children's birthday parties Archives - Not another slippery dip

Happy 8th birthday, Miss J

September 12, 2018 By Michaela Fox

Happy 8th birthday, Miss J

My darling Miss J,

Happy 8^thbirthday!

As I write those words I feel it must be some sort of mistake. How can you possibly be eight years old already? I am sure you were born just yesterday. Never does the expression, “The days are long but the years are short” resonate more than on birthdays. If you are eight, then I must be old, really old. But lets not go there…

Have I told you about the time I saw stars? Apparently these flashes of light are quite common during a fainting spell. But what’s not common is fainting during the “pushing”stage of labour. Which is precisely how I came to see stars at your birth. The midwife on duty said that in her 30 years of delivering babies she had never seen a woman faint at the pointy end of labour! But I’ve never been one to follow the script. When I came to, you were placed on my chest and the earth literally shook. My entire body trembled (a side effect of shock) and I saw stars…so many stars!!

Looking back it’s fitting that I saw stars during your birth. Because I have continued to see stars wherever you go. Your big, bright eyes are magnetic stars. They dart and dance all day long, brimming with curiosity and love. They speak before words form in your mouth. You eyes are the windows to your soul and reveal a very special young girl. And they brighten up my world. I adore your eyes almost as much, if not more, than your curls. Which is to say A LOT. Your eyes brighten up my world.

My friend nicknamed you “Sparky” because of your shiny eyes. But it wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, especially in the early years. You were a “live wire” – reactive and highly charged (read: explosive). But over the years this side of your personality has mellowed. You are calm, curious and considered. And you exude an enthusiasm for life that takes my breath away, quite literally at times!

You write me love notes almost daily. If you keep this up I will have an entire rainforest dedicated to your love for me. I treasure these “love declarations”. You are so generous with your warmth and affection. You thank me for filling your bucket each day, so grateful are you for the simplest things. I tell you that my bucket is overflowing, dripping with your love. You insist you love me more than I love you. Sometimes I protest, and other times I indulge you, knowing full well this is not possible. For how could any child truly understand the magnitude of a mother’s love?

Miss J, thank you for being YOU. Thank you for bringing love and joy to our family, and to everyone around you. Today is YOUR day to shine. I love you more than I can express in words. Have bucket loads of fun being eight.

Love, Mama xx

Make a wish!

8 Fast Facts:

You are fiercely loyal to your sisters, who are your best friends. Sister power is alive and thriving in our home.
You still HATE bananas. You won’t even pass me one from the fruit bowl such is your loathing for this fruit.
You are a perfectionist and get upset when your performance is anything less than perfect. Please don’t be so hard on yourself.
Your favourite game to paly at home is “Hotels.” I love it too. You insist I play the role of a hotel guest while you dote on me, bringing wine, cheese and “shampane”. I love this game.
You are a quiet student…so very quiet in the classroom. But outside of school, my goodness you are LOUD. Your voice booms and ricochets off the walls. #dontwakethebaby!! This would surprise your teachers greatly.
You LOVE having a baby sister. You are immensely proud of her and love showing her off to your friends.
You are a beautiful dancer. Your results in Tap and Ballet exams this year were outstanding. It’s a joy to watch you dance.
This year you joined the Choir at school. This was a big step for you as you experience anxiety in front of crowds. But you are loving it. And it was a very #proudmamammoment seeing you take the stage for the first time.
Bonus fact: I love you more! #truthbomb

When you were half way here…

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Happy 7th Birthday, Miss J

September 13, 2017 By Michaela Fox

My beautiful Miss J, you light up my world!

Happy birthday, Miss J. Today is your day!

It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since I met you, Curly tops. The labour was dramatic; a forewarning of your personality, perhaps. At age seven you do have a penchant for drama.

When you were placed in my arms on the 13^th of September, 2009, you took my breath away. Admittedly, I had just fainted, but your beauty was arresting. You were exquisite. Rosebud lips, snow-white skin and soft, fine features. The midwives said you looked like a doll. And as I held you to my trembling chest, I couldn’t believe my fortune. Another healthy baby; and a sister for Miss A.

