It’s summer time once again and a lot of parents have been Googling about the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop 2011, and landing in my last year’s post. Thank you for reminding me to write about this year’s summer program. =)
My Little Lady has outgrown this workshop and is ready to move on to other summer courses, but she still loves McDonald’s to bits and the memories that she had with it. After all, McDonald’s is a significant part of her childhood.
Anyways, it’s your children’s turn to make their own summer memories at McDonald's!
~ Registration is now ongoing at participating McDonald’s stores nationwide until May 6, 2011
~ You can download the printable Kiddie Crew Workshop 2011 APPLICATION FORM HERE or get a copy at any participating McDonald’s branch, where filled-out application forms can be submitted afterwards.
Registration fee and inclusions
The registration fee for the Kiddie Crew Workshop is Php 550.00 per child. This already includes the Kiddie Crew official t-shirt, cap, bag, I.D. with lace, workshop materials, meals and graduation certificate.
Kiddie Crew Official Uniform
Kids who will take part in 5-day workshop are required to wear the following: Kiddie crew official t-shirt, cap, lace, black pants or jeans, rubber shoes and hair net.
What’s in store for the participants?
The McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is a 5-day summer program specially designed for kids to enjoy and have fun while learning through different activities. For each workshop day, Kiddie Crew members will get to experience the fun of greeting guests, manning the restaurant and drive-thru counters through on-floor trainings; showcase their skills through creative art workshops; and learn the importance of different values, from hardwork, discipline to teamwork, through values formation lessons and activities. More than the fun activities lined up, the workshop is also a great way for kids to meet and make a lot of new friends.
At the end of the workshop, a series of grand graduations will be held in major cities all over the country to recognize the achievements of all Kiddie Crew members and treat them to a day filled with exciting booths, games and a ton of prizes.
Orientation Schedule
Briefing about the Kiddie Crew Workshop from March 18- April 17, 2011.
Batch 1 - 9-11am /1-3pm/3-5pm March 18 to 20
Batch 2 - 9-11am /1-3pm/3-5pm March 25 to 27
Batch 3 - 9-11am /1-3pm/3-5pm April 1 to 3
Batch 4 - 9-11am /1-3pm/3-5pm April 8 to 10
Batch 5 - 9-11am /1-3pm/3-5pm April 15 to 17
*Maximum of 10 kids per time slot only.
Workshop Schedule
Week 1 - April 4 to 8
Week 2 - April 11 to 15
Week 3 - April 25 to 29
Week 4 - May 2 to 6
Week 5 - May 9 to 13
Week 6 - May 16 to 20
*30 kids will be scheduled per week
Grand Graduation Schedule
The Kiddie Crew Workshop will conclude with a Grand Graduation, which will be held on designated key cities nationwide. To end the summer event with a blast, McDonald’s will treat all Kiddie Crew graduates with fun-filled activities like games, raffle, Ronald and the Gang Show and a lot of more exciting activities.
LAGUNA
SM Sta. Rosa, May 7 (Saturday)
CEBU
Ayala Center Cebu, May 14 (Saturday)
DAVAO
Gaisano Mall, May 21 (Saturday)
MANILA
World Trade Center, May 28 and 29 (Saturday and Sunday)
*Note: Schedule and Venues are subject for final confirmation.
Every night before I go to sleep, I look at my daughter’s face. And every single time, I marvel at how this amazing being came into my life. While I run my fingers through her hair and trace the delicate features of her angelic face, I couldn’t help but mumble a heartfelt prayer of praise and gratitude for God’s wonderful gift.
When I was pregnant, I remember asking God about how I wish my little girl would turn out to be:
“Dear God, please make her beautiful inside and out.”
The first time I saw Chestene’s smile I knew she’d be a star. Yeah, sure. All parents by default believe that their children are destined to do great things in life. But if you think about it, it’s the faith and confidence that we give them that make them believe that they can achieve their dreams whatever it may be.
True enough, at 2 months old, that very smile landed her the monthly finalist title for Good Housekeeping Magazines’s Baby of the Year. In 2006, by some twist of fate, she was asked to model for Smart Parenting Magazine where she appeared 8 times in their special revamp issue. Another year after, she was selected to model for the National Bookstore 2007 calendar, that put me once again in stage mother heaven!
