Dear Xavier - Age 7

Dear Xavier,

Seven!  Can you believe it?  Another year older and another year wiser.  And, yes, you are most definitely wise and inquisitive.  You ask thoughtful, challenging questions and truly want to know more about everything.  As both your teacher and your mom, there have been countless times where I've thought you weren't listening but then you'd come right back at me with a thought-provoking comment or question that makes me realize that you not only were paying attention, but you were trying to wrap sense around it in your head.

You are also so very kind and generous.  You always want to pray for the homeless and homebound, and often you want to bring a ziplock bag of your allowance money to donate to the poor or the church.  You also are eager to share.  If Lolo gives you a snack, you immediately give some to your sister (something that is not often reciprocated, haha).  You are also quick to lend books to friends and give all your classmates cards and pictures just because.

Math still comes way easier to you than reading.  You've already mastered many of your multiplication facts on your own just because you're interested.  I'm working on them with your sister, but you've taken it on yourself to know them, too.  Your brain is wired way differently than mine, though, because when I ask you to explain how you arrive at an answer, you've gone a completely different way than I would get to it.

You also have an uncanny ability to fall asleep anywhere - on the floor by the stairs, in hallways, camped out in front of our bedroom, etc.  I've been meaning to make an album of all the crazy places you've fallen asleep!  We joke that you're just like Lolo!

Don't know why you woke up early then got your chair to camp out in front of our room just to snooze some more!

I won't lie, though.  You definitely have the ability to drive me crazy.  Everything's always a joke or funny to you, and it's hard to get you to concentrate or be serious about things like practicing your violin.  Even when we reprimand you on something, you try to weasel your way out with your charm or a silly act.  And when it comes to remembering where you put things like water bottles or lunch boxes or library books, you quickly turn into Forgetful Jones.  I don't even know how much allowance money you've given back to me to offset the cost of such lost items!

But, alas, all of these things make you you.  And for that, I love you.  You've come pretty far in your seven years.  I look back at those pictures from before and it all seems so hazy and far away.  I miss holding a little tiny you.  I miss your scratchy voice from those toddler years.  I miss it all, but I'm also so excited to see what comes next because I'm convinced that you're going to continue to do incredible things with yourself and I can't wait to see what it is!

Love,
Mommy

P.S.  This was the first time in several years that we weren't traveling for your birthday.  We had promised you a birthday party, but then you said you were content just celebrating it small with our family.  The night before we went to Uncle Julio's for a yummy dinner and chocolate pinata since daddy had to work during your actual birthday dinner.  And the day you turned 7 was spent doing everything you wanted - Mass, brunch at Ruby Sunshine, a family bike ride, trip to Above All trampoline park, time spent playing at home with your new birthday gifts, and a Filipino birthday dinner made by Lola.  Not a bad birthday, kid!

Ruby Sunshine brunch

Lola's egg rolls, palabok, and butterfly shrimp

Xavier's 7-year-old Interview:



Xavier's likes from the past year:

• running
• swimming
• playing the violin
• school - particularly math and gym
• butternut squash lasagna
• cooking
• sleepovers
• bowling
• road trips
• legos and magnatiles
• sleep
• My Weird School book series
• basketball

Xavier's dislikes from the past year:

• asparagus and Brussels sprouts
• reading
• losing allowance money when he loses his things
• when big sis leaves him out

 A few random Xavier pictures at age 6:

The year you lost your first three teeth


The year I was your teacher

Gym teacher for the day!

Lolo's helper in the garden


Basketball is still your favored sport!

What a handsome boy!

May 2019

May's letter didn't promise too much more than what was already scheduled in a jam-packed month (First Communion, Justin's b-day, and end-of-the-school-year festivities!), but it did also mention family bike rides and movie nights.  As a result, May was filled with LOTS of  amazing memories!

Of course, Lissie's First Communion was huge on our May calendar.  We had family and friends coming from all over the place to celebrate her big day!  She wore my own First Communion dress that was handmade from the Philippines.  She completed the ensemble with a mantilla that my mom got her when she was in Fatima, a headpiece that I wore when I got married, and earrings and a bracelet that are heirlooms from both sets of her great-grandmothers.

My mom prayed for this moment - to witness her granddaughter receive Jesus for the first time.

Pretty Lissie

After Mass, we celebrated in style with a special Sushi Train luncheon.  (I really wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant since the big event happened to be on Cinco de Mayo, but apparently Mexican restaurants do not typically accommodate for large reservations on this holiday.  Who knew?)

One of her favorite gifts was a paper doll saint collection from her godmother!

Lissie's godfather and family had traveled from Michigan, and we convinced them to stay an extra night.  As such, Lissie and Xavier (who begrudgingly had already ruined their Perfect Attendance record earlier in the year when X got sick during school and I wasn't about to make an extra trip to pick Lissie up later) were more than eager to play hooky from school to spend time with their family (unfortunately, though, while Justin and I still had to work, haha).

Soooo excited to have a dog in our lives, even if it was just for a weekend!


Toby!!!!








Playing hooky and having bubble tea with Auntie Cat


They showed them the Parthenon


Ninong Chris with Lissie

Since the kids had the family during the day, we got to hang out with them at night - Hot Chicken and Sushi!

May also brought with it the school's May Crowning of Mary.  This year, eighth graders and second graders processed in, and Lissie was chosen to bring up the crown.  It was super sweet and special!

May also brought us Justin's birthday.  He had to work, but we made sure he had his favorites for dinner when he came home.  We also celebrated a little belated when I got him tickets to Nashville Symphony's Harry Potter night - so fun!  The kids were a little sad that they weren't invited, but Justin showed them the first Harry Potter movie at home as a celebration for finishing the first book.

Making dad's famous mac and cheese for dad on his birthday


Yum!




Date Night!

For Justin's birthday, he got himself a new bike.  Then I got a little jealous because, well, it just is no fun to try running to catch up with three bikes!  So, naturally, I ended up getting one myself and we've already gone on many adventures exploring different trails and new places.

Lastly, May brought with it the end of the school year.  Both kids had amazing years and have grown and learned so much.  Xavier and I even survived being together in the classroom and, surprisingly, it is an experience we were both sad to have end.  In the end, both kids were presented with special awards: Xavier received a Best Effort award for the quarter, and Lissie not only received the Best Citizenship award for the quarter but also the EagleSTRONG award - the one that students and teachers vote on for exemplifying the best qualities of a St. Ann student.  They both worked so hard this year, and I am so proud of who they are becoming.

Field Day fun with one of her BFFs


First Grade end-of-the-year bash at the Nature Center

Charlie's Angels at the second grade end-of-the-year picnic at Arrington Vineyards

And, of course, now that it's summer, the Bucket List festivities have already begun.  Here are some other pics to round out our May:

We celebrated Mother's Day a little early since Mom was in Italy during the actual day.


And while they were in Italy, the kids were in charge of watering the plants.  As you can see, they did a great job.  Haha.


The kids did a fun Shoney's 5K.


Our Bucket List 2019


Nothing says summer like a party in a pickup.


Justin took the boys to see Detective Pokemon, so naturally the girls got a pedicure.


Halo-halo!


$1 movies!


The zoo!


The Nashville "beach"




And, of course, the pool!

As always, it was another busy month.  And now it's June - and, well, summer always brings out the best sort of crazy in us!  Stay tuned.....