The past three days were rather tiring, we forced to transfer to the new apartment (our contract ends 31st July 2010 in the previous apartment) since the Gremlin wont be having a nanny for the next three days. Our friend stays in the same new building with their baby’s nanny, and it’d be helpful if they are a door-knock away as we leave for work to entrust our Gremlin.


July’s almost over and I have June 2010 diary posts still pending. First catchup on the list is this June 2010 Gremly tweets.

Tweeting my son’s activities/ lines started when I realized at a certain point I cannot recall most of his SPECIFIC growth stages, activities and interests. I used to have a planner where I insert some notes about him, but stopped keeping past his first year.

Each day is a treasure seeing our kids grow, and what an overflowing treasure chest we'd accumulate if each day can be recalled =) For the Gremlin's dad and I, recalling our Gremlin's growing stages make us smile, feel good and realize what great blessing we have.

I wonder what other simple ways we may do to keep our diaries in this age?
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"Thank you for the milk mama and papa. It tastes much better now!" Gremlin said. Hmm, milk is still Wyeth. It isn't Pfizer milk, is it?

I always call the Gremlin Baby or Little Boy. "You say me Kalel, mama" he called my attention as I addressed him by his name.

Gremlin: "The rainbow is coming from the treasure chest!"

Gremlin: "The egg is fragile!"

My Gremlin's birthday photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=220585&id=750849552&l=64431cbc8d

Gremlin: "Can you please cheer me up?"

"Thanks uncle Dindin!" the Gremlin said.

The Gremlin at the arts room wrote his name as "KEALEL". I'm just proud since he could write although he hasnt seen school yet =) . 2010 Jun 19th

The Gremlin is so enthusiastic on the simulated plane at Kidzania, he kept saying "I can drive the airplane and land it to the airport!" 2010 Jun 19th

Since no party is to be prepared for the day, we treated the Gremlin to Kidzania as part of his birthday celebration... 2010 Jun 19th

Kalel's birthday lunch with just me and his dad is at Rain Forest Dubai Mall... 2010 Jun 19th

"Oh we forgot something, I did not blow my cake" the Gremlin said so we guided him to the hall where his 1st cake for the day is... 2010 Jun 19th

The Gremlin turns four =) He woke up of gifts, balloons and banner. He said " Thank you mama and papa for the presents"... 2010 Jun 19th

"I'm good at opening gifts" the Gremlin said of his birthday presents =) 2010 Jun 19th

We left the Gremlin in the room and headed out. Voila! he cut his bangs before his next hour scheduled barber visit =)

I came from work, saw the Gremlin lineup his reward choco-s/ goodies. Me:"You're not supposed to eat them." Gremlin: "But I'm hungry mama"

Gremlin grammar before 4 years old: " Papa, what song it is? 2010 Jun 18th

Gremlin pulls his stool to sit in front of his dad who's strumming the guitar: "You are great papa!" 2010 AM Jun 18th

In the office, it's nothing but football (world cup) while fellow Filipinos in FB either speak Lakers or Celtics and I just say "hmmm..." 2010 Jun 18th

Gremlin: " Can you please turn on the light so I can see my pupu?" 2010 Jun 16th

Gremlin while coloring Dora's face: "I dont want a dark face, I want a light color", then goes to the mirror to check his face =) 2010 Jun 16th

"Mama, I saw a little girl and I catch her!" came my Gremlin of his playtime from Dubai Outlet Mall. "Are u getting married soon?" I asked. 2010 Jun 12th

The heat outside slows down the Gremlin. He said: " Please dont walk a little faster!" 2010 Jun 12th

Gremlin: "Check your teeth mama, if it's broken you should fix it!" Oh broken word... 2010 Jun 9th

Bullying my son, he yelled "Help, help,somebody help me!" Hey baby, I thought you're my Superman, Kalel! =) 2010 Jun 7th

The un-schooled three year old Gremlin loves typing his name on MS Word, with different font colors... 2010 Jun 4th

Dark at night, he wore his sun glasses and said, "I can see very clear!" Too young to be too smart or rather to be liarly cunning? 2010 Jun 4th

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May we all have a great week ahead =)

Strictly no television and no toys for the Gremlin this time.

We used to be advocates of the television as an effective educational and play medium for our li’l boy, until last week. We used to say “thank you tv!” because it taught the li’l boy English verbal communication, considering he is only confined at home, growing up in a non-English speaking environment. His dad and I would play guess-the-tv-character he’d picked his lines from: Playhouse Disney, Jimjam, Dora =)

You see, the Gremlin had only the tv and toys as playmates, until last week when he started summer writing and reading school.

As it is, the tv has failures. It failed to teach concentration. And it kept the Gremlin hyperactive – he gets bored easily. On his first two days of school, his teacher has these to say:

1) He has short attention span
2) He tires easily at writing
3) He's still struggling on correct pencil grip
4) His voice is loud and chats a lot with his noisy seat mate

#2 was not due to his hated to writing, he actually loves scribbling and even pleads me to write with him. It was more of his fear of being told he’s doing it wrong – like writing from top to bottom, left to write and from blue line to blue line. He wants to do it his way, free-style.

#3’s pencil grip however caught up in a week’s time. It was a matter of practice and being in authority to tell him to do it right. But oh, it involved force and getting mad, and feeling guilty after - on our part.

More than reading and writing, it's #1 that concerns us most. Hence, the tv and toys ban. He should thrive in a boring learning environment.
So far, we saw that the Gremlin loses his confidence when being scolded. While he bows his head scared, we lose our patience. So I’d say teaching our Gremlin is about us making him proud of himself of what he achieves and maintaining our cool whatever it takes.

Waiting for the 7:20 am bus, for the 9:30 summer class