Ice Cream for Spring!

Although we are not "sweets" family, we LURVE our ice cream. So what do we do when the weather is great?

We run to our friendly neighborhood ice cream parlor!!!!

We choose... vanilla? Why change?

We show our happiness... smile!

We show off our  humongous cone....

... and look for more kids coming to grab their ice cream.

Then, we choose the Blizzard--- after much deliberation....

We find our fave spot at the back...

Be overjoyed....

We give in when Mama asks for pics...then run right after.

We hug.... because we love each other... NOT! We hug because it is cold after a huge serving of ice cream.

We goof. We show off our big front teeth.

Then hug again.

Then we decide to do what we are not allowed to do. At least when Papa is around. We go up the car... the car's roof!!! Don't tell Papa!

We make Mama happy by OBLIGING for a picture.

Then we teach our little cousin to do the same. Oooops, sorry Ate Fridah.

Slowly, slowly... then 

... we let Ate convince Mama she's not too heavy to go up there too... she wins because she flashes that beautiful smile.

We are just happy to play in the parking lot... joys, simple joys.

We show our little cousin how you can "draw" on Mama's dirty windshield. Ooops. Not dirty,  just dusty.

THEN, it's all happy time up there!

We sit like a lady, even on top of the car....

We smile lots because the other kids are jealous. They don't have a cool Mama like us. Mama who lets us climb to the car....oh, wait till Papa finds out.

Then we play Leron....



We love times like this, we can not stop. Ice cream is just the beginning. And because we can't get enough of the lovely weather, we head on to the park and paly some more. Yeebah. Meanwhile Mama reads her book. She reads her books... a lot. No, all the time. Except when the Red Sox/Celtics/Patriots are playing. Maybe not.

The end.

Josh' first communion

Hello. Hope you all had a memorable and relaxing Mother's Day. Mine was lovely. Mr. Hubbs gave me a beautful plant. The kids gave me hand made cards----- the best ones if you ask me. Better than Hallmark.

But most of all, May 8th is more memorable because it is Josh' First Communion. I can not explain to you how tired I was running around this past week but the culmination on this day is so worth it. If you follow me on facebook ( come join now, it's fun), you know I worked night shifts Wed-Fri to accomodate the kids activities. I realized I am not geared for graveyard shift anymore but I will do it for the kids. Eleven-ty points for me!!! LOL.


Anyways, the way our parish does the ceremony is really meaningful as stated in this post. We ended up having so many friends and families who came with us to the altar, prompting Fr. Vinny to say," how lucky YOU ARE to have all these people here for you." Yes, indeed! My family is so lucky to have my sister Janette and her family, my sister Sol and equally loving husband Eric, my adopted daughter Venice, my niece Fridah and her family--- the adoraqble duo--Ice and Joey, my Pareng Eugene, the designated photographer,  my nephew Jerome who I can always count on to run errands for me. My ever reliable friends who travel far just to be with us---Stephen, Ann Marie and PJ, the Anciano family for coming and bringing that awesome sans rival and  Linda and Ron with their adorable daughter Leilani.  My in-laws are the ever troopers. My mother in law is about 96 and she comes to awards nights, recitals, communions and birthdays. In fact when it comes to the kids life, inspite of her old age--- I give her better grades than my sisters-in-law and my kids' cousins who are actually  more physically able to spend more time with my kids but don't.  Kudos to my mother in law!


So Josh was ever dashing--- I was so giddy the whole time because my boy IS HANDSOME! Don't you think? I kept glancing at him because he was so excited , you can see it in him.

At about 7am that day, I talked to him ( just the 2 of us), talked about what the day was for, the importance of it, what it means to him and just technically reintroduce to him the values I have learned and what is expected of him. To be very honest, we both cried ( we are crybabies in our family). I told him about how after each communion you strenghten yourself and that Jesus is with you so everytime you make silly faces or say something bad about a classmate, cheat or lie, talk back to Mama, you are not a good model of Jesus who is now your companion. You know, child's talk. But it is very important for me that everytime there is a special occasion for the kids, I talk to them--- I praise them when they have awards, talk to them on the eve of their birthdays, give them a pep talk on exam days and I wrote a letter to Chris on his elementary graduation moving up to middle school. Needless to say, they probably get bored but I know they will remember these days. Besides, if they only learn one lesson everytime I talk to them, that's a whole lot of life lessons before they hit 18, right?


