Lavigne's Tinkerbell and Pirate Party

Before I start on this post, I have to thank Val for she was the reason I changed the party from 4th Oct to 27th Sept. Lavigne's birthday is on 5th Oct so I had planned to have it during that weekend. However, Val will be going away with her family during that time so I brought the party forward by a week. We had such an unsually warm and lovely day. It was perfect for a party and the girls were able to wear their tinkerbell costume without any cardi. A last check showed that this coming Saturday is going to be very cold and cloudy. To Val *muack*!

Remember I mentioned that I'll love to decorate the room with tulle and stuff? Last week while I was doing tidying up at work, there was a whole roll of pink tulle lying on the floor. I asked the leader if I could buy some off her and she asked me to take the whole roll and bring back whatever's unused. I couldn't believe my luck! That roll would cost quite a bit of money. All the decorations for the 'garden theme' in the lounge were recyled. The fairy banner and glittery streamers were used for Louisa's 3rd birthday party. As for the simple 'pirate theme' in the dining room, I made a flag out of a piece of red fabric and stuck on the skeleton head and crossbone printed out on paper. I also didn't spoil the wall surfaces as everything were hung onto the downlights in the ceiling. The deco and party gifts were completed 2 days before the party (one good point of having the party at home). The sugarpaste figurines were done on that same night in order for it to dry in time for the cake decoration the following day. I must say the most tedious part was the cake. I simply am terrible with frosting and this time, using a buttercream recipe (which turned out to be quite yucky), I still couldn't do a decent job. I failed to achieve a smooth finish (my 5th attempt at frosting a cake since 2005). Practice does make perfect. But I didn't want to waste any ingredients and consume extra calories by practising. So it's just a case of 'just do it'! Anyone knows where I can get butter flavouring in UK?

The night before the party, everything was ready except for the food which I started preparing 3 hours before the party. I went to bed at about 11pm, after making Konnyaku jellies, much to the surprise of Adrian since I always worked through the night for previous parties. It was so much easier with fewer kids, plus I didn't DIY many things except for the flag and the pirate sticks on the food. To make my life even easier, I only cooked fried rice, baked chicken wings and made salad. The rest where 'party food' bought from supermarkets which I deep fried or popped into the oven. Most of the stuff were undercooked as I wanted to reheat them before serving.

When I woke up in the morning of the party, it was very foggy. I was like 'oh no!'. Adrian asked me where's the sun? But it soon cleared and got warmer and very sunny. I was able to wear just shorts and a Tshirt.

A few families came from Surrey and they were caught in a traffic jam caused by an accident. Apparently, the accident wasn't even on their side of the road but the opposite. All the drivers slowed down to catch a glimpse of the accident and hence caused a congestion too. One family took 2 hours to arrive. As a result, we couldn't start the party on time. Luckily I planned the face-painting as the first activity. It was my first time doing it and I used the face-paint gifted to me by Mel (thank you!). Being a greenhorn at it, I downloaded pictures from the internet to act as a guide. I was so terrified of making a mess on their faces. But it was still a hit with the girls (all of them were eager to be painted). However, no boys were interested. Good thing Luke came painted as one already. So I did have a pirate at the party afterall!

Due to a late start to the party, we didn't manage to play all the games I had planned such as 'Walk the Plank' and 'Musical Statues'. While the daddies adjourned to the garden to chat, in between drinking beer and eating snacks, the mummies and kiddos stayed indoors while I painted. We did manage to play 'Treasure Hunt' (golden chocolate coins) in the garden. Val kindly took over my job and brought the kids out for the hunt while I heat up the food and set the table. I was fortunate to have many pairs of helping hands. Two of the ladies were heavily pregnant and I had to keep asking them to sit down, it was so funny. Other games we played were 'Musical Islands' and 'Pin the Pirate to the Treasure' (the stickers were so difficult to peel).

The cake which didn't really turn out the way I had wanted it to be.

It must have been the time (close to 7pm) because nearly all the food were finished. That really made me very happy simply because I didn't need to keep any except for a few pieces of jelly, grapes and one piece of wing and rib. One mum even said I had prepared too much food. I was so muddle-headed, I forgot about the mini pizzas sitting in the freezer, didn't bring out the profiteroles until much later and it was only today that I realised I had forgotten to give out the mini Magnums to the children. Duh!

Compared to previous parties, this is by far, in my opinion, the best one. I had invited some close friends and their children over and there wasn't a rush to finish things up even though I have to admit the party ended too late for the children who usually go to bed by 8pm. The kids were able to entertain themselves by going to the girls' room while the parents chatted. It's always mums in one room and dads in another. Hmmm. I didn't even clear the dishes until all the guests had left (almost 10pm). I just sat in the dining room and chatted. Past parties were a mad rush with a strict time-table to follow to because most parents would leave their children at the party and return say 2 hours later. It was just a matter of playing games and making sure the cakes were cut before the parents returned. I didn't have the opportunity to really speak to the parents who stayed. So, this had been a not-too-small-afterall and intimate affair.

By the time I finished clearing up, it was about 11pm. I should have bought some washing-up tablets and just pop everything in the dishwasher. On occasions like this, it's good to use the dishwasher. But there weren't that many things to wash since we used alot of disposables. I. must. make. use. of. the. dishwasher.

*Special thanks to Emily, one of two appointed photographers for the party, who took all the above pictures. Val's the other one, so more pictures to come.

