A Late Start
It had been fourteen days since Chapter March started, and I have begun writing the third chapter just now.
Why is that?
It could be that I was tensely anticipating the children’s final exams. I so dread these three days of assessment.
I could also be nervous about getting a Visa for an upcoming trip. Who knew it could be tedious and time-consuming?
Mostly, I have my nose in a book. I finally finished George Washington and the Secret Six. Currently reading The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris. (As of writing this entry, I have already read the second book of The Magic Misfits, also finally done with Holes after almost two years, Ramona Quimby, age 8; the latest Dork Diaries book, All The Bright Places, Sing You Home and The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone. You can read my reviews on GoodReads.)
But most of all, I was binge-watching movies, and TV shows, and Korean series on Netflix.
Yay For Stay(cation)
Our first staycation of the year happened before the children’s exams. Aside from the clothes and swimming gear, they packed a separate wheeled backpack with their books, notebooks, worksheets and review guides so they could study in the hotel.
Right before lunchtime on a Saturday, we left our house. While we were on the road, a voice from the backseat announced the need to use the toilet and the need to eat. Therefore, we made a stopover somewhere along U.N. Avenue.
After the restroom break, we had a fast lunch at KFC. Then, we bought pastries at nearby Tim Horton’s to snack on at the hotel.
A half hour passed before we tumbled out of our vehicle and entered the welcome lobby of Conrad Hotel Manila. We rode the lift to the third floor, where we checked in and had cold infused water.
Our room was located on the sixth floor. The highest a person could go is the seventh. One of the housekeeping personnel gave the children a blue carabao stuffed toy; it’s even wearing a printed bandana.
From our bedroom window we could see the swimming pool, where the kids were excited to go. We also saw, across the street fronting the hotel, a few amusement park rides like a ferris wheel and a swinging pirate ship.
Most of the afternoon, the little ones read through their lessons and answered Math problems on scratch papers. When dusk descended upon us, they paused and gazed out at the sunset on Manila Bay. My youngest even brought out her colored pencils and drew the scenery on the hotel stationery. It’s lovely to see my children stop their work and just look in awe at one of God’s handiwork. It warms my heart that they appreciate nature.
Warning: Children Might Cause Bipolarity
What else warms my heart? Now that it’s the children’s summer vacation, they stay at home and do things we ask them to, before they could be rewarded with gadget usage.
The three of them were tasked to clean up their playroom of toys to give away. They also must play with each other, using either toys or board games. And also to nap after lunch.
I’m glad they do those things with minimal or about three to four complaints. With each complaint being aired on different days.
Now that they are together 24/7, many times they quarrel with each other. Now this doesn’t warm my heart! Their bickering and arguing drive me crazy and I am sometimes at a loss how to respond, because I do not want to be partial to any particular child. I just remind them to be kind. Moms, what do you do when your children squabble?
Learning Doesn’t End With Medals
On the 23rd, my family and I trooped to their school to receive their awards. Yes, all my children got medals, praise God! It is the Lord’s work in their hearts that make them teachable, and now they were rewarded for their efforts and for doing their best.
But getting accolades doesn’t mean they have to stop learning. It doesn’t mean they have to stop being better. They have a lot more to progress on, especially in terms of character.
Through children I observed human nature and the sinfulness of our hearts. People are naturally selfish and care most about self-preservation.
That’s why we need God and His holiness. Only He can touch our hearts and transform us to be loving, like Jesus.
Anyway, I enrolled the children in art class and they were done with the first of twelve sessions. I hope this will improve their drawing and painting skills, if any. Hehe!
More than skills, I hope this will develop their patience in drawing properly and according to the image they are copying. Additionally, help them learn proportion so that their painting will look better.
So, how was your Chapter March?
And I hope you April is going well, in spite of the super hot weather here in the Philippines.
