So-niele

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!

So far it looks to be a wet one this year. The rain has graced us even a day, or at least a few hours early. A couple years ago I remember a light drizzle. Here’s hoping the rain subsides long enough for the kids to even get just a little bit of loot. Why, earlier, did I have a craving for a chocolate bar? That’s certainly not something I normally want to eat, so I told myself that I’d have to wait until I inspect the kids’ candy .

As for costumes… they’re finally complete. Lilman is going to dress up as a “brain donor” and his costume cost us a whopping $3.29! Lol. $2.29 for the head of cauliflower that will pose as his “brain”, and $1 for the fake blood that I have to put on his gauze. My brother snagged a hospital gown and some gauze from work and I scrambled around the house for a jar to put the “brain” in. Lilmiss is going as “Snow White” and babyM will be a panda. I fashioned a little red bow on the top of my panda’s head, just in case people wonder if she’s a girl or boy!?! And I’ve gotta snag a bamboo stalk from my mom’s house.

J’s school has a parade scheduled but it might be rained out . And we’ve got plans to t-o-t with my cousins and their kids while my mom and aunt stay home with the littlest of the trick or treating crowd! Woo hoo! I’m kinda excited! Let’s just hope everything pans out and the rain waits it out a little for the showers!

Happy Halloween everyone! Be safe!

The soccer one that is. They didn’t lose. But they didn’t win either. We thought for sure we were going to be walking out of there with our heads down low. But they scored, and so did the other team. And although they’ve tied before, somehow walking out of there with a goal is somehow better. They were all so happy, as well they should be.

We made a trip to the pumpkin patch for the baby’s 1st pumpkin patch visit. She was in snooze land when we arrived and I was very hesitant to wake her, but she was all smiles . Yay! I think I got some good pictures in. And funny babyM was the most cooperative of the bunch, even compared to the Daddy. Ha!

We were s’posed to be in many places today and made it to the select few that we did.

Oh yeah, think we might be on the hunt for a new school… AGAIN! Oy! This is annoying. Lately we’ve been missing out on some vital info from the school. Stuff that’s s’posed to be in the twice a month envelope that gets sent home, only it hasn’t been in OURS. And more than a month ago, I sent in a sheet of paper indicating that we’d be donating some food for the International Dinner. S gets to the school to drop off the goods and they’ve only got us down for 1 donation. The one that gets LESS points. WTF???? And then she nearly refused to accept the other one, and only gave us HALF the points. Biiiiiiiiiitch! He forced it on her! Bullshit! The damn school is so damned cliquish it’s annoying. J is doing absolutely fine, excelling even and I hate to pull him out when he’s made some good friends, again, but sometimes it’s better for our own sanity. It’s strange to me that tuition is so varying around the city. Oy! Decisions, Decisions!

What an absolutely fun night of screaming and singing and dancing all in the name of love for the New Kids on the Block. Back in the day I was a big fan. I don’t even know how many concerts I went to, but there were many. My room walls were covered in posters and pictures from Tiger Beat, Bop, and the likes. I tried to collect as much paraphenalia as my parent’s wallets could handle, one of which was NOT the jacket, *runs away crying*! I did have the whole sheet set though and secretly I wish I still had them .

I think I’ve jumped shipped from my fave though, and if you don’t know who my fave is then truly you don’t know me. Why are you still here? And why do you even think you’re my friend. Lol, j/k!

Mr Wahlberg was #3 on my list back in the day and after last night he shares the #1 with…

*swoons* shootz I’d looooooooove some “face time” with Mr W and I’ll log on all the rest of those hugs he needs to make it to a million. Without a doubt .

Upon hearing about their reunion tour there was no doubt that I wanted to go and I want to thank the BM for making that happen. And for scoring us some primo seats on the FLOOR in the SECOND ROW! I also want to thank Mama Toots for accompanying me on this journey back to my teen years. Funny I recognized a few faces at the arena from back in the day, one of which had been like my bff freshman year (b/c of our love for NKOTB, lol) up until I lent her my video tape of all their tv appearances and she erased it! Yeah, believe you me I was f*ckin pissed. I ended that sh!t with a quickness. UGH! B!tch! I’m still a lil hostile 15 years later, HELL YEAH! That was some time camped out in front of the tv and subjecting myself to getting yelled at by my dad for a piece of scotch tape that she placed over that tab and erased my sh!t. [/end vent] We also ran into some current friends that I didn’t even know were going to be there!

