Pink Note's Diary

Grandparents Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 04:17:00 +0000

Jian and Keila's treat for their beloved lolos and lolas!

My kids are very very lucky. They have two pairs of loving and kind grandparents on both sides. Many would say that having an in-law could be bad, but me and hubby are one of those lucky ones. =)

Hubby and I decided to treat the kids' grandparents for Grandparents day as a thank you for the love they always show to us and to their grandchildren. They never fail to ask the kids conditions, and even help us take care of their apos when they've got spare time. Here are some great shots of the 2-part celebration on one day. =)

Lunch treat for my in-laws at Max's Restaurant

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Dinner treat for my parents right after Sunday Mass
Dinner treat for my parents right after Sunday Mass

Personally, I miss having a lolo or a lola. I never experienced having one on my side. I can count the times I had with them. When they died, I never miss dreaming about them and hugging them in my dream. I wasn't scared. Maybe because that's how thirsty I was for a lolo and lola's love. Well, anyway, I wouldn't want my kids to experience the same thing so while we got still a lot of time, maybe considering this celebration every year is very very appropriate. *wink

Papa & Mama's 2011 Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:45:00 +0000

Yes I've been very busy for everyday chores and exclusive celebrations for the family these days so I wasn't very active on upadating my OL diary. Facebook has been evil to me too. I told hubby to fix it for me but he is so busy until this very day that I guess deleting my account would be much better and I would maybe just sign up for a new account. Sigh... I'm more concern on the pictures that have been uploaded. =( Anyway, I am more focused on being a stay-at-home mom for now, prioritizing the family first. Here are some thank you/birthday parties we gave to my parents since we were just living adjacent to their house.hehe And mama & papa never celebrate their birthdays so I guess I'll just be the one giving them simple celebrations by being the eldest child. Never would it be long that my brothers could help me in the celebrations for mama and papa when they'll have a stable job of their own too. =)

Papa's Birthday 2011

Papa's Birthday 2011

Papa's Post Birthday Celebration 2011 - at Rizal Shrine

Papa's Post Birthday 2011 - Dinner at Max's Restaurant

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Mama's Birthday 2011

Mama's Birthday 2011

Mama's Birthday 2011

My parents eversince are very thrifty. So very very thrifty that when I was in elementary, I only got 10pesos for my baon. In highschool I got 20pesos, and in college I only got 60pesos. hehehe I cannot even remember when they did celebrate an occasion for themselves. So I promised myself, if the budget for my own family is not that tight, I would give them a small or extravagant birthday celebration. Us, their kids on the other hand had celebrated every birthdays we had when we were kids. Now, it is officially pay back time. =)

Thank you Lord for the blessings, enough to be shared with our loving parents and family. We love you!

Cars 2

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:17:00 +0000

Me & the kids inside IMAX MOA movie theater!

Me, hubby, Jian and Keila reserved(yes, Keila was paid...) days before the first day of screening in IMAX Mall of Asia for Cars 2 - our kuya Jian's all-time-favorite Disney Cartoon. =) IMAX Mall of Asia is accepting ticket reservation through their website so, we ended up buying the tickets online, for us to save some moola for traveling back and forth as we were expecting the worst case scenario of traveling to Manila and no available tickets could be bought, just like what me and hubby experienced in Transformers 2 and 3. We just traveled to Manila on the reserved date and voila! there we were, on our reserved seat on the first day of screening, enjoying IMAX Cars 2 on its best!

My ever so loved kuya Jian enjoyed the whole movie! It was superb!I love the details and I felt that what we had paid for was so worth it. I watched a 3D pinoy version last December but unfortunately, it can never be compared to what I witnessed with Disney's Cars 2. Seems like you can really touch the water on the screen, and the fire blasts are oh so fine! The whole movie is 98% in 3D not like the pinoy 3D I watched. Pinoy 3D movies has a lot more room for improvement though. =)

Anyway, the movie plot is really made for kids, but I enjoyed the whole experience too. Hubby even told me that this is how we should watch the kids' movies, in-state-of-the-art! =) We can't wait for Toy Story 4 too, as we were able to watched its trailer before Cars 2 started.

Mama Topolino: Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro.
Uncle Topolino: It means, "He who finds a friend finds a treasure."

-Cars 2

A Lovely Place in India

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Traveling first around Asia is one thing we should consider if we're going out of the country for the first time. There are Hong Kong - for the ever so popular Disneyland, Singapore - for Sentosa, Macau - for its Macau Tower, China - for its Great Wall, etc. Also there is something in India that made me so curious about the place that I found myself researching for the country's most visited tourist spots. And since I love to cook, I heard a lot of spices can be bought there in a cheaper price. Maybe I can add some on my own personalized recipes! *wink*

Being in India, you'll surely pass in Mumbai - a cosmopolitan place and India's largest city. Consider to live here in Mumbai if you want to spend a weekend, a month, a year or even for a lifetime if you'll fall in love with the place. There's santacruz east west commercial property where I heard is very promising and not that costly. A lot of santacruz east west office space were rented and bought here. santacruz east west officespace is popular in the area, by the way.

