5th Birthday: The Tagaytay Trip

With our birthdays being only a week apart, and me never really having the need to celebrate big time, we sort of always celebrate our birthdays together.

This one is no different. We wanted to "get away" but not go somewhere far. At least not something that involves a plane ride. Tagaytay is the logical answer, being only an hour away from our place.

The excited family that we are (and to avoid traveling around noon where the sun is really unbearable), we arrived in Tagaytay a full 4 hours before the check-in time.

Our first destination was the Lourdes Church to say a prayer of thanksgiving.

At the Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tagaytay

Outside the church gate, stalls were selling the most luscious looking avocados. Too bad we forgot to stop here on our way home.

After church, and still too early, we spent some time at Starbucks.

Ah, look who's with us?

Who's afraid of color? Definitely not us =)

We checked in at Taal Vista Hotel. Thank you, Dealgrocer for the really good deal on this. I had our room upgraded to their Premier Lake View Room.

Our room was big and comfortable

 And gave us this spectacular view of the lake.

The major reason why I booked here is this garden. If I must say this again, there is not enough patch of green in the metro! I wanted our son to just be able to run and run, and play and explore. And explore he did.

When I saw my son running in this garden, trying to make friends among the sets of siblings we saw, I said a little prayer he'll have one of his own soon.

Enjoyed the pool (well they did, it was too cold for me)

We also (tried ) taking souvenir shots.

The only decent solo picture of me on this trip... well not exactly solo. Look who's in the background!

Stayed a little while at the lobby to refresh a bit. They gave us complimentary welcome drinks. 

Love this patterned green chair at the lobby!!!

Pretended to be explorers!

Look at the volcano, dad!

Fooled around and just enjoyed the breeze!

I had packed for the heat of the summer weather. Mostly shorts and sleeveless tops for me and sando for Jared. The afternoon gave us the much-needed breeze but oh, once the sun set, the weather turned too cool for me (should be pleasantly cool for most folks).

It was indeed a happy birthday for us.

We ate a lot on this trip too. Will make separate posts on them.

5th Birthday: Road Trip

His real birthday was low key unlike in 2011 in Boracay and 2012 in Hong Kong when we celebrated with a big trips. Dad and mom took the day off to be with our 5 year old, but there are pressing errands that we need to do.

First, we woke up the boy with this banner, balloons left over from my birthday a week ago, and 5 yummy donuts!

This made his day. I agreed to him eating donuts for breakfast and he opened his first gift of the day (actually a Christmas gift that I kept).

 

Since our day started later than planned, we just dropped by our parish to whisper words of prayer.

 

 Then, it was time for the tour. We toured the Metro on Jared's 5th!

First stop: pick up some documents at Makati.





Next: Go to Mandaluyong

3rd: Lunch at Festival Mall

It was supposed to be quiet lunch: just the three of us. But the receptionist overheard me and Jared talking about his birthday which she confirmed to me when she was taking our order.



He was shy and reluctant at first to blow the candle. I wish I had captured that priceless expression on his face when the piped in music began playing the Happy Birthday song. And his eyes got wider when the restaurant staff went to our table bearing a small cup of ice cream topped with a candle.

Surprise, surprise!

 

Thanks to the staff of Don Henrico's at Festival Mall, Alabang. You made a simple lunch very special.


He also enjoyed 3 rides in his favorite race track in the metro.

After lunch and still high from his surprise,we went to the Las Pinas City Hall.

As a treat, we went to the toy store so he can choose his gift. We always give him a budget and thankfully, he always agrees to it (not knowing the value of the peso so much). I have never bought him a toy gun before, or allowed a toy gun in the house-- but this water blaster is such a magnet for the boy and I can't say no....

I felt a bit guilty having to drag him to all our errands. But he said " I love you mom and dad" at the end of the day with so much sincerity that maybe, the only thing that mattered to him is being together.

Last installment in this birthday series coming up: Tagaytay weekend

5th Birthday: School Party

In the Philippines, school ends usually by mid-March. The boy really wanted to celebrate his birthday at school. But those 2 weeks in March is usually reserved for exams and programs. What do we do, what do we do as parents of an over-eager 5 year old beaver?

We talked to Teacher and we agreed on March 1. Never mind that it is a full month before his actual birthday. To him, he now has 2 birthdays and isn't that better than having just one? =)

Still in his Angry Birds phase, I was looking for a unique invitation. Came up with boxed invites, inspired by a DIY I did last Vday (which I have not posted yet).

This came out cute and the kids loved the "bird treats" inside.

One the day of the party, here he is waiting for teacher to arrive. He's holding some of the loot bag content. Anxious and excited you can see it in his face!

There was no time for games and I had to be content with having the boy blow his little Red Ribbon cake, distributing the snack packs . and preparing the loot bags for distribution.

The loot baskets were small but were chosen because they looked like an egg: perfect for the angry birds there! We also distributed coloring books, stickers, their party hats and a happy meal toy.

Doesn't cost much to make the kids happy.

The boy got to blow his cake candle in school, a first!

 They seemed very happy with their happy meal toy, loot bag and coloring materials.

Then, they started playing. It was a riot. This was our cue to leave (hehehe).

Before we sneaked out of the room, I requested for the group shot.

Happy Birthday again, little boy!