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?

Refresh, Renew, Restore and Relax

I finally got to hang my thrifted frames that were intended for the half- bath down the main floor of the house but, as usual and because I am ME--- it never happened.

So for a whole year it sat sadly waiting to be hanged--- no pun intended. But alas, yesterday I had the willpower to do so but in the main bathroom upstairs. First, because I am not ready to peel the stickies I used at the other bathroom and second because I have nothing else to hang in this so empty space. In short--- for a short time. But then again, it's ME so you might see this for a very long time. Lol

AND if you notice a frame out of line, please do not leave a comment or shoot me an email. That's the way I roll--- I just eyeball , no tape measure or linear bar. Who needs those when you are in a rush or if you are the best? I am such a good home maker, ha? Insert sarcasm here. 😂

Josh And Pictures

I always remind the kids to smile when I am taking pictures. These kids, they run as fast as they can whenever they see me pointing the camera to them. That was then, this is now. Lol. They are well trained.

Josh always willingly pose for me. He flashes the most beautiful smile every time. I picked him up from school today and since he will be leaving this school soon, I asked if I can take iPhone photos and he obliged.
Enjoy!

Today with my Bunso- Josh

I love this little boy so much. He is now 10 but still so cuddly and clingy to me--- which I love. I fear the day when he stops kissing me and sleeping with me. Oh boy!

Marisol's Baby Shower

Alright, happy spring everyone! I'm not gonna lie, we did not plan a cool " spring showers, baby showers" kind of thing. It just happened. The baby shower has been postponed for so many times I can't believe it was still a success. Friends we expected to share with the new parents' joy were still able to make it and we made some new friends.

As you all know, I have 2 great girlfriends here in Boston. What makes them any different than all my other friends? Well, we have that special bond and connection where it seems impossible to have in this busy world considering how busy we all are. Our " geng" have beautiful and successful women and I love them all so dearly. Shout out to all of you my " geng". Marisol and Girlie are my best friends here, we don't compete, we encourage each other. We make each other laugh yet we can talk for hours for absolutely nothing! Like, NOTHING. Yet, nothing seems impossible when we start planning!

Enough with my misdirected mushy-ness? Is that a word? Today in this blog it is. Anyway, Sol and her equally lovable and trusted dear husband Eric have been trying to conceive for the longest time. The many years of enduring pain- emotionally and physically were both painful to see as it is disheartening to talk about. So imagine our joy when once again we found out they are expecting! It was a "controlled" joy because we know how they have been through that, only to be disappointed. I know we all prayed. Really hard. I was both happy and hopeful. I know how much both wanted this baby but I also know the pain they both had to go through. So, each day I prayed. I prayed for both their safety and strength. I just know that this baby would be so much loved! The waiting is killing all of us but finally, the time came to rejoice because the " frightful" stage is over.

Anyways, for the baby shower, I wanted to make it special and overly girly! I planned a pink and purple motif and I loved how it turned out--- if I may say so myself.  Girlie ( that's Helen Grace to you, non-regular readers of the blog), was in-charge of food and I was in charge of the decors. Ooooh, I so loved it.

Since it was already Spring ( if you are in doubt, check the snow pile outside, ha!), I changed the curtains also and kinda went from there.

Here's the rest of the decor details and as I said, I felt really happy. The colors were great, the fun of putting it all together and the kids involvement---priceless. I'll show you a lot of photos but believe me, there were more cameras as giggles and hugs the whole time.

First off, aren't  these hanging pompoms so adorable in all shades of pink? I love it!

 I also added paper fans as you can see from the picture below but notice the amazing cake me and Josh baked---topped with the daintiest decors---- fairy ballerinas! What's prettier than fairies and ballerinas? Fairy ballerinas, of course!

 But i think the best seller of the day were these pretty tutus I bought for the baby when she grows up but I incorporated it to the decor because 1. they  were so darn pretty and 2. I always want things with some meaning--not random. I am sure Sol can easily buy these in the future but it makes for better storytelling and nostalgia if it was part of the baby's life from the beginning, right? How's that for mushy-ness, ha?

I also found these hangers which I thought were soooo cute! Those little gift tags were reused for guests to write messages for the baby.

 As they say---it's in the details. So to complete the look, I tied the curtains with this cutesy ribbons. Adorable, ha?

Here's what I did as a centerpiece. I incorporated all the fundamental designs I wanted---pink, purple, E for Erikka, those cutesy ribbons and of course that American girl picture frame. Instead of the baby pictures though, we inserted some pretty cardboard papers and Josh wrote messages for Erikka.

 

 Another corner of the house was also filled with these lemon filled cupcakes topped with creamy pink icing. Oh love!

 What's a girl's party without pink balloons? We got tons and then used them as our "popping" balloons  during game time.

Daddy-to-be is excited

 Alright, that's it for now folks. Next post will be the party and all the special people who came to celebrate. Don't miss out on that! Watch out for part 2!

Philippine Election 2013 at the Llaga Household

While watching TFC, I saw some partial and unofficial results and exclaimed a sigh of disbelief.

Josh: why, who would you like to vote?
Me: ( just noticed he was paying attention) uhhhm, just that number 4 is ridiculous!
Josh: who, Bee-Nehy?
Me: ( looks at him funny)
Josh: oh, I know, I know-- Bee-Naaay--- just like you call Lola Nah-Naaaay. Am I right?
Me:yes!

See, we are so socially responsible letting our children watch elections--- lol.

On a more serious note, we do drive around the city when there is local election here in Massachusetts so they know what's going on and quite often, we talk about politics and its effect in society. Even more, I let them know why there is no school during observed holidays such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.

Back to Philippine election, I hope no life is wasted or the voice of the people prevails this time and not another frustrating one.

Brag Day

Hear ye! Hear ye!
Look! AND... He was surprised I opened the door when he came home from school. Life is sweet! Mr. Hubbs and I are truly blessed and proud. He is Citizen of the month for Responsibility! Ha! Beat that! Happy Friday everyone!

Brag Day

Oh yeah! High honors again! My little princess maintained it despite her struggling and giving me grieve!

Just so you know, Chris is still in Distinction.

More importantly, check out the teachers' comments!

Brag Day

It seems I can't really do a series. I started calling at Monday Brag Day but my "mommybragging" day is so inconsistent I decided (today, LOL) to just call it Brag Day. So when i write on any day of the week, it's ok. Please forgive me.

So, last Thursday, KC came home with this.

My KC is such a role model.

Ultimately, my goal is for my kids to be good citizens and good children of God.  It seems KC is heading to the right direction. Hope you all have a great day!