How sweet it is!

When you have a 17 year old who has friends and activities left and right, it's pretty difficult. Moms (or parents for that matter) always don't measure up to friends on the "likability" scale. Neither do little sisters. For about a couple of years now, it's been me and Sabine "against the world" while Ate Anissa continues to discover the world out there. 

So when I was asked, along with other #SoMoms, to join a Mommy and Me Cupcake Making Activity at Cupcakes By Sonja's, I silently squealed victory! Anissa has loved Sonja's cupcakes since the shop opened first in Serendra. There was no doubt in my mind that she would want to go with me. Sabine, on the other hand, would come even if I told her I was going to explore Pluto.

You can check these previous entries here and here to see how much my family loves sweets, particularly cupcakes and the ones from Cupcakes by Sonja's. Until now, we've had to go to Serendra (not too near to us) just to buy them. Every time I have a reason to go there without the kids, Anissa would remind me to grab a few of her favorites from Sonja's shop. If there were times I went home without some, I surely didn't hear the end of it from her. Unfortunately, the little one got sick the weekend prior to the event, I had no choice but to leave her at home. It was bonding time for me and the teenager who doesn't really like hanging out with me hihi.

As soon as we arrived and were done saying hello to all the other #SoMoms in attendance, we immediately got down to business. Errrrmmm ... Anissa did hihi. I have ZERO talent in the art department, so I chose to take a step back, be Mamarazzi and cheerleader instead. 

1st activity : How to create frosting colors

Anissa wanted purple frosting.

Then the huge tray of assorted toppings came and at this point I thought, Sabine would be in heaven by now!

But this was my favorite topping of them all. Need you ask? 

So focused on making those cupcakes and cookies

After all the work ... here's what she came up with

She really IS good with her hands.

It was one activity after another that everyone enjoyed. I can still hear the kids shrieking with delight while they were designing and creating their work.

Hey, Basti! Smile naman! Basti is the adorable son of Eli, ThePaintersWife

Here's ManilaMommy Neva's first born, David, busy decorating his cookie

Yukie who sat in front of us with Mom Cai of ApplesandDumplings .

And here they all are with Tita Sonja, minus my big girl (literally).
From L-R : Yukie, Naima, Berry, Mika, Sam, Basti, David and Sonja of course.

Because the kids were so happy, the #SoMoms were too!

The best part? Making all those cupcakes with her PLUS bringing them all home. Wheeee!

Thank you, Cupcakes by Sonja, for a lovely time!!!

Today, Cupcakes by Sonja is baking something new, something even better. With the opening of its newest store at the second floor Bridgeway of Glorietta 2, Cupcakes by Sonja’s fondness for nostalgic elements is given a fresh contemporary twist. The store counter, which is fashioned out of textured tin and decorated with charming calligraphy, is at the center of the action. The refrigerated display is integrated into the counter but lighted accordingly to showcase Cupcakes by Sonja’s gourmet creations. The dining area features furniture of different heights, materials, and elements all coming together in quiet harmony. Mixed in this panoply of the nostalgic and the modern are a couple of quirky elements like a lighting fixture made of kitchen whisks. More stores are set to open within the year at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Eastwood City, Greenhills, and TriNoma. Cupcakes by Sonja will also be offering new menu items developed with the same passion and commitment to quality and prepared with only the best ingredients as its other signature items.

Incidentally, Cupcakes by Sonja has an ongoing contest called Shoot and Share. You can click here to join. 

The new Cupcakes by Sonja store is located at the 2nd Floor, Bridgeway Glorietta 2, Ayala Center Makati. 

Sige Lang ng Sige! - a fun filled day with the SoMoms and Breeze

You can just imagine how thrilled I was upon being invited to this summer get-together last week. It was a holiday (Araw ng Kagitingan), Anissa didn't have anything dance-related to do that day and Sabine is forever attached to me anyway so off we went! Sadly, N had to stay behind to work and do something for Mama, so it was an all-girl thing we had. 

