schools

So we’ve finally managed to send off the application forms over the weekend. I don’t doubt that we’ll get the authority to enroll soon but I’m hoping that we get approved with the installment application for the tuition fee. Hopefully, we’ll get the results by end of the week or early next week. I want this to be done so that E will be formally enrolled for next year and that this will be another item that’s crossed off my to-do list. Well, at least one thing crossed on E’s list for school, they will have two half-days of beginners group program this November to get them acquainted with how things are in big school. The school also assigns a year 5 buddy for them so that when they start classes next year there will be familiar face to ask or to help them around. The principal and the kindy teachers have said that the program has been very helpful in the transition of the kids into big school. One of the things that I’m not looking forward to are the numerous tests that E will have to sit, well that would be part and parcel of going to school but really not really looking forward it hehe. Well, if I won’t be able to handle it we can always try to find tutors or review courses that are similar to lsat prep to help us. Ok, no need to worry myself over that now, it is way tooooo early! Have to start with kindy first haha!

numbers

Earlier today while E was in the toilet waiting to finish what he was doing. He started counting ..

E: 1, 2, 3 … 10, 11, 12 … 15, 17

Me: 16 (prompting him)

E: 16, 17, 18 … 21,22 … 29, 29

Me: (prompting him again) 30

E: 30, 31, 32 … 39, 39

Me: 40

E: 40, 41, 42, 43 … 49, 49

Me: 50

E: 50! Mommy, up to what number did I count?

Me: 50

E: Wow, 50! That blows my mind!

Ichi and I were laughing our heads off. The things they say Oh, and I hope he gets well by tomorrow, he’s been sick with fever the past days.

some updates

Winter officially starts today, though we’ve been turning on our heater at night for the past couple of days. In a couple of weeks, we’ll know the gender of the baby and it will also mark Ichi’s one year here in Oz. Sometimes it seems like we’ve been here longer will all that’s happened. On the moving front, it seems that the owner was able to get an offer from someone that was willing to take the lease too so for now we’ll be staying put till the end of our lease, unless their deal falls through.

Last Friday, we went to the open day of a nearby public school only to find out that we were just a few steps short of their local enrollment area. We’re still thinking if we should go and visit the other school (which is in the opposite direction further away from our current place)or just apply out of zone with this school. We’re leaning towards this school as we wanted one that would be on the way to Ichi’s workplace since with the baby coming, it would be easier if Ichi drops E off in the morning. Our other option would probably be to check out some of the private schools in the area but I haven’t found one that’s really near. Another thing is this will be causing financial strain on us because although we’re on a temporary resident visa, E will be considered as a foreign student hence a tuition fee that would be payable a full year in advance (though not as high as those on student visa but still a big amount). Add to that the costs of giving birth, I’m just worrying about our logistics, anyways I’m sure it will work out. It’s just a little overwhelming but somehow things work out so I’m really counting on that.

One thing that’s adding to the concern is how fast our health fund pays on claim. We’re having a little bit of problem claiming some GP consultations, I don’t know what the hold up is. I’m frustrated because They couldn’t pay me out on the spot at the centre something with the system not being able to release the payout (and this happened the 3x I went to their office to submit claims). I appreciate the front office staff at the centre because they really did try to do everything to get me paid on the spot but it always ends up with me spending a minimum of 30 minutes at their centre only for them to forward the paperworks to the head office. With us paying a high premium on that insurance, of course we expect prompt payout of claims. Makes me wonder if we should be looking at other health funds after I give birth, I’m sure with all the health insurance leads out there, a lot of companies would want our business.

haircut

These are pics from the first time E had his haircut here back in October. It was also the first time that it was in an adult salon. The few times that we had his hair cut in a salon it was a kiddie salon and I must say that it was cheaper to have his haircut in the adult salon here than in the kiddie salon in Manila.

Credits here.

easter show

We recently went to the Royal Easter Show held at the Sydney Olympic Park. We were there on a Saturday and there were really lots of people especially on the farmyard animals exhibits where you just follow the lines of people throughout. E would touch all the animals where he would put his hands carefully between the bars. We started the day on the kids carnival, we let E choose which rides he wants and we were surprised that he wanted to go on the free fall and the roller coaster and it was ok for him to ride it by himself, good thing he met the height requirement. Of course he didn’t miss the carousel and the bumper boat. After grabbing some lunch we went to the farmyard nursery and of course we couldn’t leave without getting a showbag. Even before we finished at the animals, E was already asking us for his showbag, which you can’t really not buy as all the kids there have at least one. So off we went to the showbag hall to buy him his ninja showbag, yes a ninja showbag, he didn’t really take notice of the other bags (like Cars, Wall-E, Wiggles, etc) all he really wanted was the ninja bag. And as soon as we got it he told me he was ready to go home, haha!

[Show as slideshow]

a short visit

We just came from taking my BIL Gareth to the airport, he was here on a short visit before flying back to Manila. He was assigned for a while in Melbourne but his project ended already and since they didn’t have a new one for him the company sent him back home. He’re hoping his company bags the project their bidding on so that he can come back to Australia and then be able to visit with us again. E had fun having his bechiak (uncle) around and told him as they said goodbye at the airport that he’s really going to miss him. Till we see you again.

settling

After over a week of transferring to the new place, our broadband has finally been activated. yipee! All our connections have been activated, and most of our bags and boxes are unpacked. Though there are a couple more boxes to unpack but there is now walking space in our living and dining rooms now haha. We were also able to enroll E at the nearby preschool since the place we moved to is far from the previous place. He was a bit sad to leave the old house and his preschool but he’s been excited to have his own room and has been sleeping there since we moved in. He has been sleeping the past two nights with me and Ichi because he’s sick. I was telling him this morning to go back to sleeping in his room tonight since he’s much better but he countered with letting him sleep one more night and then promises that he’ll go back to his room tomorrow. So what’s a mom to do but agree?!!

Oh, and lately whenever he sees a baby – any kind of baby, human babies, insect babies, etc whether in person or in pictures – he would say “oh, how cute!” with facial expression yan. It’s so funny seeing him do that especially when its pictures of things not cute at all, well beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right!

not a baby

A few weeks ago …

E: mummy, don’t call me baby because i’m not a baby anymore.

me: but you’ll always be my baby.

E: no, i’m not a baby, i’m a big boy.

me: ok, you’re my little boy.

E: mummy, i’m not a little boy. i’m a big boy so call me E. don’t call me a baby, call me E because i’m a big boy.

me: ok, E! (wala na akong magawa)

Please don’t grow up too fast.

rental update

So we were able to find a house, yippee!! Since I don’t really want to spend another weekend doing inspections. We’re signing the lease this saturday and starting moving small items. Have lots of stuff to take care of in line with the move. On the list is looking for a new preschool/daycare for E since we will be moving to a new suburb that is a bit far from where we are now. I did find a couple schools near the new place I just hope that they still have vacancies. E will miss his current school though, when I tell him that we need to find him a new school, he always answers me “but I will be a little sad”! hay, that’s something that comes with not having a permanent place. I am just comforted that so far he has easily adjusted to all of our moves.

Ok time to bring out the luggages to start to pack our clothes. Oh, I just read on Ton’s blog that he got a great deal on a delsey luggage, he got it at 80% off, pabili hahaha!

blue mountains

Last boxing day, we decided to go to scenic world in blue mountains. We purchased a scenic pass that includes a return skyway and return valley (either via cableway or railway). The view was fantastic and we’re sure to go back again sometime maybe for a little hike.