O! Taho (Vancouver)

I was browsing through my IG feeds and saw a picture of taho. Hay, the things you take for granted at home (i.e. Philippines) suddenly become so important and special when you're away.

I got so takam (takaw-mata talaga ako) so I googled for a restaurant/store here in BC that sells taho. I know there's one in Henlong Market kaso parang Chinese-style naman yun. Nakabili na rin kami once sa Richmond Night Market kaso Chinese-taste din, gingered flavor yung syrup.

My search lead me to O! Taho in Vancouver. It has good reviews from Yelp, lasang Pinoy taho raw talaga. So we drove there after eating lunch at Richmond Public Market (on July 22), panghimagas daw sabi ni Ford.

O! Taho just a small store facing Fraser Street. You would need to park sa may residential area sa likod.

It's a store dedicated for taho (obvious naman sa name) but they also sell other Filipino foods like longganisa, hotdogs, and more frozen foods. May goto rin ang other desserts - leche flan, halo-halo, mais con yelo, sago't gulaman, etc.

Here's their pricing:

We only ordered one serving of taho ($5) because we were still full from lunch. Also, gusto rin naming tikman muna. Mas mahal pa ang taho dito kesa Starbucks ha.

Be sure to bring cash!

It was a mistake because kasi nabitin kami haha. Masarap nga, Pinoy-tasting talaga. Well, except for the pearls na parang pang-bubble tea. But it doesn't matter, ang importante ay yung soy pudding and syrup.

My hubby has devoured the taho in less than 3 minutes. Too bad we couldn't order again because we would have to wait for another 15 minutes for a cup. Fresh daw kasi ang taho nila, they make it fresh each time you order. (I hope though na meron silang ready-made na for small walk-in orders).

After eating the taho, we walked a bit because Ford saw a Filipino restaurant just a few steps away. Aling Ening Restaurant pala yun, turo-turo/carinderia style. We mentally noted to try eating there soon.

But since I was still natatakam for taho, we went back to O! Taho to buy more for take out. I ordered the 1L ($8) and waited. Many people came by to pick up their orders.

After 15 minutes, akala ko ready na ang order ko. The staff informed me that I would have to wait for around 20 more minutes kasi maraming phone orders. Shaiks, why didn't she tell me that when I ordered? I asked her if I could cancel my order because my toddler was getting uneasy na. She said ok kasi di pa naman daw nasasalang.

She handed me this calling card and advised me to call first before coming to avoid waiting. Oh well!

Fine, sige tatawag na lang nga ako next time. We will order the 2L na para sulit ang punta. Medyo malayo rin kasi sa amin ang O! Taho. Hindi rin naman pwedeng 4L ang orderin namin kasi good for 2-3 days lang daw ang taho. Nga pala, I noticed na hindi ganun karami ang syrup at tapioca pearls na kasama sa big orders pero pwedeng namang bumili ng additional.

I also want to try their goto and leche flan next time. Hope we could go back there again soon.

Pinoy's Chicken (Surrey)

I have a list of Filipino restaurants here in Metro Vancouver and I plan on dining in each of them. I love Filipino food so I am in constant search of places that serve delicious Pinoy dishes.

Nathan hasn't eaten the whole day two Fridays ago (July 21) so when Ford got home from work, I suggested that we eat at Pinoy's Chicken. Obviously, it specializes in crispy fried chicken. Umay na umay na ako sa pritong manok sa totoo lang (because my son is a #chickenboy) but still, I was excited. Masarap din kumain ng hindi mo luto syempre.

We arrived at Pinoy's Chicken at around 6:15pm. It's located in a commercial complex so parking was not a problem.

I couldn't contain my excitement. I was really hoping na masarap kasi sawa na ako sa fried chicken na luto ko, pati sa KFC at Church's Chicken. I've read some pretty good reviews on Pinoy's Chicken from Yelp so I had high expectations.

They have a $5 lunch and dinner special that I initially wanted to order.

But my husband and son were hungry so we thought a family meal would be better.

