I knew it--- A mother's poem

I saw this poem on oakridgerevival blog and I love it. It validates what I have been saying all along...

1. TIME with your kids is more essential than ironed clothes and sparkling dishes
2. Reading books with them is more important than spotless kitchen countertop
3. Sprayhose showers are the best on summer time, better than well sculptured lawn
4. laying on the beach stargazing is a best seller to the kids than dustless coffee table
5. singing out loud out of tune mommy  is better than stone faced mommies ( yippee)
6. braiding your daughter's hair is waaaay sweet than sweet iced tea in an expensive hotel
7. baking stonehard cookies is better than fancy schmancy dinner in a cruise ship ( although that would be great)
8. opposite day pretend play is more awesome than perfect dress/no wrinkle days
9. freestyle praying with the lights off is better than all dressed up Sundays ( although we still go to church every Sunday)
10. eating on paper plates is more fun and easier so the movie watching can start sooner is a thumbs up than a scheduled appointment to go eat in town.

The Mother's Dilemma

What will they say when I've passed away?

That, "she kept a clean house, but where's she today?"

What gems will I leave for my children I've born?

A clean toilet bowl and a rag mop that's worn?

My windows are shined and my floor's nice and clean.

My laundry's all done. I should feel like a queen.

I should be so happy with my house looking dazzled,

But my mind's in a tizzy and my nerves are all frazzled.

My kids are so gripey, their needs put aside,

But there are dishes to wash and clothes to be dried.

But a dirty dish doesn't look at sad

As a lonely child who's hurt and mad.

And a sparkling dish won't shine as bright

As the face of a man who's been treated right.

Could I have been wrong? Could joy be somewhere

Besides in a toilet bowl that shines with a glare?

Have I been misled by commercials and such

That picture a home that is clean and without fuss?

When my time rolls around, let me take note

To slow down and live, or I might miss the boat.

Lora Lee Duncan

August, 1978

How about you? Share your "better" moments to me.

Dance Recitals 2011 Part 1 -- the rehearsal

It is that time of the year again when everyone is so busy with family events---graduations, weddings, cook outs... and yeah, dance recitals. At Gold's Dance School where my kids go, they hold the annual dance recitals every Memorial Day weekend. So yeah, that means we are not available for ANY event during this long weekend. But I love it. I love shows where my kids showcase their talent and hardwork. We live about 25-30 minutes away from the school and they go twice a week. KC stays for more than 2 hrs for the classics--- ballet, tap and jazz and then goes for an hour for hip-hop. Let me tell you though, I never heard them complain. Next year she said, she might not do hiphop anymore because she plans to the more intensive program. We'll see.


Anyway, Saturday was the dress rehearsal and it is only that time where you are allowed to take videos and pictures--which is good and bad. Bad because I want to take lotsa pictures... LOTSA pictures. LOL. Good because I do not want to be distracted by someone taking pictures during the show. I wrote about this here. I might have to order the DVD this year which is a whopping $32.00 per show! My kids performed on both--- are you @%%? I will be ordering only the second show though. Back to what I was saying ( I easily get distracted)-- Saturday was rehearsal and we needed to be there by 1PM. No big deal-o, right? NOT. I worked 16hrs the night before and I have to get up by 1030am to prepare them. I put KC's make-up, fixed her hair and prepared all her costumes. Why can't it be easy like the boys? Like it will happen, no? After grabbing bobby pins, scrunchy-s, hairbun maker, make-up bag, costumes, shoes --- I can go on--- we all go to the venue. I love all the costumes and every kid is indeed a star.

Can they be any cuter?

I love the fact thay the performances are really great. It is more than a recital, it's a dance concert. It is well organized and the show flows smoothly. The audience got a treat because America's Teen Male Dancer of the Year performed a solo dance number.

So, anyway, we all troop to the rehearsal and here is where you will know my family--we all go and carry half our house--except that i am the only one carrying everything and I am supposed to know where everything is---all at the same time." Oh--- where is my water bottle Mom, how about my bun, are you going to do it now, mom, mom---my sneakers is tight, i need a new one--- we are supposed to wear red white and blue mom...red lipstick only mom, i don't want to wear shorts, we need to be there 1 hour ahead of time mommy, where was my bottled water mom--I asked first AND my bodysuit is missing." Lemme tell you this, don't they realize they have a dad too? LOL.  Of course my response to all these brilliant querries is a loving (NOT) "ok, ok hold on-- here, is your bottled water and your red lipstick is still ok and we did your bun already and Josh,  we go buy shoes after the practice, i know you need to wear red white and blue but you need not wear all 3 at the same time Christopher and yes we are heading right there now, so we are early and sweetie, KC,  your bodysuit is not missing- you don't have any --yet." Smooth mommy, ha? Very smooth. NOT! I kid you not, my body just seems to automaticaly function like I am suppose to know the whole world. Every.little.thing. in.this. big. big. world!  In fact KC's classmates said that I am the coolest mommy in the world because I have the biggest make-up haul. Yes, I am the coolest mommy in the world because I do not sleep---I am cold, not cool. The worst part I tell you is that when we get there, they seem to not need me. Like all is cool. You know-- they stay away, far far away from me as possible. I remind them to go change now because you are next, blah blah and they just slide it through. Uhmmm, you make me look like I am the panicky one but awhile ago, you can't seem to function kids? Oh, brother!!!!

