My Son's Farewell To Preschool

My little prince's last day in preschool

One of the greatest joys in a woman's life is motherhood. Nowadays, where world promotes self indulgence and self-gratification, I would say that motherhood and good parenting are a highest form of unselfishness and unconditional love.

The moment that I became a mother, I said to myself, I am also going to become a great mother. As I watch my son grown, how he became a happy and an "always curious" child, I would say that I am doing well too my part as a first time mother. It is a happy thing to see our children's milestone. It is like, we cannot stop them from growing, to take their own steps into the real world, and eventually to follow their own dreams.

I would like to share with you through this blog the joy that I had felt when my son said farewell to preschool. The simple farewell party that me and his teachers prepared for him. My husband was on his working trip in Poland when we have this small party so he was not able to join us.
About two weeks from now, summer vacation is done, and my son will start in basis school or the elementary school. If there are special things in my life that I am very grateful with, I surely count on in my joys of being a mother to my son.

Stadsgehoorzal Vlaardingen, History And Theater

The musical stage play of Pip and Pim

Me and my son in front of the Stadsgehoorzal

The legendary Fieperdepiep Double Decker Bus

In 1817 the Harmonie (The Little Room) settled in the already existing film theater 'Het Zeepaard' on the Schiedamseweg in Vlaardingen. In the halls, a gentlemen's society regularly meets for formal and informal meetings. In the garden of the Harmony there are garden parties in the summer and there is a stage show in the hall. This is now the Stadgehoorzal in Vlaardingen. The story continues...

In 1952, the city auditorium designed by Sybold of Ravesteyn opens its doors. The Stadshoorzaal becomes the heart of Vlaardingen in the field of theater. Until the 1990s, the building remained virtually the same for a few minor adjustments. It was only in 1992 that the theater was transformed into theater and in 1998 the theater café made a thorough refurbishment. In the years that follow, there are various discussions about what to do with the aging building. The building designed by Sybold of Ravesteyn no longer meets the fire safety regulations. Several questions are raised: Should the building be thoroughly refurbished, or will it be demolished and will the Vlaardingen Theater be located elsewhere in Vlaardingen? Ultimately, B & W chooses a thorough refurbishment. From 2005 to 2007, the Stadshoorzaal closes its doors for a complete renovation of both the exterior of the building and the interior. On September 12th 2007 the festive opening of the new theater takes place, where it retains its old name: Stadsgehoorzaal Vlaardingen.

The Stadsgehoorzal  Vlaardingen is more than just a theater. The Stadsgehoorzal  characterizes itself as the theater before, by and with the Vlaardingers. Before the renovation, the theater was also called 'The living room of Vlaardingen'. The Stadsgehoorzal  still wants to keep the local people, but also tries to reach out the people through the use of various marketing campaigns. The Stadsgehoorzal  devotes great attention to the big artists, but also less famous artists are given a chance at the theater. The organization tries to give new talent a chance by including them in the program. The program of the Stadsgehoorzal is versatile. There are performances in the area of ​​cabaret, miniature art, dance, theater, show, and  musical. In addition to all the shows that can be seen, the different rooms in the Stadsgehoorzal  can also be rented. Before the renovation there were three important areas in the Stadsgehoorzal , the Grote Zaal, the Kleine Zaal and the Theatercafé. After the renovation, three extra special spaces have been added. There is a VIP Lounge, a Glaze Foyer and a Foyer. All these spaces can be used for meetings, courses, receptions or lectures.

My first visit at Staadsgehoorzal was when I accompanied my son to their educational day watching the musical play Pip and Pim, as well as the Fieperdepiep Festival. The highlight was our free ride in the 100 years old double decker red bus "Fieperdepiep Bus" that for my son was something unforgettable. I am sharing this experience through some of our photos.

Playing space at the Theater Cafe

The corner for those children who like to show their art work.

Mother and son, at the top of the double decker bus. A short city tour.

My son never neglect our bus ticket :)

My son still remember this experience of riding in a double decker bus.

