I Love You, Mommy!

There is nothing sweeter than to hear your children say "I love you, Mommy!". 

We have a ritual of goodnight kisses and I love yous at bedtime when we tuck our children under their blankets.  But I must confess, sometimes, after a long day, my I love yous are not so sweet and meaningful.  (bad mama!)

I am just so thankful that my kids never get tired of their I love yous either expressed verbally, or through hugs and kisses, or in writing.

These are just two of what I got yesterday and today from Beata .

Thanks, baby girl.

I love you, too!  (from the bottom of my heart)

Beata, Bears and Birthday

Beata celebrated her birthday with her friends at Build-A-Bear this year. 

It was more than I expected.  It's a very pleasant experience and I will sure recommend it to anyone.

After Build-A-Bear, we took all the girls to McDonald's for a Happy Meal together.  They all look so cute together sitting so closely around one big table.  They all got big smiles when they saw their Barbie toys in their happy meal -- perfect for these little girls.  But I am sure they will all agree that the best part was the cake.

Not because it was yummy...

But because they all get to eat it with no plates just spoons.

Even I can't stop smiling while watching them eat, messy or not.

"Time for school, time for school!"

It's not just a line in the Finding Nemo movie, it's what Beata has been chanting this morning when they woke up. 

It's her first of day school and Jakob's second day (she only goes to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).  I was glad that they all woke up early enough to give us plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast and take some pictures before heading to school.  She was not herself though when we went to her classroom; she was quiet (though still smiling) and just sitting still on her seat.  I guess she learned about the line "first impressions last!"  Maybe she's trying to impress Mrs. Bartley.  But knowing Beata, she'll be her old bubbly, talkative self in no time.

And yesterday when I asked Jakob how was first day of school?  I was expecting an answer like "It was good" or "It was okay". I think I was underestimating him a bit coz his answer was "It was awesome!"  That was a joy to hear considering all the changes that has happened in his school (and church) this year.  It is a great way to start his year!

Now, it's just me and Jethro.  One on one. :)

5 Year Old Princess

Our little princess is 5 years old today.

I can still remember the day she came into the world.  It was an easy delivery.  I was already up and about an hour after I gave birth.

It has been almost 4 years since we heard another baby cry in our home.  Big brother Jakob is always ready to help...with extra hugs and kisses for Beata.

She soothe herself to sleep.  We did not have a lot of sleepless night with this tiny little princess.

She mastered potty training before age 1.  Walking and non-stop talking after her first birthday.

She is now 5 and all ready for school.
Five years just flew by.

Happy birthday darling Beata.

We love you lots.

Then and Now: Beata and Ate Rhianna

Then...

Now...

Still close...literally!

WEDNESDAY reWIND: More tickets please

Taken September 8, 2006

(Beata's 2nd Birthday)

@ Chuck E. Cheese's

I ♥ Faces: Crazy, Silly, Funny Face

"Beata, smile for mommy."

"Oh no, not too close!"

My silly little girl.

I don't think she's camera shy.

Then and Now: Beata and cousin Virginia

Then...

Taken July 5, 2006 at the Garden Bros. Circus

They both fit in just one seat.

Now...
Beata and Virginia at Jakob's piano recital.
They still fit in just one seat but I guessed they were feeling a bit bored so this is what they did while waiting for the recital to finish...
What's in your ear?...

My turn now.

 

WEDNESDAY reWIND: "I can see you!"

Taken June 15, 2005

Patch The Pirates Fans

This is our typical day in the van whenever the Patch The Pirate cd is playing...

Don't you love children's voices even if they are out of tune?

I Am Your Piano Teacher

...says Jakob.  Jakob has been giving Beata a few piano lessons every now and then.  He has his own way of teaching.  I was expecting him to follow the outline of his piano teacher but I guessed he thinks Beata is below the beginner level.  He even has a notebook and homework for Beata to do while he is in school.  They were getting along, they were quiet, they loved each other's company even for just 10 minutes. 

Today was a different story though.  Two minutes after their lesson began, I heard Jakob's voice steaming with frustration.  He complained, "Bea is too lazy!  I am not teaching her again." 

He walked out of his first job at the age of 8. 

WEDNESDAY reWIND: Her Pastime

Taken June 9, 2006

This used to be her favourite pastime.

Cake Pops

I found this cool website with cute "cake pops" and I could not resist it, I have to give it a try. It's from Bakerella and she makes the cutest little cake pops in every imaginable design. This was my second try though. I was not so impressed with my first attempt so I did not take any pictures (Wrong, wrong, wrong...successful or not, first is still special. I will never take "firsts" for granted anymore). Delicious? Yes.

