Happy Birthday, Peen!

Next to me, Peen is the prettiest in the group - merong mag vviolent reaction jan hahaha :P She is malambing, cheerful, soft spoken and sweet. Although she is not the bunso, she is feeling bunso and tends to be spoiled ah - hatid/sundo pa yan ni Dong hehehe.



She loves to collect pencils and adores Nicholas Sparks. She juggles school, home and extra-curricular activities well. She is soon to wed the love of her life, RJ.



Here's wishing you all the best! May you have many many more birthdays to come! :D We love you very much! :)

Time to relax at Cafe Mondial

Yehey! The party is over, I can finally relax! After bringing the twins home and unloading all the presents, Keith and I went back to Ortigas for the much-deserved break. We went to Cafe Mondial at Silver City, Pasig. I love the couches, the crowd, the over-all ambiance, with a DJ playing light techno sounds (what do you call it now?) and an LCD television flashing skycrapers and beautiful beaches. I like the appetizer the most - pizza crust biscuits served with tomato dip, which was served by Al Dente Ristorante Italiano. We had a bottle of wine and a Godfather pizza. Perfect to end a busy day! Thanks hunny, mwah! :)

Twins 1st birthday party

It's the twins' 1st birthday party! We had simple celebration today with 150 of our closest friends and relatives. We had good weather and most kids came in their Superhero costumes. :)

VENUE: Shakey's Galleria - 6320549



We booked Shakey's because they are accessible, affordable and accommodating. They waived the electricity charge and there's no corkage fee if I bring my own cake, clown and decors. It's also optional to get their party package. So basically, we just got food from them. The use of the soundsystem is free, and it was loud and clear in the entire restaurant.

+ I asked for a tarp standee for the welcome banner and an additional high chair since twins (they only have one), and they were able to provide at no extra cost.

+ The party manager asked if I have a stick for my balloon burst, but I forgot to make one. She took the initiative and made one for me using a stick and a pushpin. Now, that's what I call excellent customer service :)

+ Their people were helpful and they were ok in dealing with us. Walang nagsungit or whatever. They also helped us pack the leftovers and gifts and hinatid rin nila sa car.

+/- Our party was scheduled at 3PM, but they allowed us to come in at 11am so we can inflate the balloons for the DIY table centerpieces. By 2pm, we were allowed to set-up the place. The crew helped us in attaching the balloons, piñata and balloon burst sa ceiling. Akala ko by 2pm i-lock na nila ung venue so we can decorate but they were still entertaining customers. By 3pm we had the place exclusive. The programme didn't start on time coz we waited for the other guests. It started around 4pm na and super hungry na ang guests. So after the first game, pina-serve na yung food. Since late na kme nag start, late na rin kame natapos and I had to cancel three games so we can finish by 6pm. We were charged P500 for the 1-hour extention.

+/- The party was well-attended and Shakey's was jam-packed! Capacity nila is 150. We invited 100 people but madami ang dumating. So like the Baptism, hindi kinaya ang aircon, so yung iba (like me), nainitan. Also, one of the aircons was dripping water and so the crew had to mop it several times. Good thing sa likod yung aircon so hindi mashadong sagabal.

+/- In terms of serving the food, ok naman ang pag distribute and very quick naman sila mag respond to additional food orders. Kaya lang sana sinabay na rin sa food distribution ang tissue because we served spaghetti and shempre messy yun kainin esp for kids. They served the tissue after pa kumaen ang mga tao.

+/- Their birthday banner was big which I liked but the names "Vito and Carlos" were lightly printed as in outline lng ng letters, so hindi sha readable. Kung alam ko lng na ganun ang lettering nag cutout na sana ako ng art paper, but too late nung nakita ko, nag start na ang party.

- Hindi ko mashadong like yung table cloth na ginamit kase hindi sila same size.

CLOWN: Tonio's Clowns - 09266245558

















+/- Madaling kausap, but the programme I made was not followed kase lack of time and cguro tinantya nya what is better sa crowd. Flexible din sila sa mga impromptu changes like instead of game 3, food distribution na. Maaga din sila sa venue so we were able to discuss pa last-minute changes, like ung surprise candle-blowing for my brother in law, my sister in law and uncle who were also celebrating their birthdays.

CAKE: Shoppersville Bakeshoppe - 4261246



+/- The cake decoration was cute. The cupcakes were cute too. The only problem was the icing melted coz I brought them early sa venue. Wala mashadong PR ang people in Shoppers, but they are professional and very efficient.