Here are a couple of tourist spots in Mumbai India:

TAJ MAHAL HOTEL

GATEWAY OF INDIA

Sigh! I hope I can go there sometime in my life. hehe If ever you made up your mind and plan to visit India, please don't forget to tell me your adventure and I would love to listen and blog about your getaway.

For further information on where you can rent a space, the infos are on red texts below:

Horizon Consultants
A/7, Mahadev Darshan,
Opp: Jivan Vikas Hospital, Koldongri,
Off. Sahar Road, Andheri (east),
Mumbai 400069

Call Now:
Mr. Chhabra: +91 9820016879
Mr. Singh : +91 9821090096

Tel:
+91 22 26845368/86

Fax:
+91 22 26845380

Email:
info@officespacemumbai.in

Website:
www.officespacemumbai.in

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% from the owner of the site. Please do not copy-paste. Thank you.

Planning Children's Birthday Parties

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:37:00 +0000

Having thrown a few birthday parties for my own children now, I'm beginning to get a good idea of the things which you need to think about during the planning process. With this in mind, here are a few top tips on planning children's birthday parties, which other parents may find useful.

Firstly, you will want to make sure that you child's birthday party is going to be an event which they enjoy. Therefore, if they are old enough to have favorite cartoon character, or even just a favorite color, then they are likely to have a preference as to the theme of their party. This doesn't have to be particularly extravagant - event just a few colored balloons or a personalized cake can make for a fun theme.

If you are looking to decorate a venue, or even your home, then you will want to invest in a few basic decorations. Paper cups and plates are usually best if you are serving food or having a buffet, and you may also want to look at purchasing birthday banners, balloons, and streamers. If you search online, you may find that you are able to purchase party packages, which include all the essential decorative items. This can be easily done while playing games at partypoker or checking your emails, and can be a convenient way of having almost everything you need delivered direct to your door. Make sure you also have pins, blu-tack, ribbons or sticky tape, in order to fix your chosen decorations.

You will also need to choose a date and time for your party, and draw up a guest-list before sending out invitations. Don't forget that, especially while children are very young, you will also want to invite a number of adults to help oversee your event.

Our 4th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:16:00 +0000

This is actually a very late post. 2 months delayed to be exact. I was actually been very busy taking care of my 3 lovelies, but now that Keila has been very very cooperative and can already talk a little, I think I'm finally getting and understanding the techniques well..hehe Anyway, bringing the whole family to a sports game for our wedding anniversary crossed my mind when me and hubby were planning on where to celebrate the day we said I Do. I was thinking of UAAP, or a football game, or a bowling tournament since it's so easy to buy hsbc arena tickets or philadelphia eagles tickets over the net. Hubby even suggested a jiffy lube live pavillion since Ticketamerica.com has concerts theater and sports tickets for HSBC arena seating charts and the philadelphia eagles football team as well as the nissan pavilion. Who wouldn't love that? But then, Keila can't still enjoy such events. Well, maybe 2-3 years from now.hehehe So, hubby and I settled to take our lunch at Cravings, took our dessert at California Berry, bought our anniversary cake at Babycakes and brought home a merienda for my dad and youngest brother. Here are some of the photos we've got during the day itself. :)

Us in CRAVINGS Resto
(Yours truly choosing my meal & Jian's)

Hubby and our Unica Hija trying out CRAVING's soup

My kuya Jian's meal --- Cordon Bleu Nuggets

Hubby's chosen meal --- Rosemary and Mint Lamb Steak
(Hubby got a mango Banana Breeze Fusion Smoothies)

My meal --- Le Cordon Bleu Chicken
(I forgot to take a photo of my beverage but I got a Carrot Cocktail Fusion Smoothies)

Me and my eldest ordering for our dessert in
California Berry Yogurt

Our pretty cake from Babycakes!

Us when we got home
(We just ordered to-go foods for Papa and my youngest bro after )

We chose to spend the day simply since we were saving up for something big for our family. Well, I wouldn't want to burst the bubble for now but I'll surely post it here when we already got HIM already. Everyone in the family is excited for his arrival by the way. We actually came up for his name already but I guess we'll have to change it if we haven't got the color we wanted to have first.hehe Oh, I gave a clue! But anyway, whatever... I'm excited! =D

Disney Princess Themed Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:40:00 +0000

The celebrator, my unica hija and little princess, Kelliyah Angela!

My princess Keila's things!