We ordered the $23.99 meal -- 9 pieces chicken + medium gravy + medium fries. We added an additional 2 plates of palabok at $6.50 each.

Just like in a fast food restaurant, you have to pay after ordering. Whew, $38.84! Medyo pricey nga.

I realized later that I didn't give a tip, wala kasing tip option sa credit card machine nila. Sabagay, fast food nga ang style sila, walang service ang staff aside from bringing your food.

For dessert, they have halo-halo and mais con yelo. Natakam din ako, pero naisip ko we'll order na lang if there's still space in our tummies after eating our meal.

The staff informed me beforehand that it will take a while for our food to be served because they have many orders for pick-up. No choice naman so I said ok.

The restaurant's dining area is small. I guess most of their parokyanos are those that just picks up the food.

There were two other groups of diners aside from us. Nauna syempreng dumating ang order nila kaya lalo akong ginutom. Nakisilip ako sa pagkain nila tapos may nakita akong rice. I checked on the menu board, walang rice na nakalagay. Actually yun nga ang isang observation ko, how come na walang rice option? I mean, Pinoy chicken ang concept pero walang rice? Dapat pwedeng french fries or rice.

At long last, after 35 minutes, our food has arrived. The chicken and fries came first. I asked the staff how much their rice is. $1.50 daw so gora, the husband went to the counter to pay for two cups.

Then came the palabok. Whoaah, ang laki pala, considering na $6.50 lang ang isang plate. We really thought na pang-solo lang. Namroblema tuloy kami kasi nga nag-order pa kami ng rice.

Anyway, the fried chicken looked really good. Bagong luto kaya super crispy.

Pero unang kagat pa lang namin ni hubby, nagkatinginan na kami. Hindi siya masarap. To be honest, hindi naman mataas ang standards ko sa fried chicken (kumakain nga ako ng pritong manok sa Pinas na tinitinda sa tabi-tabi) pero ito yung fried chicken na hindi ko talaga kakainin kung pwede lang. Kahit yung gravy nila hindi rin ok, parang hindi Pinoy gravy (if you know what I mean). Saka konti pa, bitin na bitin for 9 pieces of chicken.

Ford ate some fries and hindi rin daw masarap (hindi ko kasi tinikman). Parang yung nabibili lang daw sa supermarket na fries eh.

Their palabok tasted bland too. Pahirapan talagang ubusin kahit na ang tagal ko ng nagke-crave nun.

I was full of regrets. Sayang talaga ang $41.84 namin! Sana nag-Korean buffet na lang kami.

But in fairness, the owner nicely approached us after going to another table na kakilala nya ang kumakain, and asked us if we need anything. I am sure that as a business owner, he wanted to hear good feedbacks from us. Pero ngumiti lang kami. We couldn't lie eh.

Kung masarap lang ang chicken na ito, we could easily devour the 9 pieces. Sa lakas ba naman naming kumain. Kaso sapilitan lang talaga haha, syempre me natira. 

I don't think we'll be eating there again. So for now, back to Church's Chicken muna uli kami.

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NOTE: As much as possible, I don't want to give any negative feedbacks on Filipino restaurants here in Canada. Syempre gusto ko namang suportahan ang businesses ng mga kababayan natin. But I want to be honest din kasi. 

There were several customers who picked up fried chicken that night, so baka nasasarapan sila. Magkakaiba naman ang panlasa ng mga tao. To each her own na lang po. 

Chocolate Cravings

It's almost 3am and I am craving for these chocolates.

For the reason I really do not know, walang ganitong Hershey's Milk Chocolate dito sa Canada. Or I maybe wrong, baka di ko lang nakikita. But I swear, since 2013 eh naghahanap na ako nito kasi paborito ko talaga ito. Weird, kasi made in USA naman ito. Hmmm, makahanap nga nito sa Seattle area pag nag-crossborder kami.

