Body Talk

Iya, my smart (Ms. Smartypants!  Haha!) and precocious niece saw me running after chasing Ate (being a curious 2-year old that she is) during a family dinner. . . then she said:

Iya: Alam mo Tata, pag nasa States ka na, puwede kang mag-work out kasi dami kang babantayan (having two kids).  Magiging sexy ka.

Me:  *Ouch!  Haha!*

         Bakit hindi ba ako sexy?

Iya: *Smiling* 

        Sexy!  Ibig ko sabihin MAS magiging sexy ka kapag mag work-out ka.

(Good answer!  Your parents taught you well, haha!)

Oh well, as they say, if you want to hear the truth, you have to get it from kids!

Time to diet!!!

Ate with her Cousins
(Iya, being the eldest among them is the leader of the pack)

Our Private Tutor

Iya, my 6 year old niece dropped by this afternoon so I told her to teach Ate some things.  (Then I went on to tell her what to ask/teach Ate) 

This is what happens when you hire a 6-yr old tutor:

Iya:  What is the name of your teacher?

Ate:  Pauuuu (Ate got it right)

I:      How many years old are you? (I told her what the right question was)

I:      (Take Two) - How old are you?

A:     Twooo (and Ate even raised two of her fingers to show what's "two")

I:      What's your name?

A:     No answer

I:       It's Ja-ni-na  - Say JA

A:     JA

I:      NI

A:    NI

I:     NA

A:    NA

I:     Janina!

A:   Twoooo 

I:     Nooooo. . . again, again

Repeat this several times, haha!  

And after a few trys, Ate did say her name. . ."NANANA"

Until our next lesson Iya!

Another dose of Laughter

Image from www.sodahead.com

We usually have family dinners (us and my Mom's side of the family) every week.  I love family dinners because besides having an excuse to eat (heehee), it's nice to just catch up with everyone.

My sister-in-law (SIL) shared a story about Iya, our precocious 6-yr old niece.  Just like any kid these days, Iya is smart.  Well okay, she is an adult trapped in a body of a 6-yr old!  Haha!

Before I proceed, just want to give you one fact because this fits in the story I'm about to tell you.  Her Mom is an OB-GYN doctor so at a young age, she has been exposed to her mother's profession and clearly understands what it's all about.

One day, she was bitten by ants in their garden.  But since she is sort of sensitive (or allergic?) to ant bites, her foot got swollen that she can't walk properly and was crying over it.  

SIL:  Umiiyak ka sa ganyan lang, eh paano pa kung manganganak ka ng Normal delivery?

Iya (crying):  Hu-hu-hu . . . e di Caesarean na lang.

Hahaha!  (Yes, she really knows the difference between the two)

In the same dinner, a cousin of mine (let's call her Rianna) brought her boyfriend and introduced him to the family for the first time. 

Iya asked her Mom two things:

"Mama, Boyfriend ni Tita Rianna iyan?"

and the most important question of all . . .

"Alam ba ni Lola Z iyan?" (Lola Z is Rianna's mom)

Haha!  The kid has a point! 

So to my Sister-In-Law, never fear, at least you know that Iya would tell you such when her time comes!  (Let's see about that!  Heehee)

Last week, after spending a few days of vacation with her cousins (from my SIlL's side) . . .she told her parents that she likes an I-pad. . .  para makapag-Twitter daw siya with her cousins!

And I don't even use Twitter!  Haha!

I hope your day went well =)

Wishing everyone a good weekend. . . .full of hearty laughs!

Bath Time!

I was going through my blog posts' "Draft" folder when I saw this Iya (my niece) story that I forgot to publish.  This happened when she was 5 years old.  

One day, I picked her from school and when we reached their house, her Nanny (who was then cooking lunch for the household) opened the gate and got her from the car.

Iya: Ate, hindi ka pa naliligooo!!!  

      Amoy kamatis kaaa (she actually meant "ginisa"). . . . and after a split second, she said. . .

      PERO MABANGOOOO!!!
   
I guess she cares for her SO MUCH that she doesn't want to offend her . . . or could it be that she just really loves the smell of the kitchen?!!  Haha!

Summer Love

Another Iya story to share =) 

 My younger sister went to Boracay (also called "Bora" by locals, a small island located in the South of the Philippines which is known for its beaches) over the weekend with her friends. 

