Who would expect that a sunny and fair morning up to the mid afternoon will turn the clouds cumulus and pour big rain? And exactly the time that the kiddie party starts, the rain also starts to pour. I start to get panic because the party that I planned for almost a month will not turn exactly how I wanted to have it for the kids. Why? it is because the venue is at our rooftop with only a half portion of it got shaded… and because of the rain the kids are forced to gather only in the shade. But I gradually got calm and composed myself when I found out that despite of the unpredictable weather, the kids are enjoying and participating the games and the programme… thanks to the two clown host that I hired.

I learned a very important lesson from this occasion – and that is to have a Plan B in every event planning. I could have plan it that when it rains, the kids can be transferred indoor immediately or could have set up the whole area with shades.

It turned out to be a successful birthday party after all, because from the look of the kids bringing with them the prizes and abundant goodies and foods, I can say they enjoyed the party. And most of all, the birthday celebrant enjoyed it.

he is already happy to have the simple cake and and blow his 3 candles

It’s easy to make little kids happy on their birthday, a 3 year old can already recognize that someone is making him special. They hug you and kiss you when they are happy… such a nice feeling indeed.

And for my only one nephew, I tried my best to make him happy on his 3rd birthday by dropping off my sister’s place after my work even if it takes an hour travel. Toys will make Gab happy so I pick a big toy train for him and of course our presence.

Everytime we celebrate my nephew’s birthday, it also reminds me that my Claire’s birthday is fast approaching and the next couple of weeks will be exciting to me as I love planning and preparing for her birthday. I just can’t help to have all the best for these kids.

Happy Birthday Gab!

busy setting up his toy train...

Mary’s birth was extraordinary, because she was conceived without original sin for God had chosen her to be the mother of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Her parents Joachim and Anne were beyond their child-bearing years so they prayed that God would grant their aspiration for a child. It was clear that the grace of God already started with her parents when they asked God to grant them a child and He gave them the Virgin Mary.

I remember when my Theology teacher asked the class to write an essay about who is Mary in our life.  And all our answers amazed our teacher because it’s almost of the same thought and same belief. Mary is my “protectress” to all bad elements in life and a “bridge” to Jesus, I turn to her when I’m down and ask her guidance in my daily activities. I’m so blessed with Mary in my life and despite my unworthiness, I continue to feel her presence and with so much faith, I continue to embrace her into my life.

Happy Birthday “Mama Mary”!

With lots and various emerging high tech trends nowadays, I can’t think of a reason if I still fail to send a long distance greeting to family members, friends and loved ones for any occasion. Not unless if the reason is being “unthoughtful”, busy, or simply no time to do so…

I have listed some options I can think of for me to be able to extend even a simple “Happy Birthday” message to a long distance friend of mine:

• Connect to the internet and login to any popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Friendster – post a shout out to her wall or send a private message.
• Write a blog with my special birthday greetings in my personal website and send the link to my friend – it’s another way of greeting a friend with a personal and unique touch.
• If I’m in travel but within the “Wifi” area, grab my iPhone and connect to a free instant messaging that we are both subscribing. My favourite is the “YAK” application, very simple and handy.
• Send an email with personalize electronic greeting cards – there are lots of beautiful e-cards flashing in the internet.
• Grab a cellphone and dial her roaming number – it’s expensive but we can hear our voices and exchange talks.
• Lastly, chat and open my video cam – especially if I know my friend is also always online.
• And oh, sending birthday cards by snail mail is also an option!

Well, there are lots of options to take, the “techy” way or the “old-school” way – whatever our option is, I believe that sending greetings to loved ones will make us a part of their special day and will surely make them happy.

yummy "cookies n cream" cake from "Red Ribbon"

Happy birthday to the best dad I know!

I’ve been thinking how to make my dad happy on his special day, then I realize a birthday celebration for dad need not to be expensive or extravagant. Dads are usually happy with a simple happy birthday greetings coming from their loved ones. Well, maybe because unlike women, some dads usually don’t spend much time partying.

I can’t find a perfect birthday present for him yet… but I’m sure bringing him a birthday cake will already make him happy…

Want to share this poem I like to send to my Father on his birthday,  from poemsource.com

Good Man

Dad,
Every year, your birthday reminds me
how grateful I am that you are my father.
With all that’s going on in the world today,
I’m thankful I get to watch you,
to look up to you, being an example of a good man.
What a privilege it is to observe your strength,
your competence, and your kindness.
I am so blessed to be under your wing,
your protection, your care,
learning important life lessons from you.
If all fathers were like you,
the world would be a very different
and much better place.
Happy Birthday, Dad!

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 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.

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.

A simple birthday treat can already manifest a memorable occasion… I remember when my classmates way back high school surprised me with a birthday treat by wearing my favorite color and giving me presents full of green, one of those presents was even a pail full of plain green leaves, I can remember how I laughed so hard and it became the most beautiful and unique gifts for me… and the last treat they gave was my birthday cake and it was decorated also in green! it was so funny and very memorable… that up to now I cherished everything and it was one of my happiest birthday!

I hope my brother will be happy to see me on his birthday… my treat…

A father who loves me, cares for me, cook for me, supported me in every things I do, spank me when I commit mistakes, and bring me to the altar to step the next chapter of my life independently and call me in the middle of my hectic schedule just to say ‘I miss you and I love you‘, and a father who commits mistake and bad decision and in turn give me a chance to scold him and advice him for those mistakes…

All these moments with my father reminds me of how thankful I am to have him in my life. And because of these, his birthday is worth a celebration every year.