Isa pa itong Crunch na ito. Bakit ba wala? Dati meron sa Dollar Tree at Superstore (yung bite size) pero lately wala talaga. Sa Daiso (in Richmond) nakakita ako pero $3.25 (plus 5% tax) naman, kaloka! Sobrang mahal naman.

Ayoko ng fancy chocolates like Lindt or yung may kung ano-anong flavor. Simple chocolates (i.e. chocolates of my youth) lang ang gusto ko pero wala pa dito. Nakakalungkot naman.

People in Pinas may think na bumabaha ng chocolates dito sa Canada kaya talagang nage-expect sila. Pero in my experience, hindi naman din ganun karami ang variety ng chocolates na binebenta sa mga big supermarkets like Walmart or Superstore. At hindi rin mura ha (unless i-sale). Parang mas ok pang bumili sa Duty Free sa Pilipinas kesa dito eh, kasi madaming choices dun.

Another Monday

Hello!

It's a Monday again (and I hate it!). Ford's gone to work and I am left alone again to take care of the little one waaah.

Nathan woke me up at around 9:20am. Very early yan, kasi we slept at around 2am. The past days, hindi na ganun kahaba ang tulog niya. Dati 11 to 12 hours straight siyang natutulog. Ngayon kahit anong oras siyang matulog, he wakes up between 9 to 10.

After two hours of lounging, I found myself cooking fried chicken again. 

Sawang-sawa na ako sa totoo lang.

But what can I do, my son is very difficult to feed. Konti lang ang kinakain niya sa buhay  niya -- friend chicken, chicken tinola, fried galunggong, green beans (stir fry), noodles (ng pancit o soup), french fries. And he doesn't eat rice and bread. Gusto niya yung Marie biscuits and Chips Ahoy saka chips, pero hindi naman siya talaga ganun kalakas kumain. Buti nga kahit pano eh kumakain siya ng apples and melon.

Ay just last week pala, nabola ko siyang kumain ng pork sinigang (akala niya tinola rin yun) and fried bangus. I was so happy. At least nadagdagan ang pwede kong ipakain sa kanya. Hay, buhay nanay!

So there, for the nth time, fried chicken na naman ang ulam namin ngayong Monday. Pero dahil ayaw niya ng balat (or any hard part) kaya ako rin ang sumisimot ng chicken. Tsk, bawal pa naman sakin kasi high ang cholesterol ko. Kaso nakakatamad naman magluto ng dalawang ulam kaya most of the time nakikisabay na rin ako sa pagchichicken.

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I saw this on my Timehop a couple of days ago. It's been two years since I first fed him rice. Nagustuhan niya talaga. He used to be an excellent eater, ang takaw-takaw and he would eat anything and everything. It all changed when he turned one and we returned in Edmonton (after 4 1/2 months of staying in Pinas). Basta na lang ayaw ng kumain. Naisip ko baka nga dahil sa homo milk dito sa Canada, puro dede kasi ang gusto.

Nathan at 8 months

I am envious of those moms whose kids eats a lot. Sabagay, both my husband and I were picky eaters din daw dati (hanggang ngayon naman) so kanino pa ba magmamana? =(

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Monday na. Apat na tulog pa bago mag-weekend uli.

Happy Meal: Despicable Me 3

Yey, mission accomplished! We've completed the 12 Despicable Me 3 happy meal toys that are available here in McDonald's Canada!

As you can see, my boy is so happy! =)

Yep, I used the work "accomplished" because getting all these 12 toys is not an easy feat. I know that many would try, but very few would succeed lol!

June 23, 2017

You see, unlike in McDonald stores in the Philippines where they usually carry all or most of the toys at the same time, paisa-isa lang na design ang available dito. You cannot buy two different toys sa isang bilihan. So imagine kung 12 toys ang kailangan mong kumpletuhin, challenge talaga.

The best way to get all the toys is to look for them in different stores. Kaso minsan kapag magkalapit ang stores, magkaparehas lang din ng available toy. On the first day of our minion-hunting, we had to go to Langley pa to get our second toy. Whew!

