Birthday Extravaganza

Al and I have been struggling with guilt. Ruby has never really had a proper birthday party. I think her 1st birthday was at mum's house with Lia and Lily and some family members - that was the closest we got. When she turned 2, we'd just moved to the U.S. so we took the day off work, went to Chelsea market and let her dive head first into an Elmo cupcake. That was probably the most fun she'd ever had. When she turned 3, we took the closest thing to cake that was permitted into the classroom - which were some horrific 'healthy' muffins from Wholefoods. Don't know about Ruby, but I'm certainly scarred from those. So - 4 years old - this was it. The big day!

We joined with Emme (her friend who was going to turn 3) and hired out the New York kids club. 31 kids, at least as many adults - and it turned out to be a serious bash!

The invitation...

There was some pre-work. The going home presents were super hero t-shirts for the boys - as sported by Eben and Hudson:

 

And wings for the girls..

Which all had to be wrapped in tissue paper.

It was actually a really amazing day. Ruby as a purple fairy before we left the house.

And this gives you a taste of upper west side parties..

http://youtu.be/HqjFK9yV8ng

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Here are a few snaps of Ruby on the trampoline, Ruby and Emme in the centre of it all, the kids etc.

Cupcakes were a hit.

Ruby had a blast.

On the way back from the party, nice example of wonderful New York.

Although Ruby fits in nicely with the eccentricity

The party was the week before her birthday. On her actual birthday, we opened all the presents from her party, went to Petco which is her favourite shop anyway and bought her a pet fish which she's named Susi (it's a boy fish), she had a bath filled up to the top of the tub with a pink bath bomb she'd got as one of the presents and finished off the night with a small piece of the Cadbury's buttons easter egg Al bought in London.

And here's the lil man and I in the park that day (very sunny and beautiful)

I can't believe she's 4 already. She's a ridiculous sweetie. Love you Ruby. xxx