Darian's Second Birthday Party

We never planned to have a big second birthday party for Darian, but as we were going to be in South Africa for his second birthday, my dear mother in law insisted that we do. It took months to try and organise it as I was planning it from the other side of the world and as my in laws were footing the bill, we didn't want to go overboard as well so had to watch the budget very closely. Angelique (my cousin's wife and one of my dearest friends) suggested the venue she had her daughter's (Eva) first birthday, Harvest Church in Somerset Park, Umhlanga. So my mum went and had a look at the venue and fell in love with it and based on all the positive things I had heard from Angelique as well as my mum, I trusted that this was the right place. We took months to get to that point as well, cos we went from pillar to post on what type of venue we wanted, and as I was trying to book this from overseas it was hard as I didn't know what to expect. So having that suggestion and mum's vote of confidence helped alot. Our first week of being in SA meant we had to arrange a viewing of the venue and last minute details. We met with Diane who was the event organiser for the Church as well as the caterer for the event, a few days before the party. We made all the final arrangements with her and entrusted it all to her. We intended on getting a balloon twister, face-painter, jumping castle and one of Diane's contacts was going to do a beautiful decorated marquee for the kids platy area, but after final tally of the guest list we decided it was too much. We ended up with 68 adults and 12 kids, all varying ages and knew it just wouldn't pass as a "kiddies" party so opted to forego all the kids entertainment.

Anyway, the first thing we decided on was the theme - Mickey Mouse. Darian watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse everyday and was thrilled with Mickey Mouse so we knew it was the right theme.

This was his invitation:

As his birthday fell before Easter weekend and with other weekends already planned for in our holiday, we had to have the party the Saturday of Easter. I was happy with that as it was only 3 days after his birthday so celebrating was still fresh in his mind!

That Saturday morning, Cameron & I headed to Westville to pick up the cake. Another recommendation by Angelique, Zahirah of Cupcake D'Lights baked the most wonderful themed cake for us. I merely sent her a pic of what we wanted and she said, no problem. We were so happy with the cake and as usual, Darian's birthday cake became the focal point for his party.

His party was filled with family from both sides, aunties, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends. I could not have asked for a better day. It was exactly what we wanted and watching our boy interact with all our family, being doted on and spoiled for his day was the highlight of our holiday.

Here are just a few pics of his special day...

The birthday outfit

With Pa and "Papa Allan"

Shying away from the camera

The birthday boy

The Birthday cake

The venue

mummy and the birthday boy

Encle Eddy (an old family friend) and uncle Allan

my mum and two of her best friends, aunty Nico (centre) and aunty Isabelle (unlce Eddy's wife)

2 of aunty Nico's grandkids, Kylie & Caleb (I grew up with their mums) and my niece Shannon, playing in the playground at the party venue

My mum with the kids at the playground

2 of Cameron's cousins, sisters Fransceska and Nyameka (aka Frankie and Yami)

Cameron & I with his cousin Kremalin and his wife, Reena. They are expecting their first child, a little boy in August (due date is a week before Brads & Sham's due date)

My family arriving, my cousin Rafiek (holding the present) and his wife Angelique, with my brother, Quentin carrying their daughter Eva. My dad and his wife, Mandy, and my nephew, Brandon in the background.

Quentin & Eva

Darian giving his cousin Eva a kiss

Frankie and Darian

Darian with Pa and Nana - I love the look of adoration Darian has on his face, he sure does love his Pa

Cam's little cousins (from left, Yami, Kaylene, Danita, Jerusha, Frankie) Yami & Frankie are uncle Allan's daughters and the middle three are Pam's beautiful girls

Lil D up to no good

Darian's 2 Grandpa's (Pa and Papa)

The gorgeous venue

Cam's uncle Selvan and his family, aunty Bernie, Judith & Raphael arriving

Everyone getting ready for the "formalities"

Little Eva Gabriella Roderiques

Me and my gorgeous friend, Verasha (aka Vees). Her hubby (Niven) and Cameron are childhood friends and we just happen to get on like a house on fire too...

Didn't want to come inside to get his party started

Cam's aunty Pam (right) and her sister in law, aunty Puddie

My dad and Cam's aunty, Mailga

Ricky (Pam's hubby) with Darian. Supposedly Darian is the first child in the family to actually love Ricky, as he used to "torment" the others. Darian calls him "Key" and was totally stuck to Ricky the whole holiday (when Pa wasn't around that is)

Getting ready for things to start

Cameron's cousin Judith was our MC - very proud of all the achievements made by this beautiful woman. A very successful and recognised South African journalist 

Uncle Allan and his wife Aunty June praying over our family

Darian couldn't concentrate that long

A blessing over us

Time for cake

Before... and.....

...after... you can tell I'm totally shocked that Darian blew the candles out in one blow

Totally happy to be centre of attention and clapped everytime the audience cheered him on

Uncle Selvan saying grace and giving thanks for this family gathering

Our little family

Darian and I with Niven and their little girl, Cyan. WE last saw Cyan when she was about 2, she's 8 now. She doesn't remember us.... :( For some reason I have no pics of their little boy Seth who is a few months older than Darian

Darian & I with Cam's neighbour, uncle Babs and his wife

The Pillays - soon there is another addition with Brads & Shams baby due in August.

Watch this space for an updated family shot, coming soon

Frankie and Raphael... two cousins joined at the hip...

Shannon and Darian - she served as his own personal bodyguard throughout the holiday

Darian playing with my cousin, Rafiek

Judith keeping a watchful eye on my niece, Eva

Everyone retreated outside to enjoy the cool breeze in Durban's hot weather - good excuse to keep an eye on the kids too!

Eva

Jude & Frankie

Bubble time

Pam and her 4 kids, Jerusha, Danita, Jerushan & Kaylene

The Subban cousins (Cam's mum's siblings kids) from left: Raphael, Frankie, Judith, Jerusha, Jerushan, Danita, Kaylene, Yolanda & Nyameka. The only cousin missing was Nicole, & her hubby Randall, who were unable to make it as it was to close to the due date of their baby boy, who was born on May 21st - Zion Kale Donn (pics to follow in another post). 

A gorgeous group shot (mum had left by then unfortunately so she is missing). Even the photographer, Cam's cousin Yolanda (red and blue striped dress got in a photo)

Pressie time

Thank you to everyone who made our boys special day even better! We appreciate the time and all the wonderful gifts Darian received. And couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate our boy's Second birthday! We love and appreciate you all!