Thank God for friends...

We just started sending out the electronic invitation card and map for Elle Marie’s birthday party and received a lot of positive feedback. One said that it was well made and that the color enhances Elle’s smile. Another said that the design was calming to the eyes and perfect for the event. This brought out a smile on my face but thinking about how this invitation card came to be is what made my day.

The invitation card should say it all. It is the soul of the party where people can get a glimpse of what is in store for them. It is the reason why it took a little while for us to finalize Elle Marie’s invitation card. I wanted something very prima ballerina… simple but elegant, baby pink and Elle-ish. I started by surfing the net for a ballerina themed invitation card and was able to identify a couple. I finally decided on one specific design which has drawings of tutu, ballet shoes and tiara. It took one weekend for me to learn photoshop through the online training and another weekend to apply it. I was never a quitter but I must admit that I am not an artistic person. So I gave up and turn to my ever reliable, master of new technology friend whom for years have helped me with related concerns.

Kitt has a lot of reason not to say no to my request. For one, he is Elle Marie’s primary godfather. When the church asked Noy to identify among the godfathers who he would like to be the primary godfather he said Kitt without a blink of an eye. (secret ito ha…) but I guess Kitt did it just because.

Everyday, I thank God for the many true friends that He has showered me with and this include Kitt and his family. The past few months preparation for Elle’s birthday party would not have been bearable if not for the constant free consultation through YM and direct support from him and other friends.

If I may quote Tutter in the Bear in the Big Blue House, “Do you know what is the best thing about my birthday, Bear?... My friends… My friends are the best part of my birthday”. I know that Elle’s birthday party will be VERY special because of friends like Kitt who have always been there for us just because.

The Making of Elle Marie, the Prima Ballerina

A friend who is a veteran in events organizing once told me that the key to preparing a party is having a venue first and the rest will follow.

But for me, I started with a theme, one that I have always dreamed of since I was just a kid. I am not ashamed to say that I am a frustrated ballerina… I used to own a prima ballerina Barbie doll but never got to own a tutu. I have always dreamed of mastering the art of tiptoeing, twirling and simply looking so elegant with a tiara and hair tucked neatly at the back of my head but I never got to because I had umbilical hernia during the early stage of my infancy. Back then, my OB could only recommend that I refrain from strenuous activities that include ballet.

Like me, Elle also had umbilical hernia. Fortunately, Dra Lourdes Genuino said that there is nothing to worry it will disappear after three months. And it did… Since then, I promised myself that should Elle wishes to do ballet classes, I will gladly support her. But for now that she still can’t decide for herself, I will give her a ballerina party!!

I want the party to be filled with kids in pink and white. Girls should wear tiaras while boys wear their cutest smiles. The venue will be filled with pink and white balloons and cotton candies! Elle will be the prima ballerina of the day. She will wear her swarovski tiara, just like the one we saw in greenhills and the puffiest tutu Ninang Sasha can make. I will buy her the cute ballet shoes I saw in Rustan’s, Makati… And everybody will go home remembering only one thing, Elle’s biggest and cutest smile because she had the best ballerina birthday party one could ever have!

I will make sure that (unlike our wedding) Tita Alice will get a better videographer and photographer so that we will be able to preserve the experience and show to Elle once she is old enough to remember and appreciate the party that symbolized our love for her.

Preparing for Elle's First Year Birthday

Preparing for Elle's First Year Birthday July 20, 2007

The preparation for Elle’s first year birthday party officially started today when Noy announced that Dasmarinas Village Club House will not be able to accommodate us because there is a scheduled village bazaar on the same day Elle is scheduled to have her birthday party. Adding to the “not so encouraging” news for the day was a reply from Makati Sports Club that our account officer failed to do my reservation! Talk about expensive service.

I don’t know what to do. I completely froze. I thought I had it all sorted out. I can’t believe that all the informal planning that I have been doing as early as January suddenly collapsed in front of me and I can’t do anything about it. It took me hours before I gathered my thoughts and look for another venue. Thank God for the internet! I found this blog by Lot describing a venue that she wanted to have for her son’s first year birthday but failed to because it is so difficult to get a booking. Instead she posted a couple of pictures of the venue with her and her son. The pictures were nice so I looked for the contact number and called.

To my amazement, somebody already booked on the schedule I wanted to get for Elle’s birthday party BUT it turned out that the person who reserved it is migrating to Singapore and was hoping to get somebody to avail of the venue and reimburse her payment. What a luck ha?! So, I gave my contact number and after a few minutes my angel called.

She told me that I am a blessing from heaven. They only have two weeks in the Philippines and she is worrying about the money that she paid for the venue. Like Elle, her son is also celebrating his first year birthday. Even though they are from Alabang, they opted for the Artist Pavillion in Makati Plaza and Garden. They even paid for it as early as January, eight months before the event. It was so light talking to my angel. I guess because she is my answered prayer and we are both mothers. We talked about our babies, our party preparations, about the venue. We talked as if we’ve been friends for centuries already… She even invited me for a coffee in Singapore if I go there…

God really works in mysterious ways. I almost broke down in tears out of frustration and disappointment but good thing I was able to calm myself and focus on the important things in life… Elle and her first year birthday party. Now, Elle definitely has a venue for her first birthday party and I am excited to see it with her.