Birthday Party Souvenirs

Yaya teased me the other day. She said that Belle's daddy escaped spending money for Belle's 2nd birthday last year, since we only celebrated it at home, and did not do anything fancy. I only bought some seafood at Seaside Market in Baclaran, and called my family to have dinner with us. Now, since Belle is enrolled in school, yaya said I cannot help but spend a bit for a school party. Most children have school parties nowadays, not like when I was younger, when birthdays were just "Happy birthday!" and just that. Now, moms like me have to buy souvenirs, a cake or cupcakes, drinks, and balloons. Some even bring clowns and entertainers to their kid's classroom.

I told yaya that I really don't want to make a big fuss over every birthday. Belle might grow up thinking birthday parties are a must, instead of a privilege. So I think I might just bake the cupcakes and the cake myself, and yaya volunteered to cook spaghetti. I'll just buy juice in tetra paks to complete the food. Most of the parties in school had food brought in from McDonald's or Jollibee, but I really dislike that kind of party. I think that kids are entitled to a happy birthday, not a birthday party per se. I said that we will have a bigger party when Belle turns 7 years old.
But of course not everyone shares my opinion. My friend is determined to give a birthday party for her sons every year until they turn 7. That's 14 parties in all! I'm helping her choose lootbags this year. I told her the fastfood giveaways and the stuff she can buy in Divisoria are so cheap-looking. I gave her the site where she can order classy-looking kids backpacks. That is the kind I want to order for Belle's 7th birthday party souvenirs.
I will have it personalized with each child's name. Cool huh?

Kitchen Cow's Anniversary Giveaway!

Kitchen Cow is having her 3rd Anniversary Giveaway!

What’s in the Bento Giveaway? Well, everything in the photo!

• Clear bento box with 4 removable compartments
• 16cm chopsticks with cloth storage case
• Cute food-themed baran / plastic dividers
• 4 Animal-themed reusable bento cups
• 2 Vegetable-themed condiments container for dry ingredients or thick sauces
• 3 Refillable soy sauce containers
• A selection of fruit-themed mini picks
• A selection of animal-themed disposable bento cups
• 2 Hello Kitty Jello Molds
• 2 Bento Belts

All you have to do is answer the question "If you win this bento package, what will you put in it?" Each comment/answer in her blog gets a raffle ticket. For an extra point, answer it in your blog and link back to her contest post.

I’ve never made bento before, but I’m excited to make it for my little princess’s snacks. She starts preschool in a few weeks, and I’m racking my brains on what snacks she should bring. I don’t want her to bring junk food. I specially like the bento cups and dividers, little kids like their food separate, not all jumbled up together.

I will put some crackers, a few peeled grapes, and small pancakes cut up into squares, triangles, circles, etc. I might put a few raisins for eyes in the pancakes too. The small sauce bottles will contain the syrup. The mini picks will help her keep her fingers clean, and I can't wait to make Hello Kitty eggs in the plastic molds!

Sick, but Mending

Belle had a low fever for 3 days last week. We were worried about dengue, but good thing the fever didn't come back after the 3rd day. Then she got colds. A cough followed, which she still has up to now.
I also got colds and cough, as well as Belle's yaya. We're not sure if we caught it from each other or from other people, as we were out for 3 successive days last weekend.
We're still mending, and hopefully Willy won't catch it.

Tagaytay and the ZipLine

We went to Tagaytay last Monday. We ate at a new paluto place which I forgot the name. Belle and Alex enjoyed the garden, while Llance enjoyed feeding the giant carp.

Belle and Alex, with Cheche and Tina.

Afterwards we rented horses and a calesa and went for a few rounds.

Then we went to Picnic Groove. It was my first time there, and we were amazed that they had a zipline and a cable car!

Llance and I went on the zipline together, as Llance was a bit afraid of going by himself.

picture taken from actual hardcopy picture

The zipline costs P100 for a 1 way trip, P200 for a 2 way trip, weekdays. Prices double for weekends. Pictures cost P100 for 2 5R copies.

Pictures from our Club Manila East summer outing.

Daddy and Belle, the little princess making lambing.

Family picture outside our cottage.

Inside the cottage.

Belle, Auntie, and Ama, playing outside.

Bulacan

We went to a resort in Bulacan last month. I forgot the name of the town and the resort, I just know that my brother knows the owner. Fishing and swimming were the order of the day.

This is Belle's hand touching makahiya. I was thrilled to see large patches of it on the grounds. I immediately called Belle to let her see and touch it. When makahiya is touched, the leaves? fronds? close up tight. After a while, they open up again. Belle was amazed at her discovery, and kept wanting to touch the leaves even after they were all closed. I'm just glad I was able to introduce to her one of the wonders of nature.

I've Missed Blogging!

I've missed blogging!

I've been busy the past 2 months, Belle's yaya was on a month-long vacation, so I had my hands full with Belle. Good thing my mom's helper recommended her younger sister to me for a maid, otherwise I would have had no maid nor yaya!

I actually asked my mom if I could move in with her during my yaya-less month, if I didn't have a maid. She said yes, and we were thinking of what stuff we would move to my mom's house. But God heard my prayers. My new helper arrived a few days before yaya left for the province, and Belle liked her. They dance and play together, to give me a much-needed breather, during those long 4 weeks.

This summer, we went to Club Manila East, our regular Holy Week destination. Belle and Alex enrolled in a 10 day summer toddler class where they were the only students. We swam in the 12 foot inflatable pool most days. We attended a couple of kiddie parties and my college barkada reunion. Sister had her eyes lasered. (Or is lasik-ed the right term?) I watched Star Trek and Angels and Demons.

It's been a busy summer. I've missed blogging!