Lia's third

Lia at 3
Originally uploaded by micaela

We celebrated Lia's third birthday at McDonald's. We let her choose between a beach trip and a McDonald's party, and she chose the latter--with a Disney Princess theme.

So...off I went again, working out my canvassing powers. McDonald's provided food, decors, invites, loot bags, and game prizes, but I just couldn't resist. I had to conceptualize a souvenir, canvass for cake designs, choose between a pabitin and pinata, decide whether to have a glimmer or henna tattoo booth, and look for a design for Lia's birthday dress (and have it tailored).

I settled for name bracelets for souvenirs. Aside from costing lower than my other souvenir ideas, it was personalized--therefore, had more appeal (and use, which is really my number 1 criterion for souvenirs). I took a trip to my bead haven in Quiapo, where I bought the letter cubes and other supplies. When I was ready with everything, I asked for every kid's wrist measurements. Then I put each bracelet in a gold pouch (most appropriate, because it was a Princess party).

I surveyed everyone if they wanted henna or glimmer. Henna won, and so I went off to Robinson's Galeria to talk to Gene Testa, a known tattoo artist, and hire their services for henna tattoing.

Since Goldilocks was the "accredited" cake supplier for McDonald's parties, I went to their Pasong Tamo branch (it's open 24 hours!) to look for cake designs. I brought Lia along with me so she can choose her own design. She chose a Cinderella round cake.

I went to New Divisoria Mall in Divisoria to buy a pinata. I chose pinata over pabitin because Lia doesn't quite like pabitins (she had experiences where she couldn't get even one item). I chose a Cinderella pinata to go along with her cake. We shopped together for candies and chocolates to put inside the pinata. And together, we put all the goodies inside the pinata. As for the stand, I had my mother order one from the local carpenter in the province.

For Lia's dress, I searched the net (where else) for designs. I found one which had an a-line cut. Unfortunately, my mother insisted on it being a ballgown, and had petticoat done. :( I could not throw it away, or have it repaired or done all over again, so I made do with it.

I made all the preps, and stayed on budget. :)

When the day of the party came, Lia was so excited. She welcomed her guests with a smile, said "Thank you" when she was greeted "Happy Birthday", and kept on smiling until the party ended and she was already tired and sleepy.

Lia's favorite gift? The pig pillow given by Lolo Father. How she loves it! Which made us parents realize again that Lia's joy really lies in simple things. :)

Mall tantrums (not)

This is why I'm proud of my Lia even if she pisses me off sometimes: at the mall, she does not go stomping or have crying spells or tantrums or lying-on-the-floor drama whenever she wants something that I don't buy for her.

It's really a wonder how I did that: discipline her shopping behavior. When we go out (especially when we go to Toy Kingdom), I tell her, before entering the store, that we're not buying (just looking around), or we're buying but not an expensive toy, or we're buying but just one item. And she doesn't have a problem with it at all! I never experienced even one bit of a complaint from her.

Last Sunday, we went to Toy Kingdom. I told her that we were not buying anything, but she can point to me what she wants for her birthday. She said, "Okay, Mommy". Then we went around the store, but she could not tell me what she wanted! She'd approach one shelf, look at one item, look at me, then walk away. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or if I wanted to pity her.

So last night, when I was in Robinson's Galeria, I dropped by Toys R Us. I decided to buy her something special--as a reward for being a good girl. I was also a bit guilty of not buying her anything for the past 3 months! After buying this huge playset, I called her up, and told her I had a surprise for her. When I got home, was she glad--AND thankful! I never felt so appreciated. She is such a grateful kid.

I hope she continues this kind of behavior until she grows up!

Guess who Lia turned out to be?

These days, not a day goes by without me scolding Lia. For having so many excuses before doing anything we ask her to do, for not eating properly, for not coming when she is called, for not waiting for her turn, and many other reasons.

One day, I told her, out of exasperation, "You know, when you were smaller, you were a very good girl. Now, you're not nice na. I wonder what happened to you?"

And Lia graciously replied, "Because...I turned out to be like Daddy!"

And while Neil reacted violently, I laughed out loud. :)