MATI'S 2020 BIRTHDAY!!!!

My big guy is "sweet 16" na!!!!! GRRRR.... 

I'm sure that it's a term he'll violently veer away from (ha ha ha) but yeah, he's really a teen now.

DRATS.

Currently, I'm in a place where I am torn between letting him have fun and enjoy being a teen, to keeping him safe and teaching him discipline.

HAY!!! Lately he's been asking me many times to go out with his friends. I don't want to be a party pooper but I'm also worried of how he'll manage outside! I know that the Yub and I have trained him well but still, times are different these days and there are many "stranger dangers". To think that there's even this virus going around!

NGIIII!

Oh well.... I know that I have to let him go sometime and the Yub and I promised that we will always be there. So yeah, he may go out with his friends but his Daddy and I will drive him to the place and wait for him somewhere. OR, if we're at work, our long-time driver could act as his "bodyguard". It's not that we don't trust him. It's more like we just want to be there for him until he grows up and be really ready to face the world alone.

Though I doubt if I'll ever be ready to do THAT. Ha ha ha ha ha!

But yeah, I'm sure Master Mati is on his way because from what I (and other people) see, he's growing up to be a kind and independent gentleman.

An example is his birthday celebrations: he's so used to having about 3 weeks of fun where we'll have foodtrips here and there, getogethers with friends, and staycations! But this year, he knew that my budget was tight  that when I asked him if it's okay to have a simple birthday, he was like "Of course!"

"My only wishes for my birthday is to go to Greenhills to shop, eat at Shabu shabu, and have a day with my friends."

AWWWWWWW......... 

And that's what we were able to give him.

His celebrations this year may not be as grand or super long as what we would have before but it still made my big guy so happy. I guess, even if I'm not ready to accept it, he is indeed growing up and appreciated spending time with his true friends and family more.

And, like with Andrei, even if the celebrations are simpler this 2020, it is still filled with so much love and gratitude for this super awesome guy that we proudly call our son.

We love you soooooooooo much dear Mati!!!!!!

(Belated) Happy Birthday dearest!!!!!

ANDREI'S 13TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

If you're a regular reader of this silly little foodie blog (what is wrong with you??? He he he he), you would know that birthdays are such a big thing for us!

For Andrei's birthday last December though, we somehow shortened our usual 2 week celebration because we had a trip to Japan and we gave him a party, so budget was a bit tight. I'm proud that my bunso, unlike other kids, understood everything and said "It's okay" with a smile. Awwwwww.... He's really growing up na! Either that or he had a lot of fun for his birthday celebrations that even if it's just for a few days, it's already more than enough for him.

I would like to think it's a little of both. He he he he he!!!!

But really, even if we had a 2 week or a few days for Andrei's birthday we know that in every celebration (or even our mere Powerplant mall dates) it is filled with so much feelings and gratitude. I can't stress enough how much I love my baby bunsoy and how I'm so proud of the kind, talented, innocent, cute, and loving guy that he is. My favorite thing to do is hugging him tight and showering him with kisses. And I won't stop doing that just because he's already a teenager.

(Belated) Happy Birthday my dearest! We love you sooooooo much!!!!!!

My baby bunsoy is not a baby anymore!

HMP!

MATI'S PROM AND ANDREI'S GRAD BALL (2019)

When I gave out the news, many people were in disbelief that Master Mati will be having his Junior Prom.

"Huwaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??? Already???"
"But he's too young!!!"
"Grade 9 na prom na agad??"

Oh I got a LOT of that believe me. Guess who's the only person who was all cool and in fact, so excited about it? Yup. You guessed it right. The Master Mati himself.

For his Junior Prom, he had an option of going solo or with a date. When I asked him, my first born was so hell-bent (as in SOBRANG DECIDED) to go to his prom with somebody.

"What about meee?" I offered. I told him that I would take pictures, get him food, put sapin on his back, and say many I love yous during the night.

My first born said he'd rather not go.

CHE!!!!!!!!!!! I know that both of us were kidding (though in my case, it was half meant... he he he) but still, you don't have to be SO mean Mati! GRRRRRR!!!

So when we were deciding who he'll go out with, I told Master Mati that it's best to go with my friend's daughter (at least somebody that I know). He knows her of course but he was more interested with the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Still, my dutiful son asked permission from my friend if he could take her daughter out. My friend gave her regrets as her daughter is not into proms daw. That was okay because that gave Master Mati the chance to take out the lady he found cute when he saw her picture.

Yay!!!

So that was done. Then out of the blue, my bunsoy told me that he too had a grad ball.

