From One to Five ( continued)

Ewan's birthday celebration at home
September 6 , 2008

Happy 5th birthday Ewan! as relatives and a few visitors greeted Ewan as they come into the house. It was just only a small and simple family gathering and with some close friends and a few neighbors.

The celebration started at 4pm with Ewan leading the prayer before meal.

I remember how i smiled seeing Ewan lead the prayer , making the sign of the cross with his left hand , and reciting the prayer before meal , the usual prayer they do before recess at school.
Here's how we prayed:

"In the name of the Father , in the name of the Father , the Son , the Son , the Holy Spirit , the Holy Spirit . Amen , Amen."
"Bless us Oh Lord , Bless us Oh Lord..."

repeating every word twice.

I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear , after we prayed.

We asked him to make a wish before he blew the 5 candles.

Its quite amusing to know how our son who's now grown up. Its hard to imagine how time flies so quickly. It was like last year he was One and now he's already Five.

I remember we used to call him "baby" or Baby Ewan before when we like to call his attention, now we already call him "Kuya" or Kuya Ewan.


Before when i call home from the office , i usually talk to my wife only.
Now , things have changed , he calls me in the office , and all the time asking me to bring pizza (his favorite) when i go home.

Sometimes, he calls and asks me what he is watching on TV , and even if i'm only left guessing since i'm in the office.. i can only think of his three(3) favorite TV/DVD shows he watches often.



We'll , if its not Animals or Horses , he is watching his ever favorite "Thomas and his Friends" train stories.

For me as a parent , never had i looked back thinking if i have missed anything as a parent,
Nor did i put any expectations on my kids ,or any wishes.

But as for Ewan's birthday wishes before blowing his candle.
I never bothered to asked him , he would not tell me anyway.

Only he knows it in his heart.


--EDS

From One to Five

Happy Birthday Ewan!

Friday, September 5, 2008

It's Ewan's 5th birthday.

What an exciting day it was for us parents . Me and my wife Joie planned Ewan's birthday to be celebrated at his kinder school. It was the first time he spent his birthday with his classmates and teachers.

Two(2) weeks before this day. We didn't expect Ewan to tell us his wishes for his birthday.
When he went home from school , all of sudden , he told us that he wanted balloons , cakes and goodies for his birthday.
This was the first time ever he told us this kindda stuffs.

Thus, a week before his birthday Joie prepared a list for Ewan's school birthday party.
-- party caps
-- goldilocks cake and candles
-- a quarter pint ice cream
-- chicken and spaghetti from Jolibee.
-- party goodies for boys and girls.
-- party invitation

I was tasked to get the names of Ewan's classmates at school for the invitation. I asked his teacher to provide us with the list for his classmates for the birthday invitation.
Of course, I also asked the his teacher what time will be the start for snack time of the students. "12:45 to 1 PM", the teacher replied.

D-DAY
12:00 noon , my wife ordered the cake at Goldilocks.

at 12:30 PM, The Jolibee delivery guy arrived at school to deliver the chicken and spaghetti we ordered(a day before).

12:45pm we were all set waiting outside Ewan's classroom, waiting for the teacher to inform us that its time for Ewan's birthday celebration.
Sure enough , at 1pm the teacher signaled us to come inside.

Its kind of a heart warming experience to see Ewan's classmates so eager for the celebration.
After singing the birthday song , while we and the teacher's were serving food , one student would say "teacher , where's my ice cream?" or you'll hear Ewan suddenly burst "What a wonderful day!".
Ewan's teacher informed me that there is a bag full of gifts from Ewan's classmates.
Its very touching to hear when his teacher telling us that her class has the most very active "kulit" students, but she's happy to see that her students really had concerns for one another. Citing some example that one student said "teacher... where's my gift?", as if asking the teacher not to forget on giving the gifts to Ewan.
Of course my wife had a "heart to heart" parent to teacher talk about Ewan's progress in school.

After Ewan's birthday party , while at home , me and my wife were really happy for the fact that we granted Ewan's wish for a birthday celebration at school , plus happy to know that our son will surely grow up to be a responsible and caring person as what we wished him to be.

Trully , What a wonderful day for all of us.


( to be continued.. for Ewan's post birthday celebration at home)