Keila's Golden Shoes

Keila's Invitations

Keila's Princess Belle inspired Gown

After Party Dress

Keila's After Party Shoes

My little princess Keila's Tiara


Keila's Necklace. (The necklace I wore during my wedding day)

Keila's Balloon Pillars

Keila's Cupcakes

Keila's Crown Cake

Keila's Huge Tarpaulin

Table and Chairs for the kids

Floating Balloons

Keila's Welcome Banner

Keila's Lechon

Princess Ariel and Snow White Standees

Keila's First Birthday Cakes

Keila's Give Aways

Opening Dance - "Fairy Dance"

Cotillion de Honor

Keila's Mobile - Lights and Sounds (Thank you to Keila's Ninong Ferdz!)

Kiddie Games

Adult Games

Keila's Magician

AJA! A white dove appeared!

Foods for the Adults (Morcon, Beef Broccolli, Chicken in Lemon Sauce, Fish Fillet in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Leche Flan, Lechon)

Foods for Kids - Chicken McDo with Home-made Spaghetti


Photobooth!

With my lovable in-laws! (Sample photobooth pic)

With my family! (Sample photobooth pic)

My loving in-laws!

Guests!

Singers - - - Intermission Numbers while eating!

Kid McDo Appearance

My happy family!

Elementary Friends

High School Friends

The family I first belong to. :)

My Kids with their Uncle Nico

Hubby's Friends

Relatives!

Soon-to-be part of the family... :)

Going home

After Venue Party!

Just a portion of Keila's gifts! There were a lot!

My post has become a photo blog.hehehe Anyway, here are some of the photos I want to share with you. The party costs an arm and a leg not just like some vacation rentals new york city but it's all worth it. We enjoyed my unica hija's first birthday and actually can't wait to celebrate her second birthday. I'm just hoping everything will turn out perfect just like the first time. I'm hoping that parties like this would just cost us just fine. The rentals of the venue, the equipments and dining wares are just like vacation rentals new york city, but of course,it is not. Thorough savings is badly needed and the skill for having such thrifty character is required. But when you're a mom, you want the best for your kids so you just plan and save for them. And these were all the labor of my love.hehe and of course her dad. I am one proud parent. We never asked for any financial help, and I am so proud of it. I saved, hubby saved, and we worked hard to find ways to achieve a goal we made --- to give a party like this to our little princess. =)

Keila, grow up to be God-fearing, obedient and understanding.
We love you and we only want what's best for you and your kuya Jian.
I hope you'll understand too that this is how we show our great love for you.
Daddy worked hard for this.
He spent sleepless nights and over times.
Mommy worked for every details, big or small.
I hopped from every store, finding the best services and things we needed for the party that would fit in our budget.
Someday you'll understand. Someday, you'll experience.
But now I hope you and kuya Jian would feel the love me and your dad give.
You both are our treasures.
And nothing and no one can surpass you both.
Jesus is in the middle of the family.
And through Him is this LOVE is flowing.
Be a good girl Keila.
We are so excited to see you bloom like my beautiful tulip flower and fly like my favorite butterfly.
I love you my sweet sweet little girl... :)

with lotsa love,

Mommy

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% from the owner of the site. Please do not copy-paste. Ask permission to the author. Thank you.

Being a Nuffnang Blogger is the Hottest Thing Since I Knew Paid Posting!

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:19:00 +0000

Nuffnang is the very first company whom I got to be paid for posting my own blog entries. No words can describe how ecstatic I was when I first received my first online blogging payment from Nuffnang. Since then blogging for me is not only for fun but for earning a little bit of extras for the family! Before, I seldom back read but when I knew I am acquiring readers, I did everything extra special since then. I am not a pro, but it made me more conscious on my grammar and spelling.haha And I knew, from then on, this blogging thing is gonna be sooooo HOT!

I am a woman of few words. And being a part of the Nuffnang family, made my circle of friends wider. I met HOT momma bloggers like me, (hehe) sizzling HOT celebrities on events, flaming HOT party venues, oozing HOT Nuffnang staffs, and the list goes on and on! And all of these HOTNESS are all shared and witnessed with the most HOTTEST MAN I know ever existed, my very own, beloved hubby, Mike! hahaha He offers one great HOT persona I would definitely wont find on anyone. He's actually like Pizzahut! Well, even hotter! hahaha Speaking of Pizzahut, Pizza Hut’s pizzas, delivered to your door, in thirty minutes or less, otherwise your pizza is free. And you don’t need to take their word for it: the new Pizza Hut Hot on the Dot delivery provides you with a sticker that proves you get your pizza hot and on time. Cool eh?

Pizza Hut now offers Hot on the Dot Pizza deliveries:
30 minutes AND hot
(as indicated by the thermally activated sticker
you place on the pizza box
upon receiving your pizza)
or your pizza is FREE!

Dial 911-11-11 if you want your pizzas Hot on the Dot!

This post made me crave for a Super Supreme Pizza. Hmmm.. would be back into blogging after making a call on 911-11-11. Hehe *wink!@

My Daughter's First Birthday Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:13:00 +0000

My daughter's exact 1st birthday celebration!