Seriously I’m in love with them all over again. I can’t stop listening to their music and flipping thru the photos from the concert that I took. So much fun. And I want to do it all over again! I sooooooo want to do it all over again.

Since J started school, life has been rather non-stop. I like it and yet I don’t. I still never filled out my week-by-week calendar that is supposed to be on the fridge. I did find all my colored pens tho !!! Just need to squeeze in some time to play around with that. And that would probably be about this time at night b/c they’re all asleep and it’s ME time but I don’t wanna.

We had our first Catechism meeting today and it wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. J did all this extra work for nothing. Pfft! Typical! Next meeting is in December so come then, I won’t be such a spaz on him. It’s his religious teacher’s fault. He told us to do it ALL! Always the overachiever , better safe than sorry right?

Soccer is winding down. They didn’t win this weekend, BUT they didn’t lose either! It was a tie 0 to 0 ! And basketball is about to start up and J is having second thoughts about it . Not a competitive aggressive bone in his body. But doing nothing is not an option. Karate is always in the wings but he still doesn’t seem into it anymore. Lilmiss, however, wants to do everything under the sun. Hula. Yes. Karate. Yes. And I sooooo want her to do it all, but these things are NOT cheap.

It’s heating up here again in these neck of the woods. Indian Summer don’t fail me now!

The holidays are creeping too! I’m rather excited for them b/c of the kids! Last year I was rather bah humbug only b/c my family wasn’t here, mainly my mom. But we’re making her stay for Thanksgiving and Christmas too!!! WOOT!

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!!!

A friend had these at her daughter’s party but couldn’t remember where she bought them *rolls eyes*. Never bothered to look for them but came across them at the Super Walmart and had to buy them. So cute. So tiny. And just right to satiate the desire for ice cream! I even let the baby have ‘em, sans ice cream of course. She gobbles them up.

Speaking of the Super Walmart. Damn that place is looooooooove. One stop shopping. Seriously! Too bad I have to travel across 2 bridges to get there. And to top it off they’re building a Sonic’s in that very same plaza. Oh to live in the boonies and have all the luxuries of suburbia .

My poor son’s soccer team lost their game today and secretly I think it’s b/c I wasn’t there. B/c I’m a good luck charm, or maybe one of his sisters is a good luck charm ? B/c none of us were in attendance. My brother took him and they lost 0-2. Or maybe my brother is bad luck, or his lady is bad luck. Hopefully this will be the only game I will miss this season.

The girlies and I attended a wedding for one of my close friends from high school. She was glowing. She looked lovely! I’m so happy I was able to attend the ceremony at least. I couldn’t do the reception b/c I just wouldn’t have been able to handle the girlies. I’m sure I would have gotten help from the JQ but the baby is so, UGH! Just UGH! Had the reception been super informal and I could have donned some sweats then I would have been all up in there but me dressed up wrangling the 2 girls= hot mess! I’m sad I missed out but that’s the price you pay when you have kids, right?

BM had his first day of training. He left the house feeling nervous and at some point I thought he was going to bail on this new found job b/c he was already feeling overwhelmed with the schedule they’ve given him. 8 hours later and he says it was cool. He says he can’t wait to go back tomorrow. Like what? YAY! I hope he stays as enthusiastic

I finally had my appt with the optometrist! He was soooooooo nice! My glasses broke while in Hawaii and I need to replace them asap b/c the super glue will only last so long. I also noticed a bit of a change in my prescription anyhow. I”ve had these frames for a loooooong time too so it’s time for a change, and I need to refill my contact prescription too.

Which reminds me, I need to set up an appt for the boys. J has been complaining about not being able to see. Most of the kids in his class wear glasses already. It’s probably from all the gaming and computering.

After my appt we headed to Sp.ortmart to get J some cleats and shin guards and socks. He has his first soccer practice tomorrow! Was looking for red socks b/c his uniform is red, but they didn’t have ‘em. Daddy of course picked out the shoes b/c he has to look cool. Ahahaha. $76. AUWE! That’s not including the fee we had to pay in order for him to play. And then it’s basketball after this, gotta get him shoes for this sport too. Damn this kid is expen$ive, but I suppose we’re saving a bit from not putting him in karate, right?