DV FINDS - Superman/Batman costumes, Lootbags, Toys and Stickers for the lootbags and game prizes, Nametags, Party hats, Balloons, mother balloon and handpump.

DIY PROJECTS: Invitations with map & envelope, Guestbook, Table Centerpieces, Coloring sheets, two Cupcake stands, Thank you cards, Piñata, Balloon Burst, Arranging of toys & candies inside the Lootbags and Wrapping of Game Prizes - Tlagang DIY to the max! Every night for two weeks, I would sit down to do the party preps. Everything paid off and I am so happy my piñata was a success! Hahaha! :) Thank you God for holding it in place! ;)

















Of course I had help from my Superfriends and I would like to mention them here -

CHANDELIER BALLOONS AND ENTRANCE ARCH: Party Boosters by Jacque Tan

++ I loved the entrance arch and chandelier balloons, as in tinalbugan ang mga DIY balloons ko! Shakey's is bare so the entrance arch was perfect kase pagpasok pa lang ng guests, may party-feel na agad. Pinagkaguluhan ng mga kids ang chandelier balloons when the waiters were removing them from the ceiling. Kahit ung mga yaya ko kumuha rin to bring home to their families. It made my party look sossy because of the imported shiny balloons. Jacque is very professional and a perfectionist. She followed the party motif of blue & green. I was impressed with her tools. Complete sha sa materials needed for the balloon decors. She also came in early to make sure everything will be set-up correctly. Most important of all, she is mabaet and madaling kausap. For those who are interested, you may reach her at 09178985227.

TARP PRINTING for the Welcome Banner & Piñata: Pheng Aquino

+ Pheng helped me sa tarp printing. I felt she understood my needs as a DIY mom and gave me a good deal so instead na small tarp lang ang ipagawa ko, I got a long tarp which is perfect as welcome banner. For my piñata, nakuha ko rin ung gusto kong design when I got the tarp material. Kahit sa text and email lang kme nag usap, I got the goods in good condition.

Special thanks to my Lola Nena and Uncle Alex who came all the way from Dumaguete just to attend the party. And to my Ninong Roy who came from the US. And to my sister in law Mau and her family who came from Bulacan. Also, special thanks to my brother Bogs who did all my layout requirements, and to Justin who skipped his classes just to attend the party hahaha! To our parents, for all the help. And of course, to my Kabuki sisters who assisted me in decorating the place and during the party, Thanks everyone! :)

More pictures here - http://family.webshots.com/photo/2105473360080638636oojHhy

Pictures of my DIY projects

Table Centerpieces (25 pieces)


Folded brown folders to form a box and held them together with scotch tape. Pasted bond paper triangles to contrast the brown box. Printed images of Superman, Batman and a star on colored paper. I pasted the cut-out versions on the box. Used blue, green and white Japanese paper as added decorative pieces. Inflated size 5 balloons and propped them up using balloon sticks.

Guestbook


I used Microsoft Word and copy-pasted the twins monthly pictures and write-up. Searched the Internet for clipart designs and included them as added decorative pieces. Had it printed at Netopia and ringbinded at Jinco's.

4-tiered Cupcake stands (2 pieces)


Using cardboard, I traced different sizes of a circle using a compass w/ pencil. I cut the cardboards and wrapped them with blue cartolina. Glued them together with a glue gun. I also used glue gun to attach blue and green satin ribbons. It can hold a 7" round cake and 25 cupcakes.

As an alternative to cardboard, you can use illustration board or styrofoam. You can buy the materials at the stationery section sa department store ng SM Mega Bldg B. Mas varied pa ang styro shapes and sizes nila compared to National Bookstore.

5x2 Welcome Banner



I made the design and searched the Internet for superhero costumes. But it was actually my brother Bogs who executed my ideas using Adobe Photoshop. Had the layout printed coz I wanted it in tarpaulin material.

Pull-string piñata



For this pull-string piñata, I followed a step-by-step guide I found on the Internet. Using an old cardboard box, I cut and shaped it to my preferred size and glued them together using a glue gun. I cut a U-shape opening at the bottom and tied a ribbon (this will open the piñata). I cut and trimmed blue crepe paper and wrapped the back and sides of the piñata. For the front, I added a Superman/Batman image printed on tarp material using double-sided tape. I attached toys at the end of blue/green ribbons using scotch tape and attached it to the bottom of my piñata. I glued blue crepe paper to seal the bottom and hide the taped ribbons. Before closing the top, I dropped 80pcs chocolate bars w/ stickers and confetti. I added two nylon strings before sealing the top with a lot of glue (using a glue gun). The nylon strings will hold the piñata from the ceiling.

