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As the middle part of the Holy Month of Ramadan rolled on the children experienced again the Garangao festival. It is the Khaleeji halloween and part of the festivity is singing of garangao songs by the children and each household especially the elder women prepare huge sacks of every kind of nuts and sweets or as what they called it “halawa” and treat every children who knocks on their door. Children hop on door to door for sweets and nuts. It is like giving food to the disadvantaged people in the world and the music and daces show the traditions of the country.

And my daughter experienced her first Garangao festival in her school. Each pupil was asked to be dressed in their national costume by the teacher and also to bring loot bags full of nuts and sweets and they sang songs and visited other classes and shared with them their loot bags and they’re also given back sort of exchange of goodies. And Andrea went hone happily with all her goodies and shared it with her brother Sean.

She wore a traditional Qatari girl outfit for Garangao as we don’t have with us the Filipiniana dress (I guess next time we would be more ready with her costumes).Her BFF Xianne in an Igorot outfit.

To all our friends, for more 4th birthday pictures of our adorable daughter please visit my multiply account (just click the link below). Thank You!

Andrea Turned 4!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! A Dream Come True! Last September 21^st (Friday) our daughter turned 4 and we celebrated her birthday with the company of our dear close friends. It was one successful event with the help of our friends.

The venue is in Bennigans Tavern and Grill in Khalifa Squash and Tennis Complex and we went there at 4 pm to decorate the playing area and some of the dining area designated only for our guests. We are so lucky to have angels, our friends who were there to help us like Mavis and Tita Jinky (the godmother of the celebrant) who helped us in inflating some of the balloons in their house making them into table toppers and transporting them to the venue and lastly she transported her gift (the birthday cake) from Ate Mayette to Bennigans again. We are also thankful to Tanc and Olivia who came here for their 3 days in-transit/vacation and they helped us in anyway that they can. They helped us in carrying the stuffs that we need, inflating more balloons, did the connections of the gadgets that we need for the party as it was not included in the services of Bennigans and they took some of the pictures and they were so cool to be with. The same with Mavis, she was there to help us in decorating the place and turned out to be a co-host of Ninong Robin during the program during the kiddy games. We really appreciate your help guys and we thank you so much for everything. You are really our angels in disguise!

It was kind of hard in decorating the place since there were other kids who kept on taking the balloons and also some of the cake toppers and I was also thankful that that kid returned it back to us, the Ariel cake topper. It was like we had to put to some unused garbage bags almost all of the inflated balloons or else we would end up with nothing before the party starts.

The party started with a prayer by ate Jannah Rasheya, a very close friend of the celebrant who sometimes acts as a real ate to Princess and followed by a song (reflection) from the movie Mulan by Andrea’s BFF (best friend forever). And the celebrant was very touched by the gesture that she kept on saying, “I love you Xiannelle!” And then followed by a dance number by one also Andrea’s close friend, Ate Anjela. It was hosted by the ever vibrant and jolly Ninong Robin. Thanks Sissy for the help!

It was followed by the kiddy games. This time it was Mavis who hosted the games with “the bring me” game first. The kids knew this game very much that they were on guard f what they are suppose to bring to the party host and the moment they got the message of what they bring they quickly ran to their parents for assistance. Kids were told to bring, a 10 riyal bill, a white hair, a shoe lace, and other stuffs. It was followed by the musical chair game then the stop dance which we had to let them be all the winners since almost all of them were so into it that they really know the game.  The birthday celebrant asked me if she can go down from her throne to be with the dancing kids. She enjoyed every moment of it and our friend Olivia asked Mom May why almost all of them were doing the same moves. And that’s because the music was from a noon time show that almost I guess of the Pinoys were watching in their everyday lives here I Doha.   

Then it was the time for the singing of happy birthday and blowing of the candles. We gathered around the birthday cake, which I almost made all of the decors in its stand and Andrea felt all the happiness I guess as we sang happy birthday to her and party poppers were opened and she blew her candles. The birthday cake was given by her NInay Jinky and family and another present from mom May and dad Yam, a tray full of yummy brownies for everyone to enjoy.

