College Talk Already?

Coming from outside after playing in the snow, I asked KC if she wanted to eat. She said yeah, prepping her pancake. I then told her steak is done. "Forget pancakes, I'm having steak!"

She comes over, hugs me tight then, " when I come home from college, you'll cook me steak, right?"

Huh? Oh, no! 

KC's 13th Birthday

Oh yes! You read that right. My only daughter turned 13 September 16, Monday. I asked her what she wanted and she said I already got her  cellphone and that was enough! I was happy hearing that from her. 

Friday before, we spent bonding time at the spa! Priceless! I know she will remember these moments with me or any other time spent with her Dad who she loves very dearly.

So, since I did not really plan any party for her, I decided having a special lunch would do. We went to grab some lobsters on Saturday for a late lunch.

Tell you what, I always try to make my " car rides" with each kid as a bonding moment. On our back home after picking up lunch, I asked her to pose for me to take a picture and as she always does, scolds me and tells me to focus driving instead as she starts  lip synching a One Direction song--- if you don't already know by now, KC is obsessed with these Irish and British boys!

My good friend and a regular here on the blog, Marisol brought a very special cake from Konditormeister. Oh yummy! Thanks Tita Sol!

Of course her Tita Glo was also there! We wish Jem and Precious were there though.

Sunday was, as always family day. We went to hear mass and it was just by chance we dressed alike. I swear we did not plan it! 

We all went to the mall after. With her gift-monies, she bought herself a cupcake--- all because we saw the company the night before on the TV show Shark Tank. 

We then left the boys at the cafe, KC and I went clothes shopping. She thought she was going to pay for it but I paid and curious she asked why. I told her dad instructed me to pay for whatever she wanted that day. She was so happy. After clothes, I brought her to Macy's to buy her first lipgloss/lipstick whatever she prefers. I wanted to do that because I want her to experiment WITH me. I know her friends are all experimenting and I have caught her sneaking on checking my make-up stash so I might as well let her enjoy this wonderful stage of her life. Besides, I figured, once her curiosity is piqued, that's it!  Rather than letting her learn from other kids and even to my horror, other people. 

For lunch/ dinner combo, we decided to go to Shake Shack. They have not been there cause we are always at Five Guys which we still love!

My family!

The birthday girl!

After Shake Shack, we were supposed to watch a movie but I realized the movie place there was the Luxe one which was $18.00 each. Pass! While we were waiting, we spent time at Pottery Barn which I could never afford so I can dream. It's calming with all the beautiful things! Oh, someday!

It's been a long day and we all decided to go home. But there's more to do! Of course she got BOOKs!

Once home, I observed the pictures hanging in the house were old pictures of the kids. I decided to let them pose like those pictures. 

See?

I so love my family! The kids are my strength!

My birthday girl! My princess, my redemption!

I stayed up late to actually wait for 1200! Here we are!

Me and the Princess!

With Dad.

Thank you Lord Almighty for giving a beautiful daughter who loves without expecting. Thank you KC for being such a wonderful daughter, for being a good example and for being a responsible girl. Not once have I been called to your school for any misbehavior. All I hear is how you are such a well-mannered girl who can balance school and friends. I pray for your continued good heath but most of all, I pray you stay true to one and one thing only --- that God is all powerful! If you let God be your master, nothing will go wrong.

I love you, Dad loves you and Josh looks up to you. Kuya may not be as expressive but I know he adores you and he is trying to protect you, believe me baby, your brothers will always be with you😝! 

Go and be strong! Soar high and I know you can achieve anything because you are a good girl. Let's keep praying baby! Together we can! 

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.

Mommy Brag Day

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

Note to Karmina: Do not get yourself a mom-in-lawzilla!

Coz I will kill her for sure-lla!

from: Carolyn Bourne


to: heidi withers

subject: your lack of manners



Here are a few examples of your lack of manners:

When you are a guest in another's house, you do not declare what you will and will not eat - unless you are positively allergic to something.


You do not remark that you do not have enough food.

You do not start before everyone else.

You do not take additional helpings without being invited to by your host.

When a guest in another's house, you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise early - you fall in line with house norms.


You should never ever insult the family you are about to join at any time and most definitely not in public. I gather you passed this off as a joke but the reaction in the pub was one of shock, not laughter.

You regularly draw attention to yourself. Perhaps you should ask yourself why. No one gets married in a castle unless they own it. It is brash, celebrity style behaviour.

