Cousin Haley's 3rd Birthday!

Haley, Maia's second cousin, celebrated her 3rd birthday with a Snow White swimming party! And just like her birthday celebration last year, this one was also held at the exclusive Palms Country Club in Alabang.

With the sun shining but not scorching...patches of fluffy white clouds hovering against a powder-blue backdrop...and topped with some summer breeze...it was the perfect set-up for an afternoon of swimming and partying with family and friends!  

And when there's a pool, expect to see our Maia splashing in there and having the time of her life. :)

I hope you enjoy viewing the photos I've posted below. Special mention and thanks to our cousin Sem for allowing me to use some of his pictures from the party. :)

Kath's Baby Shower

My brother-in-law and his fiance are having a baby...today (hopefully)!  Kath is on her 40th week and she is scheduled to be induced.  They're having a baby girl and per latest news, they're naming her Summer.  I just don't know if this will be her first, middle, or only name.

I figured that, since the baby is about to be born anytime now, I should probably go ahead and post these photos taken on the night of Kath's impromptu baby shower.

Our neighbor Julianne's 7th Birthday and Swimming Party

Maia and her cousin Sky were invited to our neighbor Julianne's 7th birthday celebration and swimming party last May.  Julianne's party was held at the village clubhouse with guests comprising mostly of kids from our neighborhood.  The theme for the party was "Rio: The Movie".

Happy 3rd Birthday, Maia!

Our Maia turned 3 years old last May 27.  We originally planned to celebrate it with a small swimming party for some of her playmates here in our village.  But because Typhoon Chedeng (International name: Songda) was expected to "arrive" that time, we cancelled our reservation at the clubhouse just 3 days before.  Any chance for a simple indoor celebration was also cancelled because, ironically, our neighbors and their kids were all out-of-town.  Perhaps, to make the most of the last weekend before the start of the new school year.  It's either that or they were all trying to get to "higher ground" (you remember my Typhoon Ondoy post?)!

Anyway, I will not drag this any further because I intend to post a lot of photos.  Just read the captions so you can easily follow what transpired during Maia's birthday weekend.  Consider this entry as my Phlog (short for Photoblog), if you will.

Liv's 2nd Birthday Party

Maia was invited to attend Liv's 2nd Birthday Party.  Liv is the sister of Maia's cousin Zoe.  The party was held at the clubhouse of Mahogany Place III in Taguig City.

It was Maia's first children's party for the year, and so we were all very excited for her.  Especially since Liv's party was to be attended by some very special guests...Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, and Dora's best friend Boots!

Hubby originally took around 200 photos of this event.  But I've managed to narrow it down to 59 (only!).  So, without further ado, allow me to walk-you-through that fun-filled party, and I hope you enjoy viewing the pictures.

Late Christmas Reunion with College Buddies

My college friends and I always make a point of getting together for the holidays.  It has been that way since 1993, when we were all just single and fresh out of college.

Through the years, we see bottles of beer or Bailey's slowly disappearing from the table or menu; sleepovers (due to all-night partying or hangovers) becoming a rare occurrence; cigarettes that used to be consumed soon after we all eat became non-existent; the gifts either decreasing in number (with the migration of some to other countries), increasing (with the "entry" of our partners, followed by kids), or becoming less bulky (with the kids eventually maturing in age, emotions, and personal taste).

Kanin Club Despedida Dinner for the Ranjos

I mentioned in some of my earlier posts that my balikbayan relatives from San Francisco (Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona Ranjo), spent the yuletide season here in the Philippines.   According to my brother (who possesses a VERY GOOD memory), the last time the Ranjos celebrated Christmas in the country was back in 1996...back when my siblings, cousins and I were all still young, single, without any kids, and all still living under one duplex compound!  They come visit every couple of years or so (the last of which was during my wedding in 2006), but for Christmas, the last was in '96.

Joey Pepperoni & Beer Belly for Wings' 35th Birthday

We celebrated my brother-in-law Wings Soriano's 35th birthday last December...the way most adult celebrations go (on a regular weekday)...with dinner, and then some music and light drinking.

First stop was at Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, in their branch at Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City.  It was a gift-treat from Mommy Lily, my mother-in-law, who is based in Los Angeles, CA.  And although all our kids weren't there, as well as family members in the U.S., we tried to make the most of this rare opportunity for family bonding by the Soriano men by exchanging stories and catching-up, showing each other photos of our kids, handing-out Christmas gifts, etc. amidst good old Italian-American food.

My Auntie Arlyn's 73rd Birthday

January 9, 2011 was the day that my aunt, Arlyn, celebrated her 73rd birthday.  In typical Bayot clan fashion, there were plenty of food, stories, kids, jokes, and lots of laughter!

Tita Arlyn's grandchildren made this banner.  They call her "Mommy".

New Year's Day at the Dela Cruzes, Amici/ Cara Mia, and Le Ching

January 1, 2011. As expected, we all woke up late. Then, our first order of business was to prepare to leave for my parents' house. New Year's day is always held at my parents' house, where we usually start the year with a big breakfast, followed by another big lunch, and then, perhaps, another big dinner (should we decide to stay a little longer). For most filipinos (especially my family), eating during New Year's Eve and New Year's day signifies abundance and "good life" for the rest of the year. Picture Scarlett O'Hara in the movie, "Gone with the Wind", reciting the lines:

"As God as my witness, I will never be hungry again!"

Now, I'm only being theatrical. It's nothing like that, really. It's only a family tradition.:)

Greeting the Year 2011 at home

Since being married, Cupid and I never really got to properly celebrate New Year's Eve at home.  New Year's Eve 2006, back at the condo unit we were renting at the time, we decided to stay put for we were told that celebrating the New Year at one's house will bring good luck to that household.  But we ended up just sleeping through the night, which is a boo-boo according to tradition...and feng-shui.

