Andre's 1st Birthday Party

Since Andre's birthday is the 4th of July, we decided to have his party on the 3rd so that our friends would be able to come. We invited just two families and had a nice little party. It was a monkey party. WE LOVE YOU, ANDRE!

It was fun decorating for this party. I built this tree out of an old box, and figured out how to make the monkeys by looking up a tutorial online and experimenting with my own design. I like how it turned out.

I didn't make this brown monkey...but I did prepare all the yummy food. :)

This was a lift-the-flap poster we made with various monkeys and things underneath...and this one photo of Andre with his own monkey buddy.

Here Andre is showing everyone his photo album so they can study for his "How well do you know the birthday boy" quiz.

YUM!

Andre's first little puppy from Daddy. He loves this thing. It moves and barks.

Andre and Emily playing.

Meanwhile, Paulo played outside with his friend, Calvin.

What a memorable day!

Pauloisms 2

[last week]

Paulo: Mama, where's Heavenly Father?
Me: He's in heaven.
Paulo: I love Him, Mama.
Me: Me, too, son.
Paulo: Mama, where's Jesus?
Me: Jesus is with Heavenly Father.
Paulo: I want to go with Heavenly Father, too.
Me: You can, son. One day we can go to Heavenly Father again.


[yesterday morning]

Paulo began complaining that his ears were bothering him. The discomfort quickly developed into pain. He's very sensitive when it comes to his ears, and the pain was in the ear that still has the tube in it. We got a flashlight and could actually see the tube inside. We wondered if it was beginning to fall out and was giving him discomfort. Well, Paulo kept crying badly from the pain. We gave him some medicine for the pain and Hunter promptly gave him a priesthood blessing.

Hunter: Paulo, do you believe in Jesus?
Paulo: Uh huh.
Hunter: Do you believe that Jesus can help your ear to feel better?
Paulo: Uh huh.

This is the first time Paulo has ever actually wanted a blessing (in the past he didn't understand it, and he didn't like having Hunter's hands on his head). Hunter gave Paulo a picture of Jesus to look at during the blessing. He blessed Paulo that the tubes would fall out naturally and soon, and that he would be comforted.

After the blessing Paulo was completely fine. Not a single complaint until later on that afternoon before taking him to the doctor to check it, (turns out the tubes are still in place, but he has an infection in that ear). I was impressed by the pure and simple faith that children have. Paulo is a remarkable child. He really observes and learns from things around him and remembers things. This is the type of experience he will remember. I am grateful that Heavenly Father rewarded the faith of my boy so that even this young, he can begin to know for himself that the power of the Priesthood is real and that Heavenly Father answers our prayers.


[tonight]

Paulo: Mama, you keep doing dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes and dishes.
Me: (laughing) I know. That's because we keep eating and eating and eating and eating and eating and eating.
Paulo: You have to do dishes again! I don't like that. That's too much!

Naturally I gave him a hug after that. It's so nice to be acknowledged by my children for the things I do...I also decided to take a break from the dishes. :)

My Husband Is So Cool

When people meet Hunter and find out that he's in the Media Design program at Art Center, they usually say, "So, media design, is that like websites?" Well, I don't blame you. It is still difficult for me to explain what he's studying, but you can go to his website, creativityhunter, and see for yourself what he's been doing so far. The "Student Site" has his most recent work. I swear I have the coolest husband in the world.

Mother's Day

Well, folks, I'm very happy and grateful to be a mom on Mother's Day. I feel like I have the coolest, sweetest boys in the world. Paulo and Andre went shopping on Friday to buy me a gift and came home with beautiful yellow flowers for me and this awesome card that has a wheel and an actual spinner on it with activities I can do with my kids. Paulo couldn't wait, so I opened those early. Then on Sunday, Hunter made me pancakes with hearts cookie-cut into the center, and gave me a gift to open--sunglasses. It was a great day. Here are some fun pictures:

Look! He does look like me. Don't you think?

In the Philippines, younger people greet older people with this gesture called "mano," or "amin" in our family. I remember paying respect to my own lola many times, and she would always say,"salamat." I still remember how her voice sounded saying it. Now Andre has learned this little piece of Filipino culture. Mabait ang bunso ko!

Meanwhile, my little "kuya" was pretending to eat his McQueen. I just love my handsome boys.

And most importantly, I want to express my love and appreciation to my own mother. Ma, you're the BEST MOTHER in the world! I always say I'll be a good mom if I can just follow your example. :)

And to my mother-in-law, I love you, too. What great examples I have around me.


My sweet boys, and all my happiness wouldn't exist if it weren't for you! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Cool T-Shirts

Check out these cute t-shirts the boys got from Auntie Lani. Thanks, Auntie! Paulo's says, "Dude, your girlfriend keeps checking me out." And Andre's says, "Potty like a rock star". Heh heh.