Birthday La Tratos on Filipino Time!

Uncle Mark, Aunty Rosallie, & Amari


Aunty Jerr, Rohawn, Uncle Jason, & JJ


Uncle Jesse & Uncle Fernan


Zayden, Uncle Dave, & Ninang Maritess


Aunty Angela & Aunty Rhea


Uncle Mark, Anna, & Aunty Genn


Kuya Boo with the next Hip Hop generation! Jayden & Uncle Wes, and Brooklyn w/ Uncle Chuck & Aunty Bev.


Teacher Adrianne, Eric, & Leo


The future of Hip Hop, Isa from Uncle Myke1's Ancheta crew!






Pondering his birthday wishes.




Getting help from Dengs and Carlito

Learning at Home

Aunty Erica asked Miles last night, "What do you do at home school?" Miles replied, "I wash dishes, vacuum..." Pretty funny stuff 'ey? While he does learn to do everyday things which he has fun doing (no, i'm not forcing him to do chores, at this age--it's fun for him to try), we also incorporate different activities spread through out the day. Our main goal is to engage with him in exploring and trying different activities that encourage him to use his creativity. Some "academic" lesson are incorporated here and there, such as reading, and practicing his letter writing, and sounding out each one but other than that--it isn't our main focus.

Today, Miles created his first book, story, illustrations (transcribed by Mama Feelgood) and all. The whole process in making it was super fun to watch and be a part of. It was a bit of a process but he showed a lot of patience in thinking about what he was doing, and also in carrying out his ideas. He insisted that I make a "monster" to include in it also, saying, "we do this together mom." He created his own characters which was exciting for him once he saw the finished pages. But what was more exciting for him was creating the descriptions. And after the book was complete, he was just so proud of what he made, smiling from ear-to-ear and asking his dad and I to read it to him over & over again.


Miles' finished masterpiece.

Carrot Monster!

The Eating-Carrot-Monster!

The Mudd-Monster!

Reading his "Monster Madness" book with dad.


Afterwards, his Uncle Jonah came by for a visit--all the way from Michigan. Last time they seen each other, was when we lived in the presidio and Miles was not even 1.

So what else do we do learning at home? Here's some of what we did today....

Playdoh Making.

Music time w/ dad.

Can't wait til it stops storming. I heard it will be nice tomorrow! We are planning on a trip to Land's End in SF to hike.
Tonight, I will rearrange his nook so that it can be an area for him to access all his art supplies and "home school stuff." Trying to maximize the time I have with him before funemployment ends!

Funny Things They Say

Me: Darrien, what's your dad's name?
Dengs: Eric!
Me: What's your mom's name?
Dengs: Babe!

(While cleaning up all the mess of toys off the ground, overhearing their conversation...)
Miles: First we were hoarders but now we're garbage men!


Dengs: Carwash!!

111 Minna

The other day, Miles was getting smart with me. Giving me lip, and pretty much talking back (already!?! at 4 years old). I talked to him plain and simple, telling him "do not talk back Miles. It's disrespectful, makes people feel bad." He seemed to understand after he apologized and said he wouldn't talk to me like that anymore. Then the following day, Justin and I were arguing over something really silly, anyway, Miles hears us and says, "Mom, don't talk back to dad. You're being disrespectful, makes me mad!" Another reminder, to take my own advice. At least I know he understands what I mean. Haha...

In other news,


Jus will be coming along--which is rare! Still getting my records together but should be a lot of fun since Miles' Ninang Dee and I will be going back and forth, adding some cuts, messing with doubles, and playing some of our favorite records. Hope to see you if you happen to be reading this and are in SF (that means, you Bobawts!). :)

Home School

So far, Miles is enjoying home school. We spend mornings like we use to when he did go to preschool, except he gets to stay in his PJs until we go outside. It's been storming, raining and hailing off and on, so we have made time to observe lightning and count until the thunder follows. I am looking for a new pair of rain boots for him so we can go out in the rain and splash! When it isn't raining, we go outside for nature walks around the grassland areas in our neighborhood, looking for insects and rabbits. But for the most part, he loves watching rain pour and loves drinking hot cocoa to warm up. Such a homebody like his parents! He helps me prepare our breakfast in the morning and then we usually read a few books together. It's been fun for me too! I keep him active all day and he doesn't even think about the TV but says, "Hey home school has a TV!" By the time he goes to bed, he's out for about 12 hours straight. Here's more of what he's been up to at home school:

Creating Stories (influenced by today's current news such as earthquakes in Haiti!).

Coloring away.

Enjoying hot cocoa during the storm.

Learning home skills & having fun cleaning windows!

He loves washing dishes, thank goodness!

Music time in our music room.

Art time with Teacher dad & Darrien.

Free play with Dengs (they were making jelly bean stew!).

Friday Night Session

A very simple but funky way to spend our Friday nights, jamming. Felt so proud to be this 4 year old's mama! And this is just testament to how HIP HOP is universal--all ages, just something so natural and expressive for someone to do! He was having so much fun with it and that's what it's about. "Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun"-Afrika Bambaataa


Miles' ninang Erica (amerriica.podOmatic.com) and I on the Q & A. Then, Miles on the cut at 4:40. Just skratching to his dad's beat.

He felt inclined to hit those ASR keys! Probably cause he sees and hears his dad making beats...


So much fun!

So much to be thankful for...

I'm thankful for this little guy right here...

And I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to rock with all these dope womyn...




My thoughts and prayers go out to all those in Haiti and to all those who have passed on, including Teddy Pendergrass & Vallejo's own Dewey Tucker. Another reminder to focus on what you are blessed with and not on what you don't have. There is always something in our lives to be thankful for.

By the way, you can help the Haiti Earthquake Relief by donating $5 by texting YELE to 501 501 right now (via @wyclef).

Miles' Germ Theory

This was taken a few months ago after he was inspired to create his own 3.5 year-old presentation on bacterial organisms.

This Friday SF!

A dope line up of all the ladies...DJ That Girl, DJ Umami, RRS (DJs Raichous, Roza, Shred One) Feed, and The Deuce (Deeandroid & I)...Miles has been great letting me get records in order during our play breaks ;)

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa Ernie!

This picture makes us happy!

010

Happy new year everyone! Hope you are all off to a great start! New beginnings is what this time of the year is all about, pressing that reset button and approaching life a bit differently. Miles has been super busy spending time with his family and friends. Christmas was a lot of fun for both Dengs and him. Really lucky kid to be spending the holidays with both sets of his grandparents. I'll upload pics later! He is also now 4 years old and had such a good time partying like a little rockstar at his birthday party which ended up being as cracking as a busy night at Skratchpad--minus the alcohol but with the addition of food, 10+ babies and 15+ kids! It was a great way for us to start the year! Thank you to all of you who came and celebrated with us, and to all of you who sent wishes for Miles, and presents. He feels like such a special boy because he gets so much love from all of you--besides all the smothering Justin and I do alone. Ha! We really appreciate Miles' grandparents, both sets, who helped to plan and prepare for the big shindig. Such a blessing--we are grateful. Right now, Miles is in Vegas--went on a road trip with his grandma Rosy, gramma Susan, and Papa to see his great grandmother & great grandfather (it's his birthday Thursday too!). But for now here are a few I got from cellphone cams...


After the clock striked midnight--all of us jumping up and down with coins in hand for the new year (very superstitious writing on the wall!), we surprised Miles with a small cake! He was the happy birthday big boy!


Isagani (all the way from the LBC), Kuya Andre, Miles, & Aaron--the new Mickey mousekateers

And here's to making our dreams happen this year!!