fourth birthday plans : strawberry shortcake theme

It’s the time of the month again … July, as the start of my party preparation for the bratinella. Since we are not allowed to have a party at Sam’s school, we opted to celebrate her 4th birthday with a simple celebration. No definite plans yet, but I am thinking of the following options:

Party theme: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MEETS SAMANTHA
Party date: November 8, Saturday. 4pm

1. rent a small function room or clubhouse (Valle Verde) to hold the party. Preferably near Pasig or Ortigas area so her classmates can attend.

2. hold the party at Mc Donald’s El Pueblo with party theme : Strawberry Shortcake in Mc Donalds land or something like that… hehehe! Ipilit talaga Strawberry Shortcake.

3. hold the party again at our residence to save on cost! another street party, perhaps. lol.

4. rent BOUNCE party venue for non-stop inflatables jumping party!

5. rent a resto for a private party : Hard Rock, Fridays or Dad's --- mas malaki ata budget dito dapat! hahaha!

I am still tweaking some numbers for my party planning. For starters, need to set the party budget. I told hubby its not going to be a grand affair and promised to minimize the cost. Hahaha! Let's see if I can keep my promise this time.

party plans for the bratinella

It’s the time of the month again … July, as the start of my party preparation for the bratinella. Since we are not allowed to have a party at Sam’s school, we opted to celebrate her 4th birthday with a simple celebration. No definite plans yet, but I am thinking of the following options:

Party theme: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MEETS SAMANTHA
Party date: November 8, Saturday. 4pm

1. rent a small function room or clubhouse (Valle Verde) to hold the party. Preferably near Pasig or Ortigas area so her classmates can attend.

2. hold the party at Mc Donald’s El Pueblo with party theme : Strawberry Shortcake in Mc Donalds land or something like that… hehehe! Ipilit talaga Strawberry Shortcake.

3. hold the party again at our residence to save on cost! another street party, perhaps. lol.

4. rent BOUNCE party venue for non-stop inflatables jumping party!

5. rent a resto for a private party : Hard Rock, Fridays or Dad's --- mas malaki ata budget dito dapat! hahaha!

I am still tweaking some numbers for my party planning. For starters, need to set the party budget. I told hubby its not going to be a grand affair and promised to minimize the cost. Hahaha! Let's see if I can keep my promise this time.

Sam's Favorite Toy/s

Tagged by Joy ...

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Here are the rules:

Post a photo of your baby with her/his first ever favorite/comfort toy. Write some details of your fondest memory of your baby and her toy. This will make a good moment when your baby grows up! Lastly, don’t forget to add the link to your website’s at the end of the page. I’m sure many moms would love to see your sites, too!

Amelie’s mom, RD and CN’s mom, savenathan, Great People Make us feel we can become great, Everything That has Breathe Praise The Lord, Surviving deployment, Simple Life, Simply Me, Asawa’s Love Book, Pinaymama’s Diary, Just Life…, A Mother’s Journal, Dion’s Mom(Jona), PinayWAHM, Loyna’s Life’s Endless Possibillities, Can of Thoughts, Designs By Vhiel, Anything and Everything in Between, D’ Cooking Mudra, My Life in This Wonderful World, My Precious, Just Me.. Eds, My Colorful World, Spin180 Wisdom City MY Happy Place IamDzoi ClikTrik I Love the Thirties Coffee Table Conversations

This is ELMO, Sam's lovable monster. She loves this red, fury monster to the bits! Wherever we go ... Elmo is sure to go! Be it family outings, travel, watching DVD ... and even when we sleep, the monster stays with us. I can clearly remember the day I almost lost ELMO at the US Embassy during our visa interview. Sam was heart-broken that time. I was in panic and did not leave the embassy until I found ELMO. Hahaha! And because Sam heart ELMO so much, we even celebrated her 2nd Birthday Party with Elmo theme.

sam here playing pretend with her ELMO friends ...

hugging ELMO at the SESAME STREET Live! concert

Passing the favorite toy tag to Vina and Tet.

a little spring cleaning.

Since I am on a house-arrest, I've decided to maximize my stay at home by doing some "spring" (more of post-summer) cleaning of the entire house. After asking the helpers to wash all our windows, and brush the window screens last Monday, Tuesday was spent cleaning all the closets and shoe cabinets. I was surprised to see all the dusts, dirts and what have you's accumulated inside our cabinets. I thought it will be an easy task tackling these storage areas but I was wrong. With all the dusts and molds accumulated, I wish I own Ebac dehumidifiers to make our cleaning job easier and safer home environment for my family.

Anyway, what prompted me to do some spring cleaning was the inspiration I got from Jane's post showing how clean and orderly her daughter's (Sophia) play room. Frome here, I've decided to start my cabinet attack at Sam's bedroom cum playroom. Picture below shows how well-kept my daughter's bedroom NOW. lol! Ang daya noh! I've managed to sort/ hide all her toys and knick-knacks inside three big plastic crates stored in her big cabinets. My helpers were extremely happy to help because I gave them Sam's old toys, puzzles, picture cards, trinkets from loot bags and stuff toys. Sobrang dami anik-anik! But, I've managed to keep some of the good toys for baby no. 2. Hehehe!

