She's in Grade One!

Einschulung, the first day of school for first graders.

A major event much awaited not only by the future grade one pupils; but of the whole family as well. It is a tradition in Germany to celebrate this day in grand style.

The preparation is not only done academically, but also in a real style. In IC's school -- a few months before the end of their pre-schooler term; moms and dads and siblings, too -- gathered after school to create the special Schultüte or the school cone.

With a pot luck snack giving us more energy and keeping the kids a little busy; everybody started crafting the specially designed school cone. IC wanted something girly and pink, of course! Next thing would be the surprise goodies that would go inside the cone.

Other preparation highlights during the school break, IC was the one who pushed for all of these things:
- she started with intensive reading. She said she wanted to learn how to read already so she would always ask us to read for her more than once a day.
- she started, together with her sister, writing letters for the whole family, almost nightly
- together with her sister, she would sit down with some Math problems; we even started with those flash cards
- she wants to know more about the planets, the world, etc.

She was so concentrated on learning more; that in most cases, we would be the one asking her to take a break or to play!

Of course, my little fashionista would not forget to prepare for:
- her first day of school attire. It took us hours to find her the right set of clothes and the coolest pair of shoes
- her Schultasche or her school bag set. Which was a gift from her grandpa in Germany, good thing it came on time :D
- she always reminded us not to forget her surprises in the cones and proceeded to tick her list :D

She was so concentrated on ticking down her list that it would almost always bring her to frenzy, but hey, it is only once that you get to enjoy the Einschulung, right?

So on the day of the Einschulung, she was up early; she dressed up with her new clothes and shoes; she carried her new school bag; and as nonchalantly as possible, greeted her classmates (who are all bursting with excitement) who are already gathered inside the auditorium for the first graders' Einschulung welcome
 party.

Family, relatives are invited. The first graders were the VIP guests, and they were all so proud they couldnt barely sit still; most especially when their names were called to receive their most awaited Schultüte. And when they were asked to join their respective teachers in their classrooms -- it was chaos because the parents and grandparents just cant get enough photos! Good thing the kids took it all in stride, after all, they are now in Grade One!

Cool!

September 17, 2010
Manila

A Loose Tooth and Not A Lie

IC wants to let her grandfather know that she's got a loose tooth.


This is her first loose tooth which she actually tried to keep a secret for a whole week because her older sister just had a visit with the dentist where teeth extraction was done. IC was afraid she would need to go to the dentist to have her loose tooth extracted :D
But when the excitement was too much, she proudly announced it to us during breakfast. And she wanted the whole world to know -- showing off her loose tooth to everyone who cares (and those who doesnt care included).

Therefore, a must is a call to her grandfather in Germany.
And it goes: 'Opa, I've got a loose tooth,' she said.

Opa, who already uses a hearing aid; took sometime before realizing that it was IC who was calling. By the time he understood what was being shared, IC had passed the phone to her big sister, MC. And I have already turned on the phone's speaker.

Opa asked MC when we would come to visit him in Germany. MC replied, maybe this Christmas. Which Opa understood to be 'this Sunday.'

'Are you coming this Sunday?' he said. MC doesnt know what to say and just repeated 'Maybe this Christmas.' Which the Opa didnt understand as he kept on repeating, 'This Sunday.'

Before MC could explain again, the line got disconnected.

Actually, MC was in a dilemma; which she admitted to her little sister. She doesnt want to disagree on what Opa perceived her heard, as she doesnt want him to be sad.

But IC's voiced out opinion seemed to have decided everything when IC said, 'It is a good thing you didnt say yes, or else, that would be a lie.'

How do you best deal with family misunderstandings?

By talking about it.

By listening.

By listening to the silence that would follow.

By listening to your your heart.

By feeling and sending love, love, love.

By feeling and sending more love, more love, more love especially when there is distance.

Accept. There is anger, there is hurt, there is misunderstanding, there is understanding.

And always, there is love. Talk about love. Listen to love. Feel love. Accept love.

For love conquers all, including family misunderstandings.

With you, with papa, with my sister

It is the 'ber' month in the Philippines.

September signals the start of the Christmas season preparations. Actually, there were already early Christmas season sale in some of the bigger warehouse stores last August!

MC was telling some friends that she is looking forward to spending the Christmas season in Germany. I told IC about it and asked her, 'Mein Schatz, do you want to spend Christmas with the Opa in Germany or with your grandparents here in the Philippines?

She responded with urgency, 'Mama, I would like to spend Christmas with you, with papa and with my sister! Where we go doesnt matter at all as long as we are together.'

IC was thinking she would be spending the Christmas alone with either Opa or with her maternal grandparents! I hugged her and assured her that we would be spending Christmas together, as always.