Race for Education 2016

Last year was the very first Race for Education fund raising  by the St. Joseph, the school where my kids goes.  It's a great effort and collaboration of the school and parents especially the one who  were in the committee.  They held the second Race for education this year on April 22nd.

I want to thank all of friends and family who sponsored our kids to participate in the event.  You guys helped greatly in achieving  the success of this fund raising.

Last year's mascot is from Wildthing but this year, it was from Mr. Rooter , the company is is also made a huge contribution/donation to the  event.

Our neighbor Don came and participated as well.  HIm and his wife were   some of the people who sposored our kids.

I hope that the next time they do this kind of event that it would be outdoors.  I think it would be more fun  than just walking/running inside the gymnassium.

The Race for Education was a wonderful event, it raises awareness  for a healthy  lifestyle and it helps the school  to get  extra funds.    This showcased the camaraderie between the school and the  parents/family of every students.  The students  learned  the value of supporting this kind of event to help the school.

This activity prved to be a great  way for health and wellness not only for the students and the faculty but also to the family.  What a way to burn calories with your friends. 

The total contribution from  donors this year is $28,799.80.  IT exceeded the amount collected last year.  So after  deducting all the expenses, the school had a total net  of $25,114.70.  This would help to maintain  the low tuition of the school and to carry out some of the projects that the school is planning to do for the benefit of the students.  As  private school doesn't get full funding from the governement, we have to be creative on how to  support  our school so they would continue to  provide quality education without charging too much for tuition fees.  This was a great collaboration  between the school and the  family  of students.  Again, a huge thank you for all the donors for your continued support to the school. Without you, this would not be possible.  

Practicing Tennis

Our kids have shown interest in tennis since last year so we promised them that we would enrol them this year.  The Spring season was opened  last week so we went there to see if they would like to play.  As it turned out, they are both interested.  However, it is only opened for 4th and upper grades  so we can only enrol  our daughter.  The coaches   were nice to  have our son practice though.  

We went to Starvaggi tennis court last Saturday and practice with them.  We have two old tennis rackets here that my husband called "vintage" and we used it.  

I love that  they are starting to find the sports that they like.  I told my son that it is okay that he is not  officially  registered this year because of his grade but the good thing is, he will be prepared next year as  he practices with his sister this year.

Rylie and her friend will have tennis matches next month do they  have practices every Wednesday.   They are nervous about it as they have never played before but  we told them to just enjoy the experience.  They will get better as they get older.

The weather is getting warmer so both kids goes in the school parking lot and practices  hitting the ball there.  They even met two kids from the neighborhood who  played with them the other day.  

We went to Dick's and bought the kids some #tennis #balls and #rackets

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Apr 22, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

Even though, it is an added expense to play in sports, we don't really mind as it is a great physical exercise and development for them. Teamwork and camaraderie are the biggest lessons they are learning by playing sports like this with other kids.  This is better for them rather than staying at home and playing with their gadgets.  

Music Room

We went to our new home yesterday and brought some stuff. We are slowly bringing some small things there so that during our big move, all we have to bring is the big stuff. My daughter have asked us where are we putting the piano and keyboard that they have. She suggested to put it in the room where I am setting up my office but that room is not  big enough for an office and music room.   We  don't really have a  specific room to  use as a music room but I was thinking of  putting it in the living room  We will see how it goes when we move.  Looking at these jbl vrx at Music's Friend, I am thinking of replacing our speakers but  since it  is not on the budget yet, we can still use the old ones that we have.  Maybe in a year or two, we can  buy new ones.  

Anti Bullying Poster Contest Winner

The Weirton-Wellsburgh Chapter of Credit Union  hosts the annual   Anti-Bullying Poster Contest for 5th graders.  Since my daughter is in fifth grade this year, she entered the said poster making contest.  She combined her passion for baking and  arts  and came up  with this  design.  

I love that the  principal and the  fifth grade student's teacher   also attended the event.  It goes to show how supportive they are to their students.  

 IN my  daughter's school, her  design was the winner but there were also great entries that the board couldn't pass on so they chose four of them to be runners-up.

 Only St. Joseph has 5 winners.    The public schools has one winner and other catholic school has one winner and a runner up.

 We went early so we had the chance to take some pictures.

 We decided to sit in one table  along with the other parents and students from St. Joe's.

 The awarding ceremony was held in Holiday Inn and they served a buffet dinner.

The kids had so much fun while we were waiting for the ceremony to start.

 The  city mayor was also there and gave a speech.

 The principal to  the other catholic school was also there and a representative to the  Hancock public school was also present.

 The kids in the front row are the winners from 6 different schools and the kids at the back are the runners-up.

 A pose with the mayor and the  head for the credit union.

With their teacher, Mrs. Fuscardo.

 

A photo taken at the Holiday Inn lobby.

Rylie received $100 cash gift and a certificate.  The runners-up also received a certificate and $25 cash gift.   I am not really sure if this is a certificate as I have never seen a certificate without a signature but it is something she can  add to her  personal  accomplishment.

This campaign is very dear to my heart because I experienced bullying when I was a kid and that's something I don't want my kids to experience.  

Letting Kids be KIDS!

I am sure I am not the only with kids who think like they are an adult.  Our daughter is 10 years old but most of the times, she likes to think that she's 20, that she knows  things more than we do.  I always remind her that it is not the case, that what she knows is  way far from what we know.  It is for this reason that the guidance of parents is very crucial during the children's formative years.  

 Although I love the fact that she thinks  mature than her age, it is still important  to let kids be KIDS!  I don't want them to  say  later on that they didn't have a good childhood.  I want them to enjoy the joy of being kids.  It's fun to be kids!  I wish I could be a kid again.

 Letting kids be KIDS is important.  Let them experience the beauty of life as a kid.  Their adulthood will  come  so there's no rush of letting them grow old.  I am  blessed to have been by my kids side every step of the way.  I get to  witness  their development, their  sadness, their joys, and everything.  Giving up a career to raise kids is  the best thing.

 Once in a while, I miss being inthe  workforce but then when I look how my  kids, I would immediately tell myself, "You did the right thing!"

Rewards for Kids

Kids will always be kids no matter how strict you impose rules  inside the house.  Hubby and I don't give our children material rewards very often but there are  certain instances that we do such as  when they behave well  in public or  when they volunteer to help us around the house.  I used to give them stickers then at the end of the year, they count their stickers and  we convert it into cash.  Now that they are bigger, one of the   favorite  rewards they  ask is go to Dunkin Donuts and have some  donuts.  This does not happen very often  but it is always a treat  when they get it.

 Play date with their friends is also a great reward for them.  They get to be with their friends and do things that they love.  I don't let my kids go on sleep over  but  we do  play date once in a while.  Today was EJ's second play date.

His sister always go on a play date  so he is kind of jealous about that so we made sure that he has some as well.  Glad  he had a great time with his friends at the park today.  When we got home, he took a long nap after he showered.