Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Dinner with the Broomhalls & Hortons
We are glad that we were able to invite Noel and Edward for dinner before they go back to Australia. They are visiting the Holy Land for some weeks as consultants. Mojan and Eric from the United States also joined us. We had a lovely evening and enjoyed our time with them. One thing we discovered this evening is that all three husbands (Edward, Eric and Maarten) before getting married were the bosses of their wives at work. Oh how things have changed :-)!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Laroya Baby Shower
Last Friday I organized a baby shower for our friends Canan and Arnold. It was my pleasure doing this for them. I love organizing parties and events. First we had some music and devotions, then ate delicious refreshments that friends brought for the occasion, played some fun games and last part was giving advices to the couple. We had a great time...even some friends stayed for awhile after the group photo taking, had some tea and Turkish coffee and just continued eating the leftovers. We brought home some sandwiches (potatoes and egg) that Vanysha made, cakes from Jenny and chicken salad from Mitra...all very good!
Well...All the best to Canan and Arnold as you both enter the pathway of parenthood. Enjoy motherhood Canan as it is the greatest experience ever!
yummy food
the happy couple
another pose
We played the game 'guess the mommy to be waistline ' using the toilet roll paper. Canan stood in the middle so friends can have an idea how big her belly now at 7 months...
friends listening carefully to the rules of the next game
very focused on the game "celebrity babies"
Menchie with her assistant Arnold showing the results of the game. It was a tie for both groups, 11 out of 15 points.
here's the first group
the second group
this is the 'baby unscramble' game
Canan and Arnold played 'charades' where they tried guessing some words related to babies that only friends knew as I only showed the words to them.
so much laughter
Here's Kiyoko giving advice...
Minoo...
Negeen...
our group photo
the two preggies Canan and Farzana
opening presents
thank you for all these gifts...
Well...All the best to Canan and Arnold as you both enter the pathway of parenthood. Enjoy motherhood Canan as it is the greatest experience ever!
yummy food
the happy couple
another pose
We played the game 'guess the mommy to be waistline ' using the toilet roll paper. Canan stood in the middle so friends can have an idea how big her belly now at 7 months...
friends listening carefully to the rules of the next game
very focused on the game "celebrity babies"
Menchie with her assistant Arnold showing the results of the game. It was a tie for both groups, 11 out of 15 points.
here's the first group
the second group
this is the 'baby unscramble' game
Canan and Arnold played 'charades' where they tried guessing some words related to babies that only friends knew as I only showed the words to them.
so much laughter
Here's Kiyoko giving advice...
Minoo...
Negeen...
our group photo
the two preggies Canan and Farzana
opening presents
thank you for all these gifts...
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to Lolo Max, daddy Maarten and to all the fathers out there. Since we are honouring the fathers today, I'd like to share with you an excerpt of the article I read in the Child of Our Time website about "Being a Dad". This is in relation to one of its episodes "What are Dads for?" that I recently watched together with the other moms here. So here are some of the things that fathers can share responsibilities at home and elsewhere...
The evening routine
Set aside time each night to help with everyday tasks such as homework or getting ready for school the next day. Don’t forget playtime, but do slot it into the routine.
You and your kids may enjoy rough and tumble play, but try to keep it for the start of the evening. Hyping your kids up close to bedtime will not get them in the mood for sleep. Calm activities and bathtime can provide the closeness you and your children need as well as helping prepare them for bedtime.
Active participation
You may feel a little daunted about getting involved in some of your child’s activities outside the home, such as playgroup or the parent-teacher association. There are still more women than men taking part, but this is gradually changing. Do take the plunge and get involved - whether you're a trailblazer setting up your own group or joining other parents your child will benefit by your participation.
Good behaviour
In the past, the stereotype of mum warning, “Wait till your father gets home” showed who was supposed to be responsible for discipline in a family. This way of managing children has given way to a more positive approach to parenting in which the adult present, whether mum or dad, uses warmth, encouragement and praise to get the good behaviour they want and applies any consequences for unwanted behaviour straight away.
