Hailey's Wiggly Party

Last December 30, we held Hailey's 3rd birthday party. I really, REALLY, wanted to celebrate her 3rd birthday since this is the "first" birthday that she most likely will remember. So I initially wanted a bongga birthday for her with the works - caterer, venue, big balloons, hosts and all that comes with a nice party. Hailey wanted a Wiggles themed party so months before her birthday, I asked my cousin who resides in London to buy me a couple of Wiggles party items - hats, banner and a cute candle. Also, I saw this really tempting deal to buy a birthday cake with free cupcakes on a groupon site. This all happened in March.

Until a friend invited us to go to Korea come September - and we said yes. And the party for Hailey went kaput. I was a bit sad, but it was better to save up on a trip than for a party.

Then just a month before Hailey's birthday, we went to SM Megamall and passed by Dad's Kamayan Saisaki. Elmer has been saying that this is a good venue and mura lang but I don't really entertain the thought. Out of the blue I asked for a party package and when I saw it, I said, "Pwede!" My mom said, "Ipa book mo na!" But of course, I had to think about it first. Then God gave me blessings in the form of new shows that will air January. So I was set! A few weeks before the party, Elmer and I decided to just go with it!

We picked Dad's Kamayan Saisaki's Merienda buffet. All for Php215 with bottomless iced tea! We included their party amenities package for an extra fee for a worry free party. The set up was great!

My sister Ghed

My sister Ghed acted as my party coordinator. She made the program, fixed the invites and found this party store with really affordable clown hosts and a kiddie magic show! They were great and funny! Sulit na sulit talaga sila! I just asked them not to put the white foundation because Hailey might get scared. So naka costume lang sila ng clown. :)

Clown hosts from Clong Avenue

Days before the party, 26 of December, we braved Divisoria to buy prizes and loot bag items. For the prizes, we decided to buy Angry Birds items since it is IMPOSSIBLE to find The Wiggles items here in the Philippines and if ever there are, it is a bit expensive.


About the cake, I bought a voucher a Mitchelle's Sweet Kiss for a 9" Birthday cake with 72 cupcakes. They were very easy to talk to on email and agreed on the flavors, colors and design I wanted. They even agreed to print 3 The Wiggles pictures to put on the cupcakes. But reading the negative reviews about their cakes weeks before the party was not a big help! I considered buying a backup cake but Elmer said, wag na. Just go with it. Hours before the party, they were not answering my calls, texts, fb post. We were set to buy a Red Ribbon cake. We just went to their location as stated in the voucher and when I saw the cakes, they were CUTE!!!! Buti nalang!

Come party time, Hailey's reaction was priceless. She enjoyed the party. Plus she received tons of gifts! Food was great. Daming guests na dumating, kahit madaming guests pa ang hindi nakapunta.

My only regret was not getting a professional photographer. We thought we can do it, hindi pala kasi you get to be so busy with the party, you forget to take photos already. Our DSLR just got passed on to whoever is available to shoot. But we got good photos naman.

Thank you God for all our blessings this year. Thanks to all those who came, and took a break from their holiday celebrations to be with us, and to the wonderful gifts Hailey received.

gifts!

Hailey wants to have an "Angry Birds" party for her 4th birthday. It'll probably be a simple house celebration but we'll never know what will happen! We agreed that Hailey's next "bongga" party will be on her 7th... I have many time to save on that.

Hailey's Many Prizes!

2011 was a fruitful year for Hailey... in terms of online promos and contest. I joined a bunch of contests on the internet to be able to win something for Hailey and I was soooo thrilled that I won each and everyone of them! :)

1. Badabadaboo's Father's Day Contest
This was my first attempt in joining a Facebook photo-liking contest. I knew I had a chance of winning that's why I joined. I won a pretty pair of Skidders Pink Zebra for Hailey. Now that's one of her favorite foot wear. I also bought another one from them since it was so cute. :)

winning entry in Badabadaboo's Contest

the cute Skidders prize

2. Spoiled! Store's I Love School Contest
Another Facebook photo-liking contest which I got from Badabadaboo's site. This is a real treat because I won almost 3k worth of clothes from Motion Wear! When we got to the store, Hailey saw a bunch of toys and since they were so generous in giving us the prizes, we bought some stuff over there too.

winning entry in Spoiled! store's contest

motion wear jacket - one of the prizes

3. Disney Live! Blog Your Disney Experience
This was a real surprise for me. I saw this on Facebook, I did the blog on my free time at work while waiting for my Elmer. I really did not think I was going to win, which was okay since we bought 6 lower box tickets already months before. I was so excited that I won - 2nd place! Elmer was more excited that the 4 VIP tickets comes with a cash prize of 3k. :) Thanks to Vivre Fort Entertainment!

4 VIP tickets

excited to watch!

after the show!

4. Milkita Birthday Treats
I was really hoping and praying that I'd win this one for Hailey's party. So receiving their notice 2 days before the party was a real treat! They were so generous in giving 275 pieces of yummy Milkita and Unican candies. The prize included flyers that we place inside the loot bag. Some of the guests thought that the party was partly sponsored by Milkita. We just said yes. :)

275 pieces of Milkita and Unican candies

lollipops and candies made Hailey's party a sweet success!

Although there are tons and tons of online contests, I do not just join them. I screen each one of them carefully and make sure that it's legit. Also, I am very careful that the contests I enter with Hailey do not exploit the kids and will not harm them in any way whatsoever. I want it to be a fun experience for Hailey and I, and Elmer too. :)