Family gatherings

Sounds like the title of a horror movie, doesn't it?

Devilishly I grin.
Kidding aside, today we held a family celebration to commemorate Spitfire's fourth birthday. Spitfire was quite involved in the planning of the event, even giving me a guest list of family members she wanted to invite. We had to chuckle with her providing us with a list of invitees but it was cute nonetheless.

She chose the theme: Lightning McQueen. The red animated race car was today's focal point for balloons and the kiddie table was adorned with the tablecloth, hats, napkins, and cups in homage to the Great McQueen. And I can't forget about the the cupcakes. At Spitfire's request, the icing was blue (as opposed to red) but the candles and decor pieces for the cupcakes were Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater. I was terrified of doing the cupcakes from scratch, dying the icing blue and gasp, actually icing the tiny cakes, but somehow I pulled it off. Heck, I even enjoyed it. Already, I'm thinking of an excuse to make cupcakes again...

Anyway, I digress. Back to the family in family gatherings. A family gathering wouldn't be complete without my sister announcing she'll arrive at one time and then actually arriving at another. When my sister called today saying that she'd be at our place at around 2:30-3:00pm (the party actually started at 5pm), to hang out with the girls for a bit, I automatically assumed she meant 2:30pm the next day. Cynical, you might say? Realistic and experienced in the ways of my sister, I would respond. My sister operates in a time zone very unique and special to her. Today, she arrived at 4:45pm. Early for the party so we'll just forget about the original 2:30pm arrival cuz hey, she was still today's first guest.

One by one, the members of the tribe knocked on the door and made their way in. Some opted for passionfruit punch and others opted for a more racy mango sangria to quench their thirst. All the while beer bottles accumulated. With skewered BBQ shrimp up for grabs during cocktail hour, the party was off to a good start.

If this were a sitcom, things wouldn't stay that way. There would be meltdowns, petty disagreements, and all around "American TV Thanksgiving discord" but such was not the case today.

As the hostess, I was pretty relaxed. Or so I felt. Only my guests could say for sure. I felt that way because I was prepared. As the guests arrived, I was holding a glass of sangria in one hand and offering drinks with the other.

Spitfire was a ball of energy which isn't anything out of the ordinary but her happiness was all apparent. Usually not one to play up to the camera, today she was thrusting her shoulders forward, snapping on a huge blue icing smile and giggling mischievously as she'd bite on the (non edible) Mater toy that served as a cupcake topper.

It was bliss for Spitfire and in turn, it's bliss for her proud big sis, LittleLady. With their baby cousin running around in her pinktastic ballet tutu dress, Spitfire and LittleLady were in their own happy place. Sure, there was some gleeful shrieking, and I mean a lot of it but such comes with the territory.

Maybe it's the early morning hour (almost 1:30am) or maybe I've had one too many sparkling mango sangrias but I can't wait to host the next get together. Doesn't Mr. Unfazed have a birthday coming up in August???