So-niele

Playing catch up

So Hawai’i was good as it always is. Celebrated Ma’s 75th bday, my bday, and lilman’s 10th bday while we were out there.

Came home only a few days before Lilman started 5th grade. Yikes! Soon he’ll be in middle school.

Lilmiss followed suit the following week and started preschool. 2 days a week for 4 hours w Lil Toots. Her first day went well… her 2nd day? Not so well… Lil Toots wasn’t there . I felt so bad leaving her and never really expected her to react that way. She acts like that when he’s not there before her *sigh*

babyM is getting into everything and anything and drives me nuts and is so adventurous. One nice thing is that I get 1-on-1 time with her when N is at school. It’s funny she doesn’t seem to know what to do with herself when the 2 big kids are at school, but I’m sure relishes in the fact that no one is yelling at her or taking things from her.

The 2 big kids went on their annual Dr’s visits too as well as babyM for her 18 month check up. Lilman is huge-ish. I won’t say how much he weighs b/c he’s quite embarrassed about it, but the Dr did say that it’s nothing to worry about after summer time and once he gets back into his “activities” he should be fine. The Dr also said that by the time he’s 18, he should be well over 6 feet. Possibly 6′2″. WOWSERS!

Everyone has been mentioning how lean N has gotten. She’s sprouted in height quite a bit and has lost a bit of her chub… but her cheeks still remain. At her appt she weighed in at 37 lbs, which is the 50th %. I can’t recall her height. A few days after her appt, I had to rush her to the ER… b/c she stuck a bead in her nose and there was no way to get it out. UGH! The triage nurse told me that I could probably get it out myself by plugging up the unobstructed nostril and covering her mouth with mine and blowing. SUCCESS. The bead shot out at my face as well as some boogers. Oh joy of joys… at least now she knows NOT to put things in her nose.

babyM is also in the 50th percentile for weight, 21 lbs. WOO HOO!! A long way coming from her eensy teensy self when she was born. I’m contributing this to all the good food she ate in Hawai’i. Lol. Her height has her in the 20th or 30th percentiles I think.

I’ve been working on purging and donating. It’s a slow process. Like molasses slow… but it’s happening. I’m so proud of finally purging all the junk that we’ve accumulated. And I’m happy that it’s going to people who need it instead of collecting dust here in the house and just taking up space.

Tomorrow S tackles the backyard… small steps. I am really hoping to have the girls’ bedroom set up before Christmas *crossing fingers* It’s been almost a whole year since we bought that super kitchen, and sadly it’s been sitting in my sister’s garage. Lol.

Posted in babbles, keiki, lil man, lil miss, ohana, celebration, weekend, big mister, baby M | 2 Comments »

Aloha Day 10- PAR-TAY

PAR-TAY day!

Woke up early-ish and did some last minute prep then the birthday girl and I headed out to pick up ice, soda, and the ice cream cake. Came home and all she wanted to do was eat her cake already. Hello, party not for another 2 hours.

Slowly but surely the guests started to trickle in. The appetizers were a big hit and my Auntie A brought over some poke, just for ME . Finally!!! and it was YUM-TASTIC! The kolohe neighbor kids were over early and wreckin havoc. Man I honestly don’t know how their family deals with so many kids. There are 6 of them ranging in age from 12years old to 18 months.

All that matters is N had fun, which she did. She got a lot of good/cute stuff that she was very happy with as well as a bunch of $ that will be spent on replenishing her wardrobe, just in time for school.

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Aloha Day 7- Hau’oli la hanau lilmiss

Big old 4 years old! She will embark to preschool in the fall *sigh* Where does the time go?

Today she woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and yet still with much attitude. Her daddy called and wanted to talk to her and she wanted NOTHING to do with the phone. My sister called. Same thing. UGH!

Packed up the truck and headed to Ko’olina. YAY! The kids have been dying to get out there. And as soon as we plunked down and found a spot they were gone for the water. Last year babyM was much to small to even care about the beach, but this year she was on the shore playing in the sand and water. And then when I brought her out in the inflatable honu, she wanted nothing to do with it. She kept trying to get out and get MORE in the water. Lol.

Had a small picnic lunch at the beach, rested up a bit, and headed back into the water. For some reason the sunblock didn’t work on the 2 big kids, despite lathering them up again. They’re both sporting lobster backs. Pwahahahaha.

Came home and Mama fired up the stove and cooked up some pancit (long life). Then we headed out to buy her a pink cake. Guava cake from Napoleon’s Yummy.

All in all I think she had a good birthday. She just needs to work on her grumpiness factor. UGHs!

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Aloha Day 6

B/c of Mama’s decision to have a party for N afterall, today I made a few small errands and got out of mom’s hair for a little bit.

We were out and about early today and got so much accomplished. Lol

Headed out to Walmart to make a return and look for some invitations to give to the neighbors. I was afraid that it would be too late to send out invites, but hey the neighbors sometimes just tell us to come over day of, so what then? Lol. There were Princess invites (been there done that), Hannah invites (no), and Tinkerbell invites. So then I went in search of something non-commercial. Why on earth were those so much more? $3 more. So we settled on the Tinkerbell invites.

