Since 2 years ago… I never get tired of thanking God for giving me the best gift I could ever imagined – my one and only little girl! We are celebrating her birthday and the more I thank God for giving her good health all these years… Like all mothers feel, nothing can compare how happy I am seeing her every milestones and today is one of the highlights. My Claire understands that it’s her birthday and even if I did not throw any kiddie party, she was so happy and so energetic seeing all the familiar faces of the whole family surrounding her.

For me, it’s still a big party at home because we are a big family and everybody is in the mood to celebrate this special occasion… It is such a busy day, from malling in the morning, buying her gifts, balloons, cakes, then preparing the food at home for dinner, and of course we don’t want to miss the Holy Mass as a thanksgiving. Then the rest of the night is eating and drinking and Claire is still up playing, running and laughing with her cousin on her same age. One thing for sure, this little girl is happy!

Happy 2nd Birthday baby! We love you!

The first time I saw her, I already see a unique and strong personality in her… she accepted me in the family, she stand by us during our wedding day… enough goodness that I will cherish forever. For all these things, I am one with the whole family in celebrating this special day. I rummaged the mall during my breaktime to look for a gift to her, and with a limited time… I decided to give her the best red wine I can think of… at least something she can also share to her friends.

She texted me this afternoon at the middle of my work and remind us for our dinner tonight, of course I will be present! Happy Birthday Lola!

I believe my mom is happy for the simple gestures that we all showed to her on her birthday. A special occasion like this need not to be extravagant in order to be happy… the thoughts and the efforts count. Happy Birthday Mom!

My Dear Mom!
Mom, I loved you yesterday, I love you tomorrow and everyday.
You were there for me my first day of school, to hold my hand and give me courage to go.
You listened to me when I needed to talk, you talked to me when I needed to listen.
You let me grow and learn from my own mistakes.
You never left my side when I was feeling down, I knew you would be there to pick me up.
I wish there was a way I could repay all the things you have done for me, but there’s nothing great enough to repay the greatest mother of all.
- Anonymous

the game is about to start and we still manage to pose...

thats me, hiding...

When the game is about to start, I honestly feel scared thinking of how painful it is if get hit! Scared but excited… and my excitement reached to the highest level when the umpire gave a loud ready-set-go signal. What a nice feeling when I tried to run as fast as I could to find a perfect spot to hide myself at the same time find the target opponent and shoot… The best part is when the game is about to conclude and when I tried to go out from where I’m hiding to look for the enemy and… OUCH!, I’m HIT! I felt two paintballs splat on both legs! But at least we win! Happy!

Paintball is indeed a “No Paint-No Fun” game and it’s fantastic! No wonder many loves to play paintball even the girls, now I know how much fun it is! It is painful and even I go home with 2 large bruises, at the end of the day, I decided to play again! Hope I could organize and invite all my girl friends!

Thanks for Rowel’s birthday and “WebOss Paintball”… visit their website at www.weboss.ph.

One month to go, and it’s her 2nd birthday… hubby and I decided to throw a big party only every other year so I still have a lot of time and budgeting to prepare inorder to throw a Tinker Bell theme kiddie party for her soon… Well, while she is still a little baby, I can decide how the party will go, and by making it a point that the whole family and friends will enjoy and the most challenging part is to really grab what your baby is fond of.

My hint: she is amazed to see Jollibee, she adores her Pooh stuff toys, she shrieks and wow to see Tinker Bell, she dance and follow when the Disney princess dance and moved… and I have to choose one of those.. and I think I love the character of Tinker Bell the most… my little girl gives the sweetest smile when her dad called her “Tinker Claire” and I think it sounds good… hehe..

my birthday gift to the celebrant

I got a chance again to make my own version of ham and cheese macaroni salad today, instead of bringing a birthday cake, i thought to share my specialty during our family dinner tonight in my sister’s place for baby Gab’s birthday.

My nephew turns 2 years old today… and it reminds me that my little girl’s 2nd birthday is fast approaching too. Oh! how time flies fast! My sister did not throw a big kiddie party this year, so she invited direct family members only and treat all of us for a simple “salu-salo” with just 2 main dishes, 1 cake and 2 desserts. And it turned out to be an intimate celebration and the  2 year old birthday celebrant seems not to care that it’s his birthday and how the gathering is going. It is a simple yet a happy occasion with the family and a practical one.

Yes, i think it’s practical enough not to throw a big 2nd birthday party to your kids especially after a grand 1st birthday party, because after all… kids at this age won’t care yet. I will postpone another coming year or two for another big kiddie party for my daughter so this year should be a simple one too.

