Celebrating #ZiyaTurns12

It was only two months ago when we celebrated Zoe’s 13th birthday. Last weekend, we celebrated yet another birthday – Ziya turned 12.

If Zoe is considered my mini-me, Ziya has always been the baby girl. For the longest time, she was the baby in the family. She was already 8 years old by the time Ziggy was born. So, you can just imagine how attached she has always been to me. I can still remember those times when she was only 2 years old and she would wake up in the middle of night, go out of their bedroom and knock on our door so that she can sleep in our room instead. I miss those days. Time flies too fast!

Ziya was a quiet and calm baby but grew up to be really bubbly and fun. Until now, she still has a playful personality that attracts little kids to her. Kids love her! She especially loves doting on Ziggy and is usually the one watching over him when hubby is out and I’m busy doing something.

Ziya’s really shy though and doesn’t like calling attention to herself. She’s happiest making art. She’s usually drawing or creating stuff using iPad apps. She’s definitely the resident artist among our kids, who aspires to be a baker someday. She’s super sweet and thoughtful and always helpful around the house, which makes her Mommy’s girl. Haha!

On the day of Ziya’s birthday, she and Zoe were actually out with their dad and so we were only able to celebrate later that night with a birthday cake.

The next day, Saturday, we went to my sister and brother-in-law’s temporary condo unit, which they are using during their visit here.  They’re based in New York and we haven’t been able to see them in years. So, you can imagine how happy we all were to see each other. We spent some time in their condo opening gifts! The birthday girl was especially happy because of all the Christmas and birthday presents.

Anyway, afterwards, hubby and I decided to take the family out to lunch at the combined restaurants of Bulgogi Brothers and Modern Shanghai in Glorietta to celebrate Ziya’s turning 12.

It was the first time we saw my sister and brother-in-law since they arrived last week so we had a lot of fun talking and catching up. So much so that I actually wasn’t able to take photos of the food. This was the only photo I was able to take.

We had a nice meal that made us all full. Luckily, we were able to do a lot of walking after when my sister treated the kids to a shopping spree. Weeee! I guess, that’s why she’s the kids’ favorite aunt. Haha!

My sister and brother-in-law had to go back to the condo after that. But hubby and I decided to continue the celebration by having dessert at Slice in Bonifacio High Street.

It was a really simple celebration but a really memorable one too. I can’t help but be emotional about it thinking that Ziya will be a teenager soon. But she still has a year before that happens. For now, I’ll just make sure she still gets to enjoy being a kid.

Happy 12th birthday, Ziya! We love you!!!