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!