Party's Over!

Finally Chevonne's first birtday party is over!

It has been really a lot of work.

We went to our aunt's house at about 2 pm to start doing up the hall. We blew up plenty of balloons. Some were pasted to the wall, some were tied to sticks which are to be given away to the kids. To make the room more attractive, we hang pink and blue streamers all around the hall. We also hang a banner that says "Happy 1st Birthday" on the wall from one end to another. On the ceilings, we attached some fancy springy decor to fill up the space framed by the streamers. It took me and my hubby about 1 and a half hour to get it done.

...Each and every guest that I have invited are important and special in their own ways...

Guests started to trickle in at about 5.30 pm. The first being my ex-colleague. Even though she had an appointment with her sis later, she still took the trouble to come by for a while. I really appreciate such thoughtfulness, especially after I had received numerous smses from my friends, saying that they couldn't come after all. I must say it is quite a disappoinment to hear that they couldn't come at the eleventh hour. Each and every guest that I have invited are important and special in their own ways. So, to me, this is one of the rare opportunities for me to gather and catch up with them and I really look forward to it.

Anyhow, as more faces show up, my mood began to lighten up. The more disappointment I have felt earlier, makes me appreciate those who came even more. It is a weekday, though next day is Good Fri, I do understand it is kind of rush for them to come here after work. It is even more troublesome for those who have to rush to pick up their kids from home before they could make their way here. That's why I am really thankful to all my friends who came despite their busy schedule and the trouble they have to take.

During the party, something amusing happened. An old friend of mine came to the party along with her two daughters. This was the first time Chevonne met the girls. Before the girls could get to know her or warmed up to her, my little darling actually went up and bear hugged the older girl who was about 3 yrs old. My friend's daughter was so surprised and did not what to do with this little fella, whom she barely knows, hugging her so tightly... and for quite some time! So she just stood there, still like a stone, and let my darling hugged as long as she likes. While she was looking all confused and uncomfortable, Chevonne looked as if she is happily hugging a teddy bear. All of us, in seeing this, couldn't stop laughing.

...Chevonne looked as if she is happily hugging a teddy bear...

In the middle of the party, I am surprised to see a group of 20 juveniles turning up at my party. I do not know them at all. Later I found out that they are my hubby's cousin's friends. (Yes, no mistake here... they are indeed his cousin's friends but that does not mean my hubby is a teenager...haha..My hubby is much older than his cousin, whose mother had him much later.)Even though we are shocked to see a huge group of strangers popping out from nowhere, I am glad that they are there. Due to high absenteeism, there would be a lot of food leftover and wasted if not for them.

At about 9 pm, some of my guests are about to leave. So we decided to cut the cake before we are stuck with a 5 kg cake. The cake we got is from Four Leaves. It is a blackforest cake in bright pink color and has cute animals on a train made of icing sugar. To my surprise, the adults and kids alike went wow as they saw the cake. Especially the kids, they were so excited and smitten with the cute figurines. :)

Before we sang the birthday song, we put a cute pink cone-shaped hat on Chevonne that says "I'm One!" and sat her in the high chair in front of the cake and everyone gathers round the table before her. When we started to sing the song, she looked so surprised and blur! But she happily clapping away, when we started to applaud as the song ends.

After the cake is done at about 10 pm, guests began to leave. For every kid that come/ did not come, they are given a goodie bag filled with candies. Hope they liked what I have packed in there.

After all the guests have left, we continued to be busy until 11.30 pm. When we reached home, Chevonne, me and my hubby were completely knocked out. We slept like dead logs until 11 am today! :P

Thank goodness I have my parent-in-laws, and my hubby's 2 aunties to help out. If not for these extra hands, my hubby and I would be completely knocked out after the party, and won't be awake until 3 days later. :D

...The least we can do, as parents, is to make it as memorable as possible for our little darlings...

It is really very tiring but it is all worthwhile. After all, 1st birthday is one of the biggest moments in anyone's life. The least we can do, as parents, is to make it as memorable as possible for our little darlings. Luckily such big moments are not many and do not happen year after year! I couldn't imagine myself doing all these all the time! I will be dead tired.... and broke! ;)