Yesterday the boy was sent home with two books to cover. I’ve always wanted those stretchable book covers, so off I went in search of them. Why did Tar-jey only have florals and pinks left? I dug through the bin and there happened to be two really ugly brown, orange,and yellow with footballs and helmets on ‘em? UG-LAY! I picked them up anyhow. Then I went to Rite Aid and came across some Pokemon ones by chance and an ugly plain orange one. I figured he would have more books to cover as the days go by.

So I get home and guess what? NONE OF THEM FIT! Ugh! Too small! So if I have time today I’ve gotta return them all, save for the orange b/c the packaging didn’t hold up well when I opened it.

So I had to forage for paper bags. I was hoping to come across some shopping bags from Nordy’s or Old Navy b/c I like the whites, but that would require shopping there and that hasn’t happened in a great while. So good old brown paper bags is what it was.

Back to school supplies… so while I was looking for those book covers I was also looking for a solution for his pencil pouch. Saw a whole bunch at Tar-jey. But… they were all for girls. ALL. OF. THEM. Florals. Pink stripes. Purple dots. WTF? And if it wasn’t those it was High School Musical or Camp Rock. Then the same at Rite Aid with the all pinks, Bratz, and the like. Did all the boys buy out the pencil pouches I doubt it.

I looked around the house for some sort of pouch for him to use, and all of mine are rather girly. *scratches head*

Seriously?!?!

I was sitting on the pot today thinking about how much we spent on the lilman’s uniforms. My mom bought him a bunch of the white standard polos for $4.80 each when we were in Hawaii from Old Navy. We scored on those b/c they were 2/$12 and mom got an additional 20% off. The uniform place wanted $16.75 EACH for stinkin white polos. Sheesh. 3 pairs of grey corduroy pants, 2 button up cardigan sweaters in red (yuck!), and 1 oxford shirt (for mass days). Total= $185. AUWE!!! And we still haven’t bought his shoes or school supplies yet. His shoes have to be ALL black, no colored logos, no hightops.

4th grade. I can’t believe I am the mother of a 4th grader. HOLY SH!T! Seriously? I refuse to believe it. He just turned 9 for goodness sakes.

4th grade I was the star of our volleyball team. I knew nothing of the sport, I just figured “What the heck! all my classmates are signing up too.” And since then I’ve always loved volleyball but only played from 4th to 8th grade. We’re hoping that lilman signs up for soccer and at his own request basketball. CYO here we come.

Lilman is starting a new school again. Catholic school this time around. We know a handful of kids at the school already so his transition shouldn’t be too bad. *crossing fingers* For K-2nd he went to a private school that we absolutely loved. It was nice and small, he got the attention he needed as well as being challenged. Shootz he was learning Spanish, music, PE, History, and Science in Kindergarten! Yes! In addition to the other stuff, it was amazing. But the owners of the school sucked. Majorly. And they raised the tuition, so there was no way we would able to keep him in there and survive. He did 3rd grade in our neighborhood public school and he wasn’t challenged. It seemed he was repeating a lot of the work that he had done in 2nd grade and they refused to advance him b/c of age. Lame. B/c there are always so many budget cuts there weren’t any extra curricular activities or classes. So hopefully he’ll be challenged again this year.

I’m dreading the mandatory service hours though. OY! With 2 little ones at home, I’m kinda limited with the sorts of help I can give them, unless they don’t mind me bringing them along to help. Which I’m sure they’re not. Pfft!

1 more week of summer for all of us. *sigh*

Now that she’s 3, or soon to be, she’s got a mind of her own. We already knew she would be very independent, and demanding like that.

We went to Price Busters yesterday in search of invites. I was really, really hoping for a Hello Kitty party and she was sold at first, until we turned the corner . And there she was. Hello Kitty’s arch-nemesis apparently. *sigh* Hannah Montana. Tossed aside were the Hello Kitty invites for the Rockin’ Hannah Montana ones. *sigh* Luckily for her some of the party paraphenalia was on sale, so I picked those up.

She’s only 3. What is the age that determines tweens? B/c she certainly seems like that *rolls eyes*

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.

