Part 2: Matthew Andrei's Babababababanana Party At Home

After Matthew Andrei's babababababanana party at school, it's time naman to prepare for the dinner celebration at home. My brothers and sister arrived, with my in laws too.

Since dinner pa naman, I we still have enough time to prepare the food and this party decorations. Minions is still the theme hence the yellow and blue colors.

All these, I made and designed with much love for our dear birthday boy.

Our little boy, who I know was very happy to see what we prepared for him. Partida, it's his third celebration na ha so maybe that's the reason why he made this pose, haha!

Another pose with his pretty cousins. Time flies indeed, they grow so fast!

These mag-tito talaga are always like this. They have love and hate relationship, but still he is tito's favorite. Regaluhan ba naman sya ng lechon e.

Here are our handa for dinner. Daddy and I cooked all of these, except the lechon.

Made this corner for sweets sana but since wala naman maraming kids na visitor, we didn't buy candies na.

And this one, Matthew got as additional gift from his birthday party at McDonald's. I just print out that Minion to match the theme.

Soon after we finished with the preparations, visitors came in.

We just invite few close friends and relatives.

We also invited our colleagues.

So this ends the three birthday celebrations of our little boy. It was exhausting but just seeing how happy our son is on his special day, it's all worth it. And I must say, I will never get tired of preparing diy home party for him.

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Build your best home with Samsung’s Dream Home Deals from July 1 to Sept. 30

Last weekend, we went to SM Appliance Center. We bought 2 stand fans. While we were there, we saw different models of refrigerators. We are planning to replace na kasi our almost 7-year fridge with a more energy efficient inverter model.

So I am glad to know that Samsung is having their Dream Home Deals starting July 1 until September 30. 

From the Press Release Kit:

Everyone has a vision of their dream home. While each one may have different preferences when it comes to structure and design, the ultimate goal of homemakers is to provide the best care for their loved ones in the most convenient and efficient way possible. 

With Samsung’s Dream Home Deals, Filipinos can now have innovative and high-quality appliances to complete or upgrade their households without hurting their pockets. From July 1 to September 30, 2017, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 30% off on Samsung Digital Appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and microwave ovens. Installment payment options with zero interest for as long as 12 months are also available.

Refrigerators: Your Partner in Freshness

Families will love the organized storage and accessibility offered by the Samsung French Door Refrigerator. More space is available on demand because the FlexZone™ compartment can easily be converted from fridge to freezer or vice versa. Through the Food Showcase door, kids and parents alike can also have an easy access to their favorite food items.

Washing Machines: Your Partner in Convenience

An extra hour spent on chores can mean less shared memories with the family. With Samsung's AddWash Front Load Washing Machines, busy homemakers can spend less time on laundry without compromising the quality of their family’s clothes, plus have more time on moments that matter.

Air Conditioners: Your Partner in Comfort

The best cooling comfort can be experienced with Samsung Air Conditioners through its Wind-Free™ cooling technology. Families can enjoy quality time and fun bonding moments at home without the unpleasant feeling of direct airblow.

Microwave Ovens: Your Partner in Delight

Heating, frying, and grilling food using one appliance is possible with Samsung’s Smart Oven. Now, it’s easier to prepare delicious and healthy options for loved ones.

Find reliable partners that can ensure the best care for the family with Samsung’s Dream Home Deals. Avail of these discounts by heading to the nearest Samsung authorized dealer. For more details, visit the Samsung Facebook page or samsung.com/ph/offer/dreamhomedeals.

***

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

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Part 1: Matthew Andrei's Babababababanana Party At School

On his birthday, Matthew had a babababababanana party at school and at home. It's different from what Matthew 7th birthday party at McDonald's because it's a do it yourself party.

Which means we personally made everything from this Despicable Me "Minions" bookmark birthday invitations to the food we served.

We also made these balloons.

I ordered balloons from Wholesale Balloons and Party Needs. These are metallic yellow and royal blue balloons we used to decorate our home.

While these are Despicable Me latex balloons that Matthew gave to his classmates.

And this birthday boy helped me inflate those balloons.

After doing the balloons and the party designs, I made this Festa Leche Flan I got from Del Monte Kitchenomics.

This cake naman that Daddy baked took us until 3 in the morning to design with fondant.

