Goals for 2015

Its that time of the year to make resolutions (that I hope to keep) for the coming year. We look back to the year that was and hope for a better year. Here are mine, I'll be more specific and hoping this time I can do it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

1. Substitute quinoa/brown rice with white rice.
2. Jog at least 2 times a week.
3. Read at least 1 book in a month.
4. Organize important documents.
5. Lose 20 pounds in 3-4 months!
6. 52-week challenge
7. Invest in stocks, mutual funds, Philequity
8. Sell or donate unused things.
9. Celebrate a birthday by donating to charity.
10. Baby #2

Dear Keisha (At 23 months and 26 days)

Where did the time go? I winked and now you are almost 2 years old?! You look so "dalaga" here!

Waiting for our Shinkansen

We already ordered your special rainbow cake since Mommy cannot make that one yet. But I will bake cupcakes to go with it. :)

Couldn't keep up with your milestones, you are a sponge! You say everything you hear, you follow our actions and you do it in a funny and adorable way! :)

We had our early 2nd birthday celebration at Japan. We went to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. And my darling, you were such a trooper! You may have some tantrums every now and then but I still adore you! :)

Daddy posted pictures of you, throughout our Japan trip, and everybody says you are beautiful and charming! They loved your smile and outfits! :)

Daddy told me that you were even asking him to take photos of you. Sometimes I remind myself you are only 2, why do you have to act and look so grown-up! Where did my baby Keisha go? I love you very much! :)

I promise we will have the best time on our stay-cation! We opted not to have a party celebration because we already celebrated in Japan. Remember darling, Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. :)

Your Mommy,
Pat

Keisha's 1st Birthday at Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet

We celebrated Keisha's 1st Birthday on Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet last 9th of November 2013. Her actual birthday is November 6, but we decided to make the celebration a few days after.

Initially, we were planning to celebrate in Singapore where we are working/residing. But since all the lolos and lolas requested for us to fly back home to celebrate Keisha's birthday, we happily obliged!

Nevermind, if we already went home 3 times. First for Keisha's baptism, 2nd for my brother's wedding and 3rd for her 2nd operation in the pre-auricular sinus. And we're still going home for Christmas! Quota na! Hehehe but seriously anything for family. :)

I got to know Stacy's from n@w (newlyweds at work), they held a tea party there for the n@wie kids. I loved the place from what I saw from the pictures. We started communicating mid-September 2013 with Angelique, and she is so nice and accommodating. She responds quickly too!

With less than 2 months to prepare, thank God I have my younger sister Mabel to be the events coordinator help me in the preparations! We communicate so well, she knows what I want, understands what I mean and thank God for whatsapp we survived party planning with flying colors!!!

I love everything about Keisha's party. It's just right. I don't really want to compare it to anybody else's party because each children is unique. And we have different priorities in life, so this is how we decided to celebrate our Keisha's party, what matters is we are happy about it.

Let's look into the details, shall we.

Venue : Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet (https://www.facebook.com/stacys.resto)
Rating : 9.5/10

Stacy's

I would give Stacy's a perfect score if it weren't for a minor thing that happened during Keisha's Birthday. The aircon was spoilt and the staff could not adjust it to the correct settings! We were already sweating inside. But Angelique was very apologetic, as well as her staff and she even gave me extra dessert to make up for it.

Angelique, the owner as I said were very nice and accommodating. She responds quickly and thoroughly to all my questions. Which is comforting for me, since I could not be there physically to inspect the venue and talk to her.

When I met her, she was very warm and helpful. She was personally taking care of all the details, which I truly appreciate.

I love the party set-up! Even though the veranda is separated from the main dining area, the charm of Stacy's makes up for it. :)

The food is so delicious!!! We availed the full course dinner package, since the party time is 3-6pm.

Grilled Shrimp and Pomelo Salad in Asian Dressing, Pumpkin Soup, Texas BBQ Ribs, Potato Chip Fried Chicken with mushroom gravy, Herbed Cream Dory with Aioli Dip, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Rice, Chocolate Cake slices and 1 round of iced tea.

So happy that Stacy's delivered so well. :)

Birthday Cake : The Bunny Baker (https://www.facebook.com/thebunnybaker)
Rating : 9/10

Cath Kidston inspired Birthday Cake

What a pretty cake!!! Definitely what I expected and more to complement our party theme. But unfortunately I did not get to taste it. According to my sister, it tastes bland. So I would give it only a 9 since I don't really know for sure what it tastes like.