My mom doesn't want to let my daughter's exact birthday pass without celebrating on the day itself. She said I should buy a native chicken for 'padugo" rituals. Of course we have to eat it afterwards so I just obeyed her. What else can I do, she's my mom. *wink

Keila trying to make her first real flame blow.hehe

And here's the poor chicken. =))

Her exact birthday is just a day before the grand 1st birthday celebration. This was just as simple as it looks since we poured everything out for the next day.hehehe Anyway, on the same evening, the caterer made us checked the venue for their pre-design of the place. Me and hubby loved it so we just took photos, gave the big tarpaulin for them to put it on the stage already and went home. We were excited for the next day because of that. And also, that made us like a walking zombie a day after. We haven't got a good sleep because of excitement.hahaha =D

The venue seconds before we went home.

My kuya Jian has been playing, going from table to table and

telling me that we should eat already.hahaha

He's surely excited for the next day celebration.

And of course, his mommy too! =D

Somewhere in the Hot Spring Capital of the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:36:00 +0000

Blusyl E Private Resort in Pansol, Calamba City Laguna

My little Keila's venue on her 1st Birthday Celebration. =)

Pansol, Calamba City Laguna is the Hot Spring Capital in the Philippines. Here is where most people spend their summer since most of the private and public pools' warm water is blessed with Natural Hot Spring coming from the mystical Mount Makiling. We Calambenos are really having a hard time traveling in the Southern portion of Laguna because of the heavy traffic during weekends. Here most vacation rentals for summer are fully-booked just like some holiday rentals new york. Fortunately, my daughter's birthday is exactly a week before summer season here in the Philippines ends. So, we chose to rent Blusyl Private Resort for that very special day. The pool water's warm, the place is spacious, and the rooms are cozy that's why the guest enjoyed the party even more.

Here are some of the great photos of the place:

Rentals here in Pansol, Calamba City Laguna, the Hot Spring Capital of the Philippines, are not expensive just like vacation rentals new york so anyone can afford to rent in whatever budget they can afford.

By the way, you can check Blusyl Private Resorts rates on their website. But FYI: Blusyl E, where my daughter's party venue is located, is the newest addition to the 6 venues of Blusyl Private Resorts so you wont still can't see the price of it on their website. Either way, you can call and ask for Blusyl E's rates.

I would give them 10 stars for the accessibility, ambiance and cleanliness of the place. =)

Preparations for my Daughter's First Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:20:00 +0000

Since my daughter, Keila, is the first girl grandchild on my family's side, my brothers are as excited as we are on her first birthday. Our family has a lesser number of girl members that's why my baby has been the next princess of the family since I already am a queen already.hahaha Anyway, I love being the princess until it lasted. And now, my baby's experiencing the love my relatives are giving me ever since. =)

Hubby Mike on Lead Guitar,

Bro Paul on Bass Guitar,

Bro Kurl on Violin,

Friend Angel on Vocals

and my little boy, Jian, on percussion! =D

It's fun looking at my little boy tapping the box of his Lightning McQueen Laptop. I couldn't help but compare him to his dad who knows how to play the guitar, drums and piano expertly. I know someday he'll also play in a band just like me and hubby, my siblings and his. It is where me and his dad met actually. Also thinking that soon, on his little sister's birthday celebrations, he'll also perform just like what we did to our siblings.

Going back to the topic, the preparations for Keila's birthday was very hectic. Not because I lack of time planning and preparing for it but because I have no one to help me. yes, me and hubby 101% managed everything, from the hard copy invitations, food preparations and everything. I just thank God, He showered us enough blessing for this occasion to pay for every small details and services for the party. I also thank God for having a responsible and hard-working father of my kids. It was tiring and time consuming but for our kids, it's all worth it. It's not the place, food or anything else that was bought here, it was the experience. Someday Keila would see how lovely her parents made her first birthday. And then she can be always reminded that we worked hard for everyting in life just to give te best for her and her brother, Jian. Anyway in God's grace, I know I can make them see how much me and their dad love them until our very last breath. We love you, kids! =)

My Daughter's Photo Shoot!

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Hubby and I planned the whole experience months before, that's why we bought a Nikon D3100. Good thing we chose the exact date since a week after that, we went to White Cove Beach Resort in Laiya with my in-laws. Then, baby Keila got tanned. Also the weeks after that, our poor Keila got conjunctivitis, so her eyes were all puffy and red until a couple of days before her birthday celebration. God is really good, He guided us in choosing the exact date for our daughter's photoshoot. =)

Below are pictures on how things went that day. It was fun by the way! My kids are very cooperative. As if I've been raising real stars and models!hahaha I love my kids! =D

Yours Truly!

I'm munching here.hehe

I've been Keila's all-time P.A. I was carrying the camera and her gown.

Been carrying all of her stuffs actually!

I was her designer, hair stylist, and directress.hahaha

Been her camerawoman too! =))

Keila and her Dad!

Hubby's so excited for her princess' photoshoot.

