Week 211 and Week 123.5 - Hard Rock Easter Brunch

You would think that someone is paying me to write about this brunch we just had at Hard Rock last week as it is about to be a glowing recommendation.  

After some cajoling I convinced Matt that we should do something for Easter (not that it is something that we have ever really celebrated, but I suppose I was having a 'keeping up with the Joneses' moment).  

We got there early (it starts at 10 but we got there at 11 and they were still setting up the buffet) It had the typical American fare of Hard Rock, including potato skins (is that what they are called?  The potatoes with cheese and bacon on them) and roast turkey and roast beef and mini burgers made to order.  There was free flow beer and pseudo champagne and a live jazz band.  There was popcorn and french fries for the kids, as well as a chocolate fountain and Hard Rock burger flags in full force.  It was good that we got there early so the kids could eat something (even if that something was french fries) while watching my favorite '80's videos.  

But the best thing was the games and activities for the kids - no lack of friendly Filipino staff for each activity - so you could eat your mini burger in a microcosm of peace.

The girls did egg painting and guitar coloring.  There was a 'guess how many chocolates are in this jar' game that a waitress bewilderingly asked Sophia to do.  Here is where we learned Sophia loved to paint!  The girls started with painting eggs and I did not even realize she could hold a brush but she was a total natural.  The girls then went to color these electric guitar cut outs but Sophia went back to paint eggs (I think she painted 3).  The best part was she won 3rd runner up for painting eggs!  I am not sure if the staff was just tickled at how little yet enthusiastic she was at painting eggs (and the little egg cup that they came in).  She won a little Hard Rock cat that plays the guitar when you press a button on him.  Sophia was a champ - going on stage, taking her prize.  We were tickled by it all - especially her natural disposition in accepting all of this attention.  Charlotte would have been much more shy about going on stage.  It was super cool and made our day (though Charlotte was a bit jealous that she did not win a prize!).

Sophia has so much personality these days - We heard Sophia flushing the toilet. Matt went to investigate - and she was wiping her teddy bear's bum and flushing the paper down the toilet.

Sophia wakes up, walks to Yaya's room and says "I am not silly.  You silly!"

Here is Charlotte's invite for her party from last week:

Char at Ocean Club:

I like this picture:

Video watching:

Egg painting:

Guitar coloring:

Easter bunny:

Glitter tattoos:

I had to take a picture of this - Char chose the tattoo with the flaming skull!

Char is trying to get this tiger to ride the horse:

Sophia collecting her prize!

The winning egg!

This is a picture that is on Hard Rock's Facebook page - Sophia is an advertisement for them!

Here is a video from Char's birthday party - singing happy birthday!

Week 210 and Week 122.5 - Char's birthday party!

Ah, so things have slowed down which is good.  We are at the end of a short week (Good Friday is actually sort of a holiday here).  The weather is warm and glorious.  Maybe we can make it to the pool!

So a recap on Charlotte's birthday - we had a great party on Saturday.  We hired some entertainers to come in and do some games for the kids (pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, congo line train) and facepainting (which was a big hit - I don't ever recall getting my face painted ever.  We actually were going to do some balloon animals but Char insisted on facepainting).  Char was sort of a half participant in the games and things - I am not sure if she is still a tad too young or a tad too maverick for it all.  But boy does that girl love facepainting!  She is into all things makeup these days.  I bought her a Paul Frank Lip Smacker Kit (go ask my sister how much I love Paul Frank!  And Lip Smackers!) and she brought the bag to show her friends at school the next day and I saw her wearing the lip gloss on her way home from school!  The rest of her gift from us was a hodge podge of things - including two craft projects that I hope we can tackle while she is off school for the next week.

Auntie Anna made amazing food for us (spaghetti and friend rice and spring rolls and these fried chicken bits that were just to die for) and Auntie Veronica made an awesome cake for our dear Char.  Peppa Pig - and it was SO adorable (and filled with lemon cake and blueberries per Char's request - strange but cool as she does not like fresh fruit at ALL).

Sophia is so funny on the potty these days.  She will just sit on it for a long time, doing her 'long time' business, and just go about doing other things - watching TV, eating ice cream or raisins or candy... it is just another activity to multitask!

Other than that - the girls are sleeping pretty well at night - maybe one or both of them come into our room at night, maybe they don't - but if they come into our room they go to sleep straight away.  Matt is working nights a lot - but there is a small lull overall in the flurry of activity. And that is good.

Here is a cute picture Yaya took yesterday - Ben Ben Batman rescues the Drake Damsels in Distress!

Decorations for Char's party - she always says that she is 'starting' 4!

Who needs toys when you have cups?

Kate and Auntie Veronica:

Maira our entertainer:

Tony and Maira - dressed like the Mario Bros:

Char the tentative sliding princess:

Train:

Musical chairs:

Ben Ben was scared of the entertainers!

Sarah pins the tail on the donkey:

Maleah does too!

Aarian is a showboater!

Even Abby gets in on it!

Sarah and Tham were super game for anything!

And Aarian too!

Facepainting!

Birthday girl:

Talking shop:

Ben Ben:

Hannah:

Abby's cute and dirty feet!

Abby was so good sitting for her facepainting:

Aarian was a great sport all day (his second party of the day!):

Abby and Veronica:

Vit:

Reuben:

Sophia:

Peppa Pig Cake!

Sophia is trying to take over here:

Family shot:

Charlotte and Sophia are eating Peppa and George's bodies!

We also went to Maleah's party the next day (or should I call it an extravaganza?):  I like this shot of Char:

Bear ears for everyone!

Auntie Gwen keeping it all under control:

Maleah and her cake!

After party!

Actual birthday dinner at Hard Rock:

Our potty trained wonder:

Multi tasking - with TV face!