My Party Diary : Janelle's Be a Recording Star Birthday Party

When Janelle turned 9 years old last December 2012, it was a little emotional for me. She was about to enter the world of tweeners. A tweener is a child between middle childhood and adolescence, usually between 9 and 12 years old. And during this phase, friends play a major role in the development of your child.

So we decided to throw a small party wherein she and her friends will experience a new activity for the first time together. And that's how we came about the theme "Be a Recording Star Birthday Party".

Yes I admit it! I love to sing and I've always wanted to become a singer. And somehow, I have influenced my kids to be like a "mini-me". :-)

Date                  : December 15, 2012
Venue               : Studio Z Recording Studio
Photographer   : K Snaps
Setup                : Mommy JLo and Ninang Mimi

INVITATION 

A D-I-Y project for me, made with love using Photoshop and printed in a nearby photo developing center. The invite came with a free microphone which I bought from CD-R King for only less than 50 pesos. The microphone symbolizes music, recording and fun. Also attached in the invitation is the Program of Activities. It will be first time for them, so I made it sure that the parents would be aware on what would happen during the activity.

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

Program of Activities prepared by Mommy JLo

Final coaching from Daddy Mark. It feels great to have a real musician in the family.
Daddy Mark plays the Vocal Coach while Mommy JLo as the Choreographer.
Truly a D-I-Y event.

VENUE - Studio Z Audio Productions and Recording Studios / 8th Notes Studios

We held the recording session at Studio Z Audio Productions and Recording Studios owned by Mr. Paulo Zarate. The owner is a former classmate of Daddy Mark from the UST Conservatory of Music. He is also a well known record producer and  arranger. 

Studio Z is located at Unit 206 and 207 Jajaj bldg 109 Panay ave. South Triangle (beside the Back of Crossings / Nationalbookstore Quezon Ave.), Quezon City, Philippines with telephone numbers 416-6665 / 0917-5227329 / 09174005567

Five of Janelle's friends together with her sister Jewel recorded two songs,  "One Thing" by One Directions and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.

The Recording Artists

I love this shot from KSnaps :-)

FOOD  - Greenwich Delivery

While the sound engineer mixes their tracks, we proceeded to 8th Notes Studios which is just beside Studio Z for the snacks. We had the Greenwich Barkada Meal which includes spaghetti, chicken and pizza. We made sure we had enough drinking water because the the two hour recording session was really that tiring.

The table set up was also a D-I-Y by me and my dear friend Mimi. I borrowed a zebra print   table cloth from Ms. Jacque of Partyboosters to complement our theme.

Letter standees on the table and stage area was designed by Wooden KidiKraft.

PRESENTATION - Janelle and the Marian Belles

The girls presented a dance number using their track already. K Snaps, our official photographer and videographer prepared the Music Video.

PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER - K Snaps
At first I just wanted to hire a photographer since it will just be a small party. But what is a recording party without a music video?

Your child can also be a recording artist on his/her birthday. So, if you want to have this kind of party for your child, please email me at bonsky_jen@yahoo.com. 

PhotoSlide Show here

Janelle's Solo on Track (0:16 - 0:30 and 2:44 - 3:01)

Watch the Music Video here

More photos from my Facebook Account here

Four (4) Reasons Why You Should Go on a Family Vacation instead of Throwing BIG Parties

Celebrating birthdays can be done in various ways and we have various reasons on how we would like to celebrate it.  Admittedly, sometimes it is not about the baby turning a year old, but about us parents surviving the first year. Let us celebrate a year of parenthood.

For others, it is about giving thanks and would just like to share their happiness and blessings with friends and families. Oh I would love to share my blessings to others too!

But for some who would love to throw parties ever year, you may consider going on a family vacation and create special memories together.

  

Here are four (4) reasons why you should go on a family vacation :

1. Vacation means spending time with your family. Weekend at home sometimes may not be enough to catch up on things, especially if we need to go to work even on weekends. The Disney Time Survey revealed that almost one in two parents feel that out of all the time they spend with their children, only half of it, at most could be classified as quality time. However, while on vacation, parents report that 82% of time would fall in the quality time category.

FamiliaGanaLakwatsera cruising the Loboc River.
Ate Janelle's 2nd favorite activity during our vacation.

2. Taking vacation allows you and your family to relax. We face a lot of stress on a day to day basis. Children have a lot of homework, exams and projects and we parents work long hours to provide for our families. The vacation will definitely put the daily routine aside for a little while and allow us to relax.

Learning our history through travelling at The Blood Compact Shrine.

3.  Taking a family vacation will create  memories. Create a photo album or view your clips during your vacation and relieve the wonderful memories once again. Memories will last a lifetime.

My girls learned what  "extinction" means. 

4.  Vacations can be a Great Educational Experience for Kids. Experience new things together because children will surely learned a lot from your vacation. These are the learning that were not thought in schools.

Big revelation - My kids were not afraid of snakes, it was Daddy Mark who's SO AFRAID! :-)

I should know, because this is how we celebrated Jewel's 7th Birthday last 20 to 23 February 2014 at Panglao Island, Bohol. 

Our family loves Panglao Island Nature Resort. We will come back soon!

Snorkeling at Panglao Island Marine Sanctuary. Ate Janelle's Best Day Ever!

More photos here from my Facebook Account.

GIVE. CELEBRATE. ENJOY!