Then it was done to Times to buy some Capri Sun’s for our beach trip tomorrow. It’s always good to have portable/straw drinks for the kids when we’re out and about anyhow. They were on sale for $1.99. Which to me isn’t really a sale back home, but I’m not back home and sometimes just have to suck up the inflated prices that they pay out here for living out in the middle of the ocean.

Then it was off to Cost.co. I needed to get ground pork for the lumpia that I have to roll up for the party as well as some paper plates and ended up picking up a book and a case of water and some other snacks for the kids. Lol. But I do like the new Co.stco that is closer to mom’s house. Nice, new, and empty! But I’m sure that’s a different story on the weekends. Picked up some hot dogs and made our way back home and it was still only 11AM.

Came home, had lunch, and then took a nap with babyM. Only to wake up and have the neighbor kids running amuck in the house. Had dinner and then lilmiss and I made a trip to order her ice cream cake at BR.

Went to Rad.io Shack first in search of a case for “beloved”. But came up empty handed. When we got to BR, we flipped thru the book only to find NO Tinkerbell cake decor. ARGH!!!!!! How ghey is that? So lilmiss picked Litt.le Mer.maid. I’m a bit peeved that the invites do NOT match the cake, but pfft lilmiss don’t care so it shouldn’t matter right?

Tomorrow she turns 4. *sigh* They’re growing too fast. We have plans for a beach day. YAY!

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The final countdown.

We are in the home stretch. Today is the 5th of July and NKOTB is in 4 days and we leave for Hawaii in 5. HOLY MOLY Batman I am so not ready for this.

Yesterday we spent our freedom at a picnic in the East Bay with my sister and her friends/family. S and the girls swam while I sat around. Food was good and plentiful and everyone seemed to have a good time. We were s’posed to stay and watch the fireworks out there until my niece said we would be walking up some hill that wasn’t very child friendly, so we decided to make the trek back home. Lilmiss was none to happy about it b/c she made a friend and was hoping to watch the festivities with her. I already knew she was beyond tired though and making that trek up and back would not have been a fun one. We caught a few random fireworks on the drive home though and she missed them ALL b/c she was knocked the heck out!

So guess what? BOTH girls are sick and so am I. Ughz. I have that achy all over feeling and congestion and gala galas. Ick! babyM has the faucet nose and cough and lilmiss has a cough. Fun, fun, fun! NOT! Just what I need huh? The house is in shambles and all I really want to do right now is flush my system with a steaming hot shower just so my head can feel clear.

Hope your 4th was nice and you enjoyed your day.

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A week later

The party has been done and over with for about a week and there are still remnants about the house. She got PLENTY of clothes and if I wanted, I wouldn’t have to do her laundry for a good while.

The party was a big hit. Everyone loved the location. Some of the kids I didn’t even see b/c they were outside in the playground the whole time. And YAY for good weather. *whew* It rained the night before and even as I left the house to pick up my mom but once we got to the party location it was clear skies the whole day. On the menu: steamed rice, Young Chow fried rice, Mama’s pancit, chow mein, my lumpia, broccoli beef, sweet & sour pork, pork guisantes, bbq chicken, chicken katsu, tri colored mochi, cassava cake, kankanen, broken glass jell-o, Pilipino fruit salad, fresh fruit salad, fresh pineapples, and even li hing mui powder to put on their fruit it they wanted. And the YUMMY cake was from She.ng Kee, a vanilla sponge cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream frosting. YUM! There was plenty of food to be eaten and plenty to be taken home!

The only bad things are that some cash went missing . It was in my back pocket and by the time I remembered it was there, when we were home already, it was GONE. And also a gift card was missing also. *sigh* It took me awhile to get over it, but I’m officially over it. Like my mom kept saying, “Hopefully whoever found the money and gift card, needs them more than M does.”

I am so proud of both the favors *beams* You’ll either have to check FB or Fli.ckr to see them bc they were personalized with her name and I didn’t bother to blur that out.

So glad the party went well, but moreso I’m glad that the party is finally over. I hate the process that goes into throwing a party and all the stress associated it with it. Next time, if I ever throw another party for the kids, it will definitely be low key.

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We gonna party

Sunday is the day! PAR-TAY! Man this week has been hectic and thankfully everything is falling into place. YAY!

Food has been ordered. Cake is ordered. Whatever requisite things I told myself that I would make they’re made and marinating. Moms got a few things to make tomorrow herself and she’ll do that free of any kidlet interruptions. I just need to pick up a few more things tomorrow and we’re good to go. I’m just hoping this all goes smoothly.

I’m quite excited about the favors. YAY! I didn’t bother doing kiddie favors this time around. I’m just tired of all the lil toys and stuff and didn’t want to bother everyone else with the toys.

We are supposed to expect rain on Sunday *le sigh* But at least we’re in a hall. Only thing is that hall has a max capacity of about 50 ppl. And the guest list, according to the Evite, is in the 70s which isn’t including the peeps that weren’t on the Evite. I am still hoping that it will clear up at least of the rain and the kids will spill out to the playground *crossing fingers and toes*

So that’s where I’ve been. I’ve been neglecting this space as well as many other places as of late. Oh well at least the kids are taken care of tho, right?

