First Day of School

Today was Miles' first day back in preschool in teacher Beth's & Sarah's class. It was a little challenging to get him up early--he's use to sleeping in until 10--but we did it! He had an easy morning, being happily greeted by his buddy, Deonte, and also by one of his first friends, Nigel. He was a bit disappointed to find that his other homie, Amir (he calls him Ameera), is no longer at his school. But he also learned of his new classmate sharing the same name! Teacher Beth told me later that the other students were confused, "Why do we have another Miles, we already have a Miles?!" You gotta love the things these kids say!

Our whole family is pretty much adjusting to these new routines. I have to relearn how to focus in class and not day dream. I'm not really looking forward to a whole semester of microbiology (and a speech class, yuck!), even if it is my last semester before applying to the nursing program. I still got ways to go (2 years of a program--and even more if I want to become a midwife!). Can I do it? Will I do it? Well, I guess I have been doing it these past couple years, handling these darn prereqs. I need some inspiration asap--and also sometime to work on music--finish this mixtape that is almost done. My schedule is pretty crazy..I don't know how I did it last semester, or the ones before that. I really don't know how any parent does it?! I'd say this right here, blogging (& processing) is pretty much my down time for the whole day! Give thanks!

Miles' story time before he goes to sleep--is also my down time. After taking him a bath, helping him brush his teeth & changing into PJs etc., --it's reading time (so relaxing after a long day!) It's even more relaxing for me because the past couple nights, Miles insists that he reads to me (I just lay there)! I'm not kidding! He practically remembers word for word what is on the pages of his favorite books. Tonight, he read Knuffle Bunny Too. I usually ask him to pick 3 books...but he insisted he wanted to read Knuffle Bunny 3x's. So I was for it! Besides reading each page, and describing everything he sees--from the expression on Trixie's face "she looks so mad!", to the details of the pictures, "It looks so real but it's a cartoon too Mommy," he also likes to re-enact certain parts. He grabs the ear of his favorite stuffed animal, Bear, and holds it over to me and says, "This is NOT my bear," replacing Knuffle for Bear and Trixie for Miles. It's pretty much my night time entertainment and wind down time, a real treat at the end of a busy day!



There is light at the end of this long week...Miles' dad will be spinning once again at Freestyle Sessions in L.A. I really wish we made this a family trip! So many DJs around the world would love to spin at this event! Shoot, I would love to! This is perfect for Justin who seriously needs some Hiphop in his life after all this graveyard shiftin'...


But I booked a gig the same weekend so maybe next year. DJin' from 10 to 1:30 w/ Miles' Ninang Dee. If you're free Saturday--hit me up for the guestlist ;)

L.A. Bound Pt.2

The much anticipated road trip began pretty early for Miles but he was happy to go...


Got to the hotel but Darrien & Miles were ready to party.


They were trying to take off without us.


Dengs made sushi for the party.


Aunty Cheryl wanted a sushi hook up!


The boys preferred hot sushi, deciding to microwave it.


We Sang Happy Birthday to Lucy!


Honk! Honk!


We love you Lucy!


Nothing beats chocoalate cakes x bubbles!


Getting all sugared up! (Aw, my nephew is such a cutie, wouldn't you agree?!)


Lucy, Teresa, & soon-to-be baby bro (Lucy wanted to name him "control changer").



After cake was presents time...


And then the sugar kicked in and they were bouncing off the walls.


Back to the hotel and ready to swim (so they could get tired, and we could go to sleep?!).


Water-winged super heroes to the rescue!


The next day we stopped by Lucy's for brunch so the cousins could hang out.


They were happy to hold each other's hands.


Jengs x Dengs at Brunch.


After brunch, we were back on I-5 (thanks for driving Aunty Cheryl!)


Darrien was happy to go home :) (I love this boy's smile!)

Mama Feel Good x Ninang Diane on Built From Skratch

A Parent Job Description (via email by Gramma)

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
permanent work in an
often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include ev enings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility..

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE 'THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Subway Art

Miles has claimed our graffiti books and magazines as his, spending his reading time quietly studying each page. As he was flipping through Subway Art by Martha Cooper last night, he suggested we have art time--usually something we do during the day. Luckily, we had saved cardboard boxes and random things we would normally throw away in an effort to be more "green" and recycle. It's pretty fun to think of things we can make out of an old box, turning "nothing" into "something"--Hip Hop steez. I figured that I could cover up an old ziploc box with paper and draw windows, making it into a subway train and Miles could then go to town with it. It was a pretty fun project:


He was diggin' these trains.


He covered up the ziploc box with paper and glue.


Then, stuffed it with old tissue wrapper saved from gifts.


After I drew in doors & windows, he went to town.


And got down on the top after he bombed all sides!


His first train at 3.5 years old!

He is so proud of his train and was so excited to show his dad when he got home from work.

Road Trip to L.A.

Miles and Darrien went on their first road trip together to attend their cousin Lucy's 4th Birthday party (thanks to Aunty Cheryl the planner!). They actually did pretty good in car (no break downs, tantrums) on our way to L.A., considering how long the drive was--in toddler time--it was FOREVER. I'd say a rule of thumb for traveling with toddlers would be to pack a DVD player, a bunch of favorite cartoons, crayons, markers, coloring books, books, favorite toys, a surprise toy, and a bunch of snacks. Aunty Jen and I pretty much held out on giving these things until it was absolutely necessary--when they grew antsy and bored. Oh, and another important item would be music! Michael Jackson and the Dino 5 changed these boys moods instantly. Dino 5 is the album I play in the car when Miles is either grouchy, tired, or even when I just need peace & quiet. It works like a charm! Parents--buy that album (or holler at me and I'll make you a copy).