Smart Parenting Magazine July 2006 and National Bookstore Calendar 2007
God not only made her beautiful on the outside, but more importantly, on the inside as well. She grew up to be sweet and very thoughtful. I guess the massive dose of bear hugs and kisses I shower her with, have turned her into one. =)
Mother's Day 2010 A warm message that will truly melt any mother's heart
Before we say our prayers at night, I always tell her to believe in the power of prayer and how God blesses a generous heart who shares, just like my parents taught me early in life.
Our traditional Christmas gift giving to the kids in the neighborhood
Christmas gifts we prepared for her classmates this year
“Dear God, please make her healthy, smart and witty.”
After reading many baby books on how to nurture a child’s intelligence starting from the womb, I listened to classical music everyday during my pregnancy. I read and talked to my baby, and I loaded up on the good and healthy stuff plus iron supplements to ensure her proper brain development.
I had always been OC (Obsessive Compulsive) when it comes to my daughter’s nutrition and overall development, so the moment I stopped breastfeeding, I chose a nutritionally dense milk formula plus Nutroplex, the best multivitamin supplement that contains high levels of brain boosting nutrients to make sure she got her daily dose of essential vitamins. I wanted to equip her with quality nutritional products that will help her excel in school and reach her utmost potential.
Chestene started school when she was barely 4 years old. From Nursery she skipped Kindergarten, was accelerated to Preparatory and still managed to reap her own share of medals and awards. I was always there to teach and study with her until I became busy with work and delegated the task to a tutor when she turned Grade 3 last year. She had difficulty in Math and I didn’t have the energy at the time to teach her.
My little achiever
In spite of her teachers’ praises and compliments on how she was doing well in school in terms of class standing, her grades in Math kept her from making it to the top of her class. This year, I decided to let go of the tutor and made time to teach her once again. I usually come home late from work, but I make it a point to go through her daily lessons and make handwritten reviewers for her to answer during exam week. I even wake up earlier than usual to prepare her 'baon', make it interesting enough for her to stay inspired in school, and make sure she doesn't forget her daily dose of Nutroplex to give her day a good head start.
Taking her daily dose Nutroplex ~ the brain multivitamins
Colorful bento boxes that never fail to cheer her up in school.
Surprisingly, not only did she get the highest grade in Math, but she also made it to the top 10 of her class for 2 consecutive grading periods! In a class of 44 students and with her, being one of the youngest among them, it’s quite a feat to be on top, but she worked hard and reached it!
School gives her a lot of pressure, but I’m glad she is born with a great sense of humor. =)
One of our wacky point and shoot self photographs
“Dear God, please bless her with many talents and give her the confidence to pursue them.”
Parents usually influence a child’s interests until he is ready to pursue his own. I love to sing, draw, write and read books so it came naturally for me to teach these things to my eager youngster.
~Miss Performer~
I let Chestene listen to classical music even after she was born. So much, that when she was barely 2 years old, she was already humming Canon in D by Pachelbel in perfect tune. She later memorized her first full song You by Karen Carpenter.
I created her own channel in YouTube where I upload some of her singing videos every now and then.
Hannah Montana wannabe at 7 years old
She also joined contests, learned ballet, performed at parties and took summer programs just for the fun of it. I've always cheered and supported her because I know it will help boost her confidence, if she gets used to performing in front of a large crowd.
SM Little Star
Ballet recital ~ Grade 1
Party performance
Best Kiddie Crew 2009
~Little Picasso~
I also encouraged her to draw by giving her a lot of sketch pads and art materials to experiment on. We draw and paint together. Her early artworks resembled the style of Pablo Picasso, that's why I called her my Little Picasso. She made her first painting on canvas last year.
Chestene's early artworks
Her first painting on canvas
~The Bookworm~
It was hard to think of a better alternative to television when she was growing up, so I taught her to read. Instead of buying her the latest gaming gadgets, I invested in books instead. Whenever given the choice, she always chooses to read books over watching TV. It’s just hard to pull her away to do other stuff though, when she’s got her nose buried into one.
