The Graduate and the Birthday boy

I didn't have time to post about two special events that happened recently. So here it is before it gets over shadowed with Hawaii posts...
The Graduate

The graduate and the blog author

This year, the word thesis was added to my children's vocabulary.  Our Dad has been working hard to finish his  thesis and his hard work finally paid off.   He graduated and got his Masters Degree.  We're really proud of him!

skeet shooting

One of the things he missed the most while slaving away with his school work is shooting.  Here, he is celebrating post graduation.. poor birds ;)

Birthday Boy 

at 6 months old he crawled up and down the stairs all by himself; walked at 9 months old..

then he learned to dress himself up, open doors, climb everywhere, fix any loose screws around the house

he became a big bro; puzzles expert and Mom's big helper

He transitioned from an Island boy to East Coast boy.  It's time to wear real shoes and put some shirt on...

He learned about friendship and had his first crush..or crushes

As a school boy, his teachers commend him for not only being smart but also for being respectful.

What a blessing to have this boy in our life!

Our Kuya is another year older.  Last year he asked for scriptures for his birthday.  This year he wants a watch but not a digital one because he wants to learn how to read the hands. He also asked for books.  A few months ago, he asked me if he can have a Nintendo DS for his birthday.  I told him, I need to think about it because it's an expensive toy.   When he learned how much it costs, he told me he doesn't want it anymore.  I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him that for someone who is such a good helper at home and a consistent honor student, he deserves one.. I gave him a hug but didn't say anything. He wants books, why would I insist on the NintendoDS. Last night he asked, how old is he going to be when he can have an iPad.  :)   

Last one for MD

A day and a half left in MD... Officially homeless for the next few weeks, we're  looking forward to going back to the Islands,  but let's talk about MD first.  Mike and I both agree how much we'll miss this place.  I remember that it was nearing the end of winter when we first got here, 3 1/2 years ago.  There was still snow on the ground. It seem like everything looked gray and sad. 

backyard of our first home in Fort Meade

We were walking around in our not so thick jackets and our slippers.  We looked strange and out of place.  

The boys didn't know what to do when they first saw snow.  They're used to playing with sand.

I still remember our first sunny day. We decided to drive to the beach.. to Ocean City. It took us 3 hours to get there and when we got there, it was raining..and it continued to rain a lot on our way back home plus there was thunder and lightning. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing beach experience.

Spring came.  We couldn't believe our eyes.  That gray, sad looking place just turned so alive and beautiful.  We took tons of spring blossom pictures.. 

Cherry blossoms

Summer was spent a lot in the pool with great friends...

fun times

 Fall.. Fall here is just beautiful!.. 

first fall in Maryland

Winter came again, it was cold but this time we were dressed more warmly and we adapted to East Coast fashion. 

we survived the blizzard of 2010

We can't believe how time flew by and we're about to say goodbye to this place.  A lot of special memories... We met a lot of great people here whose friendship we will cherish forever. It was a  blessed 3 1/2 years... Goodbye MD, until we meet again!...

Another Update

We've been experiencing some heat wave the past days.  It's too hot even for me who grew up in  Philippine climate.  We're surely looking forward to the perfect Hawaii weather... 

First up for our update is not a happy one :(.. A couple of weeks ago we lost our baby.  We were really sad. I never had a miscarriage before and was  fully confident that I'll never have one .  Maybe the baby does not want to be half-baked Marylander but wants to be a true kama'aina...  The boys were disappointed, they have names picked out for the baby already and were truly excited for another addition to the family.  They've been asking me when I'm gonna get pregnant again. We'll see if Heavenly Father has another baby for us... we will see..

Now for some great news!...

We not only love our Daddy but we are truly proud of him.  He is finally done with his thesis and will be getting his Masters Degree before we leave.  We hardly saw him the past weeks because he was slaving away to finish his requirement. We're so happy,  now that he's done, we'll get to spend more time with him... 

Mike's thesis...

Mike(talking to the family): I worked so hard on my thesis, too bad you guys won't even get to read it.

MJ: Why Dad, did you write it in cursive?

funny MJ, someday he'll understand...

