A STRIKE BY LUKIE

Pasta, pizza, pope... Milan, Venice, Rome.... Ferrari, Cavalli, Prada and Armani are among the things, places and people that come to mind when "Italy" pops out. For those who lived here or stayed for a while, SCIOPERO or strike will be one experience they will remember this country for. Italians have it most of the time.

Last Monday, our eldest Lukie did not go to school because the teachers are on strike. Kids were advised to go with their parents and see from there if classes will resume. I had to go to work and Boogs had to look after Dylan who is very sick. Besides, most of the time, classes are always suspended when this happen.

Not on that day. Lukie stayed home while his classmates went on with their class.

The next day, Lukie went to school and brought home Alessandro's notebook to copy the notes he missed. Then I asked him if Alessandro is really that good at school and our son said yes. I added, "Who is better, you or Ale?" and he answered, "Both.". My husband said he(Lukie) should be smarter than Ale (which he is by the way) as I nodded in support.

Wearing his eye glasses and looking grumpy, Lukie told us during tea time, "We go to school to learn and not to compete on who is the smartest".

Its not just the tea that made my face warm that time, so is the the hot and very true lesson my son just taught us. That was a BIG STRIKE for Lukie if we were bowling that day!

FANTASMA

LUKIE: Mama, ghosts are true or its just in the cartoons?

MAMA: (was about to say she doesn't know) Only in the cartoons or movies, baby. Not true.

LUKIE: Allora(so or there for), fiction or non fiction?

MAMA: They were just made from people's imagination. Its fiction (was about to add, "I guess", but I don't want my credibility as the "source" of knowledge be of doubt).

LUKIE: It must be true. People will not just make it if it didn't have an ORIGIN. It must have an ORIGIN.

MAMA: I haven't seen one yet, so its not true (getting scared while writing thing as a ghost might appear and prove her son's point.)

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'SCOOOLL'

Click the previous post for this update:

1. Baby "D", The Explorer

2. THAT CHRISTMAS TREE

3. MIRROR,BOOKS AND STUFF

4. DYLAN'S SECOND SUMMER

5. ANYA UNO!

Our little Dylan had his very first day at school last Monday, 14th of September 2009. At two (2) years and nine (9) months old, he and his cousin Noemi are among the youngest to join the class of Materna(a three years preparation for elementary). Still not aware of what 'scoula' is, he was just so happy to be there. With so many kids and toys, we know he thinks its another play for him.

Slept early the night before, a fresh and enthusiastic boy he was the next day, even though he woke up 3 hours earlier than his usual time. Dylan was already in bliss when we first took Lukie to his first day in second grade. Another pretreat for our second baby - the sight of noisy and happy kids with his big brother.




While we were waiting for the gate to open, almost all his classmates were holding on to their moms. Scared of the newness of this adventure and unfamiliarity of the place. But not Dylan, he was there walking around and posing for his Papa's camera. Its not because he was a brave boy but we think he can't understand yet that 'scoooll'(as Dylan says it) will be long hours away from Mama and Papa.


We entered the building and the teacher put on his red name tag. He was a bit puzzled but when I showed him the letters of his name, he didn't mind the red fish tied around his neck anymore. Boogie and I, along with other parents stayed with our babies on their first day. An hour and a half to just play and explore the new place.

When Dylan got to the clays, he tried to eat it. A teacher gave him a handful of blue colored clay and he was about to bite it like a bread before I stopped him. Its good he knew how to use the paint and paint brush. My mistake, I forgot to let him play with clays. Unlike Lukie who had it when he was a year and a half.

There was this sort of Abacus with it's rod complicatedly twirled that you'll have to delicately follow before you can move the beads. It was Dylan's favorite toy, the very first thing he looks for every morning. The teacher said in Italian, "Look how precise and moves the beads perfectly considering his age", when she was observing our son for the first time.



When it was time to go, I took Dylan to his locker and again showed him his name. I told him we have to leave his red fish name tag there and his flag so that he could use it tomorrow. The next day, he first went to the locker and got his red fish and flag, what a clever boy! I think, if I were 2 and 9 months old, I will be confused with the many lockers looking all the same.

It was raining when we went home. Great! No umbrella. Then Papa, Mama and Dylan on the push chair run like mad. Dylan was still smiling while the rain is keeping his eyes close..... "It was sure a fun day!", Dylan would say out loud IF he only could already talk clearly.