We've got the best creative team, since we've got each other.hehe

No wonder we just click since the very beginning.

We bring out the best in each other. =)

Keila's in the mood!

Our princess had been cooperative.

There were little flaws along the way since she's still a baby,

but over-all we've came out with the best

Birthday Video Invitation and tarpaulins!

Here's my unico hijo enjoying the whole experience too! =)

Tired babies! Water break! =)

Funny, funny Keila, she's doesn't want to use the mug!

She thinks she can sip in the thermos just like her feeding bottles!hahaha

It's a wrap!

Packed up time!

Here we were, done with the photoshoot.

Babies are tired but me and hubby still weren't.

We just can't hold the excitement to incorporate the ideas we had in mind for

our princess' first birthday.

My Daughter's photo shoot for her 1st birthday celebration was a success! If you want to know where was its location, you can freely ask me on the comment box.hehe But if you're from Laguna, most especially if you love traveling like us, you just know where is that old gazebo located. =)

Planning for a daughter's birthday party is way more tiring than with Jian. But we love everything about it. Keila is one special kid just like my Jian. I guess mom's right. Keila is really or financial lucky charm. =)

Blackberry 9700

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 05:53:00 +0000

Hey, hey, hey, I'm enjoying hubby's 5-month old Blackberry 9700! At first I was really having a hard time navigating Blackberry 9700 since I am more familiar with Nokia and Samsung phones. But with Blackberry, life literally is at your fingertips.

Whenever I am finished with my daily household chores, kids are taking their afternoon nap and done with online jobs, I often am on Mobile Web. It's fun since I wouldn't have to open my laptop. It's more easy to update my status on Facebook and Twitter. Having an unlimited internet access (Thanks to Globe!), my anti-social life, since I'm often home-bound, is not that ant-social anymore!haha

But since it's my hubby's business phone, whenever his bosses BBM him, I never hesitate to give it to him quickly, even if that means I have someone who'll have to wait on Yahoo Messenger in his phone.hahaha! But anyway, the 999 monthly fee of Globe for Blackberry unlimited internet access is super worth it. We do not have to pay for per kbps and of course, the Blackberry messenger is what he really needs since the bosses require to have a 24-hr contact to him. And for the current 2-yr plan of the phone of 2,500Php with call and text consumables, it seems like we've got the phone for free. Not bad huh? By the way, Globe offers some freebies like free call and text to globe/TM, free call and text to other networks, free international calls, free mobile surfing and free my super one unlimited call and text to one globe or TM mobile number. You can check more of it HERE. All you need is to choose what freebies you would like to have. It goes for whatever post paid plan you have on Globe.

So far, I'll give it a 10 as score! hehehe Hubby should have given me an Iphone together with his blackberry plan but Globe said that we can only get a second line after 6-months. Anyhow, I can wait. I have his blackberry anyway. *wink*

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 12:33:00 +0000

The first time we decided to watch Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, the tickets were sold out! As usual, after a couple of days we tried again our luck. And yes indeed, we were lucky enough to bought five tickets for me, hubby, the two kids and my youngest brother. Too bad Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon in 3D tickets were still sold out.

I remembered when Transformers 2 was shown in the cinemas, hubby and I were in Mall of Asia and were hyped to watch the movie in IMAX. But, the tickets wer, as usual, sold out and we just went shopping. Sigh...

Going back to Transformers 3:Dark of the Moon, you wouldn't really enjoy the movie with the kids around.hahaha Jian asked to go to the comfort room a couple of times. Keila pooed once and of course we can't stand the smell so it was a good triple comfort room trip. But in the middle of watching Transformers 3, I was having a good time watching my kids scream and clap as the autobots transform. Of course, nothing can beat the kids' enjoyment and that's where I can say, what we paid are all worth it.

By the way, I would love to watch the next series if Megan Fox would come back. The movie is way too different without her. No offense but I prefer her rather than that Cameron Diaz look alike. Over-all it's an average movie for me compared to Transformers 2. I really hope Megan Fox would be back.

My favorite line in the movie:

"You may lose your faith in us,

but never in yourselves."

-Optimus Prime

Keila's Birthday Video Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:22:00 +0000

Ever since me and hubby are hosting parties for our kids, we're always having a hard time giving out invitations to our party guests. So I asked him to do a Birthday Video Invitation that wouldn't look like the normal slide show anyone can do. I told him what I wanted to achieve in the Disney Princess theme of Keila's 1st Birthday Party. So, we planned, had Keila's photo shoot and did the draft of the video. For all the hard work we did, I am so proud to share with you what we came up to. =)

Here's the "Beauty and the Beast" Disney Movie inspired video done by my hubby and directed by me...hehe We distributed this video invitation to our Facebook friends and those relatives who use the internet often. I am so proud of the outcome of this Birthday Video Invitation. Thank you too, Sony Vegas.

