Saturday, December 29, 2007

Christmas Party


It's our first Christmas Party at school and we were all excited about it. Funny I WAS more into it than my son. Early on, I bought him a new shirt and I bought myself a new shirt too! Nothing fancy really, just something new to wear for the occasion. In my family, Christmas is one occasion that calls for new wardrobe and I am carrying that tradition to my growing family.

Christmas is also a time for presents so I splurged a little to pack some sweets for Chikoy's classmates and teachers. For the teachers, a box of chocolates each and for his classmates, candy cane, jellies, chocolates and gummies. The gift in red wrapping is from Santa (***giggles***). The children were asked by their teacher what they want to get from Santa for Christmas. The children's wish list was then given to Santa for him to prepare in time for the party. Chikoy wanted this Matchbox foldable construction set. I told him that if Santa would have to buy him that toy, Santa would not have enough money to buy toys for other kids. And so he settled for a Matchbox toy car instead. (Negotiation... always works!)


Christmas is also marked by pictures taken beside the Christmas tree. Here are three taken with the three women in Chikoy's life - the mother, the nanny and the, well, girlfriend?

Games games games. The nursery kids had different set of games from the older kids. They had the traditional "give me what I want", pin the animal's name on the right picture and "pa-agaw" of candies. Of course we adults helped out so no nursery student went home empty handed.

The gift from Santa. The school asked three dads to act as proxy Santas. I'm just glad Chikoy bought my story that Santa had other commitments hence he asked these three dads to give out the gifts he has prepared for everyone. When it was Chikoy's turn, he sat happily on Santa's lap and thanked him for the gift. I sat him on one corner and watched him open his gift. Santa got him a green Ferrari!

Other kids got big bikes, doll houses, while other gifts came in smaller packages, It didn't really matter if the gifts were big nor small. What matters is the smile on every child's face upon opening Santa's gift for them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Alopecia

Chikoy's classmate was diagnosed with alopecia. According to wikipedia:

Alopecia is the loss of hair on the body. It should be distinguished from baldness, which is the lack of hair, including contexts where that absence is intentional.
Her pedia said that she's losing hair due primarily to stress because of the impact of recent events at home - her dad's not coming home for Christmas, her grandma who's been her psuedo-nanny, migrated to the US and her siblings, given the wide age gap are not giving her the companionship that she needs. The little girl's been eating scantly and has developed violent tendencies at play. Her mom's been trying to double up on the love and affection, showering her with gifts to make her feel special. Must have been very difficult being the center of attention and losing all the people that you love all at the same time.

Which makes me rethink my plans of working abroad. Should I stay of should I go?