This year there was going to be no gathering of friends, but a party does not need a crowd. Just the right mood and setting. To a mother, her child's birthday is always an occasion of great happiness and celebration. Naturally, I went on overdrive to make his day special in every possible way.
D-Day
Kevin turned 6 this year. He wanted Red Velvet Cake and a pinata. He is always easy to please and he knows Amma (Mommy) will take care of the rest.
The Night Before
The night before his birthday, Kevin went to bed excited and without a fuss, because he wanted to give us enough time to prepare for the next day! Krish stayed up late with me into the wee hours - both giving me a hand and also keeping me company. Krish is my sounding board. All my ideas I run by him. He has great taste and immense wisdom. But this night, he was up mostly because he was too excited to sleep and also he derives so much joy by just participating.
Grand Breakfast Tea
All the little joys I have enjoyed in my life so far, I have introduced to my sons too. One such shared interest is a penchant for tea parties. I even got Kevin a
Mellissa and Doug Tea Set one time that he uses to make fresh mint tea by himself. So I made all the arrangements so that when he came down he would be greeted with a Grand Breakfast Tea, set just the way he would like it!
Decorations
One other thing Kevin had wanted was that there be a dog in his party decorations. This was a last minute request. So I just made a hand made poster cut-out of his favorite kind of dog - beagle. I had already made the banner the week before, so I just hung the cutout along with it.
Since the time I discovered it in 2012, I have bought two bundles of construction paper from Costco, and I can't recommend it enough. We have made banners, party hats, 3D paper crafts, treasure chests, book marks, cards, boxes - the list is endless.
Gift Table
I set up a table, covered it with a red table cloth and placed his gifts on it, one from each of us - Daddy, Mommy and Big Brother Krish.
Treasure Hunt
The morning began with a Treasure Hunt! I placed 6 clues along with 6 books to mark every year since his birth. He had so much fun reading and cracking the clues. I knew Krish would help if he got stuck but surprisingly he figured out all with no help! My only regret is that I did not save the clues. They would have made as much a treasure of memory as the pictures.
Right after the treasure hunt, the kids took a nice warm bubble bath complete with their brand new bath toy and book.
Playtime
After breakfast, they played with the new toys. Then Krish finished his schoolwork while Kevin continued playing. The up shot of having virtual school this year was that he got to choose to not do any school work on his birthday and chose to work longer and catch up on his work the next day.
Favorite Lunch
We got Kevin's favorite food delivered from his favorite restaurant - Olive Garden's Five Cheese Baked Ziti. There is always a silver lining and I am forever grateful for it. Kevin loves it when Daddy is also there the whole day and this year Daddy had work of course, but he could work right here from home. Kevin could go check on him and talk to him anytime, and as soon as, he wanted!
Pinata
Hitting the pinata is the most looked forward to activity for the kids at every birthday party - be it theirs or their friends'. This time their dream came true - which is to hit the pinata until it broke apart without having to worry that one of their friends might crack it open before they got their turn!
This time I made the Pinata myself - by just filling the candy in a shoebox, gift wrapping it and tying a rope to it.
Now I know what the excitement is all about! Because the kids kindly let me take turns with them.
I have resolved to get myself a pinata for my birthdays too hereafter. :)))
My blessings
Bedtime
I read every one of the books to Krish and Kevin before bed time. Kevin loved his special day and was sad that the day was ending. But every day is special to me thanks to Krish and Kevin. I had so much fun showering him with hugs and kisses - and because it was his birthday, he wriggled out of my arms less. :))) Happy Birthday, Kevin Darling!
