Mateo never really had a grand birthday celebration. Ramil and I always opted for small gatherings targeted for the close people in Mateo’s life. His third birthday is no different. We’ve decided to just serve snacks in Mateo’s classroom on his birthday and then treat him out the next day. Aside from saving us huge expenses, it also saved me from preparing for a big party which could provide enough stress to cause pimples on scalp.

I just ordered a Backyardigan-themed cake from Red Ribbon, baked macaroni and chicken fillet from the school’s nutritionis/cook, bought zesto juices and ice cream on sticks. What the students enjoyed the most are the small magnetic whiteboards I bought as favors. It was definitely a hassle-free and stress-free party. I’m sure Mateo enjoyed it too because he was able to celebrate it with his classmates and friends.

It was a very tiring weekend for us. It was Mateo’s birthday last Friday and instead of planning a party for him, we just decided to treat him to places he would love to explore. We spent the whole Saturday out and it was very exciting for him. We didn’t even bother getting him a gift so we were spared any encounter with POS systems in the malls. He received more than enough gifts from friends, my sister and her boyfriend, and my parents. I’ll post more details on Mateo’s birthday celebration.

Ramil and I had difficulty thinking of what to let Mateo wear for their ‘what-I-want-to-be’ day. Mateo wasn’t very helpful whenever we’d ask him what he wants to be so it was up to it to decide for him. I brooded over it for several days, feeling like a deadline was beating down my back. I wouldn’t have needed ephedra diet pills if I was trying to lose weight.

Since he loves airplanes, we thought of dressing him up as a pilot. It was pretty easy because he only has to wear black pants, black shoes, white polo, black tie, and shoulder embellishments. What was difficult was coming up with a pilot cap. Ramil and I had to be resourceful and creative. He used an old folder to make Mateo’s pilot cap while I used black cartolina for his shoulder embellishments and tie (Mateo doesn’t own a tie).

Take a look at our finished product…

I’ve been eating prunes every day for several days now. It’s my attempt to regulate my bowel movement and cure my constipation. I’ve been having problems with constipation for several weeks now because of the condition I am now in (this condition deserves another blog post). Aside from this, I’ve been trying to eat more fruits and more vegetables. Back when I was younger, I would be really scared of constipation because I don’t want to be looking for the best hemorrhoid treatments when I get older, thinking that straining too hard would give me hemorrhoids. Well, hopefully the things I’ve been doing would address my problem lately.

This week, Mateo’s class is asked to come dressed as anything they want to be when they grow up. I’m having trouble thinking of what to let him wear because he’s not really into the ‘I want to be’ stage yet. What he likes pretending most of the time are dinosaurs, tigers, lions, monsters, etc. and I don’t think those would be appropriate for what their teacher have in mind. I’m thinking though of dressing him up as a pilot or a race car driver because he loves planes and cars. He has a jacket that looks like a Nascar jacket and I think it would do. I’m excited for him because the coming weeks will be all about different professions – doctors, teachers, chef, fireman, etc. It’s a great opportunity to put him in that ‘I want to be’ stage. I’m also excited because I’d like to know what he’ll decide for himself.