Sweet Moments

Being a parent is such a blessing!  All the sweet moments added up altogether easily trumps all the whining, fuzziness, tantrums, and bickering that cause havoc in the otherwise perfect little haven we call home.

At almost 27 months, Alex&Allie have done the following:

• Play together for almost 15 minutes without fighting.
• Put together the train tracks without help.
• Get their books of choice for story time.
• Entertain themselves for at least 15 minutes.
• Can put away their toys in their respective bins.
• Say hi to each other to get attention.
• Feed themselves using utensils most of the time.
• Can tell you when their pull ups are dirty.
• Choose what to wear.
• Asks if you're, "happy or sad?"
• Can tell you if their hungry or thirsty.

Listening to their conversations bring so much pleasure after a day at work.  Their sweet hugs and kisses when I pick them up from school and before dropping them off give me strength to go to work and eases the guilt.   Weekends are such precious days to spend quality time to create such wonderful moments and memories that hopefully in my old age will be able to recall.

The hardest part for me is to not worry about the future so as not to clutter the present moment by just enjoying it.  I love their little voices saying, "Mommy, help!"  Before I know it, they'll be too independent to ask for help.

My Toddlers Moments of Triumph

Who knew that my 25 month old twins, Alex and Allie have accomplished so much in such a short time?

One month after their second birthday, I finally made them ditch their pacifiers.  Not with an episode of crying and from time to time asking me for it with a smile knowing that my answer will be the same, “Remember, no more paci, just like what the doctor said!”  I’m so thankful that during their 2yr old check up their doctor mentioned getting rid of pacifiers.

They recognize almost all of the letters in the alphabet and M is their favorite one.  They are beginning to count past 10.  Most of the colors are now recognized especially in cars.  They love the color, yellow. They love to look for yellow cars, yellow bus, or yellow cranes on our way to school. On one of our evening walks in the neighborhood, both kids pointed out their dad’s car parked on the street among throngs of cars. While we are driving or walking they sometimes mistakenly identify other people’s car as their dad’s just by the mere fact that it’s the same color and make.

They learned to listen and remember.  One of the things their dad taught them when they started walking in the neighborhood was to listen for cars or any vehicles and stop walking until the vehicle passes by.  When I walked with them after dinner one evening, both them at the same time stopped and said,” Stop, cars!”  I was thrilled and was very proud.

I was so surprised the other day when I heard them saying, “left foot, right foot.”  I turned back and tried to confirm it by asking them to show me their right hand, and then their left hand.  Eureka, they do know their “left” and “right.”  

My mom and I took them to church on Easter Sunday.   It wasn’t that successful because their toddlers, but what is surprising to me is the fact that one of their most liked “pretend plays,” is the following: They would carry their Easter baskets or a purse and they would wave at me and say, “By mom!” Then I would ask them, “Where are you going?”  They would reply, “Church!”

They know how to make you feel better at a young age.  On any given opportune occasions they know when to ask, “Are you OK?”  Three simple words can erase any booboos you are feeling at that time.

Another Milestone

I guess I've been preparing for this milestone ever since they were born.  The big 2nd year birthday for my twins, Alex &Allie.  And, no matter how prepared you are, something always creeps up.  I bet you any mom out there can relate.

Let's see, it's a day before party #3 and still I don't have a total count of kids that are going to attend or adults for that matter.  I guess, I should have expected that, right?  I'm still trying to delegate other important chores to anyone that would listen in my family.

With that said, I'm so grateful that I have the most

wonderful, super family ever.  I don't know where I would be now with all these craziness without them.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  As I was saying, we have 3 birthday parties for the little ones.  Party #1 - it's their real birthday.  My dad flew from Florida to be with the twins for that.  Auntie Pretty, baked cupcakes to the little ones which they were asking for, for days now.  Daddy, got another toy (basketball hoop) to add to the collection of kids' toys in the living room and everywhere else in the house.

Party#2 - today, a day after their birthday.  This one is for their little friends from school and hopefully the teachers will not have a hard time during nap time after a sugar rush from the cupcakes and juice boxes.  My dad and sister and I, enjoyed watching the kids devouring their cupcakes and singing happy birthday song to Alex and Allie.  I'm so amazed in how everyone waited patiently in their little chairs to get their treats.  Unfortunately, my little ones were not that behaved and could not contain their excitement at all.

