Dahlia turned 7 on March 4th, 2010 but our house was upside down, so we had a birthday party with all her school chums (and her BFF) at one of those gym, jumping, party houses. (Mama loved it 'cause all I had to do was order pizza, cut a cake and smile - not a thing to clean up.)
But we've had a tradition since Dahlia has been here where we have a birthday celebration with her China buddies and their families (our buddies). So June was a perfect time to (belatedly) celebrate our 7 year old Dahlia.
But instead of having a formal, themed, decorated and styled party, I opted for casual and fun. (And Mama rather liked that for a change!)
A few goodies (must haves) like sweet and spicy nuts.
A little blow-up pool and toys.
I bought everyone water guns, and party sprayers and let them have at it.
Some hors d'eouvres like Grecian beef pastries....
...and Feta and herb Eggplant rolls....
Roasted Spinach Portobellos to start. The kiddos had Beef sliders (which they gobbled up) and we BBQ'd Skewers of Chicken, Beef, Salmon and Veggie Kebobs, Italian sausage (as hot as I could find) with Potato Crostini and a spinache and arugula salad. (I'm not including recipes here but I might if you ask.)
Dessert was cupcakes for the kids (Dahlia's choice) and cheescake for the parents.
Margaritas and wine flowed.
Our little gang has grown from 4 couples - no kids to 4 families with 2 kids each. All from China. After dinner the kiddos were a bit spent so TV was in order before the prezzies. Here are 6 of the 8 kids. Georgia (just under 2 years - our youngest and Nathan - our only boy must have been still outside when one of the Dad's snapped this picture.
Our treasures, for sure.
And, of course, Dahlia's BFF - Angel (both sporting teeth that have no idea where they are headed).
No celebration would be complete without these two together.
Hope everyone had a spectacular Canada Day celebration and a jubilant 4th of July!!!
Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!)
We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home.
This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!
God.
My (growing) family.
Hangin' out with my girlies.
My wonderful friends (you know who you are!).
To laugh (out loud and a lot!).
Music.
Painting. Hugs.
Long chats with my buds.
My garden.
To read (ha...when I can!).
Sunshine.
Spring, Spring and more Spring.
Building things.
Cooking.
Decorating.
Parties (ahem).
The internet.
Life.
Movies. A.I.
Dancing with the stars.
So you think you can dance.
Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off.
Oh Gee...everything actually!!
17 comments:
That get-together sounds just lovely. What fun for the kids with all the water play! :)
Oh, I would love to have your Roasted Spinach Portobello recipe, please. Pretty please. :)
...k....I'll scan it and e-mail it.
:)
oh my gosh the food looks yummy!!! What wonderful pictures of all the girls : ) Looks like your birthday girl had a great celebration!!
Oh I LOVE this tradition that you have with your fellow China families...Dahlia and Angel and just like Grace and her bff Julia!
All the food looks really delish, I think you should post some recipes for them later.
Beautiful pics and happy belated to Miss D!!!
Happy belated BD Dahlia! Funny, I saw that picture of the girls on the couch in an email from Nathalie and thought to myself that those 2 girls looked a lot like Clara and Eve. Too funny!
How lovely! The food looks just wonderful. Isn't funny how sometimes are least planned and themed parties that aim for casual, turn out to be some of the best of times? I need to remember that more often as I plan my wild get togethers.
Best,
Indiana Lori
I'm with ya about the birthday parties outside of the house. Much, much easier on mama!
Love the get together with your travel buddies. Our travel grouped talked about doing something like that, but it's never happened. Perhaps I should make that my priority!
That's my kind of party! What yummy food you had!
Happy belated birthday to Dahlia!
Oh my goodness! These pictures are so cute! The food looks amazing! I love that little pool! My daughter would love that! I will be having her birthday party at a fun place too. I am with you on wanting to enjoy the party and just order the pizza. This celebration looks like it was alot of fun! Have a great night Wanda!
Mama Hen
And you called ME uber Mom? WOW Wanda:)
Look at all of your creations! Are you serious, is this having a casual party? Looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wanda, I am sure you are reminded of this all the time, but you are simply WONDERFUL!
xo
P.S. Happy party day to Dahlia:)))That is such a special tradition btw!
The food was excellent as usual, the company even better. Our little group is so blessed.
A great time was had by all.
luv u
me
You are so blesse to have a group of families that close together...all with daughters from China!! I'm jealous!!
And..your food looks simply scrumptious. My idea of simple would have been nuts and drinks! ha ha
Where to I begin? Well, I have to begin with the food since that's where I always seem to begin. Uh, uh...what to say except...MMMMMMMMMMM I am drooling as I write this. I wanted to try every one of these (how many Weight Watcher points are those mushrooms???) What a feast! The girls in the pool....Dahlia's suit, pink and black and all the girls on the couch...apparently they got the black and white memo......LOOK AT THEM ALL! What a perfect shot...I'll bet Dahlia (and Milana) had the time of their lives...just heaven. Oh, and the parents...did you have to roll them down the front steps?
Great shots!
Oh boy.....this is my kind of party......casual and fun.....and OH MY WORD.....the FOOD:)
It looks like the girls had a complete blast...they are so adorable!!
If Sarah were sitting here with me she would be asking to go for a dip in that cute little mermaid pool and join in the fun!!!
Oh my.. what FUN!! Looks like a fantastic time!!
And that food, goodness gracious.. you're making me HUNGRY :)
Happy Birthday Dahlia, a few months late ;)
Mmm that food looks yummy! :)
It's a nice tradition you have there. I'll be fun to see how they all grow up together too. :)
What a lovely tradition and special way to keep those lovely ladies & one little man connected with one another as the years pass!! AND fun for the big kids too!! :)
Oh that sweet splash pool....smiling SO extra big right now!! AND those *gap* grins....having been there with L for many O' months now, it makes me sigh a bit nostalgic......of course we are still wondering about the final placement of some teeth too!! :) AND still actively losing 'em also! LOL Its a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggg phase *me thinks*! Argh!!
BUT Wanda? There was nothing simple about the masterpieces you served for munchies and supper!! OH MY....now you are my chef hero too!! :)
hugs!!
Treasures indeed!!!
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