And the pulling of piñata came, we could not hang it there so we just decided to let uncle Tanc hold it up high and let the Ate Andrea pull the strings. Kids got crazy with all of the candies on the floor and as well as the celebrant.

Then the last part of the program was the awarding of the best in costume for the girls and boys. It was Angelie with a Grecian white gown attire who won and Kuya Ahsan in his traditional Pakistani outfit.    

Tito X-tian, our dear friend was the photographer. He’s always kind that even it was so tiring to bring his very heavy for professional photographers only cannon 400 D camera he patiently took pictures of the celebrant with family and with friends in each table. Uncle Noy is also the official video man cum carrier of other stuffs to the party room. To Tita Wen, thanks also for printing the name tags for the kids how we wish that you and your family were there:)

And what followed next was a sumptuous meal with Bennigans…

Here’s the Menu:

The Appetizers:

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Chicken Quesadilla

Chicken Country Salad

Main Course:

Fried Sea Food Platter with the side dish of corn and vegetables

Chicken Kebab with Rice and mashed potato

Shamrock Pasta

Monte Cristo

Chicken Strips with coleslaw and steamed vegetables as side dishes

Drinks:
Refillable Iced Tea

The Kids Meal:

Kids chosed from the ff:

Chicken a Little (chicken strips with fries)

Kid Burger

Hot Diggity Dog

Kid’s Fish and Chips

Dessert:

The Birthday chocolate cake made by ate Mayette

As they ate, a ceramic ballerina inside a purple and pink pouch with a tag on it were distributed to the guests and loot bags for the kids with Disney princess and friends stickers, colored pencils, assorted candies and chocolates. And lots of tattoos’ and stickers were also given to the kids.

We thank you also Ninay Jinky again for lending us the balloon poles and the nicely made castle (by Kuya Eric).

It was indeed a very happy birthday bash, our princess was so ecstatic with joy even though she was tired  since we were in the place from 4 pm until 10 pm.

T o all our friends and the staffs of Bennigans thank you very much.

To view more birthday pictures of our princess just click the link below:

http://athenalexia.multiply.com/

Last week, our daughter Ate Andrea started her school in DMBS as KG 4. We woke up early at 6 am on Sept. 4 even we knew that we can go there in between 8 am to 9 am since the school Principal, Ms. Sandra Williams will give us instructions as to where our daughter’s room will be. We headed straight to the administration office and Ms. Sandra asked us which class our daughter we’ll be attending and I told her that she’s in KG 3. As she flipped through her records Andrea’s name can’t be found (silly us we didn’t check her name on the information board near the gate as we already know that she’ll be in KG 3) so she asked us again the family name then only to find out that she’s already in KG 4.

We were led to the KG4-Yellow classroom by one of the school staff and Andrea happily told her teacher her name when she was asked then quickly ran to the group of other kids in the front who are already singing with the assistant teacher. But I found out that in their record she has only Andrea as her name without the second name Lizette, so I informed them that it should be Andrea Lizette.

Her dad was also excited and very supportive that he applied for a leave of absence for one day just to make sure that everything will be okay. The only problem was that we don’t have transport since the school has no school bus. Luckily our friend Mavis was able to find one with an Indian driver but the problem is he’ll not be available on time with the 12:15 dismissal of classes and we don’t want to pay another 600 riyals just to let them stay in the classroom until 1:15 so another option is to find another driver who would transport us. We met some Filipino moms too there and they were kind enough to tell us that maybe our daughter can go with their transport but after a long discussion the Filipino driver can’t accommodate us since he’ll be short of his time if he’s going to fetch me first before going to the school. And he can’t accommodate also Xianne (Princess BFF) since their house is in Old Airport, so we have to find another one. As school policy kids in KGs and Reception should be fetched by a parent or a guardian, so that mean me and Sean should fetch her and still she’s too young to manage to walk from her classroom to the parking area.

