The Birthday Party

Donovan's party was a great success.  He was so excited all morning, the time just didn't pass quick enough.  We spent the morning tidying up and blowing up balloons.  Setting the table which we discovered we really couldn't fit 12 people around as our chairs take up too much space.  And then it started to pour with rain so we wouldn't be able to have the pinata outside!

Then finally at 1pm, everyone showed up.  They all had a great time dancing for the first 15 minutes, then the pizza arrived.  Of course everyone seemed to want cheese pizza and we had pepperoni mostly but it all worked out.  There were even leftovers for Miles.  Finally the people from Sciensational Sssnakes!!.  Once they were set up, the children all trooped downstairs for the informational part of the show.  We had been told that they would do a talk first, but as they did their talk, they continually brought out different snakes (there was one turtle).  The last snake was a huge boa constrictor.  At this point, they passed the boa constrictor to some of the children and brought out at

least 3 or 4 other snakes.  The children were all ohh-ing, ahh-ing and lots of giggling.  There were lots of different snakes: milk snakes, corn snakes, an Ontario Water snake, a ball python, an Eastern hog nosed snake.  I took so many pictures.  Donovan was just so excited.  This was really worth it, if you are interested in snakes.  The children had lots of fun getting the boa constrictor twisted around them.  I think Detta liked the boa constrictor.

Once the Sciensational Sssnakes packed up, the children had the pinata.  Hugh held it on a stick so it could be hit.  Donovan was the first one to give it a good whack and the pinata broke on the second hit.  I am sure the children didn't mind as it was stuffed with lots of toy reptiles and candy.  Then everyone came back upstairs for cake.  Donovan loved the cake.  Some of the children even had a second piece.  And now it was time for everyone to go home.  YEAH.

Once everyone left, Donovan opened his presents.  He received some really nice presents and money.  Lucky boy.

Getting Ready for the Big Party

We are putting things together now.  Hugh took the day off and we went shopping for more candy, toys, party snacks and a few assorted things.  I am so glad he was available, I don't think I could have done all this by myself.

I made the pinata last weekend, in the shape of a snake.  It is painted and today Hugh helped me put the tissue paper on.  But first I filled it with lots of toy reptiles - snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators and candy, of course.  The pinata is not any particular snake, Hugh thinks it looks like a hairy caterpillar.  I think it looks great, quite the masterpiece but the glue is going to take a while to dry.  The tissue side is actually the bottom as that is how the pinata will look when it is hanging up.


Meanwhile Hugh was also mixing up the cakes.  We made two chocolate bundt cakes.  Once they were cooled we cut them in half and fit them together like a snake.  Hugh trimmed the head and tail.  The cake is delicious, I suggested we add some chocolate chips for that extra chocolate taste.  Then I iced the cake with chocolate icing,it didn't look much like a snake at this point if you know what I mean.  But I got out the smarties and small ju-jubes and started decorating.  It is a ju-jube diamond back snake cake.  It looks great with the candies on it.  Hugh put together this really big box so we could put it away in a safe spot, ready for tomorrow.

New Years Day

Not only is it New Years Day but Joan's birthday also. Joan decided to have a craft party this year so she invited her sisters (me, Anne and Katherine) and a couple of friends, Laurie and Sue (who is visiting from Australia). We are going to make polymer bracelets. This is something we can all make in one session. Joan and I have already had a test run where we made Christmas buttons, Christmas trees and candy. They are very cute.

Joan had a large selection of colours and after much deliberation, we all chose our colours. Then we had to mix, roll, and twist many times. We had to stick a skewer through each one, and then the beads were cooked. We did two different varieties. We had a great time threading the beads and putting the clasps on, I became so fed up, Joan did mine!

Joan made us delicious panini sandwiches for lunch. Some of us had to have a second half. Then there were presents, tea and cake, of course. We all came away with two bracelets which were very cool. I will have to do this with the children, they would really enjoy this.

Christmas Eve

Detta had a great birthday. Kath, Sue and Aimme came over. We all went to Pizza Hut for lunch. This was Detta's choice this year. Pizza Hut had their lunch buffet which the children loved. Then we all walked over to Dairy Queen and had dessert.

Earlier in the week, Anne and Elizabeth came over with gingerbread houses and trains. Detta, Alex (Detta's friend) and Donovan all decorated. It was lots of fun. Miles was out at karate. He now has his orange belt. Anyways back to Detta's birthday. Anne also brought a cake with her. So we had cake and ice cream.

Detta received lots of good presents. We gave her a portable DVD player. I am sure she will get lots of use of it. You can even plug in a memory stick and play movies off that.

Sue and Aimme are here in Canada for a visit. Sue is a good friend of my sister, Joan and lives in Australia. Aimme is the same age as Miles.

I managed to get the mushroom and apricot stuffing ready yesterday. It is mainly for the vegetarians since there are lots of nuts and seeds in it. But I used gluten free bread so Kath could eat it also. Plus I wrapped all the sausages with bacon, there are at least 40 of them. Then Hugh and I made two batches of German biscuits. I bought rice, potato and some other gluten free flour to use in the German biscuits.

My Day

Had a quiet day for my birthday. We decided to leave dinner till the weekend since Miles has robotic club till 7pm. I opened my presents. I received the DK Star Wars Lego Visual Dictionary which I love, a Star Wars Lego set, the 3D Monopoly and a box of Turtles.

We haven't had a chance to play the Monopoly game yet but it seems a little more complicated than the original one. Miles, Donovan and I have poured over the Lego Visual Dictionary. I didn't realize it has only been 10 years since Lego started making sets for Star Wars. I have it beside my bed and Miles also borrows it every night to pour over. It even comes with a unique mini figure of Luke Skywalker!

For my birthday dinner, we went to the Imperial Buffet. The children love it because they get so much choice. Actually their sushi bar is very good. And the chocolate fountain was in operation!! YUMMY!!

Donovan's Birthday Party

Today we had Donovan's Party at Airzone in Oshawa. He had a great time. Five friends were able to make. Being so close to Canada Day, many people were away or having guests. But Donovan and his buddies had a great time. There was lots of popcorn, pizza and cake. And of course, presents.

It has been a crazy morning. Detta and I are packed finally. I keep thinking of more things to bring. I am going to bring my cousin's some Tim Hortons coffee which they love. Hugh packed the boys for camp and then at the last minute we realised the epipens were out of date. One was left at school and Miles opened the other one at school (and poked himself with it!). Fortunately we discovered we had 3 more renewals. Thank goodness.

Donovan's Birthday Day

Donovan was 7 yesterday. My little baby. He received some wonderful presents. Donovan has a Bumble Bee costume which he likes very much. Plus a transformer toy, some colouring stuff, a Star Wars sticker book and a dvd (from his Auntie Anne & cousins). Donovans choice for dinner was McDonalds but we also had Chinese food. The Chinese food was in celebration of Lizzy being accepted by Ryerson. We are very happy for her. Donovan is also having a birthday party on Saturday, lucky boy!!!

Summer has started. Detta is doing half days of skating this week, under protest, mind you. Miles has nothing for this week and Donovan is at daycare. The skating is a sychronized skating class. Fortunately they found another rink to have it at, as the Galaxy rink is closed due to the strike.

Donovan had an end of year party at his friend, Lexi's house. Donovan has on the bright pink swimming goggles. It was a wonderful day. Most of Donovan's Gr 1 class was there. He had a great time swimming. It is hard to believe, he only went into our pool at the end of last summer. I think it was due to Arrowhead Camp. He finally got the bug for swimming. I had such a hard time getting him out of the pool. This is Donovan with his favourite girl!!!