Recently, I really don't feel like blogging. Somehow I feel what's the point of voicing out when no one really bothers to listen. I was really hurt and down...
But nevermind, the bad times are over!
The good time is here! 明天会更好！I believe I will gradually recover and to trust people again ^^
And now is the celebration seasons! It's just few weeks more to my princess, Jamie's birthday!
My parties used to be planned at least two months ahead. But I am late AGAIN this year! But guess I am so used to doing things within tight schedules these days that I am not feeling as stressed.
Like what Jamie always sings:
"Let it go.. Let it go..."
We have to let certain insignificant stuff go when planning important events. What's really important when planning events is to ensure your objective(s) are met. For birthday parties, the key objective is that the birthday girl/boy must be HAPPY!
I used to be worried whether my adult guests would be happy or comfy too. Well, I slowly realized that anything/everything that makes children happy, sometimes simply inconvenient and or even upset adults.
But I still believe there is a way to compromise somehow. One way is to be sincere and tell my friends (without kids or with too young kids) about my challenges and 1) hope they understand 2) excuse them for eventually deciding not to attend the party.
Like one friend always says, those who want to come will come, no matter how inconvenient the venue/arrangement is. Those who don't want to come, won't come no matter how much compromises you make to please them... So true...
This year, we decided to try a different party concept. Over the last five years, we tried chalet twice, once at my bro's condo function room and once at my Punggol place. All were located in indoor pre-booked areas. It was easier to book catering and plan the programme.
However, this year we will be having a 'free and easy' birthday celebration at Port of the Lost Wonder, Sentosa (POLW).
We were struggling with the option whether to book the party package (inclusive of a party tentage, simple deco, simple invitation cards and entry & food for 15 kids) OR to depend on our luck and walk-in to get space at the restaurant to do cake cutting and simple dinner/teabreak reception.
We even did our reccee at the POLW before we confirm our decision. The only available party tentage (Party Cove) was not very impressive and we saw many adult guests left standing, though the party coordinator tried to provide more seats. But I think the party tentage was far to small to accommodate seats for 15 children and 15 pairs of parents. We saw a very bad review on this party tentage but we also saw it for ourselves too on last Saturday.
There is another party tentage which was big and able to take 20-30 kids and the adults too. But 1) it was booked for another birthday party on 9 Nov already, 2) it was quite far from the action (water play area.
Party Cove
Celebration Island
We compared it to the Port Belly restaurant which has a open but sheltered seating and an indoor air-con seating. The staff were not very friendly nor helpful and said we cannot make reservation in advance to use the place as there is only one restaurant in the whole of POLW. We were not upset because the party coordinator had told me the same piece of information prior to my reccee. But we thought they were really inflexible because we are willing to pay a deposit to make reservation. Well, rules are rules I guess?
Picnic Area
We saw some picnic spots too where my guests can just sit around. But we are concerned of the insects and wet weather...
Too much uncertainty so dropped the idea of picnic...
Port Belly
Likely we will just have to walk-in earlier to chop the place for cake cutting and refreshments before or after the water play. Well, I haven't really sort this part out... From my experience on Saturday, not only the kids were shagged but we were shagged after two hours of water play! And seriously the weather was not even hot!
So I am considering whether to do the cake cutting and tea reception before the water play starts, so 1) everyone looks good and fresh on the photos, 2) those who needs to leave earlier can leave earlier...since it will be a party on a Sunday afternoon.
Sounds good eh?
Hahaha.. Let this idea stays in my mind till the end of the weekend and see if I come up with better idea!
See how happy my J&J were last Saturday!!! Hope they are even happier on 9 Nov!!!
Happy Children!
Oh Yes! I must really compliment the ticketing staff!! They were so patient in explaining how advanced ticket booking works and even gave Mickey an adult's wristband! See how happy Jamie is! Finally someone else understand how she treats Mickey as a 'friend', not a toy!
Happy Parents!!!
Yummy Food from Port Belly
Stay Tune for a Birthday Party Review after 9 Nov 2014
Birthday cake and Party theme
Oh yes! How can we have a birthday party without a theme and birthday cake.
Jamie had wanted a mermaid party but since there will be a significant number of boys at the party, I think these little boys will definitely be turned off with this theme. So I explained and convinced Jamie we should not choose an exclusive theme. Jamie was happy to have the Mermaid and Pirates theme instead.
We chose the cake and placed our order already too! This year the options are few but I was so happy Jamie found exactly wanted she wanted - Mermaid theme.
No, I am really excited to share the photo of the sample design of the cake but No, we will wait till her birthday then I take photos of the actual cake. Hehe...
Meantime will crack my head on the logistics and details
Wow, Jamie 5th Party looks nice. I am also working on my daughter’s mermaid themed party plan. It is her desire to have a beachside mermaid party so I am surely going to organize a huge bash for her. I also will prefer booking the bets private beach side event venues for the day.
ReplyDelete