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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! A Dream Come True! Last September 21^st (Friday) our daughter turned 4 and we celebrated her birthday with the company of our dear close friends. It was one successful event with the help of our friends.

The venue is in Bennigans Tavern and Grill in Khalifa Squash and Tennis Complex and we went there at 4 pm to decorate the playing area and some of the dining area designated only for our guests. We are so lucky to have angels, our friends who were there to help us like Mavis and Tita Jinky (the godmother of the celebrant) who helped us in inflating some of the balloons in their house making them into table toppers and transporting them to the venue and lastly she transported her gift (the birthday cake) from Ate Mayette to Bennigans again. We are also thankful to Tanc and Olivia who came here for their 3 days in-transit/vacation and they helped us in anyway that they can. They helped us in carrying the stuffs that we need, inflating more balloons, did the connections of the gadgets that we need for the party as it was not included in the services of Bennigans and they took some of the pictures and they were so cool to be with. The same with Mavis, she was there to help us in decorating the place and turned out to be a co-host of Ninong Robin during the program during the kiddy games. We really appreciate your help guys and we thank you so much for everything. You are really our angels in disguise!

It was kind of hard in decorating the place since there were other kids who kept on taking the balloons and also some of the cake toppers and I was also thankful that that kid returned it back to us, the Ariel cake topper. It was like we had to put to some unused garbage bags almost all of the inflated balloons or else we would end up with nothing before the party starts.

The party started with a prayer by ate Jannah Rasheya, a very close friend of the celebrant who sometimes acts as a real ate to Princess and followed by a song (reflection) from the movie Mulan by Andrea’s BFF (best friend forever). And the celebrant was very touched by the gesture that she kept on saying, “I love you Xiannelle!” And then followed by a dance number by one also Andrea’s close friend, Ate Anjela. It was hosted by the ever vibrant and jolly Ninong Robin. Thanks Sissy for the help!

It was followed by the kiddy games. This time it was Mavis who hosted the games with “the bring me” game first. The kids knew this game very much that they were on guard f what they are suppose to bring to the party host and the moment they got the message of what they bring they quickly ran to their parents for assistance. Kids were told to bring, a 10 riyal bill, a white hair, a shoe lace, and other stuffs. It was followed by the musical chair game then the stop dance which we had to let them be all the winners since almost all of them were so into it that they really know the game.  The birthday celebrant asked me if she can go down from her throne to be with the dancing kids. She enjoyed every moment of it and our friend Olivia asked Mom May why almost all of them were doing the same moves. And that’s because the music was from a noon time show that almost I guess of the Pinoys were watching in their everyday lives here I Doha.   

Then it was the time for the singing of happy birthday and blowing of the candles. We gathered around the birthday cake, which I almost made all of the decors in its stand and Andrea felt all the happiness I guess as we sang happy birthday to her and party poppers were opened and she blew her candles. The birthday cake was given by her NInay Jinky and family and another present from mom May and dad Yam, a tray full of yummy brownies for everyone to enjoy.

And the pulling of piñata came, we could not hang it there so we just decided to let uncle Tanc hold it up high and let the Ate Andrea pull the strings. Kids got crazy with all of the candies on the floor and as well as the celebrant.

Then the last part of the program was the awarding of the best in costume for the girls and boys. It was Angelie with a Grecian white gown attire who won and Kuya Ahsan in his traditional Pakistani outfit.    

Tito X-tian, our dear friend was the photographer. He’s always kind that even it was so tiring to bring his very heavy for professional photographers only cannon 400 D camera he patiently took pictures of the celebrant with family and with friends in each table. Uncle Noy is also the official video man cum carrier of other stuffs to the party room. To Tita Wen, thanks also for printing the name tags for the kids how we wish that you and your family were there:)

And what followed next was a sumptuous meal with Bennigans…

Here’s the Menu:

The Appetizers:

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Chicken Quesadilla

Chicken Country Salad

Main Course:

Fried Sea Food Platter with the side dish of corn and vegetables

Chicken Kebab with Rice and mashed potato

Shamrock Pasta

Monte Cristo

Chicken Strips with coleslaw and steamed vegetables as side dishes

Drinks:
Refillable Iced Tea

The Kids Meal:

Kids chosed from the ff:

Chicken a Little (chicken strips with fries)

Kid Burger

Hot Diggity Dog

Kid’s Fish and Chips

Dessert:

The Birthday chocolate cake made by ate Mayette

As they ate, a ceramic ballerina inside a purple and pink pouch with a tag on it were distributed to the guests and loot bags for the kids with Disney princess and friends stickers, colored pencils, assorted candies and chocolates. And lots of tattoos’ and stickers were also given to the kids.

