Good News Gang

To ease Beth into her future school environment, hubby and I have decided to let her resume attending Good News Gang at Suburban Baptist Church from now on.

Last night was her first GNG session this year.

Good News Gang runs during school term every Wed from 7-8.30 pm. Most kids that go are either from HCC or GNLS. Under supervision, the kids play games like Port/Starboard, learn Bible stories the hands-on way (with the story of Elijah, they built a fire outside and burned a plastic toy cow!), enjoy snacks and drinks, make new friends and generally have a ball. They are divided into small groups according to their ages, so Beth gets to hang out with her school friends, plus other kids from GNLS.

Beth used to go to GNG with her best friend K, with K's mum cheerfully running a taxi service and picking up various other kids to go along. But K and Beth are in different classes this year, and the opportunities for interaction have been fewer. Which also means each of them has moved on and made other friends that they now spend more time with.

I used to be anxious about Beth's emotional and social development as she is an introvert like me, who takes ages to warm up and show her friendlier side. She doesn't even do hugs. She just stands stiffly with arms by her side and lets her friends hug her. A real durian.

Anyway, yesterday morning we met K at school and I nudged Beth to go over and ask if K was going to GNG. K said yes but she couldn't take Beth because she was taking Z and one more person would make it too squishy in the car.

When Beth came back with her report, I made a concerned comment, thinking she might feel rejected by K.

To my surprise, Beth said that was okay.

And she smiled.

Cheerfully.

Then she waved goodbye and went on her way to get ready for the morning line-up.

When I told hubby, he commented: "She has matured."

Good news indeed.

Kinder update

Miss J is enjoying kinder so much she has let me go without even a "Goodbye Mum".

No more tears and tanties, whew.

She's already talking about play dates with Emily and Olivia. Or is it Stephanie?

And since last week she's been playing with Catherine.

I can foresee a new circle of playdates and friendships blossoming, especially if the kiddies and Miss J go to the same primary school next year.

Filipino hospitality at its best

Last Sat was a drama where all ended well.

We were invited to dinner at Amencio & Rose's new place in Moorookyle but when we got there, no one was home and A was not contactable on mobile and landline. It was all very strange, and we wondered if we'd got the date wrong.

Eventually, A was able to reach us and the gathering took place as planned.

We especially give thanks that Beth and J got on so well with Kate and Clark.

Kate and Beth were classmates at Sr Rita Douglas Kinder 3 years ago, but we lost touch when the girls went to different schools. Amencio helped us when we moved into our current house, so hubby tried to return the favour when it was their turn - but was preempted as they decided to move during the week.

Beth is a creature pretty much driven by her moods. She gets overwhelmed by the new - new situations, new people - and has even hidden in her room when we have visitors. So it was wonderful to see how quickly she was able to relax and be part of what was going on at Amencio's: watching Monsters and Aliens in 3D, playing Wii tennis and hide and seek...

The four kids got on so well that at the end of the night, J didn't want to go home. She even let Rose carry her, and said she wanted to sleep over!

As for the adults, we had a fantastic time enjoying slow food, carrying on where we had left off in our friendship, and trying out Amencio's new MagicSing karaoke system - competing to see which team (guys vs girls) scored higher. As Rose jested, it's not fair that the guys get 100 most of the time...just because they have louder voices!

Many thanks to Amencio and Rose for their hospitality and friendship, and Kate and Clark for making our children feel like their new best friends.

Growing Older, Growing Closer

It's so exciting to watch the girls grow closer and find common play activities.

It used to be all fights, with Beth growling at mei mei for getting in her way or getting into her things, and J complaining that Beth wouldn't let her into their room.

When J tried to hug Beth, the latter would shy away. *Ouch* Thankfully J is not the thin-skinned type.

And Beth would never never of her own want to hug her little sister or show her any sisterly affection.

During a particularly challenging time, Beth was heard to voice her regret that she had prayed to Jesus for a baby sister.

Fast forward...

They're now 8 and 3.5 and the little one has grown enormously in her ability to take instruction, initiate play projects and be a good assistant to her big sister.

Sometimes they play cubbyhouse with cushions and blankets.

Or dressing up dolls (never thought I'd see the day Beth would take to dolls).

Lately it's making handbags from recycled paper. Plus tiny lip balm, lipsticks and all the bits that go into handbags.

The other day, Beth made J stick out her arm so she could measure her up and make her a handbag with a sling long enough to go round her shoulder. J walked around the lounge proudly, showing off her new handbag.

Just adorable. :-)

Another 2-girl family

Congratulations to my best friend XS and her hubby WK on the birth of their 2nd daughter Esther.