Birthday Jitters

Where do I even begin to tell you about Shabd’s great big FIRST birthday? The anxiety prior, what do we do? Who do we invite? What will we serve? Who will cook? Do we outsource?

Between you and I, if i had to be absolutely honest, the stressing and planning began months ago!

So how do i tell you about Shabd's big day?

Let's begin at the beginning, as most beginnings begin - the days leading up to the big FIRST BIRTHDAY. Stay tuned, this blog comes in editions!

Let me begin my alleviating your and my fear; turning the big 1 was a blast for Shabd! (Us included).

I promise...Shabd enjoyed his party!

 To bake or not to bake was the Shakespearian sonnet being sung dolefully in our home for many a night. There are positives associated with homemade; let’s face it, it’s made with love, it shows dedication, patience and belief in one’s talents with a piping bag. And then there is the other side; it’s so much easier to order a cake, it saves time and avoids anxiety on the part of the ‘would have been’ baker, "professional" trumps "homemade" in terms of appearance and presentation of the cake hands down!

Yours truly, always up for a challenge opted “Homemade”. And then meekly called her sister for help! Who, as Dipika always does, came galloping to the rescue!

We would bake a cake…Check!

We would cut it out in the shape of the number 1….Check!

We would ice it in green and blue….What?! With a piping bag? Alone? Is it too late to call the bakery and order one? Apparently yes, too late!



Whoever said icing was hard?

Then we would print animal decals on edible paper and place on the cake…Where on Earth, or should I rather say "Where on planet Mauritius" was I going to find edible paper!

This plan was starting to get complicated and I was starting to feel like McGyver, ek moet nou 'n plan maak. Luckily, i sourced a little cake supply store close by…and they print on edible paper! Yay…’n boer maak ‘n plan!

Even Papa gets busy with Project Koek!

Would you believe that I took a days leave to bake the cake?! And indeed, it took me a whole day to prepare. But I won’t bore you with the details, aside from a panicked call to Superhero Dipika (the 1 didn’t look like a 1!) and plenty of excitement as layer by layer of icing was gently smoothed onto the cake, it took form!



TA DA!



Cake done - check!

Now to set up the venue.

By now, Akash had understood the "Naran" way of doing things and had gotten into the swing of it. He'd set up the "venue" already...streamers and lights and all! Didn't he do a fantastic job?

Papa set up the 'venue' - he felt all Naran...The son my father didn't meet!

Oh! I was so caught up in the cake that i forgot to mention Akash's contribution. Yes, not only is he handy at draping and lights, but he's artistic too!

The Family Tree

Everyone that attended the party were invited to make their mark on the family tree.

Like life, our family tree is work in progress, one leaf at a time

Please come visit soon, we'd love for you to add your fingerprint to Shabd's family tree.

We would like to Thank Dipika masi for her HUGE involvement in Project "Shabd turns 1" and acknowledge her amazing design talents. Invitation card, welcome sign, streamers, cake design...all Dipika masi!

I was sad that my family would not be around to help me plan this milestone in Shabd's life. And amazingly, Master works in mysterious ways. He ensures we get what we need exactly when we need it. Even if that need is a guiding note from Chandrika masi, or a call from Mummy during a particularly stressful day, or a message from Trish, or advice from Kamal or a virtual Dipika by my side. Varshabd & Akashabd are blessed that you are in our family tree!