Jami's 3rd Birthday Party

Now I believe that time flies really fast! I can't believe that Jami turned 3 last month! Parang kailan lang he was a tiny little baby who only sleeps, drink milk and poop! Tapos ngayon, sobrang daldal na! Next thing I'll know, he'll go to school na!! Hayy.. I feel old. =(

This year, I planned only to celebrate his birthday at home. I wanted him to experience having guests for his birthday. I know he appreciates his birthday even more. I felt that he's starting to feel the importance of this special day in our lives. For the last two years kasi, parang he doesn't care pa talaga and doesn't understand everything that's going on. Having that said, I appreciate his reactions even more and the happiness that it brings when he blows the candle on his cake. =)

Weeks before his birthday, I really didn't know what to prepare. Ewan ko ba! It's as if my mind isn't working until the day of his birthday when I was cramming to prepare for everything. Lol! I filed a leave from work on a friday before his birthday (fell on a Sunday) so I could still run to the grocery. I contacted his Lola to cook one menu, pancit, broiled chicken and Lumpiang Shanghai then she added a biko as well. It turned out na ang dami nya din palang handa. I cooked spaghetti for him and baked a cake for his birthday. I wasn't really planning to buy a cake since I know I could make one. Yun nga lang, since I wasn't that confident in making a fondant cake yet, nagkulang ako sa ingredients. Lol! Hahaha! I wasn't decided until last minute that I'll make him a Moist Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache covered with Marshmallow fondant. So sayang because I didnt realize wala na pala akong cocoa to make one! hahahah. Good thing, I was able to make a 6x3 Round Yema Cake which we distributed to our guests. I invited some of my officemates lang so mga wala na silang arte sa cake. hahaha! I also bought a cake decoration that I could add. I was aiming for a pirate theme for him initially then later on realize that he loves Lion Guard in Disney Channel. Lol!

It was really funny though na wala man lang kaming maayos na photo during his birthday celebration. While we were singing a song for him before he blew his cake, I was watching him closely because I don't want to miss that for the world! We actually sang two times and re-light the candle so he could blow again because he likes it! hehehe. Pagbigyan, birthday nya eh.

We just had a chatful afternoon with my officemates. That day was really tiring! But definitely worth it. I was really glad that Jami's birthday fell on a weekend so we were able to celebrate it on that special day. And just like that, it was a very simple birthday celebration but we really loved it. I am looking forward for more birthdays at home until he's seven where we'll probably celebrate somewhere special too. =)


Dear Baby,

You were so happy having some guests that day (yung mga anak ng mga kumare ko sa office). You even talk to some of my officemates about what's in their teeth (braces) "Ano yan sa teeth mo?" you said. Haha! and I responded, "magiging zombie yan, Anak!" Just to bully my officemates. Hahah! But that's bad, we don't want bullying okay? I was just kidding and my officemates and I have an understanding of that. =D You played the whole day, you ate spaghetti and biko. I was a little worried that you became restless because we have some guests that we barely fit in the house but you behaved well. The only problem was, you don't want to share your toy to Anthony. But that's fine. I talked to you and you started sharing your toys to him. I like it that way. We briefed you that there were kids coming and you have to share toys. You forgot for a moment but you complied. You were really a 3 year old baby! Almost baby no more, Anak! But.. You are my forever baby boy.

You turned 3 that day and I was the happiest Mommy on earth. I grew up celebrating birthdays like this.. at home. No fancy gifts, no clowns, few guests minsan wala pa, there were times na wala talagang handa but it didn't make me a less of a person at all. I want you to stay humble with whatever that you have in life. I am really glad that you are growing up as a smart, lovable, and happy baby! I could not ask for more, Anak. All I want you to become is a healthy, smart, down to earth, hardworking, God-fearing man. Although I still want to cherish these days where all you know is that you love Mommy and Daddy, I won't hinder you when you wish to grow up. Just make sure that you'll take it a step at a time. I love you Jami and I want you to know that you are Mommy and Daddy's greatest blessing of all.

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY FOREVER BABY BOY! Mommy and Daddy love you sooo much! Mwuah.

Love, Mommy

Kids Care Plus+ Review

I have always been in the look out of what's best for Jami without forgetting that we are on a budget. Like any other Moms, I want my baby to smell really good despite the weather that we have. You sure know how bipolar our weather becomes most of the time. One minute it's very humid, the next it's a little colder. Sino nga ba naman ang hindi mag aamoy maasim with the kind of weather? Given that Jami is a very active baby, not to mention that he perspire a lot, I expect that finding a shampoo that will give him a long lasting fragrance will be a real challenge for us.

Well, I worry no more..

Long time ago.. Haha! I mean a month or so ago, we received a package from Tupperware Brands to try their Kids Plus+ line. I know from the past that Tupperware Brand was for kitchen equipment but I was surprise that they have a kids line. It was a kids care package including Shampoo, Bath, Lotion, Powder and Cologne. I was really happy to receive one since I could get to try another product, not to mention the generosity that the company had extended to me. =)

I decided to try the Kids Plus+ since it was more applicable to Jami. I had the Baby Care Plus given to a friend who has less than a year old baby. I just asked her to give me a feedback after her trial as well.

It was the shampoo and the Bath that I was so eager to use. I want to know how it long it would last and if I will like it in general. I was a bit surprise with the scent. It was fruity, I actually hesitated at first use since I am really not a fan of anything fruit smelling. Hindi ko talaga gusto yung mga sweet smelling scent and that's the reason I don't use perfume or cologne to myself often. The Kids Plus+ product are of the same smell, I noticed.

