Unspooked

No costumes, no trick or treatin', no fun games for my kids and their cousins for Halloween this year. Although there has been a long-standing debate as to whether or not Halloween is a satanic tradition, the event can be and has been celebrated by our family as a day of fun, cute costumes, and sweets.

Having managed events for children and families in the past, I always advocated cuteness for Halloween: "enchanted" with kids encouraged to dress up as princes, princesess, and other fairy tale characters; "too cute to spook" with kids asked to wear cute costumes of animals, insects, superheroes, angels, et al. A pity that Halloween isn't much celebrated here in Auckland then.

So to commemorate the occasion and to have some fun on our own at home, I spent a couple of hours in the kitchen yesterday while hubby brought the kids to the park. That is, by making Spaghetti with Oozing Eyeballs (meatballs decorated with mayonnaise and sliced black olives) and Spiderweb Mudcake (white chocolate frosting with Hershey's chocolate syrup for the web). The look of the kids' faces, the oohs and ahhs, and the second (and third) helpings were all worth the effort. T'was totally wicked.

A Mom's Pride

Make a Smilebox greeting

Isn't it every parent's pride to see their kids perform on stage, especially if they do it well? Or when a child excels in school or sports?

I've had my share of those and only most recently. My eldest son, Raj, came up behind me last 1 September in the oratory while I was doing my afternoon prayers and loudly whispered (yes, it can be done!), "Guess what, Mom? I went up the stage ten times today (students general assembly)!"

"Ten times," I asked with a puzzled look on my face.

"No, Mom," Raj said and explained further, "I was top ten for the CEM tests in math, science, and English. Then I went up again for sports for winning all my games."

We immediately thanked God for such blessings and after a big hug and kiss from me, he whisked off to play and allow me to hear Mass.

My daughter, Elle, who is in junior kinder, has a different personality and temperament. My husband and I often wondered how she would be like in school, if she would have enough self-esteem. She has always been more reserved, bashful, as compared to her brother (and parents).

First day of school, we were taken aback when she just confidently walked into her classroom, went up to a classmate she knew, and made friends with others she didn't. And two hours later, came out and played with them without looking for me.

Last 6 September, her school celebrated Mothers Day (held annually near or on the Blessed Mother's birthday, which is today) and her class presented a dance to the tune of "Reaching for the Stars" by S Club 7. I simply could not take my eyes off her -- she didn't only dance confidently, but she did so quite well (albeit talking to whomever was beside her at the same time, almost all the time). She never missed a step and looked at me and smiled often.

At the end of the program, all junior kinder students sang Celine Dion's "I'm Your Angel" and once again, Elle stood out. She sang loud and clear, and did the choreographed actions appropriately. Other moms even commented, praising her for performing very well.

I'm sure both kids will surprise us more with their accomplishments and talents as time goes by. I just can't wait.

Love Always

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

It has been ten wonderful years and I look forward to the rest of my life with Romil and our kids.

We celebrated our anniversary by renewing our vows with no less than Rev. Fr. Fidel Orendain, who officiated our wedding ten years ago. This time, however, the ceremony was held the the Don Bosco Retreat House Chapel in Lawaan, Talisay, where Fr. Fidel is retreat master. Our long-time friend, Cio Datan, took our photos on our wedding day and again last 15 August.

Dinner afterwards was great, albeit the long drive back to the city, at La Buona Forchetta, where Italian food has always been authentic and oh so good.

A small, intimate celebration. The way it is supposed to be.

A Lil' Fun, A Lotta Lovin'

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Life has never been more fun until hubby and I had kids, especially now that Raj and Elle are in that adorable age. Thus, I have to admit, I have difficulty understanding couples who choose to marry, but exert extra effort not to have kids or not to have more than what they'd like. I wish I could have more and yet, for now, have only been blessed with two -- wonderful, adorable ones.

Wait Sa

"Wait sa,” I often tell one or both my kids whenever they demand my attention. Be it to show me a drawing they made, one after another until we either run out of scratch papers; or to tell me what the other did wrong and thus should be reprimanded; or to ask permission to eat or drink what is normally a treat or dessert saved for special occasions or at least not to be consumed more than once a day; or to relate something very, very important to them, such as that there’s a full moon outside or the dogs are asleep. ”

“Wait sa” has been an automatic response on my part, simply because the attention they demand is more often than not when I’m on the phone, busy working in front of computer trying to meet a deadline.

“Wait sa” is actually a combination of an English word and a Cebuano term. “Sa” is pronounced with emphasis on the letter “a”. The way people here in Cebu say when we mean, “please wait.” It is usually accompanied by a non-verbal sign of raising one hand up, palm facing the person or persons requested to wait. At least that’s what I do and think when I do it.

I’d like to think that I get to teach my kids patience whenever I tell them to “wait sa,” that they cannot get what they want when they want it. Even my attention or consent. I’ve prided myself in successfully getting my 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter to actually wait until I am ready to listen to them. Of course, I don’t make them wait for more than 2-5 minutes. Besides, I doubt they’d let me get away with it longer than that.

Recently, though, I asked my son to come to the dining table for lunch. He promptly replied, “Wait sa, Mom,” as he wanted to finish his drawing first. It took him more than 5 minutes, 3 repeated requests on my end, and consequently 3 more “wait sa” responses before he actually went to the table.

A few nights ago, my daughter looked so cute and cuddly I wanted to hug her and so asked her to come to me for a hug. She continuted walking towards whatever it is she was going to get and told me, “Wait sa, Mom.” I asked her again to come to me, telling her sweetly that I missed hugging her and wanted to do so. Again, she said, “Wait sa.”

At this, I retorted and begged, “Wait sa, wait sa. You keep telling me to wait sa. Come na! Please?!!”

The moment I said it I realized that tables had turned and that it was I who was being taught patience by my kids. Elle finally did come over and gave me a big hug. Raj, who didn’t want to be left out or outdone by his sister, rushed towards me and also gave me a hug. And for these, all the “wait sa’s” make it all worthwhile.