Annika Turns One!

The Birthday Girl

The big day.. finally...

It's Annika's 1st Birthday Party!

We chose Jollibee Kalaw as the party venue and Barbie as its theme. Our families, relatives, and friends were present to celebrate with us.  Since it's our baby's first birthday, we made sure that it will be a memorable and fun-filled celebration.  There were games for kids and also adults.  It was really fun!  Over-all the experience was great (including the food, the crew, and ofcourse every kid most-loved Jollibee mascot)!  It seems everybody went home happy and full. 

Oh, I forgot to mention.. in case you are curious of the meal package that we have chosen.  For the kids, the package includes spaghetti,  hamburger,  french fries,  softdrinks, and  sundae.  For the adults, 2 pcs. chickenjoy with rice, 1 spaghetti, 1 sundae, and 1 softdrinks... Annika's cake was from Red Ribbon, which is already included in the party favors, courtesy of Jollibee.  She also received a learning machine (looks like a laptop) as a gift from Jollibee.



 

the invite





dancing crew



blessing/prayer from Fr. Orly

stop dance

wishes for Annika

The Bee

lootbags

My Sweet Annika

Life is sweeter with my baby girl around.  She is a cheerful and friendly baby.  She does many antics that made me and my husband laugh.  She really loves music and from my observation she will be a good dancer.  She has several different moves whenever she dances.  I love to hear her laugh, see her smile, and made funny noises. She is our angel and a joy in the family. I also notice that she has her own charm as little as she is. Whenever we go out, people will notice her.. maybe because of the sweet smile on her face. She is also a smart girl.  It's funny how she reacts each time her father will try to scold her if she did something wrong just like throwing her toys.  Before her daddy can even speak, she will already rush to his father's side to give him kisses. She also does the same to me. It's amazing that even if she still cannot talk fully yet, she has her own way of making us feel how she loves us. She is truly a darling! I love you my sweet Annika!

Just Reflecting

My baby girl's birthday party is fast approaching.  How time flies... She is now turning one (1) year old.  My husband and I are excited with our preparation.  We already bought lootbags and prepared invites for her coming birthday party.  We have so many reasons to be thankful for.  There's also a welcome surprise to our family... another gift from above.. Thanks dear Lord for your divine intervention, guidance and protection. 

Team-Building Activity

Our office will be having a team-building activity out-of-town this week.  I will be away away for one (1) night and almost two (2) days.  It is my first time to leave my baby behind. I will miss my little girl.  During bedtime, she wants me to put her to sleep.  I hope she will not cry while I am away.  Ofcourse, I will be missing my husband as well.  I hope they will not have any trouble in sleeping.  If only, I can bring them along...  

Holy Week Activities

Hey mommies!  Holy Week can also be a good time to bond with your children and family.  Take advantage of the long holidays.  Here are some of the activities that your family can do together, in observance of the Lenten season:

1. Palm Sunday Mass - blessing of the palaspas (palm leaves)
2. Visita Iglesia (Church Visit) -  the tradition of visiting 7 or 14 churches on Maundy Thursday and praying the 12 Stations of the Cross (Via Crusis)
3. Pabasa (Reading of the Passion) - involves the chanted or sung reading of the narrative of the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
4. Senakulo - watching senakulo or lenten play that depicts events from the Old and New Testaments on the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ. There are also street senakulos where the people are walking with the procession.
5. Watch marathon TV shows or cartoons - There are TV programs shown this Holy Week which give moral lessons and right values to the viewers.
6. Salubong - This is an Easter Sunday pre-dawn ritual that reenacts the Risen Christ's meeting with His mother. (I love to watch salubong.  In our place, it is a much-awaited activity before Easter Sunday.  It is usually done at 12:00 midnight or 4:00 AM before Easter Sunday.  People flock to watch it.) 
7. Holy Week Processions -  This is also a good time to bring along the family.  Just make sure that you are prepared for the long walk and the kids will be safe during the procession.
8. Easter Sunday -  attend mass with the whole family to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Holy Week is also a time for reflection and soul-searching.  May we spend it meaningfully.  Have a blessed Holy Week! ^v^

Holy Week in the Province

For a working mom like me, holidays are important.  This means quality time to spend with the family.  So I will take advantage of the long no-work days (5 days to be exact).  We are going to my husband's hometown to spend the rest of the Holy Week. This is the perfect time to relax and unwind, away from the busy life in the city.   No work... no stress... (happiness!) I really need this break badly.  I feel exhausted with my work.  I just want to play with my baby and just do nothing at all...  expect me to be singing "The Lazy Song" (lol!) for the coming days. But ofcourse, I will still take time to pray and reflect. 

