7 Activities For R's 7th Birthday

Birthdays, in our family, is that one day in the year when you can expect your wishes to be fulfilled.  For R's birthday, things happened the way she wanted it. 

OUTREACH ACTIVITY
1. Held a simple party for children with cancer
Two years ago, we did an outreach activity for a Ramir's birthday.  We started with a Gawad Kalinga Community.  The year after, we did it with Kythe (an organization for cancer-stricken kids) at V. Luna Hospital.  On both occasions, R was an active participant.  She sorted our gifts for the kids.  For her 7th birthday, we threw her the idea of celebrating her birthday with orphaned kids.  She told us that she preferred to go back to Kythe again.  So we did.  We prepared around 30 gift bags for the kids at Kythe.  We also bought them Jollibee snacks.  I did two storytelling sessions and gave out some prizes.  R didn't just sort her gifts to the kids, she also distributed them and gave out the snacksand prizes to the kids.  I realized how she have grown.  I don't need to give her instructions she just knew what to do. 

Inside the V. Luna Hospital

With Ms. Aida and the kids

The kids of Kythe

What's in the bag?
We gave them a set of toiletries (plastic glass, towel, toothbrush, hair combs, soap dish, soap, alcohol, powder, toothpaste and tissue roll), some toys and some candies.

Bag it!

BIRTHDAY AT HOME
Just like S's Sa Aming Bakuran Pool Party, we did The Artsy Crafty Party (sa aming bakuran style).  R has a penchant for anything art-related.  Ramir and I sourced all our materials in Divisoria Mall and National Boookstore.  And for a tipid-mode Nanay and Tatay like us, we can say we got some good and affordable materials.  Thanks for all the resources we've found, the kids were all very excited, participative, happy and proud. Below are the arts and crafts activities we lined up for the kids. 

2. Painted a mask
We saw this masks in Divisoria at 18 pesos each.  We bought a set of poster paints at around P150.  I also purchased a paintbrush for each kids at P7.25.  I thought this activity wouldn't fly, but it did.

Un-Masked!

3. Colored a mural
In one of the arts stall in Divisoria Mall, we saw this color your mural type of art activity.  It also came with a set of 5 coloring pens.  We thought it would interest the kids.  Luckily, it did.  24 pesos a piece. 

Color me bad

4. Decorated a cake
700 pesos for a set of 12.  12 marble slices, 12 toppers, 12 packs of sprinkles, 12 boxes and 24 mini bags of icings (in pink and blue).  I pre-ordered this over the phone at Goldilock's Quezon Avenue.  I paid half to confirm my order and pick it up the day before R's birthday.  The kids enjoyed their being a pastry chef for a day.

Having your cake and eat it too.

5. Made a personalized bracelet
We wanted each kid to have a personalized bracelet but buying a serious looking kind would be quite expensive.  Divi Mall to the rescue.  I saw a personalize-your-own-bracelet toy in one of the stalls.  I purchased 12 pieces, cut all the letters and sorted each letter accordingly and put them in a "tray."   When the kids arrived, they picked the letters of their name and string them in their rubber bracelets. 180 pesos for the set of 12.

What's in a name?

Other party details

FUN AT THE MALL
R said she wanted to go to Active Fun on her birthday.  So when I saw a discounted rate of Active Fun at SM Annex (North EDSA) in one of the coupon sites, I purchased 6 immediately. All R's first cousins would be invited in this Active Fun birthday-after gathering.

6. Had fun at Active Fun
We were there around 11.  The kids left at 12:30.  Went back at 1:30 and left by 3pm.  If we allowed them, I knew the kids could stay there for eternity.

7. Spent time with family
Family lunch at Savory.  R wished to have lunch at Max's but it was full to the brim.  I haggled.  She was convinced the moment I said Savory has fried chicken too.

R obviously had fun.  The way she hugged us and said thank you.  It was amazing how time flew so fast.  Parang kailan lang, we're lighting candles every month.  Ramir introduced me to the idea that we'll be fairy parents for our kids' birthdays.  We'll make their "reasonable" dreams come true. And every time we see how happy and giddy they are, we knew it was such a lovely idea.  Partida, we have to hurdle the rains and the flood for R's birthday this year.  No complains. Everything was worth it.

P.S. To R., just like what the kite runner said, "for you, a thousand times over."  Happy 7th.  Mahal na mahal.