Thursday, December 22, 2022

40

Crimson Boracay Resort Infinity Pool

Much of adventure and beauty.
With an equal amount of pain. 

Crimson Boracay Pool Bar

The road to my 40.
Was not without rain.

Crimson Boracay Station 0

Never to take for granted.
The life I continue to live.

Azure Beach Club Crimson Boracay

To let go of a life I loved and wanted. 
God had reasons, I believe.

Rainbow Station 0 Crimson Movenpick Boracay

The rainbow on my 40.
The waves and the sea. 

Boracay Christmas Birthday Anniversary Trip

My beautiful little family.
Is all the hope I need to see.

Shangrila Boracay Beach Family

Still blessed.

Happy birthday to me! 

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Letter No. 41 - 6th Birthday

Dear Lance,

Happy 06th Birthday! 

06 Number Birthday Cake Boy

"Mommy, I want my cake to be 06. Because 06 is also 6!"

So I made it for you. 
Chocolate and some blue. 
Because your favorite color is blue.

Birthday Celebration with Grandmother

Now Lance, let me tell you more about You.
My super love love Lancidoodle doo.

Lego Ninjago Gifts

You like Roblox. We play Defense Depot.
You like Minecraft and building. Your favorite is Lego.

You like Chess, Penguin Trap, Snakes and Ladders, and Foosball.
But Pillow Fights make you the happiest, out of all.

6th Birthday with Bichon Frise

"You are the best Jamie ever in the whole world.
I love you so much. I will never leave you."

"You are the best Sherick ever in the whole world.
I love you so much. I will never leave you."

"Daddy and Mommy, hug me and look at me."

"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for my mommy and daddy. 
Lord Jesus, please give me 1 million dogs. Amen."

You are the sweetest.
And the sweetest things you say every night,
Make us ever willing to look at you and hug you tight.

Number 6 Birthday Cake

And Father's Days.
 They are not just for Daddy.
You also want us to celebrate you,
Because you are the Daddy of Sunny!

Birthday Cake Number 6

Now Math. You like Math.
"It's my specialty."

Drums and Piano,
Soccer and Taekwondo.

Korean Tteokbokki. Lumpiang Shanghai. Potato Chips. 
And anything spicy. 

Lego Ninjago and Voltron

You are funny. You like to dance. And your dance is funny.

You are the best Lance Oliver in the whole world. I love you so much, more than you'll ever know. 
And I will never leave you.

Love,
Mommy

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Letter No. 40 - El Nido, Palawan

 Dear Lance,

This is El Nido, Palawan. And you were 5. 

"I love water too much." You said.

"Our son is probably a fish." Dad said.

You always wanted to jump. 

From the boat. From the kayak. 

You always woke to see the sunrise.

Everyday. You and daddy.


You always woke me to say..

"Mom, we found a sea slug!" 
"Mom, we saw a lot of hornbills!"
"Come, I'll show you!"


It was beautiful there.

Especially watching you make friends with other kids to build sandcastles.


You were brave and adventurous. 
I hope you will stay that way.

Now here is a little video for your memories someday.


Loving you so much always,
Mommy

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Letter No. 39 - 5th Birthday

Dear Lance,

I cannot believe it has been 5 years since..

"Mommy, I punched and punched and kicked until I got out of your tummy."

You have grown so sweet.. 
Waking me up with your tickles, snuggles, and kisses every morning..
And insisting..

"Mommy, I love you more than me."

But I love you even more than that!

Happy Birthday, My Love.

Here is a memory of how we celebrated YOU at 5. 


Love,
Mommy

Friday, April 3, 2020

Letter No. 38 - 4th Birthday


Dear Lance,

Though you believe and insist..


That you are already 5 years old..


Sweetheart, you are just 4!

"But I'm 5 na!! Diba, Daddy??"


I wish I could freeze time right now..
Because you are just the cutest, funniest, and sweetest.. for ever!


"Silly me, silly you!"


We love you so much.

Happy 4th birthday, baby Batman!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

7 Years


Dearest Sherick,

Here's to the years of seven
That feels more than golden

When rainbows have melted
To ashes that bled.

Wishing it was easy to say
Those were our happiest days

But some years were beautiful
And the last ones just awful.

Apulit Island, Taytay, Palawan

Yet here we are..

With our 3-year-old best friend.

Hoping the next years of seven
Would feel more like heaven.

Happy Anniversary, My Love!

Love,
Jamie

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Letter No. 37 - Enough


Dear Lance,

"You know, Mommy, I will buy a toy for you when you're sleeping. 
When you wake up, there's a surprise for you. I love you."

Thank you. 

And I am sorry. 

I am sorry I could not bring back.. 

I could not give you the brother and sister you have been asking for.

Not anymore.

But you know, Lance..

Your words today made me feel that..

Your brother or sister in heaven..

And You.. are Enough.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Letter No. 36 - 3rd Birthday


Dear Lance,

"For your 3rd birthday..

Dreams Cottage, Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas

Would you like to go to the beach or see Mickey Mouse?"

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

"Play Sand!"