My Preschooler's Costume Party

It was a fun-filled day at school. The preschoolers had their costume party this morning. Yesterday, I went out to look for a nice costume for my son. The cowboy costume that my sister in law sent for my son is too big for him. And the teachers told me to prepare something that looks good too for Burt. I am happy because I found a good costume for him. I thought it is an astronaut costume but, it was actually a knight costume. At 11:15 this morning, the school was opened for the mothers of the preschooler. It was fun, the preschooler were so cute with their costume, but when my son entered the room for their like a ramp-modeling session, he was not wearing the costume that I bought. The teachers told me that my son do not like to wear it, he don't like them to change his clothes and he was crying! So they let him to just wear his school clothes. He looks different from the other children who are wearing their costume. I am still happy because he was full of joy when he saw me sitting next with other mothers with my big camera. When his teachers asked him if he likes to sit with other children or with me, he answered: with mama. Motherhood is hard but has joys and challenges. Everyday, my son brings to me a happiness without measure with a riot of colors.

A December's Mother's Day With The Preschoolers

As much as possible, I like to remain with my blog theme. To share my life as a Dutchy wife my day to day endeavor that I found inspiring. On internet where stories and social networking compose most of the time of satiric notes, ridicule, and sarcasm, I made my stand to remain in my peaceful self, even in my blog.

Among my topics, I always love to write about my life as a mother, I love motherhood. Yesterday, I attended a special gathering with other mothers at my son's school. It was nice to meet other mothers and we made art works together with our children. After that, the teachers served cookies, chocolates, coffee, and tea.
When the teachers gave us the art materials, my mind was so fast to think what I am going to create... A big smile on a paper plate. My son and I made it together, even he put a lot of glue in the paper plate  hahahah and want to pour a one container of glitters on it hahaha! I am glad that my son loves school. Every day, to go to school is something he always looks forward to.
The Turkish girl that sits next to me was so sweet. She likes to work with me than with her mother. She was grinning when I gave her art materials to her mother. She even likes it when I made a selfie with her and was all smiling when I showed to her our photo in my phone.  It was a fun filled one hour in school.
In the afternoon, while my son was sleeping, I watched the movie Mother's Day on HBO. A matching conclusion after a beautiful morning in school.

My Preschooler's Closing Time

Burt's class picture

My son's first year in preschool has finished today. Another milestone. Teachers, mothers, and the preschoolers spent the day celebrating. On my part, I am happy to see that Burt is growing beautifully, at the same time, this day is nostalgic.

with his papa on first day in school, I was in the Philippines to be with my very sick father.

sunny, rainy, stormy, always present in school

Burt with my parents

This day brings me back to my elementary days, together with my only sister who is a year ahead of me. When it is closing time, that is the time for papa and mama's great treat for us because we were both an honor pupil. Not bragging, but almost everyone anticipating the end of the school year because they want to know if we remain on our class standing.
I and my sister got the highest class honor during our elementary days in Bicol. When we moved in Manila, I was not allowed to be included in the highest section because I am a transfer. Even in our section, many eyebrows raised when I got the highest honor.

Burt's first two weeks in school, I was so faraway

my last photo with my sister

Every closing in school, papa and mama buy us new clothes and new shoes that we are going to wear when we go on the stage to be awarded. After the ceremony, papa and mama prepared a party at home where our teachers and classmates were invited. We are not rich, but papa and mama value our effort to study hard.
How time flies. I am no longer that girl. I am now a mother of a preschooler. My son started in preschool here in The Netherlands as soon as he turned two years old. He loves school. Every day, he remembers going school. After we eat breakfast, he will tell me: "mama, school."

today, school's celebration

all mothers brought homemade, I just brought this cake

from festive mommies

Dutch summer vacation starts on July 11 until August 19. Most families will take this vacation to go somewhere to enjoy. I do not know yet what is my plan. I am torn between staying at home or visiting my friend in Denmark.
Burt's first year in preschool was an exciting time for me. I cannot escape the reality that my son is growing and helping him adapt well outside, to mingle, and to learn new things. I have learned too that motherhood includes the heart that is letting go. Yes, we cannot keep our child with us forever. All we can do is to teach them the fundamentals and values. So when they reach the adult life, they have options in life and will not say: I am doing this, because this is the only option. Till next school year!