We’ve been here 1 week already. And it seems it’s gone by all too fast.

I still haven’t had any shave ice. No Zippy’s. Barely plate lunch. None of my fave garlic chicken or garlic mahi. I’ve had a teaser portion of haupia cake a teaser of poke. I’ve shared a plate lunch at Yummy’s and even shared an Apple Napple. Oh and I’ve been totally digging mama’s cooking. Oh hell yeah! Especially the dinengdeng, nothing better than fresh veggies and sweet Kahuku shrimp *slurps*!!!

We’ve gone to the pool once and it was an all bad experience. First the lilmiss lost her knowledge of swimming. Not that she had any real ones to begin with but her confidence went into the toilet. Last year she could “monkey walk” the pool and even dunk her head. That day we went she couldn’t even hold the sides of the pool and either wanted to strangle hold me or sit at the pool’s edge. Which meant no aerobis workout for me. Despite there being 2 lifeguards there, I was afraid she might fall in anyhow. So yeah, she’s not coming to the pool anymore. Pffft. Then I think the pool man must’ve overdone it with the chlorine b/c it tasted like crap. Ewww. And when we got home, the baby was NOT having anything to do with feedings b/c she too could taste the crappy chlorine water on me. Ewww.

The boy has been asking to go to the beach and being that the baby is exclusively @ the bo.ob, that can’t happen unless the mama comes along b/c a trip to the beach, takes a LOT of time. And the mama doesn’t like to be in the sun much, let alone the beach b/c she doesn’t go in. She’s allergic to the sun. Doesn’t that suck?

Yeah so 1 week down. Don’t know how many more we have to go, maybe like 6 or something. Heh.

aloha

I brought the camera out on our adventures yesterday but they weren’t much in the way of adventures. Just stopped at my aunt’s like I said and swung by Walmart, did NOT get my flat iron either. Grr. This is not looking pretty!

This morning when I woke, I couldn’t even see the mountains bc there was rain and fog and lots of it. Blech. But the skies have cleared and nothing but blue skies but we normally don’t go out on Saturdays out here b/c my mom cleans and such and then we go to church. We stay away from the beaches b/c we would be waiting a long while for a parking space and then a nice space of beach space. Why bother when we can go when everyone is at work during the week. Right? And just like I at home, I loathe going shopping on the weekends, again b/c there are hoards of people probably trying to beat the heat. So we just hang out in the ‘hood. I would take the kids to the pool down the street but that would ensue tired and crankiness when it’s time to go to church. Maybe when we’re finally fully adjusted to the time change. Then maybe.

BM seemed a pit peeved that we’re not doing anything. We’ve got 6 other days out of the week to do things. And we’re kinda on vacation, and yet we’re not. Like I’ve said, this is literally our second home and it’s not as if we’re constantly on the go when we’re back home. Right? Oh wells.

I would go outside and take pictures of my favorite flowers, but the mosquitoes loooooooooove me and that’s NOT a good thing . Since last night I have 4 bites and counting. Grrrr!!!

If you’re pilipino or Asian for that matter. You know how rude relatives can be, right? Well I got an awesome compliment today that put me on top of the clouds. It don’t matter that my hair is a hot mess with the lack of a hot iron at the moment. 2 Walmarts and both out of the same iron! WTF? Everyone’s hair a hot mess? Anyhow back to cloud nine… I got out the car and my auntie kept complimenting me that I look “goooooooooooood” as she kept saying. *insert big cheesy grin* She kept complimenting me and I told her to check back before I leave b/c I’m sure I’ll have gained all that I lost from the breastfeeding with all the eating I’m planning to do . But strangely I’ve been holding back. I have yet to stop at Zippy’s or even get a plate lunch! There’s still plenty of time for that tho .

Aloha from Hawaii. Fell asleep fairly early for HST but that’s only b/c we haven’t adjusted to the time yet. So of course the boy was up at 3AM and the baby followed suit at 4:30AM all on HST, which is the equivalent to 6AM and 730AM PST.

The birds were singing a chorus line right outside the window in the mango tree and that’s not something she’s used to hearing.

We’re headed out for the day. Going to attempt to bring my camera along. Didn’t bring the P&S this time around. So I’m not promising anything.

