So-niele

If you didn’t know, 4th grade in California Catholic schools is the California Mission Project. I’m not sure what is done in public schools, I know they learn something about the Missions but I don’t think a project is assigned. As mentioned before we were handed down a bunch of good loot from Sabrinasmom. An awesome book that J can use for his report as well as some fences, monks, greenery. Before J had been assigned his Mission, I had hoped that he would get something close so that we could do and visit the Mission. With our luck, he got Mission Santa Clara. Woo hoo. So today we made our way down the peninsula.

The Mission is located on the Santa Clara University campus. What a nice campus at that. Wow. And the weather today was wow too, so it might have added to the wow factor. Lol. Just our luck though, a wedding was taking place right as we got there so there was not a lot of snooping done inside. We walked the outsides and students were sunbathing on the grounds. Lol. The kids were caught off guard when people would plop their belongings down on the grass and start taking off their shirts. The main point in our visit was to get an idea of the construction. And I think we got it. J is supposed to do the construction mostly on his own, so that will be quite a challenge. He has big ideas but can never complete them on his own. We were also lent a book from HotDad and son about the Missions. They did them last year, and that should come in handy as well.

I’m excited and yet fearful at the same time. As always there will be a lot of parental contributions but we need to mask those somehow

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!

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!

Unfortunately they lost again! Maybe BM is bad luck . This was the first game for him to attend, his first to actually see the boy in action. By the way we were yelling the other parents probably thought we were mean. Muahahahah. And from what I saw, 95% of the boys on the team are scared of the ball! Oy! They don’t go after the ball. They’re afraid of it. They wait for the ball to come to them and even then they don’t know what to do with it. I think I finally learned what J’s position is, fullback? Not sure still tho . Once again he played against some friend from karate. This game they were getting spanked. These kids were good, they knew what they were doing! *sigh*

Tomorrow we head out for my niece’s sweet 16. No big shindig just a picnic/ bbq. Here’s hoping for some good eats. I can count on mom’s pancit. Yum!

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

This weekend is booked. I’ve got a wedding to attend. BM has training for his new job. J has a soccer game that my brother will be taking him to. The girls… they’re supposed to be tagging along with me. I’m only going to the ceremony though and not the reception. The ceremony is in the city, at the grammar school that my siblings went to. It’s the bride’s parish as well. The reception is down in San Jose and as much as I would love to attend, it’s just not a good thing to travel with the baby. She sucks. UGH! The last time we were in the San Jose area she cried. And cried. And screamed. And cried until we were like 10 minutes away from home. UGH! And to top it off, I was sitting right next to her. Singing, talking, singing, talking, laughing, making goofy faces, and even tried to be quiet. But nothing. NOTHING worked. So I’m sitting out the reception on this one.

Life is busy. Has been busy. I bought a week by week calendar that is going to go up on the fridge. Visuals. I need them. I know I’ve got my iCal in the iPhone but I need to see color! Different colors. Plenty of them. Busy I tell ya.

In other news, lilman had an incident occur at practice that is making him NOT love soccer so much at the moment. One of his teammates (the goalie) yelled at him. The lilman is sensitive. Very. The goalie told him to pay attention. I could see it happening, I wasn’t there, but I could totally see it happening. Lilman is often in space. He waits for the action to come to him as opposed to going towards it. I had to explain to him, that he’s working on a team and that his teammates rely on him. He doesn’t get it. His sensitive side is swaying him. So much so he’s trying to get out of even going to the game tomorrow. We told my brother it’s NOT an option. And now he’s even contemplating not joining basketball when season starts. We’ll see. BM said NOT an option, he’s playing!

J’s team won their first game of the season and he even started 1st string! I don’t know what position he plays but he actually did some work . His foot actually touched the ball a couple of times. The other parents were uber excited b/c I think they won ONE game total last year.

There were so many familiar faces we saw at the field too, friends from karate. Even one of the kids on the opposing team!

Here’s to a great start to the season . YAY!!!!

