At Home With MrsC

Summer so far

April 23, 2015 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 13 Comments

Fact: I have been too busy to blog. In a good way, of course. It only means that I’ve been making and collecting memories to write about.

What an April this has been. While it’s been a quiet month on the blog, my Instagram and Facebook feeds have been buzzing with activity, from birthdays to homecomings, to super fun trips.

Post-meeting meryenda at Kuppa BGC — Post-meeting *meryenda* at Kuppa BGC

No-school days only means that the little boy comes with me most everywhere I go, and since the summer break started at the end of March, he’s come along to a few meetings, an event, and meetings turned play dates (where the mommies talk and the kids play.)

He has also had his share of fun with friends – Hours of play at his classmates’ and cousins’ houses, and his surprise birthday swimming party, which the whole family successfully managed to keep a secret until the very last moment. Yay!

Surprise swimming party = success! Happy birthday to my big baby, Little MrC! ❤ #PhotoGrid

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Apr 11, 2015 at 1:41am PDT

Holy week for us meant quiet time to prepare for the storm that was to come. By storm I mean the homecoming of MrC’s dad, aka Lolo Bandel. My in-laws live in California, so it isn’t often that they get to spend time with the kiddo. Lolo Bandel decided that he didn’t want to miss out on another summer vacation with his one and only grandson (yes, he is the only one on both sides,) so he flew 16 hours, halfway around the world to spend April with us.

This little kiddie really waited for his Lolo Bach to arrive before finally going to sleep. Good morning, night shifters!

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Apr 7, 2015 at 11:29am PDT

Because our home sweet home isn’t ready yet, spending time with the Cuyugan side of the family means sleeping over in Far Far Away, otherwise known as Cainta, where my sister-in-law lives. When we’re there, I am basically unable to drive anywhere because drivers beyond Makati scare the bejesus out of me. On the upside, it gives me the chance to spend time in places that I normally find too far away to go to, like Eastwood Mall. When in Eastwood Mall, I go shopping at Scribe Writing Essentials, and that’s always a happy thing. Hello, Cocoiro!

When in Eastwood, shop at Scribe. More #Cocoiro, more fun! #HoarderProblems #PenAddict

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Apr 9, 2015 at 12:39am PDT

As a treat to Lolo Bandel, MrC booked a staycation for us at Hotel H2O, which is still one of the little boy’s favorite places. It’s always fun watching the fish swim by in he Aqua Room’s aquarium wall, and this was something that the mag-lolo got to do a lot in their shared room.

mrspcuyugan — Sleeping with the fishies and Lolo

Lolo, on the other hand, surprised us all with a trip to Hong Kong, complete with Disneyland and Ocean Park tours. Oh the joy! As we were looking at our trip photos, MrC told me that I looked the most excited in happy in all of them.

It’s been years since the one and only time I’ve traveled abroad, so this vacation is long overdue and much appreciated. The funny thing is, that one trip I went on before was also to Hong Kong, back when I was 9.

This week, we are all catching up on rest and work, and luckily I’ve managed to squeeze in a few minutes to blog. More stories coming soon, but for now, please follow my IG page if you’re interested to see what else we will be up to in the next few weeks.

Now tell me how your summer has been so far. I’d love to hear your stories!

The Block Party

April 1, 2015 by Little MrC 15 Comments

This is the first of a series of guest posts by Little MrC. As part of his writing practice, I ask him to write about things we do each day. As an incentive to get him to write well, I promised I would publish some of his works in a special section on the blog. For this post, even the photos used were taken by the little boy. I hope that you enjoy reading his story. -MrsC

The Block Party

On Saturday there was a block party. Me, my mommy, Tita Joei, Lola and Ninong came.

In there was booths. I bought badges in one booth. My mom bought other things.

I got thirsty so we went to the food area. I bought a milk shake. It was super good.

Then my dad came after. It was a very cool day.

– Written by Little MrC on March 30, 2015

End the R word.

March 27, 2015 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 16 Comments

This is Gelli. I haven’t known her very long, but already she has touched my heart.

