Is there a doctor in the house?

... it's been 22days and 15mins since my last party.

#2 Animal Rescue/Veterinary 7th Birthday Party
My kids spend the entire year leading up to their birthdays deciding what type of party they are going to have and what kind of cake they want. They are fully aware that it is an excuse for me to get my party fix, and expect nothing less than a Cromie party. S announced early in the year that she wanted an Animal rescue/vet party for her 7th birthday. Usually ideas change alot throughout the year, so I didn't put much thought into what to do. But as the time grew closer, she was still determined that that's what she wanted.

Her birthday is at the beginning of October, but as this was school holidays and the week that we threw D's 40th in Bali, I postponed it by one month.

This year I have been a bit slack on invitations. Usually I hand-make invites with allot of thought and care, (e.g. for her second birthday, a princess party, everyone was sent a flat invitation with simple instructions that turned into Princess/Prince cone hat with tassels and elastic with one fold, Everyone then wore it to the party - but that's a different party) Not this year, this year was the definitely the year of e-invites all round. I turned to Sendomatic and their barking dog invites to send to the girls. 

With the invites out and 100% attendance expected, I needed to get into the swing of what I was actually going to do. I was a little side-tracked by final plans for D's big day, and time started creeping away.

But the whole party turned into a no-brainer when I typed in Animal Rescue party into google. I was just looking for a couple of suggestions on things to do to create my event, but within two seconds I had stumbled on Jennifer's webpage for her daughter's 8th party**more details at bottom of entry**. 

Armed with Jennifer's ideas, for the running of the party. I needed a triage unit, I needed stuffed toys, medical supplies & then I decided that the kids really needed scrubs. I was all set to hit Arab Street for fabric, haul out the sewing machine and get sewing on 30 miniature scrubs. It was at this point that a very good friend called from Jakarta. I chatted with her over a glass of wine, telling her all the plans for the party and how little time I had (think there was a week to go at this stage) she listened sympathized supportively as she always does, then expressed regret that she no longer lived in Singapore. 'Hey, Jakarta is only like an hour and half away, jump on a plane, come for the weekend!' After more chatting, Mrs C who is not one to miss a Cromie party, had pretty much booked her ticket.

Later that night, she text me saying that she may have a solution for the scrubs, that one of the workers there knew a tailor that could get them done cheap and fast, plus she and her daughter were heading out in the morning in search of toy medical kits and then to visit the tailor. Gobsmacked I waited for her contact in the morning, where sure enough, she had sorted out the costumes and had picked up some medical kits. Her and daughter Mini C were on a flight later in the week and she would be picking up completed kits on the way to the airport. She is truly an amazing friend I must say!

Day before, saw me cooking cakes and making logos for name badges, signs, and diagnosis charts, and not to forget making drip bags late at night for the triage unit. (I like to leave things till the last minute) With Mrs C & Mini C now in town, it was full steam ahead.

Day of the party, I set to decorating the cake (yes I had left it to that day) and Mrs C & Mini C helped with staging the party, including stranding all animals over the property. The day was not void of obstacles as we struggled with making sure the IV stand didn't fall over in the wind, and the shear weight of it as well. Party food had to get underway, Pictures had to be taken, printed and enveloped (printer stuffed up, thought that was going to be it, but came through at the 11th hour and everything printed just in time)... needless to say it was a very busy morning!

On arrival, each girl was ushered outside to the 'Cromie Veterinary Clinic' to receive: 1) Full Scrubs 2) Name Badge 3) Stethoscope 4) Medical supplies 5)Personalized Chart & pen (any siblings that came were given all of the above minus scrubs, as we only had 30 plus Z's mini one) Have to say the scrubs were AMAZING - I was just going to whip some shirts together and do some hats, what Mrs C brought with her were fully finished scrubs, pants, tops with pockets and hats. All completely finished with double stitching and labels.

 Once everyone was changed we issued everyone with an envelope. Each envelope contained two photos. One close up of their dog or cat they had to rescue, and one picture far away, showing where their animal needed rescuing from.

There was then a mad dash through the yard to find their animal and get them as quickly back to triage as they could.

