Front Office team Christmas Party!

Department celebration we always look up to! No sleep at all from the party, games, booze, food!!!

The yearly celebration of our department which serves as farewell to our one and only bossing. ---- FOM Edgar! :( Tweet

Bellevue Beach Christmas Party

As one of the organizers for this event I am very proud to present another video (compilation of photos) from our Christmas Party. It was a fun night full of booze, food, and prizes.

Congratulations to all the winners of the dance presentation the Food and Beverage Service, Sales and Front Office Departments. As well as to our Mr. Kilabots of the night! :) Of course for those who participated and give their best shot for the competition we all deserve a tap on the back and a big round of applause. :)

To all our bosses from the whole Chan family and to all who helped the BIGKIS team to coordinate the event, the banquet staff, the stewarding and housekeeping personnel, the HR department, the emcees and a lot more to name. :) I am very grateful to be part of the BIGKIS family and another year of service. More fun! More development! More activities! More bonding! :)

KUDOS BIGKIS TEAM!

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The hOLiDAys

Christmas and New Year is definitely the longest holidays we can have every year! As for me and my other colleagues...we don't have long holidays instead we work most at these times. As much as I wanted to spend more time with my friends and families on holidays this is the career I chose and it's part of being in a service-oriented industry.

Well somehow I spent my Christmas eve and New Year's eve with my family and just a simple gathering since it's just the three of us left here. And now, here are videos (photo collection) at home and at work. :)

Happy Holidays and ENJOY watching the videos. :)

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NEVER run out of time with OLD FRIENDS!

"Ang biglaang lakad natutuloy...ang planado ASA KA PA!"

Before I went to work I GM my friends about a dinner that would happen that night. No location, no time just an invite...then comes what's next! FIX SCHEDULE! 

The funny thing is we are somehow complete despite the fact that we do work on separate departments, has different shifts, some are not working at the hotel anymore and yet...we managed to meet up! A simple dinner at Gilligan's ATC then followed by a coffee and tea time at Starbucks' Molito. 

We are definitely aging...before we used to hang out every after work of 11pm. Stay at either Molokai or whatever names of the bars in Festival, then stay up late until 4 or 5am. That was our bonding before and now??? DINNER and COFFE/TEA! So mababait the old friends.

Well OLD FRIENDS will be useless if we don't have Chris with us. Why? Because he's the oldest hahahaha!!! Kidding aside, it was a fun night! Good times always with them! 

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Care to Share - BIGKIS Project :)

As we are about to end the year 2012, our BIGKIS team with the help of our Bellevue family conducted a project to help a day care center. The usual projects of the past BIGKIS team is to help the Marilac foundation and to help more people we decided to help the little ones and the mostly in need people.

We had an ocular of the day care center located in Brgy. Katarungan, Muntinlupa City. I'd be honest, I was so impressed with the teacher. How she managed to teach in the small classroom, how it looks so hot in the room and yet she can still stay calm. She has the real dedication of teaching and even though she earns a little from it she never gave up on teaching these little ones.

Upon arrival we were greeted by the kids and they performed a song number for us. We then feed them with the food we have of spaghetti and chicken together with their parents. Then we gave them their gifts of slippers and coloring materials, big books for story telling and the one the teacher requested is the gas stove that they needed and we also include some pans for cooking.

It has always my passion to be with kids, and I'd be honest to be a pre-school teacher was also on my list. I remember my high school days where I was one of the leader in our Catholic groups, where we visit public schools and teach the students for about an hour. It was a drive for me to care for those children and up to now it always been my passion to be around the kids.

It has been those happy times where you see you've made people so happy. The happiest thing about it is that you've helped strangers and those strangers were actually cute little angels. :)

As a treat for us, we had lunch after at Max's, Festival mall and of course more projects to come! :) Tweet

Embarked Davao

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. 

The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before."

One of my favorite quotes. It definitely shows individuality and the idea that in order to live we must not follow but lead ourselves. 

