Double (figures) Party !

Today is Violet’s tenth birthday.

I know this because she has reminded me around 3498 times in the past week.

I don’t know how she thinks any of us could forget – after all we did hold an early birthday party for her last weekend.

With approximately 3498 guests…

It went a little like this…

We warmed up with a Christmas lunch.

Yes I know – most people would seperate these two events (my family Christmas from our daughter’s tenth birthday) but most people might not hate getting party-ready quite as much as me. It’s my idea of multi-tasking: one massive effort to prepare this very large house (and yard), instead of two!  Yes, I was exhausted (and roused on by various people for attempting it) but it was totally worth it.

Beautiful nieces and nephews gathered at our house.

Enjoying each other’s company as only cousins can…

The three firstborns (my sister’s ‘Salina, my brother’s Rose and our Dash)  – all are in high school next year, which blows my mind.

Christmas lunch was lovely, with present opening and bon-bons, the works. (I did cheat and use disposable plates – I had a lot of people to feed!)

But once we hit 3pm….

The day became Violet’s!

And then it was all dimple-and-cupcake city.

I baked lots of mud-choc cupcakes, my sister-in-law Curly (in background below) helped me ice the darned things (Fact: I had never made butter-cream icing before).  And then Mr Incredible lit the candles…

It was gusty, so his task was almost the toughest!  It was seriously hot last Sunday and all the kids were keen as mustard to deal with the cake and get into the POOL. Can you tell?

There are a lot of cousins and second cousins in this photo, which is something I just love about living here.  I love that our kids are mates with family.  Best of both worlds.

Violet handing out the cake to my cousin M’s oldest girl.  These two have been playing together since they were in nappies. Violet would that I am pointing that out!

These are two of the ‘big girls’ who used to attend the tiny primary school our two go to – I am quite sure kids grow up MUCH faster than they used to. These two are pretty much as tall as me now.  Could someone please STOP THE CLOCK?

Axel was funny during the party – he was pretty sure it was all for him, and kept himself busy overseeing events.

Overseeing the little kids slip-and-slide…

And then…Overseeing 3498 people in a pool.

(Okay, there might have been ‘only’ 32 at any given time, but as my father says: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story)

Like any good Aussie party, the blokes cordoned themselves off.  This is Dash with three mates busy showing off.

Dash (and all mates) will vehemently deny this is what is going on here, but I’ve been to a pool party or two in my life, and I am confident in this call.  Testosterone is a funny thing.

The girls were busy being unimpressed. 

Of course in this melee, it was a little hard to tell.

I would just like to take a moment to reflect on the amount of work a pool this size takes – my husband has been busier than a one-legged bloke in a butt-kicking competition.  Running a property AND getting a very large pool party-ready.  It’s usually my job (in previous years) but I am still not allowed in the sun too much (and there was plenty inside to keep me busy!).  For a man who doesn’t swim much, it was a huge effort.  I think 3498 people appreciated it, darl. Nice work.

And while his post-surgery smile (he had a cancer taken from his bottom lip in two ops recently) isn’t a big one, I think he was pleased with the amount of joy and fun had in that pool throughout the afternoon.

A bush birthday is never complete without a party-crasher with horns…

Bay Leaf came to see what all the fuss was about, so Violet introduced her to a school mate who had to check out the pointiness of those horns! Her little sister required a bit more space, and was happy to observe from a distance.

All too soon the sun set on Violet’s party… in quite spectacular fashion I might add.

And this Mama then proceeded to collapse for a few days (not really but I was beyond tired and have really only just caught up!).

All in all, a wonderful, wonderful day.

Now, did someone mention that it’s Violet’s ACTUAL birthday today?

😉

PS So much has happened since last week… like a grand total 223mm (almost 9 inches!) of heaven-sent rain, and Dash graduating from primary school (yet-to-be blogged).