Lia Turns Two: The Birthday Party

My daughter turned two last month and we celebrated it with our family and loved ones. We had a Jollibee party and everybody had so much fun! I love Jollibee parties (who doesn't love Jollibee parties anyway??). Imagine how the kids' eyes lit up when they see Jollibee -- star-struck talaga!!

Another thing I love about Jollibee parties is that they are fuss free :) Venue: Check, Balloons: Check, Loots: Check, Food: Check, Host: Check. All c/o Jollibee :)

 The kids had so much F-U-N.

 ... and the kids at heart, too!

Here's a special number from the favorite bee of all Pinoy kids.

His friends were there, too!

Photographer: Bart's Photography
FB Page here.

Photos were taken by the same team who covered bibiyow's birthday photo shoot and 1st birthday party last year.

Cake: Sweets by Cha
Our too cute to be eaten cake was made by Cha of Sweets by Cha. She has become one of my favorite suppliers throughout the years. She is also behind the uber cute Hello Kitty cake on bibiyow's first birthday last year.

Photobooth: Idoodle Manila

Idoodle Manila is another favorite. They've always been so generous to us with the time. They were last year's photo booth supplier, too :)

Face Painter
Gosh, I forgot his name. Actually, I don't know his name. He was the face painter on the birthday of ,fellow mommy-blogger, Sieggy's daughter. I only coordinated with Cynthia through sms (+63927-206-0636), no reservation nor DP required and the artist showed up at the party venue -- ON TIME!!

The party went well. Everyone went home happy and tired :) 

More posts about bibiyow's party from my mommy blogger friends: Peachy, Maggie and Fleur

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The Dog

BOW.

You may read this entry for more information. Bow-wow-wow!!

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25 Months

My daughter is 25 months today. Yesterday, she officially entered toddler school and it was a bittersweet moment for me. Aside from waking up early, looks like she's not having so much problem in adjusting to school coz she loves being with other kids and listening to stories.

At her age, her Dad calls her "independiente", like a person running for politics without the need to be a part of a political group. In her Kindermusik class, she usually do what she wants to do. Sometimes even doing cartwheels in the middle of the class. Ayayayay!

This month, she loves dancing to the tune of PSY's Gentleman. Oh my, if my instinct is correct, she might even have a future in the music industry. Maybe not as a singer because we don't have any of that in our genes but she may become a good composer in the future. Check this out :)

Hihi. Wishful thinking :)

My love,

It was sad that I wasn't able to bring you to school today. Mommy has work :( But I can't wait to go home now and see the art work that you did. Mama said you drew a dog. Oh, I wonder how it looks like.

Happy 25th month baby love. See you in a bit!

Mwahugs,
Mommy :)

** Check out Bibiyow's artwork here.

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My A to Z

This blog usually contains my experiences as a first time mom, our family trips and the foods we've shared. This time, I will be revealing a little more about myself. I've been blogging for almost one and a half years already yet this my first time to join a meme, and it's so special because it brings back old school blogging.

Thank you sissy Em for tagging me along. Here's Planet Marsy's A-Z :)

A. Attached or Single? Attached. To someone I used to call "Sir" in my first job.

B. Best Friend? My Lab. Bow. Bo. :)

C. Cake or pie? Gaah, hard question. So, pass :)

D. Day of choice? Friday! The end of workweek, and the start of a weekend!!

E. Essential Item? Mobile phone and power bank.

F. Favorite color? I used to love neon green, like that in the Brazilian flag. But I am recently becoming a fan or orange and salmon.