We thank you also Ninay Jinky again for lending us the balloon poles and the nicely made castle (by Kuya Eric).

It was indeed a very happy birthday bash, our princess was so ecstatic with joy even though she was tired  since we were in the place from 4 pm until 10 pm.

T o all our friends and the staffs of Bennigans thank you very much.

To view more birthday pictures of our princess just click the link below:

http://athenalexia.multiply.com/

Ate Shey’s Grand BIrthday Celebration Part II: The Cotillion de HOnor

Usually, Cotillion de Honor is a higlight during 18th birthdays but Mom Jinky included this in Ate Shey’s birthday to make some twist in the celebration. Ate Shey and her friends danced to Waltz NO. 1 while the guests were dining.

Our friends’ daughter, Jannah Rasheya “Ate Shey” had her 7th birthday celebration last Wednesday, September 12. Her grand birthday bash was held in Al Ghazal Club, Doha. It was a success as planned by the royal mom, Tita Jinky. The party started with a slideshow of a video clip of Jannah from birth up to the present time. All her firsts; her first step, her first solids, all her baby pictures were shown and nobody would say that she is not a treasured child. From birth until now she’s been nurtured with love and guidance by her mom and dad. It was followed by the presentation of the celebrant by the emcees. Then the program was followed by the celebrant’s walk with her escort, the ever handsome Kuya Gio around the hall. Tita Nova led us the opening prayer then the emcees shared the importance of celebrating 7th birthdays. How they are being celebrated in other countries with other cultures.  

Then it was the time for 7 balloons, Ate Shey’s first dance was her dad, Tito randy the followed by the 7 boys (her friends). Each of them gave Ate Shey a balloon then they danced, then the 7 Gifts from dear and close friends and relatives and then the 7 candles composed of young girls some are of her age and the others are just nearing their 4^th birthdays like my daughter, Ate Andrea. It was a night to remember, every body came in formal attire and the girls were wearing gowns and boys in 3-piece suits or tuxedos. Even though some did not comply with the “strictly formal” note in the invitation, what is important is that all the dear friends were there to celebrate Ate Shey’s big day. The decorations in the party hall were excellent and everything went well as planned.   

The party hall can accommodate more than 300 guests but it ‘s a huge place and the stage was decorated with a palace, a big banner and facing the stage on the left there was the beautifully made 5 layered pink cake and on the right side the was the decor stand for give aways.  Two signature frames were positioned on the entrance for the guests to scribble something for the celebrant and it was also handed to those who are late comers by the usherettes and ushers.Some of the celebrant’s friends rendered songs while the guests were dining and it was one happy grand 7^th birthday. Almost everybody came with cameras and video cameras including moi, so just imagine the clicking’s of the cameras while the program was on and then after the kids had fun running around the huge party hall including my son and my daughter. 

Picture taking proceeded on in accordance to the birthday agenda as can be read from the party program which the celebrant’s mom made so there was no rushing to the stage from the guests. The celebrant’s family first then together with Nanay (Ate Shey’s grandma) then with relatives followed by the 7 baqlloons, the 7 gifts and the seven candles, with the cotillion de honor participants and then the sacred heart of jesus choir. It was a nice idea; with that sequence or order of group picture taking surely they had wonderful shots as there was no nuisance on the stage. And of course, Tita Jinky hired a professional photographer and a cameraman so I’ll be waiting to have some of the beautifully taken pictures so as to post some here in my blog.

Congratulations Tita Jinky and Tito Randy, it was indeed a memorable night not only for Jannah but for everyone. 

During two consecutive Fridays our house was full of kids. They were practicing for Ate Shey’s cotillion for her seventh birthday party. As kids as they are, they are so bubbly and so energetic that they kept on chasing each other around the house. My two kids were so happy playing with them that each time that they have to leave they always cry. They want to play with them more and they want that Ate Shey would stay with us.

On the first practice, Tita Jinky brought cake and spaghetti with her since it was in time with her birthday. The kids can’t eat properly since ate Yanny, the liveliest and most animated girl in the group kept on cracking jokes so just imagine 12 energetic kids plus my two kids in one house.