Kelliyah Angela's 1st Birthday Video Invitation from Mike Wagan on Vimeo.

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Eleventh Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:24:00 +0000

Since my unica hija will be celebrating her 1st birthday on June, I would love to look back on those first 11 months of her life when all we've gotta do was fed her and lull her to sleep. =)Sigh, time flies so fast. Next thing I knew, we'll be celebrating her 18th birthday and would be posting the experience here too. Haay... bittersweet.

Keila's Eleventh Month of Life:

We discovered that Max's already has a pastries section so we bought

Keila's 10th month cake there for a change. =D

I was exhausted!

I did not bother to change clothes here...hehehe

All I wanted was to finish taking pictures and dig the food I prepared.

I was just so tired and hungry.hehe

I am blessed with these angels! =D

Kuya Jian is always excited for this!

He said it's his birthday for the nth time...hahaha

So I always let him blow Keila's cake, and it never failed

to bring satisfaction to my little boy.

Good times!

Pasta Penne in Creamy White Sauce

I just guessed what ingredients I should used.hehehe

I never did get wrong because hubby and my Papa loved it!

Even my younger bro and little Jian.

It's as delicious as it looks. =D

Daddy Mike wasn't a fan of Tilapia in Sweet n' Sour Sauce,

until he tasted what I cooked.hehehe

I'm very lucky I have a hubby who is not afraid to taste whatever I cook...

in the name of Love! ahahaha =D

Last month of Keila's monthly celebration. I am a bit sad since I know I'll miss celebrating monthly for her. But, a bit excited since we're soon celebrate her first birthday. And, we are actually ready! Yes, still one month to go but we're all ready. Just the balances are waiting to be paid in full.hehe *wink*

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Tenth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:59:00 +0000

Keila's Tenth Month of Life:

Her 10th month cake!

Almost all the cake from Goldilocks and Red Ribbon have been bought,

so we were really hoping that they will come up with a new flavor.

But if we're close enough to any cake houses, we would definitely

patronize it too. ;)

While thinking for a good caption of this pic,

my stomache is growling and I am drooling!

I guess I am hungry... Aaarrgghh!

Posting these photos make me all hungry... Rawr!

Cooking spaghetti using a spiral pasta is superb!

The sauce has been hiding in the loops, giving me a lot more taste of the sauce.

I would actually prefer this rather than the usual noodles.

Yes, 2 months to go before Keila's big day! I've been buying stuffs on my list, and contacting service providers for the party. It was less exhausting since the work has been divided equally each day. I am consulting hubby every now and then, and he has been supportive every time. I was trying to get my mom's suggestions but she's busy after her promotion. But anyway, I am thankful she already taught me good enough when we celebrated my eldest son's birthday. And since I love preparing for parties, I am proud I did everything with no sweat.haha We made it without a yaya! After hubby's shift, he'll drive us to wherever just to get what I have on the list. I'm just thankful God grant us enough time, patience, enthusiasm and of course, budget, so we can pursue the plan. I was very excited. but not as much as hubby... =D

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Ninth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:40:00 +0000

Keila's Ninth Month of Life:

Didn't I say

I am addicted to happy family pictures in my last post?hehehe

My mom's Buko Salad!

This is super yummy!

I wouldn't be a cook without my mom...

Err, my papa is a good cook as well. Really. =)

My First Aglio Olio pasta!

This is superb! Very healthy and very delicious.

I am so proud of myself... =D

My lemon Chicken!

This was actually my first time to fried a chicken meat.

I was surprised I did it perfectly.

That's why I was surprised my Lemon chicken was yummy too.hahaha

Healthy Ninth Month Menu for Keila!

“To eat is a necessity,

but to eat intelligently is an art.”

-La Rochefoucauld

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Eighth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:41:00 +0000

Keila's Eighth Month of Life:

I was Papa's unica hija, but I hope Keila would have a sister.hehe

I never realized how life could be much easier with a sister.

I only knew it now that I have my second child, Keila.

Yes, I am addicted to happy family pictures!

It should be there forever... *wink*

"Mommy, your voice is too loud. I wanted to look the candle's flame

but I am disturbed by you commanding me to look at the camera..."

I'm just assuming Keila wants to tell me these things.hahaha

What I prepared! It's clean, I washed it! =))

My own version of Filipino style spaghetti,

hamonado,

own version of chow fan(hehe),

and my high school desert recipe, Mallow Mud!

Also in the pic,

a cheese-filled ensaymada,

my favorite cinnamon

and daddy's favorite, hopia. ;P

On Keila's 8th month, I was wondering weather I'll miss cooking for her monthly celebrations after her first birthday. And now that's it's almost a week before she'll be 1year and 1 mont old, I am already sure that I'm currently missing my monthly menu preparations. Haay.. I love cooking for Mike since he now loves food. Even if my little boy shows so little enthusiasm on food these days, I still love cooking for them. I just wish the right time would come that my Jian would also look forward on my cooking just like his dad. I guess I might enter into food business soon.hehehe =D

I'm thinking that i might also add a "Thought for the day" in the end of my posts. What do you think? =)

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Seventh Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:51:00 +0000

Keila's Seventh Month of Life:

My two lovable kids!