Here are the rehearsal pictures. Oh, let me not even discuss the pictures I wanted to take. If you have been reading this blog, you know my.kids.hate.me. Yup, they hate me because I take lotsa lotsa pictures baby. But I "threaten"  them that I will blog their pics and they'd look ugly and that it will on the internet forever-- and they all smile.

Did you say supermodel? She is my star, my own supermodel and superstar. The thing with KC is, she is not  too self conscious. I see lots of kids her age who are too fashion conscious or acting grown up already. You let her dress up with anything and she's game. Wal-Mart, Abercrombie or MArc Jacobs--- to her everything is ok, just don't let her wear those dresses with itchy underlay.

Tap dance costume

 I love seeing she is having fun. I hate it when kids are just forced to do things and you can actually see they are unhappy about it. KC may not be the greatest dancer---heck, I can't dance myself---but I always believe that for as long as you have passion about anything in this world, you'll have FUN and that's all that matters.

My ballerina. Someday, she will not be my baby anymore but I will always treasure the days where she depended on me so much. Oftentimes, we focus so much on the big picture we are forgetting the little details. I don't really care if we don't look the greatest when we go out, for as long as we ultimately have fond memories. What's the point of having grand vacations when half of it is spent worrying if you look great or spending too much time planning. Let me tell you something, I believe that the kids will remember the moments spent with you and all those times you focused on them--- they won't as much remember half of any sparkling floors  you have, nor will they know you make the most delicious spaghetti in the whole town. 

Ballet dance costume

 Here she is embarrassed when her Dad called her out. Apparently, "I love you KC" scream in the presence of everyone is not cool. Yeah, Dad, that is just not cool.

Jazz costume

 

Here are the hip hop dance pictures. Joshua was unbelievably great. He improved a lot, and boy, did my baby have stage presence. He owned the stage. I had to ask him many times if he wanted to dance and repeatedly he said no but after finding out he will be alone on days the other two are dancing, he reluctantly said yes--- and he is so ggod now, after only a year. Pherry is a natural dancer--he got that from his Aunties on the Llaga side.

AND did I say we were with the Llagas of PE? Of course we were siily boos. Let me tell you this... Icee is so good and such a ballerina. Although she is the smallest, she seems to be the leader of the group. 

We spent the whole day for this rehearsal while everyone is having family barbecue because Memorial weekend is the unofficial start of summer. But it is all worth it. Take a looksie....

and to melt your heart with a cutesy boy--- of course Joey Gem Gem...

He sure knows where the beautiful girls are...

After all the craziness, the day was over and I asked if I can take pictures now that the day is over....they said no but who's the mommy here?

My favorite people in the whole wide world!!!!!

 Afterwards, I treated them to McDonald's---because I am a bad mama. McDonald's it is.

 How about you? Do you have activities for your kids? Do you force it into them believing you know best? Do you hyperventilate like me when the bill comes? Do you bring your kids to McDo? Are you worn down after all these activities? Do you focus more on sports or academic stuff? Please tell me... while waiting for your response, let me drag myself and get me some ice cold soda. Just writing about this stuff tires me so much.

Good night peeps. Be bold, be beautiful.

Karmina is Presidential Academic Awardee-- and I have to tell the world

Thursday was last day of school---but before that, on Wednesday was Promotion Day for KC to 5th grade. I was so proud of my daughter because as I always mention, she is very popular. Among the 3 little Monkeys in my house, she is what I call Intelligent Diligent. She is organized, patient and very visual---like me. She is more of a socially intelligent person than academic--not saying she is not academically inclined but just that she is more of a social type. She is a natural born leader and loves to mingle.

Anyways, she invited all of my friends to come see her, unfortunately only one was able to come ( thanks Kat) and of course her cousin Fridah. The class was wearing LH ( Lincoln-Hancock) Pride shirt in blue and it was so nice to see them all-- they are a tight bunch. In fact, the principal, Miss Witmer could not hold her emotions and just let it all out and cried. I have seen a bunch of these kids in action together during their Snow White play and I feel they truly are good friends.

They had Anti-Bullying Pledge and a classmates of theirs read her sister's Statewide winning poem against bullying and it was very touching. I am still looking for a copy of it, or maybe I should just ask Sue--- Allison's mom. Right? yes, maybe that's what I should do... better thatn scouring the Net. Woohoo, very resourful Bernadette.

