Johann's 1st Birthday Prep Finale

Part 4

So there you go. I have already shared the details regarding my son's 1st Birthday party. To tell you honestly, planning and preparing gave me headaches! But everything was worth it! I had few small disappointments (like the ribbons for the chairs that were forgotten, the balloon decors that I hoped for, the gate crasher kids lol, and other things...) but the party was still a success. As I said in my previous entry, nobody went home with nothing. Every kid received generous amount of loots. :) Every guest enjoyed the food. Some even went back to get more. My suppliers were really patient enough to deal with me and what I wanted and requested.

Lastly, my son actually enjoyed the party. Especially afterwards. He had all the time to play with his titas/ninangs and some other kids. However, he was kind of irritated when night came, may be because he was already tired, pero gusto padin takbo ng takbo. Ayaw pakarga.

Johann with ngarag mommy

With Ninang Jelynne

We want to thank all those who came to the party. I really hoped that everybody enjoyed everything.

Johann also wants to thank those who gave him gifts. I actually hid some of the gifts my friends gave him. Not really hid but kept away from Johann and displayed on top of the cabinet thingy. If I let him play with those kasi, he might swallow some of the small pieces. Also, he would just ruin it by throwing. So, I will just let him play with those toys when he knows how to play with them na. :)

To my baby Johann,


Happy 1st Birthday anak! You're very precious to us. You're the greatest gift that God has given us. I am happy that you're growing up healthy. However, you're so likot anak! Please try to be still sometimes okay? Try to walk slowly too. You keep on bumping on things kasi... because you keep on running. Nevertheless, you're still so cute and so bibo!


Don't worry baby, mommy and papa will be here for you always. We'll guide you all the way! We love you! I just pray that you'll grow up just like your papa. We love you so much! 


P.S. 
Anak, don't grow up too fast. We might not be able to catch up with you. Take it slowly ha? Again, I loveyou Johann Lexer! 

Johann's 1st Birthday Prep Part 4

part 3

My Checklist:

• Theme
• Color Theme
• Venue
• Invitations
• Tarpaulin
• Entertainment
• Cake
• Cupcakes
• Food
• Tables and Chairs
• Guests
• Souvenirs
• Giveaways
• Games and Prizes
• Balloons
• Photographer

GUESTS


Hmm.. If you actually know me personally, you'll know that I have a lot of friends. Tipong, anywhere I go, meron akong barkada/tropa or the like. The same with my hubby, John, he also has a lot of friends! Especially mga close namin, madami sila! hehe.

My visitors were roughly around 16-20. Kay John, around 20+ din. Plus other adults na neighbor namin. Then, cousins pa ni John (na madami din). So if I'd estimate the number of adults, hmmm.. 50-60.

During the game Trip to Jerusalem

Rough number of people palang yan. Wala pa yung mga late na dumating

Invited kids naman were around 40 lang talaga.. However, there were gatecrasher kids na kapitbahay.. Di na napigilan. So around 50+ din yun. Yay! (Sa part na ito, mejo frustrated ako na mejo okay nadin.)


Well, felt both talaga. Alam mo yung tipong, I invited a number of kids lang.. then prepared a number of loots para sa expected kids. Tas biglang sosobra yung kids. They were not the priority sana to receive loots pero may ilan na isang loot lang nakuha.. Supposedly kasi, 2 loot bags yun. 1 for the school supplies and 1 for the candy loots. However, come to think of it, sabi ni John, nabuhayan yung  party when those kids arrived. It's like with the saying na "the more, the merrier".

Some of kids, having fun during one of the games.

And again.. come to think of it, atleast, everyone received something. Kesa wala diba? :)

Success padin naman! :)

SOUVENIRS and GIVEAWAYS (including Loots)


Trial and error ang souvenirs. Ilang beses din ako bumalik ng Divisoria to buy loots. Everything I bought has an Angry Bird design/logo to match the theme.

Trial and error in packing

Sippy cups for the babies

Angry Birds!

Walang katapusang Angry Birds!

Nakakalulang Angry Birds!

Loots!

Candy loots and School Supplies loots. Repacked by yours truly! 

When I went to Divisoria, first was with my ninang, second was with John and third was with my partner, Iris. Super lula kami sa mga Angry Birds stuff sa DV. Everywhere you look, may Angry Birds, so hindi rin kami nahirapan. :)

Aside from the loots, that were given to the kids, I had a different souvenir to be given to families. I had  ref magnets made by UnliPrintShoppe. However, I was the one who designed it, they just printed it to put on the magnets. :) 3x4 was the size of the ref magnet and it cost P15. I ordered 50 pieces. Not bad na! :)

After receiving the package from UnliPrintShoppe.

Ref Magnets! Designed by yours truly.

DIY paper packaging for the ref magnets. 

Stickers printed by UnliPrintShoppe.

Effort kung effort mga vakla. Labor of love yan!

Paper packaging and the ref magnet.

Finished product laid on the table.