As a celebrate my birthday I planned to go on trip, on my own. No plans at all and "we'll see" - those are my words. I booked a flight to Davao when I saw there's a promo fare. Why Davao? It's a place I've always wanted to visit, my family had the chance to visit it but I wasn't able to join them so I decided why not go on my own. Although I'm not literally on my own coz I visited my childhood best friend - Honemay.  It's a different turn for me, she usually visits me here in Manila and this time I'm the guest. The vacation was a real bonus. A treat from Balagtas family and I can say I am really blessed and thank you Papa God for that! :) 

From my round trip flights I'm on my own and on my own as no one beside me on the row of the plane. :)Upon arrival at the airport I am just so happy to see my best friend and her sister Ate Jap plus Tito Bong. :) We had dinner at their house, or shall I say I had dinner since I came from a late flight. Then we head out and had coffee at Blugre coffee house, here as a tourist I tasted their Durian Coffee. it's not that bad at all but what can I say it smells like durian hahaha. :D

Day 2 started as we woke up early in the morning. We took an car hire to take us to the places we wanted to see. I didn't make plans for this tour,  let them tour me although I researched on some of the places who's hot on spot in Davao. Here my best friend also discovered that I'm literally MASA - Masandal Tulog!

Our first stop is Eden Nature Park - we didin't get any guide to tour us the big park but we did it ourselves with the use of map. We walked through the butterfly garden, prayer garden, flower garden, and the other garden types plus the forest. We also tried the Indiana Jones :) For the others I recommend that you go on your own trip, no need to wait for the tram to take you on a trip so you could value your time much better. Unless, you can't really walk that far coz it's quite tiring too. 

Next stop is Malagos Garden Resort, just a little payment for the entrance fee but that wouldn't hurt your pocket. At this place it was a nice view but it could've been nicer if it's not raining when we visit it. They said that Davao's weather is somehow unpredictable, it rains and it shines both on the same day. 

Then we also visited the Japanese tunnel. Mind you these destinations are not close to each other and it does makes me fall asleep while on the road. :) After the historical tour of the tunnel we headed on to the Crocodile Park. We were on time when the animals were having their little program. I'm not really a pet/animal lover so enough of me to look at them but to touch or hold them not really me especially if their REPTILES! :D We went back home almost at night time, then we had a dinner at Coco's. It seems this is one of the famous restaurants in Davao. 

Day 3 in Davao is a relax day! We first went to Church then we prepared for our Samal Island get away. :) We on board a boat from Marco Polo to take us to Chema's - the resort we visited. Took a lot of pictures, ate a lot plus all good times for all of us. After dinner they took me to the highest peak in Davao, a place where we could see the city lights of Davao - The Peak. We had coffee and I definitely enjoyed the scenery, the cold weather and the bonding. 

Day 4 - my last day! This time it was just me and my best friend. We tour the cityscapes of Davao, ate on different stores - BLOATED again! Took a walk in the park, story telling, shopped for pasalubongs and pizza box for dinner. Then the time has come for me to depart Davao. 

A blessed journey for me and I will definitely be back. Special thanks to the family who took care of me, fed me and reminisced with me for 4 days and 4 nights - Balagtas Family. Thanks as well to my financers - my sisters who even if they are far from me they sent me monetary gifts! ;) 

Most especially thank you Papa God that I'm 24 and surrounded with great people, great friends, and an awesome family!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's 2013!!! Yes another year has ended and another year to enjoy! A lot to be thankful for and a lot to learn. Besides the usual dinner, wine toasting, fireworks that we do as a family which in fact it's just now the three of us, me and my parents, there's another tradition that my sisters and I do every New Year! We do our yearly predictions for the coming year. Well for now I don't want to call it as predictions and rather change it to FAITH GOALS! :) No resolutions to achieve just goals in life! 

It was nice reading it and laughing about it, some came true and some did not like to finish reading the bible, etc. but still it was nice to bond with my sisters the fact that were far from each other. I am done writing my faith goals for 2013 and it was again sealed and totally secured to be open on new year's eve of 2014. 

My 2013 Faith Goals

My 2012 Faith Goals

SEALED!!! 

