Art Smart

For her homework, Laila was asked to draw an activity the family does together. This is what she drew.

As a testament to how physically active we are as a family, she sketched the TV (with Barbie in horsieland on the screen), the PS2 console, the couch and a tableful of food. Of course, Ngatngat and Yamot, the guinea pigs, were there too.

Ok, so we're not very into physical activities. I'm even discouraged right now against too much walking. Go figure. But we used to be active. We would go to the QC Memorial Circle every Sunday to jog.

But going back to Laila's artwork.

I just can't believe the details! The people she drew weren't even the stick figures you'd expect from a 5-year old; they have flesh.

And see that woman on the left? Yes it's me. Notice anything different from the other figures? I've got curves! No, not boobies. They're not even hips.

'That's Baby Bwuder,' Laila told me as she scribbled the semi-circle at both sides of my torso.

Laila's keen on details I wouldn't even put in the drawing if I was asked to draw it.

She put in the controls at the PS2 console. She also remembered to include the circular design of the dining table's iron frame.

Party for five

My baby turned 5 yesterday. And, boy, is she proud of it.

And, this early, she's set her sights on turning 6. Why, you ask? Because turning 6 would bring her closer to being 7--the age I told her she can have those funky shoes with wheels attached to them.

But that's going ahead of the story.

Baby Cat's birthday celebration began Saturday when we had the house blessed. Only family was there. And her Ninong Gerard who successfully found the house with minimal directions given.

Ate Michelle gave her a huge Minnie Mouse balloon. It slipped from her hand and flew away in under 10 minutes. She refused to have the string tied around her wrist, afraid that the balloon would fly away with her. She wasn't distraught, though, since she's proven that a balloon not tied on her wrist will not fly away with her.

The next celebration was in school. We brought mocha cake with a Cinderella figurine and chocolate drinks for recess.

The kids seemed to enjoy singing Happy Birthday and buzzing by me as I sliced the cake more than they did the actual eating part. Laila didn't even have a slice. Instead, she chose to eat her baon of rice and lambot meat (tocino). (It's so like her to pass up on the cake hehehehe)

Then that afternoon, she had her friends over for a cake and ice cream party!

Siblings Drew and Baste came over, as well as busmates Xander and Darlene. Daddy Cat was home supervising the party. He says it was chaos. I think that afternoon convinced him that he doesn't want as many kids himself.

First, Daddy Cat was lighting the candles for Laila to blow out, but Xander blew them out ahead. Then Laila prematurely blew the candles before he could take a picture of her.

Then Baste saw his three Hulk action figures and wanted to play with them. Baste also wanted to play with various knick-knacks buried deep in the bottom of Laila's toy box.

Of course, you have 5 little munchkins so there's bound to be tension. The kids fought over blocks, which they promptly forgot 20 seconds later.

I called the house and I could hear the ruckus. Daddy took pictures of the scene so he's got proof.

Daddy and Laila picked me up from work that night. On the drive home, Laila asked me is she's 5 already.

When I answered yes, here's her next commentary (in her sweet, sweet tone): 'Bakit hindi pa ako tumubo? Hindi ko na-feel nag-grow ako.'

Where she gets these thoughts, I have no idea. Only a little kid would come up with statements like that.

She also said something about turning 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. I know she was thinking of all the things and tricks I told her big kids can do. The shoes with wheels for instance. And being allowed to ice skate. But I just want to stay in this moment, when she's big enough to communicate and understand yet still a baby enough to let herself be babied by me.

Love you Baby Cat.