Fall 2014 Photo Shoot

You know you can only apple pick too much! My kids do not want to go this year coz " we always go, why?" Hahahah. 

Usually, I take the opportunity to take Fall pics during apple picking but since we are not going, here we are!

After church today, I told them we are going to the Pageant Field to take pics but there was a "family fun day" there so I decided to go to another fave spot. When I said we were going to the Black Creek Estuary, KC immediately got excited and exclaimed, " where we used to go see horseshoe crabs!" We always loved this place. I used to bring them here a lot when they were little. It has beautiful water views, a small park and great access to Wollaston Beach.

As you probably know, my kids think I'm over the top with my pictures but by now they are used to me. Multiple side comments of " this looks so unnatural" " why so many takes" and whispers of " I bet she's going to ask us to take photos --just the two of you, Ate and Josh only." Hahahahah, my kids.

Be warned! Photo overload!

By the tiny bridge.

It was windy and a little chilly but sunny. In my book, that's perfect!

Look at my boys! Totally grown. Up but still proudly mama's boys!

My pretty princess who "ridicules" all my photo ideas. I have to give it  her though, she's got keen eyes.

My teenagers are so cute. They are mature but not like overly mature where they are so demanding with clothes or tech stuff nor are they overly self-conscious. I like that. 

This is Pherry. He is now 16 yet, you need t force him to get out of the house. I like that too. Isn't he so handsome though? Indulge with me, will yah?

Shy and aloof with people but extremely conversant with techies and science geeks. Yup, that's him. This photo I took coz he walked away when the 2 younger ones were cracking up poses like supermodels. He ain't having that. His words. Hahahahah.

I took so many photos but these are my absolute favorites! I am a proud mom and these moments will never be forgotten!

First, me and bunso, Josh!

Princess KC and me! Absolutely beautiful, my only princess!

Kuya Pherry is so shy. You can barely get him to smile! But here's the best shot.

Just typing this up makes me cry. I am so lucky to have these kids in my life. Our family may not have much but we make everything fun. Which brings me to these next set of photos. Many think Josh is the funniest but KC is a loose ball. She is crazy when we are all together and she cracks up jokes like there's no tomorrow.

Here are the photo outtakes. When you see perfect pictures of families, believe me there's more beyond that final 1000 shots. Here's ours!

Look at Josh!

KC: "Mom I think I peed"

Josh: "mom, mom, the sun!"

I'll leave you with these shots of me and the kids after I said I was done with them.

My lovely kids, my treasure!

After this we went mums picking but it was darn expensive I said NO! I ended up thrifting.

See yah folks, how about you, how's your weekend?

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

Sunday Brag Day

It's been long! I haven't posted something "braggy" and not because there is nothing to brag but just been so busy--- and it's not because I am decorating either! 

Anyway, I am so happy to announce that all Three little monkeys are high honors! It's a demotion for Pherry coz he was distinction last year but it's ok.

As a prize, the younger two were given 2 Celtics tickets! Ha!

We're not done folks! When I went to Parent Teacher conference, I was so honored again to hear nothing but great praises for my kids' behavior. 

I am so happy and honored that everything I have been teaching my kids is coming to fruition! 

To God be the glory! Happy Sunday! Stay safe and smile.

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!

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!

School Shopping

Is summer over? What? 

I might deny it but it is over! Wanna why I know? Coz we went school shopping already! Wheew!

The Three Little Monkeys are all set and ready! Why oh why?! 

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!

Friday Mommy- Daughter Date

You all know how the Three Little monkeys love books. I try to read all the books they do read but unfortunately I've been so behind! How can I catch up with all 3 readers in the house. One versus three? Not fair! In fact I don't even know what series KC is reading now which brings me to say "slacker mom". Ha!

As KC's prize for getting all A's for this school year, she got another book series, and was almost shrieking when she found them because apparently, it's hard to find especially together! I can see myself in her where my heart would pitter-patter every time I can borrow a book. Yes, borrow--- my parents can't afford books! But that's another story.

Anyway, on Friday, KC and I went to the mall to bond. First stop--- Starbucks! The  girl loves her Starbucks. Then we just wandered around Target--- my certified crazy hellhole! We went around the mall some more and just window-shopped. She laughs on how I go gaga over make-up even though I don't buy or how I notice everyone's handbags. Ha! We saw some stuff and laugh at the same stuff. Funny how we do that!

Then, we "accidentally" ended at Crumbs which just opened a new branch at South Shore Plaza. Oh, how the princess devours those humongous cupcakes! Question, if they are big, are they still called cupcakes? And why are there mini cupcakes now? Isn't cupcake mini for cake? So now, there is mini for mini? What about cake pops? Hahahahah! 

Anyway, we went to Barnes and Noble in search of that one missing book of the series she is currently reading. Boy, was that a mistake!

