Khaleef’s 5ifth Birthday Bash

the last time khaleef had a birthday party on his name was when he turned ONE. after that, when his birthday comes, we just bought a small cake, take him to his favorite fast food joint, or give him an hour or two on the hamster-cage-like play zone for kids at a mall. no party. na-ah. zip.

mr. khairul claims to never had a birthday celebration EVER, and while growing up, i only had cakes on my birthday and celebrate it with mak, abah and my sisters.

so yes, khaleef doesn’t get all the luxury any other kids his age gets – no themed-party with ben10 plastic plates and cups down to the ben10 paper napkins and birthday banner, clowns to entertain or pony rides – not even balloons! but that’s just us. hihi.

i hope this makes him appreciate his birthday celebration more!

when it comes to cakes, there was no question about it – we decided to order one from my dear dubai baker-friend, fida. she made the thomas & friends cake for kahfi for his 1st birthday, so it’s only so obvious to have a ben10 cake for that ben10 freak, khaleef.

it was carrot cake with cream cheese, and it was very delicious. some carrot cakes have a bit too much of a cinnamon taste, and the texture too crumbly – but fida’s cake was just right.

the price was worth it, so order one from fida if you’re planning a party with cakes!

* * *

like i said, we don’t decorate much for this birthday party – in fact, the only birthday decor we have was a set of cone party hats, and a cut-up orang lidi i made for the door! that’s it!

my handsome princes : khaleef, kahfi & kazim

takpe khaleef, it’s the thought that counts, and mak and bapak just want you to be happy and enjoy your day to the fullest. also, remember that bapak sponsored this party so that people can come and bring your birthday presents, ya! haha.

dah dapat pakai baju ben10 baru ngan kek ben10 tu dah kira bagus la tu! hihi.

* * *

this is the first makan-makan we’re having with 3 kids around – so i put my hands up, surrendered and said i’m just gonna make spaghetti. easy pizzy. we also prepared jugs of sirap kenduri. best betul makan dengan nasi briyani. macam kenduri kawen!

for the main dish, mr. khairul ordered pakistani briyani from najaf restaurant. excellent briyani – soft beads of rice, fragrant and so inviting! pair that up with juicy chicken masala with rich curry taste, and you’ve got a killer combo.

also in the line up was mr. khairul’s favorite dish from najaf, the dry fry mutton. black-peppery mutton fried with lots of sweet onions, curry leaves and green chilli – deadly delicious!

thanks to kak muna for the yummy kuih ketayap. hers were extra special because they’re filled with kelapa gula melaka with an added ingredient – durian!

* * *

the first guest to arrive was abe nik and eiyda with their 3 kiddos. khaleef was so excited (plus VERY impatient) to cut his cake that we didn’t wait for other guest kids to arrive! potong je la!

“mak, can i cut the cake? can i cut now? now, mak? how about now? now can i cut the cake?” OK!!!

* * *

i am happy when :

1. the house was not too crowded, yet filled with hungry tummies
2. the guests thoroughly enjoyed the food
3. i see guests taking 2nd and 3rd helpings
4. guests stayed till it’s dark
5. one guest said, “jangan anggap akak ni guest, anggap macam adik-beradik,” when she helped with the clearing-up. being in dubai away from family, that simple phrase (walaupun cliche macam drama melayu) brought me to tears. almost la. dalam hati. takde la aku nak menangis kat situ jugak hihi. tapi keikhlasan tu yang menyentuh. hihi.
6. no leftovers – we *forced* the guests to tapau some, and they happily obliged

* * *

first the excitement of a birthday party. then the excitement of seeing his ben10 birthday cake. finally the excitement of opening (more like trashing the wrapping paper) his birthday presents!

THANKS EVERYONE!

khaleef flew to the moon looking at all the remote control cars he got. funny thing was, of all the presents he got, the first present he grabbed enthusiastically and started looking through was a BOOK.

yeap, not the remote control car. or the toy bike. he quickly flipped through the pages excitedly while pointing at the animals in the book.

sejuk hati mak hihi.

* * *

ok, now we need to finish the cake. any takers?