catching up series: birthday weekend

It's another weekend and that means it's time for another throwback kwento! We're still in July 2016, by the way, and we're celebrating triple birthdays -- mine, my sister's, and my sister-in-law's. We're all July celebrants. ♡

Honestly, it's really not my thing to celebrate my birthday. I actually checked my old blog posts (via the labels), and I only found one birthday celebration with the family. That was back in 2012. But as I've said, 2016 was a special year, so we opted to celebrate. We decided to go bowling before dinner but before everything else, since we arrived at the mall first, Mithril had a little shopping sesh. 

Wait, lookie, that's lola! Nakakatuwa lang to look back at days like this because now, lola is a already bedridden. She had an accident New Year's eve of 2018 and she never got to walk again. It's been so nice to see photos of her since I re-started this catching up series. Even the kids get entertained seeing old photos as I blog. Being a "memory keeper" really isn't easy but definitely so worth it. I say this as I encourage myself to finish all my backlogs and to continue writing for as long as I can. :)

So anyway, I guess it's safe to say that aside from actually playing bowling, we also had fun posing with the bowling balls. Haha! People these days talaga. Photos or it didn't happen. :)) Partly, it's a good thing because we would have something to look back to. But of course, we should not forget to enjoy the moment too even as we try to "document", especially now that vlogging is the "IN" thing. 

After our pictorial, este bowling pala, we had dinner at Jay-J's. Again the usual Filipino food! Napaka-adventurous talaga namin when it comes to food, no? :P You really can't bring the parentals to a Korean, Chinese or Japanese resto. Filipino lang talaga, filipino lang! Haha! Our staples are Crispy Pata (dad's fave!), Sisig, Kare-Kare, Kaldereta, Roasted Chicken, Crabs and Shrimps, Pinakbet for veggies, and then Pancit or Pancit Malabon. Ayan ganyan. Paulit-ulit lang kami whatever the occasion is, whether we eat out or we cook at home. Haha! :))

And during this tough time (Read: Pandemic & ECQ!), I am definitely missing going out with the family. We had summer plans for the kiddos and looks like nothing will turn into reality at this point. But of course, we're still thankful and grateful that we are all safely stuck at home, with roof above our heads and food on our table. Really praying for this pandemic to be over soon.

ELSEWHERE

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catching up series: mithril turns 1

Sometimes I still can't believe we have Mithy. I mean, I'm already used to having my cousins' kids around but actually having a niece from my brother is somewhat different. Mithy kind of made my auntie role, how do I say this, more concrete? Hehe! I don't know if you get me. It's hard to put into words how smitten I am. What more if I become a mother? I bet I would be twice as lovestruck.

So our dear Mithy turned one last November. Just like Avie back in 2014, we decided to have her baptized on her birthday too. Yep, I said WE. The entire family was literally involved in her birthday and christening plans 'cause how can we not get involved, they still live with us. But it was me who actually did most of the work -- and I'm not exaggerating. It was me who went to the church a couple of times, it was me who booked for a reception venue, it was me who hosted the Facebook invite, it was me who bought candles, souvenirs, balloons, etc., it was me who made the decorations, it was even me who did the budgeting. WHEWW! I swear I am so hands-on with my niece. They are so lucky I am a bum. Hahaha!

It was the same church where Avie was baptized -- Ascension of our Lord Parish in Lagro. It was nice that her ninongs and ninangs where there early, we had ample time for photo opportunities. And guess what? I am also the official photographer. Auntie Apple all rolled into one. Nahh, don't mention it. I've always known I'm awesome. Hahaha! Kidding. Well not really. Haha! Fine, I'm kidding. :P

Mithy with lowlo and lowla

with auntie/ninang Joana and Xana

Mita and Pito with Xana and Koi

ninang Pau and ninong Jim

ninang Jenny and ninong Joseph with girlfran

with ninong Kang and ninong Mac

she kept on hugging kuya Koi  ❤️

In the usual baby fashion, she began crying in the middle of the ceremony. She cried all the more when she was blessed with the baptismal water. She was a mess by the end of the rites but we still pushed for group photos. Pasensya na baby girl, you only get to be baptized once. Hehehe!

mama's family

godparents
kulang pa yan sa lagay na yan haha!

dada's family

Reception slash birthday celebration followed at Kangaroo Jack, SM Fairview. Can I just brag that it was a DIY party yet again. Our theme was Strawberry Shortcake. Can't remember how we came up with that theme? Probably 'cause they're both curly? Hehe! So anyway, ate Tin baked the cake while Dana decorated it. Since then we would call her Dana the artist. Niloloko namin sya and she would curse in response. Haha! But seriously, she practically saved the cake in the absence of fondant cutters. On the other hand, I made another pair of balloon column and as usual, the birthday banner. By far the most tedious I've done. Took me dayss, gahhh! 

DIY everythanggg

I wasn't able to eat much 'cause I was busy taking photos. Feel na feel ko ang pagiging punong abala. Yeah, that's how I roll. As they say, never touch anything with half of your heart. So punong abala, it is! Good thing Mithy was back to being a happy baby so no more crying crying in the reception. My brother's little family was able to roam around and take photos. I'd say we did a good job in documenting the day. 

lolie's rare appearance

OHANA ❤️
it was nice that we thought of having a family photo

It was a long day for the little one as she still had to open gifts when we came home. She loved her stuffed toys the most. Actually, she already knows how to pick stuffed toys when in the mall. Marunong na sya magturo at such a young age. There goes the problem, dada! More stuffed toys to fill the crib soon. ❤️

ELSEWHERE
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