In Full Bloom

Imagine a party with 13 vociferous kids, all creating a rambunctious cacophony of ear-splitting yells, boisterous shoves and exuberant glee. You will probably end up being tone-deaf for half a day or losing your voice trying to shout warnings of caution above the loud din. 

This was how Big Bee celebrated her 8th birthday last Sunday afternoon - with her closest friends and their familiar siblings from her kindergarten days, and with immense exhilaration and verve. 

We had been planning this party for the past month - or rather, I was merely the logistics planner, and she was the honcho in charge of the entire guest list, party items and games. She wanted only her closest friends from kindergarten with her, complete with a large bouncy castle to accommodate her entire gang, party games and a pinata full of goodies to help dissipate their boundless energies. 

Party elements: the ubiquitous cake, goodie bags, food, pinata and a bouncy castle! 

Her best friends, Rachael and Lizzie, arrived bright and early ahead of all the other guests, and they had a fantastic time fooling around and giggling about boys. So they were especially excited when Kai arrived, and he was aptly shy as well. These are the woes of children from single-gender schools! 

Surrounded by her closest pals who had known her since she was 4 years old

All the kids loved the gigantic bouncy castle and the roughest play imaginable happened on the castle. Shoving, yanking, pulling, pushing, kicking. It was akin to perpetual wrestling matches! Somehow, the younger kids like Little Bee with older siblings are battle-hardened from the constant fights at home, and learned how to tackle rough big kids very well. I was elated to see Little Bee blending in perfectly with jie-jie's friends at the party.

Utter mayhem at the bouncy castle! 

I hired party hosts to concoct fun party games and to host the pinata session so that I have time to network with the parents. The kids loved the young and vibrant party hosts who organised the games with gusto and gave out prizes to all the kids. Wonderful! 

Pinata galore! 

It was a great party, and it was really gratifying to see Big Bee's blissful expressions. 

Snapshots of convivial expressions throughout the party 

She loved the fact that all her best pals were with her to celebrate her special day and relished the attention showered on her as the birthday girl. 

With all her friends...

It was particularly sweet to see how her friends started making cards and writing little notes to her as their birthday wishes - I can sense a strong bond of camaraderie and friendship forming.

 

The aftermath: a clean, freshly showered Big Bee, all ready to open up her presents! 

I guess this will be the start of many parties that she would direct in future - all I ask for is her complete happiness and the knowledge that we are always behind her, supporting her and loving her. Happy birthday, Big Bee. You're a young lady now at 8 :)