Uncle Nooj's whirlwind Manila adventure – Part 1

Uncle Nooj went to Hong Kong for work and was able to swing by Manila for a weekend.  We’re pretty lucky to have a brother in law and uncle who flies over to see us. From the minue he arrived Adam was obsessed! He wanted to sit on Uncle Nooj’s lap, he wanted only Uncle Nooj to push his stroller, he wanted Uncle Nooj to read him books.  It was pretty sweet to watch.

Day one: Randy and I picked Uncle Nooj up from the airport and we headed home.  Adam was so excited to see him. He showed Uncle Nooj every room in the house, even the bathrooms.  Uncle Nooj was a good sport and took the full tour.  Then it was present time.

Aunt Das and Uncle Nooj are always way too generous (as are all our family members).  For Malcolm they got him a walker.  For a little boy who is just beginning to take steps and likes it, this is the perfect present.  He’s usually a good shared (a result of having toys constantly ‘borrowed’ from him by his big brother) but when he took this down to the playground he refused to let anyone else have a turn.   This makes me laugh as I love seeing Malcolm become more of a little boy who knows what he wants!

For Adam it was an awesome firehouse that he (and Malcolm) love. He spent all weekend with Uncle Nooj the firemen under the fire truck and Adam the fireman driving the truck.  We encourage all creative play in the Ali house!

Then it was bath and bedtime for the boys and the adults headed out.  We went to a yummy dinner at a new place- Stockton Place.

Followed by drinks at a speakeasy around the corner called Blind Pig. Both were a big success. I always get nervous when Aunt Das and Uncle Nooj come to town. Living in NY these two are surrounded by the best food is everywhere.  Randy and I talk and plan where to take these two for weeks leading up to their visit and we’re always happy when they leave impressed with Manila. While Manila has more than her fair share of terrible restaurants there are some hidden gems.

The next morning pool was the only item on the agenda.  When I say Adam stayed GLUED to Uncle Nooj, I wasn’t kidding.

After the pool all the under 4 crowd and lady headed for a nap while the boys went for some golf/ After golf, naps and showers it was time for dinner.  Being Valentines Day there were limited restaurant options so we went for an early dinner to our new favorite, Hungry Hound (let me just take a moment to apologize to those couples on romantic Valentines dates who got to sit next to us).

Looking back at my photos from the night it’s clear who the star of dinner was.  Everyone wanted to sit next to, on top of, under, anywhere near Uncle Nooj.