15 Marbles

I was talking to a friend,who’s daughter is turning two and we were discussing parties.After we hung up,I checked the blog,to read about Aadi’s 2nd birthday party and I didn’t find anything.I realised,I never got around to writing about it.I am always big on party planning..and so,I think its a good idea to write down the details..for that day,when I lack the enthusiasm to plan another do.
Theme and decoration :
As with her first b’day party,we decided on a theme,based on her likes.At that time,she was in LOVE with Pooh Bear..Pooh Bear toys,pooh bear bottle,Pooh Bear table cloth,Pooh bear videos! So,we decided to have a Pooh Bear Themed birthday party.We looked for Pooh bear themed decorations and cake,but didn’t have much luck..except a birthday banner and a lone balloon.
The other thing that she liked then was Balloons.We couldn’t pass a counter selling balloons,without buying one for her.So,we decided to get balloons and loads of helium Balloons with long strings.And decided that was the only decoration that we used.DH wanted enough balloons to fill the room.

Cake :
The cake I was not entirely happy about.We chose a chocolate cake,in the shape of 2 and it had a picture of the Balloons.Originally I wanted a custom cake,with a little bit of Pooh,some balloons and something about the number 2.But,I didn’t find anything I liked..and we had just moved here..and my baking had gone haywire.So,we settled for the next best thing.The taste was alright..not,Out of this world like the first birthdays.And that cake came from a grocery store..this was a proper bakery.Anyway..It was a 2 shaped cake,vanilla with chocolate cream filling and vanilla cream on top and chocolate frosting on the side.

Games– There were 5 kids (age 2 to 4) and 3 babies. So,I didn’t really plan any games.I just pushed the furniture near the walls and spread some toys..which the younger kids and babies enjoyed.The older 2 just formed bunches of the balloons and ran with them.
Menu : It was a dinner party and the menu was-
Appetiser-Chips and Salsa; Veg Spring rolls.
Main Course-Veg Manchurian,Chole,Chicken Curry,Boondi Raita,Veg Pulav,Roti.
Dessert-Fruit Custard.
I cooked everything,except the rotis at home and everyone loved it.The first dish to disappear was the Veg Manchurian.I had made so much of that,but in the end,I had to gracefully put the empty bowl away.

Return Gift– It doesnt matter how tiny your guests are ..their eyes light up,at the sight of the return gift.Since we had a small number of kids,I bought individual gifts for everyone- the girls got a faux fur bags in pink or lavendar-the bags were filled with playdoh for the 4 year old and crayons for the 2 year olds. Boys got cars and crayons and the babies got a soft toy each.Each gift bag also had some candy,blow-outs(?) and a baby shrek,whose head danced..
And finally a picture of the gift table-

All in all, a good party.I wasnt too happy about the cake..and so this year,I plan on baking myself..FINGERS crossed!