During the 2007 holiday season (actually, the whole final quarter of the year), my parents insisted that we stay with them because I was pregnant and had a bad case of morning sickness, some anemic spells, urinary tract infection, and soaring blood sugar levels.  We ended up staying with them until February 2008. 

2010 Soriano Family Christmas Lunch

December 26 is always the day when my husband's side of the family comes over to celebrate Christmas.  Our post-Christmas ritual usually involves a hearty lunch, followed with either an afternoon siesta or all-afternoon catching-up of stories.  Afterwhich, we say our goodbyes and call it a day.  It was different this year.  Cupid's brother and his family stayed until night time and we even took them home.  I even believe that if Wings didn't have any prior appointments, then they would have stayed longer or even overnight.  It was still a holiday that following day anyway.  Perhaps it is because we miss each other's company and did not really want to part ways early.  Whatever the reason, it was truly a fun but relaxed day with family!

Bayot Family Christmas Party (2010)

Another year, another memorable Christmas reunion party for the Bayot family.  It was especially memorable this time around for a number of reasons.  First, because my Aunt and Uncle from San Francisco are on vacation here.  Second, because Bella is celebrating her first Christmas.  And third, because we are joined by Frenjick, my brother's partner, for the first time.  Indeed, our family is growing!  Oh, have I mentioned that my sister is now 4 months pregnant with her second baby?  Yes, there will be a new addition next year...and I can't wait!

I hope you won't mind that I will be posting many photos here today.  It's just that...in such a memorable day like that with family and loved ones, one cannot help but take plenty of pictures to capture the moment.  You just can't.

Baby Bella's Baptism

Last December 22, 2010 was the day when my niece, Bella, was baptized in the Catholic faith.  My hubby, Cupid, is the principal Godfather. Ahem! Ahem! :)

I have posted a lot of pictures here, so I will not say any more and just let said photos do the "talking".

Yummy Sumo Sam

I chanced upon these pictures, as I was organizing and purging file items in my desktop PC.  These were photos taken during our visit to the Sumo Sam Restaurant in Shangri-La Plaza Mall, on my birthday last year.

I totally forgot about these photos.  I guess, because it was just a little over a month after our house got flooded by Typhoon Ondoy (read the story here).  Fortunately, I still remember the flavors of all that we ordered in the restaurant that day... how much I enjoyed them... and how the experience made me forget all our problems that time even for just a moment.   So much so that I believe our gastronomic experience merits a "feature" on this blog.

Join me as I revisit our yummy Sumo Sam experience!  Enjoy the pictures! :-)

Nunley - Valdez Wedding

I love weddings!  I love seeing the blooming bride have her moment while walking down the aisle.  I love all the romantic vibe that it showers in the air!

That's why I was really excited when we received a wedding invitation, one October weekend.  It was from Karen (Cupid's classmate/ batchmate from the Ateneo).  Karen is now based in the U.S.  I met her at a couple of get-togethers that Cupid's CS (short for Computer Science, their major in college) friends/ classmates organized.

Upon seeing the wedding invitation, Cupid said "Finally!"  You see, Karen and her husband Terry were supposed to have their church wedding here in the Philippines last year.  Everything was already set but eventually canceled because of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), which ravaged the house of Karen's parents in Provident Village, Marikina (read also our story here).  But, like all things...life must go on!  I think that a wedding, the year after the big storm, was just THE perfect way to move on, and celebrate life and love!

Sonny's Bowling-and-Billiards Birthday Party!

October 2 was a fun! fun! fun! day for the Bayot clan as we gathered together once more for Sonny's 9th birthday!  If Jeth's birthday celebration the month before was more "impromptu", his brother Sonny's was (somewhat) planned in that he was given time by his parents to think about and choose where he liked to celebrate and whether or not he wanted to invite friends over. Sonny decided to have his party at the Bowling Center in SM North EDSA and opted to invite "just the family".

Jeth's 13th Birthday at Pancake House

My nephew celebrated his 13th birthday last month at the Pancake House in WalterMart North EDSA. It was supposed to be held at their house but his Dad, John Dee (my first cousin), made a last minute decision to have it somewhere else so they wouldn't have to deal with cooking, as well as washing any plates and pans. I thought it was a great idea! They could have decided to hold the party in Timbuktu, I still would've gone (provided I have enough money!). Because, cliche as this may sound, I personally think that any place where you can gather family and spend time with them is heaven and should not be missed!

Haley Bondoc's 2nd Birthday at Strikes, Palms Country Club (June 6, 2010)

Haley Bondoc, Maia's cousin, celebrated her 2nd birthday at Strikes in the very posh Palms Country Club in Alabang on June 6, 2010.  Haley's mom, Cathy, did a REALLY good job decorating the place with pretty stuffed toys (Haley's and sister Trixie's), which were used as cake toppers, as well as table centerpieces.  I will admit that, at first, I thought that I can take home one or some of those toy-table-centerpieces...until I realized they were the actual toys of the Bondoc girls!  Good thing I realized it soon enough.  I do not and never ever want to be accused of stealing from a child.  Hahaha!  The thought of it just makes me laugh...or even hide from shame...yikes!!

May 28, 2010 (Maia's Party c/o Ninang Angel and Tito Vic)

Maia's Ninang-Tita Angel and Tito Vic held a party for her at their condominium in Ortigas Center.  The intimate get-together was held just the day after Maia's actual 2nd birthday.  Even though there were just a few of us there (about 13), Ninang Angel made sure that there was food for both the adults and for the kids.  Thank you, Ninang Angel, Tito Vic, Kuya Waxx and Kuya Seb!  Maia says, "I love you! And you all rock!"