On the second Friday, it was also their dress rehearsal, the girls looked so lovely in their gowns and as well as the handsome boys in their tuxedos. Ate Andrea asked me if she can wear a gown too so there she used her old gown, the one that she had for costume parties and my little boy danced beside the escort but Kuya Gio Accidentally elbowed him so he was so angry and he ran to me and cried.

Moms and dads of these kids were also very supportive that they allow their spare time to drive their kids to the house and mostly all moms were here in the house to coach them. I’ll post their pics as soon as the party will be over, one more week and it will be ate Shey’s 7^th birthday

We attended lots of birthday parties this past few weeks, from Matt’s birthday party in the newly built McDonald’s in Ras Abu-Aboud then the 1^st birthday party of Jairus in Chinese Restaurant in City Center last Wednesday then the following day we also attended the Tinkerbell themed 1^st birthday party of Anica Ysabelle in Junglezone, Hyatt Plaza and just today we came from MJ’s birthday party in McDonalds Al Sadd. Whew! It was like a birthday party marathon.

During Matt’s birthday party, my kids enjoyed almost all the games as usual Andrea is still  scared with the mascot, Hamburglar.  She was happily enjoying the musical game, just the 4 them, two older boys and Xianne and her and suddenly she quickly ran toward her daddy. She saw Hamburglar inside the party room. So there, still she’s scared with mascots. We don’t know how to keep her from being frightened with mascots. It’s only in her 1^st birthday party that we allowed a mascot then after that we always request that mascots should not appear as opposite as to what parents would usually arrange for.

When we attended Jairus birthday party Ate Andrea was asking where the party was since mostly of the guests were adults and they were only 4 kids and 2 babies there. Anyway, they enjoyed the food especially the fried chicken and as well as the ube cake and the frostings on the cake. They played with the huge blue balloons and Sean found a new friend. Only that the balloons kept on exploding  that every time it would explode it was like a bomb explosion because of the big sound.

Anya’s Tinkerbelle themed birthday party was one of the best, Mom Wen really worked her butt on it that she even had one week leave just to prepare for the big celebration of her princess. She ordered online from birthdayinabox.com some of her party supplies and she hired someone to decorate the place and turned it into a Tinkerbelle’s den. Andrea came to the party as a fairy (and specifically Elina as she would insist on it) and Sean as Superman but he was in deep slumber so he got no chance in wearing his costume since he woke up on the middle of the magic show.The kids had fun watching the magic show of the Junglezone staff, then the Pinata and lots of stuffs in the lovely purple loot bags which my kids can’t keep themselves from eating almost all the candies and chips and Andrea giggled upon seeing a Tinkerbelle pad with images to color in some pages and lots of stickers. A VCD movie of Peter Pan served as the give away and my kids enjoyed in re-watching it the following day as if they never have watched it before and still they are afraid of Captain Hook. And of course, the rides in Junglezone but it was only ate Andrea who had the chance to play since I had lots of things with me so we (me and Sean) preferred to go to Homes ’R Us instead. And we love the Milk Fish and the Carbonara, as catered by La Rochelle (Restaurant is located in Al Sadd). For you Tita Wen Congrats! I know you combed all the stores in Doha just to find the things you need and you are one cool momma for that.

Kuya MJ’s birthday party in McDo I guess was also fun, as  can be seen from ate Andrea’s face when we arrived there (we were late) since me and Sean had to do our grocery and do some window shopping while dad N was watching Formula 1. We were so happy to be reunited with old good friends and it seems like these never-ending parties after all will have no end since after this comes Ate Shey’s big birthday party bash as she turns 7 next week then Faith will turn two on the 14th and my brother’s big day and then our own princess 4^th birthday party.

And in between those kiddie parties were also birthdays of my dear friends: Neth, Jinky, Ninay Rachelle, Manay Daryl and soon Ninay Obin.

I am happy to say that somehow I have positive friends. They are not that much but suffice it to say they are ten thousand more. I’m still lucky to have a few of them. They are heavenly sent angels in my life. They are the persons that make me smile. They are my friends that show respect and always on my back if ever I need help. Isn’t it nice to have them in your life? I am proud to say that I have friends who can cheer me up and not dampen my mood whenever I talk to them. They are my friends who speak good things about others and not talk ill about their detractors. Someone who brightens up your day, near or far, yes, I can still feel their presence.

They are my positive friends who always look on the positive side of the issues. They talk of nice things, and if ever they’ll mingle with some delicate issues they always manage to tell you the lighter side rather than the dark side.My positive friends are always fair.