Photo source: www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

Yesterday, Iya thought of calling her Nang-nang (that's what she calls my sister).

Iya: Tata, can I use your phone?

Me: Why?

Iya: Tatawagan ko si Nang-nang, tanong ko sa kanya kung nakakita na siya ng boyfriend sa Bora

      (I'll call Nang-nang to ask her if she already found a boyfriend in Bora) 

So if you're single, Boracay might be a good place to find love, you'll never know!  Haha!

Well, I didn't find love in Boracay, I brought mine =)  

Boracay 2009

Have a nice weekend!  Ready for Summer?!

Our First Princess

Iya, my 6- year old niece, is the first grandchild in my side of the family.  I have blogged about some Iya stories before which included our "chubby" conversation and about love and sharing =).  She even gave me some travel tips for toddlers before the Little One and I left for LA last September.  

She is growing up to be such a smart and sweet little girl who loves her parents SO MUCH!  How much?!

So much that one day, she told her parents that she won't get married so they can all be together FOREVER!  (Okay, i'm giving her a few more years and we'll see about that, haha!)

She is also a responsible achi (it means "oldest sister" in Hokkien) to her siblings.  Knowing that her younger brother has stopped drinking milk, this is what she had to say:

"Shoti, dapat drink ka ng milk para di ka mamatay ng maaga."

(Shoti, you should drink milk so you won't die early.)  

She took up a number of classes (like dancing and piano) that she has developed a certain level of  confidence.   When a boy classmate told her "you're a little bit fat". . . she just shrugged it off and didn't mind at all.  (And I told her that she isn't fat at all!)   

Last Valentine's Day, she made a card for her parents . . .

Unedited
Dear Mom and Dad,  I love you so mush and I will shere my money to you
and Happy Valentines Day!  Love Iya

Yes, she has also learned that Sharing is Caring!  (I hope she shares her money with everyone in our family!  Haha!)

Thank you Iya for making us laugh and for sharing with us your wisdom and learnings.  =)

'Til the next Iya story . . . 

Just another Iya story

As the day ends, I would like to share with you a funny story about my 5 yr old niece, Iya.

Classes were suspended today because of the continuous rains brought by typhoon Gener.  I called Iya's Dad (my brother) to tell him something and Iya was the one who answered the phone:

Iya: Hello. . .

Me: Hi Iya!  

Iya: Hi Ta-ta! (That's what she calls me)

Me: Is your dad there?

Iya: Yes

Me:  Can I talk to your dad please.  Hey, you don't have classes today! 
*me sounding excited and happy because she gets to stay home today*

Iya: Yes. . . and I'm  so SAD 

(She really was!)

Photo Source

Yes, you read that right!  She's sad that she didn't go to school today. . . . I think she gets bored at home, haha!

I'm happy that she loves going to school.  I hope and pray she doesn't change, that she will always have that passion and eagerness to learn . . .and one more thing I like her to learn that's important. . .when you work hard, you also have to play hard! =)

Goodnight everyone and please say a prayer for everyone's safety, especially those who are greatly affected by the typhoon.

Time to catch some Zzzzzsss . . .Night, night!

Travel tips from a 5-yr old

Zola's Dad went back to the US a couple of weeks ago . . .it's sad to see him leave (again) but the thought that we will be seeing him in September (our turn to visit him) somehow made saying our goodbyes easier.  Visiting him in LA is something the Little One and I are looking forward to!  But there is one thing I'm worried about right now (just thinking about it makes me anxious) is . . .travelling with my 1 year old!  (Yes, it's just me and the Little One!)     

Photo Source

She was manageable (she really did good!) during our 8 hr road trip to Ilocos but to be in a 12 hour flight is another story.  I've started reading mommy blogs on their travel experiences with their toddlers.  Based from what I've read, one thing I did right was to get the Little One her own seat! Haha!  And if there's one thing I hope and pray for. . .is we get to sit next to understanding and patient passengers. . . .who love kids, who would understand a curious toddler who won't sit still and I hope I don't get the "evil eye" when the Little One becomes fussy (please Lord, no tantrums please) .


I am also thankful to my 5 year old niece, Iya, who gave me some "travel tips" (her own).  According to her:

1) Do not feed the baby when you are in plane so she won't throw up. (My dear baby girl, NO throwing up pls., haha!)

