Little Drummer Boy

Keanu has been learning drums for almost a year now and his teacher told me how impressed he was that the little one is totally into music. He thought that like other young boys, after a while, Keanu would tire of it and be bored because it was more on repetition and learning how to "lighten the arms". He was mistaken, and to this day, Keanu continuously impresses him on how he simply takes on the rhythm every time he asks him to play with a song.

I guess it's time for us to give in to the request---"Can I have a drum set now?" Oh boy...

Keanu blunder

I was playing badminton with Alyanna and 'counting' from A to Z. Here comes Keanu and offers to be the 'counter'. So here goes:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G of which at this point he suddenly said loudly:

"Mommy, you know how to spell CD?"

Alyanna and I pretended to not know and said:

"No we don't know." "So how do you spell it?"

He stood up and loudly said: "SD"---ooops!

I guess the joke was on my little one...and we all laughed happily ever after. The end.

Lipo or Botox?

Have been working out at least thrice a week with the dire hope that my metabolism is as young as I remember it to be. Turns out it's not and I'd have to suck up the courage to accept that losing weight at this age takes a lot of work, effort and sadly, discipline. Yes, the big D with eating. I love food and no doubt vice-versa that it leaves traces of its love---READ: bulges!

Last night, I was looking at our OLD photo albums with the kids and I had to bear the pain of looking at myself from long long time ago...back in the 90's! My little one's honesty echo's nonstop in my head I feel like having lipo done right now!

"Mom, can you be like that again?" THAT meaning a healthy, crispy 55 kilogram voluptuous woman.

"Hmmm I don't think I'd be like THAT again."

"And Why?"

"Because I'm getting older and my body can't do the activities I used to do like exercising the whole day. Mommy was teaching aerobics before 3x a day so I looked nicer then."

I think my son took that as a self-pity line so he tried to make me feel better.

"It's okay, you still look nice now even if you're OLD." waaahhh!!!!

Sweet Surprises!

I was having lunch with my boss when my mobile rang.

Me: "Hello?"

Keanu: "Hello Mommy. You know what?"

Me: "Hi! Love. What's up?"

Keanu: "I have a surprise for you. You'll be so, so, so happy!"

Me: "Really? So tell me big guy. What is it?"

Keanu: "I GOT a medal in my Projectwoche! You know Mommy, the Sportwoche we had in school this week! I was second place Mommy. Bryan was first and Charlene was third. Only 3 of us got a medal in our class. I'm second best Mommy!"

Me: Ignoring my boss's existence...I cheered to my little one's pride.

"Oh my god! That is sooo great! Congratulations! I am so proud of you! You ARE the Best!"

Keanu: "I'll show you later when you get home!"

Me: "Yes, my love. Would love to see that!"

Back to boss gleaming with pride and excused my childish cheering.

Boss smiled and said: "It's alright. Well done."

What can I say?---It's a perfect Friday!

Our 1st Grader

Our youngest became an official school boy last week. I wasn't sure if the Swiss practiced certain first day traditions as the Germans do---like filling up a Schultute (School Cone) with school goodies and some sweets and gifts but I saw to it that he'd have one to bring to school.

He was excited and nervous at the same time. A feeling of insecurity was obvious in his face knowing that his German isn't as fluent as the others but A and I were there to assure him that all will be fine. Yes, he understands quite well but speaking is still something to learn and in time I'm sure it'll be just a piece of cake :-)

He's the youngest in the class. In fact a year behind because most of his classmates were born on 2002. It was the timing of his entry in the Swiss school that was kind of an issue in the beginning since he was coming from a local kindergarten (who have started learning) and would be a bit advanced compared to the kindergarten kids in the Swiss school who were just more on playing. We had an agreement with the Principal that he'll be observed if he can be promoted to Grade One--and well, here he is!

We're off to a new phase for him and we'll see how he progresses. One thing's clear--we're on full support.

