Belle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A is signed up for some theater camps this summer, first the Lion King and then Beauty and the Beast. I didn't expect her to get any "role" and just wanted her to get exposed to musicals, one of my favourite pastimes and wishing that she would go with me when she's older (since the boys are not really interested at all) 

While I was in Barna, I heard her screaming to me on the other side, "mommy, I got it. I got the role Belle. It's like a dream except that it is not a dream!". I was almost in tears. She made it to something she really wanted and she cared for (normally she didn't really care for anything). She worked hard on it and made it to the audition and had a small part.

She's got 21 lines and a solo (singing). They went through 2 weeks of rehearsal. I never imagined that I would be in tears when I saw her on stage singing her solo. She had kept the solo in secret from us for weeks (didn't want to practice in front of us) as she wanted it to be a surprise with "high pitch". I guess this is how it feels to be a "proud" parent. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience being a proud parent, my little Belle. 

    

(minute 46:37 to 54:13)

Lonely

Ninja is away on a sleep-away camp. It certainly feels very different having one less kid in the house. So much quieter. A always complains about having a brother and wishes he were never born…
Me: So, how do you feel about having Mommy and Daddy all for you? 
A: Lonely
Me: Really? 
A: I miss Erik.
Me: 🤣🤣 
#lovehaterelationship #bestfriendsworstenemies 

let go

Couldn’t help myself wondering how he’s doing. Really hope that he’s having a good time. It’s been 12 hours since the “last breakfast” at Norm before seeing Ninja off at the pier for his first sleep-away camp. Trying to picture that he’s hopping from spots to spots in the Catalina Island on a tall ship learning about stars, navigation, marine biology…having an adventure of his life. 

He gave me and Papi a big hug before he went off. It was funny that A actually went ahead and gave him a long hug (he was somewhat embarrassed and surprised by it). 

It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside of “let go”. I suppose it is one of the hardest things to do as parents. Sure that we will get to practice a lot of it from now on…but practice makes perfect? I am not so sure.

“Mommy, I miss Erik. I am worried about him. I cannot sleep.” A said. She’s usually pretty “stingy” about her affection towards her brother. So It’s nice to hear the true feelings from her. She definitely takes after me in this department. 

Golden Feather

My eyes were watery when I read the email. 

It’s not the straight A’s, not an acceptance letter to some special program, not a trophy but a note such as this touches us and gives us pride and gratification of being a parent, knowing that we have raised a decent and kind kid. 

when life gives you lemons...

I remember that day, Friday the 13th, exact a year ago, the day that the kids stopped going to school in person. 

Glad that we are gradually coming out of the woods. To some extent, the experience has been a blessing in disguise, it has brought us closer as family. We've done so much and gone through so much together. And I couldn't be prouder of the two munchkins - being able to hang in there and go through the "crisis schooling" and then "distance learning” like a champ. Not only have they survived but thrived. (Pardon me for borrowing your line, Meghan, please don’t sue me 🤣). 

I wouldn't call it a "happy anniversary" but it is certainly a milestone. 

Type A vs. Type B

After Ninja’s math assessment...

Ninja: I really hope that I pass so I can be with smart kids and be smarter.

A: Why do you want to be smarter? You are already smart. 

They are really at the opposite ends of the spectrum.🤣🤣🤣

Rubik's Cube

Ninja has been tinkering that Rubik's Cube for a week now, including going online to google the best "algorithm" to solve the scenarios. He's always have the cube on his hand whenever I walk into his room, even when he's eating. He's finally got it nailed down today with a record of 2'05". Not too shabby. Well, pretty much what happens when you run out of things to do during the pandemic!