I'm lost in the world of fencing

 For many kids, typical after-school activities involve soccer, basketball, or dance. But for my daughter Happy, her interests have always veered off the beaten path, leading her to the intriguing world of fencing. Since the tender age of six, she's been captivated by the sport, a passion that, for a long time, felt out of reach. Here in San Diego, most fencing programs were tucked away in exclusive neighborhoods, making the already expensive hobby even more of a luxury.

Thankfully, things have changed! Recently, one of the recreational facilities here in Chula Vista started offering fencing classes. While it's still an investment, the cost is much more manageable than before, though the essential equipment remains. as expected, quite pricey. Despite the expense, seeing Happy pursue her unique passion is incredibly rewarding.

I finally had the chance to take Happy for her third lesson, and I was completely new to the sport, Coach Sergei patiently explained the fundamental mechanics and basics to me. I was struck by how technical and refined fencing is. It's not a high-energy, all-out sprint like some other sports; instead, it demands precision, strategy and mental agility. It truly brought to mind the intricate swordplay training of ancient soldiers - though  thankfully, without the kingdom-conquering part!

Pirates vs Zombies

Our costumes this year were easy. Happy wanted to be a pirate and Adi for some reason wanted to be a Target employee. His reason: because they carry walkie-talkies.



However, we did not want it to be too simple!  So added a twist and made him to be a zombie... from Target! Anna and I wanted to step into the dressing part too since it was an easy DIY costume. We even came up with a back story for him on how he became a zombie.



We did our trick or treating by Mater Dei's parking lot where they had "Trunk or Treat" event going. There were activities and tons of kids. And it was just walking distance from our house so we did not even have to go far.







On our way home, the kids decided to the do the real trick or treat: knocking on everyone's door in our neighborhood. Now this was their first time, and even ours. We weren't even expecting that most houses would have candies.

It took us about less than 2 hours to get things done and by then it was already dark outside/  To our surprise in that short time, their bags were filled out all the way to the brim all from our tiny neighborhood. They even handed out their own candies to other kids that they passed along the way.



And when we got home, we had to let them know that 80% of their candies will be given out. They were happy since they both know it was too much candies and they don't get to eat much, too, anyway.  Like I always say, it's the act and feeling of having earned all these candies that satisfies them. Not having to eat and over indulge in the sweetness.

The madness begins

 The constant argument and yelling coming from these two little copy of me and Anna are grueling. The mere mention of Comic-Con sends them to a frenzy that I'm starting to doubt myself whether I'd be able to handle the punishment for the next four days.

 

 We're getting ready to pick up the badge today and already, they want to dress up. I'm running a scenario in my head how all three of us be able to enjoy the Con. It's definitely gonna be something this time compared to last years.

Bats vs Sabers

We're not as creative when it comes to costumes. Our idea for a Halloween outfit normally comes from a mall or Amazon. Convenient, easy and 0% creativity. Don't get me wrong. When it comes to the art department, I would consider Anna as top of the class. It's me that always convinces her that the store would be the wisest decision.

Goku costume at SDCC
Considering we love to go to Comic-con, which is the biggest venue in North America when it comes to cosplay/costume. I would at least be inspired to create the perfect costume for our kids. But as a good parent, I do let my kids explore their minds and have a hand on the aesthetics of their wardrobe. And it usually does not end well.



So this year. I had to go with the plan that works. The store came to the rescue. But at the last minute, Anna came up with a great idea for Adi. With only 3 days left, we had to come up with certain items. Walking dead is the platform, and Adi would be as Neegan. It was perfect! And I thought that Adi would be able to go to next years Comic-con wearing the same outfit. But getting the tickets would be first priority and that's a whole different story.

Happy came as Rey (Star Wars) and that was a last minute change. Luckily, that character was an easy find. We're surprised not a lot of kids were in any Walking Dead costumes. Maybe because of the violence associated with the series. And again having Adi as your kid would make Neegan seem like a puppy.