Her books have practically taken over our room. They are everywhere - bookshelves, plastic crates, drawers, and even under her pillows!
This crate holds books and magazines that she already finished reading.
Book heaven!
We are fond of spending most of our time in bookstores where she can finish 3 novels in one sitting.
~Young Blogger~
An expanded vocabulary helped her to write well for her age, so I taught her to blog. I wanted her to have an online journal where she can express herself freely. She shares about her fun adventures or just anything under the sun. Her blog DeCaFFeiNaTed (www.chesteney.blogspot.com) has a Page Rank of 2 and comes out usually in the first page of Google images when you search for ‘Love and Berry’, her favorite game.
DeCaFFeiNaTeD ~ www.chesteney.blogspot.com
Number 1 in Google image search for 'Love and Berry'
~Budding Entrepreneur~
My Blings and Things is Chestene’s own brand name for her accessories. Together, we enjoy making trinkets as a hobby, but she later thought of selling them to her classmates. Her first batch of designs got sold out in school. But now, we plan to sell them online instead, so her earnings could add to her growing cash fund. She is saving to buy a pink car for her 18th birthday. Yes, a pink car! Her sheer determination continues to inspire me to believe that anything is indeed possible, if you put your heart to it.
Chestene's designs for My Blings and Things
“Dear God, please give her a bright future ahead.”
My daughter dreams of becoming a scientist-artist-fashion designer-model-theater actress-singer-writer-chef someday. (Whew!) It’s too much, but I know given the opportunity coupled with patience and hard work, it can be done. Besides, it was me who taught her that whatever she can dream she can achieve. I just don’t know how, but what I do know is that with God’s grace, I will always be here to support her dreams every step of the way.
Her self-drawn dream laboratory design
Sharing her dreams to her fellow tweeners in Total Girl Magazine (September 2010)
Acting for a comics story we made last year
“Dear God, please help me become the best mother that You will me to be.”
Parenting takes a lot of hard work and sacrifices when you want to give the very best for your child. It’s even harder for single parents like me who have to do almost everything singlehandedly. But with God’s goodness, the continuous support of my family and friends, I am able to raise Chestene the best way I can. It took faith, patience, perseverance, knowledge and a multitude of nurturing to rear her physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually into a well-rounded individual who is not only smart, healthy, beautiful and talented, but one who is also thoughtful, generous and kind.
For me she will always be on top of her class regardless of number, because I know that no matter where she goes, whatever she dreams, she will always have within her what it takes to exceed the best version of herself that she could possibly be.
I notice a lot of visitors come to this site every summer through Google, in search for information on the McDonalds Kiddie Crew Program. I have written about my Little Lady joining the said program for 2 consecutive years, maybe that’s why my blog shows up often in the search results.
Anyways, my daughter wasn’t able to join last year, because the branch where I previously enrolled her stopped holding the program and moved it to a farther, yet larger McDonald’s store. This year, I would like to post registration details for the benefit of those who wish to enroll their kids in a truly enjoyable summer program!
Recruitment Dates: Ongoing until April 19, 2010 Orientation Schedule: March 25 – 31, 2010
Kiddie Crew participants and parents will be briefed on Kiddie Crew Workshop schedule and other details.
Requirements:
- For kids 6 to 12 years old
- Download Application Formhere or get you copy in participating stores. Fill out application form and submit to your chosen McDonald's store.
- Registration Fee and Inclusions - P650.00/kid, inclusive of: Kiddie Crew T-Shirt, Cap, I.D. with Lace, Workshop Materials, Graduation Certificate, Graduation Bag, & Meals
Workshop Proper (5 days): Includes art workshops, lectures on value formation and "on-floor" store experience for the kids
For more details, you can approach the Manager-In-Charge in any participating McDonald's Store near you.
Meet my Little Picasso's first painting on canvas! I know, it's not very much like the famous Mona Lisa, but I'm really happy she came up with this masterpiece. She painted this lady (sorry I forgot the title she gave this!) sometime in January of this year. And knowing me, who is perennially busy with all sort of things (important or otherwise), I forgot to post it earlier as usual.
