Dear Jaco,

In your new school (The Raya School) reading and celebrating books is very important. Hence, we celebrate National Children's Book Day with costumes. We picked Kas of Ang Barumbadong Bus, I was actually hesitant--the bus was a drunk! Hahaha but then, I always dreamed of making a wearable vehicle :)))

May you always value and celebrate books! Happy NCBD!

Love, N

Dear Jaco,

It's your first day in Raya. We're excited (so were you) yet a bit scared too because it was the first time you'll be going to school without me around (as a teacher). Your shoes look great, so is the uniform on you. I can't believe how fast this is all happening!

I hope you love your new school. :) And I wish you'll always look forward to new things and new learning.

Love,
Nanay

Dear J,

Your first time at the beach is for Mamu's birthday. You didn't like the sand first but you warmed up to it, I think. I hope, unlike me, you get to love the beach. I hear you catch good sunrises and sunsets there. :)

Love, N

 

  



Dear Jaco,

It's Moving Up Day! You still have preschool but you're done with Gymboree, at least. Despite not having to pay much for you to attend play school before preschool, I'd say it was worth it. You learned a lot from Gymboree Preschool, not just how to count and read and write but how to love learning, to be curious, to ask questions and follow directions, to make friends and whole lot more. We're so proud of you!

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

This is the first ever book that you read all by yourself. You were 3.

I hope you'll love books and reading. I promise you you'll learn a lot.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

You wore this to your first-ever Halloween party, told you it'll be better next time ;p

Again, Tatay and I were able to join you and we're grateful we did. To firsts!

Love,
Nanay

 

Dear Jaco,

You had your first Halloween party. The theme was cowboys: we (I) didn't want us to be just like everybody else right? so of course, you're Zorro!

Love, N

Dear Jaco,

You wore Filipino on your first UN Day. I remember planning for something Middle Eastern but well, this was the easiest to pull off. I think it turned out really well. (I promise, it's going to be more elaborate next time hehe).

Since I was working with my students, I'm glad Tatay was free to join you. There was a parade (see photo above), painting (photo below) and games. It was a fun day. I hope you had fun too. :)

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

This is Teacher Ness, your first teacher. We were co-workers obviously but above all I'm grateful to her because she taught you how to read your first blends :)

With all these social networking stuff, I hope you get to see each other in the future so you could thank her personally for that.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

I started working at Gymboree and naturally, you started studying there. You were well-behaved and you particpated well in class, at least that's what your teacher said.

School is going to be around for a long time, honey. As your parents, we'll do our best to make it an enjoyable (or at least, tolerable haha) experience for you. I wish you'll learn to do your best too.


Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We had a photoshoot at school today and you were unexpectedly wacky. :)

This is one of many times that I wish you won't grow up heehee.

Love,
Nanay

Dear Jaco,

We brought you to Tatay's jam with Kiao. Here you met Tito Zig (Tito Hig to you), the first drummer you had the pleasure of meeting. He let you in behind the kit too, which I'm sure was awesome.

Tatay and I really wanted (still do!) you to become a drummer. How fun would it be to jam together as a family?! I'm sure not very fun by your standards hahaha.

Anyway, like we say over and over, it doesn't matter what instrument you pick up or what sport or hobby you get into, as long as you work hard for it and make sure you always give your best.

Dear Jaco,

Of course you had a naked baby picture. With a guitar, no less! :))

Dear Jaco,

That is Tatay's piano. Soon you will get to play it by yourself. :)

Dear Jaco,

You had long hair every now and then. And every now and then, you let me tie it (after a gruelling argument that will result to threats or worse, bribes).

When you grow up, I wouldn't mind you growing it long again. As long as you know how to groom yourself! :))

Dear Jaco,

Oh how you loved the arcade! Although yes, you did love barney once in your life (I'm sorry!). Anyway, mall day is arcade day, and as much as I love strolling and window-shopping, I love how happy you are in the arcade more.

Dear Jaco,

These pictures were taken in a Christmas family get together at your great-grandmother's house (bless her soul). I remember it because everyone were amazed at how, at 3 years old, you can feed yourself already. I was very proud of you. Just like I am everyday.

Dear Jaco,

Have i told you before? You have the most expressive eyes I've ever seen. A lot of people have been telling me that too since I was a kid, I never understood what that meant. As a kid, I thought they were just commenting (or worse, teasing me) on how HUGE my eyes were. I'm sure you'll be getting the same comments growing up. When you do, remember that I said it too. If you don't believe them when they say your eyes are beautiful, at least believe your mother.

Your eyes are beautiful.

Dear Jaco,

You're special but like any other kid, your family made you do tricks (I'm so sorry for this! hahaha). Well, your first was what we called "pogi eyes". Basically, you just close your eyes intensely. It might be a little bit silly but for everyone in the household, it was our pride and joy. :)) Honestly, you had that household wrapped around your little finger.

Dear Jaco,

Oh videogames. I know (have dated) enough gamers to tell that the first time you saw a videogame on the arcade wasn't going to be the last. Well they're nice to look at but they absolutely take you too much of your time. Well well well, I still have a little less than a decade to do something about this :))