Double Celebration: 11 at the Rec and Mother Tongue

11! 

 

Happy Birthday Gabby. Today, you turned 11 and I can’t help thinking about where I’ll be in your life in the years to come. I won’t be your go-to person anymore, you won’t like me having the pre-bedtime talk and cuddles with you and you’ll be too busy navigating the big biw world that you’ll find less time for me. But it is okay, I am sure I will be your stationary rock when all the pre-teen and teenage drama unfolds in front of you. 

 

I am glad I and papa were never too busy for you. It is always us three finding our feet in foreign lands, making memories in every wins and every loss. I learned from all that has been that time is the best gift we gave you. You’ll forget the things we bought, but never the fun things we made together. I hope that is an indispensable gift enough for you to brave what's ahead. Believe me, the pre-teen and teenage years are a confluence of crazy, fun, bitter, spicy, and sweet.

 

You are 11 and here I am thinking you’re growing way too fast. I am not yet ready, your baby years with me are not yet and will never be enough!

 

Gabby's first-ever request to have a birthday celebration with friends. Mama and Papa excitedly booked the Rec room for an arcade-themed birthday party!

We had an advanced celebration, on the 3rd of December as her birthday, Dec 6 falls on a weekday. We reserved a party package with foods and game tags for the kids and 2 huge tables for the adults.

Gabby not only celebrated with old friends, she gets to meet new ones :)

The kids enjoyed hotdogs, unlimited drinks, popcorn, and ice cream. The adults enjoyed bountiful yummy treats. Pizza, calamari, chicken, jalapeno, caesar, and cocktails!

Gabby enjoyed her 11th birthday so much! She is not regretting skipping a birthday trip, it is so much fun when birthdays are celebrated with friends!

On her actual birthday, Dec 6, mama and papa booked a Filipino gourmet dinner for the biwday Biw.

The Mother Tongue, a cozy and quaint Filipino-Asian fusion tucked neatly at the downtown core offers a scrumptious platter of humba, sio pao, pandan cake, steak, and chow mien.  

Happy 11th birthday Gabby. Mama and Papa love you lots!