happy birthday to me

i know it has been weeks... but i still want to share with you how i spent my special day!

first, i was pleasantly surprised at the office...

greeted by balloons,

a cake,

and best of all, sweet handmade cards.

for lunch, the hub took me to one of my fave restos for my favorite spinachy meal...

spinach + mushroom + parmesan + truffle

and spinach ravioli

and to cap the day, i had dinner with the nearest and dearest.

but i think this was the best birthday present of all...

happy birthday to me!

maligayang tati

thought i'd share with you the first of 2 major celebrations you missed out on...

here's our little tati's first birthday party.

good job on the pompoms!

highlight of the party was the lunch created by jj yulo... here's the menu.

some chicharon and atsara (not in photo)...

"empanatatis" ala empanadas from ilocos

the super yummy lechon with pinadine sauce...

cookies and shots of melon milk for dessert...

here are the cute stools that were also giveaways for the kids! li'l stelly has the elmo one.

the adults got hopia, something that Milan craved for when she was preggo with Tati.

Hopia like it!

Dear Stella

On this special day, I want to share with you the letter I wrote to Stella on her blog.

"

Dear Stella,

Today would have been your Lolo Achie’s 82nd birthday. He would have been beyond joy to see you and hold you in his arms. He was a very loving Dad and Lolo to us all. Just ask any of us, your titos, titas, cousins (from Paolo to Ella), and they’ll tell you how funny, warm and sweet Lolo was to each one.

I’m sure though that in time, you’ll experience Lolo’s sense of humor, simplicity, generosity and kindness in each of us children and grandchildren, and yes, in time, even in yourself.

Sometimes I catch you talking and smiling at a space above you. I’d like to believe that’s Lolo Achie you’re playing with.

When you’re older, I’ll tell you all about him — about his short shorts, big belly, corny jokes, yummy steaks, contagious singing, and more.

"

Happy Birthday, Dad! We miss you!

back when you were the bigger one

happy birthday to you!

happy birthday to you!

happy birthday!

happy birthday!

happy birthday to you!

fangtastic

and while we're on a creative binge,

here's another one i'm quite proud of...

ria asked me to make an invite for her daughter's 7th birthday...

here are the pegs she gave...

and here's what i came up with...

pretty good huh? :)

(oh and there are 7 bats for her 7 years :))

happy birthday, rocio!

Happy Bday to the 14th!

Today is the 75th birthday of one of our heroes, the Dalai Lama.

In honor of his big day, I'd like to share some of his pragmatic words of wisdom...

1. My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

2. Our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

3. Sleep is the best meditation. (I'm sure you like this one!)

4. The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

5. The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for all goodness.

6. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.

7. When ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

ohmmmmm......

happy birthday!

to the only twinpophub (for now ;) ):

happy birthday!!!

even if my gift to you looks like a diablo,

you've really been an angel :*

so, let's drink to that!

to my dearest sis

hope you had a belly happy birthday!!!

woot! woot!

august 4

hey sis :)

missed you at the "crep" (read: sign) for daddy's big 8-0.

i wrote him a birthday note, and signed your name anyway :)

it's also flower's big 7! (or in our years, 49... sniff...)

she grew up to be a pretty loyal, sometimes snappy li'l pooch.

disciplined too -- see how she resists (our staple) cheese sticks even if it's well within reach.

she's also a great quiet sleep-mate at night :)

happy birthday to my sweethearts!

happy boitday!

happy happy big 4-0, twinpophub!!!

i hope you enjoyed our yakitori-tastic sake-licious getaway!

aishiteru!

happy! happy!

happy birthday, sis!  wish i were there with you!!!