off to macau

Hubby is preparing for his upcoming business trip in Macau two weeks from now. I was told that he will be attending a three-day conference at the Venetian Hotel for GSM providers. Of course, I was ecstatic about his trip since I can ask hubby to buy early Christmas gifts for us but my excitement was short lived. The sad news, as he was checking his stuff, he found out that his passport is no longer valid. He totally forgot that his passport has already expired since last month. Talk about being super-busy. Thus, by next week he’s bound to renew his passport. I am just not sure if he can get his passport on time. Given the one-week processing lead time, I just hope he’ll be able to get his new passport before he leaves for Macau. Otherwise, he will be forced to stay behind and cancel all his appointments. And sadly, goodbye to my early Christmas present. :(

What If?

Snagged this tag from Peachy .

What if?...

1....you could bring one character from your favorite book to life, who would it be?

Becky Bloomwood of Shopaholic series. Just love her character.

2....you could solve one of historys unsolved mysteries, which would it be?

Find out who killed JFK.
3....you were stranded on a deserted island, what 2 people would you chose to be stranded with?
Hmmm... Of course with the people I love. Hubby and the kids.

4....you could spend a day with any celebrity, dead or living, who would it be?
Oprah Winfrey please. My dream is to meet her in person and be part of her audience in her talk show.

5....you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That would be my weight now, I am horizontally-challenged. And I need to find the best fat burner to get back at my pre-preggo weight.

6....you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Can't think of any place now. I am happy just where I am.

till next time....

Sam's School Party

Of course her birthday will not be complete without fun celebration with her classmates in school. It was Sam's first day in school after a long vacation (Nov 11, Tuesday). This was also the last leg of her week long birthday celebration. I never thought Sam will be able to celebrate her birthday party in school, nor blow a birthday candle inside the school premises since parties are not allowed. This was clearly communicated to me on her first day in school. It was even written in the student's handbook.

But due to my persistence, I was able to pull-off a simple birthday party celebration yesterday. I asked teacher if Sam can at least blow a birthday cake with her classmates. Teacher happily allowed my request. And as a matter of fact, teacher told me some parents serve packed-food too for the kids. Hmmm...great idea. Thus with the go signal of teacher, I immediately thought of still having a party theme. A strawberry shortcake again so I can use all the party stuff I bought online. I want everything about the party ---personalized. Personalized give-aways, lootbags, tags and even personalized books for her classmates. For food, brought spaghetti and chicken meal from Mc Do Tiendesitas (who gave me balloons since it was their opening day too!), prepared SS lootbags, ordered additional cupcakes from Kitchen Kraft and voila! instant themed-party for 12 kids. Again, pardon the picture overload.

Samantha with her SS party theme in school :
lootbags, tarps (from her party), balloons, cake and cupcakes from Kitchen Kraft

Photo opps before the party: Ms. Reyes, Mommy and Samantha

party time with Sam's classmates

giving party loots: SS cupcakes and lootbags

If I only knew months ahead that teacher will allow me to have a themed-party, I should have stick to my original plan of party celebration in school! Hah ... a lot, lot cheaper and much easier to prepare! Hahaha! Preparing simple party for 12 kids and with 45 minutes party time, no sweat! lol.

Anyway, Samantha enjoyed her party in school since she was surrounded by her classmates. A different type of party experience. I saw the happy and carefree side of Samantha in a classroom environment. The shy, timid Sam plays, shares and inter-acts with her classmates in her own way. And the best part, I know she felt extra special today with her "cool" friends around (yes, I heard them use the word cool and awesome!). I know she'll forever remember the happy faces of her classmates and all the fun celebration she had. She kept on talking non-stop about her party in school to Daddy that evening. I was fascinated listening to her how she remembers everything.

So again, happy birthday Samantha! I hope you enjoyed all the parties Mommy prepared for you.

Samantha's Mc Donald's Party

After months of preparation for the bratinella's fourth birthday party, finally ... it is now over. Party was a huge success! With all the guests happy and with all the take home loots (and balloons), I am sure they had a great time.

The party girl had a blast too! She enjoyed the games, the food (of course, by Mc Do) and the people who lovingly attended to celebrate her fourth birthday party. Though I've decided the party theme (Strawberry Shortcake), heard no qualms from her. As a matter of fact she began to love the theme when I slowly introduced the character to her early this year. Hahaha! Wala sya nagawa ... obviously, furstrations ng Mommy ang Strawberry Shortcake. Why? I find this theme kasi so girly-girly! All pink...and really pretty! Hahaha! Glad that my kiddo not into any particular theme, di nya feel sila Barbie, Disney Princesses or HS musical. Hehehe! Kaya, madali na influence ng Mommy to have the Strawberry Shortcake theme. (but i think, if she saw the Mamma Mia! months ahead, baka ito pinagawa theme sa akin! lol!)