Yesterday was J’s 1st practice. It didn’t go well, in my eyes anyhow. J has never played competitive sports. Most of the boys started last year as CYO starts in 3rd grade, J had no clue. I stayed, with the girls, for the entire 2 hour practice. Yeah, that won’t be happening too often. Thankfully babyM fell asleep for a portion of it in the Ergo. Lilmiss didn’t nap all day so you can imagine just how much fun she was *rolls eyes*.

Seemed he was more used to the idea of dodge ball and running AWAY from the ball. Not charging for it. At one point he kicked the ball to the back of the coach’s head. OY! They scrimmaged and why was my son NOT paying attention, looking off in another direction???

We got the snack list and I am the 1st orange mom. I have to bring orange slices for halftime. Why did I have a helluva time finding oranges? Lol. Costco had none. I got ‘em but they’re certainly not the most vibrant shade of orange either. Oh wells. At least I’m not drink/snack mom.

Uniforms were distributed today too. Good thing I had him pull it out of his bag as soon as he exited his class. He wasn’t too happy about my request, but shootz that ish would NOT have fit him. He is one the biggest kids in the class and the biggest one the team. So we had to go to the principal’s office and inquire about it. At first he was a bit hesitant to switch out uniforms b/c he seemed VERY busy, but the baby caught his eye and made time! WOO HOO! J got a better fitting uniform and all is well.

Here’s hoping that the first game goes just as well tomorrow.

Yesterday the BM, the baby, and I went to the Mandatory parent orientation at J’s new school. We were s’posed to meet our “Shepherd Family”. S’posed b/c they weren’t there! How rude! Uhm negative service points for them, sheesh! And they expressed how Mandatory it was for us. The “Shepherd Family” is s’posed to help us through our transition phase to the school, let us know of any important things, etc… basically be our guide this year. It’s all good tho b/c we’ve already got friends in the school to help us. No doubt. One in J’s actual grade, which I’m hoping is in the same class as him. And another family that just finished the 4th grade.

I didn’t really come away with anything that I couldn’t have read in a handbook. It wasn’t as Mandatory as they made it seem. Pfft.

Lilman is going to play CYO. I’m so excited. We want him to play soccer and he wants to play basketball. That’s 2 back to back seasons, so he will be taking a hiatus from karate. No point in paying for it if he’s not going to be there, right? I figure he probably won’t be back until after the holidays, maybe. I’m not sure how long the seasons last.

Had things to do and got all of them done. Boy’s last day of school today and the daddy picked him up. He walked up the stairs in tears. He’s emotional like that. He’s leaving the school. I think it’s more that he saw someone else crying and it hit him. Oh wells. Yesterday was his last day of karate until September. We return from Hawaii in early August but I figured to get acclimated and what not we wouldn’t return him until after school started.

At karate we learned that a fellow family would be staying in the same town as us come July. I was tempted to exchange information but they’ll be spending time with their family as well so no biggie.

The weather has cooled down a bit. Which is nice.

I’ve got so many things I need to do before we leave. UGH! Dreading every stinkin moment of those things.

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Father’s Day too!

10 days! 10 days! 10 days! Wo0t !!!!

In other news we went cherry picking with the Toots Family.

Cluster of Bings (?)

My faves, the Rainiers!!!

It was so much fun! Albeit it cost an arm and a leg to drive out there with the ridiculous price of gas as of late… but so worth it!!!! We’re going to try and make it an annual event. There were so many other sorts of fruits I would have loved to pick but we made plans to just pick cherries and then lunch! babyM did so well the entire time EXCEPT when we were driving away from the farm and on the way to lunch. The entire, I’d say, 20 minute drive she screamed like a banshee. She howled. She cried. OY! She sucked! I’m so scared as to how riding the plane will be on my lonesome. But there should be no reason for the baby to have any sort of meltdown b/c I’ll be carrying/ wearing her the ENTIRE time.

