The much awaited first time visit of Yani, Anne, Migs and Gina is finally happening!!. They arrived in the evening of October 21 and still here with us.
From the time, they set foot in New Jersey, it has been a continuous family fun time of togetherness and bonding. My 2 grandkids are, indeed, lovable as I expected them to be. They are so smart and a bundle of endless energy who instantly bonded with Rick and myself. In fact, we thought they would be shy and wary of Rick, but we were all proven wrong. They immediately connected with him. The wish of Rick to have Gina sit on his lap has taken place and I made sure I took a picture of this. "Yoyo Rick" finds the kids so cute and advanced for their ages....that Rick even engaged Migs in a junior mathematical puzzle jig...in which Migs gamely scored!
On a daily basis, we have been out of the house visiting parks, kids' fun places, shopping centers, supermarts, zoos, amusement parks, and New York!!! We are really making the most out of this 2 week visit so no day is wasted! Gina leads the prayer once we are all seated in the car before I drive. Although Migs takes his turn occasionally, it is Gina who volunteers to be the leader most of the time...and she prays seriously always!
While I do talk to the kids once a week via the webcam, hugging them up close, listening to them and exchanging pleasantries with them have really made me conclude, they are special kids with different numerous God-given talents. In the cold climate of NJ, their cheeks turn so rosy that are so visible since they are both oh so fair in complexion (mapuputi).!!. They terribly love the cold weather and do not mind even if we the adults chill in our layered clothings.
Migs, especially since he is older, can engage anyone in an "almost adult conversation" Last night, upon my prodding, he shared with me a story he himself has encoded on the computer. He printed his creation and even stapled the pages and gave me a copy....a copy which I will, of course, keep among the kid's stuff their mother has made when she herself was a kid! (Yes, I still keep all of Anne's and Jade's writings, drawings, cards, etc. they both made as kids).
Mig's story is inspired by Star Wars (of course) entitled "The Clone War Begins" and I was amazed because reading his creation along, one will never think it was written by a 7 (almost 8) year old. He said he started writing this only on the night of Oct. 27, when he was in bed, but not ready to hit the sack. The story is currently in chapter 3 ..but still unfinished as his story is still a work in progress.
Further to my amazement, he uses words in his created story which I find " too big or heavy" for a boy his age! Words like: confederate, approximately, finally, capture, data, bounty, encountered, recover, etc. Would you ever think a 7 year old will use such words? And, his grammar is perfect, and ...wow....the flow of the story is interesting even for an adult like me! His story is really so intriguing for a 7 year old..which explains the fact that when I asked him what he wants to be when he grows older, his answer was "I want to be a writer!!".
Gina, on the other hand, when I posed the same question said she wants to be "a pop star!" And what do pop stars do, I asked... She answered "sing!" And at that, she started singing....and did her ballet pirouette. Gina is not shy, not timid---very gregarious. ...And Gina even at her more than occasional "bulol" way of talking is a precocius engaging kid and I enjoy conversing with her!
There is no question Migs is an awfully smart and intelligent good-looking kid. He knows every answer to some biblical facts and that even I do not know by heart...and even his comments on new and certain things he sees as we drive around are sensible or funny!! And he seems to never tire...but can tire you out! And since both Migs and Gina are so at home using and speaking English, introducing them to some of my adult friends wasn't difficult for they can exchange pleasantries and understand what is being asked of them. It is with pride that I take time to introduce them to my co-workers, bosses and friends. And each time, the kids earn wonderful comments for their looks!
Gina is "demure" and very lady-like---very fair in complexion and dresses smartly (I guess she took after her mom as like most kids...chooses the outfit she will wear for the day). She eats anything with gusto anything you put on her plate--- Migs, for his part, does not want to be identified with anything "girlish" like pink or anything that is identified with girls.
Finding a halloween outfit for them the other night at Party City was also something. They can't seem to make up their minds as to what to be. In the end, Migs chose to wear a gold and black pharaoh's headress, while Gina found an all pink fairy headress as well. And these headresses cost Yani a fortune!!!!!
Of course, before I forget, there are countless silly "wars" between the kids.....who will answer first, who will sit on which side of the car, etc. and they usually argue as to whol will hold my hands as we walk along. But we end up with Gina and Migs on each side...and I in the middle so that Anne ends up carrying my handbag.
We tendered a dinner at the Red Lobster for Anne last October 27...where the finale was a huge cocktail glass of chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with a single candle as we sang a happy birthday to her. Well...as expected, the kids dugged immediately into the ice cream after we sang.
Migs will have his turn to celebrate his 8th birthday on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Funplex hosted by his Tita Jade, although his real birthday is today, Oct. 31st. My treat to him was the visit to 6 Flags Great Adventure.
Well...I do not want to steal the thunder out of Anne who I am sure will write about other exciting trips we went to. So watch out and stay tuned for Anne's further blogs and photos she will post.
Lastly, I want to thank Him for making all these wonderful days and time with each other happen. He is, indeed, the wonderful giver of the desires of our hearts. And I know, some more good things will take place while they are here with us....But my greatest prayer to Him is that future visits (temporal or wishfully permanent) happen more often! And I sincerely pray that these desires are within His plans for all of us! And as Migs told me the other night....God is Good and right Migs is!
