Last Sunday (October 30, 2011) was Ishi's first birthday party. It was a culmination of almost a month of planning! It was well attended by friends and family though we did lose some last minute guests to seasonal flu and the first ever Indian F1 race which was on the same day!
The venue was beautiful. We chose the lawn tennis ground, which was covered with lush grass and enclosed with green creepers with little purple flowers. There was also a big children's swing set with a ropewalk and a slide just next to the venue. We decided on a Pink/Lavender color scheme to create a magical place for a beautiful baby girl.
It was a delightfully sunny autumn afternoon. The guests entered under a fluffy balloon gate, flanked with a board announcing the party, in the courtyard filled with splashing fountains. They found themselves in a lush fairyland with two huge gazebo tents and stand alone umbrella tables and chairs.
The pride of the place went to a large collage of Ishi's photographs, flanked by two bubble machines that floated iridescent orbs over the guests. Spread on the table counter just under the collage was a big chart for the guests to write their messages for the birthday girl. To the left was the place for gifts, while on the right was an overflowing bowl of candies surrounded by lollipops, party hats, noisies and party masks!
A little ahead, and in the middle of the two gazebos was a beautifully draped cake table. The cake itself was an enchanting princess castle with beautiful sugar towers, ivy with flowers on the walls, pink windows and doors, all decorated with hearts and colorful gems and sprinkles. Inside were layers and layers of yummy chocolate and vanilla, which everyone raved about. There was even a smaller eggless version for the pure vegetarians! The candle was a pretty lotus that bloomed on being lit, and a sprinkler candle on the cake, that shot fiery sparks!
Opposite the collage was the children's area with jungle bouncy, a tattoo artist who painted live tattoos and a candy floss maker who spun sugary delights! Beyond this was the catering areas where Moets the caterers served a delicious menu! Doing the rounds of the guests were the starters - dahi kebab, chilli potatoes, mini veg pizza, murg malai tikka, mutton galouti kebeb and fish orly. They were washed down by assorted soft drinks and juices. For the main course there was shahi paneer, cholle, veg biryani, murgh makhani, mutton rogan josh, goan fish curry, live pasta and noodles stations (veg and non veg), assorted indian breads, green salad, dahi bhalla and papads. On the dessert counter, the cake was joined by rasmalai, tiramisu and ice cream. Everyone raved about the food! Some loved the paneer, some the fish, others went gaga on the noodles ... the pasta ... the tiramisu - the menu got a resounding approval from everyone!
After the good food, the conversations and the fun, when it was time to leave, the guests were again surprised with a variety of return gifts. For the kids there were flash cards for the tots; dolls, jigsaw puzzles, play dough and ramp cars for the young ones; and sliding puzzles, nail art, candle making sets and Ra-One Shahrukh Khan notebooks for the elder children. The adults were not forgotten, and went back with sparkly and ribboned boxes of chocolates.
At the end of the party, all of us (Dida, Dadu, Tuki Maashi and Deepak Mesho included) went back home loaded with gifts and yummy leftovers!
Once at home, it was an gifts everywhere as the unwrapping and the fun began! Boxed toys, wheeled toys, soft toys, clothes, books, even a silver spoon covered the living room! So much love, good wishes and loads of blessings for our little princess was the perfect ending to a magical day.
Happy birthday little angel. We love you!