THE FOLLOWING DAYS:

1. The whole week went well. Almost all of Dylan's classmate cried and would NOT like to stay.....

2. My sister said that Irven, her husband, saw Dylan going out of their room while the class is going on and a teacher was following him to get him back inside hahaha....

3. I was scared of Dylan wetting his pants. We just started to toilet train him 2 months ago. So far, its been 2 weeks now and he goes home with the same pants.

4. Friday night on his first week, he had a flu, had a fever on Sunday causing him to have a poor appetite until now. He stayed home till Wednesday and back to school Thursday. When I went to get him, he was crying and was relieved to see me. He has a small cut on his lips that had put him in a bad mood till we went home for lunch.

5. In the 3 classes of 'scoula materna'(red, blue and yellow), small kids are mixed up with the big ones. Ages 3 t0 6 with 2 teacher in every room. 26 or 27 children in each class.

6. Dylan's teacher was still in class with the bigger kids who will be dismissed 2 hours later so I wasn't able to ask what happened to Dylan's lips.

7. Friday morning, I was waking up Dylan and telling him he has to go to school. On the bed, still sleepy and eyes squinting, he said, "Ooooch"(meaning - OUCH) while pointing at his chin.

8. We decided that this year, Dylan will just stay at school for 3 hours and a half only. He will not take the school bus and the school lunch too. He still can't follow rules, understand danger and eat well on his own. Till then, we hope to enjoy more Dylan's remaining 'babyhood'. Something that will surely pass swiftly. Just like Lukie who is becoming a "bigger boy" everyday. Oh, you'll just miss their small hands and feet before you'll know it!

CLICK HERE: Mama's Famous Gate and Did I Get It Right This Time? for Lukie's 'scoooll'.

LUKIE SAYS...

What Lukie just said now or last week, last month or maybe a couple of years ago... I hope to remember them all and will not forget to write even the least profound thought he had and would blurt. We just can't get enough of him now that he is starting to think big or "bigger", like his shoe size, doubling almost every season.

So, Lukie said...

"Mama, why don't you and Papa dance the Tango? Its romantic and the dance of romance(read as rrrrro'mance)!" ..... Not to make you wonder where he picked those lines, his Garfield show taught him that.

"NO! YOU, SHOULD LOOK AFTER HIM!" .... referring to his little brother when the chair (put on the table so Dylan will not climb up) fell on Dylan's head. I went to throw the garbage and I asked Lukie to look after his brother for a bit. I came back and they were both crying while my eldest was massaging Dylan's big bump. Adding salt to the wound of my being irresponsible, I said, "Lukie, I told you to look after him" and I got my answer in big letters.

"The water is cold, e finito il state (summer is finish)"...... Simple and true. This is when my husband called our son to go and have their last swim on the last day of our village pool. Lukie loves the water but he knows when its cold - its cold and its over when its over.

"PAPA, MAY YOU STOP PLEASE!"..... its becoming a pain now hearing my son say this but its more irritating when the Papa doesn't seem to understand what the little boy is asking or sometimes "pleading" for hahaha.

"Mama, you're sexy."..... (I have to LOL here again) .... when I dress up and walk around with my high hills. Makes me laugh for his building definition of sexy - a typical Igorota unblessed with "elevation" hahaha. Oh noo, Lukie, Mama wouldn't mind taller grand-babies, ok?...

"... because its cheaper, its only 70 cents."... He said when we went to buy his school supplies for second grade. I asked why he chose those notebooks over the ones I did with his favorite characters on the cover - its of his animated cartoon show, Dragon Ball Z. Then I can't help but cry, in the middle of the mall, hugging my son, all because - he was right and I was very wrong.

BEACH ON FIRE 09

"Off to the beach in an hour. Third time to watch the longest fireworks in the whole world. A 13 kilometer of synchronized blustering sounds and enchanting shower of sparks display." This is what I posted on my Facebook shout out last night before we left home.

Dylan and Lukie were playing with the sand before the fireworks started. I told them to come seat next to me or they'll miss the first launch. Oh, lately, my kids seem to listen the fifth time I tell them something. They might have gotten it from someone else hehehe... Then they tell me I'm 'makulit' if they'll finally do what I say... Then again, if I say something once and they missed it, they blame me cause I should have told them a dozen times...

Booom! The firecracker started to "roar". Dylan docked on the sand for his precious life. And startled Lukie, didn't know if he'll run to me or on the sunbed he was suppose to sit!

