Summer in Manila: Our McDonald's Kiddie Crew

If given a chance to eat one food for the rest of his summer vacation, I'm pretty sure this 5 year old would say "one piece chicken and rice, please" from where else but McDonald's!

I've been blogging about our love for the McDo on a hill, and how we always treasure our weekend mornings there. Working at his favorite place would surely thrill him no end. Thanks to mama who found out we can actually enroll him at 5, because I've read materials the minimum age is 6.


The Uniform (and snacks)

Even before his 5- day stint officially began, the parents and guardians were asked to come in for a brief orientation. With the P500 fee, the kids were issued a kiddie crew shirt, an apron, a cap and a sling bag! That alone was worth maybe more than the fee already. Not to mention they also provide snacks to the kids before their duty ends everyday.



The Duty
Of course I was more than excited for my son to begin his actual "work". He was enrolled on April 8 to 12. Good thing we have the April 9 holiday so we get to watch him on the floor.

He got to be an assistant at the cashier

studying the order slip

reading it, or trying to

looking for utensils and tissue

Helped at the takeout counter

He mostly placed tissue on the trays and was heard saying " what, tissue again!" After placing tissue at a customer's tray probably for the nth time.



Welcomed and thanked the guests

Welcome to McDonald's and Thank you for coming!

hmm,  play or work?

tired na?

all smiles

Served food

 


Aside from the duty, they also participated in some fun stuff!

Learned the "Do the Ronald" dance
 
Like singing, and dancing.

Dance away (never mind if he's in the opposite direction =) )

Painted their apron

He loves anything involving paint and this one is no different.

And the highlight: made their own burger!

ahhh, will post the photos once I find them


The Awarding

If the 5 days weren't special enough, they received special pins and certificates towards the end of the program.
 
A this point in time our son must have felt he can do anything!!!!

Thank you, Mcdo!

I'd be forever thankful to whoever started this summer activity. True, the kids were sometimes a handful, and in truth, was slowing them down more than being of help. But the crew at Mcdo were so helpful and good at this already the kids felt they were truly helping. In fact, my son was so proud of his work stint he continues to wear his kiddie crew shirt as much as he can long after those 5 memorable days were over.

Approved!

Experience Farm Life at Balik Bukid

For Manila-born and raised people, going to a farm is BIG deal. Especially when the farm is only less than an hour or so drive from our place, and there is shopping involved.

I've been hearing about Balik Bukid for years and actually planned to visit late last year. We were finally able to go this summer and we got a taste of the wonderful and relaxing farm life at the Balik Bukid country fair.

This experience is best retold in pictures.

Left: Love the fresh, colorful flowers and the MJ quote; Right top, i love the billowing white tent over the booths selling home made, all natural products; Right bottom: daddy and son by the entrance

Entrance is free, but being first timers and wanting to experience everything the place had to offer, we each paid P350, giving us full access to the facilities.


Nearest the entrance is this man made lake, where we got to fish. First timers, we caught two teeny weeny fish , which the kuya promptly put back to the lake. Nevertheless, it was a thrilling experience for us.

Still high from that experience, off we went to the boat area. A bit of maneuvering here and there and handling the paddles, and we were again off.

Of course to a kid, this big sand house was heaven-sent.

Climbing the spider web

He was initially hesitant to cross the hanging bridge but with some gentle prodding, he made it!

The bridge led to the zip line!!!

Father and son did a tandem zip

He also had close encounters with rabbits and guinea pigs.

You can also hold and pet the hamsters (but I was too scared they might bite so this is just really for picture taking)

And my big boy also did the rope course challenge!

There were lots of wide, open spaces to roam around and lounge around. We even got to bring his scooter!

And look at this charming wash area.




At the heat of the midday sun, so unforgiving at the peak of summer, we thought it would be good for the boy to cool off. There were quaint outdoor showers like this.

Instead of the planned quick shower, he got to dip in this pool.. and eventually stayed there for over an hour. Too bad I forgot to capture the kids (because the pool quickly filled up with kids) playfully splashing around.

Mom and dad took the opportunity to just sit at a wooden bench and take photos!

I wish we can do this every weekend!

Priceless!

It was great to be outdoors!

Of course the highlight would be riding this white horse. First with daddy, and then just by himself!

And what can speak more of farm life than this carabao-pulled cart!

I would've liked to get to see the booths better and longer, but there is a boy impatiently pulling me away so I just had pictures of my new drink discovery. Sold at P35 per bottle (approx), they were so refreshing and good I bought several more bottles to take home.

Banigs are available for free. We got two and enjoyed or fan hour or so the green surroundings. I was eating chips and thought I could really get used to this: no worries, lying under the shade of giant trees, my son running and playing around. It seems so simple, yet so difficult to achieve these days in the city.

Balik Bukid, we'll be back!