Tara's 3rd Birthday Part 1

Tara's birthday is on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. We held 2 parties for her, one at her school and one at home. We couldn't bear not celebrating for her in school cos it's the first time that she knew so many small little friends and besides, she has been celebrating other kids' birthdays since the start of this year, so it's finally her turn and we definitely have to celebrate for her.

I thought the school was particular about not having cream cakes for birthday celebrations. Parents were encouraged to think of other "cakes" to replace the usual creamy cakes. Months before Tara's birthday, I've already storming my brain on what kind of cake to get for Tara. I've finally decided to bake muffins and I even tried to bake a few batches, with my colleagues as the guinea pigs. I thought of stacking them up then popping a candle on the top. However, just a week before the party, one of her teacher spoke to me, and prompted me to get a cream cake instead, saying the kids will love the cake! And the more we discussed, the more food I decided to bring, so in the end, the playgroup's lunch was covered by us too. I have no complaints though, anything to make the kids happy.

I woke up early to do the cooking. Bob had to send the little one to school first, then his parents to breakfast so I was all alone working in the kitchen. Lucky I got Mum to help me with the fried beehoon.

My younger BIL was in town too so he was the event's photographer. Alright, pictures!


The school put up this banner for birthday kids. The Hello Kitty helium balloon was a gift from the teachers.


The birthday cake. The kids went "Star.. Star.. Star" when they saw the cake! I didn't want the Happy Birthday wordings to smear the cute cake so I only got the shop to write Tara's name on it.


A photo with her playgroup apple friends.


Here are the playgroup watermelon friends.


Tara blowing the candle.


Cutting the cake.


Queuing for her food. She get to be the first one, since she's the birthday girl.


Enjoying the rare treat of oily but yummy food.


Getting her share of her cake!

Yeah, I know, I don't have a flair for tying pig tails. I got her "party" clothes for her too, cos the teacher wanted her to be the star of the day and told me to dress her up. Even the teachers and aunties changed into nicer set of clothes just for the party! How schweet!

The kids had to go for their performance rehearsal in the morning but the teachers made effort to take the first bus back to the school after the PG group rehearsal so that I can celebrate Tara's birthday before I rush to work in the afternoon. I'm so grateful for that!

And as the food were home cooked, they weren't halal so the school had to take out their set of party utensils which they have labelled specifically for non Halal food. I'm supposed to help out with the cleaning up but the teacher, knowing that I have to rush to work, told me they will help with the cleaning instead. Again, I'm very grateful.

When we left, Tara was enjoying herself pretty much and didn't even fussed when she know we had to leave. I gave the goodie bags to the teacher to help distribute for me.

I wanted to upload the video of the kids singing the birthday song but it took really long to load up so I finally gave up. In the video, Tara was sitting so proper and still during the singing but once the song ended, both English and Mandarin version, she knew what she had to do. Without prompting, she immediately leaned forward to blow the candle, then she picked up the plastic knife, I didn't managed to film this, and cut the cake 3 times. She has been through so many birthday parties during the year and already know the "motions". And that was really funny and amazing to watch!

There, her birthday celebration part 1 comes to an end. I will post the part 2 soon.