I told them its soon going to start, didn't I?

Maybe next year or when Dylan will not cling to me anymore, I can get better shots. My little one enjoyed it while I was covering his ears. He was mumbling words I can't figure but I know what he was saying was simply, "WOW"!

People applauded 5 times thinking it was the finale. It was better this year. Funny how me and Lukie would say, "that's new", every after an awesome blast, which we're sure, it wasn't used the previous years. Click our old post for this event: Beach On Fire and BEACH ON FIRE 2008.

END OF THE WORLD

We were walking home from Dan-Dan's 16th birthday party when Lukie told me, "this is a beautiful day but there is something wrong". I knew it! I should have insisted of taking them home earlier. Dan-Dan, by the way was once Lukie's baby sitter, I have an old entry here: MORE BLESSED YEARS TO THEM ALL! about him.

During the party, a group of guest were invited and they said they didn't know its a birthday bash. Their leader said, they thought they were asked to come for a Bible study. Regardless, he announced that after the food, spiritual nourishment will come next and they will be showing a clip that on 2012, it would be the "end of the world".

When the Bible study was about to begin, Dylan started to be unruly. Like a "mad baby", he went to click every key on the laptop they're going to use. He was even standing and jumping in front of their projector wanting to see his shadow on the white cloth or the screen. My cue to take my kids home. Besides, the assembly might take long and it would be very late for my boys.

I told our host we have to go but when I asked Lukie to get his shoes and we will be leaving, he said he wanted to stay more. I know how much my son misses Dan-Dan so I gave in. I told him I'll take Dylan to the 'piazza'(plaza) where there's a country public concert going on and we'll be back for him in an hour.

Outside with my youngest, I remembered about the clip the pastor said earlier. It was already late for me to get Lukie.

True, we went back and they're still lecturing but Lukie is in Dan-Dan's room playing PSP. He came immediately when I said we're going home.

I asked my son why there is something wrong and he said, "On 2012, there would be earthquakes, tornadoes, heavy rains and fire. The world will end".

Honestly, this angered me and we walked slow on our way home trying to explain it to my son, as simply as I can, that all they said weren't true. I told him that no one can ever tell us, as to when exactly these catastrophes are going to happen. I was even quite emotional when I repeatedly told him that our God or 'Gessu'(how he was taught in Italian to say Jesus) is not that 'cativo' (bad) to "kill" us that "ugly". 'Gessu' will not make us 'vivere con sempre paura'(live in fear) and would tell the pastor that we will all die with earthquake, tornadoes etc... Our 'Gessu' loves Lukie so much, 'come papa e mama'(like mama and papa), who will not make Lukie afraid because we know that these earthquakes and tornadoes will give Lukie nightmares.

Lorenzo, our Italian neighbor, was waiting outside for her Filipina wife Rowena who was still in Dan-dan's house. I thank him for helping me ease Lukie's fear and brought back the smile and the privilege of a young mind's innocence . Lorenzo said in Italian, "When I was also a little boy like you, someone told us that these will happen, that it will soon be the end of the world. But look, I'm an old man now and I am still here. You saw my little baby(1 month old, Elizabetta), ' Gessu' will still make her grow so you and Dylan could play with her."

I'm writing this at 5:55 AM and I was up since 1 AM. Usually when Lukie is afraid of something, he sleepwalks or would have some nightmares. I hope 'Gessu' intervened and I know HE did, because my son is sleeping soundly till now. HE helped Lukie understood that 'Gessu' is a loving and caring God.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.funkyspacemonkey.com/7-reasons-world-2012

SPONGE BOB'S INFLUENCE

During summer, the boats and buses are most of the time full because of the many tourists flocking Venice. Last Thursday, I went to get the last kitchen stuff of Diego(my late employer) that I want to take home. Lukie came with me and we rode the bus.

As we went up the 'pulman'(bus), a man helped me with the 'karello'(a bag with wheels) while I held Dylan on his pushchair. We will meet Boogie at the 'fermata' (where the boats to and from Venice dock). He will be coming from work and he'll take Dylan back home.

The bus was packed so we stood and Lukie was infront of me holding a bar for support. Then my son was madly fanning his nose with the little bus ticket he was holding. With his other hand, he was covering his nose after pointing under his armpit, gesturing that there's an awful smell. He even blurted twice, loudly as he can, the words - "body odor".