Have a lovely day and hey Aloha Friday

We’re back in the islands and it feels good. But I’m missing the mister something awful. We were s’posed to have an iChat date, right now actually but he had to do something for work and has rescheduled for 10PM HST, which is 1AM PST. Don’t think I’ll be awake then b/c I slept late last night, woke early this morning, and didn’t get any kind of sleep on the plane. But, I’m actually not tired now. The crappy thing is that the wireless is acting wonky right now so I’m restricted to sitting in the “office” wired. Pfft. This sux. I can’t watch my k dramas in bed.

The plane ride wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. Thank the powers that be! Woo! I gave lilmiss her dosage of Benadryl while we were still at the airport and she fell asleep before the plane ever left the gate. The baby fell asleep on and off too, so my flight was awesome, here’s hoping that my return flight is just as nice. Lilmiss woke up just in time for lunch, but the crappy thing about sitting in the way back is that they ran out of certain lunches. We were all hoping for sammiches but ended up with pasta. Pfft. I didn’t even eat any of it. Sux and I didn’t get much of a breakfast to begin with. So surprise, surprise the first thing I wanted to do when we hooked up with my mom was to eat. She had some Nanding’s Spanish Rolls that she had picked up before getting us. So we just munched on those and headed home for some of her homecooking. Managed to take a nap with the baby but it was interrupted a number of times by the boy.

We’ve already managed a trip to Walmart and Times . Baby needed some diaper rash cream and I actually need to get a flat iron for here. I decided that bringing one back and forth is lame and that I’m better off getting one for here. They didn’t have the one I was looking for. Grrr!!!

Baby is having issues with the heat, but other than that it seems the kids have already slipped back into their usual routine here. They even went out to play with the neighbors. Heh.

Alooooooooooooooooooooooooha!

Funny how I had a “craving” of sorts for White Choco Chip and MacNut Cookies all b/c of that teaser I had from Subway. And so I was on a mission to make my own. My mom brought back HELLA macnuts from the Big Island. And of the baking variety too. Woot! B/c them suckahs is expensive. I just needed to buy butter and white choco chips! And then while out with my brother and his gf today they bought some at Mrs. Field’s! I told him I was going to make some and he said he wanted them right then and there. LoL. The recipe I used yielded like 6 dozen, and they’re NOT nibblers either. I’ll definitely be sharing these.

White Chocolate Chip MacNut Cookies

1 cup butter softened, 2 sticks
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs, room temp
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups white chocolate chips
2 cups chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugars til fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Beat well. Blend in flour and baking soda. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes! Remove immediately and put on wire rack for slightly crispy slighty chewy cookies.

Nomnomnom.

Until we board that plane. Wo0t! I am so excited and at the same time anxious as to how it will be boarding the plane with 3 kids all by my lonesome. Let’s hope they’re nice to me and cooperate and not make me want to take the emergency exit. Oy!

Things to do/eat:
1. Leonard’s Malasadas! Yum!

2. Shave Ice!!!

3. Eh brah, gotta get da kine Zippy’s!

4. Kim Chee Tako Poke

5. Ahi Shoyu Poke

Are you noticing a trend here??? LMAO

6. Garlic Ahi plate lunch

7. Korean BBQ plate lunch

8. Garlic Chicken

9. Mom’s homemade dinengdeng made with fresh veggies from the Farmer’s Market!

10. A bowl of saimin from Shiro’s!

I know I’m missing some things here but I’m sure you can see what I’ll be doin a lot of while I’m there. There will also be lots of beaching and loafing and driving and shopping and just hanging out.

You’re jealous. I know .

Last night, the baby and I hung out with Mama Toots. The boy stayed with my brother and the lilmiss hung out with the rest of the Toots. It was nice just hanging out. We walked around the hip and happening B St area of San Mateo in search of dinner. We settled on Japanese food and it ended up being a good choice. Either that or I haven’t had Japanese in awhile.

Then it was off to the happenings at Bacio Cafe. Fun, fun, fun! Makeovers, trivia, drinks! All in honor of the release of Sex in the City in theaters. We wanted to watch the movie too but tickets were all sold out.

The makeover I got was a little over the top for my taste. LoL. I actually wanted to learn how to apply eye shadow. Yes. I don’t know how. Sue me. I still don’t know how. Lol.