They don’t let negativities rule their lives. Even they have dilemmas of their own still goodness and positiveness emanates their personalities. I’m proud to say that they are my friends! And I thank them for having me as their friend. Love you friends!Sometimes

I feel fed up of those persons who always talk the bad things of their other friends, take note, as they claim that they are friends or close friends or worst best friends. If things don’t turn up the way that they want it then they’ll start assassinating the person itself and not discuss the issue per se.Sometimes they speak too much what’s in their minds and not thinking of what others might feel on their rampage of bitter words. One day they are nice to you and the next day they are more like of a bull who happen to be out of its pen.

Sometimes I have to remind myself not to be affected by their black spell. They are those persons who claim my friends but still they talk behind my back. Don’t forget we live in the same circle of friends that what you have said about us pass from one tongue to another until it reaches us. What is funny here is sometimes they tend to be nice; they sweet talk us with those sugar coated praises. They are nice to the kids but I guess sometimes it’s hard to pretend that their claws are showing behind those soft words and angelic faces.

Sometimes it’s nice not to listen to them. I practice sometimes the deaf ear. It’s like hearing something which I really don’t; it’s like processing something that can’t be processed.

Again, having positive friends are worth not just even a thousand but its like having a million. 

I made an invitation card for my daughter’s 4th birthday party very much early, more than a month in advance and after making it I sent it at once to our friends with the emphasis on the R.SV.P.

Some friends replied at once to my invitation, stating their presence for the said party but they are only few, maybe the others have not yet opened my e-mail that’s why I did not receive a reply. If I receive an invitation to a party with RSVP then I would at once reply to the host, it’s like paying attention to the question if you’re going or not. Your firm indication would mean a lot to the party host. If RSVP is written on the invitation then the invited guests should tell the host wether or not they plan to come.

The reason behind why I had to send invites a month ahead is for me to have the fixed head count of who are going to come so that I can tell the restaurant the exact number of guests who are coming. This will keep me from overpaying foods for those guests who will not appear in the party. I need to know the quantity of the food that I’m going to order. I have to come up with the exact number of loot bags to prepare for the kids; how many for boys and how many for the girls. I need to know how many give aways should i buy. And that’s what RSVP is for. The term RSVP is from a french expression: ” respondez s’il vous plait”, meaning “please respond!” RSVP stands also for “Response Solicited for your Valuable Presence.”

Maybe their silence means a “yes”, they will come but then again it could mean “no”, they won’t come. Either of the two but I need an answer. Hope I could receive more replies and feedbacks if they’re coming or not.

Sean celebrated his 2nd birthday party last Sunday in Burger King. The party went well but the celebrant dozed off before the party started. We arrived 3o minutes before the party time and they played with new friends,  Matt and Thea while waiting for our friends to come. The celebrant got tired from running and playing with the balloons and I guess the cold syrup made him doze off too.

We were trying to wake him up but he slept like there was no party going on. He would have loved to play the games but everytime I would whisper on his ear to wake him up he just slept peacefully. Just a few minutes away from blowing his birthday cake I let him stand while in my arms on the table and his eyes opened I guess he was a bit surprised to see more visitors and more kids in the party room so there he made it before the party ended.

Ate Andrea and the kids enjoyed playing some games and as well as the parents. The dads played the paper dance and we had a blast seeing each pair of dads doin’ some strategy on how to fit the two of them each time the newspaper is being folded into smaller sizes.

Moms got also the chance to play, the musical chair game, to top it all not only the kids had their blast but as well as the parents. Only that Burger King did not give prizes to those who won in the adult games unlike McDonald’s and the staffs are not so prepared. They just distributed the party hats to the kids on the middle of the games not on the start of the party.

To those our friends who came and especially to those who live away from Doha who have had to endure a very long drive just to celebrate with us, thank, thank you very much. And thanks also to Sean’s Ninongs and Ninay’s who remembered him on his birthday even they are so far they sent us e-mails and messages. Thanks for the thoughtfulness, for the love, for the prayers and for always remembering.

Thanks for the gifts, mind you, my boy was so happy the night we reached home after the party. Opening his gifts with the help of Ate Andrea was so exciting that the two of them can’t keep themselves from gasping everytime they would open a toy. They kept on smiling and my li’l boy was so fidgety with so much excitement. They have lots of toys but with the sight of wrapped gifts and the tearing of gift wrap and the unfolding of new toys which are mainly for boys made Sean more happy.

