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Lego was one of the other toys that Thaad enjoyed the most as a little boy in the Philippines. Lego was more expensive so when we came to the US, I agreed to have him bring his Lego. Once, a friend of Bong from the office learned that he has a son who likes Lego, she volunteered to give a set that her son never opened. Assembling this castle took him a while. Lolo Buddy was visiting us for Christmas with Lola Fe and he helped him a little bit with the castle but Thaad did most of the work. Later, he overgrew with the Lego and handed them down to cousin Andrew.
Candidly,
Dang S.
Thaad was a fan of Batman. He had a few Batman toys but left all of them with his cousins in the Philippines because I promised that we will buy new ones when we get to the US.... and this is the only one I bought him... and then he moved on to Pokemon.... then Yu-gi-oh...
Candidly,
Dang S.
Gem & Jas both went to St. Michael's College in Iligan for their elementary education, although they both did not graduate from the same because we had to move to Manila to be with Bong, who was already working for OnLine Phil., where they continued to go to school in San Lorenzo Ruiz in Paranaque. After a year, we came to the US.
Candidly,
Dang S.
Sabolboro kids... mga siga sa Del Carmen (Del Carmen mob lords)... this includes DJ too.
Candidly,
Dang S.
Our ever reliable Suzuki... Bong's ride to work and our ride everywhere else. In front and on the gas tank would be Gem and Jas. Seated next would be Bong, the driver. Then Thaad and myself. We all fit... until the kids grew bigger than me.
Candidly,
Dang S.
I found this old photograph with the Ocampos. This was a pose for remembrance before the Ocampos left Iligan (and us) for Cananda. Who knew that our paths would cross again? Friends forever?
Not in picture: Bong-he was the one taking the picture; and Keith-he was not yet even made.
Candidly,
Dang S.
Our first pumpkin carving experience. I settled for the more traditional pumpkin face while Thaad did a more complicated one. Done about three days before Halloween, they decorated our porch. With a lighted tea candle on each of them, they glowed during the evenings. We were proud of our work.... until Halloween, when the pumpkins were so dried up and were no longer shiny.
Candidly,Dang S.
DJ is the neighbor's son but since he was the only child at that time, it was more fun to be at the Sabolboro's. Every afternoon when Bong comes home from work, Jas, Gem and Thaad race to meet their Dad at the gate... and oh, DJ included.
Candidly,
Dang S.
One day, Thaad was asking where that picture of him cutting paper with a pair of scissors was. Here it is... it has a place in my scrapbook. He tells me that he has a vivid memory of this event... What?! He was only two and he thought it was the coolest thing to be able to use a pair of scissors. It was like... "Yes! Success!"
Candidly,
Dang S.
Timoga Spring Pools in Iligan was a favorite weekend hangout. The cool water from some mountain spring filling the swimming pools was always a refreshing comfort during very hot and humid days. No matter how crowded the pools were, it was always an enjoyable activity for the kids. Here, during a short break from the swimming, Gem shows her cute smile... even forgetting that she was missing a tooth.Candidly,Dang S.
Gem was born with a lot of hair. She laughed a lot.... but then, she cried a lot too. Every evening, starting at six, I would start dancing around the house with her in my arms to calm her down. A colic baby, I needed to constantly rock her until she is overcome by sleep and peace would reign in our house once again.Candidly,
Dang S.
Like Jas and Gem, Thaad had his first years of education at St. Margaret Child Learning Center. He was good friends with Kitty, Teacher Daisy's daughter, and they always sat next to each in other in class. He'd go to school in the usual service bus while I would drive Jas and Gem in our ever reliable tricycle (we call, tri-sikad).
Candidly,
Dang S.
Jas had this special pillow, a gift from Lola Dia, that she can never sleep without. It traveled with us, no matter what. It became so much of a baggage dilemma that it gave us an idea --- we would bring just the pillow case and use it to cover the pillow that she would be using somewhere away from home --- and it worked! Gem, on the other hand, did not care if she was wearing hand-me-downs or playing with not-so-perfect toys like this copycat Barbie doll with missing arms.
Candidly,
Dang S.
Thaad as Uncle Joey's and Auntie Gemma's little ring bearer. Well dressed at three years old, now at 18 and a high school senior, he is voted as the class's best dressed male. Hmmm... better believe it!
Candidly,
Dang S.
Who said we cannot have fun in this crowded pool?
Candidly,
Dang S.
No, it was not Thaad's birthday. It was EJDennis's... Thaad was just tasting the frosting. Yum! Oh, how good that was. Oooopppsss!
Candidly,
Dang S.
Jas, Gem, and Thaad. Those were the days...
Candidly,
Dang S.
Sharing a ride... or a drive. Friends for 21 years now. My girls.... "Chance made them sisters; Hearts made them friends."Candidly,Dang S.
Sabolboro boys... my boys! XOXOXO
Candidly,
Dang S.
BFF?... or cohorts of mischief?Candidly,Dang S.