Party#3 - tomorrow.  This is the big Kahuna.  I ordered the Filipino food weeks in advance.  There will be 2 birthday cakes and a Faerie named Miss Petal will be flying over to do a magic show, face painting and balloon twisting.  My sister put the finishing touches on the party favors a day or so ago.  My brother and his family will be flying in early tomorrow morning.  One of my sister's will be picking up the cakes and yet another sister is in charge of the transporting the toys to the party place to keep the little ones busy.  While their dad is in charge of the balloons.  Thank goodness my mom agreed to pick up the catered food.

There you have it!  I know for sure that Alex and Allie will never remember any of these, but this craziness will be forever in my heart.  This will be one of the so many milestones that my precious kids will be reaching and I will treasure for the rest of my life.

I'm so excited for them!  I can't wait to see the awe in their eyes when they see the Faerie, cakes, party favors, and all the people who love them who wish them all the goodness in the world.

 

Craziness, I Tell You

Let's see, it's exactly one week before Alex and Allie's 2nd birthday.  So, I'm planning on taking off that Thursday through Monday.  You may ask, "why?"  or not.  But I will tell you anyway.

1. They have their 24 month doctor's appointment on their birthday.  I know, I'm just a crazy mom.  But, this way, this appointment will never slip through the crack.
2. Friday is their pre-school birthday party.  Meaning juggling with lunch boxes, cupcakes, juice boxes and party favors.  But wait, I will have help, my sister is planning on taking off that day also, yay, and my dad will be in town.
3. Saturday is their 2nd birthday party.  So, there will be toys to be hauled to the party site, cakes to be picked up, food and drinks to be bought, and decorations to be arranged.

So, you see, it's just sheer madness, craziness, I tell you.  When you have two kids having a birthday at the same time, everything is multiplied by dos.

Enough said:)

My Summer Job

Yup! Summer is here and this is what I do after my real job is finished. I play monopoly with my niece and I love it!

Road Trip#1

4 hours to San Diego, 3 hours @ Sea World, 2 hours to L.A. 

Cooped up in a van and having cabin fever with your loved ones = PRICELESS

Museum Outing

The "Mummies 3D Secret of the Pharaohs"  is amazing!!!!  Summer is finally here....

Pink Hat

I had to play with my mom's plant, hahahaha!!

Lego Time

This happened last night.

Niece:  Auntie, do you want to play with me?
Me: Sure, with what?
Niece:  What about with my new Legos?
Me: Wow, they're fancy!
Niece: I know.

Isn't this Cute????

I wonder what's waiting  for me when I get home tonight, hahahaha.

Priceless Moment

This happened when I got home after work yesterday.

Niece: Auntie, do you want to play with me?
Me: Okay
Niece: Let's play with my Play-Doh, it will be fun!
Me: Hmmm, what shall we make?
Niece: What about tacos?
Me: Why don't I try peas first and we can start there?
Niece: I'll make a bowl!

Vegetables, anyone???

a-ha

a-ha's farewell tour after 25 years, the last concert in America, a fabulous venue, intimate setting, still close even for an almost nose-bleed seats, and guess what? I forgot my camera!  On the high notes, last two songs of the night, "Hunting High And Low," and "The Sun Always Shines On TV."  Last but not least, the encore song, "Take On Me."  What a night:)

"BIG" is an understatement

I had a whirlwind adventure in Houston, Texas! Nope, not that kind.  My cousin called me in the beginning of the week and said that they'll be having their "house blessing" that weekend and would love to have us for the festivities.  My first reaction was, "good for them" and second, "too bad, can't take time off work."

Luckily the boss gave me 2 days off, Friday and Monday. I got my ticket and became an official representative from Glendale, Ca. since the rest of my family already made plans for that weekend.  My other cousin and his friend will be flying the same day from a LAX, while I chose Burbank.  My dad will be a day late coming from Washington, DC.

The first thing I noticed when I landed at Dallas, Tx for my connecting flight to Houston was,"a man on a segway sporting a cowboy hat and cowboy boots."  Then I was off to Houston. 

The houses are huge compared to our circa 1920 humble abode.  My cousin and his wife's house is huge, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, formal dining room and family room for just the two of them. My dad's cousin's house in my eyes is a mansion, imagine at least 3,000 sq ft for the three of them! Big trucks and SUVs on the freeway, mind you, my dad's cousin drives a Humvee (just her and her son). 

That weekend was the house blessing,  "Pacquiao fight" and the "Rodeo.  Lots of food, laughter and never ending talking.  I had a wonderful time reminiscing old stories from my childhood and hearing stories from my dad and his cousin's childhood years.

