The Ultimate Children's Birthday Party

We have been to many children’s birthday parties and also organized one for Isaac during our last year in Malaysia. During this time we have heard legends of the ‘xtreme’ kid’s birthday party. These parties are rumoured to rival Easter show carnivals in their scale and grandeur and according to folklore are talked about through the year by children and adult alike.

Last weekend we were invited to Michael and William’s birthday party who have turned 4 and 12 respectively. At one end of the house was the beautiful, lightly salted pool, with strategically located chilly bins full of beer, enabling pool lounging with beverage in hand, on a 35 degree, typical KL day.

At the other end was the bouncy castle staffed by 2 vigilant supervisors ensuring the safety of the precious cargo. On the veranda was the candy floss maker, equally well staffed to serve the steady queue of kiddies with golden tickets. Directly opposite was a painting corner where various colouring-in activities were offered with artistic guidance from the fine arts degree student paying her way through university. Should any child be bored with the above, a balloon shape-maker accompanied by clown was at hand to conjure up every shape known to a 2 year old nipper.

This kiddy nirvana was interrupted briefly for carefully coordinated and choreographed games arranged by the supreme commander of the party staff who, in keeping with the inclusive age that we live, ensured that all children won something. For the first time ever in the history of children’s party games, no child cried and no one whined the following 1.) ‘I didn’t get a go’, or 2.) ‘no fair’, or 3.) ‘Casper/Ethan/Tommy (insert name) got more than me’.

To keep the little darlings fuelled, a stack of pizza and KFC was readily available to avoid potentially hazardous drops in blood sugar levels, and was topped off with an artistically sculptured cake. Interestingly, the invite stipulated the party was to conclude at 3.00 PM. The reason for which became clear as the time approached and the chilly bin was still well stocked, the pool cool, the weather stifling, and Isaac had only managed 3 lots of candy floss and half a pizza. To avoid the cardinal party sin of overstaying, we made a hasty retreat back to our little condo, where we siestad the afternoon away. We woke up wondering if we had been dreaming……perhaps it is a legend afterall.