by The Happy WAHM
26/365Challenge: Today’s a happy day! Never thought much about Valentine’s day. It’s not a day I got used to celebrating, but my son changed that for me.
Three days ago, he asked me if we still have origami paper. But unfortunately, we’ve run out. So next he asked If I have colored papers. And I gave him what’s left in the ream that I bought last year. I knew there’s something he’s trying to follow on YouTube, but I’m not one to go where I’m not invited, so I just let him be. I would hear him getting frustrated. And I would just shush him and say, “Patience, Jude.”
Then yesterday, he finally admitted that he could not finish it all by himself. He needed someone to hold the folded paper with two hands, while he used his hands turning the paper to its shape. When I commented that it’s looking good, he said, “It’s for you, Mommy.”
By afternoon, he asked me if he could borrow my glue gun. He needed it to attach the wire stem to the leaves and the flower.
Again, he was frustrated. He’s not used to using a glue gun, and it hardens before he could attach. So his dad finally offered to help him. We don’t normally offer to help. We have to be asked. That’s what we teach them. Figure things out by themselves, and ask for help when they can no longer do it on their own.
So Daddy showed him how to simply use the white glue and roll the paper around the wire.
This was the photo I posted on Instagram.
And this is where it is now, holding that special space on my lap table which also serves as my crochet project table. The crane is from my middlechild. I wonder what our firstborn will have for me this Valentine?
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by The Happy WAHM
It’s been a while since I’ve last written anything about our homeschool, and I’m going to tell you why.
I’m insecure. That we’re doing it wrong. That we’re not doing enough.
I’m afraid. That we’re doing it wrong. That we’re not doing enough.
I’m unsure. That what we’re doing are wrong. And that what we’re doing are not enough
You get the picture.
Family, friends and acquaintances would ask me, “What school do they go to?” And I reply, “Oh, the eldest is in college, a Chevron. And the younger ones are still homeschooled.”
If we’re lucky, there wouldn’t be a raised eyebrow, but the follow-up question would be, “What grades are they in now?”
And because we are no longer accredited with any homeschool program provider, I really don’t know. And the fear creeps in.
Are we doing it wrong? Are we doing enough?
Our 12-year old homeschooler just draws most of the time. I would ask her to prepare a grocery list, and she would give me an illustrated list, like I don’t know what a juice pack or a tissue paper roll look like. I could be having a bad day, and she would come up with something like this.
By age, she should be in Grade 7. And because I downloaded the Department of Education’s curriculum to serve as my guide in knowing what they should be learning for the grade she’s supposed to be in, I know that she should be learning Ang Ibong Adarna for Filipino this year. Next year should be Florante at Laura; the year after next should be El Filibusterismo, and the next, Noli Me Tangere. Knowing we’d be needing all these books anyway, I went ahead and bought all four last year at the Manila International Book Fair, taking advantage of the discounts. And alas, she has read them all.
Today, I overheard her discussing Gas Laws with her dad. And then there’s Basic Accounting with me.
Our 10-year old, by age in Grade 5, is studying Physics, reading Larkin Kerwin’s Introduction to Atomic Physics, and The World Treasury of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, edited by Timothy Ferris. I’m not saying he understands what he’s reading at this point, but those are the books he’d rather read. Physics, astronomy, geography and history are the subjects he’d rather study. We have the whole suite of textbooks based on what private schools require, and they have remained unopened, unused. And he’s not writing cursive yet. 🙁
No, I’m not sure if they are learning what they should be learning if they are in a regular school. Yes, my biggest fear is that they’ll fail the PEPT and not be accepted to college.
But what I’m sure of is that they understand life and living within our means, they understand the value of family and of hard work. They respect rules. They understand the importance of education. They have goals. They know how to care for the environment and each other. And they know that they were created fearfully and wonderfully by God.
I may not be sure if what we’re doing is right, or if they’re enough, but I know that our children are once-in-a-lifetime individuals who deserve a unique once-in-a-lifetime education.
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by The Happy WAHM
My day in comics, as illustrated by my middlechild. 🙂
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by The Happy WAHM
Last Monday, April 13, my favorite firstborn and I had our first summer fun date. More like a treat for her high school graduation, really. Gosh! I can’t believe we’ll have a college student this June, and she’s only 15!
Since she has been attending regular school, she really missed out on a lot of field trips and dates that I had with her two younger siblings, who are still homeschooled. But for the few times that she took a trip with me to the city, it has always been for something connected to arts and crafting, like the crochet workshop that she asked as her birthday present last October.
So when she learned that I had been invited by Memory Crafters to the media launch of the Summer Art Sessions by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, she jumped at the chance to go with me.