January 1 is about to end and I might be able to post this past January 1 but still it's a new year to celebrate! A new time for schedule, more training to attend and more events to enlist my participation. I'm quite excited about this year I'm feeling the good and happy vibes. Well, last year I can totally remember how I cried when I found out about the...(never mind). I'm moving forward now and I guess it's always the right thing to do. So, no crying moments this new day and just plain, happy thoughts. 

I'm quite enjoying my writing for this post while eating my nachos + salsa c/o Jamie. I tell you guys it's definitely THE BEST! Anong sinabi ng salsa ng grocery store aber?! And I still don't know why she doesn't want to share her secret. So if you want to try it don't hesitate to contact me I'll tell her.

Also, I am worried about my outdated / pending posts to make and I am  only done from half of last year...so definitely more to come. 

To list them here they are:

Bohol Company Trip - Simulation

no plans at all last Aug 16

Corregidor Trip

Outreach for typhoon victims

Davao trip

Jen bid farewell

Road trip with steph

Aira's Bday

Outreach for day care center

Late nights - sky lantern

Old friends get together

Xmas event

FO xmas Party - bossing farewell

New Year's eve / day

HIGHLIGHTS of 2012

Although these are not the titles to be used, my creative, imaginative mind is not yet working but will aout to once I start about the topic itself. 

So I guess I better start writing again and editing my posts. I'll update clickthechique more often and hopefully no more pending posts. I know I'll be busy again with the upcoming TBH&R Xmas party on Jan 6 and more duties and responsibilities to come but still I'll balance my time just what LIBRANS are good at! ;) Hopefully I can finish all of this by 2nd or 3rd week of January. (cross fingers)

Once again, Happy 2013 to everyone and continue our happy vibes. 

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Family Together is Happy Together

The highlight of my life this year is having my family as a whole again. After 12 long years, we finally got our family picture once again. I am really looking forward to this. Last 2012, for 10 days my family became complete and it happened after 12 years, wherein two have their husbands, one engaged, left two single ladies, and all career-oriented woman.

It was a great bonding, having time to travel together and to reminisce about almost everything. Although it was again just a short time, from June 11-23, but still it was soo0oooo worth it.

Before, I'm always the baby, now baby damulag na hahaha...Bunsoy padin pero mas umaarti! Ate Jane always the bully and now girl na girl ang peg. Ate Rhea, as always, the pikon and kikay ate, and because of her beliefs di tuloy maka-arti especially with clothes :P. Ate Sheryl the baby girl of Daddy, ayun baby damulag nadin. Ate Nemia is still the ATE to all of us. It was so nice being with this girls and we miss each other so much.

I wonder when will this happen again, hopefully not another 12 years.

I won Tweet

Palawan : DIY Itinerary Day 4

Our last day. :(

Well all good things comes to an end but of course a happy ending for all of us. :)

On our last day, we had a good night sleep, no need to stress ourselves out to wake up early morning. We did packed our things and we headed at Ka Lui's Restaurant for lunch. Well as a reminder there should be a reservation for this restaurant and so, I called in for a reservation the night before. I wouldn't miss this restaurant.

Definitely a great place, it's so simple in and out. Feels like your in your own home. You have to remove your footwear upon entering and there you'll discover the great place. They have couches and tables that you can choose. they have good food and the ambiance itself is so relaxing. We were first to arrive in the restaurant and after a few minutes it's fully booked. Amazing, how a small place can be so popular.

After our lunch we went to Robinson's Place, to unwind and to relax for a few hours since Kuya Ruel is not feeling well, we just decided to roam around the mall. We waited until it's out time to depart the hotel. We went back and get our things then we depart at the airport around 5PM. A very tiring tour but the best part of it is that we're complete once again and we did had a lot of fun and whole new experiences. :)

I wonder when will this happen again, hopefully not again after 12 years. :(

Palawan DIY day 1

Palawan DIY day 2

Palawan DIY day 3




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Palawan : DIY Itinerary Day 3

DAY 3 for our Palawan Family trip. For our 3rd day, we woke up early morning had our packed breakfast with us and head on to our first stop - Underground River. :)

For a normal tour package of Underground River it would cost php1500 / head if we are 9 in total that would cost us around = php13500. But again budget wisely I became the tour agent for our family and for the total Underground River package it summed up to = php

Breakdown:

PHP 3000 - Van rental
PHP 1800 - Lunch buffet (9 persons)
PHP 1575 - Permit (175 / head)
PHP 1400 - Boat rental (700/boat - maximum of 6 persons only)
PHP 360 - Environmental fee (40/head)
PHP 27 - Wharfage dues for Port of Sabang (3/head)
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PHP 8162 - Total expenses
PHP 5338 - Total savings

In the Underground Tour it was really nice, of course I'm the busy person arranging all the necessary fees to be collected and then all the permits, etc. When we had our boat ride upon arriving at Sabang area, we were given helmets and life vest for safety then took some pictures everywhere.

The tour itself is very educational and I love how the tour guide shows different figures from the formed stalagmites and stalactites. Since I am not in my adventure attire I was not able to join my sisters in their zipline adventure. :( Too bad next time always be prepared, pinairal kasi ang kakikayan. :( But it's okay I spent time roaming around the area looking for some pasalubongs in their tiangge. :)

After my sisters' zipline adventure we ate at a nearby restaurant for buffet lunch and yes, we didn't pass the chance to taste their famous TAMILOK. Well it looks like a worm but it's not. It actually came from the mollusk family which is why it tasted like squid. Trying to be local again that's why I tasted it. :)

When we headed back to the hotel in the afternoon, I guess we were all tired, we had the chance to roam the city side my parents took a nap. We again had some snack at the hotel and some refreshments. After resting for a couple of hours, we're all recharged again and excited for a new trip. This time it's a night adventure. A time to learn and relax with the company of the fireflies. :)

The normal rate for a package of firefly watching in Iwahig would cost php1100/head with dinner or php900/without dinner. For us we rented Manong driver for php 1300 for a round trip tour to Iwahig. And our boat costs us php1800 for 3 boats.

EXPENSES:
PHP1800 - Boat ride for 45mins (600/boat good for 3 persons)
PHP1300 - Van rental
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PHP 3100 - Total expenses
PHP 5000 - Total Savings

We were grouped into 3, I am with the couple Ate Nemia and Kuya Ruel. This time I can still remember the name of our guide, - MARK GOMEZ. Thanks to my brother-in-law for reminding me that. It was indeed a solemn trip. The moment I needed, just to free my mind from the stress, the noise, it was a peaceful place. It was indeed romantic for me being the third wheel for the couple but who would've thought that it's the other way around. My sister and brother turned out to be chaperons ..hahahah :) Mark has a really good voice! Grabe parang DJ, pwede na nga ako makatulog eh. He gave us so many info about the fireflies, the stars, the constellations, the trees, the nature, everything was new to us. It was also my first time to see a satellite, sobrang ganda talaga nung place and I wanted to go back knowing I'd have a peace of mind.

Anyway, we all did learn and I don't want to spill it all out here, kasi nga sayang mawawala yung thrill and excitement nyu about what the place could offer. It's always better to experience it by yourselves and that's why I'm promoting it! :) At dahil guarded ako ni Kuya Ruel, super sumbong kay na Daddy, good thing Daddy is on my side hahaha :) Super asar talo na naman ako sa pagiging bully nila but of course it was all for fun.

Well after our Iwahig tour we are to have dinner. We're all hungry and yet our brains were very much bloated with the information we learned. :) We went to Badjao restaurant to discover their great food to offer and great location. In our dismay it's their closing time. :( One good restaurant I missed. :( Anyway, since the couples hadn't tried the Kinabuch's restaurant we went there for dinner. This time we're in a larger group and there was a band playing. A good dinner for all of us and again story telling about the things we did during the whole day. :)


Palawan DIY day 1

Palawan DIY day 2

Palawan DIY day 4


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Palawan : DIY Itinerary Day 2

Our second day is the start of the Complete Family Get Away! 

The couples have arrived early morning. We then took the van to take us to Island Hopping which cost us php1300 / round trip  but first we made a stopover at the PPUR office to purchase a permit for our Underground Tour which to be held on our 3rd day. it costs us php175/head for adults. We also passed by a small store to have a rental gear for snorkeling. 

