WDW: the plane ride

we took a red eye flight to get more time at WDW. i thought it would be great that the kids would be asleep most of the time.

it was a "coincidence" that we ran into the aquino family at the airport. the kids thought it was cool that they were flying together.

it was micah's first time on a plane, malia's second. they liked it. they asked me if we were in outer space. malia knew i was a little scared of the take off and landing, she held my hand each time.

the kids did fine sleeping on the plane, i didn't. i forgot how loud it is on an airplane. but i was thankful we got to orlando safely. next time we probably won't take a red eye flight.

getting ready for "the trip"

last december, we decided to book a trip to disney world. seemed like only a dream back then, but now that it's almost here, i cannot contain myself. we are vacationing with the aquino family. we decided to surprise the kids, so we've just been telling m&m that we have a conference to go to in another state. malia was asking so many questions, i thought she was catching on to the surprise. so the story changed, and now "the trip" means we are going to boston for the conference and visit our cousins while we are there.

cookie in church

went to church early this morning. m&m had a hard time behaving. on the way back to the car, this was their conversation:

malia: i'm so hungry, can we eat?

micah: but you already ate, you had a cookie in church.

malia: micah, that wasn't a cookie, that was the Body of Christ!!!

i didn't hear the rest of the conversation. i was too busy cracking up.

i love you

i started an experiment a couple months ago. we were all in one room, doing our own things. i decided to say out loud, "i love you," to see if anyone would say it back. without hesitation, malia responded right away, "i love you!" i knew she would. i kept saying it and she would say it back. by the 4th time, micah caught on, then roel.

of course i frequently tell them all that i love them. but i like to do it randomly, without addressing anyone in particular. and now they say it back without hesitation. even better, they start the "i love you" gesture first.

i want them to know that it's okay to say "i love you" any time, any place. we'll see if they will still be comfortable saying "i love you" through the teen years.

on the way home from micah's school

micah: do you know who died for us?

me: who?

micah: jesus.

me: how come he died for us?

micah: because he love us. hey, the clouds in the sky look like jesus footprints!

me: are you going to follow them and be good?

micah: yes.

me: so that means you'll be nice to your sister?

micah: (nods slowly) but how come she's mean to me sometimes!?

dear adrian, part 2

Dear Adrian,

I’m glad you are okay, but it made me sad to hear that when Malia gave you her apology letter, you crumpled it up and threw it at her. I also heard that you aren’t very nice to other kids and often don’t behave in class. I’ll pray for you.

Sincerely,
Malia’s Mom

(I didn't give him a letter, but it's what I would've said if I did. )

dear adrian

Dear Adrian,

I am so so so so so so sooo sorry for what I have done on Friday. I hope you feel better when you get this note. Now I know to never chase you again in my whole life and I will now chase other people like you. Because my mom tahgt me a lesson about that so do you forgive me? Write back soon! I hope you do!

Sirensly,

Malia

my daughter's apology letter verbatim. she was playing tag at school (which is not allowed), and somehow managed to push a boy and make him fall. even worse, he hit his head on something. luckily he was fine. i hope his parents are also forgiving. malia is on restriction from sweets and computer games. she also has to read more and do chores. i put some fear in her by asking her to put herself in adrian's shoes and thank God that the worst didn't happen. ugh, parenting!

big kids class

my boy recently transitioned into the big kids class. the one where it's officially considered preschool. they call it the rainforest class. so now he's doing worksheets in class. sometimes he does it, sometimes he just wants to play. he'll get there.

our fish died

malia: micah check the fish, is it dead?

micah: no...it's just upside down.

we've had our goldfish for a little over a year. micah named it mr. moosie. of course, they blame me for killing the fish. i blame the all the changes in the house that have been going on lately. rest in peace mr. moosie.

i love her

last week, malia was sick. this week, micah is sick. so i dropped malia off at school this morning. not the usual routine. malia is big enough now for me to just go in the drop off line and let her out. (i guess that could've been last year, but i like to hold on.)

she must have told me at least 5 times that she loved me before she got out of the car. she is the sweetest girl. don't get me wrong, she is a typical girl - attitude, roller coaster of emotions and manipulative ways, but she really has a big heart.

so as i saw her in my rear view mirror walking into school, with her big backpack, i realized that my baby girl is really a big girl.

i think parents know these things, but just have these moments when it really just hits you in the head. that was my moment this morning.

me being the leaky faucet that i am, just started crying, for a good 10 minutes on the way to work. i know i'm hard on her sometimes, but i want her to learn how to be tough. i'm also scared for her to get too dependent on me, just in case i'm not around one day. i see a lot of my mom and my sister in her, and that makes me happy.

i love her.

i think i'll just stick to picking up the kids from school.