Benedict's First Stage Performance :)

Benedict’s first time ever to go onstage himself!

This is the Christmas show the kids from Smart Start Academy had labored as a tribute to their parents…All of 2 weeks of practice had paid off. Each one is a star in his own right.

I was actually not quite optimistic that my dear Benedict will cooperate as he had been simply running around during their final practice in the morning. He was more interested with the yellow flower balloon he was holding. And I just let him be. Subtly psyching him up to perform by promising him a small wind-up Percy train to add to his collection, and another Percy train, this time a big one to match his Thomas & the James train he got from yesterday’s Christmas party…that is, if he will recite, sing & dance…Hahaha J Talk about bribery!

He was whining during the morning practice though L much to his Daddy’s dismay. Marlon even suggested that we skip the program in the afternoon altogether, convinced that Benedict is just too young & not up to it. I was able to convince him though that it will still be a good exposure for the little boy even if he wont actually be up to perform at all. He let me win!

During practice…

with cuties Ysa (left pic) and little Ericka (right pic), his classmates!

So at 3:30pm, we are headed to the Activity Area of SM, where most of Benedict’s schoolmates & their family are gathered already.

Their first task is to stay put for the prayers and to stand still for the National Anthem. Given that the kids age range from 1 1/2 – 6 year olds, it is a tall order to just make them stand. J

Dressed as an elf for a play…

I have to contend myself to watch in the sidelines while his nanny & the driver helped him get dressed. I cant go near him lest he start whining.

Making chika with an older kid from nursery…

He is part of a Christmas play where a kangaroo is crying looking for his Mommy, when Santa Claus came by (along with his little elves) to cheer him up. And a few other kangaroos came too. In the end, the young kangaroo was reunited with his mom.

I guess it was the right thing to left him under the teachers care & Yaya’s supervision…here’s a few shots of my grinning imp.

Benedict’s part is so tiny. And he merely have to follow Santa, along with his other classmates in elf costume. But my heart swelled with pride and my eyes got watery when I saw him onstage. Hahaha

J

Backstage shot of the gremlin, oppps…elf diay, hehe

A pose with his fave Teacher Christie,

who’s amazing power to psych up the toddlers to give charming performances simply amazes me!

He is part of a chorale serenading us with the Christmas Alphabet, Jingle Bell Rock and a few more jolly Christmas carols.

They are now dressed in adorable Santa Claus costume.

Another part he is supposed to do is to recite the ABCs of Christmas. He didn’t actually get around to reciting it. I am contented that he was sitting down on his chair and he came up to the microphone when his Teachers (Loudette & Christie) called him up.

In reality, he was good at practice, hehe…and that’s good enough for me. His line goes like this:

“G is for greetings

A merry ‘hello’

With a heart full of love

For people we know

And for the finale, the kids all went onstage again this time singing & dancing to the tunes of 12 days of Christmas and a few other cool modern dances.

There are so many joys only mommy-hood can bring!

I am sure the rest of the parents were as proud as we had been. It may not be much of a performance from our little elf and miniature Santa Claus, but we are sooo proud and happy just seeing him onstage. Hahaha

Thanks too to my ever-supportive SIL, Ate Dulce and her hubby, Kuya Edwin…who took time off his uber busy schedule just to watch their nephew stand on stage. J

Merry, merry Christmas to all!

Benedict watched Barney Live!

Amongst our very much anticipated holiday event this year, is the coming of Barney (the ever fave mascot of every kid!) to CDO. It’s the first time an event like this for the kids is happening in this provincial city of ours. And we are just quite lucky that Benedict can enjoy this kind of fun na. J

We actually watched the show with most of his classmates from Smart Start-Toddler class, as well as a few older kids from the Nursery. Am sure everyone had a blast! Who can resist Barney? Haaay, absolutely a star to the kids! J

Our platinum tickets… we had the front row seats (Seats A 18-20)

All thanks to Kerby!

This is the seat plan…

And boy! It was jam-packed…at least in the platinum arena but I think most of the free seating didn’t get filled L I just wish the organizers raised enough to merit a repeat or the production of another one such as Diego or Mickey Mouse shows, hehe..