Huwaaaaaaaat? I thought. Another date? In Andrei's case however, it's okay because my Mareng Gail was more than willing to give all 3 of her daughters to Andrei. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

It turns out that with Andrei, no need for dates but his Grad Ball had a Hawaiian theme.

Noooo problem!!! He he he he! (Hay salamat!!!)

I asked if parents could come (because I wanted to take pictures). No daw. Only the parent council members are allowed to attend.

(Syempre, I'm too lazy to be part of the parent council. And I'm working. Yes. That's right. Ah... eh... I'm working. He he he!)

Then after all those minor preparations, it hit me: My sons are going to their proms na!!!! Huhuhuhu!! Yesterday, they were just chubby cheeked gurgling babies. Now they want to have their "night-outs" without their Mommy!!! I breastfed them for 6 months exclusive for crying out loud tapos they're going to leave me?????! Ganun-ganun na lang???

And THAT is why my sons don't want me to be their date. Ha ha ha ha ha! I could get a little carried away. He he he he. 

Sharing with you our son's special nights for this school year (most especially Mati's). Now do you think that because parents aren't allowed, we stayed home?

OF COURSE NOT.

:P

It's MATI'S prom!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay even if the highlight of this blog post was really Mati's prom (because c'mon, it IS a prom), we would like to include Andrei's Grad Ball.

My bunsoy graduated Elementary this year and the parent council thought of having a special night also for them. 

ANDREI's WISH CAME TRUE

Let me be a VERY proud Mommy for this blog entry.

Or better yet, a PROUDER Mommy at that!

There's nothing better talaga than seeing your children achieve their dreams and goals. And for this year, the Yub and I were so happy to witness (and assist) our bunsoy to fulfill his little boy dreams.

It all started last year when Andrei told us that he wanted to join Mr. Bosconian 2017. We were all shocked because if you know Andrei, he wouldn't come across as somebody who would join competitions of that nature. My little guy may be naughty but he's not the "pabibo-bibo-look-at-meee" type; sometimes you wouldn't hear a tiny peep from him.

So imagine our surprise when he announced that he wanted to join his school's competition.

"Is it required?" We asked.
"No." He answered.
"Are there extra points?"
"I don't think so."
"Did your teacher ask you to join?"
"No. I was the one who signed up."
"Did your classmates force you??"
"No."
"It IS like the Ms. Universe pageant right except that there's no bathing suit competition and you're all boys?"
"Yes!"
"You have to do modelling, present a talent, and do the question and answer portion in front of ALL the grade school students right??"
"Yes Mommy."
"You DO know that the competition is for Grades 4, 5, and 6 year levels so there are A LOT of other students?"
"I know Mommy."
"Why do you want to join?"
"I just want to."

Hay! Curiouser and curiouser!!!

When we asked him what he planned to do for the talent portion. My bunsoy said that he would like to play drums. Now that would be a problem because the only drumset we have was the one my brother used in the 1980s (Yep! We still kept it!). When my Androse showed interested in playing the instrument and asked us to buy a set, we said that he could use his Ninong Jay's drums. It may be a bit rusty but it still sounded good since it was a Pearl.

We told Andrei the bad news though -- since his Ninong Jay's drum set was old, it might break down in transit going to school. Also, since he just received it, he may not be able to practice enough in time for the contest.

"Okay." My bunsoy said. "I'll just join next year."

"YES!!!!!" The yub and I said as we gave each other a high five.  Sorry it may sound mean but we were not really looking forward to Andrei joining the contest. Well... for one, there were a LOT of requirements for the contestants to be eligible to join and we have to prepare for many costumes. Also, even if we loved him, we were toying with the idea that if he lost, my bunsoy might not be able to handle it (I'm sure we couldn't).

So yay. He decided not to join this year. Maybe he'll forget about it in 2018.

Of course we were wrong. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

When he told us that he's going to join Mr. Bosconian 2018, I felt a small groan in my heart "Egad... again????" We went through the usual questioning (see above) and I tried my best to be a human lie detector test to see if what he's telling is the truth. Yes, all was consistent.

I received the list of requirements plus the rules and regulations. "Inangkupushness..... How could I prepare all of this??" When I saw the date of the competition, hala, it was a work day! Why can't it be on a Saturday? Because they want me to suffer more that's what (ha ha ha ha ha). Add to that, we needed to rent some drums because my brother's set was already geriatric. Gastos yun!!! HAY!!!!!

I wonder if I could still change his mind? Okay. I could begin again by asking about the contest and based on his answer, I made up a lot of arguments that would convince even Pia Wurtzbach from joining Ms. Universe.

"Andrei, why do you want to join Mr. Bosconian ba? In contests there are winners and losers. Are you prepared to lose?"

