Happy Birthday Nate

Time flies.

It’s your 6th birthday.

I still could remember the night you were born. Your dad and I were so excited when we were summoned to the delivery room to wait for your birth. We didn’t know you have to stay at the NICU because you had sepsis brought on by the slow labor of your mom after you were induced. The OB Gyn decided for the CS operation a little too late. I got pretty mad because of their neglect.

Good thing your pediatrician was a very good doctor explaining everything to us while you stayed at the NICU for almost a month.

When you were a year old, I wrote a similar letter to you hoping that when you grow a little older and could read every word, you will be able to appreciate it.  I am writing to you again today on your 6th birthday.

Nonna is so proud that  you are doing so well in school, always with high honors and good grades. Nonna is so proud that you have become an articulate little boy who could sometimes argue your point while you also listen. Nonna is so proud that you are growing smartly.  You no longer start your sentence with “One day……”. You tell your own stories now, not those tales that you remember. You talk about school and your friends.  You talk about always being happy to be here at home, sometimes you don’t even want to take a bath because to you that means going home soon :).

HAPPY, HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY.  May you grow to be God-loving,  healthy, smart, loving and lovable, kind, compassionate, caring and respectful to your elders. See you soon!

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He Is A Big Boy Now

Love to keep this here too. Our big boy Nate’s latest photo  which Nissa took today.

I love that smile – a  little shy, somewhat naughty but always a happy one.

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Those Precious Moments

Yes, some precious moments with Nate captured on cam. He is so fond of making those funny face. I  like it though because he always looks happy in front of the camera.

Play. Play. Play. Telling stories about school. Counting Jelly candies with Mommy. Nice bonding moments.

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Way To Go Baby

Posting some larger photos of Nate which Nissa took yesterday during the former’s PE field demo.

Haha, when he is not smiling he is making faces.

the typical Nate smile 🙂

 

Mommy and Nate

 

He is definitely taller than his classmates.

He learned that pose during his workshop at Trimedia International.

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Nate’s Second McDo Summer Crew Orientation

It will be the second time that Nate will participate in a week-long summer kiddie job at McDonald’s.  You have to pay McDonald’s for the one-week training but lunch for the kids are free.

Speaking of being so active, Nissa said that while the rest of the kids were silent, Nate kept raising his hands to answer all the questions. Questions like “why do you need to share an apron”, “whose favorite are  chicken McDo, burger, nuggets”? 

He is a very friendly little guy. Nissa has this to say:

So Nate and I had an agreement that he’ll only get a toy once he reaches a certain number of points. Points are awarded based on his chores at home, how he does in school, how he behaves, etc. He’s being very cooperative.. (YES! the plan is working!)

A while ago I told him I would give extra points if he could just sit still and behave. I could tell it was killing him, lol. He was trying his very best but when he couldn’t take it anymore, he blurted, “This is the way I am, Mom! I just can’t sit still and do nothing!”
Hahaha!

Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m talking to a 5 yr old. 

I told her Nate is five going twenty.

When you have a grandson this active, there is really no dull moment when he is around.

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Relaxed Days With Nate

He said “pagod na ako”  meaning he is already tired so he got a pillow and watched television instead. He knows what channel Nickelodeon is.   Took this series of shot on my tab while he was serious about watching and making faces later.

The garden is precious to Nate. He always visits it every time they are here. He loves picking calamansi. 

 

Why are you frowning? Alanganing ngiti.

 

He has lots of toy trucks but he loves this old collection of Josef. He had it safe in his pocket when they went home.

Haha!

Precious moments with Nate. Precious time spent playing and visiting the garden.

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Saturday is Family Day

I can’t tell you how nice and lovely it is to see my daughter, son-in-law and Nate after almost a month of not seeing each other. We were laughing at Nate while eating lunch, he surely had a big appetite.  There is really no need to feed him like most kids his age. He can hold a fork and spoon so well.

All our attention seemed to be  focused on him always. After lunch, we had a great time letting him read  three-letter words provided by Nissa. Yes, he is starting to read and he is in junior Kindergarten.  I think his teachers teach them phonetics. He has to sound each letter first before saying the right word.  Bravo, I’m impressed. I can’t wait for the day he will start reading a whole sentence or a paragraph even.

Back in my time when I started studying in the province, we didn’t have Nursery or Kindergarten. One has to start directly from Grade 1. Imagine, you only learn to write each letter of the alphabet in the first grade.  I  had a hard time adjusting to high school life when Dad enrolled me in UST.  Having spent my grade school days back home, I could not help but compare they way they taught us in the province. They were more advanced here in the city.

We played ball, made figures out of  the  plastic blocks we have here and  the Lego set he brought  along with him. My goodness, he is more creative than I am when it comes to all those tiny  blocks.  I can’t match the dexterity of his hands. I didn’t grow up with Lego bricks. My cousins and I spent our spare time playing outside, sometimes in the heat of the sun or after dinner.

A little later he joined Mom while the latter was playing solitaire with her old playing cards. Nate said, ” I know how to play cards”. “Really?” I asked. He just smiled.

 

 

Haha, he acted like he really knew the game. But it was just arranging the sequence of the numbers with the same  designs.

We ended up having  two  large boxes of pizza for snacks. Would you believe? Nate finished three slices.

Family day is always the best for me. Hugging  Nate close  and opening his window to say goodbye.  And as always, hearing his “See you later”. 

 

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School Days

It’s one of those days again. I am just happy and feel  so proud that our little Nate has maintained his grades this third grading period.

Nissa just forwarded to me photos of his report card and awards.  He needs though to exercise self-control. He is just so active and talkative in class.  He always initiates conversations Even when we are at the mall, he says hi to people he meets in the stores.

I read somewhere in a research that a child’s intelligence takes after the mom. Is this true? Nissa was a consistent honors student  from kindergarten to college. she graduated Magna Cum Laude.  

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Happy 5th Birthday Nate

Can’t pass this up without greeting you on your 5th birthday.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE! Can’t believe it, you’re now five years old. I remember the early days, us making memories. I remember the times you were just learning to walk and to talk legibly. I remember your stories that always start with “One day…..” I remember those moments we laughed together while playing with your toys here.

May you grow to be strong, smart, healthy and loving and may you continue to possess that innocence so endearing to see in a lovable child that you are. And I wish you all the precious things that a loving Nonna could wish for.

You are God’s wonderful blessing to us. Happy birthday. Love you so much.

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Life As We Know It

They came over  last Saturday for us to celebrate Nissa’s birthday. I asked Nate if he wanted to take a nap.

Nate: No, Nonna I will just play.

Me: Aren’t you sleepy?

Nate: No (shaking his head).

After a while he asked: Do you have other toys for me? (He was looking at the big plastic bag where his other toys were kept).

Me: Let us just read, okay?

He got his books down from the shelf and leafed through a story book. He could not read sentences yet but I heard his voice. He was inventing a story. It was just like when he would sing and just string the lyrics on his own.

Priceless moments spent with Nate ♥

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