He also received lots of shirts, pants and pajamas that he could use during winter time and a 3-piece suit too!:)

And Thank you Daddy God for another wonderful year and the years to come for our son…

My wish is just simple…great health and happiness. No mom in this world would be more happy with a healthy and a happy child. Mommy, daddy and ate Andrea love you very much!

It maybe not so vivid in his mind how we celebrated his birthday party, with his age of two what may only register there are the cake, gifts, friends but for sure the feelings, emotions of being loved will be carved in his heart forever.

Even his great pals were not there to celebrate with him (hehehe of course his friends like Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, Tasha, Tyrone, Uniqua, Austin, Pablo & Orry) he always mentions that they were there with him.

Thanks to Tito X-tian for all the help. And to all our friends, thanks…

More pictures…

And more pictures will be uploaded to my gallery…

Our weekend started with the 1st birthday party of my inaanak Angela in their house then followed by a late night booze with the QAFAC family group in Ninong Yam’s house. All the dads were in a mood for a drink and singing galore. This time nobody got tipsy and the party ended at 2 in the morning but the problem was we can’t go home, our car was sandwiched with two other cars. Thanks to the rude owners of the other cars who purposedly parked close to the rear and nose of our car. It’s wee hours so we had no choice but to leave our car there and let Dad Yam drive us to our house.

We woke up very late the following day and went only to Lander’s place with Ninay Jinky for ate Andre’s Cinderella gown. I did not buy the C gown in Marks and Spencer. I was not satisfied it seems that there’s something lacking with it so I decided to just find somebody to make it. And the timing is perfect Ate Shey will be having her 7th birthday and they know the perfect guy who makes best gowns in weddings and other celebrations.

Ate Andrea and Ate Shey insisted of going to KFC and we ended up there. They played for awhile including Sean.

And our Saturday was very exciting yet tiring. We started our day at 5:30 am we woke up very early because we had a schedule, it was a swimming day in Intercon Hotel. Ate Princess was very happy as well as Sean. They met a 19 months old Aussy boy in the kiddie pool. They played a lot. The smile in Sean’s face, the happiness of Ate Andrea are so overwhelming. They kept on thanking Mom May for inviting us there. And thanks to Bima too. Our names are still in the system and we still have 35% discount on membership fee, so we’ll think about joining the health club there again.

Lunchtime was spent in another friend’s house. Kuya Edgar asked STR to fix two old computers so there. Together with Mom May and Dad Yam we went to Kuya Edgar’s house. Kuya Edgar cooked sinigang na hipon, it’s so yummy with some kangkong vegies and the fried hammour (lapu-lapu), the sweet watermelon and they have cake. STR finished fixing the computers nearly 5 pm so three families proceeded to Villagio Mall for our groceries and some window shopping. And we were home at 8 in the evening. Everybody went straight to bed after changing clothes and I woke up and remembered that I still have to call my bosom friend who happens to be back here in Doha from a long vacation. 

I guess some of you who happens to work in QChem knows this story already. Our friends M and M are in Philippines together with their kids for a very tragic incident that happened in their family.

Last Saturday, M’s brother (J)  who came also here in Qatar to find work but unfortunately he had some problems with his visa so he had to go home to Pinas before his visa would expire. J is a chemical engineer. He is a good natured guy and from his face emanates his personality of being a good person and even from talking to him in the phone you could have this impression of him as a nice man.

But a day after his arrival in Pinas he met his death, together with his mother. Some friends told us that maybe the suspect who killed them wanted something from them, maybe money or we don’t know. The crime scene was like a visitor came since there was a water in the table and the electric fan was brought down to the receiving room from upstairs.  So what’s the motive behind the death of J and his mother? Or maybe the killer wanted something and they cannot give what he wants or maybe J resisted. When the  father arrived at 8 am J and his mother were already dead.

When my hubby told me this story when he arrived from work I was really stunned. I felt the loss of a life of a nice man whom I just talked to on the phone upon arrival here in Qatar from our long vacation in Pinas about his visa and some other options that could be made just to let him prolong his stay here and gradually fix his visa. I told him not to go home.  

This tragic incident makes me live in fear and paranoia of what’s happening in our country. Is it the result of too much poverty or just the bad nature of human being that costs human lives?

Even my friend who lives near that town in Balanga Bataan, also feels the same way, she told me that the thought of going home for Christmas makes her fear for their lives.

It’s of high importance to be cautious in dealing with others. Being an OFW can be a target for those killers and robbers. This is an awful reality of what’s happening in our country. Even from watching the news there are lots of crimes. God Keep us always safe!