Teaching by example
For your children, you’re the most important male role model. They will be watching and copying you to learn how to behave. When they see you behaving in a sensitive and respectful way, they'll copy and understand this is how others should be treated.
Good communication with your partner is needed to ensure each of you supports the other with a consistent approach to your children. Put aside time to discuss what you both consider is wanted and unwanted behaviour, set the ground rules you expect the whole family to follow and agree some rewards and reasonable consequences.
Setting standards for all of you will work best. For example, if your family is trying to develop good eating habits by having meals at the table, problems arise if one adult still has their meal in front of the TV.
Fathers living away
If a relationship breaks up and you end up living apart from your children, maintaining contact can be challenging and at times distressing for both you and them. The majority of children want to continue to see their father and report losing contact as the worst aspect of their parents’ separation.
To make time with your children successful for all of you, both you and their other parent will need to cooperate and communicate clearly about visits. Make concrete arrangements about when and where you’ll see your children and then stick to these plans. If you're going to be early or late let the other parent know what's happening.
You don’t need to plan expensive trips or gifts. Your children will benefit most from time with you doing everyday activities such as going to the park, doing schoolwork together, visiting the pool or playing at your home. Boredom can be a problem when children are away from their everyday environment. Ask if they can bring one or two favourite toys with them or keep some games for them to make sure they have a variety of things to do.
When picking up or dropping children off, stick to calm discussions about contact. Keep more emotional subjects or disagreements for private conversations between you and you former partner.
Whether you live with your children or not, your warm, supportive relationship promotes your child’s development.
Did you know...
Almost two-thirds of fathers are concerned about the emotional wellbeing and behaviour of their children but most don't get in touch with services to obtain the support they need. A major worry for fathers is the desire to improve family life and communication. (Parentline Plus Report 2004)
When dads spend time talking with their sons about worries, school work and social lives, their boys grow up with greater confidence and motivation.
Boys and girls whose fathers are involved in their education when they are age seven have higher educational attainment by age 20. (The Impact of Parental Involvement on Children’s Education, Department for Education and Skills 2003)
The evening routine
Set aside time each night to help with everyday tasks such as homework or getting ready for school the next day. Don’t forget playtime, but do slot it into the routine.
You and your kids may enjoy rough and tumble play, but try to keep it for the start of the evening. Hyping your kids up close to bedtime will not get them in the mood for sleep. Calm activities and bathtime can provide the closeness you and your children need as well as helping prepare them for bedtime.
Active participation
You may feel a little daunted about getting involved in some of your child’s activities outside the home, such as playgroup or the parent-teacher association. There are still more women than men taking part, but this is gradually changing. Do take the plunge and get involved - whether you're a trailblazer setting up your own group or joining other parents your child will benefit by your participation.
Good behaviour
In the past, the stereotype of mum warning, “Wait till your father gets home” showed who was supposed to be responsible for discipline in a family. This way of managing children has given way to a more positive approach to parenting in which the adult present, whether mum or dad, uses warmth, encouragement and praise to get the good behaviour they want and applies any consequences for unwanted behaviour straight away.
Teaching by example
For your children, you’re the most important male role model. They will be watching and copying you to learn how to behave. When they see you behaving in a sensitive and respectful way, they'll copy and understand this is how others should be treated.
Good communication with your partner is needed to ensure each of you supports the other with a consistent approach to your children. Put aside time to discuss what you both consider is wanted and unwanted behaviour, set the ground rules you expect the whole family to follow and agree some rewards and reasonable consequences.
Setting standards for all of you will work best. For example, if your family is trying to develop good eating habits by having meals at the table, problems arise if one adult still has their meal in front of the TV.
Fathers living away
If a relationship breaks up and you end up living apart from your children, maintaining contact can be challenging and at times distressing for both you and them. The majority of children want to continue to see their father and report losing contact as the worst aspect of their parents’ separation.