Milk Tea Booth : My Serendipitea (https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-SerendipiTea/210063765752190)
Rating : 9/10

I love milk tea! Honestly, i would say Serenitea is still better but they are expensive. Nevertheless, it's still yummy! :)

Face Painting : By supplier partyboosters
Rating : 9.5/10

Face Painting

The face painter was so good! Giving it a 9.5 because I did not get to try it myself! Hehe. :)

Kids Activities : Read, Play and Create (https://www.facebook.com/readplaycreate)
Rating : 9/10 

Story telling

Play

I knew I wanted something different than the usual for the Kids activities. Especially because Stacy's has some space limitations. We cannot do the usual magician entertainment, because somehow it does not suit the venue. So here comes RPC. Not sure how exactly I discovered them, but I'm happy I did. :)

The "Read" set-up was lovely! And the kids enjoyed to "create and play!" Not the usual route, but definitely educational! :)

Photographer : Shuttercount (https://www.facebook.com/shuttercountworks)
Rating : 9.75/10

Shuttercount

I discovered Shuttercount ever since Keisha's baptism and we kept getting them for events! Super nice si Ed! In fairness, even my husband agreed that they improved a lot during Keisha's birthday! :) Super value for the money! No problems with them whatsoever, always on time and efficient! :)

Keisha's dress : Yumi's nook child at Heart (https://www.facebook.com/yumisnookfanpage)
Rating : 8.75/10

Dress 1

Dress 2

I love Keisha's birthday dress, but I wish I could have ordered a more comfortable gown for her. Hahaha! Tiis ganda lang ang peg ni Keisha! The first gown is so puffy, it's so uncomfortable to carry her around.

But I love the 2nd dress, Cath Kidston style! It's beautiful! :)

Souvenirs : Wooden Kiddie Stools (https://www.facebook.com/woodenkiddiestools)
Rating : 10/10

Midi Stools

Letter Standees

It's a pity that we did not have better pictures of the wooden kiddie stools! Look at them so cute and dainty, even the toy soldier stools!!! Plus I ordered letter standees. :) 

I'm so thankful with this supplier that they can accommodate my order at such a short notice. She is a fellow n@wie. :)

DIY : By me, Mabel & Ate Karen
Rating : 10/10

1 Pinata, Scrapbook, Hashtag project

Party Hat

Party Favors in a hand-sewn bag

Our gifts to the Lolo and Lola

Love your own! Everything we DIY-ed is so so good and well appreciated! Thank you everyone for all your help for making Keisha's 1st Birthday so much fun! :) :) :)

Dear Keisha (At 19 months and 22 days)

Dear Keisha,

This picture was taken when you were still turning 19 months, but this is one of my favorite pictures of you. Look at you, all grown up and getting more beautiful each day! :)

Everyday, you amaze us how you've grown and with all your physical, mental and social developments. Mommy has been so busy, she has not kept track of your milestones. I promise I will pay more attention to your developments and I will organize Keisha's playschool at home. :)

At 19 months, you can say Happy Birthday, and speak 3-4 syllables, almost 30 words I believe.. You can very well repeat what we say, so mommy and daddy must be very careful what we speak. You can recognize your family, and I am very happy you do. But you still cry when strangers approach you, I hope we get over this soon. You can jump higher and sing and dance. I noticed you like playing musical instruments, your small piano given by your ninang and ninong. You can name parts of your face and body. And recognize the name of more and more objects.

Just last weekend, we went home for 3 days for your Lola's birthday and I am so happy you charmed everyone!!! You were so bibo, smart, malikot and makulit! They all said you were amazing to be so daldal at that age! I love you my Keisha girl! :)

Your mommy,
Pat

Dear Keisha (At 17 months and 1 day)

Dear Keisha,

You just turned 17 months yesterday and oh how you've grown to be a very beautiful little lady. We had a photoshoot last saturday and as always you were smiling and posing for the camera of your daddy. You're so adorable! :)

Your lolo Jun commented "Pang Ms Universe ang beauty mo!" I definitely agree! Me and your dad of all people is so inlove with your beauty, cuteness and your personality. 

At 17 months, you can walk fast that we had a hard time keeping up. You can speak a 3-syllable word. Some words are Lola, barbie, bayabas, baba, mommy, daddy, etc. You can repeat everything we say. You can jump and tiptoe. You can climb any bed or chair with ease. You can have your way around the house. You have tantrums once in a while and when you notice that mommy daddy or yaya became angry, you will charm your way out of it. 

Eversince, you've been so charming with strangers specially waiters and waitresses to the point of looking or touching them to get their attention. I'm not so sure if that's a good or bad thing. Hahaha. 

I was browsing playgroup options for you prior to this blogpost. Here in Singapore, you can start as early as 18 months. But I'm still thinking if we should push through. 

Everything we do, is for you. We love you Keisha!

Your mommy,
Pat