birthday boy

This was meant to be a weekend love post. Seeing as it's now THURSDAY, seems a bit silly to call it that..

While he showed no sign of noticing, Eliot's birthday was a little disjointed. Hubby had been working interstate for a week and arrived home mid morning - almost to the minute when our boy had arrived into the world, two whole years ago. Then in the afternoon Ruby went off to a friend's birthday party - whose invitation had already been accepted before I even noticed it was on Eliot's birthday. I'm totally in the running for Mother of the Year.

He woke (far too early thanks to his sister) to a lounge room floor full of balloons, and a little pile of lovely presents. He wore his big brother's recycled birthday crown (mama was too exhausted to create another) as we shared pancakes with homemade honey - his favourite - and waited for daddy to arrive home, bearing more gifts from the Apple Isle. It was another hot one in Melbourne so it was mostly quiet afternoon play in the cool of the air conditioner, with pizza for dinner and a two-two train cake for dessert. I was less than impressed with my efforts for his first birthday cake last year. You see, on the day of his party last year we had Tim come in the morning, and then had the party in the afternoon. Instead of holding his party the day after Tim was to come, I thought it a good - and perhaps noble - idea to have these two huge events on the same day, in order to save family having to travel over to our side of the city, twice in two days. Sometimes it is completely necessary to ignore all noble instincts and THINK ONLY OF YOURSELF. Lesson learnt (always the bloody hard way, yes?!). It was too much in one day. Just too much. Something I had waited so long for suffered (through nobody's fault but my own) and Eliot's poor cake suffered too. Like a cake is that important.. but it is to me. I love to make an effort for the kids because they love it so. And my mum did the very same for us when we were children. Getting to choose our cake out of the Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book every year. Hello Memory Lane.

He's all about the traaaaaaiiiiins at the moment, so I got to do my very first train cake, on a number two shaped track. Simple to construct and fun to put together. As I brought it to the table, his little eyes lit up like firecrackers as he squealed 'trrrrrraaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiin'. We lit the candles, over and over again, the kids picked at the carriage loot and filled the remaining gaps in their bellies with delicious cake. More cake was devoured for breakfast the following morning. As it should be.

the party

{My motivation has taken holidays, just like kindy. I loathe letting things drag on and I get angry at myself for letting it happen. These photos should have been here a week ago but life got in the way. I hate when that happens.}

I took a chance with the weather when we decided to have Ruby's party at a park. I wasn't comfortable having that many people in my home that weren't family. Come Wednesday before the party, I had to make a decision whether we needed a contingency plan. Weatherman was consulted, prayers were said - cloudy with possible showers (1-5mm) - I thought that was manageable. We left sunny, blue skies behind us as we drove away from home Sunday morning, and then drove into steady rain, ten minutes out from the park. Cue cold sweats, internal swearing at weatherman, more prayers..

We arrived at the park where the clouds parted and the sun shone warm, and bright. Dear God, THANKYOU!

My wonderful sister and her equally wonderful MIL met us early to help set up, pulling a giant number 5 in their wake. The bubbles were a hit. So were the oreo pops. Every adult commented on them and most mums asked how to make them. Pinterest is the bomb.

It really was a beautiful morning. Somehow I catered perfectly, usually I over do it and we are eating leftovers for the following few days. The kids played happily on the awesome, enclosed playground. They blew bubbles, and chased the giant ones coming out of the bubble machine. It was all too much for Cole who conked out while everyone was singing to the birthday girl. Dolly travelled perfectly to the park, next to me, wedged firmly into the front passenger seat. She was fabulous and so very, very delicious. I didn't get all the photos I wanted to, playing hostess and photographer just doesn't work.

We all left exhausted and happy. Birthday girl in particular. Mama grateful she spaced the smalls' birthdays out over the year so she can recover from parties..

I doubt he will read this, but I have to thank my darling hubby for all his help. He usually stays well away when I am in planning/baking/party mode so as not to get in the way. This time, he asked what I needed, and he did it. He stayed up with me till well after 1am the night before the party so he could pack the cars as much as possible so there would be little to do the following morning. He read lists, he crossed off tasks, he came back for more. And he didn't complain once. Thankyou my love! This one wouldn't have been done without you xx

*images 9, 10, 11, 12 and 17 courtesy of my sister

the party prep
invitations