Guess who was holding the same bar next to my son, with his armpit wide open above my son's head? It was the man who was kind to hold our 'karello'. If you could only see the look on this man's face, embarrassment was all written on it. Same face I gave the man while I was signalling Lukie to shush.

At the boat, I tried to explain to Lukie about the "body odor" incident. That it wasn't proper to do what he did. I don't know if my son took me seriously because I can't contain my laughter - it could even be heard by the 'capitano'(captain of the ship).

P.S. SpongeBob SquarePants taught Lukie what BO is. From the episode, "The Karate Island".

YES, I DID!

I was to send a reply to my employer's text when I asked Lukie to check my Italian grammar. I gave my 7 year old son the cell phone and...

LUKIE: (reading my message) 'Non cosi' (not like this).

MAMA: Okay, do it then.

LUKIE: (deleting every word I punched) Mama, did you not go to school?

OUCHHH!!!!

LUKIE'S BUT'S

LUKIE: Smash down! (As he pins down his little brother Dylan).

MAMA: What smash down? Its touchdown honey. You're playing American football, right?

LUKIE: Yes, but the players are smashing down the one who holds the ball!

DURING TEA TIME, LUKIE JUST GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL:

LUKIE: Mama, all of us were laughing when Lorenzo said, "Inter e gay"(Inter Milan - a football team here).

MAMA: Gay is not funny. Do you know what does it mean by gay?

LUKIE: (annoyed) No, but I know there's nothing wrong with saying it.

MAMA: Its not wrong for you but it is for gay people. Let me tell you about them. They are boys like you but they feel and act like girls or like Mama. And you do not laugh at people for who and what they are.

LUKIE: (really annoyed) Yes, but isn't it that funny?

MAMA: Not at all, you see, what if I laugh at you because you are a boy? Or, laugh at you because you are drinking tea, you wouldn't like that, do you?

LUKIE: (rolling his eyes) Okay.

MAMA: You know honey, I have so many gay friends and cousins. They're very fun people to be with. They're just like you and me. They get hurt too specially when people laugh at them for being gay. Next time ask your friends if they know what gay means. Then teach them so that they'll know.

LUKIE: (half listening) Yes, but I can't make them listen when they're laughing.

When I thought it gets easier to take care of these boys as they grow up, I mean less catering to their needs as they become less and less dependent. I was wrong. The more it is getting complicated. You have to be very careful in feeding their thoughts with ideas, facts and everything under the sun.

My son is only seven years old and to be honest, its exhausting to answer his questions sometimes. "Am I saying or doing the right thing" counts and weighs your words. Taking responsibility too on your influence to his manners, his principles and on how will he be accepted as a person is becoming more and more of a great deal.

IMAGE CREDIT: www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/detail/R/4724658/

ANYA UNO!

Here's an update to the following post:

1. Baby "D", The Explorer

2. THAT CHRISTMAS TREE

3. MIRROR,BOOKS AND STUFF

4. DYLAN'S SECOND SUMMER

'Anya uno' means 'Italia Uno'. Dylan echos it out after he hears it from the TV commercial of channel six. He is into copying what ever you say now and his expression when something is not right would be, "Oh men!". He spills his milk and when he says, "Oh men!", you'd laugh. Giving him the wrong idea that what he did should be encouraged.

'OTTO'(eight) is Baby D's favorite number. Sometimes, he'd repeat after me his 123's and when we'd reach number eight, he'd say "otto-otto". When he pretends to read numbers being flashed on TV or posters somewhere, 'otto' would be repeated many times. He could also recognize some letters and from the flash cards that I made, he could pin point A to G but also familiar with I, O and P. When he thinks he's reading a word on his own like "dolphin", he'd say, "Ahh, eehh, ahh ohh". That's AEAO for dolphin hehehe....

Dylan loves his big brother so much. Imitating what ever Lukie says and do. Sometimes it irritates our eldest and he would often close the door to his room leaving Dylan crying as he bangs Lukie's door. When Lukie is in a good mood, its "heaven" for me. Lukie would read to his little brother, teaches him with his mini computer and gives him his pens as they both make some drawings.

My youngest is also very affectionate. He'd readily give you hugs and kisses when you ask for it. When you'll say kiss and you didn't do the "smacking sound", he won't stop kissing you. That would "vanish" his destructiveness even "the buying" of the new washing machine to replace what he just broke.

