party!!! (the sequel)

We had another birthday party this weekend. For the same person as last weekend. Yes, we double birthday partied our one-year-old. We are those people. Though I will say in my defense that we did not rent a hall for 100 guests, or hire a band or cater it like really crazy people do. We are just a little bit crazy, so we just had my parents, my siblings, my best friend, and their respective kids. Sixteen people in all. It might be the most people we've ever had over at one time for an event. We usually have these sort of family gatherings at my parent's place, but its a whole other ball game when one hosts. I know my mom always does a lot of work to get a party on, and it was nice for a change to get to see her sit down and spend more time talking with people instead of worrying that everyone has something to drink and eat. But boy, am I pooped tonight. I swear I've been cleaning and baking for two solid days. But it was all worth it because we had a blast. It was a PARTY. The kind of party where you know you had a good time because there is not a single clean glass, or clean plate or dry pair of mittens left by the time the day is over. 

There were presents again of course, which were as exciting for the giver as the receiver.
And sometimes even more exciting for the giver to be honest. We had some very excited givers.

And also, people who were eager to 'share' the new gifts, all under the good natured pretext of demonstration
"I have to show him how it works!" I was told by more than one excited party guest today.

It was so fun, all the hustle and bustle and chatter of little people and big people. There was nearly every stage in human development represented, with almost no two the same age, but yet everyone got along so well.
I was generally so busy finding extra forks and just one more plate that I didn't supervise any play time at all, but there were plenty of older cousins and helping hands around, so we had a loud, but pleasant day with no big conflicts, no minor wounds or even bruised feelings.  Oh, and the Baby even received a big of nostalgic goodness; You may remember Baby Tugs the Care Bear from that post I wrote a couple of weeks ago, who was kindly passed down to the Baby courtesy of his Uncle Lemur Boy. Now he's not just an old pop culture reference, he's an heirloom.

And of course there was cake, more and more cake. 

Which received the same enthusiastic raspberry scarfing pleasure as it did last Sunday. 

And the Little Dude did not wait long to get in on the action, much to the delight of the crowd. 

We finally moved him to the table...

...and cut him a piece of his own which he demolished with gusto before I was even finished cutting and serving the grown-up cake. 

I made my go-to favourite party cake, which is a Lemon Poppy Seed Charlotte that I absolutely smothered in raspberries. I just did a quick web search to find out if the recipe was floating around there in the ether somewhere but alas, it is not. I myself ripped it out of a magazine well over a decade ago. I'll try to find time to post the recipe for it this week, because really, I don't mean to brag, but it is a truly outstanding cake. So light and flavourful, and decadent without being heavy. It was enjoyed by all today, and we even have a little piece left over that I plan on eating tomorrow. Maybe even for breakfast. 

Comments

[Caroline]

Mmm, cake for breakfast, my favourite! Eggs, milk, four, seeds, quite healthy, really (I tell myself). I have a four egg cake I always use for the kid's birthdays, but that lemon poppy number sounds scrumptious. Please post it when you have time!

[Marcia Van Drunen]

Recipe, yes please!!
Delightful day for that one-year-old and his family. Well done, honey :)

[Hannah]

though I think I might find it a little intimidating in execution (I still remember your last blog post about it), I still want the recipe... (happy happy birthday!)

[fingertrip pulse oximeter]

yummy! cake on breakfast, i love that!

[marlon]

i know that cake taste good!