Since I don't want to influence her painting style, I just let her choose the subject, colors and off she painted away. This is her concept of a beautiful lady at her age-- still untainted and unprejudiced.
It's amazing how children remind us some of the the best lessons in life we tend to forget-- be what you are and think outside the box and society standards.
Once again, I'm thankful I have my Little Lady to teach me that.
I hope all of you had a very meaningful Holy Week. The long weekend passed by so quickly. I just thought I’d share with you my memorable Easter celebration this year.
My Little Lady took part in the recently held Parish Easter celebration as one of the angels who sang in the traditional Salubong, where the images of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, reunited in front of the church coming from two separate processions, to dramatize their union after Christ’s resurrection.
In last year’s Salubong, Chestene was part of the choir of angels; but this year, she was chosen among more than 20 children to be the ‘Queen of Angels’. She was made to sing the Latin song Regina Coeli Laetare, and she got the part. I was surprised and honored to know that she was chosen.
The group practiced for 3 days. I went with her to the 3rd and final practice where I almost had a heart attack watching her more than 10 feet high in a makeshift stage:
Chestene at the topmost center
The stage rehearsal took almost 3 hours, so just imagine how nervous I was, praying the whole time that she wouldn't slip. She also had to practice lifting the veil of the Virgin Mary through a hole just at the back of her spot. Although tired, she was still happy and excited.
We went to church 4:00 am, and the rest is history, as they say. Except for a minor technical problem with the microphone, the unveiling and the song went very well.
The "Salubong"
After the program, I overheard the teacher saying there’s supposed to be another angel who will sing with the Little Lady during the program, but was not given a microphone. Then she remarked, “Siguro, siya (Chestene) talaga ang gusto ng Diyos” (Maybe, God really wanted her).
The last line lingered on my mind. Yes, I also believe God had chosen her, and I'm thankful for that privilege. It could have been two angels leading the song, but that part must have been really meant for her alone.
Suddenly, I realized it’s like God’s message for me wrapped in a different context, and yet, it hit me right on the spot: No matter what, if something is meant for you, then it shall be yours in His perfect time. Sometimes I forget that all I need to do is trust and wait. There are times when I get impatient rather than eager and thankful, of the blessings that are yet to come.
This Easter has been truly memorable, not only because of my little queen of angels, but with the important lessons God reminded me of today.
One of the Little Lady's BFF (Best Friends Forever!) turned 7 just recently. She had a Disney Fairies theme birthday at McDonald's and she asked her friends to don fairy costumes for the party.
We don't have a fairy costume, so I just put together Chestene's pixie look by combining the violet turtleneck knit blouse she wore on her 6th birthday party, the pink tutu from her ballet outfit last year, fuchsia pink wrap around organza skirt from her 4th birthday gown, pink leggings, pink metallic shoes from her 7th birthday, pink wings bought last year and butterfly hair clips from a discount store.
Below is the finished look when she fluttered to McDonald's that day. I think she resembles more a modern Bratz fairy. Not bad, huh? :)
The Little Lady spent her Halloween last year at McDonald's; the very same branch where she spent her two summers as part of the store's kiddie crew program. I couldn't get myself to dress her up in a scary costume, so I opted for the generic princess look that she enjoyed anyways.
The above photo was taken with one of her best buddies and co-kiddie crew member, Marianne.
My theme for this week's Scrapbook Saturday is still about art. But this time, it's Chestene's art.I can't fit them all here, so I just chose four of them for this scrap.
If you'd like to see more of her work, head on over to her blog and tell her what you think. She'll be thrilled to hear from you! :)
Graphic Elements by: Pimp Your Scrapbook, Sooze andbengigirlof Scrapbookflair.com
It’s been sometime since I last thoroughly organized the contents of my Little Lady’s school bag. So when I had the chance a while ago, I turned it upside down to get broken crayons, short and over-sharpened pencils, candies and lots of pieces of pad paper folded into different shapes.
Some of them crumpled, while the others are neatly folded with the label “secret” on top. No- they are not love letters this time. :)
I patiently looked at each piece of paper. I'm not the type to throw things right away; I'm too sentimental for that. I keep her notes, drawings and anything worth saving to stash in her memory box.