Not a perfect smile anymore

She's been waiting for that tooth to come off. Trying to figure out how. Adi then did her a favor by being himself, knocking it off in a swift. They were playing and of course, Adi all rowdy and all over the place throwing stuff. Apparently, a stuffed animal hit her right over the loose tooth, causing her to bleed, panic and cry.  I thought something really bad happened.




A few days after, whenever we'd look and tease her about it she would laugh and give the cutest imperfect smile.  See for yourself!


     

Jump for heart

 The moment I picked Happy from school on her first day, she immediately mentioned that there's another fundraising in school that she needs to promote. I asked her for details, and she can't give me any. So I promised her that if she obtains any information, I will immediately get into it.

 And yet she did. The moment I picked her up, BOOM!!! She told me to register right away since she wants to get a lanyard for donating. Talk about goals. Before I even saw the webpage, I told her that I would just buy her one.

 As I was finishing up with the registration, I did see to obtain a lanyard, she would only need $5 worth of donation. Now, I feel bad. But I did donate more than that and she was ecstatic.

 Here's the link:

American Heart Association Event

The Elf on the Shelf... and on the bench..... and on the board..... and on the.........

 Having Adi and Happy clean up after their mess (mainly toys) is such a struggle. We constantly have to remind them that they need to tidy up. There must be a better way for them to remember, and I think we found a way. Enter the Elf in the Shelf.



 Days before Christmas, Happy found one of the Elves still in it's box. She would actually talk to it, whispering her wishes for whatever she wanted from Santa everyday. Two days before Christmas, I took the elf out of it's box and put it on the tree. When both kids woke up, they eventually noticed that the elf was missing from it's box and went out looking for it.



 From then on, we started moving the elf. On Christmas day, the elf brought Santa's gift. But it never stopped there. We then had an idea to keep the elf movin everyday. It was fun for Adi and Happy for a few days, but closer to New Year, both kids are getting scared, since we told them that the elf maybe after their toys now.



 Adi would wonder why the elf hasn't made it's motif clear. But a few hours ago, I started putting some of their toys in a paper bag, dressed up the elf as if its about to leave. I then set my GoPro to record the upcoming events.

Apex Fun Run

Happy is not even halfway through her school year and we're already packed with events in her school. Fundraising events are the tough one's since she expects us to be there.

There's a fun run coming next week, and getting pledges for her would be tough. She's happy already with a $15 pledge from me

Here's the link

Kulalaloopsy

Happy is into Lalaloopsy now, but those things are expensive. Luckily, I was able to find a seller on Ebay that sells mini Lalaloopsies. They came all the way from China, loose and comes with almost 90% off for each figure.

When I got them at the mail, I hid them first and decided i'd give it to her one at a time as a reward. The first two figs I gave her, she did not recognized and ask why are they not in a box and ask who were they. I had no idea too, since they came as is and no sort of identification. I looked them up online and Happy said that each part seems like a different Lalaloopsy character.

We then dubbed these two as Holly 1 and 2.

I then took a picture of each and showed it to her pretending I'm looking them up online. She had the same look on her face trying to figure out who were these unknown Lalaloopsies. I'm now stuck with 8 other unidentifiable Lalaloopsies. It then occurred to me that she needed something to boost her Filipino vocabulary. What better way to incorporate it to her toys. Thus Kulalaloopsy was born aka kulasa.

We then told her that she's a foreigner from the Philippines that only speaks Tagalog and doesn't understand English at all. She needs to communicate to her in Tagalog for Kulasa to be able to play with the other Lalaloopsies.

Only three words came out of her. "Bakit ako Tagalog?".

Mickeys crib

It's our first time going to Disneyland with Happy. Not just downtown, but in the park itself.



I think we were more excited than her. She loves the place so much that every time she see's the Disney castle on tv, she'd shout of excitement and try to get our attention. Which made it more difficult for us not to bring her in there.



