4 years ago

4 years ago at 7.11am on the 2nd of December, Lopes was born. And here we are, stretched knee ligament, hole in the heart all gone. See here for the summary

Lopes has been planning her party since the beginning of the year and at one point, I had to ban her from talking about it as she talked about it every day. And that was not once a day either.

She wanted a doctor cake as she had decided she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. I have tried to talk her out of it, but no joy. Anyway, the love for Dora has polluted that a bit as she wanted a Dora cake but it had to be a Dr. Dora cake with a stethoscope". Passed all the info to our resident blog ville Mama Oni cake and she did us very proud.

It was confirmed that her nursery would close for good on Friday so this was our birthday and nursery Christmas party as all her nursery friends came. A good day was had by all, Lopes got oodles of presents from all her resident aunties and friends and we came home to a small open house, with rice and stew very plenty, for those who could not make it. I love my caterer, if anybody in North London wants an excellent caterer, let me know. (She puts panla(stockfish), in her efo soup, Need I say more)

I did not actually shop for a present for Lopes this year, as she has loads of things and gets something at least every 2 - 3 weeks. Her dad went out shopping for presents the night before! My present for Lopes is a promise to appreciate the small things, listen and not just hear her and an even greater promise to count to 10 before I react.

Very tired at the moment. Feel I am coming down with something, No I am not pregnant. as some have been implying, just a bit run down. Off to bed now and so glad that due to the nursery closure, I get to have a lie in. Who said God has not ordered my life :)

Next week, we will be vegetating, working from home and trying to find a new nursery. We will probably not try very hard but we will try sha. I will also get my hair done, do lunch with the ladies and relish spending time with Lopes. I am sure I was made to be a kept woman :)

I really hope work don't call me early tomorrow morning as I am sure I won't have head for figures tomorrow. Have a great week and may this last month of the year be the best yet and may all you have been waiting for and hoped for this year, come to pass. Though it tarry, it will come.

Tolu's First Non Naija Party

Went to a birthday party today. James goes to the same nursery as my daughter and was 4; I bought a card for a 3 year old! I must have gone overboard on the presents though. Not wanting to appear a cheapskate and not wanting to buy loads, I hope I balanced out in the end.

Being a bit of a wallflower and determined that my daughter will have loads more social skills than I do, we went off in mingle mode. Tolu fell asleep in the car on the way there which was a bummer as she is usually grumpy when she wakes up. Serves her right for waking up at 2am this morning. I sent father and daughter downstairs so I could continue sleeping. Well after half a tub of ice cream last night, I needed my sleep.

Anyway, arrived only 5 minutes late, yippee, African time or should I say DH time did not prevail. And then I saw the difference between a Naija and non Naija party

Naija Party Venue: Large Hall
Non Naija Venue: Home

Naija Party Food
Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, meat, dodo, moinmoin
Load of drinks
Food for children usually an afterthought.
Cake, at least 3
Non Naija Food
Sandwiches
Crisps
Cake
Biscuits
Wine for adults

Naija Party Pack
Loads of sweeties and everything from a play buggy to bikes. Massive keeping up with the Jones here
Non Naija Party Pack
Piece of Cake
Some Sweeties
Bracelet

Having only had time for breakfast, I gulped down a glass of wine when I arrived for Dutch courage. Hmm. My daughter stuck to me for the first hour and then wandered off, grabbed the microphone from the entertainer and sang 2 verses of Baa Baa Black sheep. I thought there was only one. No wallflower here. As for me, I am a cheap drunk, can’t really recall all the small talk I made after only one glass of wine. Oh dear!

The Moral of the day, eat before you go to a pary, drink alcohol slowly and seriously consider a Non Naija party for Tolu’s next birthday

PS.
While getting ready for the party, the doorbell went and when I opened the door, the florist was standing there with a huge bunch of flowers. Ahh, I thought how nice. Unexpected flowers. And then she said, "Could you take this in for your neighbour, she is not answering the door" 1o seconds of bliss. Not bad eh?