Happy Birthday Neil

Here's a song for you:

"Happy, happy birthday, brother dear; Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish, then it would be. A happy, happy birthday to you from me.".

It sure was good talking with you today. I really miss you a lot. Hurry up and come back.

Lots of love,

Ate

Dave and Jinky ...

... sitting in a tree.
K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

First comes love,

then comes marriage,

and then comes Jinky with a baby carriage ...
and another carriage ... and yet another carriage. :-)

HAPPY 8TH ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE

Mahal na mahal kita

Weekend Fun

David's last day of kindergarten was last Friday, so we are officially in summer vacation mode. Thus far the kids have been on a weekend outting fest such as Chuck-E-Cheese, basketball, fundraising carwash, water play at Victoria Gardens, and birthday party previously mentioned. More adventures to come such as Steven's 1st birthday bash, Disneyland, JumpZone, LA Natural History Museum, playdates, library, visit friends, etc. Please feel free to suggest other kid friendly activities that you think would be fun and interesting. Oh, also looking into group activities for the kids ... perhaps tennis or swimming lessons for David and gymnastic/dance for Sophia. Any suggestions there as well?

CHUCK-E-CHEESE:

Someone didn't like her picture... who could that be?

BASKETBALL WITH DADDY:

AT THE CARWASH:

Donuts & movie as they wait ... score!

WATER PLAY:

Little Anthony Is 3

This afternoon the family enjoyed attending little Anthony's birthday party. This cutie pie is 3yo today. It's an especially memorable day for him and his family because it was held in their new home. Out with the condo and in with the house with a backyard! With a growing family of 3 small children, having a house is awesome. Congratulations!

We're glad you had a great birthday little Anthony and that you liked the dinosaur! We love you.

Circus Wrap-Up

This past weekend was the last nights of "The Great All American Youth Circus". On Saturday the family and few relatives (my parents, Monica, Jessica and kids, Patty & John) went to see David in action. The show was a feast on the eyes. Several different things happening at the same time during each act. It was long, but fabulous! Unfortunately, the pictures I took that night didn't come out well. Although the performers came out unscathed, little Anthony did not. Towards the end of the show, he slipped and bumped his head and was rushed to the hospital. You can imagine that the excitement of watching the show changed after that! Anyway, he's alright now.

The very last show on Sunday, David asked who'd be there to see him. I told him his Aunt Sheila and his cousins. He replied, "That's all?". I reminded him that his grandma Bertha, Aunt Tish, and couple "cousins" watched him the week before, then the whole family and said relatives came Saturday, also few friends from church we were aware of, and of course the "10,000 people". That cheered him up again. Then, I thought it sure would be nice to see the very last show and David would certainly have a blast seeing it with his best pal, Kuya Blake. I asked Dave if he'd watch Sophia (she was a handful on Saturday) while David, Steven, and I stay for the entire show. I mentioned it to Sheil and she went ahead and bought tickets for David and I. How totally sweet and generous! David was thrilled to see the show with his Kuyas. Thanks Chick, you're awesome!!!

He's the 5th kid on the mat

Top of the pyramid
End of the act "style"

Near the trailer waiting for his Kuya

The three amigos

Best buds making faces

Steven and his Aunt Sheila

Stud muffins!

After the show backyard bonfire picnic fun

Sorry for the blurry pictures. Keep in mind that I had Steven on my lap so I managed to capture only a few acts.

How To Make A Comment

It has come to my attention by family that they don't comment on my blog because they don't know how. So this post entry will give you the "how to". Anyway, at the bottom right corner of every post entry is the word "comments". Click there (you will also be able to view other's comments here as well) and it will direct you to a "leave your comment" box. Type your comments (and who you are if you're going to choose Anonymous*), then go to the "word verification" section and type what it asks. Then go to the "choose your identity" and click to the one that would apply to you. Should you not have any Blogger, Open ID, or Name/URL accounts then go under Anonymous*, but make sure you write who you are in the body of your comment or I won't know who's it from ... unless you really want to be anonymous. Oh, then click on "publish your comment" when you're done (you may click on "preview" to see how your comment looks if you like, then publish). Hope this helps you.