GAMES and PRIZES

I just had to make sure that everything would go well regarding the entertainment so I prepared games. I know that the clowns may have games in mind. Pero I insisted. Teehee! :P

I prepared some of the games, so I have to prepare the prizes also. Every game would have major prizes and consolation prizes. Dito ako naloka mga teh. Kinailangan ko i-coordinate and/or i-arrange lahat. Pag mejo mahal, major prize.. Pag mejo mura lang, consolation. Haha! Headache!

But! But! I talked to a friend of mine. She said na, her nephew daw was so happy going home. He didn't win in any of the games pero andami nya daw nai-uwing loots/prizes. Pwera pa yung main lootbag ah! The kid said daw: "Tita, ang saya saya ng Sabado ko ah!"

And I am glad to hear that from her. Atleast, everybody happy! Nobody went home with nothing. The kids were happy and more than satisfied! :) Parang nag-shopping lang ng loots! hehe.

Additional thing were the pabitin and palayok. We prepared 2 pabitins and 2 palayoks. Super generous stuff ang mga nakasabit and nakalagay sa loob. We even threw coins for them to catch. Talagang swerte ng mga batang ito! hehe. :)

BALLOONS


More than a month before Johann's party, I was already brainstorming on everything. So, while planning, I am searching for ideas in the internet too.

and I did my homework with regards to balloons! I got a lot of ideas on how I like the balloons to look like sa party. I even read forums about balloon decors, where to buy balloons, what type of balloons, etc.

In a forum, mommies said that they bought their balloons in Lollipop Balloons. It's their bet because in some balloon shops, they really don't sell tingi. They sell their balloons per pack and per color. So I researched on Lollipop Balloons. I even went to their shop in Binondo. Naka P1,000+ din ako sa balloons. However, I was happy naman, because I chose the colors and number of balloons that I needed. Walang masasayang. :)

John informed his cousin RonRon (Thanks Ron!)to be there in the party so that he'd be able to help us in decorating the balloons. He knows how to decor using balloons kasi. So far, so good. Well, I didn't really get or see the exact decor/design that I had in mind.. Pero hindi na naman importante since, what's more important is the birthday boy and the party itself. :) Somehow lang, at the back of my mind, it would be better sana if mas maayos yung balloons. :)

Extra balloons

PHOTOGRAPHER


To tell you honestly, I wanted to hire a professional photographer to take photos of the Johann and his Bday Party. Kaso nanghihinayang nadin kasi ako. Good thing, my partner, Iris, was available and agreed to be my photographer. I asked that as a favor and promised to make bawi nalang. Labor of love nya nadin yung para sa inaanak niya! Hehe. (Right partner? Hehe. Thanks!)

Left to Right: Jane, Gladys, Iris (the photographer), Leni and Yveth.
Yeesss! Exposure! Lol!

Almost all of the photos of Johann's Party that you'll see in my FB, were taken by my partner Iris.

Also, aside from a photographer, I also wanted to have a Photobooth. But then again, out of budget nadin, so hindi narin natuloy. May be next time! :)

Finale.. to follow.. :)

Johann's 1st Birthday Prep Part 3

Part 2

My Checklist:

• Theme
• Color Theme
• Venue
• Invitations
• Tarpaulin
• Entertainment
• Cake
• Cupcakes
• Food
• Tables and Chairs
• Guests
• Souvenirs
• Giveaways
• Games and Prizes
• Balloons
• Photographer

FOOD

First, I asked my hubby if he would allow me to hire a caterer for the food. However, John, being a practical person, he wanted his parents nalang to cook the food. So, yes, they cooked the food for my son's birthday. They are really good cooks I may say. So here's the menu for both kids and adults.

For the Kids:

Spaghetti (cooked by my sister-in-law)

Fried Chicken (cooked by my mother-in-law)

Hotdog on stick with Marshmallows (cooked by my Ninang)

Rice (if they actually want rice)

We already prepared the kids' food in a styro (with divider or lunch box style), so that it would be easier to distribute.

For the Adults:

Beef with Mushroom (cooked by my father-in-law)

Pork Menudo (cooked by my Uncle)

We didn't want to have so many viands pero less in quantity. We just had these pero madami so the people can go back to eat more. Infairness to my in-laws', uncle's and ninang's cooking... Masasarap. :) (After the party kasi, that's when I ate.. a lot! hehehe.)

We also had a Chocolate Fondue/Fountain set-up. Then main dessert was ice cream. John and I ordered 120 pieces of ice cream cups in Dan Eric's Grand Ice Cream and in different flavors too.

We nearly spent 15k-17k for all those. So sulit naman kasi everyone enjoyed the food (as always). Kahit konting variety, super sarap naman. Thanks to the people who cooked and prepared. :)

Let me just make singit this... Hmm, one of the 2 reasons why John doesn't want to hire a caterer because;

1. We have a lot of friends/tropa/barkada. Not to mention pa the kids. Plus other adults pa na chaperone or guardian nung kids. Eh usually, in a caterer, 50 pax.. 70 pax.. 100 pax.. We are the type pa naman who do not usually make sigurado if who will surely come or not. Buti na ang sobra kesa magkulang.

