Date with Josh

I try my very best to go out with the kids individually. We bond together but my advice to parents is to find time to be alone with each kid--it makes them feel special and you can tailor your conversation. Same goes with your spouse, even with your growing family, find time to have time away from " parenting."

anyway, as I shave been extremely busy at work, I texted Josh today that if I can clone home in time, would he like sushi with me and he said yes.

We went to Taiyou, our favorite Japanese restaurant. We talked about everything and I miss this. I don't really know the last time I did go out with him alone. It's been that long and I feel so good. My heart was full just looking at him across from the table and I can tell he liked being alone with me where we can just take about everything that only me and him can understand. Don't get me wrong, it's really fun being around the three of them- it's a riot but I sincerely think that bonding with them indiviafually brings a different tune.

Now, look at this cutie pie!

Story Time

I'm sure I must've told you about a " peculiar" habit of Josh. Ever since he can walk, he likes to hide in tiny spaces, well hidden from anyone. First incident, he was hiding I was going crazy looking for him. He was probably about 2.5 or 3 years old. Where was he? He was inside my tiny wall-in closet- asleep! One day, I found him asleep under our bed too.

I worked evening shift for a long time. One night on Thanksgiving dinner, my husband finally called me to tell me he was missing and that they couldn't find him. I asked him if they called police yet and I was super panicked I screamed at him why he was calling me and not the police. Where was Josh?
Right here:😭

Another family gathering, he was found asleep under the dining table.

How about you? Do you have childhood funny stories or habits?

Also, did I tell you that the sweetest son a mother can have is someone like Josh. I wish I can take back the time he was young. Now, he is still sweet but he has a lot of friends as he should and I am not his world anymore. 😘

Have a a great Sunday.

Llaga Family Dinner

I will attemp to make a series about our silliness during dinner or when we just hang out together.

For today, while Josh is preparing fried dough ( from scratch, mind you), I asked KC to hand me garlic and onions for my Tagalog Bistek. Josh suddenly blurted out; 

" Nationwide is Onion side..." you know that insurance commercial? Go ahead, sing it on your head or better yet blurt it out baby, sing!

Happy Wednesday my lovely readers! #lovelovelove and #beboldBeBeautifulisBack

Monday Brag Day

Amidst the pain and horror of a tragic weekend in my home country, I find joy in the very little things in my life.

I believe that's what's important anyway. Finding joy in little things!

So proud of my baby boy! Josh is such a responsible student and I am immensely proud!

What about you? What makes you happy? Whatever makes you happy, even the little ones, makes sure you share it--- you never know who you inspire! Happy Monday and God bless us all!

Today is Brag Day

Yay! We got it back! The MCAS score that is! 

I am sub a proud Mama!

And it was funny how he got 2 mistakes! Ha! 

Needless to say, we need to work harder because he did not get in the Advance Placement program in the city because when the screening was done, he was asked to step out and not finish the test because he was overly talkative. I wonder who he got that from? Hmmmm. Certainly not me! Hahahahaha! He was actually very scared because he knows how it's important for me that he gets in. Not for me but for him. He always wants to be like his brother or even surpass his achievements. 

We are working on asking for a reconsideration this January so I will let you know!

What's your blessing today? Please share!

My Boys

Although I am really grateful to have a beautiful daughter, my bond with my boys is totally different. I feel so special and I get that sense of security. Today I was looking at some old photos and I  literally ached! My heart ached, my mind hurt. Seriously, I feel my boys are growing too fast and that special mother and son bond will wither. 

Here are my cute boys. Shhhh, don't tell them I told you they are cute. 

Just for kicks, here's Josh with his rat tail! Ahahahahah!

Goodnight!

Cousins Part 3

You know how you feel safe and free at the same time? I get that feeling whenever I am with good friends, safe coz I know they would never put me in a bad light or would do anything that could potentially hurt me or my family. Free coz I can be me--- loud, happy, giggly and dressed down? No problem! 

If you have cousins who are your best friends too? Priceless! 

 

Josh and Abby

Aren't they cute?

 

June 20, 2013

It's 6 pm and the day is finally winding down but my energy level is still up there although the body is giving up. 

KC and Josh had a big day today. KC went to a field trip at Canobie Lake with her class and Josh had the moving-up ceremony.

I volunteered to help in the day's activities and I was assigned pool duty. I made sure the transition between classes was smooth. There were lifeguards but still. 

I was at school at 8am and finished by 11:30 but had to stay for the ceremony itself at 12:30pm.

Just picked up KC at her school from he trip.

What's for dinner? Oh, by the way, tomorrow, I volunteered to help oversee the yearbook signing of the 4th graders during breakfast. What crazy idea got into me? Volunteer back to back? Oh well. I think I had more fun than the kids. 

Will let you know details of the awarding in another post. But I can tell you now---because I can't contain my happiness --- Josh is one of the very few kids who was awarded the presidential academic award which his brother and sister got too!

Josh And Pictures

I always remind the kids to smile when I am taking pictures. These kids, they run as fast as they can whenever they see me pointing the camera to them. That was then, this is now. Lol. They are well trained.

Josh always willingly pose for me. He flashes the most beautiful smile every time. I picked him up from school today and since he will be leaving this school soon, I asked if I can take iPhone photos and he obliged.
Enjoy!

Today with my Bunso- Josh

I love this little boy so much. He is now 10 but still so cuddly and clingy to me--- which I love. I fear the day when he stops kissing me and sleeping with me. Oh boy!

All worth it

Night shift, double shift? Whatever shi*t life brings, at the end of the day, it's all worth it! The aching back, the sore feet, the shaky legs and sucky headaches--- gone!

Happy Sunday everyone!

and because I feel good

... I post pictures in my blog!

I told Josh I bought him I underwear, real big boy underwear and he smiled--- like these smiles.