 

This party then pretty much ran itself, the girls were content to bandage their animals. All taking stats like weight, length etc. Making their own diagnosis and treatment plans. Bandages were wrapped, needles (ok they were toothpicks at the bottom of the IVs) poked in, medicine give and even prescriptions written. We had everything from blind dogs to those with runny poos, broken ribs and broken ears. Their imaginations ran wild, whilst us adults sat back with a glass of vino and dined on some delicious tid-bits. This was a 'drop your daughter and run' kinda party, but as usual 75% of the adults hung around for the duration.

 

After surgery, girls were split into two groups for pass the parcel - it just would have taken forever with the 34 kids that were there, plus the parcel would have been ginormous! I had planned a couple of little backup games, but by the time Clinic was done, party food and pass the parcel was done, it was time for cake....(have I mentioned that I love making cakes??)

Once our little vets had chopped up the kitty and eaten the mouse, it was home time, all taking their scrubs, newly rescued animals in carry bags, some medical stuff & a Stuffed Parties goody bag with them... well for some anyways. For others who's parents were enjoying the afternoon too much - it was into the pool to cool off.

From reports back, alot of the girls wore their scrubs to bed, and the following day too. Me thinks  it was a success

xxxx

Inspiration: ** Please visit Jennifer's webpage for her Emily's 8th party. Jennifer is an amazing and wonderful mother who knocks stereotypes of homeschooling out of the park. She is truly an inspiration. (checkout her homeschooling website Toadhaven Homeschool - it is brimming with amazing projects & information) 

Hello, My name is Trini, and I'm a Partyholic...

.... it's been 21days, 2hr and 54mins since my last party.

For those that know me, you know I love to entertain. We have people almost every weekend, sometimes twice on weekends and occasionally even mid-week. Thankfully I married a man who also loves social interaction, and gets antsy if we haven't done a BBQ or at least people over for drinks in 10 days. Socializing is great, but there is nothing like throwing a full on party. It's been just over 21 days & I'm now having withdrawals.
So, thought I would start sharing some of my parties that I have thrown in the past, not only to give those that don't know me a taste of what I'm like, but also just to document for myself. I think I'll start by going backwards....

#1 Cromie's Orphan Christmas on the Lawn
Every year we gather those around us that don't make the pilgrimage home for the holidays. It's our way of bringing a bit of cheer and spirit to those around us, and to give our kids a hearty Christmas full of laughter and great food. Anyone is welcome and guests are welcome /encouraged to bring their friends or relatives that may be in town too. 

We spent Christmas morning just as everyone else did, buried in a sea of wrapping paper, taking those insane twistie ties off all the toys, adding batteries to those that Santa had forgotten to do. Then as D helped the kids explore their new treasures I set about the setup and cooking. I'm not totally insane, I had done some prep the day before, but I am a last minute kinda gal.

As the weather was looking iffy, I left outside till last, deciding to start setting the table at 2 as everyone was arriving at 3, just in case of rain. at 1:30, it rained lightly for 15 mins - - I breathe a sigh of relief as I started to lay the table.

Just as our 34 adults, 24 children descended on us, the skies opened. And I mean literally as they descended on us. A bus load of guests arrived and as they turned up our driveway, it started to HAMMER down. With a shrug (and a large glass of Veuve!) we greeted our guests. Children shuffled themselves off to the kids rooms, immediately segregating into Boys and Girls... they didn't care about the rain. We just poured the wine and chatted. Everyone had bought at least one plate of food, so we got that sorted inside (instead of the original outside plan) -As you can see my theming was red and white....

 

Singapore gets rain often, this I've already mentioned. It usually passes and if it does everything dries off relatively fast. So after the torrential downpour, I set to striping and resetting the outside table. As long as they had a glass in their hands, everyone was happy to help pitch in. Red skirting was thrown over the pool fence or in the dryer. White table cloth was replaced with my white photography backdrop, plates were wiped, candles emptied chairs dried - all with relative ease. (below, half way through the reset... skirting on the pool fence)

As we waited for the skirting to dry and my turkey was resting we were surprised by some Carolers. Domestic Helpers on their day off had banded together and were walking from house to house singing Christmas Carols for anyone who would listen. Yes, I thought of everything... well ok, this was a complete fluke that just made me look good (which I did confess to later) but definitely in my notes for must do next time!