Jewel's Pre-Birthday Shoot : Tips and Tricks to Children Photography

Allow me to be nostalgic this time. I still remember when I was still TTC (trying to conceive), those days when I  prayed hard everyday that God would grant us even with just one child and we will be fine. 

But the Lord said, I will not just give you one, I will give you two.

And there came my youngest, Jewel, the precious one!

Exactly seven years ago when I gave birth to my youngest. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to raise these two adorable girls. 

And now that she's seven years old, I want to capture her innocence through photography.  

And this is not an easy task, in fact taking photos of children is one of the toughest, especially if the child is as playful as our Jewel.

According to our photographer, Mr. Edwin Mirabete, taking photos of  children is more challenging because they move fast, they easily get bored and they don't take modelling instructions. 

So what can we do now to take better pictures of children?

Here are some tips if you are planning to take photos of children yourself according to Udi Tirosh of DY Photography

1. Make it a Game

Try and play with the kid while you are taking the shots. You have two choices here : find something they will keep focused for some time or try and play with them.

2. Make them Laugh

Kids look best when they are happy. Making faces, telling jokes. Another option is to do some easy magic tricks, kids love them and they break the ice instantly.

3. Go with their Mood

Be patient. Be patient. Oh baby, be patient. Kids have moods, sometimes their happy, sometimes sad, sometimes playful and sometimes they want to cry.

4. Get some Assistance.

If the kid is acting wild and restless, a kind word from mommy can help. Mommy can also be in the picture. I remember Jewel asked me "Mommy, bakit ba kailangan nating gawin eto?"

If you have more tips on how to take photos of children, post them here as comments.

 I would love to hear from you.

 Photography :

Chriz Carpo Fotografia 
0917-5315624

Edwin Mirabete
035 Katuparan St., Brgy Commonwealth, Quezon City
022-4611697

Props & Styling  
Mommy JLo of  KidiKraft
 #10 Road 2, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
0917-8092571

Proud Belly Moments : Tips and Advice on How to Prepare for a Maternity Photo Shoot

Almost seven years ago, I gave birth to my youngest daughter Jewel. And during those times that I carried her for 9 months, I felt that I am the sexiest girl alive. (most especially on my 3rd trimester)

If you are as daring as me :-), I dare you to have your maternity photos done. The photos will be a great keepsake of such memorable event. It will also help relieve the stress and anxieties that many pregnant women face.

So once you are ready to show off your belly and  have those stunning images of your pregnancy,  here are some tips and advice on how to prepare for your maternity photo shoot.

1. Choose a reputable and trustworthy photographer

Bear in mind that you will take off your clothes in this maternity shoot. It is better to be safe than sorry. Work with photographers whom you trust and you feel at ease working with.

What could be happier than getting Happiness the second time around?

 2. Schedule When you're on your 7 to 8 months pregnant  (32 to 36 weeks)

Maternity photographers usually advise clients to schedule their photo shoot between the 32nd and  36th weeks of pregnancy. This is the time when your belly is in its full shape and  also the best time to show your 'Linea Nigra" (latin for "black line"), which is the dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen during the pregnancy.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothes / Undergarments

Prepare 2 sets of comfortable and fitted clothes. I suggest to prepare black and white attire, you can never go wrong with these colors and you can mix and match as well. And oh, undergarments matters too! You don't want to feel uneasy during the photo shoot, so wear comfy undies. 

4. Moisturize your Skin
It is alright even if you have stretch marks. Not all women are gifted with stretch marks free belly like me (naks!). Just put on lotion an hour before your session to avoid shiny belly and/or staining your clothes. This is will minimize redness and dry skin. Don't forget to moisturize your knees and elbows as well.

4. Say to yourself, " I am Sexy and Beautiful!"

You need to prepare yourself before you face the camera. Believe in yourself that you are sexy and beautiful so that the photos will come out natural. And to have this amount of confidence that you need, say "I am Sexy and Beautiful!"

Be daring! Be Bold! Bare it All!

Not all expecting moms are ready to have this kind of nude maternity photography. This is not for everyone because you need to have a lot of confidence to do this. But once you are decided, please keep in mind this mantra, Be daring! Be bold! Bare it all!

Photography by : Carla Berroya - Foster

My Party Diary : Maxene's Sweet as a Cupcake Themed Party

As a mother with  two girls, a party with an all pink and all girly theme will make me scream "OMG its so cuuutteeee!" 

Take for example this cupcake themed party prepared by Mommy Germaine for her little cupcake Maxene. Perhaps Mommy Germaine is also obsessed with cupcakes like I do. Now, I am starting to ask myself, what is it with cupcakes? 

So celebrate your little girl's first birthday in the sweetest way possible. Be inspired with this "Sweet as a Cupcake Themed Party".

Date                  : October 6, 2013
Venue               : Lili Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino
Photographer   : K Snaps
Cake                 : Sugarbox
Event Stylist     : Dreamscapes by Jac
Souvenirs         : KidiKraft (formerly Wooden Kiddie Stools & a Lot More!)

Isn't it adorable? Cupcake themed stools with strawberry on top.

Beautiful set-up by Dreamscapes.

Guests were excited to see what's on the Menu.

This cake tastes good as it looks. I'm a fan of Ms. Emily of Sugarbox.

Be inspired and be featured in our My Party Diary. Email us at bonsky_jen@yahoo.com