Hong Kong - Day 1 (Novotel Citygate)

Toilet & Bath for Matt & Kyle, originally uploaded by gratitude.

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Pre-school Jitters

My hands were clammy. I felt my tummy in knots. I couldn't relax at all as I sat there on the first row with Jerry. My kid in Nursery2, being a finalist in the Voices of Children poem recitation contest, was about to compete with the rest of the finalists.

He was the 4th to recite. Finalist number 1 recited softly and sheepishly even as the mom moved closer by the stage to give moral support. Finalist number 2 or 3 didn't go up the stage at all. Oh no!

Jake was next. I saw him peer from the side of the stage as if looking for our faces in the audience. We waved at him. He flashed a big smile upon seeing us and then he walked up the stage...

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When Cute is Not

Me: Hmmm... *kiss, kiss*...*hug, hug*...(Smothering my 4 year old son)
Me: Why is my Jake so cute?...*presses cheek*
Me: Why is your skin so soft, hmm?
Me: Mama wants to hug you... always.
Me: Cute cute cute....
Me: This one is cute (presses cheeks)... this one is cute (pats his tooshie)...and this too (points to his male organ).
Jake: No! That's not cute.
Me: Huh? If it's not cute, then what?
Jake: Big.
Me: Oh!

And then in my peripheral view, I saw my husband laughing.


Jake and me (using Photo Booth)

Homeschooling? Sort of...

When my eldest son entered pre-school 12 years ago (he's now 15), I assumed the "new" role of the mommy-tutor. We would study his lessons and do his homework together.

It was the same thing three years later when it was my 2nd son's turn to enter school. Study time became part of our daily routine on weekdays, usually after dinner time. My hubs and I divided ourselves between the 2 boys. I was in charge of Filipino while Jerry handled the kids' Mandarin lessons.

Hiring a professional tutor was never a plan even if my husband and I were working full-time and leading busy lives. As parents, we were pretty much involved with our boys' academics and extra-curricular activities (though I was rarely active in PTA stuff).

So fast forward to this school year. I'm no longer as strict and as hard on the boys' studies. Why? The early habits formed became ingrained in them that they are now able to handle school stuff by themselves and consistently maintain their slot in their respective honors' classes.

Nowadays, eldest son checks on 2nd son and youngest sons' (nursery2) lessons when we (the parents) are not around or need to stay out late for some matters. I'm relieved and very glad he can now help us out when needed. Soon, we'll regain some more free time when both elder boys play an active role in their little brother's studies. Let me share what I captured on video...




And here are some pictures of Matt with his peers doing some research and snacks afterwards.

A Little White Lie

In the car after a trip to the mall....

ME: (Tapping Matt's knee as he was listening to his iPod) Matt, don't drink Jake's Chamyto alright? Please tell Kyle...

MATT: Yes, Ma...

ME: Did you hear me Kyle? (Just making myself clear.)

KYLE: Yes Ma. (goes back to listening to his iPod)

ME: Ok... If you want to, you ask Jake's permission.

JAKE: But, but... I will say no!

I told the youngest to share what he has as long as the elder brothers ask his permission... but I realized he sure knows how to fend for himself.

---

Earlier this afternoon, while walking in the mall between my two elder boys...

ME: Ugh, I feel my tummy jiggling as I walk *chuckles*

Kyle laughed but Matt chose to say something:

MATT: Yeah Ma, I see it!

ME: Che! Boosit. :P

And all three of us started laughing. Sometimes, a little white lie goes a long way, I figured. :D


Jake, Matt, Kyle - eating mami noodles and halo-halo with gusto

Want Some?

The other night, I spotted Jake in the dining room busily doing something. I thought nothing of it at first since his nanny was next to him overseeing whatever he was busy with. And then I saw Jake cutting something with a pair of scissors.

ME: Jake? What are you cutting?

JAKE: I'm making spaghetti, Ma.

ME: Oh...

