home improvement projects

Before I check for walk in tubs for our bathroom upgrades plans this month, allow me to share some of my to do list while I am still stuck here at home for the next 60 days or while enjoying my maternity leave with my new baby.

1. look for handyman to change broken door and cabinet hinges.

2. change lanai sliding doors to analok frame.

3. put up the christmas tree and decorate christmas lights outside the house.

4. install new screen door for the dirty kitchen/laundry area.

5. re-upholster sofa.

6. proceed with the exterior house painting (will it rain again next few weeks?)

7. fix home theater wiring at master's bedroom.

8. cabinet spring cleaning : discard old items and kids' stuff to give-way to more cabinet space! (A must!)

My vacation schedule very timely, don't you think so? With me here at home and with the upcoming holiday season, I can do more stuff and prepare for Christmas party this year. And what better way to spend bonding time with the family but during holiday season. Simply perfect, wouldn't you agree? Wish I can do this yearly. LOL :)

dental check up in school

Today, the little bratinella went home from school with a letter from their dentist. Apparently, it was the pre-school department's dental week and each of the students were checked for any possible teeth problems. And since she's been eating sweets lately and start losing her milk teeth, her dentist's recommendation : her right side of teeth upper (E D C B A), needs filling (amalgam or light cure) asap. Very bad! and really need to act on this one fast! I don't want the little girl to have teeth problems in the future. Or even worse, if the problem persists, might be needing major dental implants. Though I heard dental implants Mexico offers a good package and service, not sure if I can afford it at this time with the new baby addition in our family.

Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale

Every year, I always make it a point to go to Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale. I never miss this once a year shopping opportunity since I always end up getting good toys at a great price! As always, I made sure that I'll be at the TK Warehouse Sale at Megatrade Hall early on it's first of opening. And this year ... was no exception. I was able to grab really nice items for Christmas gifts. With the husband having more than thirty plus (yes, 30!) inaanaks ... need to be practical, thrifty and wise Chrsitmas shopper, you know! LOL.

Anyway, just want to share some of the great finds I got from the last Toy Kingdom Sale 3 this year. Price insanely amazing and items really at a great steal! I was even surprised with further mark-downs when it passed the barcode scanner of the shop.

Transformers Robots from P1,499 down to P400 each

G.I Joe Toys from 999.75 to P500 (bought two : for my brother G.I JOE fanactic fan and niece!)

Looney Tunes Majorette : Bugs Bunny, Taz, Tweety and Coyote Car Toys from P899 to P200

Magnet Books from P299 to P50

Shellcore Shape Toy Sorter From P999.75 to P400

Barbie Dolls : From P399 to P200 each (got five of these again!)

Jungle Puppets Theater from P699 to P250 (laavveet!! bought 5 packs of this! LOL)

Musical Farm from P599 to P300

For Samantha : Barbie Hawaiian Girl with Wrap and Twist Hair P1,199 to P600

Bratz Rockstar Guitar P2,799.75 to P1,000 (thanks to jody, gave samantha complementing hannah montana rockstar dance pad wig and video, cool christmas rockeoke party eh?!)

Sadly, because of limited time ... I forgot to buy small trinkets for Sam's classmates. Hahaha! Got so excited with the Transformers and G.I Joe toys instead. Though I plan to get additonal items at Richwell Toy Sale at Libis, I was told the items here not as fab as the items I got above. It used to be the "it" store for toys at a discount, but for the past two years ... the sale items not as amazing anymore. Too bad. I can still remember the 5 ft. Chicco slide I bought at Richwell three years ago, it was priced at P7k only from P15k store price. That was a good buy! Unfortuntely, they don't offer this kind of sale items anymore. Oh well, probably next year then it'll improve.

Samantha's Hello Kitty Party Time!

Since I've been very busy lately with the birth of our new son, Migo ... I almost forgot posting about the little bratinella's 5th birthday celebration dubbed as Hello Kitty Pizza and Chick n' Chips Party.

The party was a huge success, as always! Months of party preparations truly paid-off. Family and friends who came and celebrated with us enjoyed the good food (pizza and chick n' chips), magic treats (Wacky of Jelly Bellies) and loots. Kids and adults went home happy not only because of the prizes they won, but because most of them can relate to the Hello Kitty craze! In fact, everyone was so eager and excited to participate in the games and bring home a Hello Kitty item. LOL.

Anyway, allow me to share some of our party pictures on the success of Samantha's 5th birthday party celebration. Let the pictures speak for itself how much fun we had last November 7 at Shakey's Katipunan. Do check it out ...

the party details : cake and cupcakes, loots, prizes, balloon decors, tarps all Hello Kitty aligned themed. For boys, Spongebob items

The Hello Kitty-themed party cake and cupcakes

the pretty birthday girl, Samantha with the family. Oh, just check out my pictures below, being nine months pregnant heavy gives me sleepless nights lately. Thanks to the best eye cream I found on the web, dark circles under my eyes, no more! Instead, you'll see glowing and radiant preggo mom at the party! :)


the guests : family and friends who came and celebrated with us

the yummy giant pizza

the party games



More party pics to follow ...

home improvement plans

Before I proceed with the Medicare supplement insurance for possible additional maternity benefits coverage, allow me to share some of my home improvements plan for the next sixty days ... eerrr, that is my to do lists until I am still on maternity leave.

1. proceed with the exterior house painting job : I've been planning this painting job since summer, but due to several typhoons that hit our country this year, the house painting plan was deferred.

2. change our existing lanai doors to analok metal frame : part of home improvement upgrade.

3. change and fix hinges, locks and steel frames of cabinets and doors. Get carpenter for this.

4. clean and sort Samantha's room again : sort out her toys and clothes to give-way for Baby Migo's stuff.

5. set up our Christmas tree complete with decors and trimmings.

6. send the sofa for repair.

7. send two (2) electric fans for repair.

Wow, can't believe my home improvement plans to do list above! and on top of these projects, I need to finalize baby migo's baptism plans. Very busy vacation months, eh? Doesn't look like vacation at all, don't you think so? LOL. Wish me luck that I complete my home improvement plans this year. Actually, the possibility to do all of these will depend on the available moolah from the husband. :)

Hello, Miguel Iñigo Gabriel

Welcome to the latest addition to our growing family ...

Miguel Iñigo Gabriel Soriano or " Baby Migo"

Born: November 11, Wednesday

Time: 1052am

Place: Medical City, Pasig

Weight: 7.3 lbs

Length: 20 in.

More about Baby Migo's birthing post to follow ... For the meantime, I leave you with our first family picture with Baby Migo.

black friday shopping

Just can't wait for the Thanksgiving or Black Friday Sale. I've been saving up lately so I can get the kids shoes and clothes for the holiday season. AsI browse the web for possible must have's for the little girl, I saw this really elegant, and nice looking equestrian apparel that will suit her perfectly. I so love the nice outfit, looks comfy and glam especially paired with the tall black riding boots. I even so want the set for myself! LOL. I just wish I have enough funds to buy the entire outfit. From the shirt blouse, pants, boots and accesories. It will be a very classy outfit for the little girl, don't you think so? And not just for this holiday season but for all-year round wear.