A short sort of update. We’ve got to head out to karate. His last week until his summer hiatus .

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?

…. 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.

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!

We had toyed with the idea of getting the lilmiss a bed for her room. Before the appearance of the baby she had been saying that she wants a Princess bed. Which just meant that we would get Princess paraphenalia for the bed (sheets, comforter, etc). Yes she still sleeps in the same bed. I’m a big believer in co-sleeping. We did it with the lilman and the lilmiss, and I wanted to NOT do it with the baby, but it just works that way. Nothing like watching your babies sleep peacefully and right next to you. They grow so fast.

The bed was never bought, it still will eventually but we have one of those convertible cribs that was being used as babyM’s dresser. Ghetto-fabuloso! So today we went out and picked up some toddler bedding. Originally it was supposed to be the Princess set, but of course, with our luck, they were out. N decided on Dora, and if you know me, I’m not very fond of her. Ick! Her other options were Diego, Thomas, and Mickey and with much persuasion on my part, Mickey was the one to come home . Now if only it could have been fairies or Kai-lan!!!

Knowing full well that this transition wouldn’t be an easy one, we moved the crib into our room as the toddler bed. She watched as I put the beddings on and she even dug up her Mickey Mouse stuffie to put on the bed. She sat on it. She laid on top of the blankets. And everytime anyone would ask her if she was going to sleep on it she would say, “Not yet!” Very strongly! So time came. She got in no problems. But she wouldn’t really lay her head down or pull the covers up. I kept telling her to lie down. She didn’t want to. I turned off the lights, but still had the tv on. Then the tears and whining ensued. Pleas to come out b/c she didn’t want to sleep there. I sat down next to her and she crawled out and into my lap, and then she made a break for her daddy’s side of the bed and tried to get in. I caught her before she could. Coaxed her back in with the bribe that I would read her 2 books. She got back in. I read the 2 books. Rubbed her back, her face, her tummy, her back again, and her tummy again. Then I held her hand. Then it was potty time. By that time, BM returned from his work dinner and she conned him too. Oy! This girl! Then she said she had to do #2 but I had to take her. So off we went to the bathroom again, she did NOTHING!. But I don’t have a problem with that. I’d much rather take her than have to strip the bed b/c of an accident.She got back in bed and it was back to hand holding. And sooner than I know it… she’s asleep.

The whole process took 2 hours! OY!

I’m wondering how long it will take tomorrow night. And I’m rethinking this whole thing with babyM sleeping with us for that long, although J slept with us much longer!!!

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.

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

We’re busy this weekend. Today, Saturday, we went to the Baby Toots 1st Birthday. I don’t know ’bout the rest of my fam but I stuffed my face with yummy goodness. I really ♥ parties with Pilipino food. Where else can I stuff myself senseless with lumpia. Mmm mmm good . Everything was delish and we got to take home a bunch of goodness too, which we shared with my mom and brother.

Tomorrow we’re off to a 3rd birthday. It’s a picnic in the park and I’m not anticipating any yummy goodness there but that’s okay. Just as long as there’s cake. Lol.

The kids are doing well. The lilman has become quite the helper and such a good Kuya as of late when it comes to the baby. He entertains her, carries her, etc when need be. There are just times where I can’t hold her all the time when I need to get things done around the house or go to the bathroom and it’s nice to have him here as opposed to having her scream her head off. Lilmiss gets too gigil for me at times though and just needs to be near the poor little thing or squeeze her hand, or touch her. AIYAH! The baby is growing. YAY! I’ve seriously gotta get on the move and set up her 2 month WBC b/c she’s due for some shots and I’m curious as to how much she weighs. I’m thinking she must be at least as much as her siblings when they came out. Heh. She is now 6 weeks and 3 days old *sniff, sniff* where is the time going? Her vision is getting better, thankfully, it was something I was worrying about b/c she wasn’t exactly tracking very well. I’m seriously hoping that it’s just b/c she came out early!!! I know that she’s growing b/c her clothes are getting snug. Lol. Thankfully she’s got plenty of hand me downs to last her But with all the parties, poor thing had no party clothes. As much as sleep n plays are cozy and all, they’re not all that cute for showing her off at parties. Thankfully I found some reaaaaallllly cheap little somethings. No seriously cheap I’m talking under $2 OUTFITS. With the way she’s growing it would be crazy for me to throw down any money on some $$$ clothes. Oh the life of the 3rd child. Right now she is currently sporting a Halloween outfit . Hey it’s jammies but I can’t help but feel the teensiest bit of ghetto for her. They’re actually super cute, too bad were in the midst of the beginning of spring. Heh. These hand me downs have seriously been lifesavers though!