Its quite hard to feed him now. Still adjusting from soft baby foods and I know its not healthy but he loves instant noodles soup we buy from Kuya Arthur(Owner of a Filipino store). 2 days ago, I tried to feed him 'adobo' and for the first time he said, "mouno-mouno" a lot of times as he puts his two index fingers on his cheeks. He meant 'bouno' or delicious and oh, how I laughed!

Just like Lukie when he was of Dylan's age, our Baby D plays with his toy cars lining them carefully. Blocks too, building it up like a tower. He throws tantrums more than the usual because he's unable to express clearly what he wants and when his big brother growls at him like a dog.



Perfectly acting the "terrible two", my son also loves to sing. He loves MTV and Music Videos from Youtube. Though you can't understand his lyrics, you'll know what song he is singing.

We haven't started getting rid of his Pampers yet. I tried once or twice to let him sit on his potty, the excitement of this "new thing" makes him happy and forgets what he was supppose to do.

Boogie keeps on saying that Dylan is growing fast. What will happen to us with out a baby running around? I told him, "Wait for your grand kids"!

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COLORS

Just a short post about Lukie when we were watching Obama on the news yesterday. He said, "Mama, Obama e quasi come mia pelle"(Mama, Obama's skin is ALMOST the same as mine). Huh, my son is becoming aware of his color now!

PAGELLA

Before I go over Lukie's primo pagella (first report/class card), let me tell you first about his drawing. Its his homework today. He is to write words that start with ca, co, cu and is to construct a sentence using some of these words. Write it all in small letters and (optional) draw something out of it.

Well, my son said to his Tita Rowena who baby sat my boys when I went to get his 'Pagella' at school, " I don't know how to draw a dog so I'll just let him go in his house and show only his butt!".... Did you notice it was raining? Cosmo, the dog, must really go in and lie down on his bed. The dog's name is not clear, its written on his plate/bowl. Bravo Lukie!

Btw, Rowena is our kind neighbor who volunteered to look after the kids. She's 6 months pregnant and expecting a baby girl this summer. Rowena insisted to babysit, good thing she did because Dylan has a flu and it might get worst if I take him with me.

'Ottimo' is the highest grade the teachers can give. Its equivalent to 10. Teachers decided NOT to give perfect scores (ottimo) to deseving students on their First Grading. They only do during finals. The highest they could give for now is 'Distinto'(9). Our first grader Lukie got all 9 for Science, Math, Italian, English, Music, Home Room, PE, Social Studies and History. He got 'Bouno'(8) for Religion, Computer and his attitude or behavior in class.

OT: Don't you think that's too much for a first grader? I remember during my time, I only have four: Math, English, Pilipino and PE.

We were to get their Report Card individually. Then we'll have some sort of a "one on one interrogation"(lol) with the teacher.When we were going over my son's grades, Teacher Orietta said 'Bouno'(8) for my son's behavior. I was like, "Oooops, did I get that right?". Then I asked her, "Perche"(why) 8?". She said Lukie would fully participate when he likes the lesson but if he doesn't, he feels sleepy or would be doing other things.

Now I remember one time when Lukie came home and told me he slept in class. I asked why and he said he already knew the lesson and it made him sleep. Ahhihihi.... This is the dilemma, last year, the teachers of 'Materna' asked me if I would want Lukie to be accelerated to Grade one. I hesitated because I thought it would be cruel to make Lukie leave his friends. Now he is getting bored because he is already reading pocket books(no pictures) and into multiplication while his classmates are still learning ca, ce ,ci, co, cu and 1+1.

Only 8 for computer too. I didn't ask the teacher but I think I know why. Would you like to guess 'perche'(why)?

WRESTLING (ON SHOUTING AND LOSING TEMPER Part I)

"Shouters, it seems, still put themselves on a par with convicted criminals", Anne Karpf of The Guardian wrote on his article: HERE. Its exactly how I feel every time the boiling point of my lost temper get douched by guilt. Lately, Lukie and Dylan are getting into my nerves and would often make me raise my voice before I get them to obey.


Wrestling is one of the culprit, I guess. Its their new game. Before these two little boys jostle against each other, as wild and rugged as they can be, Lukie would shout, "WRESTLING!". My cue that the veins on my neck would soon distend from trying to stop them with their rough play.





