Cousins Part 3

You know how you feel safe and free at the same time? I get that feeling whenever I am with good friends, safe coz I know they would never put me in a bad light or would do anything that could potentially hurt me or my family. Free coz I can be me--- loud, happy, giggly and dressed down? No problem! 

If you have cousins who are your best friends too? Priceless! 

 

September is All About Jem

Happy birthday cutie Jem!

I can't seem to get over these kids!

... And catch these moments!

How about you? What do you love most when you see your family and friends? Personally, I love moments such as these. Nothing fancy schmancy. Just laughter, hugs, stories exchanged, funny jokes and friends cajoling each other!

Oh yeah, we had food too.

Happy birthday Jem, you know we love you but when you and your cousins get to read this lowly blog ( actually, much like Mamu's random thoughts), I want you to know I have the greatest pleasure when I am with you all. I may seem distracted and out of focus sometimes but let me tell you, I see every single thing! I notice all your mannerisms, your "not-so-gentle"  push on your sister, your Kuya Josh' forced smiled when I let him give you his toys and your Ate Precious' sweet smile when I praise her back flips! I love it when you sleep-over and you are scared when your Ate KC turn off the lights. Now I'm wondering if you are still the same when you are all sitting down reading this blog when you are all grown-ups!

Now I'm suddenly sad. I just hope you will all stay like this forever! Loving each other and always close to each other and depending on each other every step of the way. Sure, I expect you all to grow up and expand your wings but I also pray you will treasure these time with me and each other so that when the going gets tough, you will find refuge in each other no matter what life has thrown at you.

Mwaaah! I should stop now before I cry a river! I love you Jem and your cousins love you. God bless you my dear!

Josh and Abby

Aren't they cute?

 

Going to the Farm on Sunday

Hello! Feels like I can update the blog better if I write after an event--- no need to sit down and think about anything.

So this Sunday, after hearing mass, we drove to Smolak Farms to strawberry pick! Only the farm is still closed for picking! Bummer! But why be sad when you can do something else. Besides, with the Llaga PE in tow, we can never run out of fun things to do.

Just on the way there, I heard so much giggling from my passengers---3 girls. I heard singing, boy stories and plain silly jokes that erupted to big laughs! Oh, if only I can tell you all their stories, you won't believe what a 45-hour drive can do!

The farm is not as big as other farms we've been to but definitely still picturesque. Check out these views.

Due to some poor planning, strawberry picking was not available and would only start this coming Friday. Bummer! We went all the way to the North Shore for nothing. By the way, the houses we passed by were humongous, nothing short of mansions considering they all are in a golf course. Duh! Sarcasm alert!

But we are not to be defeated. We still enjoyed the interesting farm animals and Sunday was Dog Day at the farm ( who knew?), it was still a lot of fun. The farm baked goodies were absolutely good. See how much fun we had here.

Always excited to be with Kuya

Oh, Id love me some massage. Wait, its for dog only.

where's the ice cream shop?

Check out this antique jetmatic water pumps

Oh, how they love it!

Farm model?

my property is as far as the eye can see? really?

Jem, the future veterinarian

Oh, this is a show off !

What' a farm without this little farm house?

And, if you go to the farms, do not forget to eat their baked goods. They are all so good. Fresh off the oven!

Yummy cake?

Afterwards, we went to Boston at Quincy Market for some afternoon sightseeing. We watched some street performers and just basically relaxed.

 The cousins all bonded together via pets, ice cream and yup, taking selfies! Oh, to be young and carefree.

Afterwards, we capped the day with seafood dinner at The Clam Box. Awesome Sunday!

How about you? How did you spend your weekend?

Memorial Day Weekend 2012-Dance Rehearsal and Thereafter

Let me get this out of the way. This year's show is not as spectacular as the past years we have been with Gold's. It is still great but lacking, something.

Every year, KC's dance school hold their recital on Memorial Weekend. Don't know why but I feel it ruins the long weekend for families. You see Memorial weekend is the unofficial start of summer. AND if you are New England-er---these days are rare and precious.

Anyway, I requested days off at my part-time job because I know it will be very hectic. Saturday is dress rehearsal day and you-can-take-pictures-now-because-you-can't-by showtime day. Which means, I need to be really be fast, which also means---it makes for a whole day of fussing and forced smiles.

I was unable to take lots of pictures like last years, but it is still fun. Again, KC did 3 dances--tap, jazz and ballet. Enjoy the photos.

The costumes are wicked expensive but all worth it! I just hope there is a way for her to wear it again. This jazz outfit is so beautiful.


Jazz costume

  I know my daughter loves dance. She may not be a natural dancer, but she does love it. That's what's important. Loving life!

all pretty girls

 She is a natural showgirl. Always smiling.


She always enjoys it

  My heart melts.... i know these girls will soon be beautiful ladies. If only I could keep her this way.


loving their dance and their last day in school

  They dance to the tune of Rihanna's umbrella for their tap dance.


Tap costume

 Their ballet dance number is absolutely beautiful. She loves her costume too. I am so tempted to buy the DVD, but for 32.00 buckaroos? So expensive!

Ballet

As you probably already know, we are always with the Llaga PE---my fave people in the world. Aside from my beautiful family, of course. Here are Preshie-Boo's photos. I can tell you, this girl is amazing! She will truly be a star. Cue....awwwww.

Can you say cute? She is the star of the show! In fact she can be the teacher.

 A true show performer. Her hat fell off and she went on to dance. That's our baby!

Rock it girl!