A pose with Dad & Mom first before we head to the venue

Show time is set at 6:30pm. We anticipated a heavy traffic though so we left at about 5:30pm. When we got there, the Atrium is filled with excited kids eagerly lining up.

But since we got the platinum seats, there’s no need for us to do so.

We opted to wait at a nearby café, where Benedict eagerly ordered a cookie. He seems to comprehend the idea of dining out now. He would also “order” whatever food coes to mind…hahaha J. Even looking for a lechon at a chicken-inasal resto, to the amusement of the owner.

Looks yummy! “There’s no utensils…Can I use my hands mom?”

“or should I eat it this way?” hahaha

Benedict…on stage! J

We were really early thus we had time to take lots of pics. And the stage is very much accessible from our seats.

Finally! The time has come for Barney and friends to charm the kids…

And so charmed is my Benedict! J He hardly can take his eyes off the mascots.

All in all it was quite a worthwhile experience. Especially if we take into consideration that it was very much “risky” since the bomb explosion in Iligan happened just a day before. We almost went home before the show even started for fear of possible bombing as we were advised that the latest news had identified the next target to be malls in CDO. Que horror!

Most parents commented that the 45-minute show was too short. And it was indeed! The much-loved Barney music had all been finished too soon. L But come to think of it, the little ones do have short attention span. And having all of Barney & friends on stage is quite a sensory overload to most kids.

My Benedict himself had so much fun dancing with other kids right in front of the stage that the following morning, (actually more like at crack of dawn) just as he was opening his eyes, he was already mumbling…looking for his Barney stuffed toys. Hahaha J

I wish there will be a repeat of this soon!

Christmas Party at Smart Start Academy

December 18

his first school Christmas Party!

photo op before heading to their school…

we actually wore the matching hot mom shirts by Tine of Bragbangles (http://bragbangles.multiply.com)

they had their share of games and story-telling, but mostly time was spent doing last-minute practice for their school show the following day…and towards the end of the program, we, parents were asked to join them for the opening of the gifts.

As expected it was a riot with all 20+ kids gathered around excitedly ripping off the wrappers on their Christmas presents. J

My Benedict is happy to get is James train, but also negotiated to share it with class mate Mavi so he can also get his hands on Mavi’s present. Hahaha

He also has a surprise present for me!

When I asked him if he did it himself, he was honest enough to say that Teacher Loudette helped him but he painted it daw.

Awww, my heart melted!

It is such a joy to see the little ones enjoying the holiday season!

...and we just turned 3!

Celebrated blissful 3 years of married bliss last Wednesday, December 17, 2008.

It’s amazing how time flies…

I still can’t believe that on this particular day 3 years ago, I walked down the aisle in my dream fairytale-themed wedding and married my bestfriend and confidante. And although most well-intentioned friends and family members cautioned me that the fairytale wedding is nothing but just that, I still believe that my ever after is as good as it can get.

I am still as smitten and head-over-heels in love as I had been…gosh, it makes me blush writing this down, haha! (how high-school!...except that I never had a bf in hs, hahaha)

and baby makes three!

(we hope & pray to have an additional member soon ^_^)

our special guests…family and friends who were a witness to our wedding vows J

seems like the little boy has his own special guest too…cousin Gwen!

our simple but sumptuous cake by Carol of Cake Studio…

he seems to think it’s his birthday, hehe…

he is actually looking for a candle to blow J

more pics here

Benedict in December issue of Baby magz :D

Yey! Benedict again graced the covers of glossy print Baby Magazine. Although this particular magazine rarely reach CDO, I am kept updated by the theme each month via the Certified Stagemom group (thanks sisses!).

This Santa outfit was last year’s pa. I am yet to receive his Santa outfit for this year. It’s part of their costume for their Christmas show.

Here’s the original pic…

the magazine cover…

the page where Benedict is featured J

I am just so happy and proud that my little one is again in the glossy pages. This surely sets the mood for a merry holiday season again. Haaay, it’s really so much more exciting to celebrate the season with a kid around.

Merry Christmas to all!