My heart melts.

 

Then, the moment KC came out of her dance class, she says; " hi Mother.."

Only because my iPhone is straight up to her and she hates me for it.

Look at these pictures and tell me if you would not be taking pics of this kyooti patootie princess?

 See, see! Happy Wednesday friends. Keep smiling.

Josh' First Communion reminders

Dear friends and family,

As you all know, our family is busy preparing for Joshua's big day--- his First Communion! Isn't that exciting? We had rehearsal yesterday and everything is going good so far--- suit, shoes, socks and the perfume... ooops "mama, it's cologne---for MEN. You know , perfume=girls, cologne = boys. Of course.

We are very excited and we would like to invite you to be a part of this beautiful, meaningful event. A few reminders from Fr. Vinny.

1. This is specially for Mom. "Mom, no photography inside the church during the ceremony. We know Josh is gonna be so cute, but let's do that later. Okies?

2. Come around 10am so that you can find the pew reserved for Joshua's family and friends. He is on the right cluster. The names are the displayed on the main aisle of the church with cute banners decorated by the communicants and their families.
3. During the communion, it is encouraged for all family members and friends to go with Joshua to the altar and witness the event. Note that even if you are to NOT receive communion ( not prepared, non Catholic), you can still go and just give a little signal. The communicants are surrounded by family and friends and Josh loves to be around you so please come.

4. Watch out for Josh, he will be part of the Offertory carrying the HOST.

5. Simple lunch get together will follow after all the not so many  photo ops, right Mom? So yeah, come right along.

6. It is also Mother's Day, so don't forget your Moms before you come to church with us. Give her a phone call, shoot an email, send her a card---only if she lives far far away. If she lives 15 miles away, do me a favor--please go and see her, give her big hug and fresh bouquet of flowers. While you're at it, find get her that ring she's been swooning about. You will surely make her day.

Most of all, take time to speak to Josh and ask the meaning of this eventful moment in his life. Be a good family/friend and speak to him about it. Please encourage him to be a good Christian and a decent human being.

Josh is very adorable and sweet, surely he will love your presence.  We will be honored if you do come.

Love and hugs,

Llaga family

Josh' weird sleeping habit

Everyone who knows me and my family know Josh is the sweetest kid. No, seriously. Just last night, knowing that a few friends are coming to relax and just be with Venice ( hey.. birthday girl) on her day, he ran out to the yard, picked fresh flowers and gave them to HG and Venice adding..."it's hand-picked", made some iced tea for the bday girl because " we have no gift for her". Just out of the blue sweetness. If I may say so, he is the most giving and sweetest of kids you would meet. Of course he has his own misgivings, like making faces, rolling his eyes... but over all, believe me when I say--- I am blessed he is my son, knowing how Mr. Hubbs did not want any more kids after we got here in the USA because life is difficult. God had other plans--good plans.

But Josh has one habit I can not explain. He likes sleeping in tight spaces ---- under the bed, under the table, in between sofas, in the walk-in closet---everywhere except the cupboard.

Here, see what I mean...

He was sleeping under my brother-in-law's dining table! This was a few years ago. But you should know, he's been doing this for as long as I can remember. I remember finding him under my bed when he was about 2 or so. Yup, under my bed. One time he was in my walk-in closet--- suffce to say, my walk-in closet is cramped -tuffed  full of clutter, he managed to sleep and squeeze in.

Then, late 2009 my husband called me at work asking if I knew where Josh was and of course I was upset! How could he ask me when he was supposed to be WITH them at my in-laws house? They even called me earlier that day. Then I started to panic, not upset but panic. The house where they are at is pretty big and has a big wooded yard. What if he was gone? Abducted? What if he was in the woods and crossed over a neighbor's and segue to the highway? Is he safe? What if he is bitten by snakes? Is he cold? Hungry? Then I started yellling at Mr. Hubbs and told him to call police, and why the hell is he calling me and not the police? He told me they looked all over before he called me so, I was kinda upset he would not call the police now. I was having these scenarios running through my head and in fact, I remembered a police officer saying that every minute a child is missing is very crucial to finding them safe or not. He was informing caregivers to be attentive all the time because that 1 minute you take your eyes off your ward is important. Can you tell I was being cookoo? Or I was just being a mommy? I  was at work then, so I felt helpless. So you can only imagine my anger when husband called again---my thought was like:

1.Why call me?
2. I  should probably call the police myself.
3.Please let him tell me they found Josh

He sent me these photos after we talked.

He was sleeping on a raised platform of my sister-in-law's center table!! All this time! Yup, while I was fuming my eyes off and ready to call the State Police, or the FBI and even the CIA, hell I was thinking of calling the church volunteers to canvass the area.

This table is in their formal living room where no one really stays but stilll, there was also a buttery soft leather sofa there--- but he chose to sleep on this table, yeah, cramping his 6 year old body in this tight space. Note that this glass table is covered with a decorative fabric that's why is not visible to everyone. Only when they were ready to leave my in-laws' house where Mr. Hubbs started looking for him. He was nowhere!

Hallelujah! He remebered Josh' sleeping habit and they started looking at the RIGHT places--- under the table, between the sofas, behind the sofas, behind the TV console, inside the kitchen island cabinets, the laundry room and yes, he was here UNDER the center table.

I remember reading a medical condition about this but it has escaped me. So if anyone knows, please leave me a comment and I will thank you.

How about you? Do you have weird sleeping habits? Do you know anyone like this?

Who's handsome

Well, my boys of course!

Josh: ooohh, I forgot Dad's mustache.
Me: That's ok
Josh: NO...
You know, that NO look where he is like totally upset cause something's missing in the grand scheme of things. Oh, I love Friday mornings. Ampucha umaga pa lang, bigote na usapan.