Foodie Friday: What Have I Been Eating???

First Friday of the month: Food Finds / Dessert

Dessert. Cake. Ice Cream. Nuts. Chocolate. For the past month, my foodie finds have been mostly baked goods and sweets, except for this natural cracked pili nut. I really have a sweet tooth and it's simply a challenge for me to refuse desserts. The sad truth is that I have an intolerance for gluten and eggs -- what pastries are mainly made of. Well, Mother's Day naman...okay, Mother's month, hehehe, so I'll "cheat" na muna! =)

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Family Friday: My Birthday Girl is 9 Today

Second Friday of the month: Kids / Family

My not-so-little girl is 9. It's like every year after she started going to school, I say to myself that I don't have a baby anymore and that time flies so fast. Indeed, it has. While his brother is already in the tween stage, I am taking comfort in the fact that she still wants to remain "small" and to "stay a kid forever" -- her own words. She'll forever be the baby of the family.

When she turned 8 last year

We did not plan anything special this year except giving in to her request that she wants to go swimming with her cousins, just like how she celebrated her birthday last year with her (girl)classmates.  We'll do that tomorrow. Today, she'll treat her second-grade class to a simple lunch. Tonight, we'll have our traditional family dinner at a resto of her choice, and then candle-blowing on her requested ice cream cake at home.

Let me keep this post short and simple as I dedicate this to M on her 9th birthday. Here are some precious photos from years past and sharing my hopes and wishes for our little lady.

From here on, I hope you remain persistent and motivated to get through challenges and to achieve your goals. Keep trying, never give up.

Enjoy life's many adventures. I hope we can travel the world together. Explore!

Be humble. Show respect. Be kind, always. 

Stay curious. Keep asking questions. There's so much to learn and discover. 

Continue to hone your talents and pursue your interests.

I  hope you become more confident and self-assured. Don't be afraid to stand out and to express yourself.

I wish you find true friends, have the best times and create wonderful memories with them.

Be your brother's best friend. Love one another. Act silly together.

Always look at the bright side. Stay positive, stay healthy and happy.  

Remember that we all love you very much. We are always here to guide, to support, and to cheer you on. I know there's so much in store for you this year. Here's to being 9!

Birthdays past:

7 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/planning-frozen-birthday-party-with-girl.html

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/fun-friday-what-to-prepare-for-frozen.html

6 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/the-girl-is-6.html

5 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2012/01/foodie-friday-rainbow-birthday-cupcakes.html

3 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2010/01/girl-is-3.html

School party planning:

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/fun-friday-school-birthday-party_18.html

Update:

All about M on my Instagram today. =)

Here's the girl with her requested frozen custard cake (ice cream cake) I ordered from Rita's. During lunch at school, we treated her classmates to Shakey's Bunch of Lunch and a tower of Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of her usual birthday cupcakes. Happiness!

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Fun Friday: What to Prepare for a "Frozen"-inspired Birthday Play Date

Third Friday of the month:  Event / Celebration / Party

Remember I was just planning a Frozen-themed birthday party for the girl?  That was last week. It did not turn out to be as "Frozen" as she wanted... it was not even meant to be a party, heeheehee! So, what did happen?

As promised, here's the 7th birthday play date of M with her classmates (note: no boys allowed), and how I almost pulled off a Frozen-inspired "party" at home.

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Planning a "Frozen" Birthday Party with the Girl

While I have a gazillion things to do after the holiday break, I am rush-planning the girl's "Frozen"-themed 7th birthday on Wednesday, her exact birthday.  She's been bugging me for months to have a play date with her classmates at home and I kept on delaying, mainly because it's not as easy as it sounds.

During the holidays, she asked for us to schedule again and I told her, if she's good, maybe we can have it on her birthday.  But I was still hoping she won't push for it.  Aside from her usual simple celebration in class, we only plan a family lunch with the grannies and cousins to celebrate.  For weeks now, she's been counting down to her big day, even asking me how many more days 'til January 8!  She's stressing me out!

After her 6th birthday last year, I wrote how to plan a simple school party here.  I am now reading back to check what I need to prepare this year, and maybe do less! =)

It was only on new year's eve that I finally said yes to her request. Daddy approved as well. Last weekend, I sat down with her to finalize all the details, and she even wrote a checklist of things we need to buy for her play date / party.  I also rushed to make an invitation she wants to send out (see top photo).

Invitation, check.
Cake, check.
Cupcakes, check.
Lunch for class, check.
Snacks for play date - check.

She knows it's impossible for us to get Disney's "Frozen" items at this time, so she settled for DIY invitations and snowflake-decorated cake and cupcakes.  Well, technically, this is not a "Frozen"-themed birthday, but just inspired by the movie.  And it's not really a party, but mainly a play date with her classmates as part of her wish for her birthday.