G. Gummy bears or worms? Neither :/

H. Hometown? The home of salted eggs, espasol and fried itik (duck) -- Victoria, Laguna!

I. Favorite Indulgence? "Malamig na matamis" (Anything that's cold and sweet)

J. January or July? July. My birth month.

K. Kids? One. But I am praying to have another one soon.

L. Life isn’t complete without? My family, carbo and anything that's sweet and cold.

M. Marriage date? 24.01.10

N. Number of brothers/sisters? One original.

O. Oranges or Apples. Neither :/ Unfortunately, I am not a fruit lover.

P. Phobias? Small spaces.

Q. Quotes? From hubs "There will always be better days".

R. Reasons to smile? Feeling blessed, lucky and loved!

S. Season of choice? Summer. Coz rainy days usually gives me a bad case of allergic rhinitis :(

T. Tag 5 People. Cris, Dew, Badet, Fleur, Michi

U. Unknown fact about me? I was Ms. Victoria, Laguna in 2004! Oha! Oha! Hahah :)

V. Vegetable?  Bitter melon!

W. Worst habit? Plucking my hair when I am stressed out.

X. Xray or Ultrasound? Xray is easier, and faster.

Y. Your favorite food? Please refer to letter I.

Z. Zodiac sign? Depends on the list you are referring to. Sometimes I'm Leo, most of the time I am Cancer (and I prefer the latter).

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School Girl

It was a bittersweet moment last Saturday when we attended Bibiyow's last class at Kindermusik. Most of her classmates are already enrolling in a toddler school so there is a big chance that it will take a while before we see her classmates again. We are sure gonna miss them.

Meanwhile, another milestone happened today. My two year old is now officially a school girl! Before we enroll her in a toddler class, we attended a trial class months before to make sure that she is ready. And now, the day that we've all been waiting for has come! Everyone in the house was so excited and we made sure everything she need is ready last night before we went to bed.

My daughter is a late sleeper so it's really a challenge to wake her up early in the morning. On a regular day, she wakes up at 10AM. Or sometimes, she wakes up at 6AM and sleeps again at 8AM. But I was happy that this morning, she cooperated. A bit. She was still moody but the fact that she gave in to her Mommy's request for a photo op is too much for me to forget her crankiness :)

And the moment she stepped in the car, back to laziness :)

But she likes to be with other kids too so her energy turned 180 degrees when we arrived at school. She had fun bouncing with the ball --

And making her own dinosaur world --

She connected trains too while saying "Choo! Choo!"

Before snack time, each kid lined up to wash their hands. Foot stools were given to the small ones (like my daughter) and each of them foamed the soap and made tiny bubbles using their cute little hands. Kawaii!!

The parents had an orientation too while the kids were in class. Haay, I wish I can just go with my daughter to school everyday :)

After the meeting, I went immediately back to the classrooms to check on my daughter. And surprise-surprise, while the other girls are in the classroom, I found my girl in the play area having fun with the older boys!!

OMG! The teacher mentioned to me that my daughter is so active so looks like it's going to be a challenge. Hahah.

Happy Monday!!

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The Three Kings

My daughter and I are both lucky to have, within our reach, three of the best Fathers in the world. Gwapo na, macho pa!

Witweew!!

Happy Father's Day to Papa, Love and Dad!

And Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies in the world! :)

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Japan 2013: Kyoto & Nara Tour (Part 2)

Included in our tour is a Japanese-Western style buffet where I had unlimited supply of green tea ice cream (heaven!). After our sumptuous lunch, we continued on our tour and went on a trip to Nara.

Nara

Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.(Nara Travel Guide)

Nara Park
Being able to visit this already three years ago, this is one of the stops that I look forward to. I was excited because I know my little girl will get giddy to see huge deers roaming around the area.

 

The deers are tame and considered to be messengers of God in Shinto. You can feed them with deer crackers available for sale around the park though most of them are not choosy. Three years ago, we bought crackers yet the lovely deer opted to munch hub's map which was originally in his back pocket.

In this park is another special spot :)

Being a lover of before and after photos (and it's #throwbackthursday today!), jaraaan -- another compare and contrast :) Teehee!!

Todai-ji Temple
This serves both as place of prayer for peace and affluence on earth, as well as a center of the Buddhist doctrinal research.