For Father's day we got him some ugly ties, which pictures I forgot to upload.  It was MJ's idea...and Mike really love them.  and of course a kukui nut lei, extra hugs and kisses.

on to the Kiddos....

my little helper

MJ's front tooth has not grown back yet.  This boy has been such a great help when Daddy was busy with school work.  Of the many things that he helped me with,  one thing made me all teary-eyed.  It was a busy day. Did a big grocery with the kids, came home, got groceries out with their help. Then prepared lunch. Naia was not feeling well so I tended to her. Few minutes later I remembered that I haven't put away the groceries yet.  When I went to the kitchen all I found were empty grocery bags on the floor and MJ who was putting the last groceries away.. in the right places too. I hope he stays like this for a long time!

Finally he completed his quarter collection! We can't  believe that the most difficult one to find was Michigan.  Thank you to all those who helped him complete his collection.  The picture above is obviously not his quarter collection but his piggy bank coins.  He wanted to make sure that he didn't accidentally put a Michigan quarter in, then he decided that he can make the USA map with his coins.

our little gleek.. 

While I was looking through some songs in the iPod..

Nyle: Mom, will you play Mr. Shoos's Dream on?

Me(bewildered):  which song is that?

Nyle: MOM(all bright eyed and knowing) the song that Mr. Shoos sang with the other guy and it's called Dream On!... then sings the song with some moves

I finally realized what he meant.  What a gleek! :) I think he has a bright future in the biz.

I found them one day playing pretend Sunday School.  Nyle was teaching the lesson on  King Benjamin.   Check out his illustration. King Benjamin on the tower teaching families in their tents.  I get surprise sometimes with how much things they learn. I love my kids!...

little tornado

Naia figured out how to open the refrigerator, say "gimme popsicle please" and "go outside".. She walks around singing Justin Bieber's Baby and One time.  She loves to dance, do naughty things like; grab his brothers' toys, food, hair. If you tell her not to do something, she'll surely do the opposite!  Somehow, she gets away with her mischievousness and we still adore her a lot.  

Fourth of July

We celebrated Independence day, having some pupus with good friends and watching the fireworks from our front yard.  

This will probably be my last update while we're still here in MD.  We will be pretty busy preparing for the move in the next couple of weeks.  We're excited of what lies ahead for our family but we will truly miss this place.  It was a blessed 3 1/2 years.  We made some good friends here that we will miss a lot...  Aloha oe, until we meet again!....

Number 4

It's the first day of Summer break for MJ, shouldn't I be sleeping in?.. The house is so quiet, the kids are still asleep.  Mike left early for a work field trip.  Load in the washer and dryer ... it's time to update our blog!

                                                                     Birthday Boy

Tino had a birthday last month!  He had a luau/costume/movie party with his school friends.  As you can see in the photo, he had lots of fun!  He turned 5, so the title is not about him.

                                                                       All about Tino

You'll see a lot of pictures of him in costume.  He likes to perform and express himself in play of movies and story characters he likes.  If not in costume he is making all kinds of characters with his Legos. Like most 5 year old, he LOVES to talk! He makes up story to entertain me while I'm prepping food in the kitchen.  He also loves to tell me of what he's going to do when he grows up.  He thinks he's in love with this girl, Victoria, one of his Pre-K friends.  Totally reminds me of Alfa-alfa in Little Rascals.  It's so cute!  He said: he wants to teach Victoria about Jesus Christ and baptize her, then they will get married. He then will work as a firefighter, ambulance driver, and a performing magician. Well, Victoria is one
lucky girl!...

                                                                        An avid reader

You'd think that with all the stuff he does, he doesn't have time to read.  He LOVES books.  He would wake up early, even if his school is in the afternoon just to make sure that I get to read him his books.  We can read together at least 5 books each day.  Last month, they had this reading award in school.  Nyle read over 200+ books since the start of the Reading program and that's me slacking with logging in the books we read together or I got tired of logging in certain books that we read more than 10 times.  We're proud of this boy!


                                                              Our Super Kuya MJ

Number 4 is not about MJ either.... but we are so proud of this boy too!  He's done with 1st grade and is looking forward to 2nd grade in Hawaii.  MJ was a consistent Principal's Honor student.  He also received services for the gifted and talented in school.  At home, he is like the 3rd parent.  He makes sure that Nyle is keeping the rules(which does not always happen :D), and that Naia is getting enough attention(and she always does).  He also sets an example of reverence to his little siblings at Church and during our scripture studies at home.  They don't always follow but I'm grateful for MJ's example! He's a good Kuya!  Even though there is this fierce competition between him and Tino in everything they do,  Tino loves and adores MJ.  And Naia just loves him too because he let's her get away with everything. Oh brother!