 She was giddy as can be when she found " oh my God, this is crazy, I thought I can't find these anymore ever, this is so great, I love you mom" kind of giddy. Who can ever say no?

Oh we'll, I'd rather spend my hard earned moolah buying books for the Three Little Monkeys than whatever else.

Oh by the way, I may or may not have gotten more David Yurman pieces. May not. 

Have about you, how do you bond with your kids?

KC's Honor's Banquet 2013

Hi. Once again, KC is invited to this year's Honor's Banquet. To those  unfamiliar to this, it is a year-end activity given by the school to honor academic achievers for the school year. Honors is awarded to students who earn all A's and/or Bs with allowance to one C and High Honors is all As with allowance of one B. Of course, my little princess is High Honors. Woohoo, I am such a proud parent.

History Bowl State Championship

Ok, ok! This is really exciting. Pherry joined History Club in the beginning of the school year. Remember he is on his 9th grade only.
Anyway, he joined the bee amongst peers and he qualified to be on the Team for History Bowl. He is Quincy Team A.
They are now here at Everett High and awaiting to compete.

I am just truly proud.
Pray for us please!

Mommy Brag Day

I so love it when I see these! My treasure, my wealth.
😍

Brag Day

I'll say it with a picture ! Because a pictures says a thousand words.

First Day of School 2012

Well,  here we are in October and I am still catching up on LlagaLand's family activities. First day of school and I have not done a Summer 2012 post yet? Woooah! Crazy huh?

Anyway, we do not really go crazy on back-to-school shopping because we do so little by little. Outfits? I buy when they are on sale, so I do not really budget for the beginning of the school year.

Precious came with us. I love it. Although school shopping is crazy, it is fun---we are the Llaga's, remember?

So here they are--- my Three Little Monkeys who don't seem to be so little anymore. Suddenly it hits me. Really? A freshman in high school? AND MOMMY, you are embarrassing---apparently taking pictures is not cool. So what? Did I hide the camera. Nooooo. I pulled over to the side street and convinced the young gentleman that no on is looking. It did not really work but it make him feel better, at least it is not in front of the school. And KC? She's ok, as long as you don not ask her to pose. She smiles, you shoot, get out. HAhahha. No take twos. She smiles, you shoot, get out. Josh just simply runs away. I had to "pull" my "palengkera" stunt to let him stop and smile for mommy.

I meant this shot to be a 2012 school year announcement picture but they refused to put their backpacks down. They said the ground is wet---so OCD like their dad.  I still think the picture is a great concept.

Pherry is now a freshman is high school. He has 4 AP classes (Advance Placement) and 1 Honors class. Needless to say, he is extremely busy and stressed. It has been over 5 weeks and I can still say he is still very organized--I hope he stays that way. That is the only complaint his middle school principal---- she actually wonders how he passes his exams considering how disorganized he is. Just thinking about his school load makes me tired. I did ask him if he wants to enroll in regular classes and he says he is fine. I don't believe in too much stress for kids just to compete. True, you need to have all the edge you could to get to the best colleges but I know the school admissions now are looking more and more to well rounded kids. Gone are the days where academic excellence is the only measure.

Isn't he so handsome? Please indulge my mommy moments. And just so you know, these braces cost an arm and a leg. But I don't care--- having nice set of teeth is an edge in life, right?  ; )

Joshua just ran off. He knew I was going to ask him to smile so I can take pictures. He is so funny. He tells me, "mom, you can't take pictures, Miss Witmer is there." When I looked, I turn around and he is gone I had to yell for him to stop. Oh, boy, I can only imagine when he goes to high school. He actually asked his big bro tips for high school and Pherry just told him..." blend, blend.... wear grey and nothing fancy so no one notices you." What a profound advice, ha?

KC is the last drop off. See, my 3 Little Monkeys go to different schools and this will go on for 3 more years. I know, I thank you. I am a great mom. Hahhahahha. Just kidding. I am sure there are more moms out there who do greater things for their children. Also, Mr. Hubbs drops them off most of the time. Funny side story: Josh told me one day, "mom, ever since Dad started dropping us off, we have never been late." I told him, well, that's because Mom comes from night shift and it is difficult and he tells me "yeah right" and then kisses me knowing he kinda pinched me in the heart a little bit.

My only princess is in middle school officially! Wow. Am I getting old or am I getting old/ Hahahhah. I don't care. My only consolation for getting old is knowing my kids are growing and soon I can see my dreams in fruition. You see, as I always say, my success is defined ONLY by my kids' success. When they are done with school,  have a beautiful, peaceful and meaningful life. Then my job is done.

How about you? Do you go crazy with back to school shopping?  How important is education to your family? Are your kids more into sports or academics? Are you like me--- crazy in taking pictures of your kids? Please share.

Have a good evening folks.