Party Time, Any Time!

Today we celebrated the 4th Birthday of our dear little friend Finn! His amazing Mum, Amber, put on a a delightful Construction themed party. She made it so special not only for her darling boy, but also his little friends who attended and even their parents and siblings - a wonderful day for all involved. So many thoughtful touches, amazing decorations, delicious food - yep, I was in awe!

Lily and Finn take the craft verrrry seriously!

Amber made these simple yet awesome treats - marshmallows stuck on sticks, dipped in chocolate and crushed Violet Crumble. The kids went mad for them.

Cheers to Marshmallow Lollipops! Harper, Eli, Lily

Seriously. Butter would not melt in their mouths!!

The kids stood against this wall for a photo... then for the rest of the day, Eli went and stood against this wall every time he had a Marshmallow Lollipop (eg: twice), and every time he wanted one (eg: about a dozen times). He would just stand there and bleat 'yolliiiipop' as if this magical place was where one stood to get the goods. Sorry, buddy boy!

He spent much of the party walking around like this!

Then it was that time which is pretty much compulsary at every Aussie child's party - Pass the Parcel. The kiddies gathered, a quiver of excitement in the air (or confusion, in Eli's case)....

Lily was front and centre and giddy with glee for the party game...

Eli gets a turn w Daddy's help

Then my darling girl spent much of the game with this expression on her face (well, after the first couple of rounds). The parcel was passed round and round and round and the layers of paper (and enfolded treats) unravelled, yet it had not stopped with her...

Her little eyes watched that parcel like.a.hawk, I tell you. I could see the turmoil and conflict in her eyes. Oh, how she wanted to unwrap that magical parcel. Oh, how she wanted to weep, protest or even snatch it from another child's hands. Oh, how her hands lingered when the parcel came past yet again. Oh, how very hard she was trying to wait patiently, consider others, follow the game rules. Pretty sure our little conversation in the car (This is Finn's special day, we let Finn go first, we help him have a happy day) was running around her tortured little mind. Ever so conflicted...

Yet she held out. The self-control was marvellous to behold (teetering on a knife-edge as it was). But it was tough, tough I tell you!!! Every other kid getting a pressie, except you? That is considered TORTURE in Three-Year-Old-World!! Mark and I exchanged sympathetic glances as we watched over our little lady. I encouraged her once - 'Lily, you are waiting so patiently, darling,' but mostly held silent as I knew this was her battle to take on alone. And then the moment came...

In fact, it was the very last layer (thanks Amber, so kind of you!), with the ultimate prize - an awesome pack of magnetic letters!! Yeah, there is probably some kind of life lesson there... (please reflect amongst yourselves....)

Amazing construction cake by Amber!

So sweet and beloved Finn is Four, he had a wonderful day and we all got to celebrate! Kid's birthday parties are the bomb, especially when the parents also get to all hang out and par-tay too. Good times, yummy food, lovely memories, and a few life-lessons to boot!