Imelda's birthday party

On Saturday night, we had a birthday party for Imelda. She turned 4th last month, so it was 1 month belated. For the past 3 years, we never missed having a birthday bash for her since she was the only one. This year though, we celebrated her 4th on a small scale, invited only our parents and siblings. We're reserving the bigger birthday party for Ashman, when he turns 1 this September.

Nevertheless, last Saturday turned out to be a blast. The main menu was barbeque steaks and lasagna. All home-made. And garden salad to complement the proteins, fats and carbohydrates. I became the grill-man, making sure the chicken, beef and kambing are bbq-ed to perfection. The first batches of beef and kambing turned out overcooked on one side, and totally carbon-black on the other. Upon discussion of bbq re-strategy with my assistant Syed (sister in law's hubby) we improved our bbq skills and taking better care of the flame. Soon after, all the chicken, beef and kambing looked like they came from San Fransisco Steakhouse (just kidding). OK, they were all edible, and taste good too.

Everyone praised the lasagna, which my wife made. She really put in the effort to prepare them, using the finest ingredients: minced-beef, mozarella cheese, fresh milk, oregano, rosemary and bay leafs. Plenty of left-over that everyone got to tapau for breakfast.

We had the baskin robbins icecream cake that everyone enjoyed and 100% cleared within 10 minutes after blowing the candles. Delicious Big Apple donuts and pastries, compliments from my sisters (thank you Ina and Suzy) and mother-in-law's home-made curry puffs made sure everybody was stuffed.

For dessert, we had fresh fruits aplenty, and finally teh tarik for after-eating gossip and political discussion. With whats currently going on in Malaysia, literally there's not enough teh tarik to go around, and so we had to serve coffee afterwards.

But hey, something is missing...oh yeah, where is Imelda the birthday girl? She was upstairs in her room, playing with the cousins and opening presents. Ah never mind, as long as she's having a good time.

By the time the last guest left, it was almost 11.30. The clock showed 1 am by the time I went to bed. A long day, but very worthwhile. Even Imelda who went to bed that night starving had fun. I noticed she did'n eat anything except some icecream cake. We all look forward to breakfast and lunch tomorrow, where the menu is bbq chicken and kambing. Also, the next birthday party for Ashman.