Our Honda Bay tour started by registering at their counter office. Since I am doing this on my own I need to know the entrance fee per island as well.

Expenses:

PHP 2250 - boat hire - this would depend on the # of passengers and islands to visit 

PHP 27 - Terminal fee (php3 / head)

PHP 12 - Entrance fee

PHP 360 - Environmental fee (php40 / head)

PHP 1800 - Lunch (php150-200 / head)

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PHP 4449 - Total for 9 Persons instead of PHP12060 (9 persons) 

The usual rate for Island Hopping amounts to PHP1340 / head. 

PHP 7611 - Saved amount :)

Upon arriving at Panay Island our first stop, we ordered for some lunch to eat since we were soo0ooo hungry. Of course took a lot of pictures, and roam around the island. Next stop, we visited Starfish Island. Although we only saw few starfish and the great thing is that we enjoyed snorkeling. We were in the sea and just chatting with one another when we noticed we were too far from the shore. So we hurriedly swim back there's this really funny moment with Ate Nemia and every time we reminisce we can't stop laughing at her. So to her frantic attempts to swim back, she lost the goggles and yes as a result we paid php1500 in replacement of the goggles. :( After Starfish island we passed by Luli Island which is known to be "Lulubog - Lilitaw". 

Before going back to the hotel after our Honda Bay Island hopping tour, we passed by Robinson's Place. My sister Sheryl needs to buy a pair of contact lenses, I think she lost the other half while she was enjoying her time in the sea.

We headed back to the hotel for a quick rest and enjoyed some pancit that we had for Snack at the rooftop of the hotel. :) For dinner we went to Balay Chicken Inato. They offered great food and the best part of that night is we laugh and laugh and laugh at our silly acts. We even reminisce our childhood days and we just kept laughing all night. It was the best night for me on our tour. No worries, no hassles just a family enjoying time with another. 

Since we had a big room in the hotel for 3 queen size bed and a single bed good for 7 people, we decided to be altogether. The husbands of my sisters took the other room. So it seems that we were all single that night, just spending  the night in a room with our parents, taking pictures and peacefully having our sleep. 

Palawan DIY day 1

Palawan DIY day 3

Palawan DIY day 4

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Palawan - DIY Itinerary - DAY1

Palawan trip! Another first time and what excites me the most about this trip is we are complete as a whole family with all my sisters from abroad and my brother-in-laws. The great thing about this trip is we're in a large number means the MORE the MERRIER! This might be a very long blog since I'll be posting pictures as well as the itinerary I made for us. YES! I had to do it on my own. DIY ITIN nga eh! Lumabas na naman ang pagiging metikoloso ko sa paggawa ng itinerary. Of course for this one it should be great and memorable even though not perfect but close to being one. 

The night before our trip I was so exhausted. I came from work with sleepless nights from the past travels I had (Bacolod and Singapore), packed my things and also stayed up late. They we're all sleeping in the room and I am in the sala with my netbook partner to search on the different places to visit. PROCRASTINATION! Yeap! The right term! Cramming to the maximum level as in, with only 1 hour of sleep and then my alarm goes on! Shocks!!! Ayokong maging Home Alone the Movie mala - Kevin kaya I have to prepare even though my eyes were dropping. Kapagod kaya - MASA padin. MASAndal TULOG!

The one thing I could not forget, sa plane pa lang kasi good vibes na! Upon reaching Palawan we are to depart the plane, with the queue of getting out of the plane you could somehow see different people and the one guy I saw was my ULTIMATE COLLEGE CRUSH! - Luis Del Rio (name drop na 'to, I don't think he would know naman) Grabe! Akalain mo, of all people, of all the places, I saw him. he's the guy na sobrang torpe ako hahaha. Yup, natotorpe din ako pag crush ko talaga pag hindi kiber lang! :) He's a flight attendant of PAL! Kala ko pa naman he'll be a doctor, pero he's so0oooo gwapo padin and siyempre torpe padin ako, I put on my shades and didn't even said hi to him! Tiklop talaga ako! REGRETFUL Moment na naman but still sobrang kilig na ko wala naman nangyari hahaha...Nakakatawa lang talaga pag naaalala ko coz I was so thrilled, the last time I saw him was Baccalaureate Mass pa namin and that's it! 