As expected, my two year old Dylan would be locked under his 7 year old brother's weight. Lukie who is twice heavier doesn't seem to understand that his brother is hurting. Then Dylan would "cry out for help" and that will not stop his big brother as he laughs and presses more weight. Of course, I will come "to the rescue". Then the shouting comes before Lukie would understand, I meant stop as in STOP.

Dylan is released, he'll compose himself then he would again go pull Lukie's shirt. My eldest would run dragging his little brother now, who is still clinging tightly on Lukie's clothes. If Dylan had a strong grip and won't have a hard fall, Lukie will again lock and press him down.

These, they happen to love doing while I prepare supper and worst when I am rushing so I could give them a bath before we eat. That's when I lose it and I would yell at them. Oh, they would stop! But when I am back in the kitchen, they'll resume their act and we'll do the scene all over again....

7 YEARS

Notice my Lilypie.com Baby days counters widget. Its Lukie's Birthday!

I have to start convincing myself that 7 years had passed since the doctor placed Lukie on my belly just after he cut my son's umbilical cord. January 21 2002, our baby was snugly wrapped with a green cloth and his face and head were still covered with blood and thick yellowish matters (vernix caseosa). I remember as I held him, he literally gave me warmth when my senses forgot about labor pains and was diverted now on how cold the delivery room was. Squirming, stretching and making baby sounds, I held our son tight.

Boogie was comforting me with his pats and stroking my hair as I lay there crying and sobbing and I don't care if I sounded like a cow. It was the sweetest cry I ever had. I finally met our son and the ordeal of giving birth was almost over. Seeing and holding him made me forget the "agony" of going through every excruciating pain of my 4 hours labor.

I told my husband, "karuprupa ni Pa!"(he looks like Pa)(my father in-law). Then the nurse took our son for his APGAR Scoring and bath. Boogie went back on holding my hand like he did when we were birthing. The obstetrician worked on taking out the placenta and I started to shiver when they were "already stitching me up". The additional blankets the nurse gave did a little help.

Adrenalin kept me fully awake for almost 5 hours after giving birth. The painless needle and the thread being pulled to repair my episiotomy were one of the worst for me. It doesn't hurt but I could feel my skin being dragged by the thread.

In the observation room where I have to stay for 3 hours before I will be brought into my room, they "loaded" my bed with hot water bags. Then I wasn't shivering anymore when the pediatrician brought Lukie for his first breast feeding.

Remembering all these will always lead us back to the five years of waiting before Lukie was finally conceived. Those years were painful thinking no children will bond our love more. Our OB-Gyne in Philippines, Dra. Solang, started us with fertility work out, sperm count, lab tests etc and it would always disappoint us when I get my monthly period.

Our "wanting" to have a baby was put on test when we decided to come here in Italy after working two years to a family in Malta. We came here as tourist and 25 days lapsed, we became illegal immigrants. We don't speak nor understand Italian and worst, we're jobless.

The very second day of our stay here, pregnancy test kits in this country proved us that it works "positive" than any other parts of the globe. We are pregnant! Lukie wanted to be made in Malta and preferred to be born in Italy.


LINK TO THIS POST: MY FIRST BORN AND HIS FEAR OF BOATS•

LUKIE'S GIFT(Christmas Story 2)

Christmas morning. Lukie wasn't as enthusiastic as he did during our gift opening on Christmas eve. I haven't seen "this look"(picture below) he had last night.



Flash back.......just after Halloween, Lukie asked me to prepare for Christmas. He told me that Santa might be very busy and can't see our home if we don't decorate early. He came from school the next day and had his request granted. From then on every grace before meals he adds, "....... for the love of Christmas........ the house is ready....... Santa is coming".

Then my son made his Christmas list and also did his brother's. Its all up for Santa now to decide if Lukie had been "naughty or nice".

Back to Christmas morning.....I was puzzled why my son's excitement wasn't showing at all, so I asked:

MAMA: "Lukie, why aren't you excited with your gifts? Open it honey!" ......

LUKIE: (looked at me seriously and said in Italian) "Mama, I know what's inside it. I wrote the list, remember?".

DYLAN'S SHOW(Christmas Story 1)

Christmas Lunch 2008. As we were all seated and about to feast on the food before us, with my sister's family and some neighbors joining our banquet, Dylan stood on one of the chairs and sang... "Appyyyy bitdey ehhh yooo.......!"

Happy Birthday my son intoned dauntlessly. He belt out his song lost in the magic of his 2 years old innocence. Then everyone laughed and we said "bravoo!!!".