I worried a bit about 2 things: 1) He might cut himself accidentally and 2) He might be cutting real noodles and thus wasting food needlessly. So I got up from the couch to check that everything was ok. It turned out I had nothing to "fear". He was dexterously maneuvering the blunt scissors (sigh of relief) to cut through his play doh (double sigh of relief).

JAKE: Here Ma, have a taste...

Planning for College

My eldest son is in 3rd year high school now and soon will be off to college. As my brother and I were chatting earlier today, he suggested for Matt to consider going to NY, Boston or Toronto for a degree. Our conversation went this way:

Me: How much ang tuition sa NY, Boston or Toronto? Baka makuba kami ni Jerry.

Junnie: 45,000 per year

Me: *Gulp* Wala bang scholarship?

Junnie: ...but the student can loan that and pay when able

Stop, you had me at "pay when able", I told mysef. Hahaha....

Me: Matt! Tito Junnie said you should prepare for college as early as now. Where would you prefer? NY, Boston or Toronto? (Naks, as if I could really afford)...

Matt: (Voice coming from the 2nd floor) Ok Ma. How about NY? (Sakay naman sya. This guy is playing along.)

Me: And you Kyle, where would you want to go?

Kyle: *Shrugs his shoulders and smiles* (Perhaps he thought I wasn't being serious. Hmm.)

Jake the 4yo: Ma, I want to go to Boston! Now...

Me: Ooh-kay... :D



Jake and Kyle

Couch Hogs

After having lunch at home, I decided to watch tv while Jake was all busy running in and out of the toy room (it's supposed to be a stockroom that got invaded by toys hence the name) bringing with him all the stuffed toys he and his two elder brothers accumulated over the yearssss.

I couldn't watch tv in peace as he kept showing me one furry animal after another. "Oh how cute!...", and some variations of it which I managed to say each and everytime he showed me one (yeah) just to get him off my back. Then he placed it next to me on the couch.

Anyway, that went on for quite a while that I found it pointless trying to see Oprah in between Pokemons and farm animals so I decided to just head back to the office. Jake and I hugged and kissed.

As I was about to get in the car, I managed to glance back at the living room. The whole couch was invaded by the furries! And Jake was sitting on the arm chair and appeared to be reading a book to his animal minions. And within earshot -

"Bye Ma! Yaya, please change the channel to Cartoon Network".

Ah, I get it... the conspiracy to drive me out so they could watch cartoons instead of Oprah. :P

To Hug and To Hold

I was hurriedly getting dressed for work. While moving about with a towel on my head and another one wrapped precariously around my body, Jake, who was playing in the room, started to say something.

Jake: Can I stay here? Can I look at you?
Me: (I pretended not to hear for 2 reasons. I didn't want to slow down by shooing him off. I could slip into my clothes without baring myself naked after all. And no. 2, I wanted to just let him forget what he just asked me. Hehe..)
Jake: (Didn't say a word and quietly got up, walked towards me and gave me a hug)
Me: (I hugged him back, still trying to keep my towel on. I was glad he didn't persist on taking a look at me while I dressed up. That would have scarred him for life. Haha! Or scarred me emotionally if he said anything about how fat I looked.)
Jake: (Looked up at me and smiled)
Me: (I smiled back and hugged him tighter. What's a few seconds of a tight embrace right? I stood there stroking his head with one hand while tugging at my towel with the other. Why was I even entertaining thoughts of him making fun of my figure? My boy just wanted a hug after all... And that was what I was giving him. I hugged him some more while slowly walking him towards the door. Just before he could finally step out of the room....)
Jake: Ma...you have a very big tummy...
Me: UGH!



Jake the rascal
---

Father & Child

Jake in his element.... with Jerry during the Father and Child Date...

What's Your Story?

Jake
-


As I stepped into the car where Jerry and Jake were waiting, Jake excitedly blabbered about his day and how school went, finishing part of his story even before I could sit down and close the car door.

"Ma, you know, I fell in school and hit my head on the floor", he repeated in one breath.

"What? How did that happen?....", my attention instinctively zeroed in on what he was saying.

"I was with (insert name of classmate which I totally couldn't remember), when Michael ran and bumped us", he said.