I look forward to reading your comments ... including greetings, suggestions, inspiration, any feedback, etc. --Thanks and hope you continue to enjoy getting to know us.

Menopause

This past Saturday my friend Jackie (Peb) and I went to see "Menopause The Musical". It was hilarious! It poke fun of a woman's rite of passage of "the change" through re-lyricized songs of '60s and '70s. I didn't want to admit that I actually related to a few of those challenges, like memory loss, weight gain, mood swings, and wrinkles. The rest is up and coming ... soon!! Yikes!!!

Peb and I had a nice afternoon together. She treated me to lunch at Chili's, then we went to see the musical. Girl time doesn't get old. I love you Peb. We've got some time before we qualify joining the "red hat" club ... let's pretend another 20yrs. :-)

**Thanks Tish for these tickets. It certainly was an appropriate 40th birthday gift and I love you too.

I Was A Criminal

Yesterday I mailed the $332 bail for a speeding ticket I received late February. It's been on the back burner, hoping it'd pay itself ... haha. The citation stated that I was going 52miles/hr on a 35mile/hr road. I seriously think he meant to write 42miles/hr but how do I prove it? I don't remember exactly where he stopped me and much of anything else but that I was nervous when he pulled me over. What a terrible feeling and a blow to my self-esteem. I committed a crime ... yuck! Perhaps now that I've paid the bail, it will be behind me and I can move on. Quite similar to the bail (atonement) that Jesus Christ paid for our transgressions/sins if we but in general repent, take responsibility for our actions, promise to not commit it again and therefore be forgiven and can move on. What a cool elder brother!

Happy Nurses Week!

Sophia wanted to help me cook today so we decided to bake a cake to honor Nurses Week (6th-12th). So she dumps the cake mix, cracks the eggs, ... and mixes the batter. With my overly careful guidance, she managed to not make too much mess. She was happy with the results and of course she had to test it out! It was a nice mother-daughter moment. Oh, David would not be pleased with me if I didn't mention that he helped out too. He helped stir the batter as well.

Cassava Cake

OK Mhai, here's the cassava cake recipe you wanted. Of course this is the Jinky version so it's simple and not as rich but you certainly will get the cassava fix!

This is my Mother's Day gift to you all. Enjoy! My Mom, sister, and I certainly did. :)


Ingredients:
*2 pkg of frozen grated cassava (defrost prior to baking)
*1 egg
*1C granulated sugar
*1 can of coconut milk
*1tsp vanilla extract
*1 can of condense milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish with Pam
2. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients and mix with a whisk until well blended
3. Add extract and continue to mix
4. Pour batter in the baking dish and bake in the oven for 45 min.
5. Take cake out of the oven and pour condense milk on top of the cake and smooth even for an even layer
6. Return to the oven and bake for another 15min.
7. Serve best warm

Baptisms And Birthday Fun

This past Saturday was the long awaited baptisms of Lizzy, lil Anthony, and baby Aidan and since it'll be a celebration moment, why not add Lizzy's 5th birthday celebration as well? So that's what happened. The 3 cutie pies had their big blessed day and the reception was birthday style. It was a wonderful day.

Congratulations kids and happy 5th birthday pretty Lizzy!

10,000 People

Last night was the opening night for The Great All American Youth Circus that David is part of. He said that there were 10,000 people there. He was all smiles describing how the night went for him. He truly enjoyed the claps and people taking pictures. He felt like it was all for him. Aahhhh! And this evening, he said that there were also 10,000 people.

Where was I, you ask? Well, the way they have it set up, people who can see the show needs to purchase tickets including performers and their parents. Well, it costs $14 for adults and $9 for children. There's 9 shows, so that would put a big hole in our pockets if we went to all of them so we decided to see the show on the 16th; when they would be taping the show and alumnus's to be there. So, it's a waiting game for the parents and performers. We drop off the kids to change to their costumes and linger in the pool area (designated waiting area) until curtain call. Then after the kids perform their acts, they go back to the trailer to change back to their street clothes and then free to go home. Anyway, he's within the first half hour of the show under the "beginning circus" group so check him out there and take pictures for me! :)

**I took pictures from dress rehearsals but they didn't come out well. I'm hoping to figure out my camera by show time.