In the pile of paper, there were drawings, quizzes, stories, letters from her classmates and her own letters to God. Everyday her teacher asks the students to write to God first thing in the morning, before starting class. What a way to start the day!
It made me think of my own daily prayer habit. Sometimes, I forget to say my morning prayers because I’m always rushing off to work; then at night, when I feel so tired, I doze off without even saying, “Thank you, Lord.”
I'm guilty to the nth degree.
Lesson #1: Always put God first.
We get too busy and sometimes self-absorbed in our own world, to even say a quick prayer to the ONE who gave us everything we have today.
It's always good to start the day with a prayer to ask for strength and protection to carry out our daily tasks, guidance to do what is right and just, and both physical and spiritual blessings to get us through.
She was happy when she came home today because she received a St. Michael medal for sharing last Sunday’s Gospel. I thought she found the paper she’s been looking for early this morning - her interpretation of the Gospel. She was very eager to show it to Sr. Estrella, a nun in her school, but it turned out that she wasn’t able to find her work, so she just explained it to the class. The nun commended her because she knew the Gospel not only in words, but by heart.
Lesson #2: Listen and understand the Gospel.
How often do you find yourself sleepy in church when it comes to hearing the priest’s sermon? Why do people start to feel drowsy at that exact moment?
A priest once said that it must be the work of the devil, and I believe him. I always experience being awake the whole time, but when the sermon starts, my eyes feel heavy right away as if I’ve been sprinkled with sleeping dust; only to feel awake again the minute it’s done.
Psychological? I don't think so.
When people fail to hear the Gospel, they miss out on the teaching; and that makes the devil rejoice. It’s like going to class, falling asleep during the lecture, learning nothing and flunking the exams afterward.
God asks for only an hour of our time each week, and yet we come late, fall asleep, and become altogether inattentive while we're in His home.
Why is it so hard to spare an hour of undivided attention to Him, when we can do meetings and appointments that we willingly devote our focus and attention to?
They say it's human nature. Yes, we always blame it to human nature.
I’m thankful I have my daughter to constantly remind me of important lessons I’m missing out because I’m too jaded and preoccupied living my life as a multitasked adult.
She nudges me to stop and smell the flowers once in a while. She is my life, but I never thought I could also learn from her how to truly live.
I was 'trying' (trying, because I haven't quite succeeded yet) to organize the photos in my computer, as I have promised myself after the unfortunate crash I had lately, when I came across this photo.
This shot was taken late last year at the Powerplant Mall. Good thing there's always a camera within reach, that's why this moment was captured in an instant.
By the way, for some of you who may be clueless as to who this guy is, he is Jericho 'Echo' Rosales, a local showbiz celebrity in the Philippines who is also widely-known as the mighty 'Panday' to devoted teleserye fans and the ex-boyfriend of another showbiz personality, Heart Evangelista.
I'm not the type who would pose with a celebrity, albeit a very famous one. But I thought it would be fun for the Little Lady to have this in her photo album.
Jericho and Heart parted ways just recently, due to suspicions of a third party involved. Well, I've seen this guy really up close, and the teenager in me says (well, screams!) that he is every inch worth the heartbreak (superficially, of course).
While looking at the picture, I can't help but thinkabout my Little Lady's future love life. I know how a heartbreak feels like; it's something that I wish I could spare her little heart from experiencing.
Oh, parents.
The act of shielding our children from every hurt and pain in the world comes naturally as breathing itself.
Imagine the thought of protecting your child since infancy from as little as an insect bite to the occasional minor accidents, getting sick, from the school bully and the like, and then out of nowhere comes this total stranger who turns him/her into some lovesick rebel who breaks your rules and then later on tears his/her heart into smithereens.
Don't you just want to wring that person's neck?
I can't help but have these thoughts especially when the little lady started getting pencil written kiddie 'love notes' and doodles on lined grade school paper folded neatly into different shapes with a heart or flower drawn on top, last year. Or whenever I see pieces of paper in her school bag's side pocket with the label 'Top Secret', where she writes the name of her crushes/boyfriends, which usually include Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby and the Jonas Brothers. Or, when she gets curious adoring glances and toothless smiles from little boys her age whenever we're out in the mall.