2. If incase you asked the caterer to prepare for 50 pax. Tapos suddenly biglang may additional pala na hahabol sa party, wala ka nang mai-pprepare for them. Kawawa naman. So as I said, mas okay may sobrang food kesa magkulang.. And this can only be applied kung lutong bahay (literally). Unless bongga ka magpa-cater.. tipong 100 pax pero guests mo ay 50-60 lang. hehe. We're here for the value of money.

Although!!! One down fall of preparing food at home is the labor, pawis, pagod and all, that you have to give. Cooking is not an easy task especially if you have to cater for 60 pax and up. Kaya I really thank all the people who helped us in preparing my son's birthday party, lalo sa food.

Not too bad na diba for a party handa. As long as masarap! Gora lang! :)

Hmm.. Actually, there was no photo of the food. This was the only photo
I saw na may buffet table. Medyo malayo pa, so you won't really be
able to see the food. :) Sarreh! :D

Part 4.. to follow.. :)

Johann's 1st Birthday Prep Part 2

Part 1

My Checklist:

• Theme
• Color Theme
• Venue
• Invitations
• Tarpaulin
• Entertainment
• Cake
• Cupcakes
• Food
• Tables and Chairs
• Guests
• Souvenirs
• Giveaways
• Games and Prizes
• Balloons
• Photographer

VENUE


At first, I wanted the venue to be big enough for the kids to roam around. Tipong clubhouse. I was eyeing the clubhouse in Southville Pillar Village. However, when I consulted that to my hubby, John, he declined the idea. First, ayaw niyang ma-hassle pa yung guest in looking for the venue. Second, ayaw nya na pagka-tapos ng party, uwian na. Third, di kami catering, so hassle pa na i-travel yung food from the house to the venue. Fourth, mas chillax kung bahay daw. Fifth and last, ayaw niyang gumastos ng masyadong malaki. Daming reasons noh? Meaning, ayaw nya talaga don! :D I contemplated on this for a few days din. I then realized na may point din naman siya! As usual, the party was held at home. Sa in-laws ko actually, which is few blocks away from ours lang naman. Good thing, they had it renovated. So mas maganda na ang garage, garden and concrete hedge. Mejo masikip lang ng kaunti kasi there were relay games eh. So nagkanda-gulo gulo na tables and chairs after the entertainment. But it was still okay! :) Photos below were taken before or during renavation. No photos after eh, so medyo magulo. :D

Part of the garage 

Garden/Patio area

The gate was still there. Inaayos pa kasi and pina-paint.

Garage

CAKE


Since Angry Birds ang theme, I wanted the cake to be Angry Birds too, ofcourse! It was kind of alanganin lang to think that the cake may not be that good. So I looked for a good theme in Goldilocks and had to work with the employee with some of my requests. I found a Batman themed cake that has crates on it. So I requested not to put the Batman backdrop and the toys/figurines on top. Leave the crates on the cake so that I would be able to put on top of them the cupcake toppers I requested. I ordered a set of Angry Birds cupcake toppers to put on the cake. Plus, fondant letters "Johann". I chose Goldilocks by the way for the cake, because I am sure that the flavors are really good. Cake flavor was Rocky Road. :)

After placing the toppers

Nahulog yung sling topper. That's what happened
kaya parang na-Angry Birds yung cake. Disaster. Haha! 

CUPCAKES


Regarding my cupcakes, I also had a hard time in looking for a good supplier. I called/talked/texted a few good and patient suppliers. We tried working on the budget we have. However, John told me to really look for a supplier that bakes really well and has really delicious cupcakes. Hassle lang mag-taste test/free taste if supplier mo would be in QC pa, or Pque. In Las Pinas naman, I found few din. Pero we ended up choosing Majesto Cakes and Cupcakes. They have a shop in Pilar Village, but they live in the same village as ours, BF Homes, Almanza. Their cupcakes are really delicious too. Ms. Diane of Majesto was really accomodating. I ordered 30 cupcakes with Angry Birds topper and 60 plain minis. Color theme: Red, Yellow and Blue. :)

30 Cupcakes with toppers and 60 Minis

TABLES AND CHAIRS


Majesto also offers catering services, so they have tables and chairs. They are P10-50 expensive compared to others but, they were the only ones who can offer the colors I wanted. Yung iba kasi, table cloth na Pink or Blue and the red checkered (which annoys me a lot) and others na plain white lang. Some don't include pa the ribbon. I requested for 3 round tables for 8 pax. Red, Yellow and Blue ang table cloths, with ribbons! Too bad lang, I was not there, when John set them up. Hindi nya nailagay mga ribbon! When I got there, I was too busy naman that I didn't notice. Sayang! Additional 6 sets for the kids. Plus 2 extra tables for the Souvenirs/Giveaways and Cake/Cupcakes. Inspite of what we have overlooked, okay padin naman! Satisfied! :)

Red and Yellow tables

Blue table and kiddie tables

Part 3.. to follow.. :)