Ballet Pictorial

I remembered when Belle started ballet lessons during the summer of 2010, April 9 to be exact. She's only 3 years and 10 months old.  A little chubby, very clumsy but really determined to learn ballet. Of course, Mommy has been very supportive since then. I would accompany her all the time with my camera on hand so I have lots of pictures and videos. It kept her busy during the summer.

 

 

I was so happy she enjoyed her classes and continued during the school year. She had her first recital 8 months after. We're all very proud of our little girl!

December 13, 2010. Dainty Slippers Ballet presented "Snow White."

 

Pictures and stories of last year's performance (December 28, 2011 - "The Sound of Music") can be viewed in this blog post.  She has grown taller, slimmer and more graceful!

Earlier today, Belle had their pictorial for her 3rd recital which is scheduled on December 21, 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  It would be very special this year because it's their school's 10th year anniversary. They will be showcasing "The Philippine History Unveiled in Dance". I'm with Belle all the time so I already watched their dances. They've also started to run-through the whole production. All the girls (ages 3 to teenagers) are all doing their best to perfect their numbers.  It's so exciting to see the bit and pieces finally coming together beautifully. I just know that this will be another great show! 

 

Here are some pictures of today's pictorial.  I'm glad we're allowed to take as many pictures as we can as long as we are not interrupting the shoot.

The Head Shot

She looks so grown up!  She's only 6 years and 5 months!

I'm just worried that she's so thin now!  Too much activities in school with bi-weekly ballet classes.

Full page sponsorship with Joeke (pronounced as Yu-ka.)  She 3/4 Dutch and 1/4 Filipina. She is Belle's best buddy since they were only 3.  They're inseparable, every time the teacher tells them to get a partner, they will hold on to each other tightly. They give encouragement to each other that is why they always look forward going to class together. I'm amazed how these two kids grew up so fast and very pleased that their friendship has blossomed through the years!

Teacher Chippy instructing the girls on their pose.

Pretty Ballerinas!

The Water Fairies

Group Picture

"Point your toes, girls"

 

Belle will be very busy in the next two months.  They have their own musical production in school this November. She's also taking piano lessons too.  She really wanted to, promise, I did not force her :)  She still has the time to play at home because they do not have homework.  So I guess she's enjoying her busy schedule.

'Til next update!

"Grow Old with You"

Just last week, October 3 to be exact, we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. I can only say we are blessed and so grateful. Blessed with two wonderful kids and grateful, in spite of the many challenges we are facing,  God has been pouring his loving favor upon our family. We started another journey of our marriage life and we can't wait for our 15th anniversary next year.

We make it a point to have our annual family picture taken during our anniversary month. We all have grown bigger literally but more importantly more loving and understanding of each other's needs.

A lot of friends keep on pushing us to make another baby.  I always say, it's for the Lord to decide if he wants to bless us with another child. For now, I am just content with our two sweet and adorable kids.  O, how I love them both, so dearly!

I am including my favorite photo below because Matt looks so happy here. Belle will be a little mad at me if she sees this! She's so disappointed and keep on asking why all three of us were smiling while it was supposed to be a wacky shot!  

Since it was a school day, we celebrated it quietly.  We just planned for a dinner date and later watched Phantom of the Opera.

Matt kept on announcing our anniversary in his school so I baked some Oreo-Chocolate cupcakes for everyone.

I also baked Matt's favorite chocolate cake. A bribe, so we can leave the kids at home and go out for a date.

She just loves flowers!

Flowers from Daddy!

It was a stormy night but we just have to brave the heavy rains for our date because I purchased our Phantom tickets weeks ago. Thank God, the streets were not flooded.

Quick dinner at Yakimix, Macapagal

Photo taken after the show

Grand and awesome production of The Phantom of the Opera! 

A dear friend greeted me thru text.

"May our God warm your hearts with His fire and may He fill your marriage with peace and joy, surrounding you with His wings of blessings."  Yes, this is the desire of my heart too!  

Happy 14th anniversary, Daddy! Thanks for everything! Looking forward to grow old with you.

Inspired by Peggy

I started collecting books after I enrolled in a cake decorating class late last year. Two of my favorite cake decorating books were written by Peggy Porschen. A little bit expensive but so worth it! 

To date, I have created two cakes inspired by her designs.

Valentine's Heart

My Valentine Cake (Feb 2012) Surprise for hubby

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Vertical lines using royal icing and flowers made with gumpaste)

The next one is a combination of Peggy's White Spring Posies and very nice creations from The Designer Cake Company.

I made this green and pink cake for a good friend's birthday last month.

Moist Chocolate Cake covered with fondant topped with ribbon roses

I used a fondant extruder for the green stems

My cakes may not be as nice as theirs but they're not so bad for an amateur. Practice makes perfect and I intend to do some more hopefully when I have the chance.

Amazing Teacher Cynch!

I have high respect for educators because my own mother served for more than 30 years as a teacher.  I have seen how she dedicated herself to us her children and all her students.  I have met so many teachers these past years and I can say they are God's precious gifts to everybody especially those who would like to learn. See related post here.

One of the teachers I admire is Matt's class adviser.  She's also his Science, Math, Social Studies and Filipino subject teacher.  I think she can teach anything and everything under the sun! 

Presenting, the very talented, the one and only Teacher Cynthia Manlulu a.k.a. Teacher Cynch. Her transformations are amazing!  Even her co-teachers do not know what to expect whenever she changes "character." Her creativity is endless and she makes learning entertaining and lots of fun for the kids.

Mother Nature (Nutrition month)

Inang Bayan (Buwan ng Wika)

Ms. Global (United Nations)

Super V (Valentine celebration)

Ms. Sunshine (Outdoor fun)

Ms. Girl Scout (Summer activities)

Master Chef

Farmer Jack

See how amazing she is!  We all look forward to many more transformations in the coming months.

On a personal note, thank you Teacher Cynch for your endless patience and understanding for Matt. You and all the teachers from Optimal Academy are angels here on earth. God bless you all!