As I am sure some of you are aware....Our little 2 1/2 year old girl Scarlett, has been Diagnosed with Leukemia. We are extremely busy with taking care of her. However my wonderful Mother has started a blog to keep those of you updated on Scarlett condition, treatment, and progress.

Scarletts Blog Please feel free to have a look. Thank you for your concern, love and support during this very trying time in our life.

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We took another one of our weekend trips over to our favorite neighboring Island, Cebu. We playing in the pool, ate shopped and relaxed. Here are a few pic's from our trip!
















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Report card time!

So we just recieved our girls Q1, 2011 report cards! What an exciting time. The school year over here in the Philippines goes from June to March with April and May being summer holidays. This year my girls actually missed the whole first month of school as we were in Canada till the end of June. 

I love going to parent teacher interviews and getting a little insight into how the girls are doing at school. Isabelle is a Care Bear which is equivalent to Kindergarten. Scarlett is a Gummie Bear. We are extremely happy to report that both girls love school. Their teachers said there are no problems or concerns socially or developmentally. Each teach told me a few funny stories about things my girls have done. The teachers and other students really seem to enjoy our girls. We are so proud of Isabelle and Scarlett.

I just thought I'd share a few of the teachers remarks from the girls report cards as well as their "Multiple Intelligence Profiles" we received. These are direct quotes.....

Isabelle:

"Isabelle is not afraid to share her thoughts and she opens her staements by saying "I think....." when she was asked the question "What is Love?" She replied by saying "I think love is loving your friends and your family"

"On her first week of school she announced "I like Ben". Though Ben was uncomfortable about it, Isabelle still insisted and emphasized it more"

"When she goes to the bathroom she courteously informs teacher by saying "Teacher, I think I need to go to the bathroom" Softly but clearly

"She gives her all during music and movement or circle time. She has a loud voice during sharing time. She doesn't hesitate to recognize the day, date or weather. 

Scarlett:

"Scarlett is patient in doing puzzle activities. When she is done doing so, she smiles and looks at teacher. Whenever Scarlett has a problem among her classmates, she would just keep quiet and find something else to do or play."

"Scarlett enjoys doing art activities. She loves getting her hands dirty with glue and paint when it is art time. She uses such colors as red and purple."

"Scarlett can definitely follow rhythm. She hums/sings along and shakes her head whenever she hears music. During circle time Scarlett has so much fun singing and doing the actions of the songs."

We are so lucky to have such wonderful teachers and a great school for our girls to attend.





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Sumb Thucker?!

Here she is....my little Sumb Thucker! 

Scarlett is over 2 years old and has just recently started sucking her thumb. I have no idea where it came from but she's defiantly hooked. The strangest part is that she hasn't had a bottle or a soother for over a year. I know I should be worried about her mouth being all deformed. My Dad is a high school science teacher and he has told me story's of students he has that STILL suck their thumbs in his classes. Yes, they try and be sneaky by hiding behind their text books but the truth is......they just can't kick the habit!

I have never had a younger brother or sister suck their thumb, Isabelle never did either. So even though I know its a "bad" habit that's terribly addicting and can totally deform mouths and teeth...the truth is I secretly think it is absolutely adorable!

I'll worry about it a little more when she's 4, but for now, I am going to sit back and enjoy the cuteness :)





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Trisikad = Good times!

We have been doing a lot of bike rideing around here - Philippino style! Isabelle got a new bike. It's called a Trisikad (pronounced tri-see-cad) and we love it. It's how most of the locals get around over here on a daily basis. There is a driver and you pay him to pedal you to where you want to go.

Isabelle saw this "kid" version in a department store and was in love! She worked her butt off, saved all her pennies, and paid half herself. I love it because she can go fast and keep up with me during walks. Scarlett just sits there beside her enjoying the free ride and loving being able to sit right by her big sister. The best thing about it is that it has really hard solid rubber tires! So they never go flat, which seems to be a huge problem over here.

Great purchase with lot's of fun days ahead!


Of course we all wish it was pink but blue was the only available color. That's ok, no one gets everything they wish for.....right?! 

Here are a few pictures of what the "adult size" looks like




Here are some of the girls on our "kid size" version









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Everyones going BANANAS!!

Here's a little fun treat/activity Isabelle and I did one afternoon. I got the idea off my friend Carmen Lowrys blog. She is super creative.

We are always looking for things to do together while Scarlett naps. We chopped up bananas and put them on little dixie sticks. Then we dipped the bananas in melted chocolate and rolled them in little m and m's, shredded coconut, or chopped almonds. After we finished making them we put them into the fridge to set up for an hour before scarfing them down. They were a hit and fun was had by all! I love spending time with my Isabelle.









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Ballet girl!

Here's my little Isabelle - at her Ballet Class. She just started when we got back from Canada. 

It's a great class, twice a week with about 15, 4-5year old little girls. It gives us something to do in the afternoon while Lance is sleeping. It also gives Isabelle some social time with kids her own age (other than school time). She really enjoys it. 

I may be bias but.........I think she makes a beautiful ballerina!





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Cebu Trip July 2011

We recently took a long weekend trip over to Cebu! Our favorite neighboring Island. We love this place. It's only a 20 min flight. 

We tried out a new hotel this time called Radisson Blu It was great! Complete with a buffet breakfast, pool, gym, spa, and babysitting! We had a wonderful weekend shopping, eating and relaxing. Lance and I even used the babysitting service one evening so we could go out and enjoy a date. On the way back to the airport we stopped off at S and R (Costco) and stocked up on a few goodies. 

 The girls in front of a fountain outside of our hotel


Isabelle going down this cool slide at a play place we went to.

Scarlett loves the ball pit

Isabelle riding this wired little horse thingy at the mall....

Scarlett in the lobby of the hotel

Having a mango shake - shopping break!

The HUGE lobby of our hotel


My girls and I in front of a fountain/pool.





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Forest Park!

One  sunny afternoon we took a family trip to a little resort called Forest Park. It's about a 10 min drive from our house here in the Philippines. When we got there we were pleasantly surprised with what we found. There was a little Zoo type area with lizards, monkeys, birds, owls, and deer. The girls had a blast looking at all the animals. 

There was also two pools, one is huge, the other is a round river type one that has a current and you sit in tubes and float around and around. There was a little restaurant, and a park as well.

We had a really great time exploring, swimming and eating together. We left happy, sun burnt  and with just one question on our minds.........why did it take us 20 months to check this place out?!
















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