School Immersion First Grade Edition

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Kumusta kaya ang araw mo, Maia? Bigla ka namin naalala ng sabay ng Daddy mo. Naisip namin sana matawagan ka man lang namin para kamustahin. Pero naisip din namin dadating din yun. Sa ngayon ayaw namin magmadaling bigyan ka ng telepono hehe . Ang aga mong nagising kanina. Sobrang eksayted ka sa araw na to. "Di na ako inaantok! Bangon na ako baka maiwanan ako". Enjoy ka anak! Ikaw na lang kumaway pag nadaanan mo office ko :) #fieldtrip #schoolgirl #letterstomaia

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Today, my little girl went to her first immersion (a.k.a. field trip) as a grade schooler. A month ago when this was announced, she immediately marked the date on our calendar. She was so excited we were reminded almost every day to make sure we bring her to school on time because she did not want to miss the bus!

So we were up early today. At 4am to be exact. And unlike the usual school days where it takes us at least 3x to hit the snooze button before someone finally jumps out of bed, she was first to rise and wake every one up!

We were in school 10 minutes before the call time of 6am. Ah despite of the 2 hour delay, she spelled the day in 3 letters - F.U.N.

Her dad picked her up from school and on their way home, she had tons of questions and stories for him:
>Bakit andaming mesa sa bahay ni Jose Rizal, Daddy? (Why are there lots of tables in Jose Rizal's house, Daddy?)
>Ano ang ibig sabihin ng 24/7, Daddy? (What does 24/7 mean, Daddy?) Apparently noticing this signage from one of the popular burger joints she saw on the road.
>Daddy! Dinrowing ko na lang yung mga napuntahan namin kanina. Yung mga hindi ko na makita, inimagine ko na lang! (Daddy, I drew the places we've been to earlier. I just imagined those that were out of my sight already)

Our little artist. Our little storyteller. Our curious cat. Our princess.

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Time flies. Sooooo fast.

Milestone: Fieldtrip With No Chaperone

I've never been fond of fieldtrips. I've never witnessed a fieldtrip that was not rushed. Where kids don't spend too much time waiting on lines. I think kids don't learn much on fieldtrips. Yes, to be blunt about it, I think they were a waste of time and I've sort of scrapped that out of fun things my preschooler can experience while in school.

We did skip the fieldtrip when Maia was in Nursery. I didn't think she was ready. And they went to a place that she's already been to - Manila Ocean Park. Neither me nor the husband was willing to come back to MOP that soon yet.

But having the kid miss that field trip sort of made me feel guilty. I do not know why but yes, I felt guilty. So husband and I sat and talked about it. We realized the fun of fieldtrips for school kids is not really just about the places that they see but mostly in the "trip" itself. Just like us adults who would find delight on roadtrips, I guess the same goes for kids on a school fieldtrip. Nothing beats a day spent with your school buddies, share laughs about the silliest, most trivial things you come across, and getting more laughs reminiscing those silly things during recess. And if it's a trip you take without your parents on it, isn't that twice the fun? Hurt a bit -- but we both agreed the answer to that should be a resounding YES.

So come Kindergarten, we resolved to let her join the fieldtrip. What I wasn't really ready for was learning that they will have to go UN-chaperoned. I was ready to pass and so was the hubby but I thought we can still send Ate Inday to watch from the sidelines and yet give her the freedom to enjoy her time with her friends. But no, the memo was clear. No moms, no dads, no Ate Indays.

It was a scary thought. But I know I have to suck it up and let go. I tried not to think about it too much. The kid was after all over her head with excitement. And yes, she is not worried she's going on her own. The thought in fact seemed to excited her even more. I just took comfort from her stories about how her teacher would remind them what are the TO DOs and NOT TO DOs during the trip.

So come fieldtrip day, I woke up extra early to prepare everything she needed. I paid extra attention to her packed lunch and snacks. I went the extra mile and brought her to school myself so I could personally take her up to the bus. But guess what? When we arrived at her school, she told me "Mommy, hanggang gate ka lang ha? Okay na ako"

My kid. The obedient one. She was scared to let her classmates see me. She's scared I might give them the impression that I'm joining the field trip. E BAWAL NGA SABI NI TEACHER, REMEMBER MOMMY?

So me, the obedient mom, reluctantly bid her bye-bye. I did make sure I covered all bases though. I handed her this note before we had breakfast and asked her to read it. She understand every word, I guess, because she immediately planted a loving kiss on my cheeks and gave me a super tight hug. "I love you too, Mommy"

My sweet little baby is growing up so fast.

Mommy will always be here sweetie.Ready to hold your hand. ALWAYS.

On Fieldtrips

The kid's preschool class is going on a class fieldtrip to Manila Ocean Park tomorrow. I opted not to let her join them. I informed her then and she gave me her nod of approval. But of course, I knew she's bound to change her mind. As most kids would, anyways. And this morning, when it finally dawned on her that she's not going there with her classmates she started sobbing. 

"Gusto ko sumama sa fieldtrip, Mommy! Gusto ko talaga!" 