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

So a lunch in Tagaytay..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

To see a real volcano called Taal..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

And eat your first ever ice cream..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

Before heading to Calatagan, Batangas..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

To stay at the Stilts..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

Because on birthdays..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

Your wish is our command!

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

"Happy birthday, Daddy.."

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

"Happy birthday, Mommy.."

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

You'd walk around singing..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

Like it's ours.. But well..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

That's how we feel, too..

Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas, Philippines

Just having you!

Bruno's Barbers, Ayala the 30th

And oh.. You also had your first barber's haircut!

We love you, Lance Oliver.
Happy birthday!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy


-----------------------------------

Restaurant - Balay Dako, Tagaytay
Accommodation - Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Singapore - 100 Places With Lance


Because there's so much to do in Singapore..

And spending time with our 2-year-old son has become our utmost priority.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore
Photography by Marc Manalastas

Lance, how happy are you?

"So much, so much, so much!"

---------------------------------------------


Slides of all kinds!

"Many playgrounds. Go next time."

Admiralty Park Playground

Admiralty Park Playground
Address: 31 Riverside Road, Singapore 730000


See fighter jets up close.

"Me climb up fighter airplane too loud."

Air Force Museum Singapore

Air Force Museum Singapore
Address: 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234

3. ArtScience Museum

Specifically the Future World exhibit.

Because it is interactive and meant for kids.

ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands

ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974


Aside from the usuals of a nice reservoir park..

The Forest Adventure obstacle course is also there..
For children 5 years old and above.

Bedok Reservoir Park

Bedok Reservoir Park
Address: Along Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore


A Mangrove trail good for spotting birds, lizards, and squirrels..

That continues to a boardwalk with fantastic views of the Keppel Harbour and Sentosa Island.

Just behind the Labrador Park MRT Station. 

Don't forget your insect repellant.

Berlayer Creek

Bukit Chermin Boardwalk
Address: 701 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 109029

6. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Big, well landscaped, and full of happenings..

With a bunch of children's play areas and nice restaurants.

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Address: 1378 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569981

7. Bollywood Veggies

A lovely farm at the Kranji Countryside.

Their Poison Ivy Bistro is good for a homely lunch.

Bollywood Veggies

Bollywood Veggies
Address: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026

8. Brunches Cafe

Old barrels and vintage cars turned into seats..
Retro chic feel.

Brunches Cafe Rangoon Road Singapore

Brunches Cafe Rangoon Road Singapore
Address: 96 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218381


A great playground both indoors and outdoors..
Though a bit pricey.

Buds By Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

Buds By Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350


Stunning views of the quarry.. especially on a sunny day.

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Bukit Batok Nature Park
Address: Corner Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 and Bukit Batok East Avenue 6, Singapore 659761


Different from the "nature" park above, this one is close to Bukit Gombak MRT Station.

Known as Little Guilin by the locals because it looks similar to that of Guilin in China.

"Bye bye Dragonflies!"

Little Guilin - Bukit Batok Town Park

Little Guilin - Bukit Batok Town Park
Address: Bukit Batok East Ave 5, Singapore 650242


Open House is only every Saturday from 9am to 11am.

"See fireman. Hose. Driving fire truck vroom vroom. Ride ambulance."

Central Fire Station Open House Singapore

Central Fire Station Open House Singapore
Address: 62 Hill St, Singapore 179367


You can watch airplanes fly or butterflies..

Or do just anything.. because it is Changi Airport.

Changi Airport Singapore

Changi Airport Singapore
Address: Changi Airport Terminal 1, 80 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819642


So pretty, peaceful and serene..

"Sit there, me, Mommy. Finding turtle, me."

Chinese Garden Singapore

Japanese Garden Singapore
Address: 1 Chinese Garden Road, Singapore 619795


Turning valves. Listening to old telephones. Spraying water on fire.

He enjoyed riding the old fire truck so much, he wouldn't leave.

Civil Defence Heritage Gallery Singapore

Civil Defense Heritage Gallery
Address: 62 Hill St, Singapore 179367


Tree house, Hanging bridge, Building blocks..
Dress up corner, Performance stage, Arts station..

A good variety of creative play.

Cool De Sac Suntec City

Cool De Sac Suntec City
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall #02-379/80, Singapore 038983


He was too young to manoeuvre the machines properly but still enjoyed it.. 
As much as his dad!

Diggersite Singapore

Diggersite Singapore
Address: Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-348/349 (East Wing), Singapore 038983


Always our favourite for cycling, sand play, watching airplanes, and fresh air.

East Coast Park Singapore

East Coast Park Singapore
Address: East Coast Park Service Road, Singapore 449876


Expectation: Lance doing arts and crafts.

Reality: Lance playing with his transformers car.

EatPlayLove Cafe Aliwal Arts Centre Singapore

EatPlayLove Cafe Aliwal Arts Centre Singapore
Address: 28 Aliwal Street #01-07, Aliwal Arts Centre, Singapore 199918

20. Esplanade

Lots to do here..

"Watching boats, fireworks. Watching bands singing ABC."

Free performances.. but they don't really sing ABC.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore, From Esplanade

Esplanade Theatres By The Bay Free Performance Singapore
Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981