The Big Man Turns 40 - Part 2

A few days before Jake's birthday, we were getting ready for our trip to Ohakune during (another) very busy phase of life - I have multiple work projects on the go, we're busy with billions of specialist appointments for Molly, and Jake is 4 weeks in to a new and very busy job which so far has consistently required approx 60 hour working weeks. (And that's not even the half of it!)

You can imagine how I felt when Jake suddenly announced: "For my birthday I want more than just a family weekend away. I want you to organise me a party for next week".

To be fair, I probably should have thought of this before, but life has been a little bit challenging lately and I had instead just been trying to get through everything, quietly congratulating myself on actually managing to buy birthday presents and organise a weekend away in amongst all the other general day-to-day bedlam.

Anyway, I love a challenge ;)

So organise a party I did.

Not many people these days can necessarily attend a party with only a week's notice, but despite the lack of proper planning we managed to gather together a lovely group of Wellington friends for a drinks party at our house.

A couple of cases of wine were ordered, and some nibbles were prepared. And it's Jake we're talking about so of course there had to be a cake as well.

While I prepared the food, the kids were in charge of party decorations. I gave them about an hour or so to decorate the house - and they managed to blow up 3 balloons ;)

(NB If you look closely at the last photo you will see that yes, Jake wore slippers to his 40th birthday party).

Both children stayed up late and were in charge of photos! (I think they need a little practise!)

Alfie hit the pillow at 9pm and Molly followed on at nearly 11pm (!) and after that the music was turned up, more wine was got out, and the party continued.....until 3AM!!

That's the first time we've done a 3am party in a very long time, and we're still recovering!