What's with kids nowadays? Are they growing up too fast or am I just getting old?
I know she has to experience the cycle we've all been through, at some point. The phase when our parents give us their 'I've-been-there-done-that-he/she's-just-gonna-break-your-heart' litany and we still insist on what we feel is the right thing to do all in the name of love.
Then we just realize they've been right all along, while crying and listening to songs about moving on and letting go over a couple of beers and tequila shots.
Well, I still have a few years more before I start worrying about this seriously. I just hope I can teach her how to be wise and to put her mind above her heart, where nature intended it to be (yeah, right).
It had been pretty crazy around the house last week. School started June 10, and the Little Lady’s daily class schedule is at, would you believe, 6:20 a.m.?
As I hesitatingly nodded in agreement on the unbelievably early a.m. schedule a few weeks back during her enrollment, pictures of myself sleeping early kept flashing in my mind. Argh. As a nocturnal being since I don’t know when, I cannot remember the last time I hit the sack early.
Early for me is 12:00 midnight, by the way.
The little lady herself, is used to sleeping late (oh, this is the part that makes me feel like I am a bad mother). She reads, writes, draws and thinks of activities she can do during bedtime. It must be genetic, huh?
I know it will be difficult for her (and for me, that is!) to wake up very early in the morning. Last year, she wakes up at 10 a.m. to prepare for her 12:00 noon class, so there is no need to hurry. After all, her previous school was just a ride away from our house, in case she misses the school service. But now she has to get up at 4:30 a.m. to get everything done before the school service picks her up at 5:30 a.m.
I decided it has to be now, or never. I do not want her to grow up with the same sleeping habit that I have and I really need to train her to be an early riser.
So the past week, I limited myself to spending an hour or two online. (Ever wondered why I missed a drop on your EntreCard or why I did not respond to your message right away?) I also come home late from the office due to a series of overtime work, that is why I have to make sure that I put the little lady to sleep around 9:30 p.m. - the most, before I face the computer.
Good thing she did not have much trouble getting up early, maybe because of excitement over her new school and classmates. I, on the other hand, get up half-awake like a semi-zombie, having just an hour or two of sleep daily for the whole week.
Nevertheless, I am happy with the way things turned out last week, except for her first day where she got lost inside the school and did not find her way to the school service.
Little Girl Lost
I was at the 22nd floor having a training workshop that time, when I got a message from the driver that they could not find her. I panicked and almost flew down the stairs just to be there quick. Thank heavens, it was just a ride from the office so I managed to go there in just a few minutes.
When I arrived, I was ushered to the school parlor where I found her sleeping. The lady guard said she was crying when she saw her. I commend the school for having plenty of guards around who do not allow children to go out alone.
Imagine, I almost had a heart attack (figuratively, of course) that day! Teary-eyed, I was calling all the angels and saints in heaven on my way there. It may seem like an overreaction, but I won’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to her and I am not there.
Ahh, talk about the joys, pains and sorrows of parenthood. It is truly a daily roller coaster ride.
Here I am, back again after an itchy experience with another masterpiece from my little lady. I don't know if it is just me being biased as her mom and number one fan, but I love the way she draws. There is something about her work that strikes me as 'so Picasso'.
When she was a little younger , I always encouraged her to spend time doing art, read her books, and write her thoughts or stories in her diary. Given other activities to keep her busy and let her creative juices flowing, she spends just enough time for TV (thank heavens I was able to teach her how to survive without it!).
She made this drawing yesterday, and for the first time in months I have seen her make art from start to finish, again. She actually begged me to stay and watch her finish making her new princess.
"Mom, please don't work in the computer. Stay here and watch me, pleasssse!"
I realized that I have not been much around lately to see her work on something. I usually see her artworks either half done or already finished when I get home from the office. It has become a habit for me to check her sketch pads for new creations whenever I can, and I am amazed by the fact that she is becoming more prolific as the days go by.