I understand your parents are unable to contribute very much towards the cost of your wedding. (There is nothing wrong with that except that convention is such that one might presume they would have saved over the years for their daughters' marriages.)


If this is the case, it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding as befits both your incomes.

One could be accused of thinking that Heidi Withers must be patting herself on the back for having caught a most eligible young man. I pity Freddie.

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!



A Father's Day post

Daddy's Footsteps

author unknown

"Walk a Little slower, Daddy," said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy

For I must follow you.

KC's Snow White School Play

My daughter KC was chosen as one of the 2 to play Snow White for their school's play. I know she auditioned for it and she worked hard to memorize her lines. They ended up having 2 shows--- one for parents and the other for the kids at school. I usually have no sched conflicts because they do it in the morning but this time, they had the parents' show in the evening----yup, you guessed it. I am messed up again. I need to be at work those hours. Those who are  new reading this blog and not know that I work 3pm-11pm, I will spare you my usual crappy complaints but you need to know, this is not good for me. The show is at 6? Wowzee? I guess I am an anomaly in the scheduling world so I guess I need to just shrug it off. I was able to make a couple of switches at work to make it--not that I would have not gone if they did not allow me. For goodness sake---this is my kid and I need to be there---work is secondary, right? Hahahah. You should come work at my place and see how.... blah blah blah...

Can I just tell you? These kids worked hard and boy, were they good! No, not good--- they were awesome! Unbelievable!  I  was there early because I volunteered to do the make-up. What was I thinking? Working 2 shifts (3pm-7am ) then going to school at 430pm to do the make-up? Well, what do you know?  I have gained so much from that volunteer job. I saw why my daughter loves this after school program. The kids are great, the teachers are dedicated--- you can feel they enjoy each other and that they like what they are doing. There were a few smiles and a whole lot of giggling while putting make-up on---the boys all needed make-up and you can only imagine the fun they had. Being surrounded by kids is the most awesome feeling. Yes, you may need to ask them to tone the noise down a little, or you may have to tell them to stop teasing but the joy you feel is beyond explanation. These group of kids are exceptional--- the teachers were saying how they struggled in the beginning and as they went along, knowing each other, building confidence and enjoying their time together-- there was so much progress and you can see it in the camaraderie they have developed.


And so, I did make-up with another parent volunteer and I love it. KC and all the girls were lovely and a joy to be with. The boys? They are the most game!!! No hesitations whatsoever! Professional! I  love them all. It was so much fun---more fun than I thought. Maybe because I was relieving my high school days.... maybe....


Anyway, here are the pictures and I hope you like them...

The seven dwarves... they are so funny. I can't tell you how much the
younger kids laughed  with their antics...

The forest animals. This group is so funny while I was putting make-up. They asked me to make them look  really good because they are animals. Funny.

The mirror and the "very vain" Queen

Snow White and the animals with the dwarves' little house.

The Queen and her evil spirits

The "possessed Queen"  and the spirits

The Queen tricking Snow White

Finally, the Prince kissed Snow White....

Snow White(s) marrying the Prince

The best theater group  ever. Even if they are neophytes, I love their super close relationship.

BFF(s) Enie, Carol and Karmina. Funny how KC's two best buds are the Queens---Vain  and Evil.

I can't tell you how lucky I am to have my very own Snow White-- my own slice of royalty. I am fortunate to have KC because she is sweet and intelligent. She works hard and is very persistent. I love how everyone seems to like her in school and I told her how one parent told me she is everybody's crush in school---boy , did she hate that. She's like--- "Mom, please don't call me popular or famous." I told her that's what the teachers and parents tell me and she's like, ok, let;'s just say I am well liked. See, she does not like to be calle popular, she says on TV shows she watches, popular girls are always the meanies and not-so-intelligent. So she does not like to be popular. Oh, boy, I wanted to be popular... NOT!

KC with the school principal, Mrs. Ruth Witmer

 The two Snow Whites

Here's our usual crew--- the Llaga(s). I love it when family gives you so much importance and love. Isn't that what family is suppose to be?

And can you tell me if you find  any cuter baby than this little munchkin? My grandnephew Joey is my kids favorite...

 Mr. Hubbs and my Snow White.

After the show, the family headed to --- where else? EAT! We went to Minado !! Yeebah. And we all live happily ever after. The End.