I waited for the full day to check if the fragrance would easily ran off after the whole afternoon of playtime. I didn't get the chance to monitor it on the first day since I have to go to work and that I would come home when Jami is almost asleep. One thing I realized is that I loved the smell of his hair. It was somehow sweet but it was the "sweet na mabango". Not overpowering for me so I kept on using it for a week.

source

From their site:

Gently cleanses and conditions kid's sensitive skin and hair. With Plantapon Skin Cleanser that gently removes dirt and cleans kid's skin and hair while keeping it soft, smooth, and moisturized. With a mild pH-balanced formula that won't irritate kid's skin and a fun fruity scent that kids enjoy. Dermatologist-tested. Hypoallergenic.

Kids Plus+ Bath is available in 100 ml, 200 ml, and 300 ml

source

 From their site:

Gently cleanses and conditions kid's sensitive hair and scalp. With Puricare and Cetiol Conditioners that deposit a film-like protective layer over hair while moisturizing kid's hair and scalp. Prevents dryness and leaves hair feeling soft,silky and freshly fragrant. With a mild pH-balanced formula that won't irritate kid's skin and a fun, fruity scent that kids enjoy. Dermatologist-tested. Hypoallergenic.

Kids Plus+ Shampoo is available in 3 sizes: 100 ml, 200 ml, and 300 ml

The shampoo and bath was really foamy even if you only use a small amount. I liked it though since we could get to play with bubbles while taking a bath together. There were times I would make bubbles which makes him really happy. Talk about additional bonding which I really love since I could only spend so much time in the morning with him before going to work. =)

I also started using the Kids Plus Powder and Cologne. I really like the cologne I even use it for myself! Hahah! As you already know, I am not a fan of colognes or perfumes because it makes me feel dizzy when traveling (weird!) except this one. Before I leave for work, I put an ample amount on my palm for Jami and get another for mine. The fruity flavor of it is just enough for me and that's the reason why I liked it on me as well. After a while, I could still smell the cologne on my hands even after 5 hours. =)

The Baby bath supply ran out pretty fast because I used some on myself as well during those time that we missed to buy our soap in the grocery. Hehe! I tried looking up online to check if there's a site where I could just buy them but yeah, you could contact a Tupperware Dealer to get one. I was just really lucky that they have an office near us! yey!!! =) Oh by the way, I just checked their brochure online and their Kids Care Plus are on sale. Buy any 2 for Php259. =D

I recommend the Baby Care Plus and Kids Plus products! I can't wait to buy Jami's supply this weekend. =) I am looking forward to use the Mom Care Products (those in pink boxes) starting this weekend.

Thank you so much Tupperware Brands and Kids Plus!

For more information, go to their site at http://www.tupperwarebrands.ph/index 
where you could find more about the other line of products they carry, online brochures and the nearest dealer in your area.

I am Back!

Hello everyone, I seemed to find my blogging spirit back so here I am, trying to write again. I so missed blogging bigla since I had some life changing experience in the past few months and I felt the need to document them again. :) Oh! The joy of writing them down and reading them later when you have overcome all those problems. What more if it's a good experience pa diba?

Anyhow,  I am due to write couple of sponsored posts that are long over due. Sobrang wala akong time and that I have no phone at the moment kaya lalong wala akong ma ishare na photos. haha! Hopefully, I could get one. Hindi naman expensive but at least helpful in so many ways.

At this point, I am busy with small baking business, full time job, parenting, and being a partner. There were changes that happened like Daryl undergoing an unpaid training in Naia Terminal 3. Although it was unpaid, I told him to go for it since it may give him a better chance in finding his career in line with his diploma. I can see he was really happy with it so I am giving my full support. I am praying that sooner, it'll give us a positive feedback. =)

I also bought a gas range that I am using for baking stuff. We took a break  from making brownies and yema cake because we ran out of capital. Nanay had to be confined due to her diabetes weeks ago so we have to cover a little of her expenses for that too. I also made decisions that made me suffer monetarily. I guess being overly helpful can cost us too so we have to be careful on that.

Jami celebrated his 3rd birthday at home with some of my friends and family. I was really glad though it was really simple. I made him his birthday cake which was supposed to be two cakes (one was a yema cake which was my friends request and a chocolate cake with chocolate ganache covered with Marshmallow Fondant). Yun nga lang, the night before his birthday, I realized wala pala akong cocoa so I wasn't able to make his second cake. =( Di bale, I was hoping I could make one in one of these weekends that's left in 2016. Jami loves blowing candles on a cake so I guess, it'll be just another reason to make one. =)

I also failed the financial goal that I have set up this year. Remember I was telling you about how I am planning to build our emergency fund? I was hoping to build Php50,000 to begin with since that's the amount that I could only save this year. I was torn between saving the money or investing it in our small business. I havr to buy new an additional oven since my electric oven can no longer accommodate the amount of orders that were coming our way.  Later on, I have decided to take a loan to buy a new gas range and a stand mixer. :) I'll tell you more about it soon. =) At the moment, I am still paying the loans although I only have 3 installment left to pay for the year! Halfway of December, I am almost debt free again . =)

Well, that's somehow a brief summary and the highlight of the past few months. I would have to post Jami's 3rd birthday in a separate post of course since that always have a special place in this blog. =)

I ssooo missed blogging so hang tight and let's get started again! ;)