Without any sort of hesitation, my bunsoy answered "I don't care if I win or lose Mommy. I want to join because I just want to show everyone that I could play the drums. Some kasi don't believe me."

With that, we dropped all forms of doubts and hesitations. My bunsoy Andrei IS going to join MR. BOSCONIAN 2018.

And we WILL be right behind him. This time, no questions asked. 

Yay! We're Team Andrei!!!!

First up... the pre-pageant where contesnts will be performing their talent and do a bit of modeling. There were many requirements to be eligible and one of them was to submit a video promoting the Don Bosco's Core values. The winner of the video automatically becomes one of the top 10 finalists so it's important that we do this good! 

Andrei chose Faith and when I asked him, what is Faith to him, he wrote down a lot of reasons. We edited his script and thought of video support for the audio. He also thought of using "Imagine" by John Lennon as background music. THIS is what we submitted...

KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOYS (TAIYAKI AND ODANGO)

We're staying in on another Sunday night and instead of gluing ourselves to the telly, little Andrei thought of something else to do with ME!

KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOY -- TAIYAKI AND ODANGO edition!!!

I actually planned a night of blogging to catch up on the entries I was not able to do during the week, but my bunsoy was making lambing that I help him!

Awwwww! Okay! You know I cannot resist your cuteness!!!!!

KIDZOONA (UPTOWN PLACE MALL)

One weekend, I met up with BGP Mariane and Manong Fred for a mini-play date of our boys Andrei and Paolo. I suggested that we try out the new KIDZOONA in UPTOWN PLACE MALL because since it recently opened, it's more likely that it is not as crowded as its Robinsons Galleria counterpart.

And yup! I was right!

I'm thankful that even if my boy is a bit older than little Pao Pao, they are also becoming fast best guy pals! If it we're the opposite, what a nightmare that might be considering that me and the BGP are always together. At least, with Andrei and PaoPao being great friends, Best Gal Pal Mariane and I have MORE reasons to set up meet ups!

And with KIDZOONA in UPTOWN PLACE MALL, we have found a place that's not only a great play-area for kiddies but it was also a suitable place for BGPs to be together as well!!!!

KIDZOONA!!!!!

KIDZOONA is located in the second level of UPTOWN PLACE MALL that's near the escalator going up to the food court.

WHAT STEPHEN CURRY ADVISED ANDREI

I cannot begin to tell you how much my little Andrei loves basketball. It may not be obvious because of his petite selfy but it is his favorite sport and he loves playing it every day!

When his class was asked to write what their school year goal is, my bunsoy wrote that he will "practice every day and every summer to go to NBA".

Yup. The NBA!

By the way, check out the goal of a little cheater down below. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! 

Anywho, that's why when MANILA BULLETIN was looking for a kiddie correspondent for the presscon of Stephen Curry for Under Armour Shoes, Andrei was the best candidate there is. And as expected, the Chinese Dimpol was all too willing to accompany him.

YUP! Besides Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry is Andrei's super idol. And though his team lost at this year's NBA Championships, Andrei still idolized and admired him. 

I didn't really plan on making a blog post about this since it was already published by MANILA BULLETIN last year, but this was in support of STEPHEN CURRY and how his kind attitude makes him the perfect role model for kids today.

And, with the inspiring words that he gave not just to dear Andrei but for the millions who look up to him, he is still THE winner in our hearts!

Andrei was in FAIRMONT HOTEL, Makati!!!

ANDREI'S WEEKLONG 8TH BIRTHDAY!

It's my Andrei's 8th birthday and as we do every year, we give my bunsoy a week-long birthday celebration by eating at his chosen restaurants, going to his activity of choice, AND singing a surprise birthday song whenever we can! You might say the reason we put in a lot of effort in having memorable birthday celebrations to the little lords is because my parents made sure we always had a blast when us sibs turned a year older. From what I remember, my Mom and Dad did not take us to expensive places nor give us outrageous gifts but my brothers, sister, and I were made to feel like little prince and princesses on our special day with the fuss they made over it. Of course, we wouldn't give anything less to our little lords! 

However, I guess my Andrei is having too much fun in his birthday celebrations that he wished it to be extended up to May!!! 

No kidding!

Andrei my birthday boy!!!

To give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe the reason why Andrei pleaded that his birthday this year should be up to May was that he remembered last year when we celebrated his 7th birthday somewhere in "Subic" at that month. He he he he he!

Anyway for this year, Andrei started his birthday 2 days early as his Lolo Pogi treated him to a kiddie birthday party at Mcdonald's Greenhills. 

OUR YAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2015!