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Happy Birthday babyM

I am in disbelief that my little mouse is a year old already! She arrived on a Wednesday at 6:54PM after being in labor for 3 days. I swear she really didn’t want to come out, being only 36 weeks and all, but it was a health issue and it was for the better. I actually remember seeing her literally “pop out” like a little ball after pushing. She was so teensy. I swear I was going to break her. And then those 2 scares where she aspirated and turned purple on me in the hospital. But she’s a thriving little thing with a personality all of her own.

She’s been walking now for a good solid month. Her mouth has 7 teeth in it thus far, 4 on the top and 3 on the bottom. She has her 1 year WBC next week but I swear she’s still under 20lbs. She wears anywhere from 3-6month pants to 12 month tops and is in size 3 diapers. Her shoe size is probably a 2.5/3. Her vocabulary consists of these words: “Hai”, “da”, “mumumum”, “ghey”, and lots of grunting. She waves hello or goodbye, throws kisses, and claps. Her favorite toys are still ones that aren’t really toys, paper and remotes. She delights in “playing” with her siblings even though most of the time they’re telling her no or getting her out of situations she shouldn’t be in. She loves to eat anything and everything and when she’s hungry will use “mumumum”. If there’s something you’re eating and she wants it she’ll grunt in your face til you give it to her. And yes she’s still nursing, whenever she wants. She always has some sort of smile on her face and has been dubbed “Smiley” by many. She’s a little more affectionate than her siblings and is so cuddly.

For her birthday we went to Kuya’s playoff game, they won and they’re going to the championships. Then we had noo-noos at Happy Palace T&T and enjoyed cake later with the fams & Uncle Rich and Tita A. She had a free little cake all to herself and smushed the heck out of it! YAY!!!

We’re holding her big birthday shindig next month when Mama returns from Hawaii.

babyM was definitely a surprise, but to me, she definitely completes our family. I know she won’t remember her day but it was special indeed b/c we were celebrating HER!!!!

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When it rains it pours!

Isn’t that so true? Can fit for so many situations but in our case, that would be in the case with money. UGH! Not that it’s pouring in but just the opposite. And here we are in the midst of trying to plan babyM’s 1st bday too.

Srsly! It’s stressing me out. To the point where I am losing sleep over it. *sigh*

Some people don’t believe in throwing lavish parties for babies. B/c they’re too young to remember it all anyhow. But the point is, she’ll only be 1 once in her lifetime! And her first year is definitely something to celebrate. Back in the day some kids never even made it past their first few days, weeks, or even months!

babyM is definitely one to celebrate. She’s come such a long way and I hate to think that we might just squash the whole idea of a party! It breaks my heart srsly! With the other 2 it was no problem. We never really had to worry about venues b/c they’ve always been outside! Hello Summer babies! But babyM is born towards the tail end of Winter and the start of Spring, which means the weather is VERY unpredicatable. I mean come on look at the weather patterns we had as of late. We were having summer weeks ago and then this weekend we had rain! Which in my book is what I’m expecting cold! And that’s not good to have your guests get sick bc you had a party outdoors. UGH!

Don’t mind my vent. It’s just been itching on my mind as of late *sigh*

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At the stroke of midnight!

The lights were ALL on. The money was ready for throwing and instead… Man down! Or rather, lilmiss was down *sigh*. Lilman had the job of throwing the loose change into the mancave. Which happens to be downstairs. I’m running down the hall with babyM in my arms and I turn around to find lilmiss on the floor screaming and crying, but nothing coming out of her mouth. Lilman was halfway down the stairs and I’m yelling, “What’s wrong with you?”

To which lilman responded, “She fell and hit the wall.”

And he did not include the fact that HE was the one who knocked her into the wall.

OY!!!

What a way to start the New Year!!!

My mom even told lilman before we departed from her house, “Do NOT make your sister cry. We don’t want her crying throughout the New Year.”

Please let THAT premonition NOT be true. B/c sadly, she was crying as the clock struck midnight and well past it too.

And what else do we not want? That b/c I was yelling hardcore at my kids that I won’t be yelling at them throughout the year either. I’m sure my neighbors would appreciate that as well.

Happy New Year to me, huh? *sigh*

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good Bye 2008

In a matter of hours it will be 2009! Holy Moly!!!

As per usual we are without the Bm b/c he is working the clubs. No bother though b/c I’m so used to it already! He actually didn’t have something but I encouraged him to find something, b/c it’s really good money.

So right now we’re at my mom’s stuffing our faces. Gotta get it all in b/c she departs back to Hawaii on Wednesday *cries*. I made some binbingkang malagkit. Stopped off at the dim sum spot for buchi (sesame balls), sweet rice cakes, and char siu bao. Round round round= long life. Mom is making pancit as I’m typing, another long life wish. My brother made some carnitas for tacos and we’ve also got some tri tip. Grindz fo’shua. Tomorrow we have prime rib and mashed taters. Yeah you’ll certainly have to stick a fork in me later. But I swear, once Mama goes no more eating!

