The birthday report: Eloise turns sixteen

Well it's been a while between birthday reports, but as I sit here in bed reminiscing not-so-fondly of the decent amount of pain I was in at this time sixteen years ago with no end in sight, I'm also reminding myself of all the twists and turns along the way to sixteen.

How you were such an easy baby.  You slept through at 9 weeks and I must have checked you at least a dozen times to see if you were still breathing and still OK... but you proved to me then and you still prove to me now that you don't need much pushing to get to where you need to be, you're very happy to move there at your own pace, which is usually in a hurry.

I'm thankful for your independent soul.  Your self-assured and wise way you navigate through tough situations.  Sure, you have mini-freak outs and you question yourself but overall you just know yourself.  You just don't understand what a gift that is.  There are adults I know that don't know themselves as much as you do at just sixteen.  It's pretty wondrous really.

You're also stubborn and will fight for the last word, talk over people to get your way and find it hard to say sorry sincerely - but at the same time you're incredibly generous, will put yourself out to help someone who needs it and reflect upon things with genuine regret and learn from your mistakes.  It's a mass of contradictions but it's you working life out.

I had a dream last week that you fell pregnant and I woke up in a genuine distressed panic and in the dream your Dad said 'but we love babies' and I was like 'Noooo.  No. No. No. No. NO.  She has PLANS.   She's going to travel, she wants to live a full life first, she's got things to DO.'

When I told you about this dream you giggled and then became concerned for my distress and came over and gave me a hug and a kiss and said 'Don't worry about it Marmite, I would never do that to you'.  To which I said 'Don't worry about me, don't do that to YOU'.

I guess that dream was a bit of my adjusting to you growing up and making your own choices and my dreams for you to have a full life like you want.

You have a good head on those shoulders, and I appreciate how open you are about your thoughts, feelings, what's going on in your life and your concerns.  To me this is a gift you give me.   I in return give you my implicit trust because I have no reason to not trust you until you breach that trust and so far so good :)

Anyhow, birthday parties still leave me exhausted and yours was tiring but I loved that we made some of your ol' favourites lolly bobble bliss bombs,  rocky road and a new favourite amongst your friends warm pizza dip.     Today for your actual birthday the repeated request of Victoria Sponge was adhered to and delivered :). I hope even when you're a grown up I can still make you some of your favourites...





But I'm not writing off the rest of your childhood and time at home just yet.  I'm savouring these last years with you with us and Covid-19 for all it's tragedy, has given us many gifts - more family time and I love that we're the 'fab-five' again rather than people who all live and eat together sometimes in between rushing off to this and that.   It's been wonderful.

Anyhow, I don't want to ramble on, but I wanted to mark this occasion with something that would at least mean something to me.  Happy birthday my 5ft 11 Amazonian baby.   I celebrate you today and always.

For posterity I also decided to add pics from your birthdays since 11... don't hate me..

11th - Dinner at Shangri-La Sydney

Last birthday in primary school - 12 - Victoria Sponge makes another appearance like it did at 8..

Happy birthday Teenager and first year of high school.  Yes, it's Victoria Sponge!

Fourteen, I couldn't get a pic of you with your cake without your phone in it, but it was a sponge cake with buttercream...!

15th birthday, Dark Chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache..

My bebes are EIGHT.

Now I've been wondering where all this time has gone, and looked through my pics, and I can see they have grown up so much but it still seems not that long ago.  My little bebes birthday is today Australian time (in fact, almost 4 hours ago)... I feel tired just looking at some of these photos but mostly I just feel so proud of them both.

This was just after they were born in their twin crib.  I kept gazing at them thinking 'I can't believe I had twins!' and also 'How did they fit in my body!?'.. They were 5lb13 and 6lb6oz (Olivia on left, Laura on right) We spent our first Christmas in hospital together - and Laura coming out of special care nursery with apnoea at 9:30pm on Christmas Eve still to this day was the best present I ever got for Christmas.

When we got through their first year I could hardly believe I survived!  I felt like the party should be in our honour, that we stayed married and sane!  Promptly after this shot, Laura on the right fell asleep eating cake.. 

2nd birthday Mummy perfected the art of making dolly varden cakes.  Our girls became real little girls at two.  Little best buddies.

Third birthday it was all about fairies!

Fourth birthday was the infamous rainbow party.  They both still talk about this!  So cute!

Fifth birthday just before they started school and they requested a Hungry Jacks Party.  So easy and I became a convert to having parties outside the house (although I still do also like them at home!)  Having their birthday so close to Christmas though it does take the pressure off!

6th birthday was a busy one, we had a quick cake at Nanny's - that was the last birthday Nanny was at home.

