Lucas: One!

We had originally planned on skipping birthday parties for Lucas, until he comes of age to more appreciate it (or to demand it).  But guilt got the better of us.  Matt had parties since 1.  So we wanted to play "fair".

So we had it intimate.  Well, as intimate as we could.  A small get-together of close friends' little babies, capping the age at 2.  This is so it would seem more like a party for Lucas and not for Matt!

Truth be told, I enjoy planning parties for my kids.  I love to DIY the gift packs, design the invite, choose a cake, and work everything within a budget.  Of utmost importance is that the kids are happy, and our guests have good food (and hence, happy!)

I get most of my ideas from internet.  Some, I steal outright but tweak it to what I need.

The invite.  There are many interesting fonts that you can download for free from internet that makes the invite looks good. The one I used is called "Pea Stylist" and even comes with some cute animals. Google "pea fonts"

I had a freehand in choosing a theme since Lucas hasn't quite shown a preference for anything in particular, so I settled for something simple.  Polka dots.  That naturally meant that I got my usual cake supplier, Room for Dessert, to do up a polka dot cake.  Debbie makes the yummiest chocolate cake (her carrot cake is our favourite, too, but since it was a kids' party, thought they'd take better to chocolate).

Gift packs to make little kids happy.  Daiso is my favourite stop to hunt for nice thank you gifts.  Got the little girls tea sets and boys drawing boards.  Daiso is also the best place to get plain paper bags to put the gifts in.  4 pieces for $1.99 compared to the posh shops which sell 1 piece for $1.99, or possibly even more!  They often run out the moment they stock up, so get yours early if you spot them.  Popular bookshop is another place I frequent to get gift pack fillers, in this case, I got a little book for each one of them.  I like personalizing the gift packs, kids feel happy to identify their names on the packs (well, not yet for babies, but I do it anyway).

     

I do not like catering food because most of the time, it ain't that nice, and it's also hard to cater when the party is small (most require a minimum of 25 pax).  So I have a few food ideas that I rotate around the various parties over the years.  This time round, it is the famous Tian Tian chicken rice.  A hit with kids, and who doesn't like chicken rice?!

Oh of course, toys to keep the kids occupied and happy.  I usually rent one big toy, and some smaller supporting ones so the main toy doesn't get too crowded.  Some kids also prefer to play quietly by the side and not jostle with the crowd.

Lucas was very happy at the party.  Not the first time he was with so many other kids, but this was one he was happiest at.  Maybe it was the combination of a good nap and full tummy .. Am glad I did this little celebration for him.  Till the next one few years down the road ... maybe when he is 3 or 4 ... Happy birthday, Lucas baby!

The Calm Before The Storm

For the last few months, I felt like I was on a super train chugging non-stop.

Up and down trips to KL because mom AND dad were not well.  Hubby traveling almost every other week for long stretches INCLUDING weekends. Matt suffering from bout of nasty gastric flu almost requiring hospitalization.  Even my day-to-day living was dramatic: would you believe it, a snake in my backyard!  And I was home alone for days on end with hubs away in the army.

And here I am.  Knackered, but doing okay.  Parents are as good as can be.

In all that buzz, we managed to hold a small little do for Lucas, who, in a blink of an eye, turned one!  We also sold our place, AND bought a new one.  Don't know how we did it, but it happened.

Oh yeah, you guessed right.  More crazy busy days ahead with renovation.  And moving.  Twice! *shudder*

Well, one at a time.

And for now, I just want to enjoy things at standstill, for however long they last.

Should I Persevere?

I haven't blogged like ... forever.  I thought a lot about shutting down the blog.  But a large part of me wants to continue blogging and documenting my life with my kids, especially the good stuff.  Primarily a happy place filled with things and pictures to remind me that they are first and foremost blessings in my life when years down the road they do things that royally piss me off.

:)

So I shall attempt my utmost best to continue.