Our initial plan is to order cake na lang but ang mahalia naman so Daddy and I decided to buy ingredients and tools for fondant cake making at Baker's Hub. I will make a separate post on our visit there. Ayun nga dahil first timer, natagalan kami sa paggawa ng fondant at medyo hindi pa maganda pagkakalapat sa cake. But when our little boy so it, he loved it so sulit na ang pgod at puyat.

Again, it was almost 3 in the morning that Daddy A and finally got to rest and sleep. Then this little boy woke up so early, kaya imbes na sya masurprise, kami ang nasurprise sa kanya.

He woke us up and then said, "hindi nyo man lang ako batiin..." Hahaha! He was so excited kasi it's his 7th birthday na e. Did you know that he's been waiting for his 7th birthday kasi daw lahat ng classmates nya 7 na. Really funny boy hehe.

Time flies in deed. Look at him, ang laki na nya right?

With barely three hours of sleep, Daddy A and I continue with our errands that day. We needed to pick up the McDonald's Happy Meals we ordered and my brother's gift na lechon. These two lang ang hindi DIY. Hehe.

After that, we go straight to Matthew's school and they had a McDonald's celebration. 

It was a simple celebration lang. We ordered Happy Meal one-piece Chicken McDo with fries.

I was really exhausted and tired but seeing the happiness in these kids faces made me feel alive again.

Most especially this happiness I saw on our son's face made me forget na puyat na puyat ako.

Just like what I said, sobrang excited ang mga bata. When we entered the room palang, they were shouting "Happy Meal! Minions!" kasi they saw the familiar red boxes we were holding. So when it's giveaway handing time na, ayan na nagkagulo na sila!

That's Matthew Andrei's babababababanana party at school. Next will be his babababababanana party at home naman. So stay tune!

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10 Ways To Save On Electricity At Home

Soaring electrical bill. This is every family's concern especially that electricity price is continuously increasing. But there are ways to save on electricity at home thereby reducing your electrical bill. 

Before that let me share a trivia about the history of electricity.

Have you read about Benjamin Franklin's lightning experiment? In 1752, he flew a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning was electrical. What he did was he tied a metal key onto the string then electricity from the storm clouds flowed down the wet string so he received an electrical shock. He's lucky to survived this kite experiment though.

From then on, many inventors and scientists searched for ways to use electrical power to make light. It was only in 1879, when Thomas Edison was finally able to create a reliable, long-lasting electric bulb. Then the rest is history!

Going back to conserving electricity at home. Like what I have said, there are ways to save electricity at home. Let me share some.

1. Turn off light

The simplest way to save electricity is to turn off light, especially when you don't need it. Be conscious with how many lights you use at home and how many lights you just need at once. Too many lights also will make your home warm, which will make your aircondition unit (if there's any) to work double time. Also, always turn off the light when you leave a room.

2. Go for natural light

During day time, take advantage of the natural light to save on electricity. Also, daylight has health benefits too. Natural light can reduce feeling of tiredness and makes a person more focused and attentive. And did you know natural light can make you happier? Giving you more reason to open your window and curtain/blinds up and let the sunshine in!

3. Replace your bulbs

If you are still using incandescent bulbs then it's high time to change those with LED bulbs to save on electricity. Incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient as it release 98% of their consumed energy through heat while LED lights doesn't produce heat. Also, incandescent bulbs don't last long unlike LED lights that can last up to 10 times longer.

4. Unplug gadgets and appliances when not in use

Gadgets and appliances even switched off but still plugged in keep using electricity. Computers, for example, consume a lot of energy. So power off computers and unplug it after using.

5. Cut down the use of cooling, heating and large appliances

Instead of using air-condition unit to cool down the room, use electric fans and open your windows and doors. Refrain from using the microwave in heating food. Also, schedule laundry 1-2 times a week and ironing clothes once a week.

6. Use fewer appliances at once

Watch TV together in the living room rather than watching separately. Same with using computers, air-condition units and electric fans. Reduce your reliance on appliances by using only what you really need. Ask help from other members of the family in doing heavy chores. This is a good form of exercise and way of family bonding.

7. Invest on energy efficient appliances

If you have old appliances like refrigerator, washing machine, air-condition unit and other large appliances, better to replace them with energy efficient ones. Newer models of appliances are designed to conserve energy unlike older models, which were manufactured when saving electricity was not yet a concern. Also, when buying new appliances like refrigerator, which eats up 15-20% of your monthly electric bill, extra care must be taken.  Remember to always check the energy rating of appliances before buying.

