but again, since her first coloring task until this day, her coloring improved pretty much.

On her play time, she sometimes prefers to play with water colors or let her Ate's draw with her. A note to parents: Find time to sit down with your toddlers before you finally retire your tired body at night. Spend time with your kids doing arts and crafts or just simple coloring if you have no talent with the arts and crafts. You can find in the internet ready-to-color images that you may use for this bonding time. Internet is a friend, just google a favorite cartoon character or an animal that your child wants to color that day, and am sure Good ol' Google will give you an image you are looking for.

Problem. If your kids are so much into coloring and prefer to do the stuff on the wall of your house, if your budget allow you, you can buy them a sheet of plywood. You may get an Art Virtuoso out of your child. Let them explore. Buy them materials if their inclinations are really into it.

the infamous black cake

KALILANGAN EXPERIENCE 2011

Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City is being celebrated in time for its Foundation Anniversary every February.


Last year, Hayley enjoyed the "KIDIG-KIDIG sa KADALANAN" or the Street Dancing Competition. (Click this to read article)


This year, Hayley skipped the streets and checked out the Barangay Competition for "Bahay Kubo" instead. The Kalingan Organizers this year focused on bringing culture at the limelight thus incorporated the Barangays in most of its activities and competitions. 


Barangays competed for the best designed Bahay Kubo or Nipa Hut, at the same time they were able to showcase their products following the DTI Project- One Barangay, One Product and earn from it. The Huts are located inside the Oval Plaza.

Hayley enjoying the Kubo

How to Make Your Child love FOOD - TIP NO. 1

Let's admit it, most eating days of our children is like going into battle. There will be a lot of shoving, hiding, running and to top it all shrieking. Picky Eaters are everywhere and this is definitely frustrating. Parents only wanted nothing but the best for their children, what more to be healthy especially at an early age.


Hayley for one is one big Picky Eater. Given that children are more sensitive to smell, texture and taste of food makes every feeding a little tedious. We have tried different tactics. Bribery. Punishment and all but it did not work, not until we discovered something effective.


This may work for toddlers. MAKE THEM HELP IN PREPARING THEIR MEALS. Allow them to watch closely as you cook. Let them do the taste test, put spices or ingredients and stir perhaps. That way, they would think that they are the one who cooked the food they are going to eat, making them appreciate the food and eat it without you being pushy. This works for Hayley. 


Lets bear in minds that the eating habits of our children also depends on our eating habits. 

HAYLEY the "PHOTOG"

I envy the young children today. They grew up in an era where they have easy access on almost everything. I was First Year high school when I first touched a computer keyboard and I was scared to break anything. Unlike today when kids as early as Three Years old got PSP's hanging on their fragile neck. These are the changes of our time that we definitely cannot stop.


In this day and age when kids are no longer afraid to touch those high-tech gadgets, their curiosity is extensively common.

Click to see Hayley's Photography

With the sudden sprouting of digital cameras that almost every upper class and average household has, kids are exposed at an early to photography. Little kids can clearly see that the older ones become so addicted of taking pictures and capturing the important events of their lives, that digital cameras become a staple for their everyday living. These kids may just be watching from afar at first, but leave your precious gadgets unattended and within their reach and they will start clicking away.

Most parents may be furious seeing their children holding their expensive cameras. DO NOT GET ANGRY. Do not ever SHOUT at them. Who left those cameras anyway? Instead, keep them more interested and slowly introduce them to the art of taking pictures.

"They might break the cameras", most parents may say. More likely, but if YOU SHOW THEM HOW THEN LET THEM TRY ,there is no more room for apprehension. Just be patient and generous with your encouragement and they will be taking pictures that will make you proud.

Isn't it good that you got something in common with your children? Loving to do the same thing means more time to spend with each other. 

Capitalize on kids curiosity, and sense of adventure when trying to capture their attention and really get them interested in digital photography. It is a fun and rewarding hobby that could actually turn into quite a profitable career, depending on your child's level of interest.  

