On the Road to 'Formal' Learning

We'll be enrolling Lois to Meridian International Learning Experience in April. Yes, we've taken the step towards school already. There is no question about the school anymore. We want the kids to learn to love God and our country, not just good old, education. This is also the reason why we'll be moving near the school. It's a lifestyle change for all of us.

Honestly, this was not our original plan. Our target was to send Lois to school by 2010 when she's already 4.5 years old. But things were changing. We were seeing Lois transform into a sponge with all the bad things getting absorbed. She would titter over John Lloyd's billboard in Edsa because she claims she is Sarah Geronimo. (Well, that's a bit better than being Marian Rivera, her original matinée idol.) She would be too shy when we're with other people. And she would hurt little Carlos as if he is not her relative.

So with great faith we scheduled for her assessment. I was hoping she could get to Nursery II already, so she will not be the oldest in her class. But her age by June does not meet the requirement. So I thought it's better that way, than be able to save up on a year and create a tortured pupil out of her. Off Lois went inside the Nursery I classroom while Daddy Paul and I were interviewed by the Directress of the School. She briefed us that Lois will be lovingly disciplined and that we should teach her English as by Prep, they will be introducing Mandarin already.

Funny, but I found myself fidgeting while Lois was inside the classroom. I was curious if she was participating, I was hopeful she was having fun, but I was also afraid that other kids might have told her something nasty that would make her hate school. It was just 30 minutes of waiting for Lois to finish her assessment, but it felt like the longest 30 minutes. Awww, I'm a parent of a pre-schooler I cannot believe it.

Learning on his own

BabyCenter.com says at age 16-months, kids could normally use up to 10 words. Well, our Carlos could easily dish out 20 words:

1. ball/shoot/dunk
2. bike
3. airplane
4. car
5. dog
6. taxi
7. bird
8. juice
9. mama
10. daddy/Poh
11. ate Lois
12. bubbles
13. hand/paa
14. tree/halaman
15. bye-bye
16. uh-oh
17. blocks
18. toys
19. cd
20. baby
21. light
22. moon/star/sun

No, I am not proud. I am euphoric. As the second-born, he did not receive the same attention and care as Lois. But he's ok. In fact, he's better. He shrugs himself up after he falls, he takes medicines without fussing, he eats ALL vegetables and fruits and he's happier.

What a blessed family we are.

No fun

After shopping for books at M/V Doulos, Grandma Dahls asked Lois:

Ma Dahls: Did you enjoy our Doulos trip?

Lois Sourly said: No!

Surprised, Ma Dahls asked: Why not?

Lois: Because the ship didn't move.

Ma Dahls: Why did it not move?

Lois: Maybe there's no gasoline.