**_*_** Happy Happy Birthdays ^^_^_^^

December.  It’s the time of the year when joy, fun and happiness is everywhere.  Truly this has been the highlight [and I’m thankful to have a best part at least] of our 2009 hence this blog story could be long [interesting though].  Birthday month of our Dearest Lord and so are of our two forever lovely Baby Gagas: Baby Tha [*Sam] and Baby Boo2x Coco Liit [*Maj].

Turned out to be their advance duo birthday bashes as it was held a bit earlier December 5th [Fyi Sam’s Dec 8th while Maj’s Dec 10th].  We had our preparation early as late September I’m sure, as we’re aware that Dec is too busy for all the parties and the holidays.  Initially we plan to give just a simple celebration and a plain McDo birthday package would be ok [ika nga para mairaos na lang tutal hindi pa naman ma-appreciate ng 1 year old].  But still we’ll spending either way, why not enjoy a semi-extravagant party and besides being a parent knowing it’s the first birthday of your youngest, of course I want to give her the best as long as I live [the fact that no one knows how long we will have this life] and I can afford .  Venue, that broke our head selecting that suits our several needs.  Definitely our residence is out because most of our guests were officemates living far from the province of Navotas and obviously even they would be willing to attend despite the distance, our place could not accomodate even half a hundred guests.  My nice Tita Ninang Mamita even has approved to have the party in their biggier compound but then still we are worrying that majority living from another planet will opt not to attend in the end.  Of course these constraints all boils down to budget.  So from catering in a country club [two options in Magallanes [both were to small] to Italiannis [hindi kaya ng bulsa]  to TGIF’s [maganda pero ok lang mangarap]…could have been great there also at Conti’s as they have their freshly opened Greenbelt branch but then their initial quotation deceived what we can pay for. So it came this one lucky night when I’m browsing over the net: Chili’s.  It’s already in my mind that this resto’s expensive because I have eaten here several times but most of them during despedidas of an officemate leaving Sunlife.  But then surprisingly looking [then here comes our calculator] at their cheapest buffet package and knowing if we’ll be having 120 guests, their store at Greenhills will be closed for a 3-hour party!  Isn’t it kewl?

Just like a typhoon trait, [on & offs] on deciding what would be the theme of the party.  I won’t mention anymore the list of choices we had and just to cut this short it ended to Dambby’s original first pick> Carebears : “Stare”!!! And with this for sure our official invitation design [which I proudly created thru the power of Photoshop] were revised quite numerously.  This credit-card inspired thingy BTW was the witty idea by no other than Maj’s mom [my wife].  A cute masterpiece indeed made possible by our teamwork but now I’m telling via this blog that Dambby even wanted to trash her/this bright idea and asked me what can I suggest instead.  Counter Stone Cold’s stunner! ^^

Carebears [kapanahunan daw namin though I can’t remember a single instance that I watch this cartoon during those times], but they are really cuties.  Perfect for Baby Co-co Liit.  Not the usual Disney Princesses or Mickey’s friends and all that but actually Party Boosters has the influence that made us come up in bringing back the spirit of Carebears.  Party Boosters already did this theme once and I personally consider that on top of their craft [check and find out in their multiply site]  Ms. Jacque Fermin-Tan [owner of Party Boosters] who happened to be a friend of a high-school mate [Maria Elena Toralba-Danganan]…so ayun konek konek na…Thru the blog post of Mai about her son’s first birthday, I was able to firmly decide to get Ms. Jacque [& company] to boost and celebrate Sam’s/Maj’s special moment to the partiest!!!  though a little costly than those referred by close friends,  as a sign of gratitude: CLAP CLAP CLAP HOOORAYYY PARTY BOOSTERS!!!

My bad, I forgot to take a photo with Ms. Jacque [pumunta pa naman sya at nagstay gang matapos ang party] tsk tsk tsk.  Hopefully next time [mejo tinamad din magpiktur kasi busy sa dami bisita].  Maybe because we were too overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.  Thru my facebook I constantly reminded the invitees to leave their houses early because traffic is too terrible on all ways to the venue.  That day we were almost late and it ruined the plan a bit.  Who would imagine my travel time took almost 3 hours!  Our God forgive me for being hypertensive.  Chili’s also the first one who somehow spoiled our preparation.  Party Boosters supposedly start their balloon design of the place as early as 11 in the morning as we have agreed and requested with the resto manager but to some reasons we were unaware that there’s a baptism event that day in the morning.  And so when we arrived there, the staff of Ms. Jacque were harassed decorating as fast as they can.  Sighhh..Life’s boring anyway without this kind of thrillers.  I was thinking after the party when we’re about to pay our balance,  Sir Richard of Chilis mentioned that he doesn’t charge us anymore with the additional bottomless iced teas.   Thank you very much!!!

Intentionally in the invite we put 2pm because alam mo naman tayong mga pinoy pag dating sa oras…So ironic since we arrived at that fake time, hayun na harass tuloy dahil madami dami ang nagsidatingan ng eksaktong oras! Among them ay ang mga inimporta naming photographer [JayJay] at videographers [Christian & Pong].  So thankful to you guys: you did come on time and offered your services for free! [Kasabay pa ata itong mga ‘to sa jeepney] Thank Thank!  I think only the early birds had enjoyed & depleted the nacho chips…

  Face painter sponsored by my cousins Ninang Janice & Nonong Jaycee.  [Sorry Ms. Jacque nakuha kasi nila ng 1K less sa price mo hehe].  And because of the incidents that happened earlier and the stunning presence of those who attended,  we forgot also to have our face painted…It seems Maj’s enjoying being face painted as I enjoyed watching this scene for we all know that Maj always cry in situations with strangers…

Dambby was so loved by her HSBC buddies and it’s very evident on the party.  Goosebumps…Cheers para sa ting mga isip bata!!!.  What can I say?  I’m speechless.  I saw and felt that they enjoyed this occassion as much as we do.  You must know I had no objection the time Che put all of you as our guests [sorry sana kayo na rin lang naimbita nung binyag ni Maj].  Again our heart-felt thanks for your individual and joint-effort gifts especially the Graco high chair for Maj!!!  The best!!!

Ms. Bevs was really talented as a party host!  Mango Bravo!!!  “Magaling” “Ganda” according to my Mareng Twinkle.  And I totally agree [or talaga bang mga isip bata lang ako at karamihan ng mga bisita].  Jojo Bandana put on the most entertaining magic show I’ve ever seen on a kiddie party.  Akalain mong naitagong mabuti ung gansa sa kanyang mga mahiwagang bandana at buti’t hindi nag-ingay ang mga pato!  That amazed all of us for sure.  Now I realized and thankful that Bevs & Bandana tandem were luckily booked by Ms. Jacque on our day.  [Our original choice were Flooch / Alex Lagula as suggested by Mai] Clap Clap Clap Thank Thank!!!

 Good health and keep my family away from harm, that’s my prayer.   I wonder what was Sam’s wish before blowing her 11 candles.  Dambby helped blow Maj’s candle.  Hope our wishes will come true.  BTW Maj’s cake was willingly sponsored by a shy person.  I promised to keep this generous sponsor anonymous.  [Generous pala a…sana pala kinuha ko na yung mas mahal]

I hate to say I love you all and thank thank for joining us…Pictures on these collages were the ones taken from my cam.  Uploaded on my facebook.  Check out on my multiply soon.  Photos by Jay Jay Tarun were with me now but will be uploaded anytime soon…

P.S. Again Thank you very much [Dear God].  It was really fun!!! [There’s more to blog]