New York City

We had a fabu time in NYC this weekend! Jorge was at the comic con while Joli, Jada and I stayed at Grammy and Pop's place. We met up with tons of friends from college, grad school, and a few of our former schools - thanks for coming out and supporting, everyone!

Here are some of the fun highlights of the weekend:

Jada took her first of many subway rides. She was super sassy - she kept wanting to stand in the middle and not hold on to anything. The best part was this: (Liza) "Jada, you have to hold on to the pole or you're going to fall. Seriously. Jada. Hold on to the pole!" (Jada) "NO!" (Joli - whispering under her breath) "Well, then, have a nice fall, Jada."

Some special Mommy-time on the ferris wheel at Toys R Us

We completely surprised Jorge at the Comic Con with the girls. We kept telling him it was just Pedro and me coming in and that we could only stay for an hour or so. We worked it out with some of his colleagues and arrived undetected. Unfortunately, Jorge was in the lobby chillin' on the phone. We had to duck behind these crazy poles - Joli was hiding behind a trash bin just so Jorge wouldn't see us. But, thanks to the bright green "VEGA" jacket that Pedro was wearing, he spotted us. Well, at first, he just spotted me and Pedro... then the girls jumped out to surprised him! He was so excited!!

Hanging out at the Platinum Studios booth

Jorge helped out our former student, Luis, with a documentary project on artists of color.
Pedro and Jorge representing the Buffalo Soldier shirts
In Toys R Us, I actually "lost" Jada for about 10 seconds... I turned the corner and found her dancing on the Dance Dance Revolution game. Hilarious! Oh, and see that shark in her hand, I was going to let her buy it, until she smacked me in the face with it when I tried to get her to LEAVE that game.... no, Jada. No.
Hey! Jada's as big as New York City!
First subway ride for Jada - thanks to Uncle Ped who helped me wrangle the girls to the city!

We had a great time at Leo and Lucky's birthday party! Check out the beautiful Mermaid Fairy and little Kitty!




I woke up this morning and couldn't find Joli. When I called for her, she said she was in the bathroom. I figured she was actually going to the bathroom.... alas. No. Rather, Joli was hiding in there -- CUTTING HER HAIR. OH great.

It's sleepover time again...!

We took this opportunity to do our "monthly photos" with Mia added in (and Jorge).

Our girl Jada at 23 1/2 months! Hurray!!

Joli at 57 months!
Mia at 33 months
watching a movie and eating snack before bath time!
Jorge felt left out... Go Obama!

Welcome to the family, Nina Vega!

Nina was born on Monday, April 7th. I'm happy to say that I was the only family member there when Marie and Andy went to the hospital.... :) Yes, I will steal that thunder and remind that baby of it every single time. I WILL be the favorite Aunt....!!

Hurray! Another Vega girl!!

Me, Grammy and baby Nina just 1 day old!

Relay For Life

We had a great time at Relay for Life! The girls invited their friend, Julia, also an Rb survivor and camp friend, to the event. It's a bit jarring to see your little child in a sea of older women (and a 21 year old survivor). I actually think that when we got there, people thought that I was the one with cancer, and that I couldn't get a babysitter or something. I overheard a woman - when Joli and Julia got in line to do the survivor lap - say, "Oh my god. It's the kids who had cancer...."

Joli and Julia doing the Survivor Lap. Blurry on purpose because I'm not sure who wants to be identified in this group.

Our family, Julia and her mom Donna

amazing....

I don't often mix business with family, but I wanted to give information out to people about a great group I am involved with about race and conversations. Check out Anti-Racist Parent at www.antiracistparent.com which is a fabulous blog with a number of great contributors (myself included!). The most recent one by Paula is just absolutely on the money.

Also, Joli taught a class at the college I work at the other day. she was a big hit! Together, we did a presentation on Rb, and the college kids asked her great questions. She was a bit shy but they loved her just the same and were really supportive. I then was asked to teach another class on it for a different section. Hurray for raising Rb awareness!!

Happy Easter!

Oodles and oodles of kid cuteness here, people! We had a great Easter weekend in NY with Grammy, Pops and Uncle Pedro. The girls wore matching (of course, c'mon) Easter dresses, had their hair done by Grammy, and got the rare chance to go up to the alter with Pops.

Rare Family Photo: Easter 2008

Jada gettin' her hair done by Grammy
Chillin' with the favorite Uncle living in New York

Hee hee.... Jada scared at a point in the movie. Too precious!

GUNPLAY PREMIERE IN LA!



Okay, this was super amazing. Jorge's book "Gunplay" launched in Los Angeles today and it was such an incredible event! The pictures pretty much sum it up, but the highlights include:

• Jorge being mistaken by an Australian guy who said, "I came all the way from Australia and may never get the chance to meet you again.... I love your show." (Jorge getting mistaken for Donald Faison... poor dude).