8. Invest on solar-powered appliances and chargers

This will not just save electricity but can be very helpful when there's power interruption.

9. Use renewable energy

If you can afford, install solar panels at home. This may be expensive at first but you can save big amount of money overtime. Also, you will not worry about having power interruptions as you will have continuous supply of electricity through your solar panels.

10. Use appliances properly

Appliances must be used properly to make them more energy efficient. The fridge for example must be kept full (but not too full). Frequent opening of the refrigerator can cause heat to enter inside but this effect doubled when you keep it empty. This is because the space inside means cold air and once you open it more cold air will escape. 

Also, make it a habit to check your electric meter. It is also important to have an idea on your average electrical consumption so you can compare your current bill with the previous ones.

Saving on electricity means conserving energy. That's why saving on electricity is not just saving money but also you are helping to save the earth and its natural resources. So make it a habit to save electricity and conserve energy.

Any other ways to save on electricity at home?

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Matthew Andrei's 7th Birthday Celebration At McDonald's

On June 11, 5 days before Matthew's actual birthday, he had a birthday party at McDonald's. So we went to our hometown where he chose to celebrate. Hayan sya noong umaga. Namissed daw nya ang favorite nyang batya!

Ang laki na pero feeling baby pa din. He still a baby for me naman talaga. Anyway, we set the party at 2PM. Pero dahil mas excited pa kami, Daddy A and I went there at 1PM to see how they will decorate the event place and also to check the cake buffet I ordered online.

When we arrived they are decorating the party venue. Also the cake buffet supplier was already there setting it up. Ms. Lorraine of LRG Internet Cafe and Party Needs was so nice and easy to talk with. She didn't ask for any down payment even if I insisted several times. Tiwala na lang daw.

Matthew came after few minutes, just in time when they are already done with designing the event area. The cake buffet was also done and when he saw it, he just hugged with no words. I can't explain how I felt but I was teary eyed.

The cake buffet was a surprise. He just asked for a cake from Red Ribbon but we gave him a cake buffet because he deserved it. I will make a separate post on this cake buffet.

I know he waited for this day. You can see naman on his face how happy he was.

By the way, he chose Ben10 as theme.

The package that we got already includes 30 invitations, 30 balloons, 30 party hats, 30 party mats, 30 party prizes and 30 themed giveaways, and a gift for the celebrant.

Bago makalimutan, Daddy took a photo of us.

And I took of them too.

We didn't avail photo booth and photo coverage na because we have these two to capture all the happy moments that day.

Daddy A.

And his sister, Gladys.

The main reason why we chose to celebrate at our hometown is for Matthew to meet our realtives and his cousins.

Also to celebrate with he became friends with during his two-month vacation there.

Going back to the party. The party host called Matthew to start the party.

Daddy A and I were also called to give a message to all who were there to celebrate with us.

There were games for kids.

Matthew also joined the games. The kids had fun and everyone took home toys as game prizes.

May games din para sa mga mommies. The host called me to join kaya no choice, haha.

At syempre meron din para sa mga daddies.

After the games, eating time na.

The party meal that we chose includes: Chicken McDo with Spaghetti, Medium Softdrinks, Burger McDo and Hot Fudge/Caramel.

Before the party ended, Hamburglar came out.

I thought it was Ronald McDonalds who will join us e. Anyway, natuwa naman lahat when they saw him. And everyone wanted to take photos with him.

The last part was blowing the candles. Eating of cake is not allowed so Matthew gave na lang the cupcakes, cake pops and mallow pops after the party.

Finally, here are the gifts he received. A sack of toys! Haha!

Our McCelebration birthday party experience was generally good and a no sweat celebration. No sweat all we did was booked the party and paid for reservation fee (of any amount), and went on the reserved date and time. Well except when billing time na, doon ka papawisan. I just wish they accept credit cards too. Also, the venue was a little smaller and can not comfortably accommodate big crowd. We had 90+ guests that day and feedback was some didn't have seats. But I appreciate that the crews were nice and very accommodating. They assisted us well in counting people and ordering additional food where we can save. Great job!

That's Matthew Andrei's 7th birthday McCelebration party. Stay tune for the two other parties that he had.

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