Let's offer this week to the Lord. Have a fruitful Holy Week! ^v^

Jollibee and Mc Donald's Kiddie Parties

I am now planning my baby's 1st Birthday Party.  I only want two (2) venues:  Jollibee or Mc Donald's.   

Ofcourse, when it comes to kiddie parties, Jollibee is an excellent choice for many reasons.  First, kids all love the "Bee" mascot a.k.a."Jollibee".  Although my baby does not really know him yet, I know that our guests (especially the kids) will be happy to see the bee in person.   The kids will surely have a great time playing and dancing with the most famous bee in the country.  Picture-taking will also be more fun with "Jollibee" around.  Second, they have games for the kids and adults.  More bonding for your adult guests. Third, the party hosts are very entertaining.  They sure know know to entertain all the guests with their high energy and enthusiasm.  They also prepared a dance presentation together with the mascot.  Lastly, the food packages are quite satisfying (more often, you may even have an extra meal to go... ^v^).  I have attended several Jollibee kiddie parties, and I always went home happy and so full (lol!).

My second option... Mc Donalds...  I like its lootbag and game prizes more than Jollibee's.  In my opinion, they are more appealing to the kids.  Mc Donalds also have games for the kids.  The food packages are also satisying (though I like Chickenjoy more.. lol!).  Another plus factor, they also have a featured toy included in their Happy Meal. 

Birthdays are one of the special occasions that we love to celebrate.  Moreso, your baby's first own birthday party.  Although, your baby does not really know yet what's going on, we parents, want it to be a very special and memorable day for our little one. 

Whatever is the parent's choice on how and where to celebrate their baby's birthday (be it the first, second or third), I am sure it will be absolutely such a joyous occasion! ^v^

Just to help out, here are the details for a Jollibee or Mc Donald's Kiddie Party:

JOLLIBEE

Themes: Jollitown, My Bestfriend Jollibee, and Barbie

Pay a party fee of only P1,250 for the following:

• 20 assorted game prizes
• 10 crayons
• 30 balloons
• 1 guestbook
• 1 mascot appearance

Food Packages (as of April 2012):

   Food Package1:
   Jollibee Spaghetti, Regular French Fries, Regular Softdrinks, and Chocolate Sundae

   Food Package 2:
   Jollibee Spaghetti, Jolly Hotdog Classic, Regular French Fries, Regular Softdrinks, and Chocolate 
   Sundae

   Food Package 3:
   Jollibee Spaghetti, Regular Yum, Regular French Fries, Regular Softdrinks, and Chocolate Sundae

   Food Package 4:
   1 Pc. Original/Spicy Chickenjoy with Rice, JollibbeeSpaghetti, Regular French Fries, Regular
   Softdrinks and Chocolate Sundae

   Food Package 5:
   Create your own meal.  Package should not be lower than P4,000.

*Prices ranged from P125 to P194 per head.   There are also loot bags (worth P25, P50, P80) available. Lootbags are optional.  You can also make your own.

MC DONALD'S

Themes:  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Princess, Toy Story, and Ronald and the Gang

Each party theme costs P3,000.00, which comes with the following:

• a gift for the celebrant
• 30 invitation cards
• 30 party name hats
• 30 traymats
• 30 balloons
• 30 giveaways
• game prizes
• a character/mascot appearance

Party Package Meals (as of April 2012):

   Party Package 1:
   Mc Spaghetti Happy Meal (with toy), Regular Fries, and Hot Fudge Sundae

   Party Package 2: 
   1 Pc. Chicken McDo with Rice Happy Meal (with toy), Regular Fries and Hot Fudge Sundae

   Party Package 3:
   Mc Spaghetti Happy Meal (with toy), Burger McDo, Regular Fries and Hot Fudge Sundae

   Party Package 4: 
   1 Pc. Chicken Mc Do with Spaghetti Value Meal, Regular Fries and Hot Fudge Sundae

*Prices ranged from P137 to P162.  Lootbags are also available and optional. You can also pick your party add-ons if you need additional like invitation, party hats, traymats, balloons, loot bags, game prizes, and birthday cakes.