3rd birthday party

The aim was to bring Josephine some breakfast in bed - as a surprise. So the night before I tried to prep her to "stay in bed till your surprise arrives." "Yes, Mamma, yes." Hmmm.
Up before anyone else (5am) bouncing off the walls = Josephine.
Michael and I yawning, Evie still sleeping, we played with her. Once Evie woke up, we put Josephine back into her bed (sitting) and told her to wait 1 minute. Then the 3 of us came in (again) singing Happy Birthday with a tray and a mini slice of cake and a candle. She beamed all the way through and shouted out her own "Hip hips" and we replied with "Hooray!".

After blowing out her candle and a few bites of cake she got stuck into opening some presents. So that was the start of a lovely day.

We then had a lovely early morning call from Gwan (Gwamps was still in lala land). Always a treat to hear her friendly voice!!We initially planned to go to a zoo before her party, but it just started to rain. And it rained. And rained. And rained. And then Evie couldn't wait any more she was so tired. And then Jozie got tired. So it ended up being a game day inside with the usual naps in between. Mid-morning we also got a lovely call from Gwamps wishing his Fifi happy birthday. Very special.
With all the rain, we were given the chance to blow up some balloons and do some finishes touches to the lounge downstairs.

kiddie table (Jozie wanted to sit on the sunflower chair)

We decorated our coffee table for the 8 children coming. The theme was "The very hungry caterpillar" and it was so nice to have little plates, cups, party hats, loot bags etc to match. I also made a caterpillar cake and flower fairy cakes. There was so much sugar lying around it was scary. And very few children really Need a sugar boost...it only pushes them over. Anyway. Green and red icing, giant strawberry marshmallows, chewy caterpillars, etc. Very festive and lovely looking (I thought) but a lot of "E numbers" there!! For my own conscience and to be P.C., I put carrot sticks, apples and pears out too. But as you can imagine, those were left virtually untouched. Anyway, it's 1 day.
The kids came in and went straight to the table, sat down and waited - to be served! Little snobs!! LOL! :-)
After they had finished taking a bite out of everything and leaving a sticky mess, they decided to chase each other around and around and do all sorts of other fun things. Then we played a caterpillar game (made a caterpillar train which had to run through the house and freeze when the music stopped) Everyone co-operated, except Josephine who thought it hilerious to jump out of the queue and blow rasperries at everyone spraying them down. Then we had a big strawberry pinata' filled with loot for them to collect. Josephine was given a stick (Spanish tradition) and had to try crack the pinata open. It didn't open.

strawberry pinata'

Josephine trying to hit the pinata'

Jozie still trying her best to whack that thing open!

Pappa helping out!

So Michael took the stick and after about 15 wacks, loads of cheering from the entertained parents, he finally beat the thing to death and the goodies flew out. Each child collected their bits that they liked. I was totally fascinated to see them picking some things up, lifting it to the light, inspecting it, deciding whether it was worthy of taking home or not. Many treats were returned to the carpet although most were put in the bags. Fussy bunch! lol

And once everyone left (at around 5pm), it was a question of clearing up, getting our little ones to bed, etc .

the aftermath

Jozie's plate (only the icing eaten carefully off the edges)

Was totally exhausting (I was in bed by 7.30pm and Michael soon after). Exhausting, but very satisfying.  A lovely memorable day. This day 3 years ago, we shall never ever forget. The start of new beginnings. For all!