The boys were pretty excited to stay in a loft hotel room and were even more excited to go to Lucy's party. For the most part, they played in Lucy's room with all her toys. It was heaven for all the kids--especially Dengs who was pretty busy microwaving wooden sushi pieces. Surprisingly, they didn't care much about the jumper. Miles' favorite part was singing 'happy birthday' to his cousin Lucy and going to town on the delicious chocolate cake. My favorite part was all that good grub and the sangria! All in all, I'm so glad we were able to finally celebrate my nieces birthday with her. Miles now understands how far Lucy lives afterall (he use to think she lived in Napa!). It was also good to see Tom & Teresa (& baby in the womb) and have a quick getaway from the Bay. Kid parties are the best! The next day, Miles insisted on wearing that birthday hat and Dengs kept asking to go to another party, partying must be in the blood. Anyway, I'll post up more pictures later but for now enjoy these (via Aunty Teresa):


Lucy rolls deep!


Happy Birthday Lucy!


Getting down with the get down, one of the best chocolate cakes ever.

Q & A with the Boy.

What's your favorite thing to do?
-Play outside.
What's your favorite color?
-Black, white, & green.
What's your favorite cartoon?
-Wow Wow Wubbzy.
What's your favorite restaurant?
-Rubio's here. Zippy's in Hawaii.
What's your favorite toy?
-Transformers.
What's the funnest thing you've ever done so far in your life?
-I'm not sure.
What do you like to do in preschool?
-Climb the stuff.
What are your buddies' names?
-Deonte & Amir & Deng Deng.
What's your favorite food?
-Chicken katsu, orange, bananas
What's your favorite book?
-Giraffes Can't Dance.
What's your favorite music?
- James Brown.
What's your favorite thing to do w/ Dengs?
-Throw rocks in the water.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
-A man.
What kind of job do you want to have?
-Science.
What's your favorite planet?
-Saturn.

A Manic Monday....

...calls for some much needed art time. The boy had to unleash some of his energy onto pieces of paper w/ scissors and glue. He is actually getting pretty good at using his safety scissors.


His favorite part was pouring on the glue.


Then sticking them on, recycling his old art for new...




But of course he wanted to draw a picture of a "character." This one is for his cousin, Lucy, who just turned 4.

Happy Birthday Lucy, we'll see you Saturday!

And after a day of playing outside, blowing bubbles, reading under the sun, and grocery shopping...we had our Cadabes Crew breakin' session....




while Afrika Bambaata killed it on XM radio!! I am inspired for this week's gigs, tomorrow is gonna be fresh w/ Teeko, Max Kane, & Malaguti on the analog tip...



and Friday @ Elbo Room with so many dope artsits, including DJ Soul Sister (diggin' Queen! found out about her from Wax Poetics)


Have a good week fam...

His First Dentist Trip

He doesn't know what's coming to him!

Miles had a very special visit to the dentist today. It was his first time going and luckily had a private session because the dentist was his Aunty Cheryl aka Awts. But let me just call her "Dr. Elacio" for this entry. I knew beforehand he would do ok since he let Dr. Elacio check out his grill and pick his teeth a week or so ago. If anything, his inquisitive mind was interested in this new experience. He loved the chair which Dr. Elacio told him it was like a robot chair, moving him up and down on it. He also was intriqued by the x-ray camera that moved like a robot. And when Dr. Elacio put on her special flashlight/binoculars--he looked like he was thinking, "what the?" But relaxed and followed directions accordingly.

The dentist was pretty good at getting Miles to follow directions using toddler/kid talk, peep game:


Dr. Elacio: That's Mr. Thirsty. He sucks up your saliva./ Miles: What's saliva? (he's use to the Tagalog word "laway")


Dr. Elacio: Do you want to try to kiss Mr. Thirsty?



Dr. Elacio: Open your mouth wide like a lion! Let me count each tooth...

Thank you Aunty Cheryl for making his first dental experience a comfortable, exciting and fun one! He was so excited about the electric toothbrush that he begged to buy the spongebob one he saw at Target and as soon as he got home--the first thing he did was brush his teeth!

Oldie but goodie

Found this one on Aunty Xtina's facebook and started cracking up!


It's birthday weekend over here and last night we had a delicious Indian dinner for Uncle Rube's 21st birthday @ Saffron Grill on Fulton, such a cute intimate restaurant. I always passed by this spot on my way down to Aunty Lea's old pad but never tried it. Anyway, the waitress was so sweet--she gave Miles a bottle of the mango juice before we left. Miles was so happy--he felt like he hit the jackpot and as soon as he got up this morning, he asked, "Where's my mango juice?"

Weekends are always so relaxing when Justin's home and playing with Miles. I can officially be off duty for a while. I headed to SF once again for another birthday but this one was for the home girl, Sheila. Had some good food and good laughs and drove back home feeling refreshed. It's always nice to be surrounded by dope women--not to mention funny ones!


Happy Birthday Sheels! (via Irene's twitter)