• A woman coming up to Donald Faison and saying, "No offense, but I really only want Jorge to sign my book."

• Getting to be an a press room (of only about a dozen people) with Alyssa Milano, Milo Ventigmelia, Donald Faison.. and of course, Jorge and the crew

• Seeing a line for Jorge's booth snake nearly 1/2 way down the convention room floor (and having someone say, "Daaaammm, this line is longer than The HULK's LINE!")

• Hearing a 20-something year old guy walk away from the Gunplay table and say to his friend, "This is the BEST day of my life!"

• Walking around the Con and seeing total strangers wearing Buffalo Soldier shirts

• Walking into the Con and having someone at the door hand me a "Gunplay" postcard and say, "Jorge Vega will be signing autographs later if you want to meet him!" (hee hee hee!)

• Hearing Donald Faison get interviewed and saying to the reporter, "Nah, man, the REAL news isn't me... it's this guy, Jorge Vega -- go interview HIM!"

CONGRATULATIONS JORGE!! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!!

Jorge getting interviewed

Group shot in the press room just before the CBC Ceremony
Jorge and Donald signing books. Here's how cool Jorge (and the rest) is: "Gunplay" normally sells for $1. But, to get a copy signed by Donald, Jorge, Nei and Dominic, they cost $5 and the $4 would benefit Camp Sunshine. How cool are they?

Liza and Jorge in the press room for Wizard's World.

Signing autographs ... the line for these guys snaked 1/2 way across the convention room floor! It was huge! And, I hear someone say, "WOW! This line is longer than the one for The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno!)"
Next stop: NY Comic Con!

Geesh.. it's been a busy week!

Lots of things going on this week. Jorge is getting ready for his big debut this weekend, I've been at a conference all week, and the girls have been extra busy .. well, being girls!

This is Mary - working on the midterm that she should have written weeks ago...

Jada and Lolo -- some moments she loves him, some moments she's screaming at him. This picture looks like she's not sure...!

This is a result of Mary having done so much extensive research on the Muslim communities in the Philippines and making us watch hours and hours of video footage of her research. I guess the kids learned more than we thought...!

Jada refused to remove her scarf and insisted it be wrapped this way.


We brought the kids to Filipino school where Mary was teaching kulingtan.

Princess High Maintenance

Try as I might to raise my girls to be anti-pink, anti-gender-clothing, Jada just seems to stick it to me at every turn....

No, this is not a staged photo that we got her dressed up for -- this is an average day in the life of Jada.

We've been so busy!

Whew! March has certainly come in like a lion for us! Jorge has been gearing up for the comic convention circuit which truly goes into full force! Feel free to purchase a Buffalo Soldier shirt -- they are now on sale!!

Jada and Joli went to the movies today with their friend Melina! It was so great! This was Jada's first movie theater event, and she completely enjoyed her own popcorn and drink at the theater!

Getting ready for the movie... Jada refused to remove her sunglasses - like a true rock star!

My first theater movie!
Oh, yeah. I'm going to the movies!!

Our buddy Melina!

Videos from yesterday!

Happy Valentines Day!

Jada enjoying some Dim Sum!

Valentines Day is also Tita Elma's birthday!! Happy Birthday Tita Elma!!
Jorge surprised us gals with balloons and chocolates in the car!
Jada enjoying some Valentine's Day cupcakes!


The super cute Valentines Day outfits!

Joli is allergic to can fruit/fruit cups

We just sent an email out to family, but we're also posting on the blog for family/friends who check this. We think Joli is allergic to fruit cups - you know, the Dole kinds in the plastic little tubs? In December she had some and broke out in hives. It wasn't bad at all, but we took her to the doctor (who also said it wasn't too bad). She had some Benedryl and it was fine.

Well, 2 months later, we decide to try the fruit cup theory again. Joli had one of those little cups and this time, she spent the entire night (and half of today) throwing up. She didn't break out in hives, no fever, etc. But, she did spend most of the evening hovering over the toilet. There was nothing else new that she ate, so we are assuming that it's the fruit cups.

So, while her school certainly hasn't given her any for the past 2 months (they have a huge sign on their refrigerator not to give her any), please do not allow Joli to have any. We've been teaching her to say, "I do not want that fruit cup, thank you. It will make me sick." But, in case she didn't, please know not to give her any.

Thanks!

We love having our family around us again!

The girls with their favorite Teetah!
Jada and Ninang Mari have a special relationship.... basically, Jada freaks her out and Mari likes to make fun of her... oh great.
Okay, I've been horrible about the whole "taking the 1x a month picture" with Tigger and Grover. Technically, Jada is 21 months old.

Joli is 45 months old!