Presentable? Not as I want them to be. It looked like a Timbit donut covered in candy melts. I might have made the balls a little too big that's why I ended up with about ten cakepops that fell off the stick. Good thing my household likes sweets - perfect or reject. They were all gone the same day (okay, two made it the next day), and surprisingly, the 32 cakepops that survived the procedure were also gone in one morning. I brought them as a treat for my little girl's Sunday School class being too embarrassed to bring it to my in-laws as Mother's Day treats for kids. I guess it was a hit...for the kids anyway!

Special thanks to my ever supportive sister for giving me the cookie cutter that I desperately needed for my cakepops to actually look like cup-cakepops. I've searched everywhere. Wal-mart, Zellers, The Bay, Sears, Home Sense, Winners, Home Outfitters, Chapters, Canadian Tire, Bulk Barn, Real Canadian Superstore, Dollar Stores. Although Bakerella said you can find the best one at Williams-Sonoma, I thought being the best shopper that I claim to be, I can find it in my area. I was wrong. That's why my first cake pops are just round and boring cause I run out of time looking for this cookie cutter. (Though I saw a similar one at Michael's in Whitby, I just didn't buy it right away coz I have this there's-a-cheaper-one-closer-to-me mentality). So in desperation, I asked my sister to get one for me at Williams-Sonama downtown Toronto.

And boy, there was a huge difference...just take a look at the bottom part of these cakepops. They are starting to look like mini-cupcakes, eh?

I was so happy and excited. They really look good and taste yummy too!

Cake pops, anyone?

My daughter just adored these cake pops, specially because it's pink so she decided to make one too...in her doodle-pro :)

Awww! Hers is cute too!

PIC OF THE WEEK: Ladies' Friendship Tea

Beata's first time to join the Ladies' Friendship Tea.  She was not so prepared with what is going to happen today -- she cried when we put "make-up" on mommy's face (she does not want any "writings" on my face) and hesistated to join the other children in their special program (this is her first "major" public appearance since she had the cast so I guess she is overwhelmed by the so many awwwws).  But she was happy she got to spend the afternoon with mommy, she loved the food and of course, the chocolates!

Taken January 31, 2009

Pink!

We went back to the hospital yesterday to have another check at Beata's arm. And it was a looonng wait. Well, we were warned. The sign says "THIS IS A FRACTURE CLINIC. BE PREPARED TO WAIT!" Good thing Raymond took another day off so I don't have to bring 2 kids by myself and wait in the hospital. The surgeon said he does not see anything wrong in the x-ray. The femur(?)/arm bone looks a bit bent but he says it looks normal to him. But in case the x-ray missed something, she should be in a cast for 2 more weeks just to be safe. They changed her cast to a fiberglass one, much lighter and not too thick this time. Beata was so not looking forward to having another cast, she just wanted to get rid of the old one. So when it was time to get a new cast and choose a colour, she was not so happy. Knowing her, I chose pink. When we got home, she was much better and she said she likes the pink colour (not the cast though!). Well, we just hope two weeks flies fast!

note: Dr. Mommy was right! She had ear infection. She's on antibiotics right now and the peak of the pain in the ear is gone so hopefully it all goes better from here...well, we still have the cast to deal with :(

Tylenol days

Can we ever have enough of Tylenol?  Since Tuesday, we have finished at least 2 bottles of Tylenol already with my 3 kiddos' cough, colds and fever.  We tried the chewable tablet ones too but they like taking syrup form better. 

We usually get this bad cough/cold in January, and with all the previous VERY cold days here in Canada, it's no wonder we are dealing with these right now.  Thankfully Jakob did not miss a day in school, and Jethro is feeling better. 

But...our little princess is sick.  Cough, cold and fever all through the night.  Not to mention the lovely(?) cast on her right arm.  Apparently, she and her little brother were holding hands while seating on the couch when Jethro suddenly jumped off the couch, still holding Beata's hand, and OUCH!  He accidentally pulled it and it's the start of Beata's pain and our long wait at the emerg yesterday.  It happened Wednesday night.  We went to a walk-in clinic thinking it was just another popped elbow just like what she had before.  But when we woke up Thursday, she is still complaining about it so I decided to take her to the emerg right after dropping off Jakob to school.  X-ray was done (me and Beata in the x-ray room, Jethro outside peeking though the hole, crying while still holding on to mommy's purse) and it showed normal but doctors want to make sure so she was put in a cast until Monday when we go back to see the doctor again.  She felt much better after the cast.  And since Raymond took the afternoon off from work, we decided to go on with the Chuck E. Cheese's plan.  The boys had fun but Beata just sat most of the time (though she was really trying and forcing herself to have fun coz she was looking forward to this too!).  Poor Beata.  She was so frustrated asking me what else can she do with just one hand.  I know she'll get used to it but with a toddler, 2 arms and 2 hands help when they are playing (especially with those small dresses that come with the Polly Pocket dolls).

