cloud on over, skies...i don't care. the triplets beach birthday party is over and the skies stayed true and blue for it.
for the past week the hong kong weather conservatory was predicting showers and force 4 & 5 winds for saturday due to the monsoon coming down from guandong.
this did not suit team caldwell at all...after all...saturday was the triplets 5th birthday party! we had planned to hold it at the beach and we needed sunshine! i told the triplets that i needed them to pray about the weather, and they took that task on willingly, as well as praying that their sick friend grant would get better and be able to attend the party. (left: the beach as seen from the bbq pit.)
the cake was a carefully thought out phenom. it had to be a theme all the kids liked, and we wanted it to tie into the beach party theme. so we all agreed on a beach party cake. excellent. i then decided that the beach party would be best, IF we included water. thus the hunt for blue water (jello) began. needless to say, in canada this would be easy, in hk it wasn't as easy, but thanks to gail...we pulled it off and installed a pool into our beach scene.
i'll leave the rest of the cake descriptions to the pictures...but it was as tasty as it was clever. charles pulled off another winner indeed.
the party was held at south bay beach and we had a bbq - hotdogs, chippies, veggie platters, cheese platters, modest amounts of alcohol, wine, coffee and tea. and marshmallows roasted over the fire.
it was a great time. the weather wasn't perfect, but the kids did not care. most ventured into the water, there were sandcastles going, and playing. so much playing. every once and a while a windstorm would swirl up, which was annoying, but it would pass in 30 seconds.
at the end of the party, our 122 neighbours offered to carry presents, extra food and drink and other miscellaneous items back to the flat. i just love our neighbours. they are so considerate. i was swamped with kiddies demanding party bags (are match attax huge in north america right now?) so i didn't thank them properly. (left: the triplets during birthday cake time; that's grant buddying up to jasper.)
at around hot dog time, ursula and colleen and their kids arrived, and so we stayed around for a couple more hours. we left the party site at around 3:30pm (party ended around 1:00pm but many stayed later.) God gave us the good weather we had prayed for and then more. we were blessed. as we were leaving south bay, the skies started clouding over.
the kids are currently washing their old lego ~ why? no idea ~ in the bathtub and about to head to rugby. they have a room full of wrapped presents, and only asked once if they could open them. but not right now...charles is too exhausted to fully enjoy it and i just need some quiet.
i don't have to plan another party until NOVEMBER!!!!
Happy 5th Birthday Jasper, Sela and Carys. Looks like you had a wonderful party and your prayers were answered. The cake looks divine, if you ever do a cake walk fundraiser at school, Charles' cakes would be the first to be chosen.
Posted by: Louise | February 22, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Yay for your birthday, Sela, Carys and JJ. What a great party you had and your prayers helped bring about blue skies :-) You make Mo and Grandad Blake so happy just because you are you! Happy Birthday!!
Much love, M xox
Posted by: Mo aka Maureen aka Grandmother aka Mum | February 22, 2009 at 06:52 AM
They are such beautiful little ones! Happy birthday Sela, Jasper and Carys!
Posted by: Laura | February 22, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Happy Birthday guys!!!! WOW!! Where did the time go? Which means its five years ago today that I found out I was expecting Keighely....crazy eh...you and Jin gave birth on the same day and I discoverd I was going to have Keighley!!!
Wish we could have been there to celebrate with all of you!!! xo Lyns
Posted by: lyns | February 22, 2009 at 07:34 AM
Tess, I am friend of Odila's and just wanted you to know that I enjoy your blog of your beautiful chickies.
Josie
Posted by: Josie L | February 22, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Wait a minute... what about MY birthday in July?
Posted by: Charles | February 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I would like it known that even at my advanced aged this is MY idea of a perfect birthday celebration. Hope everyone had as much fun as the pictures seem to show, and much thanks for sharing so quickly - even with pictures! (Thank you to MC for uploading those, I'm sure.)
xoxo
Posted by: Boulder | February 22, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Hi Tess, So glad the day went well. And a big Happy Birthday to your delicious kiddies! I am impressed as always with Charles' cake making skills - fabulous - do you hire him out? Pity I am in Singapore now..... Caitlyn is wanting a Cowgirl/Pirate/Fairy/Tiger party all in one - any ideas on a suitable cake for this combination of themes??? I hope you have now had a well deserved rest! love, Alex Crossing
Posted by: Alex Crossing | February 22, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Once the firetruck arrives we shall light the candles on the joint triplets/ Granddad cake.
Love to all.....Dad
Posted by: Dad aka GDad Blake | February 25, 2009 at 01:40 AM