                                                                     Our Bebot!

Our favorite toddler!  But Number 4 is not about her either. She gained 2 more teeth the past month and now has a total of 12 !..She learned to open doors.  Not a good thing!  I have to be in constant watch if not she'll be in the backyard playing by herself or trying to get to her friend, Angel's house across the street.  I'm grateful with her brother's vigilance too.  They're always on the look out if she's trying to sneak outside when I'm doing my chores.  She's a handful but never the less she brings so much joy to us.  She's naughty, she's funny, she's smart!  You wont think she loves food because she is so tiny but she eats everything I cook.

                                                
                                                                 Being Mommy

                                                                    

I love being these 3's Mom and being Mike's Mrs.!  I loved my Mother's day!  Not because Mike got me an iPhone( though I really like it ;d) but because Nyle made a song for Mother's day and MJ said in his card that the thing he loves most about me is my being beautiful and Mike's card cracked me up!  We also got to celebrate it with Gramma Suzi!...

And you'd think that we have our hands full  with these 3!  We still have lots of  room for another 1! :)))

According to Mr. EPT, my expanding belly and my ever reliable pregnant radar we're having baby Number 4!!!

The Last 3 Months...

Posting hasn't been my priority lately. I felt guilty when MJ asked me if he can see my newest blog post. I've been talking to him about the importance of journal and how our blog is like our family journal too. So here's what our family's been up to:

Hawaii

We're awaiting for our official orders to move to Hawaii. We've been busy doing paper works for the move and making sure that we'll get there before school starts. This is our favorite part of the Island of Oahu. The Laie Temple. We can't wait to go back!.. but first Mike has to finish his thesis .. then graduate!


Four more years
that's what Mike said to the USAF!
with Colonel Keck
the whole family and Brother Keck
Daddy's supporters


Tennis
We found our family sport! Since the weather started warming up, we've been spending a lot of time in the tennis courts on base. It's wonderful that the boys are showing interest in their Dad's sport. Naia is even a big help as a ball girl. I'm not good but I surely enjoy it. It helps that I find my instructor very attractive! ;)
waiting for Dad to drop the ball
Good hit, Tino!
Naia being a good helper
cozying up with my tennis instructor


Aunty Rhonda, Kianna and Kenny Boy

We had a one day visit from Aunty Rhonda, Kianna and Kenny boy! It was short :( but sweet :)! It's always fun to see them!


Annie and Eric


We bid farewell to our dear friend Annie in March. A couple of weeks before she passed away, our whole family was able to see her one last time in NYC.
Mike went to Vernal, Utah for the funeral. We really miss her..
this was MJ's journal entry in school that day


Snow Galore

We enjoyed A LOT of snow in the month of February. Back to back blizzard for our last winter.... for awhile, it was lots of fun!






MJ

MJ has been a consistent Honor student and has been earning a lot of kid's meal coupons for being a diligent student. We recently got his 3rd grading period report card and we're really proud of him. He doesn't only excel in academics but his teachers always commend him for being a good example to his peers. At home he is a good big brother who sometimes likes to give his little bro a hard time and spoils his baby sister. He is currently taking a break from swimming but made me promise that he'll get to continue swimming lessons in Hawaii.


Tino Boy


Tino boy is enjoying school a lot! He LOVES books and can't wait to be as good of a reader as his big brother. In February, he earned his white belt in Tae Kwan Do. He will also resume TKD when we move back to Hawaii.
Recently, Nyle and I went to his field trip. It was a play at a local theatre. Goldilocks and the Three Billy Goat Gruffs! He loved it!
and no more training wheels for Nyle!!

Baby Boo

Naia started Nursery at Church last month. It has been rough but we're pretty optimistic about it! She's got great Nursery teachers. At home she's just been keeping me busy. She likes to help with everything. She puts away clean laundry without being told, just not to the right places though. She likes to dump stuff and tries to clean it up after. She likes to talk and plays pretend. Some of her favorite words are: dude, totoy, shoes, please(because it gets her anything she wants). She loves giving hugs and kisses to Dad and talks to him on the phone. She gets bossy with her big brothers because she knows they give in to her. We all love her and hopefully we wont spoil her rotten with all the love and attention we give her...


Maika

Never a dull moment for us. Our hands are always full but we are grateful for all the challenges and blessings that we have. We're are especially grateful for being Mom and Dad! Until next post...