Here are my pegs for the cakes I ordered.  We also bought Disney Infinity video game with the Elsa and Anna characters, to be used as cake toppers.

This was how our conversation went in the kitchen last Saturday, while making our list:

M:   So, we're inviting all 10 classmates na?
Me: Yes.
M:   Yey! Did you print the invitation? I want to print, I want to surprise them!
Me: Not yet, I'll just send an email to the parents and will text first to ask them.
M:   Ok, ask them if they will allow.  
       Only girl classmates, okay? 10 girls. 
       Did you print the activities already?  
Me: I will.  Let me finish this list first.  Do you know if they like corn dogs, pasta? How about fruits, popcorn? What juice to they like?
M:   I don't know what they like, I don't see what they eat... you also need a box for the cupcakes... (long pause) it's not easy to plan a play date?
Me: It's not.
I think she saw how worked up I was dealing with the small details to her "simple" party, hahahaha...

Whatever happens, I know she'll have a fun time just being with her friends on her long-requested play date.  That will make her really happy on her birthday.  I will share with you a post-birthday feature here soon!

Part 2 in planning our Frozen-theme playdate party:

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/fun-friday-what-to-prepare-for-frozen.html

Image sources:

Elsa and Anna - http://www.rotoscopers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/disney-frozen-anna-elsa-new-design.png

Olaf - http://media.tumblr.com/fc54c943fc1d678b797f67cbbbf298cd/tumblr_inline_ms9198bJ4C1qz4rgp.png

Snowflakes wallpaper - http://frozenwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Anna-Frozen-Wallpaper.jpg

Snowflake cupcake - http://www.glorioustreats.com/2010/12/snowflake-cupcakes.html

Blue fondant cake - http://demo.codingstaff.org/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29856

Icy blue snowflake cupcake - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/332140541238179391/

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Mom-Finds: Wilton Snack Server (Dessert and Cake Stand)

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds and Faves

The holiday season is here, which means Christmas party galore!  Whether you're attending or hosting one, social gatherings require some sort of production effort, including food presentation.  With the party season in mind, I though it would be nice to share my latest kitchen find that's perfect for serving snacks and desserts beautifully.

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Cupcakes and Cookie Cups

Freestyle Friday:  Food / Sweets

It's a lucky year 'coz my birthday month has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays!  And you know what 5 Fridays mean on this blog... (If you don't, well, go and click on that link above!).

We still have left-over goodies in the house -- like cookies, cakes, even ice cream cake!  Most of them were gifts for my birthday, and I'm so thankful! 

Freestyle Friday - no theme for today, so I thought, why not share with you (at least in pictures) what I had been snacking on over the past few weeks.  If you were following my Instagram posts, you might have seen some of these sinful sweets already.  But now, I want you to drool over them from here this time, heehee... 

The Cookie Cups
Soft, chewy, gooey, sweet, chunky chocolate chip cookie cups, oatmeal cookie cups, and red velvet cookie cups! Take your pick from an assortment of toppings like mini marshmallows, chocolate morsels, even Twix and Maltesers.

My girl's preschool teacher, Ivorie, is the baker behind these delightful little cups of heaven from Cookie Bar Manila. The girl obviously loved the caramel and peanut butter toppings.  I can't choose, I enjoyed them all. ;)  Get a dozen of these classic cookie cups for PhP350.

That's an oatmeal cookie cup on the left, and... JUMBO chocolate chip cookie... errr... cake, on the right!  Yes, that's a super chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake!

It's amazing how the cookie cake is still moist and chewy even with it's thickness, and eaten at room temperature.  That's 6 inches of giant cookie goodness, and sells for PhP450.  Slice and serve.  Warm it up a few seconds in the microwave and you can top with ice cream too!

For orders or inquiries, visit:  www.facebook.com/Cookiebarmanila

The White Oreo Cupcake
My co-parent, Ethel, is a busy mom of three and is a baker at heart.  When she has some time, she whips up some luscious cupcakes.  On the last day of school a week ago, she gave me these beautiful white cupcakes as a belated birthday treat as well.  These look like vanilla cupcakes but they are more milky white in color -- not yellowish.  Sorry, I can't share her secret.  ;)

This white cupcake is more dense than the usual, yet still moist, complimented by the creamy frosting.  It's a heavy cupcake with cookie bits inside, and the surprise Oreo cookie bottom - genius! She's not selling her cupcakes at the moment.  It'll let you know once she decides to take orders.  Her red velvet cupcakes can also give popular bakers out there a run for their money.

BAKED Cupcakes

These cupcakes are too pretty to eat.  I just had to close my eyes, take a bite, and enjoy.  Ericka, part of a trio behind the dessert shop Baked, sent over a box of their luscious cupcakes.  Again, the girl was ogling at the colorful swirls of frosting. 

