I often look at amazing kids birthday parties on sites like Apartment Therapy and wish I could do something similar. But then I think who has time for that much preparation? Plus, that much work for a one-year-old’s party? I think not! One day I will create a party for my children that has envy-worthy photographs and is re-blogged everywhere but not this year!
We did present opening and balloons in the morning. Of course Kiran was much more interested in the balloons than the presents. Maya was thrilled to have some new toys to open though (I have been saving these since I bought them many months ago and as discussed previously, I will be aiming to give a lot less in upcoming birthdays and Christmases).
He’s crying because his balloon popped!
The presents – Melissa & Doug latches board / Hape geometric sorter /Plan Toys cone sorter / Chicken & eggs pull along toy / Books: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; Zzzzz: A Book of Sleep; When I Was Born.
Although I said that the kids already have too many toys and I’m still planning on not buying any more for a while (probably just one per birthday in future), I must say all of these were a big hit. Particularly the latches board – I think I have a couple of future lock pickers on my hands!
I planned on ordering a rainbow cake for Kiran but the stupid bakery would only sell me slices, not a whole cake. So I left the cake ordering up to Made and ended up with a pink cake. Men – useless! No, I couldn’t have made one as we have no oven. Ovens are like the pinnacle of expat envy in Bali. I did however make rainbow jelly, rainbow fruit salad and rainbow (kinda) pasta salad.
We went over to our other house to eat and celebrate as it is currently empty and much nicer and has a big garden for the kids to run around in etc. Unfortunately the heavens opened about half an hour after we arrived and we had to retreat inside. Looking forward to spending more time here when the long term tenant’s contract expires.
I wanted a picture of Kiran eating his cake but he really wasn’t interested and just stuck the tip of his finger in. He was happy for me to feed it to him though
Made and Duta provide the evening’s entertainment.
So now I have a two-year-old and a one-year-old and I think I’m still a little in denial about that. My little baby is growing up – *sniff*!
Great photos! I l know what you mean about the toys, our little one has way too many and she is only 22 months. For her second birthday and onwards we are going to cut right back on what we get her.
I’ve also started rotating the toys too so I only put out a few each day (although she can get more out if she wants). That way they seem to keep her interest longer.
Living in Bali looks amazing! We are living in Bangkok but are looking for somewhere new to go.
Cheers, Joe
It is so easy to buy too much! And then they’re happiest playing with a stick… I’ve started rotating the toys too – definitely the way to go! I really like bangkok, if I wasn’t here I would probably be in Thailand
Although I’d spend a fortune shopping every day if I lived in Bangkok, hehe :p
Oh happy birthday to your sweet boy!!! Sorry about the cake frustrations (I can soooooo relate, though I have it pretty cushy here in Jakarta, I must admit, plus husband is a chef, so um, I guess next time you need a cake just email me and I’ll send one over???) heeee.
Anyway, time goes too fast. I can’t believe your boy is one. When I frist “met” you online, he was just a wee little thing, a true baby baby. I always find birthdays happysad, you know??
Great birthday celebration! Your kids are so sweet! Glad your boy has turned one already. I can’t imagine my little one is growing too fast and will also be turning one too soon. Happy birthday big guy!
Hehe, I’ll totally take you up on that if you can get a cake from Jakarta to Bali in one piece :p Actually we do have some really great bakeries here so I could have got a good one made but they’re expensive and like i said, I think it’s a bit ridiculous going all out for a one year old’s birthday party. Maybe I will get a fancy one when Maya turns 3…