Well let's get back to business. :)  My checklist has always been my travel companion. Different kind of checklists...

Things to bring (/)

Things to wear (/)

Travel Docs (/)

Memoirs (/)

ITINERARY (/)

BRAIN (/) - COMMON SENSE 

On our first day, it was only the single ladies with our parents. The couples were to follow the next day. Upon arrival at the airport, the usual process, check-in, etc. I feel so good at this hahaha..feeling expert, hayaan nyu na...FEELINGERA ako eh. :)

While waiting for our luggage at the carousel I was browsing some contact info from the brochures at the airport. I immediately took one number to call for van rental. And then to meet up with the driver to bring us to our Hotel. We chose Marianne Inn for the hotel, knowing me I would not waste my money on accommodations if I would only use it to sleep. It's a nice hotel but had some troubles about my booking pa lang, fully booked but then I already purchased my hotel voucher online. Anyway, medyo naging GUESTZILLA ako and I am so sorry for that. The reception area is small but enough to accommodate their guests. Tapos may mga naging mali pa sa choice of room haaay naku, uminit ang ulo ko but then all is well that ends well. The hotel staff are accommodating I just hope that they need to organize all their bookings para if they can't accommodate the guests requests then the guests can look for other available hotels.

Here's my ITINERARY for DAY 1:

I want to share this because it's the cheapest I could do and it'll be a good help for others planning to have their own itinerary with their own budget. But of course I recommend this for group travelers, I think it'll be more wise to use a package if you wanted to be safe on travelling alone or just with a partner.

While waiting for our room to be ready I am negotiating for a van rental. Usually a city tour package would amount to php600/person. Well what I did, we left the hotel visited one of the famous restaurants called "Balinsasayaw", here you should try their pineapple rice and balinsasayaw soup. If you're trying to be local you should try what's their to offers. :)

Around 2PM, I asked the driver whom I am truly sorry for forgetting his name, to pick us up at the Balinsasayaw restaurant to proceed with the tour. The van rental for us costs 1500 for a city tour of 4 hours. Imagine that. We are five persons, if we took on the city tour package amounting to php600/pax we could've wasted a lot more money rather than spending only half of it. :)

Here's the spot we visited during our City Tour:
Crocodile Farm
Mitra's Ranch
Baker's Hill
Binuatan Weaving Creations
Cathedral and Plaza Quartel
Butterfly Garden

After our City Tour which lasted for 4 hours to be exact, we head back to the hotel and refreshed ourselves then prepared for dinner. This time another famous local restaurant --- Kinabuch's :) It's a good place to hang out, they have some sports bar and some bands playing too. A good place to chill. I didn't taste here the famous Tamilok but instead some good food to eat. :)

A have to update some photos since may magaling na tamad na sister wouldn't want to upload her big files of photos yet. Super pending. So I guess I'll just be posting some pixies here and not all...but I'll keep it posted!


Palawan DIY day 2

Palawan DIY day 3

Palawan DIY day 4 Tweet

Eat and Run and Sing

Another treat to celebrate!


One of our most loved guest, Mr. George Lim is about to leave soon and he's been in the hotel for the past 3years. As a farewell treat from him, we had dinner at Bubba Gump located at Greenbelt Makati and after that one of the things that unite the FO family is that we love to sing...other than eat. ;)
And don't mind us if we were not that good singers we just loved too! So we head straight to Music 21 at Makati. FUN LATE NIGHT!

The funny thing was, Ms. Glennis had a text brigade with a DRESS to KILL code. 

Looks like I'm the one in dress mode only! hahahahah... :P

EAT

I enjoyed having dinner here, the fact that it was mostly my part of the story telling about our trip in Bacolod. Also, the crew gave us some games about the restaurant or the movie Forrest Gump and if we have three correct answers then we'll get a treat from them - which we did! ICE CREAM!

 Looks so0oooo YUMMY! Happy TUMMY! 

We even saw the kid of one of our guests. :) He's so0ooo adorable! And an ice cream treat for all the trivia they gave and we answered correctly. 

SING at Music 21

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