And once again just when you thought I was done with my holiday entries, HELLO! My last one sprouts up! Because like I said, I became lazy as a daisy (and big as a beluga whale) during the Christmas season that I didn't get anything done.

Would you believe I just packed my gifts in used paper bags? Yu-uh. Like I said. Lazy. 

Oh and cheap. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Anywho, to somehow "let go" of the holidays of 2014, I am now sharing what we did this New Year's vacation in Quezon Province. As much as I want to skip ahead and just feature the latest in my life (like my recent staycation with Benedict Cumberbatch), I want to put on record the fun that THE YAPPY BUNCH had in saying hello to 2015.

And no cutesy poo brit could stop me from doing that. Weh he he he he!

Now moving on, let me just share that ever since the Chinese Adonis and I got hitched, we have been spending our New Year's with his side of the family in Quezon Province. Since I know a LOT of people about to get married (you know who YOU are, that is, if you read my blog), a workable arrangement in sharing the love every holiday season is to spend Christmas with this family and New Year's with this family. It may be quite unsettling at first and you may shed some tears when you miss your loved ones at the strike of 12, but don't worry. You will be building new memories with your newest "team" that you will immediately start counting your blessings instead of getting all broken up with sentiment.

So that's what we did! We may have our usual New Year Traditions with my family but the prospect of creating new special moments with THE YAPPY BUNCH is too irresistable to resist. So even if I still feel a tug in my heart saying good bye to my family every year at the end of December, I have the Quezon Province with Yub's gang to look forward to.

And we have a blast every single time (super pun intended). 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Every time we go to Quezon Province, our first stop would always be lunch at our favorite PALAISDAAN!!!

This time though, Andrei brought with him the fishing rod he bought with his own allowance. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ANDREI

As what we did last year, we will be welcoming 2015 not with my usual food entries nor do a round up of our favorites for 2014 (nobody listens to me anyway.... he he he he he). What we WILL be doing is to express further our love to somebody who has made our lives more fun and crazier not just for 2014 but from the day he was born.

I think I have stressed many times in the past that I do this silly little blog not really to make reviews or rate establishments. What I have here is more like an online diary/scrapbook so that we won't forget special happenings in our lives (yep! food trips are important too!!!!) And since I believe that the first entry of the year should be the most significant especially with the love and thought put into it, I will be dedicating the start of 2015 to my little bunsoy who turned 8 last December.

Our little Jemapel, our Tootles, our "Littles", our Utoy, our baby forever.  

                           

Our dear Andrei.

And here's a bit of his awesome story!

MATI MAKES HIS MARK

Like any normal child, my little lords are very fond of playing with computer games such as Minecraft and NBA 2000-something. And, like any normal Mom, I want to be a KJ (kill joy) in what I feel is a "unnecessary activity" for them that causes extreme joy.  Bwa ha ha ha ha! So in order to balance out and instill discipline in the boys' PSP and gadget play time, I told them that they could only do so if they write 2 pages in their journal. Of course, this caused a lot of violent reactions from the little lords but I didn't care. If they wanted to use the internet or play computer games then they should write in their journal. If they don't feel like writing, then no dice. Besides, it served a double purpose of practicing their writing skills and lessening the time their faces are buried in front of their PSP.

   

I never noticed though that while Mati would have his "journal time", he would sneak in a few "naughty moves" to either show his rebellion or to just mark his territory. It was actually my sister who noticed it first as she got frustrated with how Mati made small graffiti marks on our walls using his new journal pens. As for me, I somehow found it cute. I'm not sure if I'm being normal or anything but I like that I have something sort of a hidden Mickey going on with my eldest son. While I'm doing something and I suddenly find his "Mati Mark", it actually gives me a smile knowing that his little being was there. Of course, I told him not to do it outside our home and he knows that it is actually a criminal offense to do so.

Being the sentimental schmuck that I always am, I know that these "Mati marks" may get erased in time that's why I already recorded it via this blog.  Of course, I am already daydreaming of the day when the boys are all grown up and I'm this very wrinkly old granny. Then, I'll accidentally find one of his kiddie graffitis in our home and I would just burst into tears. When the grown up Mati sees me doing so, he'll smile and then send me to a nursing home.

KIDDING! As usual I'm getting ahead of myself but really my imagination just goes wild with anything that my little lords' created. For now, I won't dwell on the drama of what will happen when they grow up as I will just value their beingness even with just a few scribbles on our walls.   It may be something small and meaningless to them but as parents I'm sure you would agree that anything that comes from our children is worth taking our mark for.

:)

I never really took notice of it before even when my sister told me about it. But once in a while I would find it around our house. 

As I would go up and down the stairs, I began to notice this small marking on our walls.

MGY! That's his initials as Mati G. Yap!