"Wait, so you mean Michael bumped you and a friend, then you fell down, right?", I clarified.

"I went to the clinic. Teacher Cai brought me but I didn't cry", he continued without answering my earlier question.

"Ok, so you were with a friend when Michael bumped you. You fell down and hurt your head on the floor. Then Teacher Cai brought you to the clinic, right?," I repeated as I understood it.

"When did this happen, during recess? Where did you fall, inside the classroom or outside? Where was Teacher Cai?", I interrogated as I began to worry that Jake might have hurt his head badly. Jake stared at me, seemingly confused at this barrage of questions.

"Come on... tell me your story...", I prodded.

After a brief silence, Jake started talking... "Ok....

...Once upon a time....."

Happy

While relaxing in bed with my Macbook on a bed tray on my lap... I was curiously reading about the latest on the dj and the gg... Munching on the last morsels of nuts, I saw Jake in my peripheral view approaching and talking. "....Pacman?"... was the only word I could make out from what he said. "Huh?" I shot a glance at him while I kept reading and munching.

"Is there.... Pacman?", Jake repeated.

"What do you mean "Pacman"?", I asked.

He climbed on the bed with me and said, "Is there one more pack Ma?", pointing to the pile of empty peanut packs...

Oh.... I get it....

*Kaso... ubos na...*




Yup... finished 'em off, 8 mini-packs all!

Jake's 4th Birthday

March 11 was a weekday and we surprised Jake in school with treats for all his classmates and teachers. Regulation food was Jollibee's spaghetti and chicken combo meal. We prepared loot bags filled with goodies and stickers and small thingamagigs plus colored squiggly balloons to the delight of his friends. :D

While everyone was eating... I snuck behind Jake to give him a hug and a kiss. He was smiling at me, his joy was evident though he was mildly nursing a cough. "Are you happy Jake?", I asked trying to validate his reaction to all this. With bits of chicken sticking out of his mouth, he nodded and beamed a wide smile.

He then moved his face closer to mine... Aw he was going to kiss me back! Sweet thing...

"Ma, where's the cake?", he whispered.

Dang!

Maximum Tolerance

One day after school, I saw Jake with scratch marks on his face.

JAKE: Ma, Carl fight me again.

ME: Did you tell Teacher Cai?

JAKE: Yes...

His nanny proceeds to say that the teacher always calls the attention of Carl because he always figures in petty tiffs with the other nursery kids... And she adds that the mom is always advised about her son's behaviour... Anyway...

ME: If Carl goes near you, just walk away

JAKE: But he will follow me man

ME: If Carl follows you, tell your teacher

JAKE: Teacher Cai will get mad but Carl will still follow me... I will sumbag (hit) him na lang

ME: No, a good boy doesn't hurt or hit another person

JAKE: But he will fight me

ME: Best to tell your teacher

JAKE: If he will fight me I will hit him and throw him in the trash can! (of course he couldn't be serious, but he kept mumbling about hitting or throwing him in the trash can)

JAKE: If he gets my toy again, I will throw him in the trash can! (trash can na naman)

ME: No... that's not the way to make him stop...

And this conversation would go on for a few minutes...

JAKE: ... I will throw him in the trash can...

Exasperated...
ME: Well if he goes near you the next time... (my voice trailing.... inaudibly....) give him a quick kick.

JAKE: Ok Ma!

Did I just say that?



Rocky Jake

In less than a week...

... Jake will turn 4...

I'm pretty sure I have an idea of what he wants for his birthday... Great timing that Tito Junnie is coming... :D



Jake and 2nd degree cousins Renzo, EJ and Lois



Last weekend while in the car with the boys, 11 yo Kyle said: "Ma, I know what I want for my birthday (in Oct yet... hehehe)... a pair of Converse shoes." "Oh, okay... we'll see if that's what you still like when the time comes," I said knowing for sure that he might change his mind within the next 7 months.

"Hey, Tito Junnie is coming, we might be able to ask him to get us something then" I blurted out. "On second thought....", I said stopping mid-sentence after realizing it was cheaper actually to get shoes locally at Mamplasan.