Minion toys are highly popular so we had to rush. Buti na lang supportive si hubby. Kung saan-saan kaming McDonald's ng Metro Vancouver kami napadpad. May times pa nga na lahat ng pinuntahan namin eh me kaparehas na.

I had to print this out pala pala alam ng asawa ko kung ano pa ang kulang. Minsan kay inuutusan ko rin siyang mag-take out.

completed in 20 days

There came a point na umay na umay na ako sa chicken nuggets. My son doesn't eat nuggets nor burgers kaya ako naman talaga ang tagakain.

I admit din that I almost gave up. Down to the last minion, I thought: "Ano bang probability na mahanap ko pa yun?" Medyo tinamad na talaga ako. But I guess the heavens are on me. After going to Aberdeen Mall in Richmond to have dinner last week, we had to look for a McDonald's after because Nathan was asking for fries and orange juice.

Again, before buying, I asked a crew kung ano ang available nilang toy. Para kasing wala na eh, puro books na lang ang natatanaw ko. The crew came back after a moment and apologetically said: "Sorry, this is the last minion that we have." 

OMG! I wanted to shout right there and then. Iyon na lang ang kulang namin! "I'm getting it! I'm getting it!", I heard myself saying. I really couldn't believe my luck.

So here are my, este my son's minions. So kawaii noh? Sa totoo lang di naman ako nanonood ng Despicable Me pero naku-cute-an lang ako talaga sa kanila haha.

By the way, I've always been a fan of happy meal toys. Nagko-collect na ako dati pa, natigil lang syempre kasi mas naging 'serious' ako with life haha. But now that I have a son na nakaka-appreciate na ng toys, there's no reason para di ako bumalik sa pagbili =)

Isa pa, I am a #boredhousewife, remember? Kaya pagpasensyahan na please.

Daily Expenses List

We started tracking down our expenses (again) since July 1st. We did the same thing last year and it was super effective. By listing our daily gastos, we became more cautious and conscious on how we spend. Na-itemize namin lahat ng expenses - food, car, house maintenance, dining out, miscellaneous, etc. Dahil dun, nakapag-stick kami sa budget namin.

And yep, we did it the old-fashioned way. Mano-manong lista. Mas madali kasi kesa i-excel, pwede kang maglista anytime na may libreng oras ka. Hindi mo na kailangang magbukas ng computer. Saka isa pa, I am and will always be a pen and paper girl. At least nagagamit ko ang ballpens ko. Nakakamiss din kasing magsulat sa totoo lang.

Anyway, with the same intention of saving up, mukhang palpak na ang simula namin. Imagine, in 18 days, nakaka-$2100 na kami! Wala pang fixed expenses dun ha (like rent, utility bills, car mortgage, insurance), puro food, kain sa labas at luho lang. Kung kelan pa kami naglista saka pa lumaki ang gastos nakakaloka.

We started the month wrong yata kasi. Canada Day noong July 1 so naumpisahan agad ng gastos that long weekend. We went pa to Seattle Premium Outlets at nakapag-shopping ko konti. Tapos kain kami ng kain sa labas. Idagdag pa ang pag-splurge sa Paw Patrol toys ng mag-amang Coblancs (around $180 na as of this time). Tapos panay bili rin ako (guilty!).

Whew, sa bagay, ok na nga rin na nakapaglista kami. At least may idea na kami kung magkano na ba talaga ang nagagastos namin. Mahirap yung vague eh, ung alam mo lang na malaki pero wala ka naman talagang actual figure.

Tagtipid na kami in the remaining 10 days. Goodluck naman samin.

Disappointing Goldilocks Cake

We drove to Burnaby on June 25 to buy a cake at Goldilocks. I've long been craving for a chocolate cake and I thought of just buying on the day of my mother's birthday. Para makapag-blow na rin ng candle si Nathan for his lola.

I was so excited to go there. There are only two Goldilocks stores here in Canada, nandito lang parehas sa Vancouver. There used to be another store in Guildford Town Centre (Surrey) but it closed down just a few months ago. I wonder why they didn't expand in other provinces, 1984 pa pala nang magbukas sila rito.

