With Mother’s Day fast approaching, many are taking extra time to reflect on all that mothers do for us. Mia and Nico Quilici did so by nominating their Malibu mother and this year’s winner, Melissa Quilici, for the 2014 Mother of the Year Rosie Award. The award is given out annually in honor of Rosie York, publisher Arnold York’s mother.
Mia and Nico submitted a handwritten letter to The Malibu Times explaining what makes their mom special. They described their mother as “nice, kind and loving.” They explained that she lets them eat ice cream after school and makes Mickey Mouse pancakes. The children also mentioned that Melissa gives them Legos for their birthdays, a gift that is highly appreciated.
Melissa shared with The Malibu Times some of the aspects that make her relationship with her children fulfilling.
“We play board games together like Monopoly and Sorry,” Melissa explained. “It’s something that we do together.”
She said the family also enjoys a lot of destination eating. As a reward, Melissa will offer to take the children out to eat at a restaurant of their choice. While they often eat locally, Mia and Nico sometimes request a trip to Koreatown or Monterey Park for a destination meal.
The Quilici family also spends time together traveling. They go to Hawaii, where Melissa is from, at least twice a year. They often take road trips to the Bay Area to visit grandparents throughout the year.
Their next vacation spot is Washington, D.C.
“In two weeks, we’re going to Washington, D.C.,” Melissa shared. “We’re readings books together now so that [the children] understand why we’re going there.”
Reading is a common activity for the Quilici family. Melissa explained that she often reads to Mia and Nico, but will also share stories about her own childhood. She attributes her children’s lack of short attention spans to the fact that they are able to listen to her tell stories and read books.
Mia and Nico shared in the letter that Melissa picks them up from school in the afternoons and helps them with their homework. Melissa explained that having Mia and Nico has allowed her to slow down from her previous career-driven lifestyle.
“It’s wonderful to relive your childhood through children,” Melissa shared. “You forget as a parent to stop and smell the roses. It’s made me slow down a lot. Before I had them, I was working, working, working.”
One of the things she finds most rewarding about parenting is the fact that she’s able to watch her children begin to understand the world around them.
“The most rewarding thing about being a mom is watching your children grow and see the light in life and the world and to watch them soak up all that life has to offer,” she said.
Melissa will receive a gift basket from The Malibu Times which includes gift certificates to Kaishin, Duke’s and Hollywood Theatre Malibu. She will also receive tickets to the Canyon Club and the Pompeii Exhibition at the California Science Center Los Angeles.