To make time with your children successful for all of you, both you and their other parent will need to cooperate and communicate clearly about visits. Make concrete arrangements about when and where you’ll see your children and then stick to these plans. If you're going to be early or late let the other parent know what's happening.
You don’t need to plan expensive trips or gifts. Your children will benefit most from time with you doing everyday activities such as going to the park, doing schoolwork together, visiting the pool or playing at your home. Boredom can be a problem when children are away from their everyday environment. Ask if they can bring one or two favourite toys with them or keep some games for them to make sure they have a variety of things to do.
When picking up or dropping children off, stick to calm discussions about contact. Keep more emotional subjects or disagreements for private conversations between you and you former partner.
Whether you live with your children or not, your warm, supportive relationship promotes your child’s development.
Did you know...
Almost two-thirds of fathers are concerned about the emotional wellbeing and behaviour of their children but most don't get in touch with services to obtain the support they need. A major worry for fathers is the desire to improve family life and communication. (Parentline Plus Report 2004)
When dads spend time talking with their sons about worries, school work and social lives, their boys grow up with greater confidence and motivation.
Boys and girls whose fathers are involved in their education when they are age seven have higher educational attainment by age 20. (The Impact of Parental Involvement on Children’s Education, Department for Education and Skills 2003)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
A story coming to work...
I hope am not yet late to my work
yay I made it on time...
hhmm...let me see who's calling...
now time to see some statistics...
let me start with the Philippines...
oops, it's breaktime, yummie apple!
what!!!...another report or shall I have another apple??
wow, I had a long day...where's my mommy now???Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Some shots from our new camera...
We recently got our new camera and so we are experimenting with it these days. With this new camera, we plan to continue our photo project that we started few years ago, we called it "ARCttractions" where we take a lot of photos of the Arc as well as some of the Holy Places and make some collages out of these photos. Hopefully we will be able to join again next year's Arts and Crafts show, an annual event at the World Centre.
Just on the first day, we already took some shots of Enna-Marie. For sure as we practice and learn how to use it better, we will post more beautiful pictures :-).
Just on the first day, we already took some shots of Enna-Marie. For sure as we practice and learn how to use it better, we will post more beautiful pictures :-).
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Turning 18 months...
Our dear Enna-Marie is turning 18 months old soon. She had lots of milestone-achievements so far, like recently she can already open our bedroom and bathroom doors at home, able to climb and sit on the dining chair so quickly, walking stairs, running fast, repeating the words she hears from mama and papa (oops watch out!), saying the names of her friends and ours and family members, and also copying some actions she sees from us like laughing aloud! Recently daddy gave her the first lesson in washing the dishes :)... Her vocabulary is already over a hundred words, mainly English and of course not to forget her Dutch and Tagalog. Also, she has a total of 14 teeth now, the upper and lower canine recently came out.
Some of her recent interests are eating tomatoes and all kinds of fruits, playing doll, reading the books stories about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and stories about the Greatest Holy Leaf (she actuallly learned to say Shrine of the Bab from us saying and pointing to the picture of these books), pressing the elevator and electric fan buttons, looking at the moon and stars in the sky (even during the day she looks for them and says moon and stars), putting hats on, and drinking by herself from a glass. Playing with keys, zipper and stroller/chair straps, and putting on mama's shoes still fascinate her.
Here is a very nice photo of her that we really like, that Auntie Nancy Wong took recently.
Some of her recent interests are eating tomatoes and all kinds of fruits, playing doll, reading the books stories about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and stories about the Greatest Holy Leaf (she actuallly learned to say Shrine of the Bab from us saying and pointing to the picture of these books), pressing the elevator and electric fan buttons, looking at the moon and stars in the sky (even during the day she looks for them and says moon and stars), putting hats on, and drinking by herself from a glass. Playing with keys, zipper and stroller/chair straps, and putting on mama's shoes still fascinate her.
Here is a very nice photo of her that we really like, that Auntie Nancy Wong took recently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)