 

My favorite is this light and fluffy Blueberry Twist which I devoured as soon as I saw the box... okay, I attacked after I took photos!  See that blueberry filling oozing out from the center?  Yummm...winner!  I had to give the last bite to my girl, plus the big cloud of frosting.

They also sent Black Forest with that cherry on top, and Loco For Coco.  I also enjoyed the Peanut Butter and Chocolate, that one up on the right.  It delivered that decadent combination which I really like, and it's not too sweet.  These babies are priced between PhP 48 - 65 each.

For orders or inquiries, visit: www.facebook.com/BakedPhilippines

Go ahead, indulge this weekend! What's your sinful sweet cravings?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Fun Friday: School Birthday Party Planning

Third Friday of the month:  Event / Parties / Birthday

Party planning is nothing new to me.  I've been an events planner since the 90s, organizing corporate events, private social functions, and weddings.  It's never a walk in the park.  They gave me a lot of stress and fulfillment at the same time. With children's birthday parties, however, there are different dynamics and elements to it. I did not attempt to go into that anymore.  I only planned my own kids' parties, and suggest ideas when friends ask for my help with theirs.

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The Girl is 6

Today, my darling girl is 6 years young.  She's growing up to be one feisty, smart, creative, assertive, talkative, and independent little lady.  And this one got all her wishes (wants) for her birthday.

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Foodie Friday: Macarons and Cupcakes Overdose

First Friday of the month:  Food Find / Dessert / Snack

Over the holidays, I think I've been competing with the hubby in terms of who ate too much sweets between us.  If you can only see our mid section, you'll know we've had one too many to satiate our sweet cravings!

What I'm trying to say is... we ate too much! We had too many desserts, chocolates, cupcakes, macarons, to name a few, over a period of one month!  In my case, one culprit would be Bellefleur by Beatrix.  But who can resist these sinful sweets?

I'm a sucker for macarons, and I can finish these off in one sitting if I don't control myself.  My girl is actually competing with me on that department.  She gets to choose what color/flavor I should not eat and leave them for her to enjoy.  I'm now craving as I type!

What I look for in macarons are the crisp yet dense texture, chewiness, fragrant nuttiness from the almond flour, and the distinct flavor from both the cookie and the filling.  These I found in our favorites -- Lemon, Cappuccino, Salted Caramel, and Earl Grey.  The girl also liked the taste of Cherry Almond, aside from it's reddish pink color! Bellefleur has 12 flavors on offer -- check out the flavor guide here.  

We also received an abundance of cupcakes and other baked goodies from our friends, and I'm the only one eating most of them! Bellefleur also sent a tray of six cupcakes.  The Salted Caramel is a winner!  I especially love the pinch of sea salt that topped off this moist cupcake.

A surprise hit is this Lemon Meringue Cupcake that my girl loved, and even requested to be included on her birthday celebration next week!  It's light, sweet, lemon-y, and fluffy.  I was "ordered" to bring rainbow cupcakes for her classmates, and these lemon cupcakes for the adults.  There's your seal of approval.  Macarons and cupcakes -- a deadly and decadent combination!

For orders or inquiries, head over to Bellefleur By Beatrix on Facebook.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it! Get instant updates: My Mom-Friday on Facebook
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Fun Friday: Cupcake Baking with Kids

Third Friday of the month:  Recreation / Kids / Fun activity


Getting kids involved in baking and cooking have always been fun, messy, and educational at the same time.  When this cupcake baking kit was sent for us to try, I excitedly scheduled a 'bake date' with my girl who loves to whisk, and eat cakes.

"Bright Bakers Baking Kit gives you the joys of baking professional grade cupcakes, with recipes inspired by pastry chef and top cake-maker Penk Ching, in the convenience of your own kitchen. We make things simple while still preserving that one-of-a-kind baking experience....and to make things even better...no leftovers!"

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Foodie Friday: Rainbow (Birthday) Cupcakes

First Friday of the month:  Food Find / Dessert

First Foodie post for 2012 -- let's make it bright, sweet and colorful to usher is a bountiful year ahead!

My girl will turn 5 on Sunday and has been anticipating her school "party" with her classmates. She can't decide what theme or character she wants to use for her simple celebration since she wants too many things. But for the past couple of months, she's into anything rainbow -- rainbow dresses, rainbow-colored toys, playing with my rainbow scarf, picking rainbow candies, etc. etc.

It was supposed to be the villains from Super Mario Brothers cartoon since big brother had this theme for his own birthday last November. Well, I'm glad her moods changed in time for her own celebration so for her class treat today, we decided to go with "rainbow".

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