Love thy neighbor

 the boys enjoying their drinks

with Anna, Cat, Loralee & Mikey


Just before we left for HK (HK na naman)
Our old neighbors and good friends, Raymond & Anna hosted an intimate dinner for their
friends
I miss having them next door
We had such a fun time living on the same floor that when I see their kids, I miss not seeing them (Stefano was the only baby then) do their routines

I am just glad that these two know how to keep and nurture friendships.

Thanks for the wonderful dinner, guys!

Catch up soon!

Another surprise

sweet note from Anna & Raymond

Oh my gosh! I love this book!!!

For those who know me

You know how I enjoy entertaining

and every process that goes with it

So when my old neighbor and good friend, Anna Palabyab-Rufino

was planning her baptismal party for her second son

I volunteered to help

And what's more, the event will be at Enderun

so food was taken care of

Fast forward to today

I was quietly decorating for Christmas

Got a text from Anna asking if I was home

and that her driver's on the way to bring something

She also thoughtfully asked how my eldest was

since he has sore eyes

and Anna's a doctor

To my surprise

when I saw their gift, I literally got teary eyed!

I love entertaining and love books about it

During our preparation for the baptism

I was telling her how I came up with the idea of a kris kringle

with my biological family

and my wishlist is this book

To cut the story short, what started as my idea

turned out to be a gazillion other ideas from my family (yea, we're all opinionated)

So we just decided not to do kris kringle since everyone wanted their way

My kids then were planning to give me this

when they saw it, they're like, Mom, what will we give you now? haha

Thank you, Anna & Raymond

and though you shouldn't really have 'cause I wanted to do it for Francesco

I am grateful and appreciative

Receiving books is on top of my wishlist

you open the gift over and over again

and remember the giver and your relationship

everytime you do

What can I say

despite us not being neighbors anymore

We're still always there for each other.

Congratulations on a lovely event and an even lovelier gift of family!

They still keep coming!

When I got home today from lunch at Anna's
Guard gave me a gift from Hindy
She wasn't able to make it to my party last Friday
But she still sent her gift
Thanks much, Hinds!

Anna also gave me a gift for our kitchen
and a souvenir from their last trip to Shanghai
Awww, you guys!!!

I already feel so special
You guys can't help it, huh? haha

Thank you, thank you, thank you

How can I not love getting older?

My lunch date

Anna with cute Stefano

by their poolside

Had lunch today at the lovely home of Anna & Raymond

We used to be neighbors but then we moved out a couple of months apart

Though we still live close to each other , it's not like before where we practically

go to each other's homes in our houseclothes and hang out

If anyone thinks of something to share , the other's door is open

Every morning, we await for Stefano's trip to the poolside

Our whole family saw him as a newborn and am so amused that he can now talk

Though not geographically as close as before

Our bond has gotten closer now

I guess distance does make the heart grow fonder

Their families know us

We know their families, both sides

Like in my last post

I feel really blessed to have such friends

who fill my life with so much warmth and love

Thanks for the awesome company today

It was lovely!