Launched in partnership with Manila Workshops, Tuscany at McKinley Hill’s Summer Art Sessions is a weekend arts and crafts workshop series happening every Sunday beginning April 19 and will run until May 10, from 1PM – 5PM.
Summer Art Sessions is open to all arts and crafts enthusiasts and will be led by some of Manila’s finest artists, who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise in a variety of workshops to be held at several restaurants in Tuscany.
Fun and exciting art activities await those who will register including workshops on the basics of doodling with WeeWillDoodle founder Nelz Yumul at Lucky’s Burger Bar, and Basic Paper Cutting by Hey Kessy at Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes.
Those who are into calligraphy can take part in the Basic Brush Calligraphy class of Mimai Cabugnason, also known as Sharkmaine in the art scene, at Marciano’s, while those who would like to learn how to do their own rubber stamps can go to the Rubber Stamping class by Manila Workshops at Sophie’s Mom.
More fun art workshops await aspiring artists at the Summer Art Sessions including an Acrylic and Oil Workshop by The Artologist at the Sauceria. Meanwhile, Do-It-Yourself guru Nica Cosio will be sharing lessons on how to spruce up one’s own tote bag at her DIY Tote Bag Designing class happening at Sophie’s Mom.
Aside from fun and learning-filled art classes, sumptuous dishes and treats will also be served during the workshops. Moreover, Josh Villena of pop band Autotelic will be serenading participants during the first edition of the workshop series on April 19.
Those who would like to join the Tuscany at McKinley Hill’s Summer Art Sessions can register now by logging on to Manila Workshops at manilaworkshops.com or by calling 0926-6167720.
Registration fee of P2,000 per session is inclusive of food, art kits and materials. Limited slots are available per workshop, so better register early.
As for me and my girls, we are hoping to attend the Acrylic and Oil Workshop by The Artologist, and the Rubber Stamping class by Nica Cosio.
My firstborn has been practicing the basic brush calligraphy that she learned at the launch, and sharing the knowledge with her younger sister. The mommy in me is hopeful, though, that we can explore partnerships with StabiloPH to support my middlechild’s passion for arts, because at 9, she drew this…
And at 11, she made this…
I’ve also featured some of her art here, here and here. I believe she’s a natural, and I support her passion wholeheartedly. We just need a little extra boost on the resources. 🙂
But anyway…
Kudos to Marciano’s for the sumptuous food that we shared at the launch. So sumptuous that I only have one photo to show. As I always say, I’ll never be a food blogger. Ha ha!
So again, I invite you to check out these cool Summer Art Sessions and don’t forget to use my code – CBTUSCANY-THW – when you register.
Hope to see you there!
by The Happy WAHM
I always write when I’m emotional. And this morning, I’m feeling just that.
I have just turned over my cross-stitch hobby kit to my middlechild. Out of nowhere, the thought just came that it’s time. A decision was made. She will have my cross-stitch kit.
A few days ago, we were [again] at National Bookstore to pick up a book I had them keep for me. It was a book I saw during their warehouse sale. I thought of getting it for my friend and partner, as I know that her family is into Star Wars. But knowing that they also frequent the bookstores and are avid collectors, I did not buy it outright. I first wanted to find out if they don’t have a copy of it yet. But she took a long time replying to my text message [like I texted her about lunchtime, asking if she would like to have this Phantom Menace book, and she replied early evening that yes, her husband and son would love to have it]. So suffice it to say that I lost the opportunity to buy that book for her. But, persevering soul that I am, I called up NBS to ask if they still have a copy. Alas, hardbound Star Wars books on sale go in a flash, so no, they no longer have a copy. But because I’m social that way, I was able to make a teeny-tiny request of them calling their other branches to see if there are other copies lying around, and if they can have one reserved for me. So a few days ago, I received a call from NBS, telling me that they have found a copy for me, and that they have it reserved, waiting to be picked up.
But that’s not what this entry is about. 🙂
On that trip, my son asked for a fresh supply of clay and some popsicle sticks for his project. You know that feeling of being unfair to the other child when you buy something for one? I had that exact feeling. I just felt that it was unfair not to have something for Bea. So I asked her to choose one from the shelf, as we were on the arts aisle. She picked a cross-stitch kit.
And here is that kit now. Still unfinished, but you can see that for a first project, she’s doing a great job at it. Not to mention that she’s enjoying the craft.
So why choose today to give her my collection?
Well, today, I’ll be meeting up with former officemates at the mall. As is my routine, each time I need to be out of the house, I ask my kids who would want to go with me. It’s my way of involving them in my activities, and at the same time giving them the opportunity to go out and socialize.
This morning, my favorite middlechild joined me in the bed for a cuddle. I always have that time in the morning, before getting up, of cuddling with any one of the kids. This morning, it was Bea.
