I was so dead tired when we reached home yesterday. You want to know why?

We woke up early to participate in the Relief Giving activity of Bela’s school to victims of Typhoon Ondoy in Malabon.


After the relief giving, we went to Malabon Zoo as it is just a few minutes drive from the Relief Giving location.


Then we drop by at Santa’s store in Nagtahan.



Then off we went to Robinson’s Place because Howell wants to check out the Toy Convention there and I also did some toy shopping with Bela.


It was already past 8 PM when we had our dinner in Flap Jacks.


We reached home around 10 PM and even though I still have tons of things to do, I decided to just call it a day and went to bed early (if you can count sleeping at 11:30 PM early. LOL).

I took a day off from work today to attend the Parents’ Orientation at Bela’s school. I woke up around 7:30 AM to prepare since the orientation is scheduled at 8:30 AM. Howell woke up the same time as he normally does if we have to go to work. I thought he was just excited to attend the orientation (LOL) but then he tried to wake me up also and he was saying that we are late for work. So I realized, he totally forgot about the orientation. LOL.

I met Bela’s teachers, Teacher Sarah and Teacher Eulene. They both handled Bela under the Magic Strokes program during summer where Teacher Sarah is the head teacher for the program. Actually, I made reservations for the 9 AM class but when I called MSS the day before I enrolled Bela, I learned that Teacher Sarah will be handling the 8:30 AM class. I let Bela choose between the three previous teachers she had last summer and she does not hesitate when she answered Teacher Sarah. I don't know but for some reasons, I feel comfortable more with Teacher Sarah compared to Bela's other teachers. And I can feel (using my mother's instinct. LOL) that she likes Bela too even though Bela can be a handful at times. I was really looking for the same compassion and sweetness as Bela's teachers at TU and I think I found that in Teacher Sarah. So I decided to move Bela to the 8:30 AM class and so far after chatting with Teacher Sarah and Teacher Eulene this morning, I can say that I am happy with my decision.

I took a day off from work Tuesday and Thursday to accompany Bela on her first week of class at Toddlers Unlimited. Read on her blog how her first week went and to view some pictures as well.

I’m going to Toddlers Unlimited tomorrow to enroll Bela to their summer class. We decided to enroll her to the twice a week schedule to try it out first and we’ll decide from there on what we will do for the SY 2008-2009.

I initially wanted to enroll her to the thrice a week schedule but the lolo is so much against it. He said that Bela easily gets bored and he’s scared that Bela might be too bored already come June. And since my dad and my mom will be the one taking Bela to class, I have no choice but to agree with what my dad wants. LOL.

I prepared all the requirements: 2 pieces 2x2 picture, 2 pieces 1x1 picture (for the ID), photocopy of her immunization record and certificate from her pedia stating that she is fit to attend class (to follow since we won’t be visiting her pedia, not until March or April).

I’m so excited already!!

Looks like we already made up our mind on where to enroll Bela. After talking it out with hubby and with lolo and lola, looks lie we’re all set to enroll Bela this summer at Toddlers Unlimited. We figured that a 3x a week schedule is a much better set up since she will just go to school every other day, instead of going to school everyday.

So I’ll just contact Teacher Gabby so I can get the requirements for enrollment this summer.

Oh I’m getting excited already. LOL. You can read all about my preschool hunt kwento in my other blog.

I have started my preschool hunt already for Bela. I have been reading information on the net about the different methods that is being used now in preschools. I also followed the thread on mom exchange about traditional vs. progressive school. It is a good read and I have learned a lot from the personal experiences of the moms in mom exchange who have a preschooler of their own.

I have summarized all the comments and feedbacks that I gathered from mom exchange about the different preschools. You can take a look at it on Bela’s blog.

I am now on the hunt for a good preschool to enroll Bela. I’m planning to enroll her this coming April for the summer classes so I can gauge in advance if she’s ready for the regular class come June before we enroll her full time.

I have made a list of the preschools that I’m considering based on the information that I got from the net and based on the reviews and feedbacks of other mommies. You can review my list on my other blog.

I know that choosing the best school for my daughter is really a challenging task. Just right now, I’m starting to get confuse already as to what should I consider when looking for a school. We plan to make school visits by second week of February and we will let Bela attend the trial class. I’ll take it from her reaction if she likes the school or not and I will use it also as one of my guide in selecting the school.

Another challenge that I’m facing now for this preschool hunt is the reactions and objections I’m getting from Bela’s lolos and lolas. I’m keeping my preschool hunt a little hush-hush from them, as I know I would be getting a lot of objections since they are really not into sending a toddler to school early. But yesterday, one of my aunts overheard me discussing about the schools that I’m considering for Bela with my dad. I decided to seek the suggestion of my dad on the location of the school since he will be the one driving Bela to school. And my aunt overheard our discussion and that’s when they started airing their objections. One of my aunt said that it’s still too early for Bela to attend a preschool. My other aunt said that Bela might get bored right away and may not be interested to attend big schools. I still love hearing all their sides though. It makes me realize the other side of the coin.

Good thing I made my research and I was explaining to them that schools nowadays are not the traditional type where they confine kids to a classroom and bore them to death with all the lectures. And they we’re open for the idea.

I know they are just airing their concerns and they are just too concern for their first apo. But I know them. In the end, they would respect whatever decision we will have for Bela and will support us all the way.