True enough, Dylan was right! We should have joined him in his singing. Its Jesus Christ's birthday - the reason for all these holiday cheers. We thought we knew but how many of us sang Happy Birthday amidst all these gifts, food and this event gathering or reuniting our families?

EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Lukie gave us his Christmas present. Its not wrapped, its huge but not tangible and I think, its the best gift a parent would ever ask for.

Yesterday was our son's 'Colloqui Individuali'. Its a one on one talk with the teacher(s) and they will evaluate your child's performance at school. Though I've been having this twice a year since Lukie entered day care, this year is different because he is in Grade I. Unlike in the Philippines where Kinder pupils could already read "ba-be-bi-bo-bu", Italy starts their formal education only at first grade. 'Scoula Materna' or the 3 years prior to elementary is purely "play school".

I had my 30 minutes turn with Lukie's Teacher Orietta(class adviser) and Cintia, pretty and young Math teacher. I haven't sat yet, they already congratulated me for having an "eccezionalmente intelligente e ben educato figlio" (exceptionally intelligent and well mannered son). "Hurayy!"(my mind shouted in glee).

Teacher Orietta continued to "lift my chair" saying they could see I'm giving 'tanti tempo'(much or more time) in teaching my son and they asked me how am I doing it. Then I corrected her, "Noooo, that's not true!... (I'll elaborate this further on my next post).

Always with the word 'bravissimo' (excellent), she told me Lukie works so precise with everything, writes legibly and neatly and thinks first before he does what is instructed to him or to the class. She gestured how my son puts his index finger on his temple before he would say, "ahhh yes, okey!".

In Italian, I like what teacher Orietta said about Lukie having a "wider range of thinking and intelligence" than any of the other kids in his class.

Lukie's class adviser also assumed we let Lukie use the computer liberally and I said, "Yes! Plus, he plays video games". (more on this on my next post)

I was waiting for the bomb to drop and it ain't coming so I asked the teacher if my son is always serious. A loud "NOT AT ALL!" from Cintia, the Math teacher as she shares that my son smiles most of the time, laughs easily and plays and gets along with everyone. "Another huraay!"(from my mind in glee).

That's an improvement if not an achievement for Lukie because it had been the negative comment from her teachers in 'Scoula Materna' along with how much he eats during lunch. These teachers just told me that my son is eating well. If he doesn't, then he eats big pieces of bread to compensate his less intake.

Still not quitting, I asked if my son is being too perfectionist. This is true because every deatail of his school works or assignments, he does and copies it perfectly, specially if asked to copy a drawing or a picture. Another relieving words from Maestra orietta in Italian, "At this moment its the best thing for Lukie to do or be, only during adult life that "perfectionism" is an issue for argument". Hmmnn?




"Sperriamo che Lukie e sempre cosi!"(We hope Lukie stays the same), My son's teachers wished him well.

Teacher pretty Cintia made 'pahabol' too, "Ooohh, anche bravo in canestro sai!" (He is also 'bravo' in playing basketball).

"Aysus, talaga nga Pilipino ti anak ta mo!" I told my husband and we LAUGHED OUT LOUD with pride for what was all said for the the day.

WHO IS READY? (Part 2)

(A CONT. TO THIS: WHO IS READY?)....

Last year's winter, we told Lukie that he will start to sleep in his own room on summer. An idea he wouldn't even consider and tells us, " I won't! I will be having bad dreams". We did not insist and we agreed that - "He is ready when he is ready!".

Another forethought, if Lukie will transfer to the other room, Dylan must do too. We don't want our eldest to feel "more" left out and hate his little brother for taking everything he used to have. I for one would be very hurt seeing my parents with Dylan in the middle of their bed while I am here in the next room entertaining "life ain't fair"(lol).

None the less, we pushed through with redecorating (more on saving the ruins of chaos) the extra room. All the piles of books, clothes, papers and other unnecessary stacks of I don't know what were either thrown, salvaged or (again) filled the "real" store room underground the house.

Then I initiated painting the walls, staying deaf from my husband's protest of "no painting needed". He can't take the looks of my first coating so he continued the job. He was proud of the outcome and I was proud of starting it first.

The old wardrobes were replaced with a 'cameretta'(bed with built in cabinets and drawers) we ordered from SME. One divider was left in the room which my husband didn't want to take off even though its taking almost all the space. He was thinking of where to put the books if we throw that piece of furniture.

