Happy Birthday!

We had L's bday party yesterday. (I transferred this post from my blog - party was January 4) I was up the night before until 3 am! Who knew that a small intimate bday party would still have me up at all hours of the night! Well at least the house will be straightened up more or less for Chinese New Year. That is, if we can keep it this way for the next 3 weeks! lol

I think it went okay. Not my greatest effort. I was running around like a madwoman again b/c I wanted to do too much. I cooked. Granted only 2 dished but it just took up time. I wasn't being the best hostess and talking with everyone. Ugh! I had purchased stuff last year - which didn't get here on time for his 2nd bday!!! - and planned to have a couple of games - which I already reduced down, I had more planned - and a couple of crafts. None of which was done. I had the appetizers done. You know, the usual, the cheese and pepperoni platter, the veggie platter and chips and dips. Okay, I can't take credit for the chips and dip. That's D's territory. Chatted with our first guest a little bit. Said hi to the second guest and then went to feed the baby. Wanted to do that before 11:30 but of course you know what they say about the best laid plans.... Then bolted out to start on lunch at 12pm! I served at 1pm. And the chicken was not fully cooked! :( I really enjoy making the pasta dish. It's my new favorite. Too bad that both dishes can't/ shouldn't be done ahead of time. I would have rather mingled than be cooking. Okay, not totally true. It would have been cool to have an open kitchen so that I can talk and cook at the same time. :) And in the meanwhile, the kids are running around the house like crazy people. Having lots of fun. Normally, I would have had the kids do the games and crafts. I had to delegate that to D so of course it didn't happen. Ummm... I can't cook and run the games and crafts at the same time. I did manage to break out the two bean bag toss games before the last 2 guests left, so there was some game playing. But no crafts done. Knew I couldn't count on D. Of course his excuse is that the kids were having too much fun playing. Yeah, that would be his excuse. Hey, where the smirk emoticon, I need a smirk!!?!??! Anyway, the boys will have playing with the games on their own. Or with friends when we have playdates.

I asked M if her daughter could come as a princess as L has a new love of princesses. He sees her and doesn't even blink an eye. Hmmph! Little stinker!

L received the coolest gifts. I love getting gifts. Besides the obvious reasons, other people think differently than me and have gift ideas that I would never think of. We got lots of Crayola Color Wonder stuff from Jen and her boys. Jean and her kids were thinking along the same lines with more Color Wonder and Model Magic. That is the best stuff. You know, the mess free coloring. Best thing ever invented. I had brought it along with us for our road trip but it was not needed. L also got Diego Mega Block set from Adam and the twins. T and L have been having fun with it this morning. There is a environmentally friendly vehicle that L is quite sure about. T is playing with it though. But the favorite so far seems to be the Mickey Mouse Surprise Clubhouse from Er and her boys.

After everyone left, I relaxed and enjoyed the snacks I didn't get to before. L is already asking about his next birthday! I guess he really enjoyed himself! I'm glad. It was worth all the effort then.