The event was the first #SoMoms #session for the summer. It was sponsored by no less than Breeze. 

My girls and I were early. I didn't want to be late and I didn't know what to expect traffic-wise because we are not Southerners hihihi. The drive to Nuvali was a breeze (no pun intended) though, that's why we got there in no time, even with a stopover for breakfast at Starbucks Magallanes. 

We had a quickie and casual photo session with Lawrence del Mundo (the camwhore -- that's me -- can't wait to see the photos!)

Pretty soon, Sabine got into the groove of things. My Masterpiece Movement, that's Teachers Anna and Kara, got the kids started on art and then yoga and music. My Oncologist says I should continue to take it easy so I didn't get into it like the other Moms did but I had fun sitting there and watching everyone, including my Sabine who was so into it. 

Soon after, came the super fun part --- getting dirty! I'm not sure I said that right or if I should laugh at my OC self for doing so. But it was so much fun just hanging loose and not really caring about making a mess! #sigesamantsa

 Teacher Kara took over and showed us all how much fun being dirty and messy can be. Spot the huge plastic sheet that she's sitting on and see what the kids are going to do with it in the succeeding photos.

And what we ended up with was this beautiful piece of art!

The requisite group photo, of course! 

Standing L-R : Jackie of GoJackieGo!, Belle of Cruisin'

Mommyhood, Janice of MommyMundo, Candy of Corporate Housewife Mom, ME, Tin of Manila Fashion Observer, Christine of Mommy Journey, Jenny of My Mommyology. On the floor L-R: Marc of The Fatherland, Eliza of The Painter's Wife, Teacher Anna, Kris of OcMom in Manila, Cai of Apples and Dumplings, Teacher Kara and all our dirty, happy kids with their stained hands and clothes!

Am honored to have been part of this happy and fun day with all these wonderful mothers and their equally wonderful children. The #sigemom and her #sigekids absolutely enjoyed every minute! #sigesamantsa

AND AND AND ...

May I just say I was kilig to have brought home this huge pack of detergent?!  Yayay was so happy when she saw this! 

Thank you, Breeze! Thank you, SoMoms! Super looking forward to next time because ang sarap maging #sigemoms with our #sigekids!!! 

SM Kids Fashion : Bright, Fun and Loud

The last weekend was ushered in via this event held at the pool side of the Dusit Thank Hotel in Makati. It was the launch of SM Kids' Summer Collection. My girls and I, Sabine especially, are fans because we always manage to find really cute and fashionable pieces in the store. I also very recently discovered that I can comfortably fit into a size 18 top in the Kids Dept hihihi! No longer a size 14 or 16 like before but pwede na rin!

She was thrilled when the staff at the Registration Area handed her the Hello Kitty bag filled with goodies. 

I loved going around and looking at the very colorful set-up. The pompoms and paper lanterns were so cute (I'll have those in Sabine's forthcoming 7th birthday party as well). 

Candy Station! My little girl went nuts, she didn't know what to dive into first.

Issa Litton hosted the short program to tell everyone what SM Kids has in store for all its customers this summer. She shared the stage with well-known fashion model and now image consultant, Patty Betita. 

They presented these pretty young things, the SM Junior Stylists, whom Patty has been mentoring. The girls each talked about their love for fashion, their personal styles and the things that inspire them to want to look their best always. 

To close the program, Ms. Jo Dy Juanco, VP of SM Kids' Fashion took a few minutes to let everyone know what to expect to see when you walk into the SM Kids Department in their stores. She said, "Our Summer 2013 Collection is bigger and brighter than ever before --- brilliant hues, bold prints, breezy fabrics. Throw a big pool into the mix and you have the perfet summer party. We'll also have an image consultant who will give some tips on how to be comfortable yet stylish during the hottest months of the year."

It was also good seeing fellow Mommy and blogger (summersunshine.me), April and her baby girl Summer.

I won a P500 Toy Kingdom gift certificate for Sabine yayyyyyyy!!!

Thanks for a really fun time, SM Kids!

Thank you to ARC PR, too!