Back from Baler

Following one glorious week in Baler, where we spent the Holy Week, we're back in very hot and humid Manila.
We had a relaxing time, as usual. Ben and I went swimming with Jovin in our first two days there, then pretty much just stayed at home until Saturday when we joined Kuya Toti and his family and friends for a picnic, which was when the following photos were taken.
Ben made new friends, Alex and Rachel, who are Cecille's (Kuya Toti's friend and Papa's goddaughter) kids who are visiting the Philippines with their mom from New Jersey.
Oh well, now back to work (after posting of course).
With the kids of Kuya Toti's friends
Me and Ben (boy, I'm too big now)
Ben with Kuya Toti
Enjoying the river
With new friends Rachel and Alex
The picnic kids

Fun rides

We went malling last Thursday and Ben wanted to take some rides. Here are a couple of photos:

riding the firetruck in the car carousel

roundabout in a plane-like ride

Ben docs

I thought I'd share Ben's certificate, report card, and assessment, with those who may be interested.

School's out

Yesterday, Ben's school had it's Moving Up Day. It's kind of like a graduation, where students are given certificates. A number of the kids, including Ben, are moving on to the "big" schools. Next school year, Ben will be going to Claret School's Child Study Center. He wasn't accepted to the kindergarten level because of his age (they require kindergartners to be at least 4.5 by June and Ben only turns 4 in July), so he's going to be in Senior Nursery level. Hopefully, he won't get bored.

Anyway, back to the Moving Up celebration, I've got the pictures here. All the pictures will be posted at the fotopic site too (Ben's Moving Up Day).

He was up on stage four times, when he received his certificate, and when the children sang songs. When they were singing the "Vaseline Shampoo song," I felt so bad for the little girl he was holding on to, because he kept pulling her back and forth. The pictures won't show it, but we've got video that proves otherwise. And at times, he was scratching his head and Kuya Tony was joking that he had dandruff.

All in all, he had lots of fun, and was smiling most of the time he was up on stage. Enjoy the pictures. I've sized them down, which I hope will make loading time for the page faster. If anyone wants the better resolution files, let me know.

Ben just before we went to school for the Moving Up celebration
Ben again
That's me, Ben, and his Lola Iring
Waiting for his name to be called
Benjamin Gabriel Querijero Tan, bow
Taking his place for the song number
Singing "The More We Get Together;" the little girl next to him is Aya, and poor kid pulled around all over the place by Ben
Singing the Vaseline song
Singing the Fremont song

Other pictures:

taken in his classroom just before the event
Ben's official school picture
Ben's class

So now, Ben's on vacation for about a month. He'll attend a summer program in school for reading and writing, but just for a month and just for a couple of hours each day. It'll be more to have time to play with other kids during the summer.

Chinese Ben

Yesterday, Ben's school had a costume party to celebrate the end of the school year. I didn't buy a costume for him anymore, but instead had him wear one of his Chinese pajamas. With his hair, he looked like a little shao-lin. Anyway, it was another fun time for him in school. Near the end of the party, the school also gave away awards. Ben received three ribbons (see below) and a "certificate." Of course, he was very happy, as the pictures below will show. He will have his moving up day on Sunday, so more pictures to follow.

Ribbon for being outstanding in language and speech
Ribbon for being outstanding in math
Ribbon for being outstanding in reading
What can I say...my son is lovable! :-D

And here's Ben in his Chinese pajamas:


And in the party:


Receiving his ribbons:


The awardees:

A new 'do

Ben had his haircut last yesterday. Since it's summertime, I thought I'd have it cut real short. Anyway, we all think the new cut suits him. Here's the new 'do.

a view from the front...

and from the back

With the summer heat bearing down upon us, I think we'll keep his hair pretty short for the next couple of months at least.

A little bit of Thomas fun

Ben had a little bit of fun with Thomas the Tank Engine on Sunday (5 March). Nothing major, of course, just an inflatable Thomas that was set up in MegaMall for kids who will buy Thomas the Tank Engine products. Of course, we had to go just because Ben is a major fan.

Here's a pic of him with the inflated Thomas.