When they were ready to announce the awards, I caught KC give me a glance and thought nothing of it. Ms. Witmer asked the audience to hold the applause until everyone is called and you could still hear parents swoon every now and then--even after the warning.... DUH!!! Did you not hear the warning? Are you deaf? Ignorant? Anxiety problem? Duhh! Then they called KC's name--- and who hollered, and clapped and smiled and clapped--again AND again? ME!! DUHHH!!! Me! And I was listening, I am not deaf. I am not ignorant. No anxiety problem here---ok, maybe a little. But yes, I clapped and clapped and there were a few more names called. DUHH! what were you expecting? Of course I clapped! As my kids' would say in a chorus--- "Embarrassing, Mom--embarrassing". But that's me. You know me....Wouldn't you be so proud? Maybe yes, but not embarrassing like me right?


Here's KC accepting her certificate from her 4th grade adviser, Mrs. Foley. She is the most adorable teacher ever and she only has praises for my daughter. Yes!

The Class of 2011 -Lincoln-Hancock Community School Quincy MA. The best bunch of kids.

KC in good company--- her Ate Kath and Ate Fridah. We miss you Tita Sol and Tita Grace and Ate Venice. Funny how these 2 were laughing at me while I was having my Mommy moment. I wonder if they were embarrased? Maybe a little.

KC with Ms. Ruth Witmer. I love miss Witmer, she is very warm and very much into the kids and school. I wish all principals are like her---dedicated. The reason I did not move the 2 Monkeys when we moved was because of her. Everyone in LH is so dedicated and they have this cohesiveness that makes it a wonderful place to belong. I am still deciding if I need to move Josh closer since it is indeed a hike if we drop off the 3 Monkeys in 3 different schools. What if they have concerst and plays and shows and awards at the same time? Where will I go? Oh, my life.  

This is KC and Mrs. Rosenthal, formerly Miss Davis. She is KC's kindergarten teacher---her first teacher ever! Miss R is the one that KC keeps on imitating and why I think she was inspired to be a teacher--- it has since been a model, a photograper, a cook and a world traveler--one thing constant is that she still wants to build a school when she gets LOTS of money from all the other careers. I remember KC speaking softly as she pretends to be a teacher to Josh--- she would write on her blackboard like whatever Mrs. R does on her class. She is a positive influence in KC's life. Thank you Ms. Davis---ooops, Mrs. Rosenthal.

What did I tell y'all? 'Nuff said. 

Oh, I would have put a better shot if I had any--- bad blogger.  KC and Mrs. Foley. Can you say sweet? She is very patient and in fact told me and KC that if she needs any books for projects we can always go to her for help. Aaawww. I can tell you this... KC said on her FB status ( i know, I know, I let my kids have FB, bad MAma) that she is happy ( no more waking up early) and SAD--- because she is not going to see her beloved teachers and friends. I feel for you my neneng. I am sure you will find great friends in your new school.

... and because this is MY blog, and I am a bragging Mama at the moment, I will post this picture. Please do not be scared. Here's me beaming with pride.

AND now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the second Presidential Academic Awardee in our family---- the beautiful, artistic and intelligent---  drum roll please.....KARMINA CIELO LLAGA!



Yes, I am proud of my kids. More often than not, you would see them reading books. Mostly KC would be doodling ( is that a word?) and writing notes. Most of the time--- they are in their own world---sans mommy. Eventually they will grow and disobey me, will not listen to me---(it's happening NOW) and we will have the regular teenager stages but let me tell you this... I love it! I love the chaos, I love the mess, I love the fighting, I love them all. I love it when I need to remind them to put lotion, to apply deodorant ( can i blog about this stuff?). I love it when they tell on each other and cry when you yell at one of them. I love combing KC's hair for her, I love it when Chris asks me to help him do his button flies ( no zippers) and I love it when Josh refuses to comb his hair AT ALL. Yup, I love them all! i LOVE IT. i LOVE IT.  I yell and scream and yell again, but I love it. I love it when they need to be told to brush their teeth, to empty their lunch box, to hand me the teacher's note, to put down the toilet seat and tell them to please clean up after their mess. I love it when nobody seems to know where everything is. Josh, where is the scissor? Can you put back the ruler in its proper place? KC where are your paintbrushes? You ran out of socks? Can I help you tie your shoelaces? Oh, I love it! I really really do!

Because soon--- they will be gone. Then I am alone. Then my life would be empty. Then I am sad. Deeply sad. Then I would remember Josh assuring me he would never leave me or KC telling me she will go to a Boston school just to be near me or Chris telling that eventhough he does not like Princeton or Harvard or MIT and that he'd rather go to Stanford, he will stay in Boston just so I am near. But then, these are all children's promises, full of love and childhood dreams and untarnished image of family.

But I know, with the family values I am trying instill to them, hopefully they will flock back to Mama. For now, let me savor my moment... I am a proud mother of a Presidential Academic Awardee. Well hello there, Mr. Obama. Thank you for your signature.

PS. I am bragging

PPS. Please indulge me

PPPS. I have more posts like these---bragging posts, so forgive me.

PPPPS. I am not sorry to post things like this

PPPPPS. Bragging rights are exclusive here, no copyright infringement.

NOw laugh.

Till next post!