Zoe Turns 12

I’ve been wanting to blog about this for days. However, in the light of the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan),  I just didn’t think it was appropriate. Plus, I was too sad to even have the energy to blog.  I haven’t blogged for a week now, actually. My mom has relatives in Leyte who were victims of the typhoon and I have been trying to help her calm down and gather news about what happened to them. The rest of the time, I took the energy I had left to continue working (because I have to make a living) and to take care of my family who needs me.

Much as the current situation is still very disheartening, all of us who were spared the wrath of the typhoon have to learn to move on with our lives but of course, still continue to help out as much as we can, whenever we can. So, today, I summoned enough energy to blog. After all, what I’m blogging about is an important occasion in my family’s life, Zoe’s turning 12.

Zoe turned 12 last Sunday. Of course, I’m happy she’s celebrating another birthday. But honestly I had mixed feelings about her turning 12 mostly because I’m very nervous about her being a teenager. It’s coming in only a year’s time! My gosh. Time really does fly fast.

Anyway, we had a really simple celebration because we only had until after lunch to celebrate with her.  Since we’re at the in-law’s place every Sunday, that’s where we decided to celebrate with a simple lunch, just us and the in-laws. My mom-in-law usually prepares lunch on Sunday but that day, hubby and I told her we’ll be bringing food instead. She still cooked Fried Chicken and Chopsuey though. Here’s the spread.

I ordered a whole bilao of Pancit Canton from Mr. Amber. I got the one that’s supposed to be enough for 10 people. However, we ended up only consuming half of it, mostly because what most of us ate is the bilao of Mixed Sushi from Gryn Wasabi. I wanted to serve some of Zoe’s favorite food and she loves California Maki. That’s why I bought the Mixed Sushi. I wish I got the bigger bilao though because everyone just loved it! So yummy!

For dessert, my MIL  served Turon while I bought Pichi-Pichi also at Mr. Amber. Zoe loves that too!

Of course, I didn’t forget the cake, mango-flavored ‘coz that’s Zoe’s favorite.

We had a very hearty, filling lunch. Then, we sang Happy Birthday for Zoe and she tried to blow her candle. Yeah, she TRIED to blow it. You can see  here that Ziggy and cousin Rocky was in the way. Ziggy kept insisting that it was HIS birthday and wanted to blow the candle. Haha! At least, Zoe was a good sport about it.

We hung out for a while after until such time we had to take Zoe and Ziya back to their dad’s house so that they can celebrate with him the rest of the day. I wish I could have spent more time with Zoe that day though coz I was feeling very, very sentimental.

I gave her a very simple gift earlier in the day. I saw this bracelet while hubby, Ziggy and I were shopping one day. I was immediately attracted to it because of the color blue, Zoe’s favorite. I thought of giving it to Zoe because being 12, she’s now really into fashion and accessories. I wanted to give her something she could wear everyday so that she’ll always remember me even when she’s not here at home.

I was so happy when Zoe said she loved it and that she really wanted to have that type of bracelet. She was kind of surprised how I knew what she wanted, to which Ziya replied with “Of course, Mommy knows everything that we like”. Hahaha! That comment made my day. I’m celebrating small victories.

Happy birthday, my dear Zoe. You may not be a baby anymore but you will always be my baby and my mini-me.