In other news, thanks to Yano Christine I’ve been donating grains of rice by exercising my brain once again and building my vocab. I feel like I’m in high school again and studying for the SATs. Maybe I should share this with my niece, the little geek that she is, so she can practice. Try it you might like it too.

Hope you’re having a good weekend too.

Easter’s festivities were plentiful, which is always a nice thing. From the Easter egg hunt last week, photos with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, and happenings with family…. it’s no wonder I was tired this morning and slept in . Thankfully the wee one was cooperating. The middle one, not so much . She’s not pleasant when she wakes up cranky. Ewww.

Today I’ve tidied up a bit. Started a load of laundry to soak, dishes, and what not. We’re having kitchen sink fried rice again tonight, I haven’t made that in a bit. Here’s hoping the wee one allows for some hands free time in order to feed everyone else. We’ve got to make a stop at the library to return the borrowed books and pick up some new reads for J. I haven’t read much in a minute.

Dumping photos from the weeks happenings and catching up on my online photo albums. 3 down, 3 more to go. Sheesh.

Thankfully the lilmiss has been cooperating. Normally she would go back to my mom’s tonight, but I think I might just keep her with us. Let’s just hope she’s nice at karate. The last time she went she got me all sweaty and stuff and her panties were all in a bunch. Sheesh.

Why am I not sleeping? My eyes are telling me I’m tired. But I’m not asleep. The girls are on either side of me ASLEEP. Sometimes when I realize I should be asleep already I figure I’ll just wait for the baby to wake and then go to sleep. Lame. I shouldn’t do that. I don’t even know how many times I wake in the night to feed either .

I wake fairly early most days too, averaging about 5 hours of sleep total. No naps for me. Not good. But I feel fine. Feeling fine and being fine are different though huh?

Anyhow today we swung by karate for a free picture with the Easter bunny. Sheesh mall bunnies are so stinkin expensive it’s ridiculous. I was hoping the baby could get a photo of her own, but it was madness at the school and there was a 1 photo per family b/c of the craziness, so it was all 3 monsters. The bunny there looked way better at karate and less ragged too. Heh. I was hiding babyM in the blanket and when I placed her on the bunny there were lots of Oohs and Aaahs. Heh. Probably b/c she’s still so small. She slept the whole time, of course. And surprisingly lilmiss was in top cheese form. heh. Last year she was sooooooo afraid.

After that we went to a birthday party in the city, at a CLUB! Was feeling kinda skeptical. But lilmiss had good fun and there were things for the lilman to do there too. BM even had fun, I thinks. He danced with the lilmiss while I hid the baby in her sling. Lilmiss even passed up lunch, who passes up lumpia? Heh?! To do what? Get her groove on. Crack. me. up. Oh yeah and I saw my childhood crush at the party. BM and MM of course had to tease me about it. All in good fun!

Tomorrow we go to my mom’s for fam bam lunch. I just need to get my things together for the deviled eggs as everything else has been cooked and prepped. Go me.

Have a blessed and wonderful Easter!!!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! Yeah we represent b/c the keiki are part Irish. For as long a I can remember, my parents have been big on the whole corned beef and cabbage dish. And no I’m not talking about the stuff that comes out of the can! Although I’d much prefer the latter. I’ve never been big on the stuff and it cracks me up that the BM, who is actually Irish, doesn’t even eat the stuff, not even his grandparents. My parents always cook the stuff this time of year.