Ang kukulit!

Our everyday life is full of fun because of this two

(just don't count the "toyo" days...ehehe)

Baby Fats everywhere!

I love how her neck's being covered by her chin. ;P

My loving family!

I did not bother to cook since

there's a lot more food left from the New Year's day celeb.

We just ordered everything from Jollibee, Goldilocks and Yayang's. =)

When Jian was 7 months old, I already started planning for his 1st birthday celebration. But with Keila, me and hubby started to talk about the range of budget we are willing to spend. Planning for the party details and program is easy to do a month before the party. So, I gave hubby a rough estimate since we do not want to disturb our parents by asking them even a small amount of money for the party. I just don't want to be someone who wants to have a big celebration for her kid but her husband really cant afford what she really plans to have. A little help from our parents would be highly appreciated but they're not obliged to do so. Anyway this is not a matter of life and death. We're old enough to stand on our feet and NOT TO BE PROUD of what our parents can give us but on what we can NOW afford to have for ourselves and our kids, ayt? The time of them supporting us is over, since we finished college, started working and built a family of our own. Isn't it so pathetic to know that you cannot give a decent shopping spree for clothes, toys, or even party to your kids without having your parents' money? Duh?! Better settle for what you both as husband and wife can afford, even it could be a simple cake and spaghetti to celebrate an important day, or better stay at home rather brag about what your parents can give you. Right matured mommies? I just heard a true to life story of an immature mommy who happens to have the exact story as what I'd told you. It was narrated by a super close friend. It gives me the creeps. Yaiy!

Anyway, since this was the month when we planned to have a 60thousand budget for our unica hija, we exceeded almost 50% of the budget. Good thing is we prepared for it 5months in advance so it all went well. Not to include Keila's hospitalization 10 days after her 1st birthday, we parents should really keep a good amount of money for emergencies like that. Good thing still, we're prepared for such thing. I am proud we did not have to disturb somebody to borrow money for Keila's confinement. Thanks be to God. I'll talk about the experience after I'm finished with Keila's Monthly Celebrations posts. =)

Thought for the day:

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall;

we just assume it's addressed to someone else."

-Ivern Ball

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Sixth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 25 May 2011 04:07:00 +0000

KEILA's SIXTH MONTH OF LIFE:

My little Keila gets lovelier every month! =D

Just before we started dinner! =D

My menu for Keila's 6th month:

Chicken Kaldereta & Pasta Penne in Pesto! Yummy eh? =D

Now , I wanted to cook! Argh! Will continue blogging later! Cheers! ^-^

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Fifth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:50:00 +0000

KEILA's FIFTH MONTH OF LIFE:

My family!

We celebrated Keila's 5th month a day advanced to let my younger bro, Paul,

join the celebration since he'll be leaving for Cebu the next day.

I prepared grilled chicken, siomai and pancit bihon.

The chocolates were from my Aunt in Canada.

There were still a lot more chocolates in the fridge. ;)

Keila with her Red Ribbon cake again!

Just so you know, we love Red Ribbon too.hehehe

Thanks to her auntie Tean and Paulette for the wonderful outfit. =D

My happy and complete family of four!

Thank you God for this gift... =)

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Fourth Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:20:00 +0000

Since my unica hija will be celebrating her 1st birthday on June, I would love to look back on those first 11 months of her life when all we've gotta do was fed her and lull her to sleep. =) Sigh, time flies so fast. Next thing I knew, we'll be celebrating her 18th birthday and would be posting the experience here too. Haay... bittersweet.

KEILA's FOURTH MONTH OF LIFE:

My dearest family!

This was the day after my result of breast cancer diagnosis was negative.

Mama added a lot for Keila's monthly celebration

as it was also a day of thanksgiving.

My tears almost fell when mama said

that I'm still the healthy baby girl my pedia has been talking about since I was a baby. =')

Elbow Macaroni loaded with Parmesan Cheeze!

My other sweet & cheezy version of spaghetti. ;P

Sugpo from my beloved Mama!

Crab Ginataan!

My favorite! I went to the wet market just to get this. hehehe

As what I've told you in my previous post,

he's claiming again that it's his birthday!

We had so much fun taking shots of him singing a happy birthday for himself...hahaha

Grilled Yellow Fin from Mama again!

They made a Kilawin for dinner and got this part of the fish for grilling.

It's super sumptuous, grabe! =)

Mama's rambutan!

Jian did not want to eat it.

He said it's Yucky because it is full of hair! hahahaha =D

Jian's favorite, DONUTS!

