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Gosh.

I have a confession.

I didn’t feel like celebrating my birthday so much this year. 

I don’t know if it’s the combination of recent events, the fact that I realize I am really getting older, or the fact that man…I am just so tired with all of the things that have me spreading myself so thin. I just know, that I told Nino, I wouldn’t mind just staying in and taking it easy with the kids.

In my yoga pants.

With my hair up in a bun.

And my kids all in our room.

Both Nino and my kiddos weren’t having it.

They didn’t like my plan. Instead, they planned a bunch of little things for us to do together so that we could celebrate my birthday weekend in style…

And for this, I’m thankful.

Here are some of the things we did on my birthday weekend:

On Friday night, we had a lovely dinner with some very good friends. Our friends Jun and Gail Del Rosario are like our eating buddies. They love good food. They like good wine. (Nino and I are learning more about wine through our interactions with them.) AND more importantly than all of these things…THEY LIKE TO LAUGH.

I enjoy my time with both Gail and Jun, because I know they are good people. My kinda people. Jun is devoted to his wife, and Gail is a very successful banker whom I know has worked very hard to achieve the kind of corporate banking status that she has. They work hard. But they play hard, too. They have great (grown up) kids and I love seeing them together as a family. It warms my heart.

 

Txanton!!! @mommanmanila #iberico #spanishfood #jamon #cava #fresh #foodgasm #cook #chef #cooking #recipe #foodporn #healthy #healthyfood #yummy #health #delicious #itsmorefuninthephilippines #mommanmanila

A photo posted by NA (@manila.gent) on Oct 14, 2016 at 3:48am PDT

I’m hoping that one day soon, we can go on that bucket list vacation together where we explore and participate in an African Safari. 

But on Friday, Gail wanted to take us to this new place on Chino Roces that she had been to earlier in the month.

As their Facebook page states “Txanton is where jamon and wine take center stage.” I have never been to a restaurant like this one before. Visiting Txanton enabled me to enjoy and learn more about Spanish cuisine than I ever had before. 

The entire experience really warrants a separate blog post, so for now, I’ll just share that I am grateful for this new introduction to two things I really enjoy: Jamon and Wine! 

After our dinner, we decided to go to Prive for a quick drink. Truth be told, we did have dinner quite early so a nightcap before heading home sounded like a great idea.

In the past six months or so, Nino has shared with me that he feels it’s important to nurture our relationship with a night out or two on the town, every now and then.

Our “go to” place for this has been Privé. I enjoy visiting Privé on Tuesday nights (when the titas and the titos are out) because I don’t feel as old when I see my contemporaries are enjoying the RETRO music with me as well.

On Saturday morning, I had the privilege to spend some time with my friends from Miss Possibilities. Miss Possibilities, led by Mommy Suzanna Yuzon is the first pageant for young ladies with special needs here in Asia. Coming from a very successful launch last year, we kicked off the preparations for the event proper (which will take place on November 13th) by making matches for our Buddies for the day.

The mommas were so sweet to remember my special day by even having me blow a candle on a cake that they purchased for me from one of their main sponsors, Goldilocks. Hooray for the classic MOCHA birthday cake which I shared with the kids during our lunch when I got home from our matching and briefing workshop.

When I finally got home from Unilab Foundation that afternoon, I was able to indulge in an afternoon massage. I have always been a fan of massage home service. Ever since moving here from New York, this is definitely one luxuries I have grown accustomed to taking advantage of.

Massages at home are the ultimate indulgence in relaxation.

Couple that with some all natural and organic massage oils?

WIN. WIN. WIN. 

Fortunately, Nino insisted that we do not stay home (and that I did not stay in YOGA PANTS) for my birthday dinner. 

But not before my kiddos all gave me their birthday gifts that they chose for me. My kids know I like to get creative, so they each chose something for me they knew I would love.  Cookbooks, a calligraphy set, and flowers and chocolate from my three big kids were the perfect gifts.

So Nino arranged for us to have dinner with our close friends at HATSUNE.

This was a quiet dinner. With my very favorite birthday cake. It was that was simple. And just what the doctor ordered.

But the celebration this weekend wasn’t all about me. Because for me to be happy, I also want my kids, and of course, my partner to be happy as well. 

This is why on Sunday morning, we got up nice and early to go see Peppa Pig at SM Makati.

Have I mentioned before, how sometimes, Gelli speaks with an English accent? Where does she get this accent? Why from Peppa of course!

Lunch afterwards with my big sister, was of course on the calendar because she had gotten tickets for me and the family to join her in watching the critically acclaimed production of JERSEY BOYS!

Oh my gosh. I think this was the highlight of my WHOLE weekend. 

Let me explain. I grew up listening to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. In fact, I think there was one particular summer where we traveled around Italy with my dad at the wheel of a Volkswagon Caravelle listening to The Four Seasons for three weeks. I can sing along with almost all of their songs (I knew all except two from the stage production.) and the entire experience brought back wonderful memories and had me leaving the Meralco Theater with a big smile on my face.

And another treat? We actually got to chat with director, Bobby Garcia, and producer, Bobby Barreiro, both before and after the show.

When school was cancelled earlier that morning due to the storm that was supposed to hit, Nino suggested we take advantage of our Wine and Dine privileges at Dusit Thani. As part of their Wine and Dine club, we not only get big discounts every time we dine in one of their restaurants, we also receive a complimentary room.

HOORAY FOR THE PARTY TO LAST ALL THROUGH THE EXTENDED WEEKEND!

Did I mention that I didn’t really feel like celebrating?

Well, by this time, I was counting my blessings and enjoying the time that I could spend with my loves. I was happy to work with the impromptu suggestions of my hubby and do something out of the norm.

After all, who doesn’t love a staycation?

 

Morning sunshine provided by #Gellibean. #staycation #hotel #dusitthanimanila #downsyndromerocks #downsyndromeawareness #manila #getaway #birthdayweekend #familyfun

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Oct 16, 2016 at 5:42pm PDT

This girl certainly does…

All of this celebrating left me feeling extremely grateful, thankful, and blessed.

I realized that sometimes, all we need to do to snap out of a funk, is to keep on keeping on…

Certainly, my birthday celebration (which lasted all weekend) could not have been dampened by even myself, with so many people who wanted to just love on me…and celebrate me…

Who am I to tell them any differently?