FLAME first session 2026 - with Ja!

 We held our first FLAME session for this school year and Ja was in the class with us. We had a lot of fun discussing the attributes of God and watching videos (including Simon's calling and Young Sheldon).

M's 9th party at Ranch

 We celebrated M's 9th birthday at Ranch with 18 of his closest friends. All came and had a blast playing games led by Jo. Try to make M laugh. Knock out. Tug of war.

Ja loses his 1st tooth!!!

 After almost 2 weeks of feeling the lower front left tooth wiggling, it finally came off tonight!!! 🥳

Wishing T&J could be here to celebrate with us 💙

FORGE camp

 Dropped off T&J wit Stef & Matteo at camp today! They had a blast even just by the doorway. So excited for the big week they have ahead 🥳

Explaining elections to J

Posting in case this might help any of my Filipino friends with young kids 

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Explaining the importance of this election to my 9 year old son who loves playing soccer ⚽️ 

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Me: Imagine you’re in a soccer tournament. You’re in team Leni. You’re playing against team BBM.

- you’re playing in the 9 year old age bracket. Team Leni has all 9 year olds. Team BBM put in 12 year olds but say they’re 9 year old coz they’ve changed the their passports to show that they’re only 9 years old like you.

- Team BBM paid all the referees to foul the Team Leni players out. Whenever Team BBM commits a foul, the referees will allow it.

- Team Leni’s goal is half the size of the goal of Team BBM

- Team BBM parks a car in front of your goal to make it harder for your team to score a goal (just like how Mandaluyong parked empty buses on the bridge yesterday).

Me: Do you think you’ll win? 

J: (many face palms 🤦🏻‍♂️& shook his head 😔 )

Me: What do you think will happen to all the other teams who also play against Team BBM? Will they win?

J: No

Me: A tournament (just like our country) should care about the development of all its players and all its teams. Not only 1 team. But when team BBM is running the tournament, only team BBM has the advantage to win.

Me: If you are part of the losing team, is that ok with you?

J: Yes. Because team Leni is hardworking and she takes care of all the Filipinos.

We hugged and teared while watching Rosas from our rally yesterday.

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Praying for our 🇵🇭

Papa Dennis 1st year

 It’s Papa Dennis’s 1st year. The year came so quickly. We haven’t even had time to really process our grief yet and here a year has passed. 

Made this compilation of his own videos for him & Dan to honor some of Dan’s favorite memories of the family 

https://youtu.be/tfkFaxeduyc

Tali Holy Week trip

 Drove up to beach and boys swam with 4 jellyfish and Aria. They got their 1st ever massage from Sally! Then had steak dinner 😘

Family day

 Started as a crazy day - delayed trip to Tali because niece had fever.

Spent the day with the boys and then attended soccer practice of the 2 kuyas in BGC. M misbehaved quite a bit when we tried listening to the Prodigal son song. He also “stole” J’s necklace before bed insisting it was his. So j slept crying. Mommy slept beside j.

M cried so much and put the necklace back in j’s pillow. What a sweet baby even if he is naughty. His heart is so good ❤️ Mommy will get him more necklaces and also happy meal to make up.

Double rainbow

 Saw a double rainbow after soccer practice. What a gorgeous site to behold!!

Easter by bayan

 Got together with J’s grade3 friends and families. Had a blast running around, exchanging Pokémon cards, Easter egg hunting, fighting for pabitin, getting lots of prizes and then movie night with friends!!

Everyone had a blast ❤️

Swimming at the Latonios

 Finally after over 2 years, we finally got together with Benedictos, Capilis & Latonios! Kids had a blast swimming, playing and hunting for eggs 🪺 

J Easter Candy exchange

 We had 33 families exchanging candies today 🥳

Surprise bunnies from M

 M made surprise bunny cards for Mommy and Daddy with candies inside

“I love you Mommy! ❤️ Matthew”

“Thank you for my printouts! 💔 Matthe”

Cast is off!

 After 9.5 weeks, J finally got his cast removed! He was rewarded with 3 happy meals (Sonic 2 toys), meal at Palms and a night swim that helped his arm clean up from dead skin.

Sweet boy is free!!!

