My First Summer
Summer 2006 was one of many firsts and other unforgettable moments for me. Mommy says this was a time when I reached a lot of milestones.
This summer, I logged in a lot of miles of car travel. You know what? Im a good boy when it comes to car trips. I just say buckled up in my car seat— on the condition, of course, that my paraphernalia is complete. I’ve gotta have my car mobile (so it can keep me entertained as it swings while the car is in motion). I need to see and touch Patrick the big red doggie seatbelt decor so I won’t get scared when Daddy snaps on the seatbelt. Plus, Mommy has to have on-hand her magic bag of toys for me just in case I get cranky during the trip.
I also learned to do a lot of things this summer. One new thing I’ve been 
enjoying is bathing in the tub. Ooooh! How I enjoy being submerged in a tub of water. I love splashing around and getting everyone around me wet as I am! hehehe
I’ve also learned to grasp my toys and wave them in the air.
Here is a photo of me waving one of my favorite soft toys, Ducky. But I had some bumps and bruises lately for I sometimes bonked myself on the head with those hard plastic rattles I sometimes 
play with. I’ve also started to become mucho pakialamero—touching Mommy and Daddy’s stuff (they were delighted at first, for they found my curiosity cute—but not for long, since they relaized I’d put anything I get my hands on straight into my mouth). I’ve also learned to smile for the camera (much to mommy’s 
delight as she clicks and clicks a way with the digi cam), and I can now hold my own bottle 
(sometimes, when I’m in the mood and the angle is right). This was also the time when I became more aware of my surroundings and developed more socialization skills.
Oh, there’s so much to tell about what I’ve been doing the months of April and May, I don’t know where to start! Hmmmnnn… Let me see…
Playtimes at the Parks
Lakwatsero li’l me went to two parks this summer. I had lots of fun 
at the BF Playground which we visited twice. Daddy and I went on the see-saw and the swing. Then, Daddy showed me the monkey bars, the fireman’s pole and the giant slide. He said I could try them out when I’m bigger. We brought food for a picnic on both our visits. I’m pretty sure Daddy, Mommy, Ela, Tito Ninong, Ates Nitz and Josie had fun eating. Me? I had fun watching them binge on sandwiches and chips. And of course, I had a blast just being with everybody.
The other park I visited was the Mariposa park, just a few feet away from our house. I can’t recall how many times I went there, but I do remember visiting the tiangge at the park and watching the pretty sagalas for the Sunduan parade. There were many new things to see! Lots of kids, banderitas and food! Yum yum!This is a picture of me in Mommy’s arms as I looked up at the banderitas waving at me.
Hearing Mass Under the Accacia Tree
I joined Mommy, Daddy and Ela for Mass twice this summer. We stayed under the accacia tree right outside the Church. Those were new experiences for me since the first time I heard Mass last Ash Wednesday was not one I was proud of. I cried that time. It was hot inside the Church and I got scared of Fr. Abet’s booming voice. But hearing Mass while sitting under the tree is great! There’s lots of fresh air and I’m far from the blaring sound of the PA system.
Workshops with Teatro San Jose
I attended theater workshops this summer. I am the youngest thespian of TSJ. I attend rehearsals everyday. I have mastered the characterizations of an api baby, happy baby, playful baby and suplado baby. My only lines are waaaaaaaah!, hehehe, , and Mmmmmmmmm….. My suplado performances have earned me the monicker Enzo-ngit. Ela/Direk has promised 
me the role of baby Jesus in TSJ’s Christmas presentation….that is, if I can still pass off as a baby in a manger. Mommy doubts it. She insists that at the rate I’m growing, I will be cast as a sheep or a donkey in the manger. Hey, take a look at my picture—I’d make a handsome baby in the manger, right?
Attending workshops with TSJ also helped me become more artistic when it comes to posing for the camera. Here’s a shot of me and my favorite Titanic pose. I’m the king of the world! Wipeeee!
Aside from developing my acting talent, would you believe that I assist Ela and Mommy in directing? Honest! I snort in disappointment if I don’t like the actors’ performances, and I squeal in delight if I like their performances. And you know what else? I helped Mommy choreograph the love dance of Agueda and Badoy in TSJ’s upcoming production of Trap of A May Day Night. She carried me in her arms as she conceptualized the steps! I bet if she wasn’t carrying me, she couldn’t have been as inspired!
I met a lot of girls during TSJ rehearsals. I can tell they all like me. Why wouldn’t they? Nobody can resist my charms! Here’s a photo of me with the TSJ girls… Hello, ladies!
A Visit to the SSpS Sisters
I went with Daddy and Mommy to CHS to visit my honorary Godparents, the SSpS nuns. They were the ones who prayed a lot for Mommy and me when I was still in Mommy’s tummy. You know what? One nun whispered to me that if I ever want to consider priesthood when i grow up, she prays I join the SVD. Hehehe… no problem…It was my first time to see the school where Mommy and Daddy taught. It was a nice place. lots of trees (I love trees!). Quiet (I enjoy 
silent ambience). And lots of nice people. I enjoyed being fussed over by ladies in white. It’s not so often that a baby like me gets lots of cuddles from so many nuns. I felt so blessed!
Party Boy
I attended lots of parties this summer. Well, they weren’t kiddie parties, but I still had lots of fun. There was my joint 4th month celebration with Josh-josh at Marikina. Then there was the triple birthday 
celebration of Lola Cynch, Lola Unti and Tita Marinette.
Then my TSJ Ates also celebrated their birthdays— Ate Jenina 
and Ate Joy. I’m proud to say that I was at my best behavior in all those parties. I guess I make a good party guest, huh?
Oh, I almost forgot! I also attended Lola Wisa’s 75th birthday bash at Pansol, 
Laguna. Then, there was Mamoo’s birthday handaan grande at the Quirino Guest House at La Mesa Dam. Wow, I tell you! Both parties had lotsa food! I would have eaten a lot if only I could!
Water Baby
And of course, what’s summer without swimming! I had my first swimming experience at Pansol during Lola Wisa’s birthday bash. Tita Winnie told Mommy it was safe to make me swim since the water wasn’t chlorinated, it was from the hot spring.
I had lots of fun! I looooooove being in the pool. I was awed by the giant bath tub I was immersed in. Too bad my swimming had to be cut short. 
My cousin, Kuya Joaquin startled me unintentionally by splashing me with water and pulling Mommy’s arm as she carried me. I cried, so Mommy had to take me out of the water.
A Summer to Remember
Wow! This truly was a special summer! I’ve been to many places, saw lots of faces, learned a lot and had so much fun! I’m pretty sure my family enjoyed this summer too… I just don’t know how happy they’d still be when they receive the bill from the photo developing center. If only you could see the load of pictures they had developed! Oh well, what’s a couple of thousands for a lifetime of memories? Surely, every special experience we have will always be a time to say: "Cheese!" Right?