Though dalawa lang ang stores nila talaga, they have retailers naman. I remember seeing some Goldilocks cakes and pastries at T&T and Lucky Supermarkets in Edmonton. Meron din sa ibang Filipino stores and restaurants. Pero syempre mas mahal. Nagpapa-order na rin yata sila online tapos ishi-ship nila sa kahit saang province ng Canada (di lang ako ganun kasigurado ha).

Going back, I've had high expectations with their cakes. Nasubukan ko ng bumili sa Guildford branch nila last October for my uncle's birthday at masarap naman. Kaya hopeful talaga ako.

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Their branch in Burnaby is located in an industrial area. Parang hindi siya ganun ka-accesible.

Parang shop lang ang store, walang tables and chairs para sa dine in.

Aside from cakes and pastries, meron din silang dishes and meals for take-out. When I was there, one white guy picked up some party trays. Hmm, masarap kaya? For sure mahal.

As I have mentioned in this post, ibang-iba ang itsura ng products nila rito kumpara sa Pinas. As in super layo talaga. Pati ng lasa.

I wanted to buy some ensaymadas as they were my favorite kaso hindi ko nagustuhan ang itsura. Mukhang hindi masarap. I remembered the brownie that I bought October din, hindi ko nakain.

It is here in Burnaby where they bake all their cakes and breads. Dito pala ang factory nila.

I asked the staff if they have available chocolate cake. She showed me this. I had to ask her again if it is really a chocolate cake kasi nga ang layo ng chocolate cake sa Pinas. I wanted a pure chocolate cake, ayaw ko ng may halo. Oo daw. Sa exterior lang yung icing.

I was surprised because the cake roll only costs $9.60. Parang $17+ ito sa Edmonton.

My husband was happy too, lol. Hindi raw masakit sa bulsa.

So here's the cake. Oo na, parang yung nabibili lang sa panaderya sa kanto. Bakit nga kaya hindi sila maka-come up with nicer looking cakes dito noh? Kulang sa artistry.

Sabagay, ok lang naman kahit hindi kagandahan. Kung masarap lang sana.

The moment I sliced the cake, alam ko ng palpak. Ang putla ng kulay niya at dry na dry. Naisip ko agad: "Syet, sayang ang ten dollars ko!"

Sinubukan ko pa ring kainin kasi nga sayang kaso olats talaga. Hindi ko makain. Hindi siya edible!!!

Isa pang nanghinayang ang asawa ko kaya sinubukan din niyang kainin. After a few bites, tinigilan nya na rin. Ayun, tapon na sa basura.

 When I bought a Goldilocks cake, eto talaga ang nasa isip ko eh. Ang layo, di ba?

Pic taken from the net (credits to the owner)

I really wanted Goldilocks' cakes here to taste good. Kahit hindi naman masyadong masarap, basta decent lang. Hay. I might as well go to Seattle na lang and buy at Red Ribbon the next time I crave for chocolate cake.

(NOTE: Ford and I only eat Pinoy-tasting chocolate cakes).

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PS. I also bought a cheese loaf for $4 and it was ok naman. Masarap yung bread, medyo sobrang dami lang ng cream cheese sa loob.

Celebrating Mamoosh's 71st Birthday

My mother (who is in the Philippines) turned 71 last June 25. Sa tuwing sumasapit ang birthday niya, nagkaka-mixed emotions ako. I am happy and grateful kasi binigyan na naman siya ng panibagong taon, pero nandun din yung fear. Syempre mas tumatanda ang isang tao, mas nagiging 'fragile' ang buhay niya. Mas humihina ang katawan. Sa edad kong ito, hindi pa rin ako handa na mawalan ng nanay. Siguro nga never akong magiging handa.

Aside from fear, I am also feel guilty. I left her in the Philippines. And she's there alone. Siguro isa na ito sa pinaka-pagsisisihan ko sa buhay ko, ang iwan siya sa mga huling taon ng buhay niya.