The year has been an eventful one, especially with the addition of babyM. Lilman started a new school and has participated in basketball and soccer. Lilmiss is growing like a weed and learning at leaps and bounds. The BM started a new job quit it while we were on our summerlong hiatus to the islands, and picked up another job; all in addition to his still holding strong at the station and clubs.

May 2009 be even more eventful for us as a family as well as you. May health and wealth be yours as well. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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4 days til a New Year

More or less the toys and what not have found their places in the house if they’re not already being played with. As I type, lilmiss is enjoying her Hello Kitty tent that she so specifically asked of Santa. This Christmas was rather modest compared to those of Christmas past, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The kids received gifts from people whose children were NOT on my list. OY! SO I need to think of what to get those kids as well as my kris kringle gift for the exchange on the 3rd. Thankfully we put out “wish lists” so hopefully my Kk doesn’t stray from the list. All my Christmas cards are officially out. Albeit later than I had expected this year, but they made out of here before New Year like I had been anticipating. Heh.

Now time to work stress on babyM’s 1st bday party.

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Merry Holidays to you and yours…

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2 more sleeps

Still doesn’t feel like Christmas much around here, probably b/c of the lack of decor. I just realized I never even put up my wreath. No stockings to be filled this year b/c they never made their way out of the boxes. But I managed to wrap all the gifts that needed immediate wrapping. All that’s left are the Santa gifts. Wrapping gifts came at a price last night though as there was lots of yelling on my part, a lot scolding of children, and the baby. Oy! If she wasn’t trying to climb on boxes and get to me then she was putting something in her mouth that wasn’t supposed to be and if it wasn’t that, then she was crying and screaming bloody murder at her siblings. Fun, I tell ya. The holidays are supposed to be Happy, aren’t they?

Today we do the grocery shopping with my mom. My list is rather short, thankfully. Lumpia was rolled last night and I think I managed to roll a supply for New Year’s too. I just realized, I am in fact NOT done with shopping. I’ve still got my Kris Kringle to buy for. But that exchange isn’t until the 3rd so hopefully I can snag some good stuff during the AFTER Christmas sales.

My Christmas cards are in print at the moment hopefully I can pick them up sometime today. Envelopes were addressed yesterday and I realized that I don’t have a lot of addresses. Remember a couple months ago when the iPhone-Macbook sync went awry? Yeah well I emailed everyone and some people just wanted to be b!tches about it, hence they will be receiving GREEN cards this year, digital email ones! HA! Question- What do you do with your Christmas cards once the season is over? All the photo ones I save, of course. They’re compiled in a photo album. All the other ones are recycled. I like to go thru the photos later and see how everyone has progressed/ grown over the years.

Okay 2 more sleeps til Santa makes his visit. Have you been good? What are you hoping to get this year? Either way Merry Holiday to you again hopefully you’ll make it through the season. I’ve already got a few battle scars. Lol.

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4 days and counting

4 more sleeps and Santa will be merrily on his way. All the gifts that needed to be wrapped have been wrapped, but I still have the next round.

So glad we didn’t get a tree, b/c guess who’s climbing now? Yeah! Climbing! WTF? The corralling her shall only last much longer b/c she’ll climb up a “road block” and know how to maneuver herself down… hello back that ass up. Srsly WTF? 10 months old. I swear the others weren’t this advanced. Then again J was walking at 10 months without even crawling.

Speaking of blasts from the past, went through some photos in the harddrive archives and I forgot how chubba wubba lilmiss was. DAMN she had some cheeks on her!

Managed to do some cookie baking too and I have no clue what the hell I’m going to do with them either. We sooooooo do not need to be eating that many cookies. Lol. Tomorrow I roll lumpia.

Gifts are taken care of save for the Mister, and I’m feeling guilty and bad that I don’t have anything for him. What’s worse is that he’s like a little kid when it comes to Christmas and expects something to open. But funds are low, and my brain has been inactive thinking of something to get him. He gets everything and anything he wants for himself on a daily basis.

Okay my free time has winded down. BabyM crawled into a laundry basket full of toy goodness and was occupied for a good 45 minutes. Yeah! I know! 45 minutes. But the whining and crying is now calling me. Happy Holidays…

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13 days til Christmas

Holy Mother of GAH!!! 13 days until Christmas. And we have no tree! Still don’t know if we’re getting one. I like to use the excuse that it’s b/c the baby is into EVERYTHING and will just bring the tree down and put everything in her mouth. There’s also another reason why I don’t want to get a tree, I’m the one to put it up and guess what? I’m the one to put it away. Pfft! It’s babyM’s 1st Christmas and all but still. 3 kids don’t exactly allow me to get a lot done unless it’s at night and by that time I just want to veg and bring my brain to further mush with senseless television watching! So that’s the situation with the Christmas decor round these parts.

As for Christmas cards? Yeah! Uhm… well those might just be “Happy New Year” cards. No pictures in any kind of outfits have been taken. No visits to Santa. Nothing. I did however schedule an appointment for next week to have their photos taken. Go me! Outfits are all chosen and put together, all we need is for N’s booger nose to clear up, for M to not catch the booger nose, and for J to not have the “Chandler smile”. And since we’ll be at the mall anyhow, we’ll make an effort to visit Santa too. Hopefully M doesn’t freak out and have one of “those” Santa pictures. Although her siblings NEVER had them. In J’s 1st Christmas Santa pic he’s actually smiling.