Father’s Day 2022

 Dan & the boys gave their whole hearts and energy into the dances again this year! They all were amazing 😍

Grade 1 - BTS

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N7Jy1whGYZ3Y2nY2Gz2OifOyv4ftE9LU/view?usp=drivesdk

Grade 3 - Rihanna

https://youtu.be/ZY5kJnuELhY

Grade 5 - Bon Jovi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vo94maX52jmpSnyrFXoJC1Tp2nGPElez/view?usp=sharing

Shorter cast

 J got his cast shortened today so he could start using his elbow. He kept giggling the entire time the big cast was removed! This time, it’s color blue - go Vinta!

Heaven day

 Happy 1st Heaven day to Andrew and 2nd Heaven day to Ann! Boys made special cards for them.

T hits 100lbs!

 T hit 100 pounds!!! 😱😱😱

My baby’s Heaven day

 Little James so proudly wears his ❤️ on his sleeve.

We lost Wolbert#5 on 2/14/20 and Wolbert#6 on 2/25/21.

James raised his hand in his classes today and shared that “tomorrow is my baby’s Heaven day”. 👼🏻 He reminded me that we should visit them in church tomorrow.

He drew this earlier this school year when asked to draw his family.

This little boy is so much ❤️ and a breathe of Heaven on earth.

Passport day for JM

Went to an offsite processing center to renew our passports. Was great that it took only 40mins to get through the priority line & done!

We initially booked for an appointment in Olongapo but changed it to Las Pinas when the slots opened up!

J’s 2nd holy communion

 J joined his class for FHC. The teachers sang in the choir. Lolo & Lola joined. Daddy read the 1st reading and it was a very solemn ceremony ❤️🙏🏼

Vaccine day

 Boys got their 1st dose of vaccine in BAA and were so excited to be just like their friends. 💙

Trip to Balesin

 D&I went on a trip with W&J to Balesin.

Closed reduction procedure for Ja

 Our sweet baby Ja had a closed reduction procedure done today. He was given general anesthesia which made us very nervous. He went through everything very well and fortunately he didn't need any pins. Our sweet boy is starting his 4-8 weeks road to recovery.

Broken bones 😭

Sweet little James broke his right forearm bones when he fell to the ground while playing soccer with T&M

Sweet little didn’t complain and was such a good trooper through all the tests (arm xray, chest X-ray, blood test, swab test).

He’ll have a procedure done tomorrow 3pm to put the bones back in place. A splint overnight to make sure he is ok until then. Fasting from 7am to make sure he doesn’t vomit during the anesthesia or procedure & avoid complications.

Praying things go smoothly for this little one tomorrow 🙏🏼

Biking with J&J

 After 5 days of no exercise from the holidays, today was biking day! 7 miles each. The big boys got a head start and the little ones followed a little after.

By the time I got out to follow them, I was informed that big J accompanied little J around the block making sure he had company. <3 

Big J is so wonderful at doing small actions that mean so much!!!

Today, T also did his homework (PE health log) within 1 time of being told. That's also a huge feat & improvement!!

School resumes tomorrow. Good luck to us.

M’s first soccer and first goal!!!

 M joined futbol fanatics today together with Lucia & Sebbie 😍 during scrimmage, coach Jackie did an awesome assist and M made his first goaaaaal! ⚽️ 

J first communion

 J received his first communion from Father John. We were so blessed to have Lolo Lito, Lola Nits, ninong Paco, Tita Chris, nina, Dan, Ana & Kuya Thomas.

We all got up at 515am to make sure we made it in time and in our best 🤍🙏🏼

J first confession

 J heard his first ever confession w Father James. What a blessing for this little man and our family ❤️🙏🏼

Jockey boy!

 M finally slept the night with no more diaper! Big boy in the house! 🙌🏼

J and the family biking expedition

 We all went on a family biking expedition to take out little J to Ninang’s house and back. 

J the biking beast!

 Little J did 10 loops around the block today and pedaled soooo hard up the hill so he wouldn’t ever stop. He did it each time!!! 5 miles baby 🥳

James Gr1 interview for big school

 James had interview w Mr D today at 9.30am

Questions

What is your name?

James

What is your favorite color?  

(quiet...... Mr D suggested blue, green, white, yellow) ... Red!

What is your favorite food?

ramen

Do you like Japanese?

no

What is your favorite activity to do for fun?

Playing with cousins

What do you play?

Soccer and American football

Who is your teacher?

Teacher Pepee

What subjects do you like? 