But my mother never demanded anything from me. Ang bait niya, pinabayaan niya akong bumuo ng sarili kong buhay sa malayong lugar. She let me be. She's selfless, ni minsan hindi ko naramdamang nagtampo siya sa akin kasi umalis ako kahit ako na lang ang meron siya.

Kaya nga gustung-gusto kong bumawi sa kanya. I am lucky because my husband is very understanding and selfless din. Pinapayagan niya kami ni Nathan na umuwi sa Pinas nang madalas at matagal. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako. I promised myself na haggang nandyan ang nanay ko, pipilitin kong umuwi sa Pinas as often as I can.

Pero dahil wala ako ngayon doon to be with her, I had to do something for her naman kahit papano.

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My mother is the simplest person I know. Her birthday is just an ordinary day for her, hindi big deal.

But I couldn't let her birthday pass nga nang wala lang. I wanted her to have a bit of celebration kahit wala ako / kami ni TanTan. So I sent money to Joanne (our trusted secretary) so she could buy a simple handa lunch for Mamoosh. June 25 fell on a Sunday kaya super thankful ako kay Joanne kasi kahit wala siyang pasok that day, willing na willing siya na magpunta kay Mamoosh. Parang sila na kasi ang mag-ina ngayong wala ako doon. Parang younger sister ko na rin siya.

I specifically instructed Joanne to buy a cake syempre. My mother never celebrated her birthday noong bata ako. Kelan lang siya nakapag-cake, nitong matanda na ako at binibilhan ko siya.

Her cake was bought over the counter lang but it was beautiful. Ang gaganda talaga ng cake sa Pinas. Masarap pa. Even the greeting was well-written.

Mamoosh didn't know about Joanne and I's arrangement so she was surprised. Medyo tahimik pa nga when we were talking sa Facetime. Haha, she's not really into parties, no matter how simple it is. Dun kami opposites. Hindi rin naman ako mahilig sa parties talaga, but I want all occasions to be celebrated kahit simple lang.

Tita Oya, Mamoosh's only surviving sibling, was of course present. Nathan was so excited to see her again after 2 1/2 months. Super close kasi sila sa Pinas. I don't know what I'll do without my Tita Oya, siya na lang kasi talaga ang tumitingin kay Mamoosh eh.

So there, kahit papano may nakasama naman ang nanay ko sa birthday niya -- Tita Oya, Charry (our househelp), Joanne (and her husband and daughter), and Nante (one of our bus drivers). I could have made her birthday "big" by inviting all our employees and some of my cousins but I knew she wouldn't like it. Ayaw niya talaga ng ganun eh.

By the way, I also bought a cake for her here in Canada. Sa Goldilocks din. Pero reserve ko na lang ang kuwentong-cake in a separate post.

Nathan was so excited to sing "happy birthday" for his Lola Lucy. First time nya rin kasing magbo-blow talaga ng cake.

I know this made Mamoosh very happy...

Oh, and I cooked spaghetti rin pala for my nanay's long life. 

Wala naman talaga akong wish kundi humaba pa ang buhay niya. Alam ko marami pa siyang gustong gawin, marami pa siyang gustong maabutan.

I love you, Mamoosh ko! Alam kong wala po akong pwedeng gawin para matapatan ang lahat ng pag-aalaga at pagmamahal mo sa amin. Basta, maraming salamat po. Miss na miss ka na namin ni TanTan. See you po again in January. 

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A birthday won't be complete nga pala without a gift...

So presenting... our very "expensive" present for Mamoosh! Lol!

When I learned a couple of months ago that Nokia is relaunching 3310, I got so happy. Si Mamoosh talaga ang naisip ko kasi ito yung pinaka-unang cellphone niya ever (although hindi na raw niya maalala). My 71-year old mother is of course non-techie and she's using an old and unreliable Nokia-something din. Kaya I asked Joanne to buy a 3310. Sakto naman na last week ng June din naging available sa Pinas ang phone na ito. Parang Php2,470 lang yata ang price kaya very affordable.

