Birthday weekend

Last weekend was Luca's 3rd birthday... something that he has been looking forward to for a long time. For the past month or so he was busy inviting (and univiting) people to his birthday depending on whether or not they were in his good books or not at the moment. It seemed like the checkout ladies at Woolworths were a particular favorite of his since everytime we'd be grocery shopping he would invite the woman behind the till. When they would ask what he wanted for his birthday, he respond "Balloons, candles, cake, meat and cheese." All the best things in life.

On the morning of his birthday when I greeted him with a "Happy birthday!", he looked at me quizzically, glanced around and said, "Where? Where's my birthday?" Try explaining the concept that a birthday is about more than just cake, candles and presents to a three year old at 6am.


Luckily Anree had arranged a mini-birthday cake and we gave him presents from the family the morning of his actual birthday, even though his party was only the following day. Would have been a terrible let down for him otherwise.

Ouma Ilse had flown in from Port Elizabeth for the occasion and so he got a big hug from her. Nikolai was right in there too, making sure that he didn't miss anything.


Luca was suitably chuffed with his presents. Just the process of tearing off the wrapping paper seemed to get him going.



Nikolai managed to get in on the action when the little bouncy rubber balls came out. He was totally up for this birthday thing.



The highlight of the morning was when Luca unwrapped his blue bike and red helmet. He was very particular about the colour that each must be and luckily Anree got it right. Had the potential for disaster if she didn't.

There was time for a trial run on the smooth and safe surface of the deck before we headed off for a small family birthday lunch.


All Luca wanted to hear about at the restaurant was his ice-cream-on-a-stick.


Nikolai was more than a bit concerned when he didn't get one and tried valiantly to separate Luca from his... no luck though.

Saturday morning was time for the real deal with all the friends, cake, candles and sugary foods designed to rev up the kids.

If you've ever tried getting a bunch of kids to look up at the camera for a picture when they have a plate full of sweeties and crisps on a plate in front of them on the table, you'll understand that a diligent photographer will try anything to get his subjects' attention. Luca eventually got sick of all the snapping of fingers and started snapping back at me in earnest.

Next it was time for dad to call everyone over for some birthday cake.

Anree and Ilse were up the night before building one of their cake creations. This year it was an airplane.

Anree & Ilse join the birthday boy and Talia to pose for a photo with their masterpiece.


Tatum and Floyd were still busy tucking into the chips and cookies.


Luca managed to stay focussed on the business at hand, even in the face of the distraction posed by the Matthews girls.


Mia went off for a swing to get a little peace and quiet. Mia and Luca are best buddies at the little Montessori school they've been going to since January.




Anree had stocked the kids' party packs with little tops and planes and things that were a hit.

Luca and Talia hung out and devoured a party-pack or two...


... then Luca showed off his tree climbing prowess to Mila.


Eventually, when everyone had gone home, it was time to take the new bike out and ride it down the hill beside the house. A future mountain biker in the works.