Having a bit of a late start this morning. I’ve gotta put gas in the car, *shakes head* It’s ridiculous how much we have to pay for gas! We pay the MOST than anywhere in the country apparently. Not fair! Considering we’ve got a refinery just on the other side the Bay! Then I was going to check out the new $1 store up the street. BabyM is napping and lilmiss is watching Ni Hao Kai lan.

Been watching a bit of movies as of late too. Finally got a chance to watch 27 Dresses and absolutely loved it. And then last night the lilmiss and I watched Enchanted, but I didn’t love it as much. It seemed promising and the lilmiss was totally into it at first but then we got bored towards the middle and then it picked up at the end. Next up on the movie list is No Reservations.

This week we’ve got an Easter get together on Wednesday, hopefully the weather cooperates. Then my mom is off to Arizona at the latter end of the week for a funeral. And then on Saturday we’ve got the Easter thing at karate and a bday party to attend. Then Sunday we’ve got the fam bam thing at my mom’s. So far I’m making bibingka malagkit and premade lumpia to fry over at mama’s. And then I’m debating between cupcakes and mini cheesecakes. Or maybe deviled eggs? I’m soooooo not big on coloring eggs and then eating them later… I’m big on stuffing the plastic eggs with chocolate goodness .

Okay I’ve got a few things to do before the baby wakes, b/c I hear some stirring… Happy Monday everyone!

It’s 4:33am and I did a feeding nearly an hour ago and I’m still awake!!! I attribute that to the fact that I fell asleep at 10pm. It was a loooooooong day of driving. And unfortunately unlike her siblings, babyM does not do well in car rides that last longer than 30 minutes. OY! The big kids don’t know much in the way of consoling her back there either. Poor thing. I try my best to feed her before we get in the car, thinking that she’ll be full and just sleep, but there’s something in her that makes her wake at the 30 minute mark and let us know she wants OUT.

In other news, the lilmiss went to her first sleepover that didn’t involve me, BM, or my mom. Those are the only people she’s slept with since she’s come into this world. My sister took her to see the Princess on Ice show today and then kept her overnight. Apparently she didn’t even bat an eye in missing me or the BM, but of course she missed my mom *rolls eyes*. Ever since my mom has returned from Hawaii, I swear she is literally welded to my mom’s hip. My poor mom!

Lilman got his report card and it was nothing but goodness , as to be expected. The only thing that sucks is that they’re graded on this very vague number system. I’m all about the letters, only b/c I’m used to it and can gauge it better. But only a few more months and he’s on to yet another school for the fall. This will be his 4th school to attend since starting preschool. He adapts to change well and there are already kids he knows at the new school, so I’m not worried. I remember when I was in school though, I went to 3 schools total from kindergarten to high school. My longest stint being from 1st to 8th at the same school. Talk about leading a sheltered life. HA! That’s what parochial school will do to ya though.

BM should be waking soon. He’s got a plane to catch as he’d headed to LA for the weekend. He’s got a big presentation to make for his new job. He’s nervous like heck, but I’m sure he’ll do fine!!! So I fly solo this weekend. Lilman slept at my mom’s and lilmiss returns from my sister’s in the morning, but to my mom’s. Not sure what we’ll be doing this weekend, hanging out at my mom’s I’m sure, but we shall see.

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend so far .

Yeah 3 weeks already. But you wouldn’t be able to tell b/c she’s still so teensy, although the infant carrier is getting heavier . Funny thing when I wear the Peanut Sling, I often get questioned if there is a baby inside. Someone asked if it was a purse?!?! Yeah you can’t see her but still! Someone thought she was a doll. Now why would I carry a doll in there?

