Children's birthday parties are really just for kids

We just finished a 7^th birthday party for my daughter yesterday. Can’t believe she’s 7! She was just 18 months when she arrived here in NZ. Oh how time flies!

Her birthday’s on a Saturday. I put up some banners by the dining room wall, wrapped a birthday gift (plush toys) and left it on the dinner table overnight. It was good surprise for her, but then I didn’t have a birthday cake yet! So we just took some leftover banana bread, stuck a candle on it and sang happy birthday to her. That was past 7am while she was trying to finish her breakfast. Then we rushed to Phyllis Reserve where she played 7^th grade soccer at 8am. After the game, she handed out some treats to her teammates (Freddo chocolate frogs). Each kid had a piece.

On our way back, we went straight to St. Lukes mall to do her eye check at OPSM. Then to Countdown to get some ingredients for the cake and our meals that weekend. At home, I made baked pasta twist. Then following a very basic recipe, my daughter and I were able to put together a birthday cake.

Rose's Forest Cake with shooting stars and torches

My son had an 11am soccer game at Beachlands, that’s half an hour away so he and hubby were back late. They bought KFC bucket as an added treat for the birthday lunch. Then I just let the kids watch a movie, and skipped their 2pm swimming lessons. It’s been raining on and off that day so not good to be outdoors. At 3pm, we picked up the chipmunk cake that I ordered for the party the next day. We had the cake for afternoon tea and then just leftovers for dinner.

Here's the Chipmunk cake that I ordered from City Cake Company

The next day, Sunday, we heard mass at 10am. I made soup from the remaining mustasa leaves for lunch. Hubby did a batch of washing, vacuumed the lounge and cleaned the toilet, while the kids played. We left for Chipmunks at 1:35pm for the party. The kids arrived in trickles from 2pm onwards. Upon arrival, they just took off their shoes and went straight to the play areas. As usual, the parents just dropped their kids off.

The kids were just running around and enjoyed the place, while hubby tried to take photos. A little after 3pm, we were called to the party room as the food was being served. Charlie, the mascot seemed to have taken longer than usual to get ready to bring the cake so we decided to bring it in ourselves. Rose’s cake had a chipmunk on top. Interesting how the kids seemed to be more interested in eating parts of the chipmunk, same as Rose. She happily shared.

Finally, Charlie the chipmunk managed to show up and cheer the kids. After a few photos, and eating a few more, the kids slowly disappeared from the party room and ran straight back to the play areas. I’m glad my Filipino friends were there as their presence provided me with some much needed support. And we managed to do a bit of catching up too while their kids were busy playing.

Rose was very happy and enjoyed the party. We headed home just after 4pm. Rose’s excitement continued with opening her presents. Even Max enjoyed his loot bag especially the few treats that I’ve tucked in there. At the end of the day, the kids were both smiling as they happily prepared their things for school the next day.

Just last month, we had a Nerf War party for Max’s 9^th birthday. It’s the same experience, the birthday party itself is really just playing with their friends. They didn’t eat that much but spent most of the time playing.

Both kids had been to a few other birthday parties, even play dates as well this year. And it’s interesting how the parents would tell me that now I can take some time off while my child’s in that party/ play date. I suppose it meant a break from parenting during that time. 

As a child, birthdays meant having spaghetti, or pancit, maybe fried chicken and some fizzy drink. We didn't have an oven and cakes only became affordable when I was an adult. And the children's parties in Manila meant inviting not just the kids, but their parents, the rest of the family as well. It was a feast, with maybe some games and the birthday kid sitting awkwardly in front of everyone. Unlike here, it seems so simple, brief and yet fun all at the same time.