Me And My Preschooler

The sign of great parenting is not the child's behavior. The sign of truly great parenting is the parent's behavior.

How times flies. Summertime is gone and the beautiful Dutch autumn now starts. The temperature goes down and we are at once experiencing the cold months. I am counting the days and we are going to have again our simple wedding anniversary about two months from now. But I am setting that aside for my sweet story later on. We just arrived from school where my son is now a preschooler. In this ever changing world, the happiest days of mine as a mother of my preschool is something that I love to treasure forever.

Father and son on first day to  school.

Burt has turned two years old last August 29. I was in the Philippines that time and was staying in the hospital to give my family my moral support as our beloved father was in a bad condition. Burt's first day in school was September 2. My husband took the day off so he can bring our son in school. I cried when he shows me their photos together going into school. I know my son is in the best hands when I was away, but I am a kind of sentimental. How I wish I was with him on his  first day in school. When I was back home, I was excited to see how my son doing in school. Perhaps because I have been away from him for two weeks, he found no delight in school for a while. He was crying even just the sight of his school when I took him there. After two times of sending Burt to school with his cry-cry, he began to feel secure and confident again that I will not going to leave him very long, and when I leave him, he has learned that I will come back. Having a preschooler is an exciting life, both for the child and for the parents.

My son's teacher gave it to me, his art work.

Every time that I go to school, I feel the greatness to be called as a mother of my child. It is a title that no one can take or can replace. I am thankful for the joy of motherhood. When I get into the classroom, my childlike heart beats again. The ambiance, the smell of the children bringing me back on those days when I was a small girl who loves schooling. I watch how other mothers deal with their child in school. To deal well in "separation anxiety". One of the mothers put the crown to her daughter to stop her from crying. Another mother sniffing the butt of her son like a dog because her son poo. Many heartwarming scenes when you try to come to a preschooler room. I am glad that my son is adapting well. When he enters the classroom, what his eyes finding first is the tractor. When he already has it, then I leave and will return and  pick him up after nearly three hours.

Tuesdays afternoon with co-mommies.

I have posted sometime in my Facebook that I am an imperfect mother to my preschooler. There was the time that I took my son to school without his shoes. A time that I forgot to leave my son's coat, when I pick him up, he was wearing a used vest that his teacher lets him use for a while. Another time that I was going crazy finding his bag, his bag that I unintentionally left in school. I would say that I am an imperfect mother to my preschool, but with a pure and perfect love for him. My son makes me and his father proud of him by showing many potentials. He loves cars, he loves arts, he loves books, he loves to sing, he loves food, and he loves us.

Even just now, we see his potentials.

A boy with an easy smile to everyone. My journey of being a mother has just begun. Every Tuesday afternoon I meet with other mothers to talk about motherhood and the needs of our children. Here in the Netherlands, child care is almost everything guided in black and white. One of the staff at the child care center here in our town told me that sometimes she doesn't like it, sometimes she feels it is too much.

As for me, those child care advice and help are something to be appreciated, they came from well-meaning people by profession. But it is the parents who know well what is the best for their child because that is their child. Child care professionals gathered knowledge through book study and observation. But parents know their child by heart and blood and by their time of being together.

The love between me and my husband is like a cake, sweet. Now that we have our son, he is the icing on our cake.

I have the special role now to lead my son to enjoy his time in school and after school. My husband is a good provider and always busy at work, out of the town or out of the country. I am happy of his confidence to me in taking care of our son. As what I already wrote: having my own family I feel I already hit the moon and the stars... I feel completely happy. Before, it was only between me and my husband and our love is like a cake, sweet. Now that we have our son, our son is the icing on our cake.