Beata trying to cover her face (she is not too impressed with her cast).

Jethro still looking skinny from being sick for 2 days.

Jethro and Jakob enjoyed the games...and food.

How did Mary gave birth to Jesus?

So it started, the how-did-the-baby-got-out-of-the-tummy question.  Beata is learning more about the birth of Jesus in her Sunday classes, and while we were driving home from dropping off Jakob from school, she bursted out this question with a phrase, "there was no door, how did baby Jesus got out?".  I was speechless but then I quipped, only God can do miracles.  She's smart, but I'm smarter :)

Sunday School Participation

Weeks of practice and preparation.  Several days of shopping just to find the perfect outfit (that suits my budget LOL).  Then it comes.  Dec 14 is the day of Sunday School participation at Faithway.  We were a little rushed that morning, we just had a Filipino potluck the night before so we were all tired and sleepy.  Good thing I already decided on what the kids (and I..okay, and hubby) would wear for the day coz  I was planning on taking a few pictures before we head to church but we never had the time so we had to do it in the afternoon (see next blog please!).  Everything's ready.  2 cameras on hand; one for hubby to hold, one for me; one for taking pictures, one for taking videos.  And so it begins...

Our seats were great coz we were only 3 rows in front of pulpit (not planned though!).  Beata comes in (with Keaton beside her, as I expected :0).  Hair a bit messy, not the same as when she started the day...ahhhh!  But that's okay.  They started singing; microphone right in front of her you can actually hear her low voice as she sings.  Good job, Beata!  (Sigh) Okay, next kid...

Jethro comes in with a baby doll in hand.  We rehearsed this at home to make sure he does not shake, toss or swing the baby while saying their lines and he is doing well.  He saw me while they were walking towards the pulpit.  "Mama", he said.  Melts my heart :0 but he has to join his class.  He did a great job, too.  Though he moved from his row to the next just about the time they were to start singing his favorite Sunday School song - B-I-B-L-E!  I also choked in fear that he might accidentally lean or push one of his classmates and it would lead to a domino effect on everybody.  But thankfully, he did not knock down his classmates or dropped his baby Jesus.  Awww...my baby boy is getting so big now.  I love kissing and hugging him all the time.

They will still be in the same class next year so I'll be looking forward to my "little grown-ups" by then.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Say "Aahhhhhhh"

Beata's official first visit to the dentist.  Usually, we take her with us in the room when we get our cleaning.  She doesn't seemed bothered by it, and she's already 4, so she should be visiting the dentist by now.  Last week, she slipped on our kitchen floor mouth first (ouch!).  A small bruise in her inner lip and a small cut on the lower gum.  As I was putting ice on the injury, I saw one of her molars with...cavities!  There is this black thing in her tooth and it does not look nice.  That's what you get when you're a candy and chocolate lover, and you don't regularly brush your teeth.  So I made an appointment for her to see the dentist yesterday.  She was not liking it at all.  She cried the whole time (but thankfully, she still listens to instructions from the hygienist).  She was holding my hands almost the whole time hence just one picture taken. 

I have to give credit to Jethro too for being patient (mostly) the whole time we were at the clinic.

An afternoon at the Emerg

Beata has been on antibiotics for about 6 days now for her sore throat/ear infection. But she has been going very frequently to the washroom for the past few days and she started complaining Monday night that it hurts when she goes potty. So I called my doctor's office and was advised to see a doctor since it is now associated with pain. Since we were at the emerg, I decided to register myself too for the back pain that I have for about 2 weeks now. And boy, it was a loooonnnggg wait. We waited for almost 5 hours before we were seen by the doctor. Thankfully, Beata's specimen sample all have negative results. And mine was just prescribed with...Advil. :D Thanks to Raymond who took half the day off so Beata and I can go.

And Beata did great! Yes, it was a long wait, and yes, she starts to become impatient to go home at times but she did great most of the time we were there waiting. She amused herself with a ballerina book and a box of smarties. Girls!