The only cons would be that she's still too young and most likely wouldn't remember this day later on. Oh but who cares. The sight of how fast her face lit up at the very moment we set foot in there was already priceless.



I took as much photos and videos as possible. That would at least give her a chance once she's all grown up and look back.



We're definitely be coming back soon... since we bought 2fer tickets-- summer park perks HA!

fruits.....

According to Happy, this is how you pronounce fruits properly.

We got robbed.... Again

A robber toddler at it's best.  If you're a parent and you have a tot, this post is for your and I.  After work last night we had to go to Target to run some errands. Out of nowhere, this tricycle appeared and naturally of course, the little store-aisle-robber i had in tow had to stop and hop on it. Armed with cuteness combined with hugs and kisses and never ending 'I love you's'. Of course, needless to say we gave in just as easily as a bug would to a flare.


The moment i hit the garage and parked, she insisted on getting her new "pike" as she calls it. She even "helped out" in assembling it. Here's to hoping and wishing next errand trip would be just be mommy and daddy............... Not!  Just look at that stare below.  'nuff said.

2

We had simple day. It was just the three of us.



We decided to walk to Kabisera and celebrate Happy's special day there. Food was great and too much for the three of us.



We both found it so convenient living in the Metro since everything is pretty much a few meters away, two more tumblings and you're at the mall. Only downside was the laundry that had to be done in Laguna which was about 2 hours away during the day. If we had the capital, we'd run laundry business at the condo.

Crispy Kangkong and Ukoy

Crabs

Pinoy Bistek

bye cast

We're both glad that it's over. The x-ray findings showed that the bone growth turned out ok. And her arm is back to normal.

After weeks of having the cast on, we're not worried that they might do surgery. Hopefully this
would be the last.

And we thought.....

After a week of wearing the elastic bandage Happy got a cast in place yesterday.



Back in the day in PI, we had to do our casts the old fashion way with plaster of Paris--yup those white things. And if u know what i'm talking about, you'd know that it takes forever to harden. Here it's different. Casts are made of fiberglass that you dip in water, mold and dries for a good 2-3 mins. And it even come in different colors too! We chose red since I have an idea how we'd make it look when we get home *wink*



Soon as we got home, right after she stepped out the van, she's all over the place again. Mind you, this is a little girl that has a fracture on her right distal humerus. She even banged the cast on the floor and said "look mommy, tok-tok", as if nothing's wrong.



Thank God she's young and will heal fast on it's own.

if only

I did play a lot as a kid. But never have I once been through anything serious. Maybe the occasional fever or so. And as a kid, I never really realize how parents worry about stuff that we do now that i am actually one myself.

Rady's Childeren's Hospital

Happy was the same. She played a lot and was all over the place-- just like any other kid her age. It never really came to me that she might get into anything that will make us worry. Until yesterday, when she fell from the couch.

She cried... Shrill cry and scream that sounded different until she fell asleep. She woke up an hour later and still the same. That's when we noticed that her right arm was swollen. We immediately went to Rady's Hospital.



After a few x-rays later, we found out that she sustained fracture on her humerus (funny bone).

I could just imagine how much pain she had to go through. It's unbearable to see a small child who's not supposed to be in this predicament. She's should be playing with her toys and running around. I then realize the things my own parents had gone through when i was a kid.



If only I could take the fracture away or give her my good arm i would in a heartbeat. After seeing all those movies about parents saying they'd rather be them than their kid, is making all sense now. I really wish it was me rather than Happy.

If only I could.

playtime

I guess Jun had to go back to basics of playing when he met Happy.

Crime Scene

I've seen horrible things, but this is the worst, by far.



I was taking a photo of the cupcake, till the suspect hastily approached the subject and brutally hand picked and butchered the helpless thing.



She then munched on it piece by piece and when she was done, just left it there with no signs of guilt nor remorse.



What kind of a world do we live in. And how can we sleep at night knowing that these so called babies that we think are so precious and fragile at the same time can be deceiving.



The humanity!!!!!!