It’s not a big birthday celebration until you’ve had a party. I decided, in order to take away all expectations of surprise parties, because I don’t really like surprise parties anyway, to host my own birthday party!

I invited a few close friends and family to come over for a ‘traditional birthday party’ with food, cake, balloons, games and music. The food was pulled pork, hot dogs, mac and cheese, various salads and tortilla chips with dip. The cake was 40 cupcakes – most of which I still have in my kitchen.

The game was a scavenger hunt on my property. Teams had to find ten different items, some of which they had to wear back to the starting point (e.g. gloves, button, apron) and some of which they had to take a digital picture of, to prove they found it (e.g. bicycle, broomstick). I had a blast setting up the scavenger hunt and the teams seemed to enjoy completing it. But it was over in less than five minutes. Next time the hunt will be much more difficult. You’ve been warned!

I had a great time at my party, thanks to all my friends. Everyone was happy and helpful and the kids were entertaining too. I hope to keep the chalk messages on my front door for a long time.

The balloons were most fun when I was bringing them home. For sheer delight with an element of danger, just drive around in a tiny hatchback with 13 helium balloons in the back seat!