Party preparation

I've been checking the weather for Saturday everyday. So far, it's good. 19 degrees and a big sun symbol. So tempted to have a bbq but risky as UK's weather is very unpredictable. I still need it to be a dry and relatively pleasant day as I intend to play some games outdoor. Unfortunately, my estate agent who 'promised' to send her gardener here by Saturday, is unlikely to keep to her words. The garden is so unkempt. I refuse to tidy it up myself and I haven't got a lawnmower. Only consolation though is that it will make the Treasure Hunt more fun! The thank-you gifts are wrapped, some decoration is up and I'm going to start making the decorations for the cake tonight. I was going to bake the cake myself and when I went to the supermarket, I saw this yummy-looking belgian chocolate cake. With no help at all this time and my work limiting my time and making me tired, I decided to buy that cake and decorate it like I did for Louisa's party. *I hear a cheer*. I'm really bad with icing the cake. Hope I will do a better job this time. Tomorrow, Lavigne will stay all day in school like Louisa and I plan to get as much things done as possible during that time. Wish me luck!

Tired

This week's going to be the party preparation. I'd bought the 'thank you gifts', most of the foodstuff and am awaiting the partyware which I ordered online to arrive. As I have the tendency to go overboard with things, I'm putting a rein on myself this time. I want to transform my dinning room/lounge into an enchanted garden using metres of tulle and lots of artificial flowers, I want to create a beautiful garden cake, I want to.......*shake head*, *wake up*! No time, no budget. I wonder how am I going to attach the decorations to the walls and ceiling without causing any damage to the surface (the wall-papered walls were painted over). I feel so tired (and it's only Monday), my neck is still a little stiff (couldn't even drive on Saturday), my head hurts and I feel a cold on its way. Tonight, I've still got to attend my course. Oh dearie, how will I last till tonight?

More on party

Ok, after doing some research yesterday, I have decided on the theme and have seeked the approval from the VIP. It's going to be 'Tinkerbell and Pirate' (something for the girls and something for the boys). I wanted so much to have a 'Monster Inc' theme since she's obsessed with the movie and I have this idea of making the guests go through a small door like those in the movie since I have a few hanging wardrobe cartons. But I couldn't find any of the partyware and it's going to be hard dressing up as a monster. I will be ordering some items from a party website later on in the day once I get the reply from 2 mums. A few games have been planned and foodwise, I'm thinkig of a BBQ (have to wait for weather forecast) or the usual party food like springrolls, chicken wings, fried rice etc. I'm really excited about the birthday cake. I have a design in mind and can't wait to make it. Incidentally, I just found out 'Tinkerbell The Movie' will be released next month on DVD.

Lavigne's birthday party

Her party's in just over a week and *gasp!*, I haven't even decided on the theme, games, food etc. With her birthday so soon after Louisa, I have to admit that I 'lose steam' having to another party in quick succession. I'm so unlike the super duper organised Lilian, who plans her girls' parties (close together too) months ahead. This year, I'm exceptionally bad. Due to the move, new schools and new friends, I had been toying between having a small intimate party with just some close family friends or inviting all her new classmates. Trouble is, my home cannot accommodate so many people (29 kids + parents + siblings?). Even if we have a garden party (provided the weather is good), the house will still be full of people and I cannot imagine the beige carpet maintaining its colour (I have a particularly fussy landlord).

I've been inclined not to hold a party for her. But since Louisa had one this year, the 'mother guilt' in me made me decide otherwise. So we're just going to have 7 sets of friends (5 with kids) plus my brother-in-law and his girlfriend over to help celebrate her turning 4. I hope she'll have a great time and be happy nonetheless.

Quick update

Rant first.

The weather sucks! The traffic sucks! My landlord sucks! My estate agent is not being very helpful at all!

OK. I'm alright now.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still very happy here. It's a move that's worth every bit of it. Adrian started work last Monday and the girls are now settling nicely in their new schools. We've pretty much gotten into a nice routine. I've also gone back to work, part-time. It's nothing much to talk about, really, much less it being a career. It's more of me bringing in some pennies and 'getting out'. I can't believe I'm working as a pre-school assistant because my mum used to nag at me to become a teacher and I always frowned at the idea, not because I don't think much of them (in fact I have high regard for them) but because I don't have any passion in it whatsoever. Furthermore, I wanted to be away from what I do at home, that is, be away from kids and be stimulated intellectually and mentally, if you know what I mean. But beggars can't be choosers. I don't have an awful lot of time to spare and I can only work term-time. So that's how I ended up working at a pre-school.

The priest is coming this evening to bless our house (since my post, there hadn't been any incidents). The people we've met so far are very friendly and made us feel very welcomed, the Church especially. There's going to be a welcome lunch after a mass and someone from the Church is going to visit us too.

OK, got to go. Time flies really quickly here. I've got to go drill a hole for the curtain rod now that the filler had dried. One end had collapsed. It was wobbly when we first moved in. Complained to estate agent and she didn't do anything about it. Now, I've got to do it myself. If I wait for them, my curtains will never be up. Bye for now!

Goodbye Summer, hello Autumn

Summer is officially over. Today is the first day of autumn. In a stark contrast to the clear, blue skies on Saturday, it rained non-stop yesterday. It had been reported that this summer was the 'most dismal' in almost a century! I thought it was the coldest in all the 7 years I lived in UK. My dad, who prefers the cold rather than hot weather, admitted that the nights were cold and had to snuggle under the duvet. Even during the day, he had to wear a thin jacket before going out. Beside the past 3 months feeling more like Spring, there was record rainfall too. It made laundering difficult. Just like today, the sun was playing peekaboo with me. As it was very sunny this morning, I washed a load and hang it out to dry. Soon after, there was an overcast. I had to keep looking out of the window to check for rain. Then it started pouring! I quickly brought the clothes in and put them on an airer. Once I was done, the sun made its presence. I contemplated bringing the whole airer out but decided against it since I was bringing the girls to the library. Throughout the whole afternoon, the sun was like 'Hello, I'm here!' and 'Then, I'm gone!'. Totally frustrating!