After I had fainted and I took a good look at my daughter!

It is true that I saw stars during your birth. Low blood pressure and crowning pressure will do that to you. It was, so I am told, the first time the birthing staff had ever seen a woman faint during the pushing stage of labour. I still see stars wherever you go.

Miss J, your eyes sparkle from dawn to dusk. They are big, wide, alive blue eyes and they dart and dance all day long. The stars in your eyes brighten up my world and everyone around you. And they match your sparkly personality. I love your eyes.

Thank you for the light you bring to our lives. Your golden locks, untamed and wild match your free spirit and lively personality. But it is what inside that really shines. You are a curious, kind, sensitive and thoughtful girl. And your curls are as untamed as your love. Each night you cloak me in a tight swaddle as we say goodnight. It is a highlight of my day. And your love notes make my heart swell.

Miss J offers a turn down service most nights.

As a sister, you are tender and fiercely loyal. And as a friend you are fun and empathetic. When you stood up to bullying at school I felt so proud. It was a hard thing for you to do, but you have a strong sense of right and wrong.

Miss J, you are going to love being seven. Being six has been a wonderful year with many changes and transitions. We moved house (again!), welcomed a baby sister into the family, and you moved into Grade One. You approached all these changes with excitement, quiet confidence and commitment.

Happy 7^th birthday, my angel. Keep shining bright. Maintain your sense of drama. Embrace all that life has to offer this year. It’s going to be bucket loads of fun being seven!

7 Fast Facts

You leave me love notes daily and often do a ‘turn down service’ at night by placing my book on my pillow, turning my bedside lamp on and leaving my earplugs in position!
We call you a tech head. You LOVE technology and say you want to be a games developer one day. You’re pretty good at using technology, so it wouldn’t surprise me.
You have worked really hard at building your confidence (you once asked me which vegetable you should eat to grow confidence) and you are a lot less anxious now. I am incredibly proud.
You have had two Grade One teachers this year and you adore them both. It’s obvious the feeling is mutual. Your school report said you were a “delight” to teach and an “exemplary” student. Way to go, Miss J!
You learned to ride without training wheels this year. A shaky start, but you nailed it!
Tap, tap, tap! You LOVE tap-dancing. Your feet never stop tapping and, as a fellow tap lover, I am rather pleased.
You love your sisters more than anything and would do anything for them. You’re as close as crossed fingers and your bond in unshakable.

Bonus Fact………You are an emoji enthusiast!

I love you just a teeny bit more than you love me. Which is A LOT!

Love Mama xx

You are the most loving big sister!

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How to make a Kit Kat Cake

April 2, 2016 By Michaela Fox

The ultimate kids’ birthday cake

It was my daughter’s 4th birthday last month and the birthday girl always gets to choose the cake. I’ve never made a superhero cake, but I’ve done many fairy cakes, a Castle Cake, a Ladybird cake, Under the Sea Cake, Number Four Cake, Confetti Cake, Garden theme cake, and plenty more. This time, I breathed a sigh of relief when Miss H requested the Kit Kat Cake. If you’re contemplating your child’s next birthday cake and want something that’s easy, quick and has plenty of “wow factor”, this cake is the answer. In a few easy steps I’ll show you how to make a Kit Kat cake. No special baking skills are required to create this colourful, fun, eye-catching cake that will impress adults and kids alike!

You can make the Kit Kat Cake using your favourite chocolate cake recipe. Any cake will do. Just use your “go-to” cake and bake it in two tins. The best thing about this cake is it will hide any imperfections. The whole cake will be iced in chocolate buttercream and then covered with candy. You can even make things easier on yourself by baking the cake ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap then put in the freezer….

How to throw a terrific Rainbow Party

April 19, 2015 By Michaela Fox

A rainbow party theme is colourful and fun!

