Happy 5th Birthday, precious Miss Moo!

Our Miss Moo turns five today! Hip hip hooray! 

Oh yes! She has been looking forward to turning a year older....and perhaps 10 years wiser....for awhile now. Since after her fourth birthday :-/

We held her birthday party last weekend. Last year, her little friend had his birthday party at Parap pool. It was early May then, and the weather was warm. She loved the venue so much that she requested it for her birthday. Unfortunately, (actually it was a fortunate thing for many of us) this year, La Nina had a mind of her own, bringing crisp and chill-biting coldness to Darwin early. On the day of her party, temperatures started at 14°C in the morning but warmed up to around 26°C in the afternoon. What's worse is that it was windy that day. So you can imagine the pool water would be about 5°C lower!

I was worried when the wind and chill didn't let up. However, being strong-minded that she is, she was so adamant that there was no way talking her out of having a pool party. Luckily there is a nice playgym and lawn at the pool so her older brother and sister organised a couple of last minute games to play....just in case.

As you can see, splish splash, it's a wet and wild bash! There's no stopping these kids :)

There are those who wisely test the waters first......and those who just go for the plunge.

Some tense up with shivers.......and most end up with purple-blue lips. Either way, many did defy and brave the cold waters.

Alyssa's back-up plan when I tried to talk her out of this venue - the playgym next to the kids pool. What a great idea. It was a hit with the kids too!

The parents were total chickens and opted to sit it out with the comfort of picnic tables.

The big kids also had so much fun.

Aaahhh yes. Playing pass the parcel. Great sitting in the sun to warm up a bit.

Hmmm. Need to get annoying baby away so as not to crash the party game.

Checking out her stash. She is resisting really hard not to open her presents first.....under the watchful eye of her mum.

Then the kids had a game of "Freeze", which I suppose wasn't that hard to play considering the irony of the condition that day  :D  Check out Miss Moo's freeze pose everytime the music stops. All the other kids would stand still straight, but for Alyssa. She ada gaya punya!

My latest thing to befit the theme of a pool party - blueberry flavoured jelly cups with 'swimming' fish and penguins. The kids love it! What's not to love when it's loaded with sugar, sending them into super hyperactive mode :)

Cheeky five year olds....again, note Alyssa's gaya pose.

Chloe che che and her mini-me :)

Baby Jordan and the offical baby carrier, Ah Goong.

Finally, the finale of the party...the cake! This year, she picked an under the sea theme cake with loads of sea creatures and a mermaid Barbie. The kids were totally impressed and so were the parents :)

Here's Miss Moo getting annoyed with the paparazzi mob telling her to stand this way and that, look here and there, etc. when all she wants to do is light up the candles, blow them and cut the cake. She's got that "Excuse me, I'd like to blow out my candles today, if you please!" look. Which she did, a forever later.

At the rate she knocked off at the end of the day, we could tell she had a great birthday party. Our baby girl is no more a baby. So until her sixth birthday.....

Happy Birthday, darling Alyssa. Miles of smiles for you and may your birthday be as special as you are!

ps. Also a very Happy Birthday to Kau Foo Kenny whom Alyssa shares the same birthday with.