After caroling, came the man in the Big Red Suit. Actually he was ready before the carolers- After scanning the crowd for potential St Nicks (D sooo not interested in doing it) one man finally agreed to do it. Just as he was about to step outside, the carolers had turned up, so he waited patiently whilst everyone sang their hearts out. Remembering it is 32 degrees in Singapore, patiently is such a feat! So this poor man lost about 10 pounds whilst waiting.  With a Ho Ho Ho, and no sign of heat exhaustion he emerged and did a brilliant job! One by one the kids sat on his knee, each of them walking away with one of my fabulous Stuffed Parties Jumbo Christmas stockings. 

 

Then it was the adults turn. Each adult had to bring a gag secret santa gift, anywhere from $0-20, the tackier the better! Whilst being fed beer through a straw, Santa endured every single person (and the men seemed to get bigger the further along he went) There were some beautiful and original gifts, I must say. D got a hot pink cadillac, I got a giant (and I mean giant) singing christmas bauble - which I have had to since confiscate off the kids. We had purchased a giant toothpaste tube toilet roll holder & had MY photo engraved on a beautiful keyring, but wait it gets better- it lit up! Gifts to be surely treasured forever! 

After Santa was relieved (and returned to his normal state of shorts and t-shirts) We brought the food outside, carved up the turkey and sorted out the kids. Kiddie tables were scattered around the yard and all chomped down happily, whilst big people had more drinks. The table was re-skirted and just as we lit all the candles on the table, the miniature Xmas trees' lights were turned on across the table and as the torches were lit behind the table, there was a huge clap of thunder. Looks like we were destined not to actually eat on the lawn. 

With a heave ho, all the men of the crowd carried the huge table of food fully laden up the stairs and into the middle of our lounge room, just in time for torrential rain hit the ground.

What could we do??? 

We Laughed!

Absolutely divine food and plenty of it followed, then continued into the scrumptious desserts. 

I had made the 10kg Turkey, Roast vegetables, Thai Pineapple Rice salad, deviled eggs, A simply scrumptious Chocolate Trifle (never done a chocolate one before and it was sooo delicious) and of course my prize pavlova. Each family had brought at least one dish as well, so we were overflowing in food! 

The rain continued into the night as we poured family after family into taxis, with the last departure about 11 we flopped wearily on the couch to hoe into the left overs.

'Twas a fab night, a great tradition started back in Hong Kong that we will continue to do as often as we can. But perhaps next year we'll have a marquee...

xxxx

in for repair...

I LOVE to snuggle up with pillows and a doona, in my scrumptious bed, designing, FBing, Twittering, trawling the internet and stumbling through my new found love of blogging. It's where I feel at home.
I've suddenly found myself at a loss now as I can no longer blog in my comfy zone. My laptop unexplainably died the other night, straight after posting 'How our Bodies Deal'. Took it in for repairs and found out that it was the only one of my Apple products we didn't take the apple care warranty out on. (of course it is! And it's Just out of warranty!)  Looks like the logic board needs replacing (phew haven't lost any of the stuff I hadn't backed up yet - - which is alot) but bad news is that it means $$$
So until I can get it repaired, am stuck working on my desktop - - which is not my ideal creative zone. And although great for graphic design/photography purposes... not an ideal size to be lugging to the bedroom. Now I need to reconnect with my IMAC, it's been a while, there is hours ahead of me cleaning it up - transferring graphics and photos to external drives to free up space..... urghhh....

 Although the machinery of the house may be still in intensive care, the little people are doing well. Z hasn't had a fever in 24hrs now and has broken out in a beautiful post-viral rash, so he is healing really well. His spirits are back up and we all enjoyed his rendition of the Star Wars song over dinner (then encore after encore as he realised he was super cute!)  S's eye is back to normal, but she remains on drops for a few days. We are hitting the kitchen this weekend, as Singapore's biggest Junior Masterchef Fan, she is begging me to show her the workings of the kitchen. L is back at soccer in the morning (thankfully) he'll be able to run off some of that energy on the field. J is into yet another novel and I think a trip to Borders this weekend to spend some of his Christmas money may be in order.

Me, well am hoping that these antibiotics kick in tomorrow, am feeling better, but still waiting for that wow, I feel so much better feeling. 

Thank you all for your thoughts, love & beautiful emails/posts/fb messages etc - keep sending them our way!

xxxx
(to comment, please click on the left hand link to this post. Currently my blog does not allow you to comment directly from the front page, previous posts are ok, just not the current one. Not sure what the issue is, but until I figure it out- I would still love to hear from you! You will be able to comment using the left hand link of the current posting ... what a pain, am so sorry!)