Gifts… *sigh* well for the most part the gifts that need to go to other people outside our 5 have been bought. Wrapped is another story. I have 5 more on the list: a 4 month old baby that is bigger in size AND weight than M, a 6 year old who has everything under the moon, and my sister’s 3 kids. As for our kids N is taken care of, by not much but at least we have gifts. S is in charge of J’s gifts and so far as I know there is NOTHING. I am in charge of M’s gifts and there is NOTHING. S I do have something for but nothing for him to get excited for.

So that is our current update. J has 3 days of school next week and 2 of them are half days. WOo hoo! Why they aren’t consecutive half days is beyond me. LAME.

Happy Aloha Friday peeps!

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*yawn*

I’m tired, seems I’m always tired as of late. I blame the baby b/c despite having a full tummy, taking consistent naps, sleeping at the right time… she still wakes and OFTEN through the night as well as having her internal clock wake anywhere between 630 and 7AM. UGH. I’m not even going to ask what’s wrong with her not sleeping through the night yet. Her siblings didn’t do it, so why should she, right? It would be a nice thing, but I’ve accepted it!

Thanksgiving has come and gone and it was a good one. Being with the ones that matter the most and most importantly Mama wasn’t all the way across the ocean. Tummies were satisfied. Food was good! Now to figure out what to make for Christmas . I made piggies in blankies, lumpia, and pumpkin cheesecake. More than likely I will make lumpia and piggies again, but will do something different for dessert.

As in past years I braved the crowds with Mama Toots and did midnight madness. This year I didn’t. I just couldn’t fathom bringing the baby out at that hour of the night. I can’t leave her with anyone, especially not at night b/c I am her human pacifier, lest I be gone, sure as hell no one will sleep. Instead I woke at 530 and got ready and headed to Tarjey. Picked up a bunch of good loot for gifts and then headed back home to pick up lilman. For some reason the lilmiss had already been awake and was aware that I was heading out, she wanted to come too. Funny thing is she thought it was still night, b/c it was dark. And of course, had to bring baby along. They did very well. Then it was off to my mom’s to p/up mom and SIL. We headed down the peninsula and they went to town at both Old Navy and Guess. Crowds surprisingly weren’t bad at all the whole day. Thank goodness.

26 more days til Christmas!

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What a treat!?!?!

Something FREE on your birthday?

Disney corporation is giving you a FREE ticket into the park of your choice: Disneyland or Disneyworld, on YOUR birthday!!!

More than likely we’ll be in Hawaii when J, N, or even my birthday rolls around. But maybe for BM’s? Even if you’re a season pass holder or have a multi day ticket you can still take advantage of a FREE something. Be sure to check it out and register!!!

We are soooooo itching to go to Disneyland!!!

Posted in babbles, keiki, lil man, lil miss, ohana, celebration, getaways, big mister, out&about | 1 Comment »

Birthday

Now that the lilmissy’s birthday is over with for this year. My mom’s is fast approaching, then mine, and then the boy’s. I planned our trip so that we’d be with my mom on her birthday! YAY . And then we’d leave before mine and the boy’s. Although, maybe I should have stayed and been with the one that birthed me for my birthday?!?!?!

I’m sure it will be plenty low key being that we fly home the night before. Jet leg. Unpacking. Being home after not being home for nearly 2 months. Blah!

Someone asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Not that I get gifts anymore. And not that I really expect to anyhow. My mom is funny and while we’re out and about, if she sees me eyeing something, she’ll say “You want it? I’ll get it for you for your birthday.” So I often tease her about it and pick up random things.

Of course if I could have anything in the world and money was no object, jewelry would be on that list, as well as my dream car, and another trip somewhere.

What have I been coveting as of late?

Blame it on the child in me. I’ve always loved Hello Kitty and never could understand the girls who didn’t. Yeah yeah I’m brainwashing my kids to love her too! So what

I loved it from the beginning. Yeah I’m a bopper at heart. Guess where I’ll hopefully be on October 10th. LMAO. But yeah I loved this show and would love to add this one to the collection.

B/c my other point and shoot went on the fritz before this trip I’ve been lacking on a small compact camera. And one that shoots video too. Been missing all the baby’s moments on film, but I’ve got them in my memory. Right? Pfft.

My “gear” is so lacking when it comes to the 40. I like to take pictures as much as I can, but I’m not so much into the fancy gear. Something that won’t break the bank, and I can still use on a daily basis. Mama Toots has this 18-135mm and I quite like it.

Not so much needs but I can have wants on my birthday right? I would say that I need clothes as of late b/c my wardrobe is quite dated. It could use some sprucing up. But after losing the weight and then some, then gaining a bit of it back again, I am in no mood to look at myself in the mirror.

