SHE turns 4

She was born during a FIFA World Cup (how can i forget Daddy watching 3 games that night while I played a very different game!) so of course every 4 years, the whole planet celebrates with her. Once more, for numerous reasons, i decided not to celebrate the event this year. And on this very quiet day, what do we wake up to: Australia has a new first ever female Prime Minister. Politics aside, this was a bit of history here. And of course, Uncle Lessan and Melissa (both of whom are right at the top of her list of 'Favourite People apart from parents') were here visiting. To top it off, there was a lovely family dinner that night at Mondona's beautiful home,  partly to celebrate my grandma's birthday (little did i know). So the VERY youngest and oldest members of the family got to share a birthday! Notice how the very oldest is not at all comfortable with the attention, bless her, as opposed to the very youngest who can't get enough of it! An amazingly happy and content little girl went to bed that night (no mummy, don't carry me, I'm a big girl now).

The last minute party

This was one crazy party, slapped together at the last minute. Danny's 6th birthday. The last time he had a party was when he turned one. Meantime Amy scored a few decent parties in Queensland, and every year for the last 4 years almost, we've been on the move in January. So he's now old enough to know whats going on, that he's been missing something. So this year, i had to MAKE this happen even tho it was 3 days after moving in etc etc. And given his impressive list of food allergies, having it out would be more trouble than its worth. So everything homemade. Theme - rainbows....simple enough. Lots of little friends came, had a ball together, and at the end of the day, when Daddy asked him what he liked best about the day, the immediate reply was, 'having all my friends here'. So a big thank you to the friends who came:)

A dawn party!

This year for Amy's 3rd birthday, we decided not to have a party. Many reasons. Main reason being cultural/faith views on the concept of birthday parties. Generally speaking, i don't much enjoy kid's birthday parties where the child is the centre of attention, gets to open presents in front of everyone, kids get filled up on sugar and junk, produce huge amounts of waste and get sent home with more of the darned rubbish. I'm sure we all do it with the best of intentions, to celebrate, bring friends and family together, an excuse to get together etc, its just that consumerist society has turned it into something so superficial and ego boosting, in my opinion.
I really don't have all the answers yet to the dilemma of what to do instead, but here's what we did this year - Nothing. Until last night. Spur of the moment decision to set up a surprise breakfast for the family. Some special occasion felt crowns (thanks to soulemama's book) i made earlier were placed on their spots, some candles to blow out, and voila! Her majesty was absolutely thrilled with the table next morning, as was everyone else! Cake for breakfast, yummm! Brought out their baby scrapbooks, told her story of the day she was born, lots of attention from everyone, and at the end, she helped clear up and on her own, thanked me for the 'party'. I even got the thumbs up from my dad, who is the brianwasher behind all the above fluff. happy mommy. happy birthday girl.