 
Todai-ji Tample was burned in the fires of war and the was damaged and repaired several times. The current structure is now 33% smaller than that of the actual structure, yet it still ranks as the largest wooden structure in the world.

The building houses the 15 meters tall seated buddha -- Vairocana Buddha -- Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun.

A pillar with a hole in its base is another attraction in the temple. The hole is the same size as the Buddha's nostril and it is said that those who can pass through the opening will be granted enlightenment in their next life.

And no, I didn't dare try to pass through it :)

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Kasuga Taisha is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It is famous for its lanterns which have been donated by worshippers.

 
That photo was from our 2010 trip. I don't have recent photos because hubs and I (with our toddler) did not join the group anymore in climbing the steps to the shrine. It was the last stop of our tiring yet fun whole day tour and we already got tired of running after our toddler so we decided to pass our selves from the ordeal of going up and down the stairs and just waited for the grannies to get down :)

For more info about the Kasuga Shrine, please read here.

 
JTB Sunrise Tour Website 

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Japan 2013: Kyoto & Nara Tour (Part 1)

On this trip, we spent one of our days touring Kyoto and Nara through an arranged tour c/o JTB Sunrise Tours. This is the same trip that hubs and I took three years ago for our honeymoon, only that I booked that tour through a travel agent. This time, I booked directly with JTB and I was happy because coordinating with them was so easy, and they reserved slots for us even without a credit card guarantee.

Our day started super early as the sun greeted us super early too!

Japan won't be The Land of The Rising Sun for nothing! Here's the view from our room, taken at 5AM (4AM PH time).

Since we are staying in Osaka, and the bus tour actually starts at Kyoto, we had to take two train rides and fetch people from two other hotels in Osaka before finally reaching the meeting point in Kyoto where the tour officially starts. A Sunrise Tour representative met us at the Swissotel Namba and came with us all the way to Kyoto JR Station. It was more or less two hours of walking, train ride and waiting unlike last time when hubs and I just needed to walk less than five minutes from our hotel in Kyoto to the meeting point.

Kyoto

Kyoto served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today. (Kyoto Travel Guide)

Nijo Castle
This is one of my favorites stops on this tour, specifically because of the nightingale floors of Ninomaru Palace that squeaks like birds when stepped upon. This serves as as security measure of the samurais against intruders during the old age. Since this place is considered a national treasure and a Unesco World Heritage site, cameras and shoes are not allowed inside. You can read more info here.

Just outside the Ninomaru Palace is a traditional Japanese landscape garden with a pond, ornamental stones and well arranged and manicured trees.

Now, spell serenity.

If you wish to be able to spend more time at the palace and garden, I suggest to visit during non-peak seasons. It was winter (and snowing) when hubs and I first went there so we had all the time to take lots of photos and explore the house of the samurais. Spring is one of the busiest seasons so during our recent visit, aside from foreign tourists, there were lots of students doing their educational tours. Kawaii!

Golden Pavillion (Kinkakuji Temple)
Another Unesco World Heritage site and another one of my favorites -- a temple that is literally covered in gold leaf! Reaching the site will be a little challenge as you have to walk up and down the trail but all the walking will be all worth it! Read more info here.

Photos of The Golden Pavilion doesn't need too much editing or filters! It is picture perfect already and will drop your jaw when you see it in actual. One of my favorite couple photos of hubs and I was taken at this site.

2010

In one of the articles at work, where I was featured, I mentioned that it's my dream to bring my daughter in this beautiful place and then have a family photo taken with the Golden Pavilion at the background.

Jaraaaan! Dream come true! :)

2013

Kyoto Imperial Palace
This used to be the residence of Japan's imperial family before the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. We weren't able to visit this last time because the palace is close on weekends. Before gaining an access, each guest will be asked to register his/her full name, nationality, gender and age. You will only be allowed to roam around the gated, not to mention HUGE, area but won't really have a chance to take a peek inside. Read more info here.

The afternoon part of the tour in my next post :)


JTB Sunrise Tour Website

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