I don't have any party ratings, I don't intend to post any. As I promised to hubby, will just relax and enjoy the party this year. "Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be ..." Though medyo kina-career ko ng konti sa preps, but party itself...dedma na sila. Just happy with the results. So far, this is my cheapest party ha! Thanks to my blogging raket, I was able to raise almost half of my party cost from this business. Hahaha! Note, in three months lang ha!

Anyway, thanks to all my suppliers for making it happen. Adworks (Mye) for the Invites and thank you tags, Kitchen Kraft for the cakes, Melisse of Perfect Pixels for all the tarps, Divisoria for all the toys and stickers. Tried and tested na talaga sila. And to my new-found great suppliers (uulit pa ako!): Party Time for the decors (super na-rush sa pag-set up), Howell for the nice photos, Mc Do for accommodating all my request (love ko to!), Sheila for the director's chair (hmmm...prompt naman delivery nya kaya ok na. lol.). Over-all it was a huge success. Seeing everybody happy, worth every cent! Labor of love talaga.

Please bear with me for the picture overload. Hundreds of nice photo shots from Howell (of Abie) and I am having a hard time choosing the best photos. Hahaha!

Pre-party pictures: Samantha at her cake, the party tarps and themed-prizes bought everywhere (ie: SS sippy cups, fans, coloring book, stickers, pens, lunch boxes, wallets, books etc.), director's chair (madagascar and strawberry shortcake) as party tokens. -- borrowed Madagascar print from Bela. Thanks abie!

Party time Fun: Kids and adults had so much fun playing the games prepared by Mc Do. Think the parents enjoyed the game (and loots) more. See the competitive (and fun) side of moms and dads -- all to win a prize!



and more fun games like pabitin, pinata and mascot dance

and with Samantha's party guests ...

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their time with us and making Samantha's day truly special. See you all next year!!

LV happy again ...

Just a quick post...want to share my source of joy this week! :)

LV EPI NOE Bag in Yellow… my first love since college.

purple lining inside-- a pretty contrast!

The impulsive bag-shopper in me bought this bag at a great steal! You see, I never thought I'll buy a bag this year. BUT, one look at this baby and I immediately fell in-love... the color just perfect! Yellow Noe with purple lining. Love the contrast. It is sooo vibrant and stands out. What I love about this bag, LV discontinued this color since 2007. Making it more exclusive and rare to find color. Really perfect. And with the amount I paid, really worth it! I must say, best buy among all my LV bags.

insurance quotes

For the past three years now, I am not bothered with any auto insurance quotes . The bank handles all the insurance policy renewal and I just get billed after every renewal. No worries, right? Actually, I prefer this type of arrangement with my bank. No need for me to get several auto insurance quotes from different insurance providers, no need to submit any documents or fill up any insurance forms. No need to haggle for premium payments or discounts. Everything taken cared of. Including my personal term life insurance. For a working mom like myself, I prefer this kind of set-up. No hassles, no worries, no missed payments and no fuss. The bank handles all my personal finances. From investments to settlements of loans. Making life easier for busy mom like me. Instead of spending my time worrying about it, I get to spend more quality time with my family. Much better, don’t you think so?

birthday treat

Despite our busy schedule and meetings last Tuesday, Hubby and I made sure that the birthday girl gets an extra special treat from us to celebrate her fourth birthday. It was a simple birthday treat for the bratinella and looking at the pictures below, I am definitely sure she enjoyed every minute of it.

We had dinner at T.G.I Friday's Galleria wherein Sam ordered her favorite fried macaroni and cheese balls. She also got special treat from T.G.I.F : birthday jingle from the crew, purple ballooon and ice cream!

Sam here excitedly opening her birthday gift, a strawberry shortcake watch.

Her treat started with fun rides and games at Tom's World. Together with hubby, they both enjoyed the basketball booth and the animal ride... as a matter of fact, she had a blast with all the fun rides. Then we let her pick her birthday gift from Toys R' Us. After choosing and going around the toy shop for about twenty minutes, she ended up getting puzzles which she addoorres, by the way.