I’ve been thinking more and more about her announcements. I’m working on them, I thinks, heh. I have so many “ideas” in my head it’s just a matter of cracking out the ps and doing something. Marybeth, I nixxed the whole idea of the accordion style and just going to go with the simple. But thank you much for all your help…. always . What would I do if I didn’t have you to turn to?

Hump Day today… lilman is out of school early, we’re headed to the library. Lilmiss is with my mom again, she didn’t want to come home . We’re going to have a helluva time weaning those 2 apart. Still got plenty of things this week. Mom’s got an appt on Thursday and Friday. Lilmiss is going to watch Disney on Ice on Friday with my sister. Then the BM might have a weekend business trip.

The weather is lovely once again. The dishes are calling… then I’ve got to feed the baby and out of the house we go again.

This is going to be a mishmosh post of random babbles.

- Right now I’m hungry and I can seriously go for a lemon cupcake. I’m on this community on LJ and damn someone made some lemon bar and lemon cupcakes. Can I just say that my mouth was salivating just looking at the pictures and that little twinge of sour is getting me at the back of my mouth b/c of those damned pictures.

- But as an aside…. I’m hungry but I don’t know what to eat. Should I send the BM out to get me food that I should NOT be eating at nearly midnight? I seriously need to go grocery shopping b/c our fridge is looking seriously sad. I mean it helps that my mom has been supplying soups and such, but that doesn’t help with the other people in this house b/c they’re not eating any of it.

-This is certainly not helping the hunger issue either. I’ve got all of those covered though, only I wish I were in Hawaii already!

- Got word of ANOTHER 2008 baby recently.

- We have been invited to 3 birthday parties this month. 15th in Pittsburg for a 4th birthday, 22nd we be clubbin for a 1st birthday, and the 29th to get our GRUB on for another 1st birthday

- Easter this month too. Easter dresses for the girls. Photos? AIYAH! And Easter baskets.

- I’ve been eyeing personalized Easter baskets, but I saw that there is a “new” Hello Kitty Easter basket at Target. Nevermind that we already have 2.

-Personalized things have been catching my eye since Christmas. Thinking that we might have to finally break down and get the kids personalized stockings.

- Back to photos. Do they NOT do hospital photos anymore? babyM wasn’t even given the option. And I totally didn’t think to ask about it. Seeing as how we were there so freakin long too. Lilmiss didn’t get ‘em either, but we were told it’s b/c the photographer isn’t there on weekends, she was born on a Saturday, we left Monday morning.

- I’ve been telling myself that I need to take MORE photos and post them b/c I like photo posts, not just of the kids either, just random stuffs. That hasn’t been happening.

- I told BM to cancel TFC but I’ve actually been watching it quite a bit lately. Nearly everyday , as I’m typing I’m also watching ASAP 08, oh Piolo *swoons*

It’s time to get something to eat before the next feeding…

An extra day on the calendar! I got to sleep in today. Well not really, but I slept longer than I have been. YAY! Lilmiss is home again and it went pretty well. Except for the fact that she’s been wanting things that I normally don’t give her, which ends up in a crying fit of tears, only b/c Mama gives her anything and everything under the sun. I just ignore it and she gets over it. BabyM has been enjoying the borrowed swing this morning, and it has become a bit of a lifesaver. I need to wake her soon. Let’s tally her first blowout on to clothes for the records. The first of many, we all know this! I still don’t know how someone so small can have so much “stuff” in them to warrant a blow out. LoL.

Aloha Friday everyone, no plans for the weekend. YAY!!!

Super *hugs* to the Toots Family. Say an extra prayer for them, please.

Another notch on the belt, another knick on the bed post. Another year together with the BM. No frills kinda day though as the baby is only 10 days old. The weather is horrid. And well we had some unexpected work to be done at the house. The water heater went on the fritz and had to be replaced. Oh boy *rolls eyes*.

