The Parenting Diaries

Pristine celebrated her 5th birthday at school last Thursday. At first, I was hesitant to have that small party in her class because her real birthday is not until the 23rd. But they have this tradition to have their birthdays in school and she’s already aware that she turns a year older every December so I had no choice. Kids look forward to their birthdays and it’s not like we need to splurge to have that little party in her classroom.

I bought a cake, cooked spaghetti, brought drinks for the children and that was it. Then throw in a small toy and some sweets in the small gift bag and they were happy and smiling.

We chose a doll cake this year but didn’t tell her.

She was really delighted with our surprise. It wasn’t that expensive too.

It was so amusing to see little kids get overjoyed over the little things in life. Birthdays, cakes, balloons…oh to be a child once again!

Their teacher had to tell them that today is Pristine’s birthday and that she has to blow the candles on her cake. It turned out that every birthday celebration, when it’s time to blow the candles, all of the kids blow leaving the birthday girl or boy crying or angry.

Everybody said yes, they agreed that only Pristine should blow her candles but guess what? Everyone broke their promise and blew! Nevertheless, it was a great small party. I brought home almost half of the cake because the kids weren’t able to finish it (there are only 16 of them) and their teacher don’t want me to leave the cake there.

Speaking of cakes, next week when she reallyturns 5 on the 23rd, we’ll have cake again at home.I always thought if only I prolonged my labor 24 hours more, we would have saved a lot in the coming years. We usually celebrate Christmas on the night of December 24 but Pristine’s birthday is a day before that so we have a celebration on two consecutive days. Every year we have cake leftovers for Christmas!

The babe had a blast on her birthday. Straight from the office last night, we hurried home to find three kids seriously having loads of fun!

~ the girls blowing balloons; Shawn said he’s a bunny; I am amazed at how simple it is to make kids happy~

My aunt’s ward, two other kiddies from Australia (now living in Dubai) came, brought gift of toys and girly things like a cute bag, a stuffed toy and lots of hair clips.

Pristine and her friend in the picture, Alani were inseparable.

~ Pristine (4) and Alani (7). They get along really well! ~

A friend of mine came with a toy castle with lots of miniature princes and princesses on it. Lots of toys in a day than what she can have for a year! But then she does not have that much penchant for toys (except for bikes, obviously!).

Our gift for her was a bike, a book, an origami kit and a Little Mermaid DVD.

When the guests went, we are in bed reading the book for more than 5 times and singing Ariel’s song. The other toys are neatly tucked, the princess castle is standing still beside our tree, almost untouched. I guess at the end of the day, all the babe wanted was some company (us and her kid friends). Oh, and the bicycle, too!

Four years ago today, at exactly 4:36 a.m., my life changed; I became a mom! Four years. Wow, where did the all the time go?

Since I really had an overwhelming labor, I thought it was the ultimate challenge to become a parent and I survived. Truth is, it was just the start. My life has never been the same since I brought our little bundle of joy from the hospital one cold winter not too long ago. From then on, everyday was a challenge on its own. 

But although parenting comes with sleepless nights, some heart racing moments and the worries when babies get sick, the joys of being told “I love you, mama” , the wet sweet kisses and warm fuzzy hugs everyday makes being a mom my favorite role in life.

Happy 4th Birthday, my sweet and thank you for making it easy for me to slide into parenthood with the little skills I have. I know you can’t read yet but some day when you can, I want you to know that I love you more than anything and anyone in the world! I live for you!

Who knew someone this small could influence me so greatly?

Yesterday, the babe supposedlyturned 4 in school. Her real birthday is on the 23rd but since school is closing today, the 17th, she celebrated her birthday at school yesterday. I planned to buy a themed cake but since she kept on changing her mind, we settled for a much simpler design and a small one - - the teacher said, it’s ok as kids don’t eat cakes that much, they are much more excited with the loot bags.

There was no fuss about the Barbie cake, she was too busy minding the four brightly lit candles than bothering about the cake design, nor the taste, which was absolutely heavenly - -  much to my surprise since I have tasted so many dry and bland cakes here in Dubai.

~The babe with her classmates and her teacher, Miss Kaelynne~

The kids sang a happy birthday and the birthday girl blew the candles. It took her less than 10 seconds to blow them all. She is indeed a big girl now.