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Happy Birthday to the lilmiss

Yes, yes the lilmiss is 3 today *sigh* Where is the time going? She has grown from her chubby cheeked self into a strong willed, independent, outgoing 3 year old. She’s still got some cheeks on her though . This year her love for Hannah Montana has won over my love for Hello Kitty. We’re celebrating here in the islands, yet again, and having a small shindig with family and friends on Sunday.

For her actual birthday, we have no real plans, just to make her feel special, and if you ask her, she thinks she’s special *everyday*. Which in all honesty she is . She can drive me up the walls on some occasions but on most she keeps me laughing and smiling and giggling right along with her.

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We all knew it.

Yeah, yeah we’ve all heard that it’s expensive to live here. Makes sense. It’s a rock in the middle of the ocean and to get anything here, it either has to be shipped or flown. The other day we were at Thinker Toys at Alaz and we came across these super cute play sushi sets. I don’t think the lilmiss remembers sushi, but she likes it, more or less. I think it was more the novelty of getting something. I was thinking more along the lines, that her birthday is coming up .

Saw this one first and loved it. Loved that it’s wood too and has those velcro things so she can pretend that she’s cutting sushi. The only thing that had me put it back is the price $24.95. Not bad I know, but I passed on it anyhow. Her love for kitchen things comes and goes.

Also saw this one… and almost considered getting it b/c of the lower price, $14.95, but it wasn’t as “nice” and fun with the cutting and velcro.

Well looky what Amazon has… the velcro one for $14.20, AND the fun one for only $10.99.

I think I might just have to order her both of them as well as the dim sum one.

She loves her some pork siu mai or as they call it here in the islands, pork hash!

Posted in babbles, eating, lil miss, celebration, funnies | 2 Comments »

Where is the time going?

Srsly! Where?

We’ve been here for what? *goes to open iCal, b/c brain is melting from the heat*…
2 weeks + or 17 days? Right?

Yeah well the lilmissy’s birthday is next week and we’re supposed to be throwing her a party. Albeit a small one b/c we don’t know too many people here but still. My mom said this Sunday, uhm hello? Invitations? I haven’t done anything in the way of those. Party favor bags? Yeah none. Food? Not exactly nada but still.

3. I can’t believe she’s been here for 3 years.

So yeah I’m stressing a little bit about that.

In other news, it’s hotter than a mo’fo here. But apparently it’s hotter than a mo’fo everywhere else too.

Posted in babbles, lil miss, ohana, celebration, complaints | 1 Comment »

The 5th of July

Our 4th was not as I had planned it to be. First off we were out for the majority of the day, checking things out, and trying to take advantage of free a/c. It hasn’t been as hot as it’s been in days past, but it was warm.

We were s’posed to fire up the grill and bah-bee-cue. But there is still a question of, is there still any gas in the tank? And I’m not exactly sure how to check that. I’m sure there’s a way. I just haven’t bothered. So no BBQ was had. No apple pie either. Pfft.

There were fireworks though. Me and the 2 big kids went next door and fired off some stuff in the street with the neighbors. I had to come in and rescue the baby b/c she was NOT having my mom. Not. One. Bit. So I watched the Ala Moana fireworks, another set of fireworks close to Alaz (which I’m thinking was Sand Island? but I’m not sure if they do fireworks?) and Pearl Harbor’s. And then this very city had their very own, for the first time, fireworks. Right off the lanai! Nice!!! Here’s hoping they have them every year in the same place b/c they were up close and personal without the fuss of traffic, annoying people, and driving anywhere.

So yeah and an uneventful 4th as it seems.

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B Day

Today all 3 kids were initiated into the Catholic church and received the sacrament of Baptism. It’s been a long time coming. Something my mom has wanted since J was a baby, but at the time the priest was a sh!t. No seriously. He judged me. He judged my choice in the way I led my life and told me I would need to come in for counseling. Uhm, hello? This is not about me. This is about my son.

Long story short that priest left my childhood parish and my mom has since befriended one of the priests, the main priest for Baptism, and all 3 kidlets are now going to be saved. LMAO!

We didn’t have the grand hoopla that usually surrounds baptism. We kept it as intimate as we possibly could, b/c we’ve got tickets to Hawaii to purchase and they’re not coming cheap. Each child has 2 godparents, people who are close to our children and have made an impact in their lives, that we hope will continue on! I think it was less than 25 people and then had the reception in our favorite Chinese restaurant. It didn’t disappoint and bellies were full. The cake was good old Costco cake.

Our friends and families are the best.

I’m so exhausted. From waking early this morning, sleeping late last night. Running errands this morning and then getting the kids ready. Then the ceremony and the reception.

The priest told us this day is as important as their birthdays. It’s their initiation into the Catholic Church and some other stuff that he said that’s slipping my mind at the moment. LMAO. Good thing for me it’s all on the same date, and not 3 different ones!

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Downloading

…. my brain. Or at least the thoughts that are currently inundating them at the moment.

Mother’s Day was low key. Saturday we went to dinner with my fams @ Broadway Prime. It’s become an annual tradition. But this year the prime rib wasn’t as “melt in my mouth fantastic” as it has been in years past, my plate wouldn’t have told you otherwise though, b/c I was grinding on that like it was nobody’s business! No point in wasting the food . Then we went back to my mom’s to have dessert and exchange gifts. Mmm cheesecake! Costco’s cheesecake certainly does not disappoint. I especially like the nonthick crust. Nomnomnom .