Smiling Moment

Today, my youngest did the sweetest thing.    As he called out to say goodbye when the schoolbus arrived, I was drying my hair and the noisy appliance hindered my ability to hear and wasn't able to return him wishes of a good day and i love you's. His dad told me that he literally stood by the gate, waiting for a response and when there was none, he turned to him and said, "Papa, can you please make sure that you tell Mommy I left already?" Dad says "Yes, I will."  "Make sure ok? You must go up to Mommy and tell her." "Yes, ok, I will." And off he went.

Next thing I saw was a smiling man going towards me as he told the scenario word per word.

1st Vorschule Tag (Preschool Day) @ the Swiss School

   

Monday, Feb 9, was Keanu’s first day in Vorschule at the Swiss School and it was a busy and exciting day for all of us. Not that this is his first day to go to preschool or so, but it felt more official. I guess the one he was in before gave me more the impression of a childcare. He was looking forward to the big day and Alyanna was feeling up and about as well to have her little brother in the same school and telling him to not be shy to speak German. (Keanu understands but doesn’t speak it fluently yet. It’ll come for sure).

Of course, we were all awake at 6:30 to start the day’s routine and equally excited for the little one. Rex, was up to give us some photo time and wish Keanu a good day. Jake, yaya and my sister were watching as the whole house woke-up to this other chapter of ours.

Being the first day, we knew Keanu was fighting the ‘nervous itch’ he was having about the language barrier he might encounter with the kids. Thankfully, a little bit of assurance from everyone was enough to cover it. The teacher, Frau (Mrs.) Ackermann was very accommodating and her assistants too. They had two more students having Canadian and Indonesian moms who also spoke English at home most of the time and just now being introduced to German,---so they knew how to read Keanu’s blank look when he doesn’t understand something.

As a welcome, the children sang a song for Keanu and shook his hand and then proceeded to introduce themselves and played games. We looked from outside and though I felt a twinge of sadness that my bunso (youngest) is slowly growing up and out of his bed but my happiness watching him enjoy prevails over that.

Just as the children welcomed Keanu, the ‘classmum’ arranged a nice get-to-know dinner for me as well and we're now planning to go watch a theatre show.

Kulit-bulilit

At the beach, onstage, at the playground...nothing can be more stressful and exciting than keeping your eyes and attention to a (beginning to be) adventurous tyke. Measuring his limits, reasoning his qualms out, even using the power of tears from time-to-time...he surely knows how to get what he wants. 

With all the buzz of work and daily agendas, I realized that this has been drafted more than a month ago. wow! that fast? I forgot to share his kindergarten's K2 graduation day where the rest of the school would be performing as well. 

When the big day came, we were so excited to see him in his pirate 'porma'. I know stagemoms aren't allowed to do the paparazzi but hey, my son's runway moves were the very climax of his class and I am a proud mother  ;-)

Good Job Nanu!

Almost a year of listening to screaming children when fillings are done, I wasn't sure how my little one would fare. This is a second visit following his regular check and at 4 years old, he needed two done!

I couldn't believe it when our dentist told me that he had small holes on his teeth. A bit frustrating knowing I was strict when it came to their sweets intake and how thoroughly I brushed his teeth.

Anyway, to prepare him for the big day, I agreed with him on two different ways to show us if it's bearable or unbearable pain. They had to numb his gums a bit using a syringe, so that agreement was necessary.

As he entered the room, he confidently greeted the dentist and sat on the chair. He then gave me uneasy glances so I held his hand and said the usual mommy line ---"every thing's going to be just fine."

The dentist was really nice and easy with him. The casual and continuous talk keeps both the patient (AND) mother at ease. Yeah, I was hiding my nervousness so my son won't chicken out.---half an hour later, he was done. We were all proud of how brave and calm he acted despite his surely pounding little heart. He admitted he was scared but he knows that not covering the holes of his teeth will be more painful.