Pumpkin Paradise 2022

Drove to Darmstadt the day after we came home from a week-long vacation in France. 

We're not biggie on halloweens but the autumn colors, including the pumpkins, are just too appealing to ignore.

Naw Field Trip Pictures

Some pictures as shared by our organizer, Erlaine.

Naw Field Trip 2016

Team BLC during the NaW Field Trip to Fun Farm and Nuvali. May 1, 2016 exactly on my 39th birthday. 

More photos and kwentos to follow.

McDo Kiddie Crew 2016

Summer will not be complete without the girls joining McDonalds Kiddie Crew program. For one week, the kids report to "work" for two hours in their selected McDo branch and they are given uniforrms, ids, caps, toques, aprons and bags that they should bring to work everyday. Each day they do different activities, practice singing and dancing the Kiddie Crew theme song and they get to experience being the cashier, drive thru crews and they even get to prepare the food being served to customers. They are also served with snacks (burger, spag and drinks) at the end of each session. On the fourth day, they make their own cheeseburger that they eat for snacks. On the fifth and last day, they have a mini graduation.

Last year, Rafa got the Best Smile and Gabbie got Ms. Congeniality awards. True to their own personalities. This time, Rafa is Best in Singing and Gabbie is Best in Drive Thru and Kiddie Crew of the Batch awards.

A Short Parable About Self Confidence

http://brightside.me/article/how-much-are-you-worth-4105/

That was for you, my dear Gabbie. That article in the link above is very timely.

When almost all of the specials awards were given and you haven't gotten any, I saw that sad look in your eyes as you said "I think I'm not getting any awards. But I'm also good in Arts (earlier in the workshop she got a special prize for making the nicest Thank-You card among their batch) but I don't know, maybe I don't have any awards."

But you know what, like I told you, "you were great in everything that you did during this workshop. You were good in Arts, in dancing and in the store. Maybe they saw something else in you, maybe they saw your other talents, not just in making cheeseburgers and dancing. Just wait and your name might just be called next."

And Mommy was right, di ba? The last two certificates on the table were for you. When your name was called for the Best in Drive Thru Award, I saw your face lit up and I saw the joy in your -toothless- smile. See? 

Then your name was called again for the Kiddie Crew of the Batch Award. That was the best award and they saved it for last. I bet you didn't see it coming, right? But there, your hardwork was recognized. I wish I was able to capture that I-couldn't-believe-it look in your face when you were receiving your award. And then you went back to me and asked, "Why me? How did I become the Kiddie Crew of the Batch?" Because you did your best! I was the happiest mom in the whole world at that moment. And when you confessed, "You know what, Mommy, when I heard that, I couldn't believe it, I almost wanted to cry." I felt you have matured and I wanted to tell everyone in the room how proud I am of what you have become. <3

Gabbie Writes: Tink and the Bug

On the first days of summer vacation, Gabbie played with some papers and stickers she got from birthday parties she had been. One afternoon, she handed me some post its bound in the side like a booklet. She said, "Mommy, let me tell you a story."

Tink and the Bug by Abby, Written by Abby

One day there was a girl named Tink, a friendly fairy. Most of her friends call her Tinker, some call her Tinkerbell or Tink.

Next morning she saw some snow flakes falling and she saw a sign that says "Frozen" this way ----> So she went there. 

She saw Rosseta, the flower fairy and she is also her friend.

She saw a sign of (picture of reindeer Sven) . She saw some reindeers and touched them.

The end.

Pretend Plays

Here at home they have a box full of costumes, props and what nots that they use in their everyday pretend play. I love how they can be princesses and superheroes one day and then chefs and halloween characters the next.

It's fun to be kids!

Rafa's Time To Shine

First day of Nursery class 2015.

Mack in action