Sunday the baby reminded me that I was a mother and that I would have to wake up with her at 6AM. *rolls eyes* In my feeble attempts at putting her back to sleep: sticking the boob in her mouth, patting her, rocking her, pretending I was asleep… she decided otherwise. She was all giggles and smiles. So as not to disturb anyone else, I brought her to the living room and played with her and we both fell back to sleep. Only to be awoken by the lilmiss looking for us. Tried to crawl back in bed but that didn’t happen. As again baby was awake and bright eyed and bushy tailed. Oh well.

Opened up my card from the BM and kids and just milled around the house. Read the paper and then we all got ready and headed out to visit BM’s grandma. Hung out there for a bit and then sent the BM to pick up lunch from Ono and headed over to my mom’s. She wasn’t even home and being as hungry as I was, the lilmiss and I started in on the grindz. She came home and we chit chatted a bit. Then somehow I ended up in her living room taking a nap with the baby. And somehow my mom managed one too.

A low key Mother’s Day surrounded by the ones that mean the most to me, that’s all that really matters in the end anyhow right? Oh yeah and good food too .

In other news, the keiki are getting baptized this weekend. Yes. All 3. I still need to order the cake. The Toots Fam is helping me with favors. And I still need to finalize/remind the reception site. It’s going to be a small affair despite all 3 kids being baptized at once. Which is better for me anyhow b/c I didn’t want to have to deal with all the planning and stressing.

Mom is leaving next week , she’s headed back to Oahu on Tuesday. What am I going to do without her? Who’s going to feed us? No seriously! I haven’t really cooked since she’s been back and I’m not even really sure if the baby will allow it. And then there’s the whole thing about us heading out to the islands for the summer. The plans are to leave a few days after Father’s Day and return sometime before my birthday. That’s a nice big chunk of time at our second home, but tickets have yet to be purchased. Waiting on the BM’s tax return for that. And we’re wondering where it might be?!?! Tickets are frickin expensive too. AUWE!

Oh well I’ve emptied my brain for the night. Time to go to sleep.

Posted in babbles, keiki, cooking, eating, ohana, celebration, weekend, complaints, big mister, out&about, baby M | No Comments »

May

It’s May did you know that? Sometimes I don’t know where the time goes. We’ve had something every weekend and this weekend is no exception. Both days gone. And Mother’s Day to boot. I’ve got some shopping to do tomorrow, here’s hoping I don’t run anyone over with my cart b/c I get irritated fast when it comes to annoying peeps and having to get things done. I’m on a mission and I know what I need to get and where it is in the store. Why I waited til the last minute, I don’t know. Well I guess I do, but tomorrow is when it’s happening.

The boy had sparring today after a month long break from it, and he was very excited b/c he didn’t have that kid he gets intimidated by. I think he stepped up his game. Which is good! He needed that boost of confidence. It sucks though b/c as he’s getting back into karate mode and being interested in it, he’ll be gone again for the summer as we’ll be taking our summer vacation to the islands.

The lilmiss has become quite the ham. She’s so outgoing and has a magnetic personality that she can nearly charm the pants off of anyone. Oh but she certainly has her moments. Don’t let her fool you. She’s a sh!t stirrer (not in the literal sense), she causes problems ALL.THE.TIME. But in the end always turns out becoming the victim. OY! This girl! From hitting her brother to waking the baby, it always becomes their fault! And then everyone makes noise at the same time, causing the blood pressure to rise.

The baby. Poor thing has a cold of some sort is all kinds of nasally and boogery. ICK! You can hear it when she breaths and nurses. And the only time I can relieve her of some of that ickiness is when she sneezes. She has become quite the cooer. And I ♥ it so much!!! Putty. In. Her. Hands. She’s got the sweetest smiles too. Oh and her pouts are adorable, followed by her screaming like a banshee, which isn’t adorable. At. All. But the screaming and crying have slowed down a bit. And so has the sleeping. DAMN! Heh! She’s awake for longer periods of time but she doesn’t like to sit. Just sit. It’s sitting with shaking. Sitting with swaying. Sitting with dancing. Sitting with jiggling. Which all occurs in someone’s arms.

The mama is leaving soon. Oh no. What are we to do? It’s only a short time that we’ll be apart from her though as we’re headed to the islands in June! Hopefully. That’s still up in the air as plane tickets have yet to be purchased.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Posted in babbles, keiki, lil man, lil miss, shopping, ohana, celebration, weekend, complaints, out&about, baby M | 1 Comment »

Uh oh

*clutches throat* Oh no I’m feeling a little something. Like a sore throat or something. YUCK!

Spring Break is going well so far. But the weather hasn’t been all that cooperative. Suck! Took them to the park yesterday and it was blustery winds and cold. We were only there for 30 minutes b/c it was just too cold out.