Andrea’s first day was a colorful one. She was bubbly and she came home with two flowers (instead of stars) on both hands as a sign that she did great in her first day at school. Even her teacher was happy to tell her dad that she was a good girl. She’s attentive to the instructions and she follows what the teacher told her to do.She missed her little brother very much that she hugged him tightly and kissed him on the car and she showed to Sean at once her 2 flowers on her hand. She told us their activities on the first day of school. And I know that she’ll be okay now, her mind was set in going to school and she’ll be fine. We told her how much we love her and we are happy for her. 

Some of her pictures during her first day in school:

I made an invitation card for my daughter’s 4th birthday party very much early, more than a month in advance and after making it I sent it at once to our friends with the emphasis on the R.SV.P.

Some friends replied at once to my invitation, stating their presence for the said party but they are only few, maybe the others have not yet opened my e-mail that’s why I did not receive a reply. If I receive an invitation to a party with RSVP then I would at once reply to the host, it’s like paying attention to the question if you’re going or not. Your firm indication would mean a lot to the party host. If RSVP is written on the invitation then the invited guests should tell the host wether or not they plan to come.

The reason behind why I had to send invites a month ahead is for me to have the fixed head count of who are going to come so that I can tell the restaurant the exact number of guests who are coming. This will keep me from overpaying foods for those guests who will not appear in the party. I need to know the quantity of the food that I’m going to order. I have to come up with the exact number of loot bags to prepare for the kids; how many for boys and how many for the girls. I need to know how many give aways should i buy. And that’s what RSVP is for. The term RSVP is from a french expression: ” respondez s’il vous plait”, meaning “please respond!” RSVP stands also for “Response Solicited for your Valuable Presence.”

Maybe their silence means a “yes”, they will come but then again it could mean “no”, they won’t come. Either of the two but I need an answer. Hope I could receive more replies and feedbacks if they’re coming or not.

Two more weeks and our daughter, Andrea Lizette will start here formal education in Doha Montessori and British School (DMBS) as KG1. Last Monday, Aug 20 together with her BFF Xianne and family we went to their school to inquire about the school uniform and some other important informations. We were given a info guide with all the rules and class schedules for the autumn, spring and summer terms and as well as the dos’ and don’ts in the school.

Then we were directed to the store in Salwa Road in front of Mercedes Benz showroom, to the Zaks store, from where we can buy  the uniforms and they are also selling other uniforms for schools like American School, Park House, Doha College and many others. The uniforms are quite costly, I bought 3 pieces of  size 4 dress uniform at Qr. 95 each, a P.E. shirt for Qr.50 and a trouser for Qr. 60. And we have to come back for the cricket hat and jacket with school logo. They are also selling book bags, shoes and school bags.

As of today she woke up earlier (5 am)  than the other days, as we prepare her biological clock with an earlier schedule of sleeping and waking so as not to shock her system when her school starts.

She’s looking forward to starting her new school. She’s so excited that she would always ask us how many days more before the school starts. She’s always telling stories of how it would be in her new school. I guess she’s more matured now unlike when she went to Mulberry Bush for her play school that longer time was spent in waking her up and she did lots of antics so that she’ll not go there. We are as well as happy as she is and I guess this is it. Her mind is set into something she like to do. And that’s a good start!

There are lots of moments that she tested our patience. There are lots of funny stories, some are horrifying just to let her stay in the house and not go to the nursery. She was not out of excuses and alibis and she was so quick on plans just to spare her in going to the play school. That was how it went when she started going there but gradually she accepted it.There was a time that I thought her dad send her already to the nursery but they ended up touring the city of Doha because she kept on crying. That time her dad was having his vacation so she just wanted to stay in the house and play with her dad and her brother. The puking antics came and the scared dad did not let her go to school even that they were already indide the gate instead he let her see what happens to kids who don’t go to school. He told her and showed her what would she’ll become if she’ll not go to school. They parked near a construction site ( as if my daughter is a boy that she’ll end up as a construction laborer if she’ll not go to school) to let her see how hard to have a job as a laborer. They went to a police station. They went to a maid agency. It was funny and at the same time annoying. But still you ended up in the nursery coz I  brought you there even if I had to trick you in getting inside the gate until we reached the office of the admin then to the classroom.

