Advance happy birthday, Daddy!

Because his 36th is coming up, and and because we will be busy the following week, we celebrated early.

But this is the real winner for me and the baby! So yummy! The Batangas tsokolate did it.

Jacob’s first birthday

Some few weeks ago, our family celebrated Jacob’s first birthday. I forgot to post about it because work is catching up heavily with me again. Hooray for this tisoy!

Dad is 75!

Yay! Thank you Lord for the life you continue to bestow on Dad. Being 75 nowadays is quite a feat. We do ask for more years to be with him. Sorry, I don’t have pictures on the actual day since we had to leave early and then went home late. Of course, I didn’t forget to cook the noodles as tradition.

Oh we are having a long awaited family trip during the kids’ term break! But for now, our simple family get-together will do.

Princess Wincess

Us girls attended a birthday party over the weekend. I could tell you that, while I relish the bonding time, it is not easy to ferry two girls, one a hyperactive pre-schooler, without another adult to help you. Still, we, especially Maxine, enjoyed the party of Wincess, a little girl who lives down the street. My almost pre-teen reluctantly smiles and allows the obligatory photos, but immediately goes back to her phone after saying the perfunctory hellos.

Mischa’s 9th

I cannot believe she is 9! No matter how I ask time to slow down, there is no stopping that growth spurt, and all things that go with it. Give it another six months or so, and I think she’ll outgrow me vertically. Ayayay!

I didn’t get to spend the whole day with her since I had work but we had a rare family dinner with both sets of families around. Hooray! (We are currently staying at my brother’s house). Also, she got her dream gifts – phone, hamster and her favorite books from Thea Stilton. She is one happy kid.

We love you much, anak! I pray for nothing but the best, good health and constant happiness for you and your sister. I will celebrate your life for as long as I live.

Sip & Gogh party

We joined a different kind of birthday party than the ones we are used to. Izzy, daughter of a friend, turned 8, and hosted a painting session for mostly her friends. Our kids were invited by default by her mom. Hehe. The party was held at Sip & Gogh in Alabang, a paint and sip studio where you can join painting sessions, which also includes snacks. Izzy’s party was a private affair, and the parents of the kids were encouraged to leave them due to the limited space in the studio. We stayed because we had to look after the toddler in case she gets bored and runs amok. lol.

It was actually a lot of fun, as I said different, and quite a novelty for us. Each kid was given an easel, a choice of painting from the gallery to copy, enough oil to begin with (you can ask for more later depending on your painting), and a handful of teachers roaming around to guide the would-be painters. You are encouraged to deviate from the original painting, and put in some creatives on your own. I would want to do this in the future for one of the kids’ parties too. One thing though, there was little food included in the package. And there was no way for the adults to socialize, which is a “must” for our family every time we have a party to throw
to be able to catch up with each other. Oh well, we really enjoyed ourselves, even the Daddy who had a slot all to himself since Mico was absent. I want to do this again!

Simplicity is key

Today, I celebrate my last year in my 30s. No fuss, no fanfare.

I am fast approaching mid-life. I am struggling to achieve many things, most of them revolving my family. At this point, there is nothing more important that this. Everything else is secondary, and I am only endeavoring to complete them, so that I can fulfill our dreams.

So I lift everything to the Almighty Father for He alone can hear my prayers and give me what I deserve.

But first, some cake and pansit for long life. Cheers!