Happy First Birthday Reign Malaya

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Over the past year, our little preemie has hit many milestones in his lifetime. From the time he conquered keeping his own temperature which allowed him to go home with us after two weeks in the NICU, we celebrated every little progress of Reign’s development. And today, the first tooth that popped up has become 8 little ones that completes his charming smile, his grunts and babbles are now calls to “Papa” and “Mama”. He’s been crawling up a whole flight of stairs since he was 10 months and he even surprised us with walking unsupported a few weeks before he hit one year old.

So it’s just fitting we celebrate his first year big time with of our friends and family!

On Sunday, April 14, a few days short of his real birthday on the 17th, Chateau Ritz in Niles turned into a colorful mini circus carnival for our very own little Ringmaster and his friends, complete with a costume parade and a cake smash that he and along with his audience thoroughly enjoyed.

Happy birthday to our little big boy, Reign Malaya!

Ringmaster Reign gets ready to face his audience as he prepares for his first public walking act!

Birthday boy can’t wait to take a bite of his circus cake while the Papa Baron leads the band and everyone into singing the Happy Birthday song.

Big Boy Reign enjoying his cake smash while Mama Louella and Papa Baron pose for some shots.

Aunt Nora came by to show the kids some magic tricks and twist up some balloon creations.

The “best” group picture we can find with all the kids at Reign’s party

Ninang (Godmother) Lee flew in with wife Carmen from Los Angeles to join the celebration. With them in picture are SWAT cop, EJ and Benjamin

Arana family comes in full costume. Ninang (Godmother) Chica in 50s outfit, five year old EJ as a SWAT cop, Aiden as a Little Pirate and Dad Edric as the T-Rex (for a brief appearance at the costume parade at the beginning).

Friends from all over (clockwise from Top left) Erwin Martin V, James DC, parents of the birthday celebrant Baron and Louella, Clarisse Purvis, Divya and Jaidev Mulakkal with son, Ankit Saxena and Simna Soman.

The Band SamaSama Project entertains the grown up guests with “Reign’s Favorite songs” including some classic Queen songs .

Kids lining up for Carnival treats including Cotton Candy served by dad Levi Aliposa.

Reign with Cousins EJ and Aiden Arana.

The Cabalonas getting ready to party Circus Carnival style!

Family of friends – The Cabalonas, (Top fr L) Baron, Reign and Louella with Emily, Eloise and John Kniker, Max Castillo and Matt Arceo, (Bottom fr L) Ves, Angel and Arlou Dia.