Balloon Burst



My modified balloon burst contained 3 numbers, 14 Superman/Batman images and a lot of confetti. The numbers and images correspond to a prize. I tied small balloons outside the big balloon and tied ribbons to complete the package. It also has a string so it can be tied from the ceiling. I forgot to make a stick, but the manager of Shakeys made one for me using a barbeque stick and she wrapped a pushpin at the end using scotchtape. I bought my big balloon at the basement of Divisoria Mall (the one with the wet market). It is a size 16 (transparent mother balloon) and it costs P25.

Coloring Sheets


I just searched the Internet for free printable coloring sheets. Brought crayons and other coloring materials from home.

Arranging of lootbag contents and Thank You cards


For the girls, I wrapped jackstones with yellow and white Japanese paper and tied it with a kikay silver bracelet. For the boys, I wrapped toys (paper airplane, rubik's cube, chess, etc) using Japanese paper. I put the candies and chocolates in clear sandwich bag, added a little confetti and stapled it so the candies will not fall out. I printed "Thank you for coming... Vito & Carlos' 1st birthday" and glued them on colored paper. I attached the TY notes on the zipper of the bags using black yarn.

Wrapping of Game Prizes


I just used plain coupon bond, lined it with yellow marker, folded it to resemble a paper bag. I then placed the contents wrapped in clear sandwich bag. The contents are the ff: 2 pcs mini Mentos, 1 Hershey's choco crispies, 1 keychain/bottle opener, 1 Batman sticker booklet. To lock the paperbag, I stapled different plastic ribbons that I've curled.

Oomph! by Party Boosters

I had a lot of DIY stuffs in the party so the chandelier balloons and entrance arch added the much-needed oomph! These were provided by Party Boosters' owner Jacque Tan. :)

I loved the entrance arch and chandelier balloons, as in tinalbugan ang mga DIY balloons ko! Shakey's is bare so the entrance arch was perfect kase pagpasok pa lang ng guests, may party-feel na agad. Pinagkaguluhan ng mga kids ang chandelier balloons when the waiters were removing them from the ceiling. Kahit ung mga yaya ko kumuha rin to bring home to their families. It made my party look sossy because of the imported shiny balloons.






Jacque is very professional and a perfectionist. She followed the party motif of blue & green. I was impressed with her tools kase talagang complete sha sa materials needed for the balloon decors. She also came in early to make sure everything will be set-up correctly. Most important of all, she is mabaet and madaling kausap. For those who are interested, you may reach her at 09178985227.

Sean Tristan Pajaro

Congratulations to Vicents and Ires for a handsome little boy :)

First public appearance

This was published in the Birthday Corner of Manila Bulletin, June 28 issue. Funny lang, they had to choose a winner :P For me, everyone is a winner! :) Happy Birthday to all June Celebrants... especially to our twin boys, Vito and Carlos! :)

Vito and Carlos at 12 months

The twins have turned a year old and much have changed in the last 11 months. In terms of looks, they are now sporting semikal hairdos. They are more "talkative" and would sometimes shreak to get your attention. They are intelligent coz they pick-up tricks easily. Although they have not started to walk yet, they can now stand up and sit down without support, and they try to make little steps, too. They love to browse through picture books and photo albums. They dance when their favorite cartoon songs come out on TV. As early as now, we teach them how to share and we recite a prayer with them during bedtime.
















Vito weighs 9.5 kilos, and loves to eat Marie biscuits. You will be amazed with his antics, which include "align", "clap", "apir" and "where is the nose?". He crawls as fast as Schumacher. He has learned to cry without tears (drama) just to get your attention, hehe. Kuya Vito finally has teeth! :) Two big pearly whites sprouted on his upper gums when he was two weeks shy of his 1st birthday. He is still very energetic, very bungisngis and would sometimes bite you if he makes gigil. :)

Carlos weighs 11 kilos. He is picky with food and prefers the more expensive kind like yogurt, avocado and peaches in light syrup. He likes it when you feed him ulam from your hand.. pinoy na pinoy, hehe! He has also learned new tricks like "align", "clap", "apir" and "where is the nose?" He is very behaved and smiles a lot :)

They are a joy to our family esp to their grandparents. Their lolos and lolas want to spend as much time with them as they can :) It's true that babies are blessings. The twins have brought our family closer together. :)