So there you go ...Sam's little sanctuary. You'll find her very busy here every afternoon playing, running, busy opening each cabinet and pulling out one toy after another. As in kalat when she's done playing! Now, I wonder if she can keep her room tidy within 48-hours. I doubt! lol.

Futbol Funatics Summer Camp - end of season

Last Sunday was Sam's last football game. It was their farewell party and it saddens me that she'll miss the game, her classmates and her teacher, coach abbey. She enjoyed this outdoor game so much! As a matter of fact, she always looks forward to weekends because of football ...well, not sure if the football she'll miss or the post-football treat at Mc Do! lol.

But overall, was truly happy (and satisfied) that I enrolled Sam on this summer camp. Really worth it for it enhanced her social and listening skills, she gained new friends, she became independent and confident, outgoing, active and strong. Yes, she knows how to kick hard now!! Will definitely be back for the regular season this coming July!

Check out their last football session pictures below...

The Beckham Buddies (3-7 years old) Summer Camp 2008 at Meralco, Ortigas

Graduation and post football picnic party!! spaghetti, cookies and orange juice!

with her equally "likot" hyper-active, funny, cutie classmate Izech (of Mom blogger Tet)

Sam's summer look .. the bob cut!

Since the weather is so hot, I've decided to give Sam a new "do". After her footbal game at Meralco camp, she had her hair cut at Little Lamb's Salon in Fun Ranch Tiendesitas. And I was so pleased... it was her first time visit to a real salon and she enjoyed the pampering treatment.

Look how behave she was the entire time ( eerrr...kudos to Barney video for keeping her busy!)

taaddaaa...Sam's bob cut! real pretty and suits her nicely!

Oh My, truly envy my daughter... she got her bob cut ala-Greta look and looks beautiful on her! She's got small frame face and the bob cut suits her perfectly for summer! Haayyy..one of my frustrations answered through my daughter. lol!

Moving Up Ceremonies

Sam had their Moving Up ceremonies last Saturday. She finally graduated as Junior Nursery from Fairchild Learning Center. Despite starting late last year (November), she was able to cope up with the class activities and lessons very well.

Believe me, I am one proud momma! She showed no tantrums at all during the entire ceremony. I know she's not comfortable with her white dress and shoes but nevertheless, she showed great ease and performed her I Love You piece very well. While other kids were shy and crying, Sammie went up to the microphone, stood proud and sang amidst the crowd! Weee..happy, happy she's not shy anymore!

Btw, Sam received a gold medal for Best in Math! Galing-galing! Di nag-mana kay Mommy! lol.

Moving Up pictures below ...

Jr. Nursery processional march

receiving the gold medal award ... BEST IN MATH

Proud Mommy and Daddy, with lola and cousins.

Moving Up Treat at Fun Ranch, Tiendesitas

What's up with Sam?!

Been very busy lately that I have forgotten to post updates of my little girl, Samantha Gabrielle (Sam).

Allow me to provide updates about her on bullet points, shall we?

• Sam is 3.4 months old now. Very active and happy kid...kinda bratty lately. (Need to give her brother soon!)
• About to end her crash nursery program this week. 'Crash class program" since she just started her formal classes last November. Over all, was happy with the result. She learned a lot (as in a lot!) since November from alphabet and number recognition/writing/sounds, vowels and consonants, identifying shapes and colors, learn new songs, few ballet dance steps, different season/weather (heard her reciting the other day.. winter, spring...then to weather cloudy, rainy..etc), fruits and veggies, pray, following instructions and a lot more.
• She can communicate well. Clearly can tell what she feels and thinks. She can even tell you what food delivery she likes! ie: Mc Do, Jollibee, KFC, siomai or pizza!
• Enjoys her puzzles a lot. Moved to slighlty complicated puzzles minimum 40 puzzle pieces.
• Very much toilet trained. No diapers anymore especially at night time. (tipid na!!)
• She'll be graduating this coming Saturday, March 15 from junior nursery at Fairchild Learning Center. Naakss..graduation pa talaga complete with graduation outfits!
• Finally, decided on enrolling her at Poveda Lerning Center as nursery. Classes will start on July 2.
• Enlisted her for a summer camp at Futbol Fanatics as Beckham Buddies (age 3-5 years old). Will take her at Meralco Fitness Center Ortigas for summer session, weekends at 4-5pm starting April 5.

So far...these are top of my mind updates of my bratinella girl.

Really, time flies so fast....and she'll be entering big school this coming July! Oh my, my baby is gone!?!!

Check out her recent pictures below... at nagmo-model na! haaayyy...