"Ah, I know!" Jake interrupted. "I'll tell Tito Junnie I want a PSP!"

Aha! Brilliant idea!

Wardrobe Preference

Rockstar dude meets diva

Originally uploaded by gratitude

One afternoon, while inside the car, Jerry said "Jake, tell Mama what you told me earlier." Jake, who was sitting on his nanny's lap, gave me a very wide smile but didn't say anything at first. "Ok, what did you do in school this time?", I said chuckling.

"Ma.... (Jake was grinning)... Teacher Cai said.... (now I was getting nervous)..." , Jake haltingly narrated.

I just looked at him as I tried (in my mind) to egg him to speak up. "...Teacher Cai said... I should wear briefs.", he continued.

Oooh!


@-->---

The following day, we made sure to buy his pack of briefs. Jake is actually potty-trained. At home he even naps in the afternoon in his shorts without his diaper. He just wears his diaper at night under his jammies especially since he finishes 3 bottles (21 oz) of milk even while he sleeps. I just thought it was the school's requirement to keep pre-schoolers in diapers to avoid "accidental leaks".

Anyway... so there, another son of mine coming of age. :D

Pre-Valentine Night

After alighting from the car with Jerry, I was greeted by my sons with a kiss and an excited look on their faces....

Jake: Ma, come upstairs... I'll show you something!

Not wanting to let his excitement wane, I hurriedly ran up the steps after him. He was sooo excited that even as he fell and hurt his knee on the wooden steps, he still managed to say: "I'm okay!" and still kept running up.

The elder brothers were cooking up something for sure. Hence the excited little one.

When we reached our room, the mood light was on and on the bed lay a stem of red rosebud and a box of Toblerone.

Awww... Matt and Kyle went to Ayala Mall after school to buy me this? Sweet....

Jake: Open the chocolate, Ma. I wanna eat.
Me: But i thought this was for me...
Jake: Yes, so you're eating too!

Hahaha! Somehow I get the feeling that he was more excited about eating the chocolate than anything... :P



Jake and his kiss... with ulterior motives...

Looking Forward

Ah Friday! I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Work has been great this week. No unnecessary frazzled nerves (at least for me), I'm glad. Looking forward to more free time... to amuse myself by watching Jake do his antics. Heh.

"Ma, may I borrow your miss-ibility (Globe's Visibility)?"
"Can I use the internet?"
"Ahia / Di-hia, can you help me connect?"

My son is so techie (at almost 4 years old), I could tell. Then at some point, he would be in a bratty mood...

"Ma, A-hia won't help me!"
"I want to play... RIGHT NOW!"

I would naturally tell him off when he's acting that way but deep inside, I feel amused. Surely he took after one of us (*Err, don't look at me). We only have ourselves to blame. Hehehe.

Anyway, I'm blabbing. That's probably the effect of having been through a whirlwind of activities. I'm sooo ready for the weekend.

Happy Friday y'all!

Silver Medal

As promised when I first blogged about it here..., I would post the outcome of the contest that my 3.5 yo boy participated in...

Here's why he was awarded the silver medal from among more than 10 Nursery 1 finalists...

Proud trio..., originally uploaded by gratitude.

Password: Apat na numero ng aking kaarawan

A few months ago, we watched a kiddie presentation where everyone wore pink tops, white bottoms and wings while they danced to the tune of "Paro-Parong Bukid". Jake was at the back of the formation.

As the music was playing, Jake was seriously executing his moves while M and A were in a scuffle. When M & A bumped the dancing Jake, Jake tried to pull the two boys apart. While doing that, C, who was on the other side, went over to the 3 boys. And without any provocation, C gave Jake a quick jab on the face. My boy wasn't intimidated at all and retaliated by shoving C away from him. I was in a semi-shock watching the incident. Jake was actually fending for himself!

.... (Freeze)...Then my memory stick ran out of space in capturing what would be a short melee.

No worries there... M, A, C and Jake are actually friends before and even after that incident.

If only adults were just as forgiving....





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