"Everything is BIG in Texas, indeed!"  

Valentine's Day

With the significant others left at home due to a "cold virus" or just plain "no more room in the car" reasons, my family and I ventured to Venice Beach for an unusually warm sunny day in Southern California in the middle of winter  to have lunch.  So thankful to have this weather (since my dad sent us photos of his snow packed driveway just a couple of days ago) and to enjoy the company of my family, good food, and beautiful Valentine's Day!

Here's hoping that you guys had a wonderful Heart Day and looking forward to an exciting Tiger Year!

Ressie Went Hiking

We took Hayden and Ressie for a hike last Saturday.  It was a beautiful day!  

Rainy Monday

Today is MLK (Martin Luther King) day, and is a holiday for most of us.  What to do on a rainy Monday?  We decided on going to a matinee.  My sister, brother, and I took Hayden to see a Jackie Chan movie, " The Spy Next Door."  It was really entertaining.  


The movie brought back so many happy childhood memories back in my hometown.  I remember watching his kungfu movies that were dubbed in English while eating hot garlic peanuts sold by the street vendors just outside of the cinema.  I heard from my cousins that there are no cinemas in my hometown anymore.  That's really sad.


The smell of buttered popcorn, kids and adults laughter, Jackie Chan's funny antics still fresh in my memory sure made this rainy Monday a very warm and happy day.

Something Borrowed

It's 98 degrees outside, but feels like 100 degrees and mind you it's the second day of Fall.  Taking a cue from Buday's post, I took time out to go to one of my favorite places, "the library." Most of the books from my list that I wanted to borrow were out.  So,  I just took two books from the "new arrival shelf" that somehow looked interesting from a quick glance.  Let's hope they are entertaining.

 Glendale Public Library

 Catchy Title 

                                                                        

 

                Looks like a good one

Move-In Day

I should have paid attention to the "one way" signs all over campus today, or checked the university calendar because I was stuck in traffic on my way home on a Friday afternoon.

It's "Move-In Day" at UCLA today. New and returning students along with their parents and families were moving in to their respective residence halls because Fall quarter starts soon. The scene was so varied in moods. I saw parents and kids with their proud smiles, some worried looks, some with frustrated frowns and still some laughing and talking while pushing carts piled with pillows, beddings, lamps, and even plants.

Oh I remember when I took my little sister to UC Santa Cruz for her "move-in day." We drove early in the morning for almost 7 hrs in my red Mazda and got to this beautiful campus on top of a hill with lots of trees overlooking the ocean and with a family of deer greeting us. It was an exciting and sad day for me. I was so proud of my sister and scared for her at the same time. I knew that she'll be away for 4 years, and that was sad even though I knew she'll be home for breaks and holidays. I don't know why I just left her after I helped her moved her things in the room. I gave her a hug and hurriedly drove away. I guess I just hate goodbyes. Looking back now, I should have hang out and checked out the campus with her. However, I managed to visit her while she was up there. I was also there for her 21st Bday, that was fun!

What the heck! Thirty minutes in traffic on a Friday afternoon, bringing back good old fun memories, priceless!

Road Trip

One last try to hang on to summer, a road trip to Mexico with my sister.



First time to cross the border on foot

Loving the ocean view, warm sun, and thoughts of lobster and margaritas

Hmm, I think I can get used to this

At Puerto Nuevo


My plate


Hanging out with Robert

With our wonderful hosts


I'm ready to move here


At Ensenada

Well folks, that's all. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend like we did.

Happy Thoughts

I'm starting my day with happy thoughts. This photo was taken with my cousin Aboi in 2005 at Paguriran. That was a fun trip! Swimming with whale sharks in Donsol, island hopping to Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and back to Bicol, visiting the Basilica in Naga, site seeing near Mayon Volcano, hanging out with family and friends and food, glorious food. This cousin of mine is definitely a FIGHTER!
I am sending out good thoughts to everyone.

3 Day Weekend

We just had a three day weekend. Like everyone else, ours was spent eating and more eating. This year I did the barbecue with my mom's help (I can't seem to tell when the ribs were done). My brother brought down with him his "Guitar Hero," which was a big hit! I remember Melodie blogging about this game a month or so ago. I also played "Rock Band" at a friend's party. Before I knew it I was waiting patiently for my turn. Nothing feels as good as "rocking" the weekend! Next stop, "Rock Band."