My Boys

Although I am really grateful to have a beautiful daughter, my bond with my boys is totally different. I feel so special and I get that sense of security. Today I was looking at some old photos and I  literally ached! My heart ached, my mind hurt. Seriously, I feel my boys are growing too fast and that special mother and son bond will wither. 

Here are my cute boys. Shhhh, don't tell them I told you they are cute. 

Just for kicks, here's Josh with his rat tail! Ahahahahah!

Goodnight!

A New Cousin

Well, well! We got a new family member! Please welcome the " finally, a boy for us Mama" member of our family and friends circle. Oh yeah, after Jem, we got Bella, Erikka and Mica---all girls! So yeah, finally a boy and boy is he handsome! 

He is so cute! Tiny face and Fridah noticed how he seems to be "thinking." He's got that old person demeanor with wise eyes. 

Need I say more how the kids shower him with love? But there's one who's not very happy--- Baby sister Bella! I asked her what's her brother's name and she said " it's windy," ignoring the question. She refuses to acknowledge her brother, in fact she rubs her mom's tummy and asks where the "other tummy" is! I'm sure she'll warm up very soon!

Ate Precious lovingly telling me how she can't take care of baby Allen because she already takes care of Baby Erikka! But look, she's so eager to hold the Allen Peter!

Big sis Bella with Kuya Josh.

Notice how Bella is not in the picture below! She refuses! Oh boy! But pictures with cousins are to be treasured that's why even if the kids refuse I always insist.

I have to say this: I always tear up during weddings! But I love taking pictures of babies, kids with siblings and fathers and their kids! So, I grabbed my phone immediately when Bella insisted to be carried by her dad because she was " jealous" dad is carrying baby Allen!

But nothing beats a mother's joy! Here's Mr. Hubbs' niece-- Aena with baby Allen. 

Without further adieu, please welcome our newest addition to our family-Allen Peter Llaga Turingan! 

Congrats Aena and Jerome! Welcome to this beautiful world Allen. Another bundle of joy, another blessing from above! Happy Sunday everyone!

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!

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?

Gone Fishing

You can take a girl out of the islands but you can never take the islands out of that girl. Oh yeah! I'll always be an Aparriana.

I would still love the ocean, the breeze, sand, sun, the smell of it all, the seashells, the blue waters, the crushing wind, the golden sunset and the blanket of darkness. Oh, I can't tell you enough but needless to say, I feel lucky to have called the Baystate my new home because Massachusetts is a home to the US' best beaches --- Cape Cod is close by my city. 

This is my view on the way to Falmouth. Lovely ha, especially driving besides a Ferrari. Hahahahah. I can dream and dream I do!

Needless to say, I splatter every time I am within sight of ANY body of water. It reminds me of my whole being! I could tell you it reminds me of my childhood but that would be a lie or an understatement--- because the water is my life! It is my family's bread and butter. My whole being!

Any chance I get, I take advantage. With my life now though it's a little hard. But hey, we go all the time. Pool, sea, ocean--- even ponds!

Today let me show you my happiness!

To show you how happy I am! Not that I need to! 

While Mr. Hubbs is busy fishing, I just soak in all the array of senses the surrounding brings! By the way, he caught 61 fishes! That's my man!

What better treat than this? Whooh! Perfect punctuation to a wonderful day!

The hard part of fishing? Cleaning the fish! But don't worry my friends, after all, I am from a fishing village whose livelihood is fishing. So it's easy for me. Anyone needs lesson? I have to be honest though, I feel like buying it is easier! Hahahahah, but the point is the fun and bonding time I spend with Mr. Hubbs is priceless. Don't you think?

Oh well, nothing beats fresh produce! 😘💃. Makes me happy every time!

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.