Back-to-School Soon

While most schools will be starting school today or have started school last week, Nadine and Raya have yet a week of vacation because their school postponed classes for another week. Nope, it’s not because of the swine flu virus (Thank God!) but their school is finishing the 2^nd floor of their building.

Well, that means another week of thinking of stuff to do for the girls. I think we’ve thought of every activity in the book already and the girls are just sooo ready for school. But there’s nothing we can really do about it, I guess, but make the most of vacation time.

I involved both of them in buying their schoolbooks and school supplies. If you have kids, I’m sure you can imagine their joy in choosing their notebooks and even the smallest erasers for their school stuff; and after buying them, their delight in arranging them carefully inside their bags. My happiness lies in carefully labeling their books and notebooks and wrapping them one by one in plastic wrapper. I don’t know why but there seems to be some relaxing or therapeutic thing that causes me to just enjoy this activity.

My girls are looking forward to seeing their friends again, exchanging stories and hanging out. I’m eager to have some routine back into our lives too. Don’t get me wrong, I love having the girls at home and spending time with them. But I also look forward to some “me” time for me. Well, I guess not exactly since I still have my 21 month old with me. But since she still naps, I’m hoping I can squeeze in a few minutes for myself.

Going back to school is no joke for the wallet. I think there are more and more stuff to buy every year, especially as the year level goes higher. And to think that a lot of these things weren’t even used! Some things we recycled from last year like rulers and scissors etc. A lot of stuff we donated to the school’s giveaway program including unused notebooks and hardly used books. But still we kept some schoolbooks that would help in review for the coming year.

Speaking of review, while browsing through Booksale in SM (Yes! Our favorite store!) I found some workbooks that would be helpful for the coming year. Most of them are for the lower grades though especially Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten workbooks. I found one or two for Grades 3 and 1. Although Nadine and Raya are only in Grade 2 and Senior Kinder respectively, these US workbooks usually cater for the higher level. Besides, it would be nice to challenge them a little too.

What about the little Alyssa? Well, while the big sisters do their studying, she can practice her motor skills by coloring and drawing in her own papers. She has always been a little gaya gaya and would copy everything her sisters would do. Oh, we bought her a shape sorter toy that can help her in her motor development and shape identification. She’s ready for school too --- home school, that is. I can imagine the expenses when all three girls are of school age already. Well, I don’t want to think about it just yet.

So what do we do for the remaining vacation days? Hmmm… will have to think of other activities and just enjoy each other’s company.