 Here she is in her ballet costume. I remember, my fave costumes of KC are always the ballet ones. Don't we all wish out little girls are ballerinas?


I love little ballerinas

 What did I tell you? STAR! Joshua and Precious loves each other. They may fight but they get along so well. I am just so happy my kids have cousins who are close by. I just hope AJ and Joie are so much closer in Boston so KC and them can bond. AJ is in Montreal and Joie is in Edmonton---both in Canada. Sigh. Please sister Babes and Ban, let us stay closer?

I'm a STAR!

Of course, we take this opportunity to spend time together. Dance rehearsal is a family thing-y for us. My 2 boys did not want to attend dance school this year so I did not force them. During rehearsals, Fridah commented that the hip-hop class is not as good as before, Josh said " Because, I am not dancing this year." Oh ha? Braggart much? As you can see Pherry is on his iPad. I don't care if he is really not paying attention as much as long as he spends time with us. Don't they look like Korean boy band members? The hair! Mr. Hubbs hate it!

Here is Preashie-Boo with my niece Fridah. Hmmm, I wonder what she is asking mommy? I betcha a book? NOT!

As you probably guessed, I took lots of pictures after the rehearsal. It was a photo-op for me because they have their cousin Lovely ( yup, that's her name) and Preshie-Boo. Lotsa prodding and lotsa bribing. Yes, they may be looking good on pics in this blog, but believe me---it's hard work! Hahahhahah.

KC was so tired, she does not want to smile --AT ALL. Nope.

But she smiles once they are outside, together. Cousins!

 I asked he if I can take a "few" pictures and she reluctantly said "ok, ok...mom, you are so embarrassing." Me? Embarrassing? When did that happen? I thought I was cool? Oh boy.

After I begged.... here they are. Can you tell they are excited? NOT!

 Ok, this is much better because I said it was the last one. NOW, they are happy.

Afterwards, we headed to Hingham, a charming upscale seaside community----- to Wahlburgers! We love this place. Cool music, chic interior, outdoor seating and yummy juicy burgers.... what's not to love? Did I tell you this is by the Walberg brothers? MArk Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, anyone? WHat about NKOTB? You got it!


With cousin Lovely

  Uber chic with the hat, ha?

Just to show you how much we love this place... here...

Check out this charming fisherman's lantern lighting, couple that with smooth  music... yumm! I am not paid to endorse I swear.

My family likes going to Hingham Shipyard. It is very metropolitan chic but with cool breeze and clean open space. And the ships and the boats. You can just sit and daydream. Like we do. Sit. Daydream. Go home.

Here is the view from Wahlburgers overlooking a portion of the marina. The unmistakably New England building is Alma Nove, a fine dining option here at The Shipyard--again owned by the Wahlbergs, named after their mom Alma. If you have the dough, head to Alma Nove, if you want to be in and out with great food, head to Wahlburgers. Deal! Guess where we are at? Wahlburgers!

Can't resist going to their quaint little shops. I love this kind of shops. Not your big box type ones.

After the burgers, we headed to Red MAngo. Our new guilty pleasure! They separate themselves from me and Mr. Hubbs. hmmp. I love their cousin bonding time!

Afterwards, og course they need to burn all that sugar---we headed to the kiddie park acroos from red mango. There is also a mini golf here but you ahve to pay. If you know me... that is a STOP sign. Hahahhahha. We had so much fun though. At this point, Mr. Hubbs was so tired, all he wanted to do was sleep so headed out to the car. Take a looksie how foolish we can be and what fun we had!

PreshieBoo showing off her strong legs. The girls were like, " oh, no... stop, that just doesn't look good neneng." They crack me up!

 Then they say, " come her na lang, we take pictures" and then start to giggle again.

 We had a lot of these moments. Poor Lovely carrying Karmina.  How I wish my friends and sisters are with me. I did not have cousins my age while I was growing -up that's why this is so precious to me.

 ...and these are the Llaga geeks. No girl or boy talks. They rather talk about Princeton and some nerdy stuff. Wait, they talk about some cartoon show and some Korean MTV. Not so geeky. Hahahhahah.

 Here is KC asking her "ah-tey" to massage her because she was tired dancing. And "ah-tey" Lovely oblige. Sweet. On a completely out of topic matter... can I have one of these adirondack chairs? My Gucci Sukey is centerpiece. Woohoo!

 The beautiful cousins.

 Can I make a confession? Me and KC watch Fashion Star. We think is dead (no pun intended) but we like watching stressed out people. Then I would chide her and ask her if she wants to be a model and she says, " designer, mom, I want to be THE designer. Look at those models." Snob? I think she will be a good designer if ever.

 "what you watching KC?" Here, One Direction. She is so in love with One Direction. I might just have to buy tickets if they have a concert here in Boston.

 Me and the pretty girls. She is only 11 but she is inching up on me already. Wow!

 Now, for the parting shot.... the Llaga cousins.

After the park, we dropped off Mr. Hubbs and headed to the mall so the girls can window shop. The boys went to Apple Store and poor me got stuck with Precious at Lego! Nope... I love being with Precious. She is a sweetheart. For real! Then we headed to Target where Precious goes, " Mamu, so you can save, you can buy me this book and not give me flowers after my recital." And who said I was going to give her flowers? Hahahhhaha. I was dead tired but still need to go to brockton to get sleepwear for Lovely so she can sleep over! Woohoo!

Then I was really tired. From 12pm-10pm with these kids and their energy? Even Hulk would give up!

Part 2 coming up!