2) Give her Benadryl . . . EVERY HOUR! (Gasp! *Mouth wide open*)

3) Before you go out of the plane, your passport should be ready. (Makes sense)

Thank you Iya, I'll keep these in mind. . .though I have to check with the Pediatrician about Benadryl, haha!

For now, wish me (us!) luck!  I'm sure that flying with the Little One is going to be an adventure (that I'm looking forward to) and a challenge (I'm willing to take!).

The Little One playing in her Papa's luggage (while he was packing)

She's Baaacck!

It's been a while since I posted something about Iya, Zola's 5yr old cousin.  I've posted about our "chubby" conversation (and a few more about other stuff) before.  Well, now that she's a little bit older (and wiser!), she has learned what chubby is . . .and what is another word for it. . . FAT!

She was spending the day with us today and I noticed that she has become thinner (because she got taller).  My Dad noticed it too.

And this was how our conversation went . . .

Dad: Iya, dapat magpakataba ka pa ha
     
Me: Oo nga Iya, dapat kahit kaunti, pataba ka naman.
     
Iya (turning to me): Kasing-taba MO?


(Ouch!  Just in case you don't know, I'm a plus-size! heehee. . . 


Me: (Speechless, with my mouth wide open) Hindi naman, slight lang!  (And with a raised brow, Hmph!  Haha!)


Oh well. . . Kids do say the darndest things. . . and the truth! Haha!

Hope you're having a good weekend!  =)

Love according to Iya

Here is another post on Iya (Zola's cousin) which is really heartwarming.  She had this sweet conversation with my dad (she calls him "Cong-cong" which means grandfather in Chinese)

Iya: Cong-Cong, ilang taon ka na?  (Cong-Cong, how old are you?)

CC: 73 

Iya: Sana umabot ka ng 100 years old  (I hope you reach 100 years old)

CC: Bakit naman?  (Why?)

Iya: Kasi love kita  (Because I love you)

Awwww. . . . *heart is melting*

As my dad said, these are the simple joys in life that money can't buy.

All of us define love in different ways.  For Iya, at a young age, I guess it means having to live for a century so you can just spend more time with the people you love and care about.  

Wishing everyone a LOVEly week ahead!

Spread some Loving. . . . =) 

Who's "chubby"?

Yes, Zola's cousin is back!  This is another Iya post =)

Earlier today, we were in the car waiting for my sister when Iya and I had this conversation:

Iya: Ta-ta, alam mo ba ibig sabihin ng chubby? (Ta-ta, do you know what chubby means?)

(Uh-oh. . .I'm bracing myself for what's to come. . . you know how some kids already know what "FAT" is at a young age. . . and I've had my share of 5 yr olds who tell me that I am!)

Me: So, ano ibig sabihin ng chubby? (So what does it mean?)

(I was crossing my fingers hoping this conversation would stop)

Iya: Ibig sabihin, cute and malambing. (It means cute and sweet.)

Me: Ano pa? (What else?)

Iya: Wala na, yun lang. (Nothing, that's it.)

Me: (Relieved! and now with a big grin on my face) 
       Ah okay. . .So chubby ako? (Ok, so I'm chubby?)

Iya: Oo (Yes)

Well, I got to give it to her, this chubby conversation didn't hurt at all, haha!

Oh yes, I'm chubby. . . in Iya's eyes and mine --- LOL

Iya and me in one of our sleepovers (when I was still pregnant)
This is our "morning look"

      

Zola's Cousin and Sharing

Zola's cousins - Iya and Joshua

I've told you about Zola's cousin, Iya, in an earlier post . . . .well, this is another "Iya story" (you'll probably be reading more about her in the future again).

We were watching a local variety show hosted by a local actor when we had this conversation:

Me: Iya, sino pinaka-gusto mo sa mga hosts diyan?

Iya: Ummm. . . si John Estrada and Matteo

Me: Ay pareho tayo, ako din gusto ko si John!

(She doesn't actually like it when you have the same choice as hers so I was kind of expecting her to tell me to pick another host.)

Iya: Ta-ta, sige, SHARE na lang tayo kay John Estrada

LOL

I was happy that she takes by heart the value of "Sharing".  I guess being the eldest among 3 siblings helped in teaching her the importance of sharing.

But I took a mental note that when she reaches the appropriate age, I will tell her that . . . .

"Sharing is good . . . .but NOT when it comes to your man."

Well, just being a good and dutiful aunt here looking out for her best interest.

Haha! =)