Baby Love

K: "Mommy, I'll tell you something but promise not to laugh because it's embarrassing ok?"

J: (earnestly thinks) "Ok, I promise."

A: OMG OMG and starts to squiggle around and contain her laughter as I stared at her not to tease the little one with whatever the topic was.

K: (with big eyes he contd) Mommy, you know what? In my English class, after the class, AnnaD told me when we were going out of the room that she "loves" me...

J: OMG I thought and almost burst into laughter but I remembered the promise so I said, "hmm, so what did you do? Did you run away? Did you say thank you? What? You can tell Mommy."

A: Yeah Keanu, what did you do anyway?

K: I didn't do anything. I just stood there and stared at her.

(His face and re-enactment on how he stood and stared was priceless; I wanted to laugh my heart out)

J: "Hey, you know what? That's nice of her to say that because I'm sure it wasn't easy but she wanted you to know so you should be happy but not mayabang (arrogant) ok?"

K: (tightened his lips, raised his brows and says) "but Mommy I'm still young so I don't know why she's saying that?"

geesh, think Mommy, think...a-ha!

J: "Because you're a very very lovable boy. So, tomorrow, still be nice to her and not mayabang ok? So come on, it's dinner time."

I told A when he got home and had a good laugh.

Power POOF Girl

Being the eldest of 6 children, I'm accustomed to celebrating birthday parties. I grew-up seeing my mom prepare food as if the whole neighborhood's invited, organize games for at least 30 kids, pack loot bags like it's Christmas and redecorate the garage and garden like there's a fiesta. Regardless if she had to do it alone or with helpers, it was the norm. That said, I should be a pro by now with birthday bashes (specially if there are less than 20 kids around).

Yeah right...

Though Germany kept those abilities in check for some years, after moving to this island, the curse of dependence slowly over powered those skills I grew up with. The last time I prepared food and did some entertaining on my own was on 2007---Keanu's swimming party. Then last year, I succumbed to comfort and opted for one of the gazillion party packages offered. Am I ageing too fast to be that unenergetic to entertain 5 year olds?!

Not always A Kid's Game

It was a good afternoon and the kids accompanied our helper do the groceries. The usual exploration of aisles and testing their skills as to what off-the-list item they can sneek in the trolley were expected so the multitasking button was on higher alert and soon enough, they were on their way home.

A brief detour at a small warehouse style store took their attention off the smallest of the group. Some minutes later, a realization that he's nowhere to be found. My daughter, inheriting my paranoid twin, got frantic after our helper called-out loudly for her brother but in vain. She began crying and asking the people in the store, even the passers-by, if they've seen a small boy, this height (gesturing with her hands), wearing a swiss school uniform and so on and so on... they were about to run outside and do further searching when the saleslady told them that he was hiding under the clothes.

Had I been there, I would've scolded him for the panic he has caused but my daughter handled it way better than I would...relieved at the sight of her brother, she sighed and just said, "let's go home now yaya".

Hide and seek, a classic game of kids where they test and challenge their abilities to stay silent and invisible--without realizing it's power to cause fear to those who fail to seek.

Loves of our Lives

Following the tradition of having a 'kid' in every country we go to, we've added an Australian in our family. Meet Jessie. Our 4 1/2 month old golden retriever. We fell inlove with her on March 1. The kids have been asking to have another 'sibling' for Jake for years but I'm not an impulsive mother in that way. I consider age gaps quite seriously (based on experience) and everyone's readiness for another baby at home. I want to make sure most especially, that our dearest Jake won't feel jealous and out of place---and everyone should understand that. 

In my book, only a handful are more important than him. 

Anyway, it's been more than a month since her arrival and routines are in place. There are little wee-wee accidents and nibbled furnitures every now and then but that's part of it. She is slowly learning from Jake's attitude and not slobbering the whole time---I personally find it degrading when a dog incessantly licks just almost everyone for attention. 

Jake, being the kind-hearted one that he is, has surprisingly been patient and understanding of Jessie's naughty nature. He doesn't mind when she bumps him off as he drinks or snatches his toy or when she tries to lick off the food from his mouth. He even lets her 'walk him'!

So, 3 kids, 2 dogs, a turtle and a hamster...next please?

On the Cover

Inspired by RHADAnella! On location: Thailand

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