 Seventh birthday and our girls were looking so grown up.  Their Australian Girl Dolls also had their first birthday in our house (they were gifts for 6th birthday)  this is Rapunzel

 And this is Laura with Rosie.

This year, they had a party before we left - as the last couple of years has been rather low-key birthday wise.

Tomorrow (their birthday here in the US) we're taking them to Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular as a surprise.  They keep seeing the Rockettes in advertisements everywhere and asking to go - so this is going be a much loved gift and birthday - I'm looking forward to it too!

Those who have babies now, take heed:  time really does fly even when you think the days will never end, your kids will never sleep through the night or never be toilet trained.  Before you know it they are growing up quicker than you can cope with!

Planning... my 40th birthday party..

Well ours actually....

Just before I left, we went out to dinner at a new local Indian restaurant.  It's a bit tucked away and I must admit I wasn't expecting much (you know, local restaurants do have a rep for being not-so-great)... but we were blown away by the venue and the food and before leaving we'd booked the function room for hubby and my 40th birthday bash...

It has an outdoor (undercover) bar, gorgeous inside seating and a dance floor! We are going ... bollywood style baby!

Hubby and my birthdays are 6 months apart and originally we had planned to have a joint 40th half-way between being around now... and well of course that doesn't work because I'm not even in the country!  But it's booked for my return and invitations are out, and printed ones are out this week.... can't wait.

(In case you were wondering, yes, I am the 'cradle snatcher'... hehe)

I bought some beautiful sari fabric in Manila, and some matching earrings.. on the hunt for hubby now... we may go down the fancy dress route again given how fantastic Fancy That were with hubby's Pimp outfit for the school trivia night.. 

I'll be letting my hair down, that's for sure, it should (cross fingers everyone) co-incide with my home-coming!

What did you do for your 40th or last milestone birthday?

Activity Report: Frills go bowling!

Well if you're having the Queens Birthday Long Weekend, and you're in South Eastern Australia - you're probably freezing.  I am.  But I don't mind so much - we're keeping ourselves busy with boardgames, dancing to 80's music video clips on TV and a spot of cooking here and there.

Something that we did last weekend was go to two birthday parties.  This happens when you have three daughters.  Party invites at times are more frequent than toilet trips (ok I am exaggerating, so what?).. I like a birthday party where the adults can get involved a little - not just 'supervising' or being in separate camps... the best fun I've had at birthday parties is where the adults get to play the games too.. don't you reckon?

One of our parties last weekend was great like that - it was a bowling party.   Ten pin bowling has certainly moved along from those daggy shoes and the smell of foot odour.  It's pretty chic these days actually.. OK the shoes are still a little daggy.. but you don't have to try millions of pairs on - you just see how big your foot is on the on-floor sizer:

We went to Dee Why AMF Bowl and it's lovely and modern, bright and clean.   I was impressed.  And the birthday party ran like clockwork.  It did require some parents to stay and help some of the kids - but I didn't mind.  We were all having fun.

It's so exciting and our group of 4 - were first time bowlers so we were all learning together.  In the beginning I was putting the ball on the frame (which helps beginners aim) and aiming it - by the end they were lifting the balls themselves and positioning the frame.

They put the gutters up too, so no one feels totally like a dumkopf.

The kids were loving it, no cross words, no competitive biffs, just pure fun - this is the birthday boy K, strutting his bowling moves!

And no more scoring with pencils!  It's all computerised.  That saves a lot of arguments!

My girls did pretty okay I think!

Then it was time for the party - and well the party food isn't exactly gourmet or healthy - but it is a party and if you can't indulge at a party - when can you?

The birthday boy enjoyed himself - and that, is the main thing.  The other factor was it was his Mum's birthday, and she had no washing up! Bonus!

And you bring your own cake or pay for one - up to you - happy birthday K

The lowdown - 
Buy your tickets online - They are much cheaper !  Online you can get tickets for $7.95 a game whereby normally they could be almost double that.


Party cost from $19.90 per child - includes 1 game, arcade tokens, party bag for each child, and party food as pictured.   This may vary upon where you live and what packages they offer.  Click here for more info.


Do you go bowling or did you as a child?  We're going back, the kids love it and it's a great activity to do as a family - especially in extreme weather!

Eloise turns SEVEN.

They say life goes in 7 year rotations, and it certainly seems like that to me at the moment.  Yesterday was my firstborns' 7th birthday and it was an emotional affair - just like her birth.   Eloise didn't come into this world without drama - in fact I was in intensive care after her birth and met her the day after her birth (I was under general anaesthetic when she was born - not by choice!) which was 7 years ago today.