#Gellibean #ootd #saltwatersandals Look @christinedychiao! They finally fit!!! #changingthefaceofbeauty #downsyndrome

A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Mar 9, 2015 at 8:32pm PDT

I met her at a birthday party, where her mom and I were sharing a table. I remember that she danced all afternoon, and I’m pretty sure that she enjoyed the music so much. That, and being around all the hyperactive kids at the party.

I saw her again a few weeks later at her house. Turns out that she and I are neighbors! My mom was with me, and Gelli looked at us, waved hello and smiled a shy smile.

I think that the first time Gelli and I really bonded was during the Bento Mommas workshop I attended at their house. After the class, while everyone was shopping for bento tools and having snacks, she and I sat under the table in her mom’s yoga room, playing and eating Oreos. I think I had more fun than she did that afternoon.

My playmate this morning! #Gellibean A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Nov 28, 2014 at 7:10pm PST

After that day, I’d really look forward to seeing her whenever I’d come to visit. I brought her some of Little MrC’s old Sesame Street board and popup books once because I know she loves Elmo. Right away, she ripped Oscar the Grouch off a page, looked at me and said, “Uh-oh”. I couldn’t stop laughing.

I was so excited for MrC to finally meet her last month during our Valentine’s game night. He spent a good half hour sitting on the floor with her, playing with plastic bottles. He loves kids, and we don’t have a daughter (yet?), so he has extra extra fun whenever he gets to hang out with a baby girl. I loved watching him make Gelli laugh, and boy did she laugh at all of his antics!

She does this thing when anyone’s about to leave her, where she says “Bye” then “Wait!” with her hand straight out, stopping you in your tracks. It’s a fun game we’ve played many times, and I not-so-secretly look forward to her asking me not to go, each and every time.

She escaped! #Gellibean

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Nov 28, 2014 at 10:58pm PST

One of the most important things I have learned from Gelli is to think before I open my mouth. Imagine that, 30 years her senior, and I’m the one who’s learning from this little kiddo.

Once upon a time, I would use words like the R word, and its siblings, two A words, as an insult to others. Then, a few weeks ago I was tasked to write an article about things you shouldn’t say to a special needs parent.

While doing my research, I found on this post on Momma ‘N Manila, and I just ended up in tears after reading. It made me feel both sad and guilty about those bad names I’d called people in the past.

Becoming friends with Michelle, Gelli and their entire family has really put things into perspective for me. I don’t know why it took me so long to do this, but today I pledged my support to help spread the word to end the R-word. I think owe it to Gelli.

So, Mish, can I be on #TeamGellibean now? And I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your permission to borrow Gelli’s photo. I wanted this post to be a surprise. 🙂

If you guys want to pledge to spread the word to end the R word too, just click here. Every person counts!

Well hello there, my beautiful neglected blog

March 9, 2015 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 11 Comments

Fact: Ever since the year started I have not been in the mood to blog.

Why so? Well, I really don’t know.

It could be that I’m suffering from the blogging burnout that a lot of my close blogger friends were complaining about at the end of 2014. Maybe it has nothing to do with the blog, but it’s more about not wanting to write in general. I still write every day, after all that’s what I do for a living, so maybe I just am all written out. That’s a sad thought, though, so I think I will choose not to believe it.

I definitely have no shortage of things to write about, so it’s not that either. My long list of topics and pending post submissions will tell you as much. At the same time, as days go by I keep adding more new topics to that already long list. Not that I’m complaining. It only means that I have been living my life, and that is a good thing for sure.

For whatever reason, my writing mojo seems to have taken an early summer vacation, and I’m not too happy about it. I need for it to come back, stat. So now the question is, where to begin? The answer there is simple – here and now.

So hello, I am back. I’ve finally transferred photos from January and February to my computer from my camera, and that is a good first step. Just to give you a sneak peek (and as a reminder to myself), here’s a quick rundown of what I should be writing about soon:

Family dinners at Butamaru and Your Local, brunches/lunches at Wildflour and Meat Depot, a coffee break at Toby’s Estate, my birthday dinner at home, and a roundup of my January-February lunchboxes.