Grandma (paternal) is doing well, in case you were wondering. She’s been conscious. They took her tube out so she can talk. Good. But….. we got word that now my (maternal) grandfather is in the hospital. *sigh* He had a mild heart attack over the weekend and his kidneys are failing *sigh*. He is alert and joking, his usual self. But now he has to go through dialysis. Tomorrow is his birthday so my mom wants to go down the peninsula to the hospital he’s at and bring him some Pilipino sweets.

So despite it being Spring Break, I thought my duties of driving and rushing to and fro would subside… it seems it’s the same. Only I’ve got to travel farther now. Down the peninsula most days and a plan to cross the bridge on Friday.

In other news I’ve been reading/ looking at other fellow parent blogs and looking at their children’s photos. Yeah I suck! I hardly take pics of my kids on significant days. Like monthly birthdays and I really should, b/c seeing growth and how they’ve changed over a year’s time really makes a difference. *makes note to self*

Posted in babbles, ohana, celebration, complaints, out&about | 1 Comment »

Whew the weekend is over

This weekend is down and now to prepare for another week of busy-ness. Lilman is finally on Spring Break so I’ll have to anticipate for some headaches and fighting. AIYAH! Maybe I can mediate and make time for the park and outdoor fun. The weather was phenomenal these past 2 days but it looks like the fog and chill have rolled in.

BabyM is officially 2 months old today. Happy Birthday to her . Unofficially we had Beard Papa to celebrate . Yesterday @ birthday #1 we got to taste Sibby’s, and oh the yummy goodness! Birthday #2 had the most amazing Thomas the Train cake, too bad it didn’t taste as good as it looked. I looooooooooooves me some cake. Doesn’t matter to me how it looks, it has to taste right though. I’m not saying I’m a cake afficionado, I just know what I like.

Today it was just me and the girls hanging out at first. We headed to the mall for some orange chicken. Made a visit to the pet store to see the puppies, but apparently everyone had that idea so we couldn’t even see them. N now has a favorite visor from where else? The Disney Store! I asked her to choose between the Stinkerbell baseball cap or the full on Fairies visor. She chose the visor and surprisingly has been wearing it all day. She still is . Then got a call from my mom, she wanted me to bring her to my aunt’s house. So we did that and hung out there for awhiiiiiiiiiiile. She will be my hook up for Tagalog and Korean movies. Yay!

This week we’ve also got a Baptism class to attend, a birthday to celebrate, babyM’s 2 month WBC, and then a baby shower. Hope you had a good weekend.

Posted in babbles, keiki, eating, lil miss, shopping, ohana, celebration, weekend, big mister, out&about, baby M | No Comments »

Nothing.

I come here everyday. I type out a paragraph or 2 and then highlight and press delete. Believe me, it’s nothing. Just boring crap. Random thoughts and usually I don’t give a sh!t and just let my brain ramble out the jargon which I’ve been doing, just haven’t been caring to share it.

Life has been busy and hectic and up and down and up again. Lots going on. Lots to prepare for. Lots to do. Emails to send out. That haven’t been done.

We “celebrated” my dad’s 1 year anniversary on Wednesday. I feel like celebrated is the wrong word. B/c it doesn’t even seem like a year has gone by without him *sigh*. Met up with the fam bam @ the cemetary, said some prayers and adorned him with flowers. Had breakfast with them all as well, and then headed home. My mom and the girls and I headed out though and we got an alarming phone call about my grandmother (my dad’s mom). The original call was to tell us that she passed. on. the. SAME. day. as. my. dad. My mom couldn’t handle it and there we were standing in the middle of the store shopping. We were both in shock. We were just there on Sunday. I couldn’t go in b/c both girls were asleep in the car but my mom did. And she also went on Monday with my brother. Then we get another call nearly an hour later to tell us that she was resuscitated. I think it was all a misunderstanding. I don’t think she ever really passed. She’s stable though but has pneumonia, so if you can, just say an extra prayer for her recovery. Please. Thanks.

Like I said, up and down and up again.

In other news, babyM is 8 weeks and 1 day old. *sigh* Where is the time going? I keep telling myself that I need to record her infant cry b4 it changes. So much for taking pictures of her everyday. I’m so bad about that and never mind that I have the P&S in the bag in the car with me at all times or that the iPhone takes pictures too. I take pictures of random stuff all the time. Heh.

The weekend is nearly here and we’ve got 2 birthday parties that overlap each other. We’re going to both though. Gifts have been purchased and wrapped so I don’t have to worry about that thankfully. Lilman is on Spring Break next week unfortunately we’ve got a meeting to attend Wednesday night and a dr’s appt on Thursday. As well as somehow celebrating the BM’s birthday too b/c that’s on Thursday as well and he’s more than likely working.

Take it easy everyone… I’ll try but I won’t promise.

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*Notes to self*

Things in April:

Sunday, April 6th: Dad’s 1 year memorial luncheon
Saturday, April 12th: 2PM Justin’s 1st bday, 230PM Zack’s 2nd bday
14th to 18th: J is on Spring Break
Thursday, April 17th: BM’s bday, 9AM babyM’s 2 month wbc and immunizations
Saturday, April 19th: Baby Shower for the Julians
Sunday, April 27th: Ally’s Red Egg and Ginger Party/ Baptism

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