The weather cooperates to the occasion, I prayed so hard that amidst the storm in Manila, God will keep us safe and let us enjoy this special day, and thank God He answered my prayer. From Baguio, we arrived in Makati safe and the typhoon is gone although we experience some rainfalls but we ignore it, I tried my best to make him happy on his day so no room for any complaints even how uncomfortable I am with the rain… hehe. But when we arrived in the Mall of Asia, the rest of the day is already his day, we have so much fun!

We have lunch in “Burgoo” – I am amazed with their unique style of having their table covers in a blank white paper and they have coloring materials ready on top, then I found out that we can freely mess the table and write anything on it… then I write a big “happy birthday” greetings to the love of my life… hehe… perfect background which reminds us why we are here, it’s his birthday! Less than 15 minute, our food is served – I tried their chef’s choice of soup for the day – the creamy mushroom soup, it’s delicious! The main dish that my hubby chooses is one of Burgoo’s best – the Shrimps and Rib’s platter, we enjoyed our lunch up to the last rib! My mango shake is perfect too… the restaurant is cozy and very comfortable, it’s one of the best dining experience.

the birthday celebrant...

the mango shake with our inspiring background

the chef's choice of soup for the day

the best shrimp and rib's platter

Then we spend the rest of the afternoon in the Science Discovery Center which we highlighted the 45-minute planetarium show Ice World. Everything we shared together this day is first time and special to me and I’m sure he enjoyed his birthday! It is such a blessed day and a memorable one!

Happy Birtdhay, mwah!

I always make it a point to start celebrating my birthday attending the Holy Mass to thank God for the gift of life and for all the blessings he bestow in me the past years and to ask His continued blessings at the coming years. After the mass, the most exciting part is to have lunch in Shangri-la Mactan! Why I’m excited? Well, honestly it’s my first time to this hotel, and I’ve always wanted to be here, bear with my excitement… hehe.

The place is amazing! All the hotel attendants that we meet anywhere in the place always carry with them a smile and a greeting which makes me feel welcomed even if we only go there for a lunch. One of the lady attendants freely give me a tour guide of the place going to the restaurant I booked. I love the scenery from the parking lot, to the lobby, then to the garden, to every restaurant and bar I passed, then the view of their infinity pool and then to the white sand sea shore to the blue wonderful beach. A complete wow! – this is not a review because looking into the place is already an assurance that the hotel is indeed 5-star!

We have my birthday lunch in the hotel’s Aqua Restaurant where we are warmly greeted and welcomed by the store attendant and their waiters… the waiter who attended our orders is very accommodating! I am just an average/middle class citizen but this time I honestly don’t mind how expensive the menu list is because all the services I got deserves it. I love their Calzone and the mango shake is perfect!

This birthday is one of the greatest days because I am joined with the people who are so dear to me and who loves me, they complete my day.  It’s indeed a ‘Happy, happy birthday!’

At the end of the day, I will get back to my wish list and see how many I got

1. Hear Holy Mass – at my favorite chapel, CCTN of course
2. Lunch at Shangri-la – i haven’t got a chance to see this prestigious 5-star hotel, and I wish this time it will push through…
3. Dinner at Spice and Fusion Restaurant – when our boss treated us for lunch in this place 3 months ago, I wanted to go back, so I hope this is it… on my special day.
4. See my family and friends – as much as I wanted to see all of them on that day, I know it will not be totally possible, but I still wish…
5. File a birthday leave – I already submitted a leave request but sad to say I don’t get the approval notice yet… , well it’s ok, I still have Monday to check if I got approved.
6. Get a new laptop – … and it should be the latest ASUS model! and yes! I got it! Thanks sweetie!
7. Get a new ward drobe – I wish to get a new set from Red Logo, I love to see Donita Rose wears any of them…
8. Get a hair spa – … and a new haircut too, wanna try that new look I saw in the magazine… hehe
9. Get drunk – yeah, why not! joan is the expert, how i wish we could hang out and get drunk all night! haha… cheers dear!
10. Beautiful surprises! – well, everyone loves surprises… and I’m one of them!

I’m looking forward for that day, whether all my wishes come true or not, what is important is to thank God for good health and for the gift of life.

“Daddy, broom-broom…” that words hint us that she wants to drive her car, she immediately climb in the car seat and even do the seat belt by her own… it always tickles me every time I observed her doing this.

I am minding also not to spoil her too much… parents need to treat their kids during their special occasions by sometimes giving expensive gifts, in my case I always see to it that expensive material things need to pair with an expensive quality time. Listening to my little girl’s chuckle and seeing her happy and smart is so precious and it fattens my heart.