Our relaxing Sofitel staycation, the DMC Handcrafted Fair, our fun night out watching the Paddington movie, super fun Valentine game night with friends, and the Stabilo afternoon tea party.

Our amazing Boracay weekend and our friends Apple and Quincy’s gorgeous beach wedding, complete with the most perfect sunset.

My first-ever attempt to invite people to #craftambay, the #crafternoons that Michelle and I have in the pipeline for this year, my yarn addiction and how I hope to cure it, and my goal to give away one crocheted item each month on IG (which I’ve already technically failed at because there was none for February!)

Finally, and still a work in progress, our much awaited, highly anticipated, dream come true new house, and how we will slowly but surely turn it into a home.

Life has been great, and it’s gonna continue to be great. I can’t wait to share each of these stories with you guys.

Now make me kwento. What amazing things have been going on in your lives these past few weeks? 🙂

Anxious anticipation

February 16, 2015 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 3 Comments

Just as I expected, February 1 brought in a fresh wave of my annual birthday blues. Never fails, I am moody, excitable, lazy, proactive, wanting to move but wanting to sleep, all at the same time, just as I am every year. In short, I turn into one big walking contradiction once my birthday draws near.

This year, though, there’s something new. I add anxiously anticipating to my already long list of emotions heightened by birthday blues. I’ve asked the universe (and MrC hehehe) for quite a spectacular birthday present, and I’m just waiting to see if things will fall into place. Cross your fingers for me that they do, pretty please? 🙂

#Birthday #wishlist

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Feb 12, 2015 at 6:24pm PST

So this post is really nothing but a random brainfart just to let you guys know that I’m still here, hoping to write soon but being emo in the meantime. I have so much kwento to share, but my brain just can’t focus on organizing my thoughts just yet.

You guys make me kwento instead. What have you guys been up to lately? Any major goals, dreams and aspirations in sight this year? Tell me about it, and let’s hope, wish and pray for them all to come true together. 🙂

MrsC makes art

January 28, 2015 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 5 Comments

MrsC makes art. You read that right, people! Who woulda thought it was possible???

Let me explain. I am a self-proclaimed artistically challenged individual. Though, truth be told, my friends Dette and Racquel tell me otherwise, and that’s part of why I love them. Lol. These two ~~pressure~~ encourage me to doodle, explore and create. They know how much I love my pens, and they often remind me to do something with them. As in just go ahead make something.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I took a leap of faith in myself and my (still nonexistent, in my opinion) art skills. I decided to paint. Over the holidays my cousins and I decided to get together for an afternoon of art while the Pope was in Manila. What would we paint? The Pope, of course! And so we did.

So today my siblings, cousins and I decided to be artsy together. #OhanaMeansFamily

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on Jan 15, 2015 at 9:23pm PST

Let it be known that this was the first time I’ve ever painted on canvas. Also, the last time I used acrylic was in grade school when we were asked to paint a clay vase as part of our Art Class in Zobel. That was more than 15 years ago, possibly even 20 years. I’ve never taken formal art lessons, and I think it shows. But to tell you the truth, I’m pretty proud of myself for my finished product. I think it’s pretty cute!

And here it is.

Diba it’s cute naman? I just really wanted to share this with you guys because being able to actually paint something was such a milestone first for me. Oh, and I wasn’t the only first time painter there. Little MrC joined in on the fun as well, but he chose to paint something other than the Pope.

Now, I thought I’d also share what I feel were the two best paintings that day. They win because they are the only two who really made an effort to paint the Pope, and also because they are actually really good. One is my brother’s (as in my ultimate source of art insecurity, next to my artistic mother), and the other belongs to his girlfriend, Mel.

We all had so much fun hanging out that day, and my cousins and I hope to get together again soon to make more fun things together. I’m actually quite excited to try painting something new, just so I can prove to myself that this wasn’t just a fluke, and I can actually create art.

How would you rate your artistic abilities? On a scale of preschooler to expert, where would you be? Tell me in the comments! 🙂