Hayley's Last Days of DECEMBER 2010

Welcome 2011! It may sound cliche' but yes time fly so fast. 2010 was a wonderful year for our dear Hayley. She formally started school. She can somehow communicate well. She graduated from her Potty Training and more! One thing we are looking forward for her 2011 is her saying goodbye to her bottles and gaining (a lot) weight.

So before we fill you up with things to do on this year of the rabbit, let us take a look on how she spent her December.


It was a busy December for Hayley so I'll give you some bits and pieces on how her December went. 


Starting off with her school's Christmas Party. The Party place is at Jollibee Highway, where else?. Ask any Pinoy kid which fast food they love best and they will tell you easily its JOLLIBEE! Hayley had fun with the parlor games they played. She proved that she can now follow simple directions and can be competitive in a good way. You can now bring Hayley to any children's party and expect her to be socializing. 


A party held at Jollibee would not be complete without the appearance of the dancing BEE of course - JOLLIBEE! If that bee is around, expect Hayley to be also on his heel.


By the way, this is Hayley's first Christmas Party, at least we got this recorded for future reference.

I tagged Hayley as I attended the 11th General Santos City Youth Achievers' Awarding at the City Hall. I was one of the adjudicator this year and just would not miss the Awarding. Bringing Hayley in this kind of event has its UPS and DOWNS. With BIG people around her, she becomes shy and timid at first. She would never give a chance of losing you from her side. That explains the picture below. But I am proud of Hayley that day, for she seem to know that where we are is a serious event and she never gave me TANTRUMS, despite the fact that she is sleepy. She did sleep in the middle of the program by the way.

I brought her to that event with the thought in my mind that one day, Hayley will be among the Young Achievers of the city.

Hayley's 3rd Christmas Eve Celebration. It was a busy day for the whole family. Last minute shopping, gift wrapping and cooking should have tire her out but the little girl in pink on a Christmas eve was super active. She attended Mass, played with her cousin, danced, sang and waited for the exchanging and opening of gifts. It was a very merry Christmas for Hayley and the rest of the family.

Still cannot get over with the party hours before, Hayley and mama woke up early and distributed toys and candies to the kids in the neighborhood. It is good that in early age, children are taught the goodness of sharing. Let them discover the happiness of doing good to others which they would surely remember as they grow old.

Another party for Hayley was during Mama's Christmas Party with her group. Hayley and the rest of the family did not miss the chance of going upon learning that the venue is at the ABCD Stars Convention Center. The exclusivity of the pool area is what we love most. They have a stand by LIFEGUARD which most of the local resorts in the city do not have. They have this small round pool for toddlers (just the right size for Hayley) and a large pool with 9 feet as the deepest part. The pool area is best for parties with an expected guest of not more than one hundred. ABCD Stars will be featured on my other blog.

New year's eve for Hayley was unlike her Christmas Eve. Straight from the mass Little Hayley fell asleep. And she only woke up just in time for the much awaited Fireworks from the neighborhood. Turotot was also her constant companion that time. The weather was not that friendly as the Philippines welcome the year of the rabbit, so Hayley was not her giddy usual self. 

 As already mentioned, we hope for a heavier and healthier Hayley this 2011! 

Have a 

BLESSED 2011 

Dear Readers!

MAMA LET ME SWIM

This is the nth entry for Hayley's Box where Hayley is either on a beach or a pool!


There are two kinds of kids. Does who are afraid of water and those who you cannot take away from the seashore or a pool once you put them near any of it. 


There is nothing wrong in loving the waters. Do not be so stiff if your children ask you to go swimming with them. Take time to play and enjoy the waters with them. That way, you are teaching your  child to love the waters and learn to swim faster. But do not be too complacent. Make sure to look after them. Give them enough space to learn but still keep your eyes on them. 

Watching from afar

On the other hand, if your kids are not at ease with the waters, do not force them to go in the water right away. Let them feel the sand on their feet first. Allow them to just be on the sidelines while the other kids are enjoying the waves. WAIT. Wait till they tell you that they wanted to get in to the water. That way, you will not scare the kid.You do not want crying babies while you are on the beach right?

Testing the waters