Things like these, stories of your childhood, of how you evolve on maturities in some aspects taught us lessons; it’s not only you my dear who learned a lesson but also us your loving parents.

We love you that’s why we have to mold you, to educate you and to discipline you.

It was the 8th birthday of Ate Anjela last Thursday since her mom was not here, she’s in Pinas to attend to the wake and funeral of her mother so it’s me and Ninang May who helped in Jelay’s bday party.

They came to our house past 4 in the afternoon and we chose which outfit she would  wear, she had two outfits,  one white halter top with pink skirt and the other one is a red dress but she brought only one pair of pink shoes so there’s no really decision to make so she had to wear the first outfit. After putting a light make up we waited for awhile for STR and then we headed to Burger King in Al Sadd. I  was the photographer and my kids enjoyed the games. Sean won in bringing in his dad’s shoe. And Ate Princess was  second in saying the longest happy birthday Anjela.

More pics:

Andrea and Sean participated in almost all of the games.

The mascot scared Andrea. She ran to her dad and did not want to get near the mascot. And this means no mascot again for their birthday parties.

Friends 

The party did not ended up there, the oldies went straight to our house. Children stayed up late and the teens played table tennis downstairs while the clicking of glasses continued in the dining table hehehe.

Before when they are still small it’s me who has to decide in everything but now my daughter has a say on almost everything. She has her own choices on clothes, toys, food and anything. I always ask her what she wants but major decisions are still for us to make. And now she’s torn on who she’ll be in her 4th birthday party. She wants to be Elina and at the same time she wants also to be Cinderella.

Continue reading here.

They are the partner in crimes, my mama is the spoiler and she bacame a bratty while we were in my parents house. Everything that Ate Princess says she will just say amen. Almost all of my rules were being broken. And my mothers mantra …”paminsan-minsan lang naman…” Everyday her sugar dose would jack up. If she wants a candy or chocolate or anything she wants she’ll not ask me, for sure I will not give her sugar, errr….candies and she’ll go directly to her lola and within five minutes as quickly as she could or the househelp there’s the princess wish.

Everyday ate Princess would wake up very early and her question would be ” is mama still here?”And hurriedly she’d go out our bedroom and call for her mama. After eating breakfast she’ll go with her grandma to the school.

During lunchtime she’ll make another wish, that her mama would feed her. Oh my gulay! And there I go again I would tell her to eat her food without asking anybody’s assistance since she know it already. Being far from my folks, and we no longer have a househelp here in abroad I made sure of it to train my kids to be independent as much as possible. And while we are in my parents place I can’t help myself not to let her become so much dependent, or maybe, I was just afraid that the independency that i thought her would vanish and such inconsistency would pose as a problem when we go back home after the vacation.

It was more of a battle of the will, of whom to be followed and there it ended as our vacation was put to end.

I was happy that she has all the overflowing love from the grandparents especially from mama but I was too afraid that that love was changing her and that would make her a rotten brat.

And sometimes we have to draw the line between discipline and giving love. Sometimes too much pampering is not good. And from time to time Ate Princess would ask me lots of whys. It’s like my authority has been questioned if I’ll handle things differently as to what she’d experienced from her grandma. And for now she’s always looking forward to going on another vacation to her grandparents in Pinas for surely in her mind she’s truly loved by mama and in its truest sense she felt that love only that the dosage was too much. Maybe, it’s really like that when it comes to grandchildren, they are the apple of their eyes. Hokey, so I rest my case…he…he…he.