Math

What else do you want to learn?

Reading

What are the things that you see in your school - before COVID?

Caterpillar on the door

Drawings on the wall

Practice reading sight words.... correct in almost all except

ate (act), once (was reading too quickly)

read really quickly and with no issues

Do you know anyone in Southridge?

No

What are the names of your brothers?

John, Thomas, Matthew

Mr D talked to mommy after and said that James did very well in his interview and to congratulate James for doing so well. :)

Math questions given by Mr D because we asked him to:

8+5

James is super excited!!! <3

Astrodad travel through time entry

 

Thanksgiving prayer from J1

 

Baby Andrew in church

Today, we said prayers over Baby Andrew and kept him safely in St James.

Baby6

 Forever remembering this day we saw our baby

Experiment day & exams

 The 3 big boys had a big day today!

James led a water surface tension experiment for class.

T&J had day 2 of exams. We forgot to pay so lost connection for a few minutes this morning. Craziness! All is well that ends well 🥳

Button me up!

 Oh happy day! M showed me how he could button his own shirt 🥳

Told lolo & Lola and Paco about #6... 🙏🏼

M's 1st potty day

M agreed to try the potty starting today. Wish us luck!

After 2 days.... he only finally put on the jockeys today on April 27. :)  So far success! He wore it. He had an accident but is happy to wear another clean jockey :D

M finally stops using the baby bottle

After much coercion from his kuyas and about 5 failed attempts, M finally stopped using the baby bottle even if he still looks for it every night.  Becoming a big boy 😍

Little troopers

All the boys have been so joyful despite the ECQ.  They've been keeping busy and behaving for mommy and daddy at home.

Regular schedule for the 1st month:

Grade 3 have daily 3pm rosary + exercise
Grade 1 have daily 430pm rosary
Pre Kinder have weekly chats 
Toddlers have every 2 week chats too!

We had lots of Holy Week fun activities with Way of the Cross for the boys' classes and quizzes which even the family played on Sunday lunch chat.

Daddy's been busy with work but we were able to find recipes that remind Daddy of home and our favorite restaurants.  Eating at home has been a joy 😍

Start of the ECQ

All classes ended abruptly. No more practices. All work and malls closed. Everyone now staying home.

Baby Ann

We saw her for the 2nd time and with no more heartbeat. She will forever be in ours.

YFL 2019 winners

T placed 3rd in their exciting YFL U9 tournament for 3rd/4th against Kaya in penalty shootouts. It was crazy!!

J’s team placed 4th too in U7 in such a great series!

⚽️ ⚽️

YFL games

T had great shots today!

Almost made a goal against Forza - long kick up high.

In the game against MSA2, he kicked once on the bar. Another and it scored! Plus a terrific assist 👏🏼

M also has HFMD

After 2 days of good recovery and no more fever, M suddenly has fever again. Pedia said his lungs were clearing so it wasn’t from there. Likely he got it from J2 😭

M going home! J2 w HMFD

Little M is allowed to take his antibiotics orally at home. He was crying at the hospital for “home” because he missed everyone so much 😢 we are so happy he can now go home!!

Kuya’s visited! 💙 and then we saw J2 with HFMD sores 😭 poor boys!

M confined for pneumonia

Our poor sweet M has been suffering through a week of congestion and phlegm. Pedia says he needs to be confined because of how difficult it is for him to breathe 😢

T get RIFA 2nd place!

We would never have expected the team to reach 2nd! They were awesome and really played well as a team! They had a great shot to be the 1st except for an unfortunate way to lose - but it’s always good lessons to be learned on how to play within the rules and how to know your opponent.

Congrats to our 2010 boys 💙

James's 1st TEA time

James had his 1st TEA time today and was so excited for it! He even went to tutor with Teacher Crisel to prepare :)

MArdi gras mother's day @ RF

Celebrated mother's day at RF today with James & Matthew. Received a handpainted hair brush from James and a cute popsicle stick frame from Matthew.

Weaning M

Today M is 2 years and 5 days old. Yes it’s about time to stop. Besides, we’ve been trying for baby 5 but to no avail. One factor could be the continued feeding... so yes, it’s definitelt about time.

