on the way to her culminating activity

I’m one of the many proud moms watching my little 2 year old performing in the stage… Sitting in the front row, I can’t help but to clap my hands all over again from start to finish when Claire’s batch perform their “My toes, my knees” song. I’m amazed how she simply cooperates without running and moving around the stage.

We got her certificate of completion and also her report card… and I’m so happy to see all her compiled art projects that according to the teacher, Claire performed them all. I’m just glad we decided to enroll her to this summer activity. Now that summer is over, our little sacrifice to wake up early and change work schedule just to drop and fetch Claire in School is also over,… I can say that it was fruitful and such a great accomplishment as a parent.

Bright Academy

Claire's Play Group Certificate.

Family baby, bonding, Bright Academy, Family, kiddie party, kids party, love, Play Group, Summer School

I’m glad hubby and I decided to sign up our little girl for a “trick or treat” kiddie party in celebration of the Halloween for it is such a memorable activity not just for Claire but for all the parents who bring their kids too. The theme of the party goes “Spookytacular Kiddie Party” – and it is indeed a spooky occasion for all the kids in the company.

A week before the halloween, all departments in the company were decorating halloween tricks in every corner of the office… the creativity of the staff is amazing! I saw graveyards with candles, coffin with pictures, cobwebs in almost every corner of the walls, bats, crickets, there’s even dolls with spooky look hanging on the doorway and a broken leg with unreal blood hanging in the lobby! haha! imagine that! And on the day when the 50 kids ages from 1 year old to 7 year old arrived in the office’s main lobby with their colorful costumes, the place become more scary than the previous days… my officemates are already on there scary costumes, the office turns dim with red lights on the hallway… at the back of my mind, I appreciate all the creativity and thought it’s the happiest Halloween I ever had! Representative from IT Web department won the scariest costume this year – and it’s indeed scary, plus his acting is superb! Wow!

When the kids forming one line are ushered to the path where they will get their first treat, I can see my Claire’s surprised look at her surroundings but I cannot say she is scared yet. When the kids reaches the line and every corners where it’s already the staffs in scary costumes giving them their treat, they all started to be scared, and crying started… my little girl accompanied by her daddy is quite strong, she only tremble when the man who won the scariest costume approached her. Wheh! Overall the occasion is successful and memorable!

We are able to bring home 1 big plastic full of candies, chocolates and toys! Amazing!

right, won the best costume... left, 1st runner up

Country Event, Family, Occasion halloween, kiddie party, kids party, love, trick or treat

When it comes to Halloween, what comes to my mind first is something spooky from decorations to scary characters and costumes based on images of death and the supernatural. And having this in mind, I am having a hard time looking for a Halloween costume not for myself but for my Claire… I registered her for some tricks and treats this Halloween and since it’s already one week to go… I gotta find a costume fast! I’m almost tempted to shop online looking at those Tinker Bell costumes, I’m sure she will be so lovely, but I think finding it personally in the mall is a sure thing to fit. So I bring my little girl shopping with me today and could not find that costume I found online, but the first fairy costume she fits delighted my eyes so I pick it. I’m now exited to see my little girl on her fairy costume and joining other kids celebrating this occasion!

I never got a chance to attend and dress in a Halloween costume before, poor me… hehe.. but I’m sure this coming Halloween will be memorable for Claire will be participating it…

Country Event, Holidays, Occasion fairy, halloween, halloween costume party, kiddie party, kids party

I am not fond of “Tinker Bell” character when I was a kid, but when I joined my little girl watching Tinker Bell’s movie and seeing her enjoyed the colorful and beautiful faces of the pixies and fairies, and its magical stories… I find myself setting aside other important tasks and allow myself to finish the whole movie. I enjoyed it because Claire too! Hhmmm… It gives me an idea to throw a “Tinker Bell” inspired birthday party for her when she turns 3 years old.

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..

Birthdays baby, birthday, birthday party, cake, kiddie party, kids party, love

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.