I won something!!! I answered the first trivia question right. That’s from freaking watching reruns at night 5 nights a week for an hour. Lol. My Question: “Who was the actress that played Carrie’s boss at Vogue?” I knew the answers of most of the trivia questions. I like my tank top!

I really want to watch the movie, and I don’t know when that’s going to happen.

The baby did so well. She hung out with other people and didn’t have a hissy fit. She deceived people by being so good. LoL. They kept saying how good she was, and I’ll have to admit, she was… but still. They don’t see her when she’s home and complaining and driving me up the wall, like her siblings do too.

Definitely a good night out. I wonder when that’ll happen again? October 10? LOL

So yesterday, at my mom’s request, I decided to take the kidlets back to church to attend mass. And also to pick up the bulletin and witness the kids name in print! LoL. Yeah they officially announced them in the bulletin as being full fledged members of the Catholic church. Not in those words exactly but you get it .

It didn’t start well. The boy went swimming earlier with my brother and so he was a bit tired. I had to “bribe” him that if he went without complaints or problems we would go to Target and he could spend some money. OY! I don’t know how many times I had to elbow him. And let’s not even get into the little miss. Since going with my mom, the kidlets are separated and the lilmiss sits with my mom closer to the aisle. Well she climbed into our pew and kept getting in. To annoy his sister, the boy decided that he wanted to sit on the aisle. OY! Anything to be difficult. Right? She turns around and sees where he is and without controlling her voice starts yelling at him in church and pulling him out of where he’s sitting. Remember we’re in church. Acoustics! Thankfully only a handful of people were in church but still. They were praying. OY! She gets over it and throughout mass she’s sooooooo fidgety. She decides she’s going to lie on the kneeler. Then happens to find the gum under the pews and wants to pull them off. Soooooo nastay! Nevermind that I’m yelling at her in a hush, b/c by this time mass is going on . Then there’s a procession going on b/c it is the feast of the Corpus Cristi this weekend, and she needs to be front and center. One of my mom’s friends in church tells her she can be on her aisle and as the priest who baptized her passes, she’s waving at him and smiling. There was no way he wasn’t going to ignore her so he gave her a smile. Mind you, she calls the priests “Master” where she got that is beyond me. They processed every aisle in the church and she managed to get my mom’s friend in front of us to let her watch from her aisle, remember the boy was in the aisle seat of our pew.

Thankfully throughout most of this the baby is asleep.

I got a good message in the Homily. That yes if I can spend so many hours on the computer or on the phone or hanging out or shopping or watching TV, I can give the Lord an hour a week. Right, but it seems my hour is soooo hectic when it involves my kids! I think He’ll understand when I’m not there all the time, but I’ll certainly make the efforts now, right? B/c then what’s the point in having my kids baptised and send them to Catholic school?

Yesterday. My mom went back to her “home” in the islands. *sigh* And already with the missing. I’ve talked to her a number of times already since she’s left though and we’ll be joining her next month anyhow. Woot woot. Tickets have been booked we fly out on the 19th, which so happens to be my brother’s birthday. I caaaaaan’t wait. But those tickets did NOT come cheap. A big thank you to the BM for making this happen. Unfortunately he won’t be able to join us b/c tickets are so pricey. Damn gas!!! Pffft.

Spent some time with my brother today and thankfully he’s not acting like a little bitch. UGH! I hate when he’s like that! We went to Costco, had some lunch, and just hung out with him. We go back to “visit” on Friday. Heh. I’m leaving him the 2 big kids while I head downtown with the wee one.

Time to have some watermelon. I actually picked a sweet one. I was hesitant to get one, but they looked so good.

Mama is leaving! Geez. My brother is scheduled for surgery on the 10th. She’s going back to check on the house, start up the truck. Tie up some loose ends. And probably just get away and take a breather from everyone. So she leaves this Tuesday as originally planned and she might come back on the 8th or 9th. So right now OUR flight plans are on hold b/c if she comes back she doesn’t know how long, and if, my brother will need her. OY!

Today was the first day of the heat wave. It wasn’t so bad but tomorrow is definitely going to be hotter. I can already feel myself melting away.

