David is TEN

We had a surprise birthday party for David on April 5, Sunday. At first, he asked if he will have a party and we told him, we haven't decided yet but we can see how eager he was to celebrate his birthday with a party and also disappointed if he will not have one. Of course, kids his age are not contented with receiving one or two gifts from the family only but I promised him we'll get him a big Lego Star Wars  with more than a thousand pieces instead. His motivation was to get more than he will receive from us. Missy even bought him a Lego Sponge Bob kit from her own money. She was also excited in finding and giving a gift to his 'kuya'.

 We were just mum about the whole thing but we did ask some family friends to save the date although some already had other plans especially that it was spring break. We just actually told him, we have invited Ophine's cousin's family who were visiting from the Philippines although we have already met them a week before that and that they'll not be in South Florida anymore on April 5. At least, he will not be surprised with the preparations of having some guests coming over.

We were quite successful in keeping it a secret. His Ninang Pauline volunteered to bring the ice cream cake so that was settled. I'm not sure if he noticed that the food was a lot more than what two families with small kids can really partake of.

Ophine didn't do any kids' games anymore but she had an egg hunt for the kids since it was an Easter weekend. I'm sure they enjoyed that.

The following day, we had a  'just-us' family celebration at our favorite restaurant, 'The Ark' in Davie. Their Mondays are always 'Kids eat free' days so that was our 2nd motivation so to speak. Besides, with the way David and Missy eats, it's not 'sulit' for us to have dinner there if we're not taking advantage of the 'promo.'

Anyway, I remember when I was ten and right now I'm thinking of introducing him to the story of 'the birds and the bees' very soon. My only concern is him blurting it out to Missy. This summer, I'd like to start teaching him how to shoot starting with an air rifle. I'm not a gun advocate but since we're living in a country where the 2nd amendment rights of its citizens are protected, I believe it will be safer if he gets the proper education. He had been asking me in the past about my favorite movie which is 'Schindler's List' so I did give him some history lessons. He's eager to see the film but I don't think he's emotionally ready right now. Maybe in two more years.

Just One More for Summer...

We got invited to Lionel's 3rd birthday by Ophine's co-worker Nilda Enano and hubby Leo and the party took place in a park in Pompano Beach on Aug.16. This is summer's 'last hurrah or 'hirit' so to speak and Aug. 18 was supposedly the kids first day of school but then thanks to Tropical Storm Fay the kids enjoyed two more days of extra summer vacation. Anyway, it was a swimming party and my kids have always enjoyed the pool so off we went that day. It was a super hot day but David and Missy probably didn't feel it too much as they were too busy cooling off in the pool. Ophine and I didn't swim. I was too busy guarding the lechon, lol.

Missy's favorite, puto!

David and his favorite hat, a la Indiana Jones!

Birthday boy Lionel.

Used to be my best friend.

Gatecrasher.

Ophine and Nanang Celebrate their Birthdays

Ophine turned 40 last July 6 and to celebrate, we went to our favorite restaurant in Davie, 'The Ark' for their Sunday brunch. Just the four of us including David and Missy. We didn't know, our very good friend Edna's Mom Nanang Juanita was turning 74 on July 12 and she wanted to throw a party for her. Being so gracious as she always is, Edna offered to have both of them celebrate their birthday in their home last Saturday to make it a double celebration.

Knowing Edna, she enjoys having parties big and small in their home that it has become a very regular affair done multiple times a year, from a small dinner for a few close friends to their hospital floor's staff party. Okay, with just enough grin on my face, we gladly accepted. It's not easy throwing a party but it's very manageable when we only need to prepare a few dishes san the other stuff that normally you have to do also so I just made some baked ham with dijon mustard, brown sugar and orange marmalade glaze plus some whole cloves for the unique aroma, pancit palabok and a black bean salad. Edna served a lot of varied dishes from pinakbet to lumpiang shanghai plus a lot of people also brought some hot food and several kinds of dessert.

It is very usual for Filipino parties to last for more than a few hours here with people trickling in from the start to late at night. Some parties I've been to last from one meal to almost the next one and this party had food coming in as new guests arrived late. Imagine a Chinese lauriat that when you thought you're done eating, you still want to get a taste of the "new arrivals". Okay, just one day of gluttony! At least I still tried to maintain my high protein, low carb diet even though I was not counting calories and still we were able to bring home some leftovers. One thing that is also usual with Filipino parties, not all of them but you kind of know which ones you surely can do it without the hosts raising an eyebrow or two. LOL! Of course, we do it with some close friends only and even to us when we hold one, we gladly want our guests to bring home food esp. when you kind of prepared a little more than extra! Remember, one more negative Filipino trait so prevalent here, a lot don't R.S.V.P. unless you really follow-up or sometimes, they'd just say "titingnan ko" and then bring their whole clan. That can be a subject for another blog post but I surely will lose some friends, hehehe!



Birthday girls! Ophine with Nanang Juanita.

























Pat helping out in the kitchen.


















Darell, Paulo with Gabriel and Pauline.


















Darell with sons Ryan and Darryl.

















Blessings!















































We're hungry!



















David, Missy and CJ.


















Pastor Joseph Jimenez and friends.



















Pauline Cruz and Jarrod.


























Pauline Jimenez and Gabriel




















Nanang opening her gift from Mike. Must be Victoria Secret!



















Ophine and Missy giving our gift to Nanang.

























Three generations of girls! Nanang, Edna, Czarina and Joanne.


























Bebot and Debbie Bael, us, Cris and Cathie Coralejo, Lot and Jun Dominguez, Edna and Ed Trepanier.

















Magic Sing time, Richard and Jo.



















Ophine and Missy singing some tunes.

Some more random shots!

Missy chasing Happy under the table.






























Ed Trepanier's trophy! Ed had become our free source of wild meat, from venison to pork from a wild pig. Loved 'em all!






















We went home after 12 mn. Thankfully, the kids were able to last for a long time. Thanks to the Trepaniers, as always, our very selfless friends. Lastly, if you need to see the photos larger, just click on the photo itself. I enabled it this time.