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday cake, birthday party, cake, chicken ham, Family, kiddie party

I have to ask permission to the COO of the company for an undertime of 3 hours from work today so I can attend my Lolo’s 80th birthday and persuade my hubby to file undertime too so we can both go. This is an important and special occasion to me as his ‘apo’ because I care for him so much and I’m happy that he reached this age. Yes, my lolo is already old but despite of his age, he still keeps on preaching the word of God thru a bible study that is usually held in his place, I admire him for this apostolic act and he remains to be an adviser of the lay ministers in the parish. He used to preach the bible in the mountain part of our province but since it is too risky for his age now to go in those places, his doctor advises him to stay home but the whole family is all-out support for his apostolic activity and suggested to hold it at home instead. I believe activity like this makes my Lolo strong and live his life to the fullest.

His wish is simple and that is to see his children and dozens of ‘apos’ join him on this occasion – his 80th birthday. Another wish is to be able to invite all the people who usually attend his bible study. And for this, it means the family should prepare a big birthday celebration to accommodate these visitors even if he did not ask us to do so… and everyone in the family contributes and has its share for the celebration, just so to make this occasion special and unforgettable for him.

I bring him a cake and when I arrived, I asked everybody to sing a Happy Birthday and my 80 yr old Lolo blows his candle, without making a wish, hehehe.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Birthdays, Family Add new tag, birthday, church, Family, kiddie party, love

I remember how excited I am when my sister approved for me to do all the planning and preparations for her little boy’s 1st birthday. I want it to be simple yet special because aside from I adore my nephew so much, I also thought of working on this occasion with a personal touch.

I do the shopping of materials and birthday favors myself and make use of my own creativity for baby Gab’s birthday cake, guest message board, loot bags, decorations during the event, birthday banners, games and even foods. The occasion happened and was successful even with pressure on my part, but I take pride with myself in doing it with a touch of passion. I was also able to prove to myself that we can create a special party out of a limited budget.

"I design this birthday cake with a lot of thoughts"

"...and oh! I love this banner so much, i thought of showing the beautiful face of our birthday boy in the whole banner"

"This is my idea of a centerpiece..."

It requires time, creativity and effort but at the end of the day, there is a satisfying achievement. Especially if somebody from the guest recognizes and appreciates the whole party… well, it’s all because of me!

Birthdays birthday banner, birthday cake, birthday center piece, birthday party, kiddie party

Nothing can compare how happy and grateful I was when I finally gave birth of the little and precious angel I patiently conceived for nine months… and here she is now, our beautiful and gorgeous little princess turns 1! My husband and I were planning to throw a birthday party for her and all I need to do is plan out carefully to make her day memorable.
my little princess on her birthday visiting Poor Clare Monastery
Her “Princess Belle at the Bridge” birthday cake by Goldilocks
the kiddie party with the host clown

Here are some 5 essential tips I learned and gathered from friends and from my readings that I want to share with you all.

1. Plan it ahead. Planning is already proven essential before starting every project and I consider my 1st baby’s 1st birthday party a big project. Let all ideas pour out and laid it out in your notepad, don’t mind the writing, just write and write and organize it later. Discuss it with your partner and start gathering ideas. I started thinking and planning 3 months in advance.
2. Create a Checklist. A checklist is very helpful so that nothing is left out during the preparation. Make sure to mark it checked every time you are done with the item/task and always review at the end of the day what are the things needed to be done yet.
3. Be your own Boss. Since you are the one who plan it and creating a checklist, it is also fun and rewarding to do all the shopping, decorating, sending invitations and packing all the party bags and prizes, making souvenirs and balloons. It is tiring but so rewarding when it get to the point that your little girl or boy will be asking you who is doing all the dirty works when he/she turns 1. You can also play around with your budget if most of the work is with a personal touch.
4. Party at home. It is advisable and practical to host the 1st birthday party at your own house so that your baby feels comfortable and can easily be brought to his/her room when tired.
5. Hire a host or clown. Doing all the planning and preparing all the party items according to your own preferences and creativity is already enough to be a big part of the first important occasion of your little kid’s 1st birthday party. So the last item in your checklist is to make sure you hire all the help during the event, like a clown to host the party for the kids, instruct your household helpers to cater all the guests and will take charge of the orderliness in the party area. So, all you have to do is relax and entertain your guests.

My little girl is a gem in my eye and I always love to see her little gorgeous and smiling face.

Birthdays birthday cake, clown, kiddie party, princess