She knows about my afternoon out with girlfriends, so I asked if she wants to go with me. Surprise, surprise! She did not want to go. When I asked why, she said she’d rather stay home to finish her cross-stitch project.
And so I got up, opened the drawer where I keep all my hobby kits, and showed her my collection of cross-stitching books, aida cloths, skein threads, patterns, finished and unfinished projects and in between, told her stories of how I chose a particular pattern to work on, how I got into the hobby, where I got my first crosss-stitching book, etc. Most of my projects have dates on them, dating back to 1994. And then I showed her how I use old magazines to tape each pattern on, so that individual patterns that I buy are organized and kept like a real book of patterns, and how I make markings either on the cloth or on the pattern as a technique in making my life easier. 🙂
We spent half of the morning just talking about the hobby. And while I’m writing this post, she’s busy finishing her first project.
I don’t know if her interest in cross-stitching will last, or if it is just a passing fancy to match the crochet projects of her older sister. But whether this is just a phase or a life-long passion, I commit to support and encourage her all the way.
Meanwhile, I still have my quilting and sewing kits left in the drawer, waiting for the next set of hands to own them.
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by The Happy WAHM
My favorite firstborn turned 15 today, and the whole family spent the day at a crochet workshop. I really thought she was going to be an only child, but my story has been written long before I was born, so I’m just glad I didn’t dare attempt to edit it.
Isabel. We named her after my grandmother. I never knew my lola, as she went home early, so I respectfully asked my husband if we could name the baby after her. My husband’s family seemed to have a penchant for at least three names. In fact, only one of the eight siblings was lucky enough to have just two names. He is the youngest, so maybe my parents-in-law simply ran out of names to give. The other seven had three names each. So to be in a better position to get him to approve my lola’s name, I said he could take care of the second name. But in the end, he told me that I could take care of that, too. So I chose to give her the name of a teacher/fashion model who bravely fought cancer, and was gracious and faithful until the time that she no longer needed to fight.
The dynamics of my relationship with my firstborn is quite different from my relationship with the two younger kids. Maybe because she’s a teenager now, and I still try to treat her like my baby. Plus, I was late in forming a bond with her, for which I will forever be regretful. She was born at a time that I was still fighting my way up the corporate ladder in a male dominated workplace, and so parenthood was more focused on securing a better career position than in the actual mothering. I became a mother before I was ready, so my idea of motherhood was a bit twisted. Working hard, earning more so I could provide for the needs of my baby. I was still reading books on corporate dynamics, instead of how to form relationships with children.
While I considered myself a hands-on mom at that time, it was not really enough. She was a picky eater, and it would take her hours to finish her meal, so I would end up leaving her with the yaya to wait for her to finish her food, while I go on ahead with all the other things that I needed to do. I lacked the patience to wait up for her, and it did not occur to me to learn why she was being picky, and do something about it.
She was almost 7 when I became a WAHM, and even at that time, I still shortchanged her. I was pre-occupied with my newborn, and I just assumed that because she’s older, she was better at coping without me hovering over her all the time. Big mistake. A child will forever need her mother whatever age she’s in.
I can write a whole book on all the things I regret of not doing for my firstborn, but she’s fifteen now, and I really can’t turn back time. So all I can do is move forward from here. I thank God for the opportunity of homeschooling her before she grew up to be a teenager. Those years at least gave me time to get closer to her and get to know her more as a person.
These days, she has friends in school and she has activities that moms are no longer welcome to take part of. I still try to encourage her to invite friends to our home and be a cool mom, but those days are few and far between. As her mom, all I can do is be supportive of her passions, the latest of which is crocheting. I was surprised when she asked for crochet hooks and yarns last Christmas. And last month, when I told her about the crochet workshop that I saw posted on Facebook, she asked if she could attend. And so we celebrated her 15th birthday at a crochet workshop today, in full force.
I think I should consider giving her a bigger space for this newfound passion, because now that she has a better understanding of the different yarns and hook sizes, I’m afraid that her plastic box will no longer be enough.
Add to that that she also has a growing book collection, a bigger space is indeed in order. I guess I have just written down my 2015 goal here. Save up for a room renovation so the girls will have a bigger room. A mom’s gotta do what she gotta do, yeah?
Special thanks to my good friend, Patty Cuyugan of Mrs. C’s Sugarcoated Life for posting the workshop schedule on Facebook, as I would never have found out about it had she not shared it. And to the Gantsilyo Guru herself, Trey Ajusto, for her patience with my daughter during the workshop. I’m now seriously considering learning the craft myself, as it may be another great opportunity to further form a bond with my daughter.
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