When I was diagnosed by a not so good dermatologist (and a positive second opinion from an OB) of having a rare form of breast cancer, it almost broke my heart. I never in my entire life thought that I could be a candidate for such a disease. It made me cry, it made me traumatic, and it made me so lonesome. I was thinking of a lot of things. I took the breast ultrasound and mammogram just to make sure everything is normal. The breast ultrasound was not that good since the male doctor has been telling me that I have a lot of fatty tissues. But when the result of my mammogram came, it's all normal. I went to my family's original dermatologist and was in awe aas I told her the story. I've been crying the whole time after she told me that the rashes I've got is just an eczema. The previous doctor might suspect it as a cancer since there's a discharge from my nips but my derma told me that's it's 100% normal since I just gave birth even if I am not breast feeding. She even told me and hubby that there's a lot more things to consider before telling a patient that he or she might be a candidate for breast cancer. And by the look of my breasts, it won't pass. So after a day, when we celebrated Keila's fourth monthly celeb, we also took it as a day of thanksgiving. Haay, thank you Lord for shaking the nuts out of me, it made me took extra care of temple of my soul. I love you Lord! =)

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Third Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:43:00 +0000

Since my unica hija will be celebrating her 1st birthday on June, I would love to look back on those first 11 months of her life when all we've gotta do was fed her and lull her to sleep. =) Sigh, time flies so fast. Next thing I knew, we'll be celebrating her 18th birthday and would be posting the experience here too. Haay... bittersweet.

KEILA's THIRD MONTH OF LIFE:

Keila can't perfectly sit still.
I miss supporting her neck and back while carrying her.hehehe
But still, I'm so happy that she can now jump and walk while I hold her hand.

Daddy put an icing over baby's face!
Daddy got so excited, he thought Keila would complain.hehehe
All daddy got was an innocent look on Keila's eyes, as if telling him
"Daddy, why did you do this to me?"
So off he went and washed Keila's face after just a minute or two...hahaha ;P

I look sa pale...
Keila was a very nice baby.
She doesn't cry that often compared to Jian.
When Jian was still a baby, he cries every two hours.
It made us like a zombie actually.
But Keila was a different baby so to speak.
But those sleepless nights of feeding her, and lulling her to sleep is just the same.
So that made me pale and malnourished.
Seems like I was loosing weight all over except for my tummy... Argh!

Taking care of babies needs a LOT of patience. When I was single, I get out of my bed whenever I want. I watch TV until the wee hours of the night. I even text until morning, sleep the whole day and eat lunch when I wake up. But then, I do not put the blame of this renewed life to my kids.. because actually, they are the ones who told me to take responsibilities and live my life with meaning. Jian and Keila are really my angels. They made me mature, they made me see the beauty of life which was too blurry for me to see. God really knows when to bless you with the right things. Most of the times we don't know why things happen. But when we just pray and ask Him to let us see the whole picture of the puzzle He's working on, we'll know He's the genius. He's truly our master and we're the masterpieces. All we have to do is just make Him do it, and we'll just have to embrace whatever He wants us to have. As always said, "Lord, with you we'll live our lives." =)

Keila's Monthly Celebrations: Second Month

noreply@blogger.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:02:00 +0000

Since my unica hija will be celebrating her 1st birthday on June, I would love to look back on those first 11 months of her life when all we've gotta do was fed her and lull her to sleep. =) Sigh, time flies so fast. Next thing I knew, we'll be celebrating her 18th birthday and would be posting the experience here too. Haay... bittersweet.

KEILA's SECOND MONTH OF LIFE:

My eldest and youngest children!

On my Keila's second monthly celebration,
kuya Jian claimed that it's actually his birthday.
So to not make him cry,
we told him he can blow the candle & cut the cake
since Keila can't do it still.
It continued until Keila's 11th month!
Browse the pics from here on and you'll see.
It makes every celebration fun, actually... hehehe=D

Little Keila got a cake, fruit salad and chicken afritada
made with 100% love of mommy!
When I was still carrying Jian in my womb,
I can't cook very well.
But when Keila came,
she was so lucky that I discovered how good I am in cooking
so I was preparing her dishes I knew! hahaha
And from then on I started discovering new dishes that made hubby look forward
to my menu everyday.
As I always tell him,
"now I love making you fat.hahaha ;P "

Us with the super sliced cake!
We actually forgot to take photos of it with us since we were so hungry
and would have wanted to take our lunch in a hurry.

Keila isn't still aware of how we were celebrating her gift of life. But I hope someday, when she'll reach teenage years and would probably think differently like me, when she'll see and read this, she'll come back to her senses that her mom and dad love her so much. Words aren't enough to say it, that's why I, personally, take efforts to tell the world with my cooking that I am giving my time and sweat just to celebrate my beloved daughter's gift of life until she reach her first birthday and every year onwards. You just don't know how I love you and kuya Jian, Keila. You both are mommy's life and love... You both are mommy and daddy's living legacy of finding true love in this world... Hugs and kisses my sweet cherubins! =D