Missing him already 😢😢

M’s 1st haircut

Curls were slightly trimmed off 😭

Cut by yours truly at our home in Guava

La-Buuu

For the first time, M told me over the phone “La-buuuu”
🥰

Surprise from family

my siblings three a surprise for D for his birthday & promotion. Best. Family. Ever! 💙

UN day @ RF

the boys wore their kurtas to RF in celebration of UN day. Their classrooms were also decorated as Brazil & Singapore. Adorable!!

More walking

m took many more steps. He’s finally learning his balance & showed off for mommy in Landers

Country Manager

our big boss at home was announced as the Country Manager of the PH & G. We are over the moon!!! 💙💙💙💙💙💙

Tiny M kisses

Before bed, I asked M to give me a kiss. He leaned on my face, let me kiss him and then he made the little kiss sound. Two times!!! ❤️😘😘

After that, he refused to repeat it for daddy or me again 😝

M walks!

M took his first few steps today. (Ok he took 1 step a few weeks ago)
Today, he successfully walked 3 steps 2x... and finished it off with the floss 💙

Anya

DW had an event an Anya & it was a great chance for a short getaway (with M).

Rapunzel

Had our annual dose of Repertory watching Rapunzel w the boys. Lunch after at their never-ending favorite Cibo and then B&R 

Haircut day!

Inspection day at school so the 3 boys got themselves some nice buzzes

Breakout birthday!

Celebrated DW’s birthday at Breakout doing the Fairy tale. We practically solved it 😉 (with 2 major hints and minus the screaming at the end)... we got it all 😝👊🏼

BUF trip summer 2018

USA Buffalo trip June 2018

June 23 arrive

June 24 Mass, Wegmans lunch, swim at Michelle’s

June 25 swim at Michelle’s

June 26 Strong museum, Dino bbq, go up to lake

June 27 stay indoors and swim a little on lake Seneca

June 28 tubing! Seneca dinner and ice cream

June 29 tubing! Head home. Alex parents arrive

June 30 Dan’s party at eagle ridge! Dinner at Roberts poolside

July 1 Mass 

July 2 GWL w Marie & Greg

July 3 GWL! east aurora parade. Mighty taco dinner

July 4 golfing, OP parade

July 5 errands, Michelle’s house swim and Moana by pool

July 6 fly home

Goodbye Blue

Today was John's last day using his BLUE pacifier.  The little big boy finally stopped using it except for 1 naptime on Wednesday.  He also had a little meltdown on Friday night looking for blue but has survived without it. 

Big boy beds & big boy room

The boys now each have their own beds and matching Justice League sheets.  We've since been sleeping in their room. :P  Good luck to us trying to move out...

Hard discipline day

T may have no been feeling well (bad cough & phlegm) or may have been feeling a lack of attention... which he manifested by acting up throughout the day.  In the morning, I took away papa's phone so he threw a tantrum.  He refused to be changed for school.  When I forced him to go to the bathroom and pee (which he did), he tried to make the pee go on me. :(  In the late afternoon, he threw some mini fists/punches at J's leg.  In the evening, he peed on the floor right beside the toilet when D was taking him.

J had fever through the night and was coughing as well.

T woke up the next day an angel though :)  Bright side to a new day!  T&J were even hugging in the living room like best friends.

3 word combinations

John said a 3 word combination already!  While looking at the mini frog potty, he said "Frog sit potty".

Salut!

Did the usual today... Filled car with gasoline, groceries, Saturday market, Little Gym & swim.  At the gas station, the security guard talked to J&T to which J responded with a "salut!" And put his hand up to his head. 😂

T went to the potty at the club & we swam and had burger/pizza for dinner.

Thank God for electricity!

Power finally came back at 2pm today!

Insane traffic

Got caught in insane traffic going home.  Power still out, got to Filinvest exit by 5.40pm and was only at the Festival Mall by 6.40pm.  Fortunately, I brought my running stuff with me so I changed & ran home in between the non-moving cars.  Even passed by D who was stuck along Commerce too.  I made it home by 7pm to 2 sweaty & hungry boys.  So we showered up, cooked hotdog over a candle flame and had dinner.... all before Papa and Jojo made it back by 8pm.

J in a size7! T wrote his own name!

2 milestones for our boys!  J is now wearing a size 7 shoe... just about the same time as T was.  And T wrote his own name without any guide to follow.  It's amazing to see how well they're both growing (Thanks to Teacher Bel for teaching T to write so well) :.)