I sent him out to get me some pads… ahaha. He was reluctant but said b/c it’s our anniversary he would do it. Puhlease! Anniversary or not, he was going out. B/c there was no way I was going to go out with my unwashed body and rat’s nest of hair looking like it was. He also got us lunch… something so not on Mama’s health meter for a recovering breastfeeding mother… but I wanted it! Nation’s burger and fries with a strawberry shake. I am sooooo paying for it though b/c babyM has a serious bout with the gas. Mah bad! It was sooooo good, but something I won’t be having in a long time again.

BM had to be at work early today though so we didn’t get to spend much time together. And he’s got a gig tonight. I took a nap earlier with the baby so I’m rather awake right now. Being fobulous and indulging in some TFC.

Like he signed the card…. “17 years is a long time, but it’s only just the beginning!” Or something to that effect

But like I said to him… “You’re still the one!”

Despite her early arrival, I was still showered today with a lovely ladies’ tea. AWWW YEAH! What a way to feel loved and to be able to feel normal again. I’m telling you that curtain did some things to my psyche. Heh!

Got a lot of good loot to boot which is always nice. After lilmiss had outgrown her goods I willingly and wantingly gave them away. They went to friends, family, even the motherland. I saved little outfits here and there, but I can honestly say that they amount to 5 pieces of clothing. BabyM is considered a preemie so even the newborn clothes she is swimming drowning in.

I felt bad that we almost didn’t make it to the shower. Lilmiss who initially hadn’t been on the invite, at my request, joined in on the fun and she was pure entertainment to me. She wanted to drink out of the tea cup, so we had to fool her and put her lemonade in there just so that she could. My girl had her pinkies up and everything. Comedy. She even daintily ate her little sammiches. I’m hoping my friend got some good shots of her. I love the Secret Garden’s food. Oh yum!

I’m surprised my mom has been allowing me out and about as much as she has. It’s Pilipino superstition to be out so much after giving birth. She is constantly yelling scolding me for even the littlest of things… even down to the speed of my walk, just so my va-jay-jay isn’t dragging to the ground some day. LMAO. Constantly trying to feed me and telling me what to eat and what not to eat. We were released yesterday and being church day for my mom, we tagged along. I thought it appropriate, I didn’t think it would be a bad thing… it’s church afterall. Well my parents’ old school church chronies (all Italian) thought otherwise and scolded me for actually wanting to be in the house of the Lord to get my prayer on and thanking him for letting us get through the birth and everything safely. Sure I know I could do that anywhere, but since my mom was going, why not tag along. Today my mom came for the tea which was nice. Tomorrow she’s got a whole list of things for me to do and places to go. What a nut. But shhh… don’t tell her I don’t think she’s realizing it herself.

I should really be sleeping, being that I have to set my alarm every 2-3 hours to feed BabyM, she’s so little she can just sleep and sleep. Pfft. She’s off an on with the breastfeeding and we have to supplement her a little too. Got some freebies from the hospital so once those are done, hopefully at the same time this engorgement goes away, the full on breastfeeding will kick in.

The house is in SERIOUS disarray. It sucks. But we haven’t really been here the past week. And when we are here, it’s to sleep or we’re confined to the room b/c damn it’s benn cold.

But showering… yeah it’s a nice thing, especially when it’s in your honor. Or for the early arrival of your new little one. Actual showering with the whole water and everything is also a good thing… especially when you’re not allowed to do it after birthing someone b/c you’ve got meds stuck in your arms.

It’s coming up on naptime for me . The boys are out again today so it was just me an the lilmiss. We headed to Costco for some tp, blueberries, bananas, Cuties, and lunchmeat. At her request we had hot dogs for lunch too. Then we headed to the mall so I could pay my mom’s bills. I hadn’t been to that particular mall in about a month and it seems everyone and their mama was there as well. Walked quite a bit in the hopes that she would fall asleep on the way home… but of course that didn’t happen.

So I’ve got a couple loads of laundry to do. When don’t I? And lilmiss is watching Noggin. The rain has reappeared and I’m trying to think what we’re going to eat for dinner… french fries are totally on my mind, but that probably won’t happen.