Smart Kids Asia 2015

On Sunday, we went to Mall of Asia SMX Center to see the Smart Kids Asia Exhibit where there were lots of activities, books, games and foods. I went to National bookstore and read a few books there. I read about Ninjago.

Then we went to the Space Science area. We played airplane and helicopter flying. Then, we went to the food zone where Jollibee, Potato Corner, Chip Delight and more food stores were located.

Aim joined the Taekwando karate kick to see how high the kids can kick and how to kick the ballon and pop it. There was even an educational zone like Vibal, CMA, Kidzoona and more.

We have lots of fun during our family time. 

Lego Building Competition

On Saturday, we went to Shangri-la for the Lego Building competition.

During their promo called “Toy Mania”, it was full of many toys like Lego, Hexbug, Tomica, Tobot and Uno. It was a 4-day promo.

I joined Lego because that’s my favorite toy. And I’m not the only one who likes Lego. My younger brother, my friends and all the participants like Lego, too. My new friends name were Pablo and Jack. There were around 20 participants for toddlers (4 to 6 years old) and around 30 participants for kids (7 to 12 years old) . We built lots of Lego things before the competition for our practice.

Then after a few minutes, the competition started. First was the toddlers' turn. Their category was to build ”a house”. My brother Aim built a house with a tree. He forgot the other parts that he needed to build such as door and roof but he added a mailbox. Then they announced the winners. A 4 year-old girl won first place and Aim was the second place! He won a Lego Bionicle poster and a certificate.

Next was for me and the other participants. Our category challenge was “What will you give to your parents as a gift?”. I built a graduation hat and a pencil. The others built a cup, a clock, a gift box, a golden watch and a heart. The kid who built a clock was in second place. I was very happy and excited when they announced that I won first place. I won a Php 3,000 worth of Lego sets and also a certificate.

I am very thankful.

Metro-Wide Shake Drill 2015

On Thursday, we went downstairs to watch the earthquake drill. An earthquake drill is an emergency activity to learn to be safe. The working adults, young students and teachers were involved in the shake drill (another name for earthquake drill).

We also joined the drill and practiced what we need to survive like preparing “go bag” with first aid, food, water, whistle, flashlight and wearing helmet which are the important things to survive during earthquake. Our family also pretended our house got hit by an earthquake.

There are three things to do during earthquake – duck, cover and hold. Shake drill is important so you can survive in an earthquake.

A Visit to the Fire and Police Station

On Wednesday, we went to the Eastwood fire and police stations to join some CFA preschool student (well, actually I’m in grade 6) in learning about fire safety and police protection.

First, we watched fire safety rules like “stop, drop and roll” when you’re on fire, two ways of getting out of the house, “fall and crawl” so you won’t smell the smoke, and not playing with matches or lighter. Next they show the complete fire suit, like fire boots, fire pants, fire coat or jacket, face-mask with oxygen tank, helmet and axe.

Then they taught us how to slide down the pole and how to put out the fire with a fire hose. To slide down, you need to hold the pole and cross your legs and slide slowly. Next in order to put out the fire with a water hose, you need to hold the nozzle and target the fire before pulling the lever.

My brother Aim enjoyed the toys inside the fire station and the suit and helmet.

Finally, at the police station, we went to the women and children’s office, to the camera room for the police to watch if any prisoner escapes and to the prison cells. There were two prison cells. The first is for men and the other is for women.

We had so much fun and learned much.

Residence Inn Zoo

On Saturday, we went to the Residence Inn Zoo (http://www.zoomanity.com.ph/residence-inn) in Tagaytay our vacation for our short holiday break.

Inside the zoo, there were so many animals like furry white horses, feathery blue parrots, a two-humped brown camel, orange and black striped tigers, hairy brown lions, sticky green iguanas, furry brown monkeys, big fat python snakes, sneaky black spiders, colorful fishes and fat black pigs. There were even fun activities like horse-back ride, zip line, animal and magic shows, playground, biking, animal picture taking, bird feeding and 5-D cinema ride.

There were a couple of rooms to stay overnight with nice view. We spend one night in the zoo. Then, we explored the zoo and did things that are available. Kuya Jc also enjoyed the zoo. Me and my cousin has lots of fun there and so did our parents.  

Just The Way You Are

As the new school year starts with the spiritually uplifting and grace-filled Holy Mass for the CFA Anointing Day yesterday, our family looks forward to another challenging weeks ahead of us. And so we offer our family prayer to our Life Teacher above as our kuya Zeke embarks on his Grade 6 journey and as we welcome our Aim into the introductory play-learning of a four year old toddler.

Surely, a lot of our home-schooling parents can relate to us when we say that being a full-time parent-teacher can really stretch one's patient to the thinnest limit. As my Star-Wars fanatic son would often feels that we are pulled into the vortex of the dark force whenever the quarterly tests are coming, I, inadvertently, becomes Darth Vader and my son, well, he would retreat to all the corners of our house as he transforms to E. Vader (yes, evading me all the time and with all the chance he can get). 

So why do we keep on home-schooling our son? Well, the officiating priest beautifully put it this way - home schooling is about relationship, it is about life-lessons and it is about loving our children. It is about fulfilling our parental mission to bring up God-loving children, responsible future citizens and purpose-driven individual. 

With the Father's endless grace, Jesus' unconditional love and the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction, we remain optimistic and positive that we will be, once again, fine this school year. 

OK, let the fun begins.

- daddy rowin

For this year's family theme, we are borrowing the Chorus from one of the famous songs of our good friend (wink) Bruno Mars and twitched its lyrics a little to fit our goal.

When we see your grades

There always something we can do

Coz you're amazing,

Just the way you are

And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for a while

Coz you're amazing

Grade Six at CFA.

Hanging Out With The Heroes

It was a night of fun hanging out with our movie heroes.

National Museum

On Wednesday,  May 27, we went to Manila where we found National Museum. 

First, we put our stuffs in the package area and went inside the museum. I saw lots of arts like the Virgin Mary, mother dog’s revenge, a handmade city and more. The learning zone is about 1 to 3 floors. I took lots of pictures of them.

My favorite art is the very big church (Rowin: It’s the old Senate Hall). There is even a second floor that it’s like a luxurious house own by rich people. My mom’s favorite art is bamboo trees paintworks.   

My Entrep Champ Workshop

On May 16, 2015, we went to Global tower, BGC Taguig, where there was a workshop called “Little Boss”. The speaker there was Mr. Paulo Tibig, the author of the book “Strategy of Entrepreneur Champion”.

My favorite part was when we do the business planning with my group-mates. Following the six Ps - Product, Place, Promotion, Price, People and Packaging.

My dream businesses are shopping mall, making my own car company and my own airport. My favorite of them all is to have my own shopping mall.

We were all about sixty kids and I met new friends like Bettina and Mikko. My cousin JC joined too.

We learn an important DESS principle of donate, earn, save and spend. We also learn that the money that go around is like the merry go around. 

Milo Chess Summer Clinic

Day 1 - April 27 

We registered for the Milo Chess with Bono, my cousin. We brought our own chess sets, notebook and ballpen.

  

Day 2 - April 28

We learned new moves like castling, and we tried to practice that lesson during the chess games.

Day 3 - April 29 

Our teacher taught us about the stop-clock. When you make a move, they will press the button so the player’s clock will start ticking. We practiced that for tomorrow.

Day 4 - April 30

T0day is the tournament day where we challenged other players. After the games, Bono and I won a bronze medals.