BabyM got her ears pierced today. We went last week and they told us she had to be 3 months, she turned 3 months yesterday so we got ‘em done. Now there’s no questioning if she’s a boy or girl anymore, I hope! Despite her wearing pinks and such, people would still ask boy? girl? I think it’s her hair that throws people off. There’s just so much of it! I was trying to record her with the p&s and still get some shots with the d40 but I couldn’t handle both. And then N nearly knocked me unconscious. She dropped the pass through door of the kiosk on my head. It still frickin hurts! But yeah M did better, to my recollection than her sister. Her scream wasn’t as bad as N’s but she did milk the sympathy. So cute! Heh. Despite her not knowing where her ears are or how to touch them, here’s hoping nothing goes wrong with ‘em. I told my mom that her eyes seem to sparkle more with her added bling. Yay!

I seriously need to take pix and post to the shopping blog. Pfft!

Got the candy bars for the favors! Need to finish the birthday gift for Mama Toots. Ordered the cake for Sunday. Selling my laptop to my brother for $625 so I need to get this one emptied out for him.

…. 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.

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.

It took me an hour to finally decide on dinner. I had been bouncing back and forth with salad and Hawaiian BBQ. So I just asked the kids what they wanted to eat. Lilmiss said “SALAD!” Very enthusiastically! The boy didn’t hear the option of BBQ and was getting all excited over the prospect of unlimited bowls of clam chowder and ice cream @ Fresh Choice.

So we got in the car and headed to the closest Fresh Choice. The line was out the door! WTF! We could’ve driven to the next closest Fresh Choice but with the ridiculous gas prices we pay here in the Bay Area, I wasn’t about to do it. We could’ve eaten at Sizzler’s but I like the salad choices at Fresh Choice better. And I had already mentioned BBQ to the kids and the boy was all kinds of excited. Heh!

So as we were getting out of the car I told the boy to get a mini plate. The lilmiss responded very nonchalantly, “Well then I want a Mickey plate!” Did you get it? She’s so funny! At first I had to think about it. LoL. She said she wanted a Mickey plate, as in Mickey Mouse b/c her brother was getting a mini plate, or in her mind a “Minnie” plate.

Smarty pants fo’sho!

Lmao… couldn’t think of another title. With the new belt comes the change of schedule. We’re back to Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I prefer Mondays and Wednesdays better b/c the latter end of the week is free. The boy is back to most of his friends which is nice and most of these people were surprised to see babyM. Most were thinking she’s only weeks old. Heh. Lilmiss of course was excited to be hanging out with her homies. Heh. TOo cute! They were giggling away in the corner, making tons of noise. But the nice thing is that no one complained and actually got a lot of smiles and laughs b/c they were being so cute. I was the one that was constantly telling her to calm down.

They started a yoga class at the school too, during the boy’s class, only upstairs. And I would looooooove to try it out but I have no one to watch babyM and the lilmiss. I’ve actually never done yoga and I’ve wanted to try. I could use some stretching and breathing exercises. I need to step up my game if I really want to keep up this weight loss. Funny as of late, I’ve been getting people tell me that I look like I’ve lost weight, which is always a nice thing . But it’s the maintenance that I need to keep up with. I feel like my appetite has been picking up again, which it should b/c I’m eating for 2. Literally. And I will be until she’s roughly 6 months. I’m going to hold off feeding her solids. Seriously. I just can’t handle the stink-ier diapers. OY!

But as an aside, I’ve decided to TRY and make the babyfood this time around. I came across the Beaba which looks like a very useful tool but @ $140, I think I’ll just need to stick with the Magic Bullet.

Today after running errands for my brother, the girls and I went trolling the mall. I had an exchange to do at Gymbo and then just decided to kill some time and do some laps and window shopping. Found out the mall is possibly getting a Trader Joe’s. How nice for the SFSU students! But it’s kinda crazy considering there’s one about 2 miles away. Hopefully then it’ll reduce the traffic @ that location! Went into H&M. I normally don’t go in there, but like I said I had time to kill. I only really shop for the girls there but they had some cute dresses! Didn’t but anything of course.