With the sobbing and that pitiful tone almost reaching the point of unbearable, I started considering the idea of calling the school to ask if she and Ate Inday can still join the last minute. But I took a deep breath and recalled the reason why I took the strong decision not to let her go. And I gave her my final word - No, she's not going this time. I told her she's been there already and I have pictures to prove.

"Pero hindi pa ako nakapunta don ng BIG na ako! Small pa ako nun, Mommy! Ngayon BIG na."

Okay, I rest my case. But I reminded her that next month we also have a scheduled trip there with her Ninang Yette whose visiting from Malaysia. Argument not accepted. But she conceded knowing she will never get her way this time.

Last year, when were rounding up prospective schools, one of the questions I posed to the school tour guides was about fieldtrips. I asked if they were required and what would be the consequence if we (or my kid) won't join. I had to ask that because I always felt that at 4 or 5 and even at 6, kids are not supposed to be subjected to fieldtrips  because I find it torturous making them fall in line for a long time and I personally think being around so many people isn't very conducive to learning at all (i doubt if they learn anything in that trip anyways). If it was just a trip for a small group like maybe of 20 kids I might reconsider but of 50 is a different story. Add the parents to that and you have two buses filled with parents and kids all of different temperaments. So yes, I really meant to say I asked that question first because I do not want to be pressured into having my kid go on a fieldtrip. I just don't think it's appropriate. So anyways, the kid's school assured us it not a requirement at all. When you're 7 and able to really enjoy the long lines while chatting with school friends, little girl, I will let you join. (you see Mommy is no KJ at all. you just have to wait a little longer. and waiting is not a bad thing, you know)

But yes, I feel guilty now that she went into that drama this morning. I questioned my parenting. But no, I won't let one fieldtrip be a judge on how good or bad of a parent I am. I am no expert at this whole parenting thing. But I would like to think that I don't just make decisions at a snap of my finger. I study my options. I weigh the pros and cons. That should be enough for now (RIGHT?). 

Some days, I wish this parenting thing came with a manual.

A Field Trip To The Fun Farm At Sta Elena

Two simple, home-spent  long weekends have since gone. Simple. Home. Two of my most favorite words. I can never get enough of lazy days spent at home. But then I have to deal with a kid who easily contracts cabin fever and all that lazy, relaxing thought immediately disappears. A restless kid is the last thing you'd ever want to deal with during a relaxing weekend. And so rare invites for field trips are also some of the things that we welcome with big wide open arms. 

And that's just exactly how we spent the last day of the last long weekend of this quarter. We went with 3 other family friends (actually mommy friends who I first met in N@W and eventually became close to through blogging-Rache, Erl and Maqui) to a fun-filled day trip to the Fun Farm At Sta Elena in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Thank you Maqui for organizing this!

If not for the quite pricey entrance fee of P300 per person, we would love to come back to this place. (But...this family is such a cheapskate I don't think we will be coming back anytime soon). The kids had fun running around and there were enough distractions to last them a full day. The fishing pond and the sand playing area were a big hit for the little miss, most especially. When she woke up this morning, she was still raving about it. I bet she would have bragged about it even to her school busmates. She was THAT happy with how her day went yesterday. She got to ride and pet a carabao, chase sheeps, play spider-woman, feed worms to fishes, feed pellets to duckies, feed the bunnies some carrots, sing along with pigs (oink-oink!) and squeal her heart out while riding the rubber swings. There's plenty to do but I only have a few photos to show. 

Still, I'll let the pictures talk from this point. Forgive the poor resolution as I still haven't found Blue's replacement and I just used my phone camera. 

at the entrance

one of Maia's favorite spots in the farm. she was ready for this. she even bought her beach toys with her.

obstacle courses for kids. tingnan natin hanggang san aabot lakas ng mga malilikot na yan! lolz.

interesting maze. Maia didn't hesitate to get in. and did not have any trouble coming out of it. atta girl!

Maia: I'm going to try this too Daddy. Tibs: Mahirap to Maia, wag na baka di mo kayanin, walang support sa gitna.
Maia: Okay lang Daddy, gagapang na lang ako! 

And more interesting spots on the farm:

Maia and Kelsea getting fishing tips from the Daddies. Waha (kala mo experts eh)

close encounter with sheeps (maia: mameeeeeeeeee, kelangan nila maligo!)

It was a tiring day but hearing the kid rave about the fun of it all seems all worth it. Till the next fieldtrip, Mommies! Can't wait to see the photos from Studio 2716 as well!

p.s. The Fun Farm staff advises that you book ahead before coming as there might be events (i.e. weddings or private parties) booked at the Fun Farm that day and you might be denied entrance. For this trip we booked a week ahead since ours is a relatively big group of 4 families and we were coming on a holiday.

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Fun Farm at Santa Elena is located at Sta Elena Properties Inc, Barrio Malitlit, Sta Rosa, Laguna

They operate from 9am to 5pm. Contact Numbers: 0918 8886588/0920 9131349 Directions to the farm are posted here. 

p.s. Here's a link to the photo album that the Studio 2716 posted in Facebook.  And to Maqui's and Erl's blog post as well.