My mother could afford even the most expensive phone in the market pero di nga siya mahilig bumili (saka di niya nga rin alam gamitin). She wouldn't even replace the one she's using hanggang gumagana pa. I am glad I was able to give her something that she could really use. =)

A PAW Patrol Party for Nathan's 3rd Birthday

I know, I know, it's still very early. But I can't help but be excited for my son's third birthday celebration on November. Kasi unlike his previous two birthdays, maeenjoy na niya ngayon ang party niya. Mahilig na siyang kumanta ng "happy birthday" saka marunong na siyang mag-blow ng candle. He gets super excited na rin kapag binibigyan siya ng gift. Bata na talaga siya!

We will be celebrating Nathan's birthday in his grandparents's home in California. We went there for a brief holiday last May kaso nga nabitin. The oldies are requesting na bumalik kami agad. The grandaunts suggested na doon naman daw mag-birthday si Tantan (sa Pinas na kasi yung first and second birthday).

Ford and I talked about it. It'll be ok nga kung doon kasi wala naman kaming friends dito sa BC kaya hindi kami makakapagpa-party. Noong una ang plan lang namin ay mag-travel na lang to celebrate our son's birthday, kaso parang kulang. I want a cake, balloons, and tons of gifts for my little boy. Hanggang kaya (at hanggang gusto niya), ipaghahanda ko siya kahit simple lang. Hindi kasi ako pinaghahanda ng nanay ko noon kaya medyo fixated ako sa parties, lol. Seriously, ganun pala kapag may anak ka na, gusto mo palagi nyang maramdaman na special siya.

Ford has so many relatives in California kaya for sure it will fun. Kaming tatlo lang ang magkakasama on this side of Northern America kaya nakaka-overwhelm to be with family in the US. And I know they adore our son kaya lalong nakakataba ng puso.

Anyway, I had a very easy time deciding on TanTan's party theme this year.

PAW Patrol it is!

Picture taken from the net (credits to the owner)

Nathan is currently addicted to PAW Patrol. He loves Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky, Skye and Everest! Haha, pati kaming mag-asawa eh aliw na aliw na rin sa kakapanood nito. Kaya perfect na theme talaga. Sana lang gusto pa rin ng anak ko ang PAW Patrol in four months time haha.

Nagsimula na akong bumili ng party materials as early as June. Alam mo na, BORED HOUSEWIFE mode on nga eh. Saka para hindi rin kami mabigla sa gastos later on.

What I like about the PAW Patrol theme is that supplies are everywhere. Meron sa Dollarama, Walmart, Superstore -- meaning, MURA. Kung iba ang theme mo, you will end up buying in Party City. Ang mahal dun ha.

My husband advised me to just buy the party paraphernalia in California. Ayoko nga, ang taas kasi ng US dollars ngayon, talo kami sa conversion. Saka ayokong mangarag, gusto ko pagkain na lang ang iintindihin namin pagdating doon. Marami rin akong DIY ideas na gustong subukan kaya kailangan ko na ng materials ngayon pa lang.

A PAW Patrol theme is very common these days but I don't care. My son truly likes it at iyon ang mahalaga. Also, I've already mentioned in this post that I now prefer a 'generic' party theme. Nathan's first birthday party was 'barnyard"-themed and it was difficult to execute. Ang mahal pa kasi kailangang customized lahat (walang Party City sa Pinas eh, at di gaanong uso ang barnyard theme doon).

Dito naman sa Canada, limited ang suppliers kaya mas ok kung available na kaagad sa market ang materials na kailangan mo. Mas matipid din. Never mind na maraming kamukha, diskartehan mo na lang kung paano magiging extra special ang output.

I wish ma-post ko ang progress ng party preps ko. Oops, I also hope na magkaroon ako ng time na mai-share din dito ang first and second party ni Nathan. Time, time... I need a lot of time to blog!