With Dylan, Jing and her husband - Manong Jojo, we went to IKEA. I was only suppose to buy a bookshelf and linens for the new room. I ended up buying a study table, carpets, baskets, meatballs(yeah, they also sell food made in Sweden) and etc...etc... Wanting to replace the divider my husband wants to keep, I also bought 3 bookshelves which I know will raise his hair because the supposed 2 items to buy became etc... etc...

Having my own money now with my new part time job, it was fun to shop(hehehe). All my one month pay went all to IKEA that day. That's the secret of me lining the cashier confidently after stuffing my cart like its IKEA's last day of business.

Naturally, disapproving face with everything I took home, my husband showed it while checking out all the stuff - add that its all "do it your self" furniture's (5 things to build plus the chair).

Manong Jojo was right, he said its all but normal to disagree but when its already made, Boogie will like all of these. "You'll see!" he added.

True enough, putting up each furniture, my husband was enjoying it. Now that everything is in place, he may not admit it in words but he is showing it in deeds that his wife is great with "home furnishing" after all hehehe...

Will Lukie finally move to the new room?... to be continued....

CARTOON CREDIT: www.CartoonStock.com.

WHO IS READY?

I thought I have read it from THE SEARS but I've been flipping their book and I can't find that page. I've read somewhere about that study of co sleeping with your children. Now I give up! I've been browsing 3 different authors now from our bookshelves and the page I'm looking for is hiding pretty well from me.

I'll write this anyway, before my boys will wake up with those needy eyes for breakfast. Then I'll just get back to my "supporting and published" facts when I find that book.

Trying to remember it right, the study says that Asians are knit close to their family - has something to do with co sleeping or welcoming their kids in the warmth or their bed... It brings a better connection or "bonding" between the mother and child. Oh, since I share my bed with my husband, OK, he too is taking part with the "bonding".

When our eldest was born, his crib was placed next to our bed where he had slept for more than a year. I can't remember the first time we had let him doze in our midst but what I do recall is, sleeping for us became better and longer. His abandoned bed had to be dismantled and was kept to the store room for future "sibling use".

Then the sibling came. Little Dylan did not just took Lukie's babyhood but so is his turf in our comforting berth. Dear Lukie in loath, moved to the left side of our bed so I could be "accessible" to both my boys. Being in between my sons may have had limited my freedom to stretch these arms in the coziness of a good night sleep, it did work for 1 year and 2 months. Lukie holding my neck, Dylan with my "nursing gear"(breast feeding, duh...) and yeah, Boogie got my feet. Lovelyn's "night life", that is!

With our first born's limbs growing uncontrollably, our "enormous" bed became small. With the "convincing power" of persuasion, Lukie got reunited with his crib and took the first step of independency from my neck. Though countless times, I wake up and he is coiled next to me.

I forgot to write that his crib is pulled "really" close to my side. Most of the time, like Plastic Man, my son extends his hands - reaching for his precious Mama.

Again, those limbs getting longer and the crib looks funny having Lukie there. Picture Incredible Hulk out sizing his shirt and pants - My son too except that its his feet and hands that are protruding from his crib. But, he still is comfortably asleep having been bigger and all that.

We can't pop the crib and make it big nor will not allow Lukie to keep those limbs grow more, so, we had to do something about it. Then the HUGE work has to take part. The messy, scary messy and really messy extra room had to be stripped off and trashed. It took us a month to finally furnish it and make it livable.

From Lukie's dependence from my neck to having his own room now... to be continued

IMAGE CREDIT: Brocklehurst Secondary

HALLOWEEN BOTCH

While having dinner, Lukie blurted out, "Halloween è festa d' Americani(Halloween is an American festivity), not ours! Maestra Elisabetta told us this morning". Then he gave me that look of "let's not make a fuss out of the day".

For my eldest, what ever the teacher said, its indisputable, specially if it came from his English teacher, Maestra Elisabetta. It would also be convincing as my son could see that in the whole neighborhood, only our home has flashing orange decors outside.

Its quite confusing though for the kids because in their art class they made Halloween adornments. Their math teacher too gave them paper pumpkins she made them paste on the 4th page of their notebook. So is their Science teacher who gave another pumpkin design who made them do the same.

I don't know what to make of their English teacher, she may be right but to me that's stripping off the magic of fun. I was thinking, "What's next, Santa is dead?"...