So seven years ago today I became a Mummy.  And there will always be a special attachment to her for that. She woke up early and hopped straight into bed with me.  I was on my back and she layed on top of me and snuggled into my neck.  Just like she did all those years ago.

'Happy birthday darling'  I said sleepily
'Mummy, I love you'
'I love you too Angel'.

We got up and onto the present unwrapping.  She opened books from her sister and then we came to the card from Mummy and Daddy.  We always write individually on the same card - Hubby wrote that he couldn't believe that little baby he was handed in the hospital had grown so big, and how wonderful and loved she was.  Then I read aloud that I was so proud of her and wished her the happiest of birthdays and that I loved her very much.

She looked at me and lunged into my side, with tears.  She was overwhelmed.  I became overwhelmed. Hubby thought we were mad.

She got on with unwrapping her iPod Touch.  I packed her off to school with cupcakes for her class (oh my the two layer cupcake carrier is my saviour and those of you with twins need to buy one now!)

She had a friend over after school and for dinner - and they played with much enthusiasm with both the iPod touch and her new digital camera from Nanny - taking pictures and movies of each other.

The birthday cake was a hit and just what she ordered - Chocolate cake with chocolate icing.  She was having a blast.   It finally sunk in... my baby is SEVEN.

There were times she got overexcited, there were times that she forgot her manners but before she went to bed she told me she had the 'happiest of birthdays Mummy - just like your card said' and my heart melted and the frustrations of her sugar-induced hype dissolved.

Party Palooza #10 - The butterfly birthday cake

Hello!  It's hump day everyone and I'm looking forward to the slide into the weekend - aren't you?

When I made this cake for Eloise's 6th birthday last June, many readers asked for the instructions - well that time has come!  I made it again for another little lady's 6th birthday - Stephanie, the child who only eats my cake!  She requested the cake so that's easy for me!


Cake
First of all, I used a double mix of my butter cake, and baked it in a round tin - the day before.  I froze it overnight before decorating.  It's easier to cut semi-frozen and much easier to ice.  Less crumbs.  Crumbs are the enemy of icing you know...


Icing
The icing is 200g softened butter with 3 cups of icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and colourings you want - plus enough milk to give it a smooth spreadable consistency - a few tablespoons in this case.


Decorations:
For this case I used the little tubes of fruit  chalky-type sweets - like mini fruit tingles - but you could use real ones.  On Eloise's cake I used fondant icing..  Plus you'll need some fairy or dollar fives.  The antennae I've used musk sticks but you could use licorice.  The body is a summer roll bar, but you could use any bar or even a row of marshmallows!  Get Creative!


Assembly
Start off by cutting your cake like this:

I've numbered them here so you can see how you assemble them to make the butterfly.

Then assemble them into the butterfly shape on the plate/board you intend to serve on. (Tip: If you're not a confident icer - cut up some 4 inch squares of baking paper and place under the edges of each piece - that way when you ice and make a mess you can just slide them out)

Then ice your cake!  I keep a cup of hot water to dip the knife in, helps you spread smooth and remove excess icing from the knife..  I also dip a cotton bud in it and clean up any bits that drop on the plate..

Then start decorating.  First the outline of the wings, then add your dollar-fives.  If they spill over where they shouldn't (see below) just use a pastry brush to brush away.

Next push the musk sticks (antennae) into the top

Lastly add your summer roll to the centre...

And isn't it pretty?

So here's the birthday girl and her cake...

She was chuffed and of course, ate all her piece... Happy birthday Stephanie!

Well that was the easiest party EVER.

Olivia and Laura had their last minute birthday party today.  I quickly made some butter cake cupcakes last night - they didn't want a 'real cake' and I have to admit not only was it easier to make but also easier to divvy up and serve.

 

I also made some party bags and poured various lollies into 2 tupperware containers - then packed some balloons and ribbon and that was IT.  I was finished birthday preparations by 9pm.  That is certainly a first for me.

The girls were so excited.  Honestly they were beside themselves and although I felt like I was cheating they certainly never thought so!

I promise you I didn't ask them to pose for this one, it looks like it's out of a catalogue! Posers!

Guests!  This was the 5 year old table.  Kashen the 'boyfriend' both girls are quite adamant they will marry him.  Poor bloke, he really does have a tough choice there.  Luckily he's very diplomatic at such a tender age and cuddles them equally.  Caitlin is more like a cousin than a friend, there's only 3 months age difference and these girls have really grown up together!

We sing Happy Birthday to Laura. 

Olivia's turn! (we sing happy birthday twice at Laura and Olivia's birthdays)

Official taste test... 

And we were all home with no mess, no stress and with change from $50!  I thought it was a fabulous, frugal and fuss-free way to have a birthday party. And let's face it, the food's a bit of a treat!