There is no photography allowed during the Eucharist so I don't have pictures when he went to offer the Unblessed Bread to the altar. But I hate it when parents ( adults) themselves break the rules. The parish sent letters, reiterated in the rehearsal--- yet there are obnoxious people who ruin it all. Can't you see? It is a holy eucharist, so don't stand there and pretend this is your private affair!


Here is the class photo of St. Joseph's Parish 2011.

Beside Josh are 2 Filipino kids. Notice how Josh is not wearing white suit. He preferred not to, although I told him his Kuya wore all white. But that's Josh, always wanting to be different.

Don't know about you but he sure is dashing, and what's up with the hands in the pocket look?

Here's my mother-in-law ( Nanay) with her grandchildren. What did I tell you? She is so involved with the kids, God bless her.

Here's Josh with Fr. Vinny---the most patient priest I know.

Here's our family and friends who shared this beautiful day with us.

My sister Janette

Friends

Since it was Mother's day too, we had to have a Mothers' group shot.

After the photoshoot that rivals a wedding entourage, we all went to our home and shared a simple lunch.

Oh well, not so simple I guess. I love my friends, they really do make life more beautiful, not to say EASIER. I need not ask Sol to pick up the food for me, they just know I needed someone to do that. I asked Jerome to pick up the cake and off he goes, seeing I was very busy, Eugene just took the camera and started taking pictures for me---see what I mean? I am blessed indeed.

As usual we had fun. Simple family and friends gathering where we spend time with grandma.

Where we talk about the yummy sans rival and the healthy chicken spaghetti while goofing around.

We spend time by sharing moments like these:

And then, there's the endless Kodak moment, staple for every Filipino gathering. In defense, I do take lots of pictures because memories such as these are to treasure.

Above all, Josh' First Communion is a great blessing for everyone who witness it. Fr. Vinny aptly said it: "This shoiuld be a reminder for all of us when we were simple and the simplicity of childhood warms the heart, we should all go back to the day when in communion, we find joy, we find Jesus."

Our faith should be very vital to our family growth. Oftentimes, we are so preoccupied with life that we neglect it. Not in my household. This is not to say we are very religious because we are not ( I wish we were, I am working on that), but every child should be given the guidance of any Faith in the home. I do not subscribe to the division that religions bring. Faith is universal. For as long as we believe in one great Being or even simply follow rules of Humanity, I go for that. My family is Catholic, Mr. Hubbs and I grew up as Catholics, we would like our kids to be Faithful Christians, to know that to be great follower of Christ, we should all be Christ like. The journey is hard but if we start them young, it should not be as bad. As I prayed before lunch last Sunday, I said " make my chilren grow as good Christians and decent human beings." That is my prayer every night.

Thank you to all who are with us in our journey guiding our children. My niece and nephew Fridah and Joel for being such great examples to the kids, i love you both. To my sister Janette and her husband Manong Atoy, you are a superb example of Christ like, thank you. To my sister Sol and RN Eric, you are both fa mily to us. My fervent wish is that soon, we will have a bundle of joy to smile at. I always pray for that. To my friends---thank you and please help me guide the kids. In joys and tribulations, please be there for them as second parents.

So now I leave you with these beautiful photos of Josh and my family.

My baby was never mine, he is a child of God, I am his steward. I am lucky and blessed to have this angel in my care. My heart overflows with pain when I realize I am not as good a mother I would like to be but I know he loves me and he is a happy boy.  God bless you Josh and may the Holy Spirit guide you all the time. Mama and Papa loves you.

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

Manny Pacquiao on MAy 7th

Oh yeah baby. It should be the best MAnny fight for me. Because:
1. Manny is going to win
2 .Manny is just plain awesome

3. What else were you expecting? A Manny fight is always packed in action unlike Gayweather where he is  a  "defensive player". Defensive? I call that running away. Boo!

4. I am actually not working! Can you believe that? First time ever happening. Did you hear that peeps? I am not working on May 7th. Miracle!

All because
5.CHARICE is singing the Philippine National Anthem
6. Charice is singing the national anthem---

Ooops sorry, I said Charice is singing the national anthem twice?
I love Charice and Manny.
More than I love Tina Fey and Ellen.
True.

Here's a pre fight video to get you going! Click for more fight videos