So I stayed. Never mind if I am still agonizing over my allergy or that I have 300 EntreCards to drop and more than a dozen of emails to read. This moment is far more important than all my petty concerns and tasks combined.
My baby asked me to spend time with her. What could be more important than that?
Sometimes when we get too busy making a living, we tend to forget to spend time with the very people that make our lives worth living. We miss a lot and regret it later after time has passed us by.
It is quite funny that it took an itchy worm to make me stay home that day which eventually led us to spend quality time together. Which reminds me, I finally found a reason to be grateful about that unfortunate event.
The unbelievably hot and humid summer of 2008 will soon bid its farewell. It was fun, but it is also quite a relief to see and feel the rain shower these past few days, giving us cooler weather and a more comfortable good night’s sleep.
Speaking of summer, the little lady had another memorable summer experience this year. She wanted to take singing and painting lessons, but I was not able to find a school that offers the said courses near our area. So instead, I enrolled her in the McDonald’s Summer Kiddie Crew program near my office, just like I did last year.
For only 500 pesos (almost $12), enrollees are entitled to the following:
- Tour around the store and its facilities
- Kiddie Crew uniform – McDonald’s cap and shirt
- Kiddie Crew ID – automatically entitles the bearer to a 10% discount if he/she holds his/her party at McDonald’s within the 1 year period. The bearer also gets an extra free toy whenever he/she buys a Happy Meal.
- Food/Snacks for 5 days
- 3 sets of arts and crafts activities (bag, jewelry box and pen holder)
- Ticket for the grand culminating activity at StarCity (with freebies and lots of fun activities)
Great deal, isn't it? I am happy with their program, that is why I am sharing it with you. You might want to include this in your kids/nephews/nieces activity list next year.
During the mini graduation day for all 4 batches, McDonald’s gave out awards and recognition to the participants and surprisingly, the little lady got 3!
Best Kiddie Crew, Best in Counter and Customers’ Choice award
She was really ecstatic when she received those awards. This is definitely one for the books; another memorable experience down in memory lane! :D
One fine day, I overheard the little lady bugging her grandfather to build a cart for her. She knew she can count on my dad, the great handyman, to build and fix things easily.
After a while, she came running to me and proudly announced:
“Mom, I’m going to be a vendor!”
“What?!” (Of all careers, my daughter wants to become a vendor?)
“Yes, I’m going to sell the accessories I made and put it in a cart. I will sell them to our neighbors!”
With a chuckle, I gave her a big hug. At her age, she should be thinking more on how to spend the day playing and watching cartoons. But business?! I might have passed on to her my enterprising genes or probably the constant talk of doing business with my sister has somehow rubbed on to her.
Though surprised, I was happy and proud to find a budding entrepreneur in the household.
She showed me the items and they already have price tags. They were bead bracelets and necklaces that she created using my old beads and strings. So that’s what she’s been busy about all day.
Although they were pretty enough to sell, I can’t let her go from house to house around the neighborhood pushing a wooden cart! But since I do not want to nip her dream in the bud, after words of appreciation and encouragement, I tried to divert her attention to another project.
It seemed to have worked well, as she did not bother my dad anymore about the cart, or me, about peddling her stuff to the neighborhood.
Until one afternoon when she came rushing to me, catching her breath and incredibly excited. I wondered, what was the excitement all about?
She made her first sale!
Apparently, my aunt went to a neighbor’s house and the little lady tagged along and brought her items for sale. She sold her stuff to our neighbor’s granddaughter, another 6 year old, who was there at that time. She was beaming as she sold 2 bracelets that day.
Inside, I felt a little guilty. Though I was supportive, a little part of me was not convinced that she will be able to sell her creations. She believed so much in her goal, and it happened. Unconsciously, she knew ‘The Secret’ and it worked for her.
This story may seem mediocre to some, but I learned a valuable lesson from her that day. She taught me how to believe again like a child, with all of my heart - in my dreams, goals and plans. But most importantly, in myself.
As we grow older, we tend to forget having absolute faith in what we can accomplish. We constantly doubt our capabilities and let a lot of reasons get in the way of believing that we can make great dreams happen.
It only took a child to remind me of that. And I feel lucky enough.