As a mum to three girls I’ve put on my fair share of themed birthday parties. I’ve done a Fairy theme; Garden theme, Pink theme (no requests for superheroes in our house!) and I’ve managed to dodge a bullet, er, I mean request for a Frozen theme. I just can’t go there. Queen Elsa has invaded too many areas of my life already and I need some distance from her. Against better wisdom, perhaps, I always ask my children what theme they would like for their party. I had hoped my three year-old would request a Fairy Garden theme as I could simply combine the previous two parties, and, voila! But no, given her favourite colour right now is “all the colours of the rainbow” she asked for a Rainbow Party. And she got it….

5 Party Craft ideas with Washi tape

April 18, 2015 By Michaela Fox

DIY party craft

Here’s the thing. You don’t need to be especially crafty to create party craft. With so many ‘picture perfect’ Pinterest boards it can be easy to feel intimidated. But, party craft does not need to be perfect to make an impact. And it doesn’t need to cost the earth or be a chore. It all begins with Washi tape – my secret weapon when it comes to craft. If you haven’t yet discovered Washi tape, now is the time. Washi tape is pretty, patterned masking tape and comes in various designs, colours and widths. It can make simple things look funky and fun! There are endless patterns, colours and sizes available so you can use it in as many ways as your imagination can come up with. It is easy to be creative with washi and for the “craft-challenged” mums like myself, it makes me feel I am oh-so-clever! It peels off easily from walls, without leaving a mark. However, most washi tapes are strong, and functional as well as pretty, making them wonderful for practical as well as decorative use. The only downside is that it’s slightly addictive. You’ve been warned….

A Garden-themed birthday party for a 4-year-old girl

September 17, 2014 By Michaela Fox

Garden setting

A garden party was the ideal theme for my daughter’s birthday. Four years ago, on the thirteenth day in September, as nature burst into new life and the Jasmine flowers bloomed, my “Miss J” was born. It wasn’t a lovely labour – you can read about it here – but when she was placed in my arms I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Another girl. Another healthy baby. Another life full of possibility. A sister for Miss A. A second daughter for us and a tribe of cousins ready to meet her.

We had shortlisted our girl names but hadn’t yet decided on the “the one.” It’s tempting to say we wanted to wait to see her to name her, but the truth is we simply couldn’t make up our minds. We liked three girls’ names equally. It was my husband who named her shortly after her arrival. “I think she looks like a J,” he said. He was right. She was small, delicate and oh-so-pretty. That she should be named after a Spring flower, the scent of which makes me happy, seemed perfect. And so, “Miss J” she became….

A fabulous fairy party for a 5-year-old

April 9, 2014 By Michaela Fox

In the past, I’ve kept my kids’ birthday parties to modest affairs – the cheap and cheerful variety. But this year for Miss A’s 5^th birthday I decided to spend a little more time and money on creating a spectacular party for my beautiful girl. When I asked her what type of party she would like, I was not the least bit surprised when she requested a Fairy theme.

At the age of five she’s delightfully immersed in imaginative play and the existence of fairies are very real. The best part about planning this party was consulting with my client every step of the way. Miss A loved every part of the event coordination, from developing the invitees list, to collecting the RSVPs and deciding on catering requirements. We had so much fun and her involvement made it a really fun and exciting event….

How to host the perfect kids’ birthday party

August 8, 2013 By Michaela Fox

I’ve been a parent for just over 4 years now and it’s taken me 7 birthday parties to figure out where I’ve been going wrong. And the answer is simple: I’ve been hosting them at home! Last weekend Miss A was invited to two different 4 year-old parties. These smart mothers had the sense to outsource the parties. Clever. Both parties were a hit and it has struck me that this could be the way to go.

Children’s birthday parties have changed a lot in recent years. In the last generation, most parties were celebrated modestly at the family home where ‘Pin the tail on the Donkey’, and ‘Pass-the-parcel’ were de rigour. A themed party or a fancy pants cake were about as exciting and unique as they got. And there’s nothing wrong with that – we all loved them! But, in the words of Bob Dylan, The times they are a-changin’! And I think it might be time for me to change party tactics….

8 Fast Facts:

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