Our Graduation Gift for Bela

If Bela had graduated from college, we would have given her one of those beautiful wine gift baskets so she can open the wine right away to celebrate just after the graduation ceremony.

But since she is only graduating from Prep, we decided to give her this: 

a Celestron high-powered telescope. Thanks to my friend Peachy for giving me a heads up about this as we got this on sale and her mom from the US was the one who bought it from the store and have it shipped to Manila via Balikbayan box.

We actually got it November of last year during the Thanksgiving sale but since it is really big, it needs a special box to have it shipped and since December is the peak month for sending Balikbayan box to the Philippines, we decided that we will just wait until the busy holiday season is over.

Hubby set up the telescope as soon as we got it from Peachy and Bela was really excited to use it for the first time as she was able to see the moon up close. Even us adults had fun using it too. 

MBAP Kids Play Date

Just before Good Friday, my MBAP friends and I had set up an impromptu visit to Jane’s house. Well aside from the aspen home furniture that we like to see and their state of the art home-entertainment system, the highlight of our visit was the play date of our kids. 

Jody, Joy, Peachy, Jacqui and my family arrived at Jane’s house between 2 to 3 PM and the kids immediately jumped into the pool as soon as we arrived. They really had a good time, as it has been ages since all of them where together to swim.

After swimming, we had a sumptuous meal and the kids continued playing in Sophia’s room. They even had a dancing gig and they were so good, they can be the next Jives. LOL.

Of course while the kids are having fun, the mommies are busy chatting. We talked about almost everything and my favorite was our talk about showbiz gossips. LOL.

Thanks again for having us Jane and Jon. Bela and Cobi really had a great time. Till next time.

Weekend Swimming

Since it is Bela’s summer vacation already, hubby put out our inflatable pool so the kids can enjoy a dip during weekends, especially now that the weather is so hot.

Just look at Bela and Cobi with their cousin Izzie one Saturday:

The grand father and the dad has to painstakingly get water from our CR at the 3rd floor as the heater is located there so the kids will not feel that cold even if they stayed for hours in the water.

Bela was really having fun and she was even pretending that she is diving or she is even trying to practice her free style and back stroke. LOL.

Party Planning Update

I know it is still early to post party planning updates for Bela’s 7th Birthday when it is still 7 months away (and even without a definite theme yet), but I already booked suppliers as early as now as I know how fast they get booked.

So far, here are the suppliers that I already ticked off my list:

1. Magician. I had a hard time deciding who to book as Bela is requesting to get Lou Hilario and he is way over my budget. Thankfully, Bela agreed to get Ricci after I showed him some pictures of his performance from Migo and Sam’s party.
2. Balloon Artist. Eric has been my regular balloon artist for all our family’s parties so I did not think twice in getting him again for Bela’s 7th. Bela was requesting at first to get Jiggles the Balloon Lady after seeing her in one of the parties that we attended but I compared her price with Eric and I don’t think that the P3,000 difference is worth it as they can do almost the same balloon art. Again, I am thankful that I was able to convince Bela to get Eric instead but her condition is Eric has to make her a flying dragon balloon sculpture.
3. Singing and Dancing Trio. Jacqui told me that I should book Jives as early as possible as they are in demand so they are one of the few suppliers that I booked right away with Jelly Bellies. I have seen them performed many times already and I love how they bring life to a party so I want them to do the same thing for Bela’s birthday.

Now I am on the look out for the souvenir that we can give our guests. I am running out of ideas already but I am checking out yoyofactory and other on-the spot souvenirs also.

Now if only we can already settle on a theme for the party then I can go full blast with the party preps.

Bela's Wish

Bela: “Mommy can we go back to the USA tomorrow?”

Bela has been asking me this almost everyday, for the past months. LOL. If only it was that easy (and affordable), I would grant my daughter’s wish.

We went to the US last May for a three-week vacation. We went to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, and visited tourist spots in Las Vegas, Toronto and New York. It was spring already when we were there so we miss winter. It was actually Bela’s dream to wear her ski goggles, play in the snow and make snowman and snow angels.

Hopefully we can come back with the kids on winter time so it will be a new experience for them. Taking our kids to the US was one of my husband and I’s biggest dream and we are glad that we were able to tick off one of that dream from our list.