Spent quite a bit of time in the ladies’ lounges too. Had to do lunchtime feedings for the baby. Nordy’s is definitely nicer. There was a girl in the Macy’s lounge having her lunch in there. Literally. She was feeding herself which I thought was weird. Why would you want to eat in the bathroom with the sounds of the toilet flushing? I’m sure babyM felt the same way but I’m not about to air my goodies out to the public. I’m just like that. I totally forgot I should’ve gone into a dressing room! At least I wouldn’t have to hear the toilets flushing. Heh. But yeah the girl was just sitting in there enjoying her lunch. Even if I were alone, I would’ve gone outside to the mall to one of the benches or even the food court. Whatever floats your boat, I guess?!?!?

No plans for tomorrow and with the cost of gas here I really shouldn’t be going out. So I think I’ll stick to the homefront and try to get some housework done, here’s hoping babyM allows it. OY!

So nearly usually I am the one who drives. It just happens that way. I drive the Lex and the mister drives his g-ride. When we’re all together, we ride in the Lex, b/c the carseats are in it. It’s just easier that way. So guess who drives? You got it. Me.

Yesterday we were in a predicament where my mom needed to use the Lex, but we all had to be somewhere as a family so we all got to ride in the g-ride. And guess what? I didn’t have to drive!!!! It was strange NOT having to drive, but it was also nice!!!! At one point I decided to sit in the backseat with the girls b/c I didn’t want to endure a short ride with the baby’s wails. Smart idea on my point. I got a first hand look at what the lilmiss really does to the baby! OY!!! She’s constantly touching her. Poking her. Pinching her. Holding her. Grasping her. OY! And then at one point as I was looking out my window, I turn to find N’s dirty sandaled FOOT on baby’s FACE! Baby wasn’t fussing about it but I’m wondering how often that occurs???? I definitely scolded her for it and she wasn’t all too happy. She left a dirrrrrrrrrty black mark on the baby’s face. OY! This poor baby!

Happy Monday everyone!

Essentially our weekends are gone until… well when we depart for our annual summer retreat to the islands. If that’s even going to happen . I’ve been looking at flights and it’s just so pricey for 3. The lilmiss can no longer lap it. Not that I would want her boo-tay on me for 5 hours, that girl has some MAJOR junk in that trunk . Well and she’s rather malikot anyhow. The baby instead shall lap it and hopefully sleep the majority of the way *very wishful thinking*. But with my luck that won’t happen, b/c I’ll more than likely be travelling solo with the 3 kidlets. And here’s hoping that the BM can finally join us in the islands for 1 week this year!!! But his 1 week flight costs just as much as our nearly 2 month retreat. OY!

On the kidlet front… the boy, who was once referred to as “lilman”, heh, finally got his BLUE belt in karate. It’s been a long time coming, if only he practiced and devoted himself to it we could’ve been there sooner. Oh well, no rush right? B/c really what would a 9 year old do with a black belt? There’s so much to the curriculum anyhow. It’s amazing how much these kids have to remember. The tests are cumulative and it was so heartbreaking to see so many kids have to leave their tests crying and not go on to the next belt b/c they just forgot. It was a long day and well… to be honest… the boy didn’t deserve it. He barely passed and he’s lucky he got the instructor that he did get. He knows he needs to practice. He’s just lazy. And as much as I yell or nag him, it just doesn’t happen. He has to have his heart in it and well hopefully this test opened his eyes b/c it seems his desire is back, it’s just a matter of his heart.

The lilmiss, still a very big handful. She’s hopefully coming down from a little bug that she caught from me. Her nose has been a faucet and poor thing has rubbed it so hard that it got raw . AUWE! The bed thing has been a BIG success. No fighting. No crying. No finding her in our bed! YAY! Now let’s see how long it takes her to get to her OWN room.

The baby! Oh this baby! She’s finally smiling and cooing . Now it’s a matter of getting it on film. She still screams bloody murder in the car. She doesn’t like to have her clothes changed. And only sometimes does she like to have her diapee changed. And she still likes very much to be held and cradled. But she does spend a bit more time OUT of my arms as well. She’s getting used to being in the swing, like it or not . And I’ve tried her in the Bumbo as well, but that’s for reallllllly short. She hates to be on her back so the playmat doesn’t get used often. Her tummytime is short as well. OY!

Tomorrow we’ve got a baptism/ Red Egg and Ginger party!

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!