All my birthdays as a kid were celebrated at home with balloons, confetti, party favors, a table full of home made snacks and treats and of course a cake . I have pictures from age one to ten that look almost exactly the same, me blowing out the candles while an assortment of cousins and friends stand around me trying to get to the cake. Sometimes my eyes are open, sometimes halfway and sometimes not at all...but my mom is not picky about those things and they are in the family album for all eternity and for all to see! While I sometimes cringe at some of those shots, looking at them always bring back great feelings of many happy birthdays. Hopefully I can help build the same memories for my kids.
When it came time to prepare Emma´s 5th birthday party over the summer, she had a few simple requests: everything had to be pink (not surprisingly) and we had to have cupcakes (easy enough). Since we don´t have a Party City in these parts of the world we went to a little shop downtown called Hascot Kids. They have a great selection of party decors, DIY crafts, and various knicks and knacks you can´t find anywhere else.
Emma picked out the pom pom decorations hanging from the ceiling. I have saved them for future use, although it took awhile to fold back to it´s original shape and will be curious to see their state when they come out again. Regardless, I loved the look of them and how lively it made the room.
The cake part was tricky. Back home I probably would have gone to the nearest ice cream shop and ordered your regular ice cream cake with Frozen characters on the top (we are still obsessed with Anna and Elsa). That idea doesn´t work here though, mostly because I have no idea where to get one. Not sure it´s even done around here...I certainly don´t know where to find one (if anyone local does please let me know for future reference!). I tried a few places that had decorative cakes which were ok, but nothing I felt was worth the price tag. In the end I went to a local bakery downtown and got the tastiest strawberries and cream layer cake with fresh strawberries on top. Kids were licking their fingers and adults asked for seconds, success in my book.
The birthday girl generously allows little sis and bff to take turns blowing out the candles. (Not shown are a couple of pictures of each trying to hog the cake screaming ¨me first!¨ until somehow they agreed to take turns).
Opening gifts so fast I had no idea who gave what. Thank you notes were therefore not possible, must come up with new approach next year.
Frozen purse gift...major hit!
And last but not least, the classic family picture which includes a pair of closed eyes and a little sis that did not want to cooperate...not perfect, but a real moment we will always remember fondly.
xx
C