Typhoon Glenda! ☔️

We awoke at 1am to howling winds and then lost power at 2am. Peak of the winds came at 6am.  Fortunately very little damage happened to our homes but the village was a forest and our drivers had some major damages to their homes. 😢

Some from the village

Innovation of the year - Oreo Nuggets

Who wants to try some of T's newest creation?

No school week

T had no school from T-F because of Typhoon Glenda.  He spent the week attending Funmathics with Teacher Rose :)

Tali with Pio & Pele

The boys had a blast playing at the beach.  They were all best buds for the weekend and even facetimed on Tuesday coz they missed each other :.)

Saturday we got to Tali by 10am.  Lunch was adobo with brown/white rice c/o Tito PG and gulay c/o Tita Celle.  Papa & Tito Chief finished off the bottle of single malt by 2pm!  We attempted to swim at the beach in the afternoon but coz it was low tide, all the rocks made it very challenging for us.  We did it nonetheless & Chief/Celle kayaked too.  Dinner was chicken & liempo c/o Tita Celle and salad from us.  

We all slept well then had tons of eggs for breakfast.  Mass followed at 9.30am with an exciting poopoo incident!  T sat quietly at the back row of church doing #2 in his underpants which leaked down his legs.  We washed up using water (no wipes!) by the car and instantly the flies swarmed his shorts. YIKES!  All was fine and we enjoyed the rest of the morning at the beach & jacuzzi.  Lunch was our mustard chicken and salad. :)  And we took Papa's favorite route to and from Tali.

Aside from the fact that I missed my workouts & ate a ton, it was overall a very relaxing & fun weekend. :)

I-CREAM!

Definitely in the blood!

No more diaper in school

T has been diligently telling Ms Hermie that he has to potty every time he needs to #1 or 2.  Starting this week, he officially graduated from the diaper to his underpants.  Such a wonderful big boy! :)

Morning read

When the 2 woke up, J sat on T's lap and T "read" him a book. Was the sweetest thing ever to see them so sweet to each other... even for just a moment ;)

T&J

4th of July

D celebrated 4th of July with lunch at Chubby's, finishing off his Growler beer pint and American buffet at Palms!  He loved the cowboy out fits and the country music ;)

J: Talking in phrases

J has been talking a ton already.  Teacher Mea remarked how much he says.  Today, Papa noticed that he said "Thomas sleeping" and "Bye bye, Suzette".

Best Yabu meal ever

We finally figured out how to order my meal.  It was the best ever!  Service in Aura was great and we had another date lunch :)

House of dragons

The both showed their creativity and built a house for their dragons.  They each have their own space in the house... including the Endeavor. :D

Chuck's deli

Date lunch with the hubby when he passed through on the way home.  
The buffalo chicken slabwich was a monster!  Great taste and very oily.  Onion rings not great. Chips were good but small serving.  Tomato soup was good.  Next time we've figured out our order to maximize the chips ;)  2 half slabwiches with a side of chips each.

T in little gym

People's Palace

Date night again... People's Palace (passing through Havana to see the "crowd"), Pinkberry and then Classic Confections.  Loved it!

We called home when we were close to let the boys know we were coming.  Here they are hiding behind the door to surprise us. :.)

Becoming a little gentleman

When asked by Tita C to push G in the car, he happily pushed her along.  When Tita C offered for G to push T, he declined because he didn't want her to have a hard time.  What a sweetheart!

1st day of Nursery

The entire house brought T to school - D, A, J, yayas, and drivers.  We went to see the little king off to his 1st day of Nursery.

Learning to draw

T drawing a necklace for mama, a face and a boat in the shower.  Gotta love the shower pens we bought at Target :)

Happy father's day

Celebrated with breakfast in Le Cour (Commerce Center), lunch at Palms, getting ticketed for doing a u-turn/counter flow in Filinvest and then dinner at home opening up the surprise eggs.

Wind up toys

Which of the 2 is the wind up toy?

the start of the Happy Meal saga...

1st family dinner ever in McDonald's to get How to Train Your Dragon happy meals. 

Guys, these dragons are no good - pls don't buy them! (Until we finish collecting the 8 )

Noodle monster

Len & Mig saw a poor Kano roaming with a cute little baby outside Yusho.  They adopted them while T&I had date night at Pepper Lunch.

Next day we had noodles again at our favorite.... Chili's!