It's never easy putting together DIY parties. In fact it's a lot of work. But one good reason why we opt to do it ourselves is to keep things budget-friendly. Another reason is that we can't seem to pass up an opportunity to try new crafty things. Jo's fifth birthday celebration was "street" themed. She wanted graffiti, she said. I really think she just meant she wanted to paint a wall. But we rode that idea and came up with this low-key street culture inspired party theme. And here are some of the simple things we prepared -- all inexpensive and done at home -- to pull of that "Kween Read More
The Significance of Children’s Parties
Emma turned four. She's been eagerly awaiting this day since August. As the last birthday of the year, she has to watch her sisters get their parties first, steeping in the mild jealousy that only a middle child could truly understand. My dad came to me two weeks before and said to make sure that Emma got a birthday party too, as her sisters did. The truth is that we were always going to have one, but organizing these DIY parties really takes the steam out of us parents who already work hard on the weekdays. Nica gives up several hours of sleep to make all the drawings for decor, the craft Read More
Josephine Turns Two
I seem to have to constantly remind myself that my youngest, Jo, is not exactly a baby anymore. Sure, she's MY baby but she really is no longer a baby. I guess that's really a thing with youngest children. Because there's nobody after them they get to keep the "status" and the special treatment that goes with it. Well, Jo turned two exactly a month ago. And I really feel like that was so fast. Yes, I'm definitely ecstatic and thankful that Kayo and I are going this long without getting pregnant again, but at the same time, I'm wondering, where did all that time go? Then I look at Jo, watch Read More
Chilling Out With Summer
Summer turned five last month. I didn't make any plans for her birthday because Summer had made plans herself. The older this girl gets, the more she wants to take control of things. Of course, as much as she would like to, we don't just let her take charge of her life or let her have everything she wants. But we let her take over some things, like plan for her birthday celebration! Well...to an extent. She was pretty specific about her requests. She even drew them out so I would know exactly what she wanted and not forget. Thankfully, there wasn't anything in her list that was way Read More
The Emma Strikes THREE!
Anybody who knows Kayo well enough would think a Star Wars themed kiddie party is bound to happen somewhere along his journey as a father. I did. Except I didn't think it would happen this soon! But Kayo has a point. Star Wars fans who are currently parents of young children live in exciting times. With the new movie coming out, preceding many others in the works, we get to relive our childhood AND at the same time, share it with our own brood. So, when our dear sweet Emma told us she wanted a Star Wars party for her birthday, we were thrilled... Kayo most specially. She and Summer recently Read More
A Picnic Party for Jo
When Jo turned one, our family was up North in La Union for the weekend because of Craft Camp, which I co-organized. We did celebrate Jo's birthday there with a simple meal at Flotsam and Jetsam, then a stroll down the beach. Jo seemed to have really enjoyed her day! After that weekend though, Kayo and I thought it would be nice to do another simple get together back in the city with our other loved ones who we knew would want to celebrate with her too. So, the following Sunday, we threw her a little Picnic Party at Salcedo Park. Salcedo Park is one of our kids' favorite places to Read More
An Art Fiesta!
I think many of you parents who are reading this will agree when I say that celebrating a child's birthday represents another milestone reached, not only for the child but for the parents as well. Last month, my Summer turned four. Yes, FOUR! While it's hard for me to believe it has been that long, I also feel relieved that Kayo and I have made it this far at parenting. I'm not saying that we're experts or that we've done a perfect job but I'm thankful that we've managed to develop a strong relationship with our first born and that she's healthy, undoubtedly happy and astoundingly Read More
Summer’s First: A Rubber Ducky Party
I’ve always loved children and even as a teenager, I already dreamed of throwing my own kids party. So imagine my delight when I finally had my own kid! A few months before Summer’s actual birthday I started planning and “pinning” ideas. Since our bubbly baby girl recently acquired a huge liking for Sesame Street and has always enjoyed taking baths, her Papa and I decided on a Rubber Ducky theme. I searched for other Rubber Ducky themed children’s parties online for more ideas and also made a list of things Summer liked and would enjoy to see at her party such as balloons and bubbles. Here Read More