For the last 2 years we had buffets for Xavier's family birthday celebration. This year I decided to have a sit down dinner instead. I started to shortlist some chinese restaurants with VIP room and getting set menus from them. After much consideration, I was torn between Grand Asia and The Cathay Restaurant. In the end, I chose The Cathay Restaurant as I like the dishes better and the VIP room has a street view of Orchard Road (even though it's on 2nd level). I quickly called them up for reservation and requested to see the VIP room.
The VIP room is able to take 2 tables, just nice one main table for 13 adults and one small table for 4 kids. I also made some slight changes to the menu: added my favorite peking duck and ordered kids-friendly dishes for the kids and vegetarian for Ai. The restaurant manager was really friendly and nice. He even told me that I did not have to make a trip down, a phone call would do. I did not even have to make a deposit, just verbal reservation, total trust in customer. Thumbs up! For the next few days, i also ordered the birthday cake and balloons for the celebration.
On the day itself, Xavier was still having abdominal pains so he was not exactly in the best mood. I left the 2 kids with mum in the afternoon and made my way to collect the cakes and balloons.Fortunately the 2 pick up locations were quite near, saved me some trouble. We arrived slightly earlier at the restaurant to decorate the room with the balloons. Sister-in-law, Leng and father-in-law started to arrive. The birthday boy was late! Apparently it was National Day Preview and there was massive jam in town.
Once Xavier arrived, I told the waitress to start serving the dishes. Everybody had a great time with good food and company. Adults were chatting happily and the kids enjoying themselves with the balloons. However, the birthday boy was quite grumpy due to the pains and can see from the photos, he hardly smiled. When it was time to cut the cake, everyone was surprised at the cake that I bought. Instead of conventional cake, I bought cup cakes this year. As my sister-in-law shares the same birthday as Xavier, the cup cakes were decorated in the form of animals(for Xavier) and flowers & musical notes (for sister-in-law). Next comes the highlight of the night, opening the presents. This year, Xavier's favourite present is the ipod from his yeye. I think the only smile on his face for the night is when he held the ipod in his hands.
Before heading home, I reminded YP to give an ang bao to the waitresses as they had provided excellent service. I'll definitely come back for second visit for the good food and service, as feedback by my guests and my own experience.
Xavier will have a better time if not for his discomfort but he is still happy lah. I pray for his good health and obedience on this day!
Xavier's big day is here again. This year, I had decided to hold 2 celebrations for him, one at school and one for immediate family members.
I called his teacher 2 weeks before to check on the number of goodie bags to prepare and the size of cake to buy. She told me i can get ready about 14 packs of goodie bags and it would be good to get a bigger cake for the whole school to join in the celebration. I actually had to get a 3kg cake to cater for every students! It so happened that it was the world cup fever and Xavier decided on a soccer cake. I ordered one from prima deli online and arranged for delivery. I definitely cannot collect such a big cake and without a car or YP's help (he was busy at work and couldn't take leave).
Nearing the day, about a week before, Xavier was down with fever and severe abdominal pain. I prayed that he would quickly recover because he was so looking forward to this day and he was actually doing the countdown. I even brought him to KKH and he was diagnosed as having mild infection of the intestines. Thankfully, his condition improved and his fever subsided the day before but he was still having the pains. It was decided he should just go to school for the cake cutting and the distribution of the goodie bags and then we would head home after that.
On the day itself, I took half day off and picked him and En from mum's house. When we reached the school, the cake just arrived and we could hear the kids 'wooing and ahhing' over the soccer cake. The teachers began to gather all the kids in the hall and it was sure very noisy and lively with so many kids in one place and all talking at the same time. Xavier enjoyed being the center of attraction judging from his 'proud' look. We began with the photo session. First mommy and jie jie, then playgroup 1 & 2, nursery and finally kindergarten 1 & 2. We wanted to take a photo with the teachers but I think they are shy, simply refuse to oblige us.
Teacher Regina is a very experienced 'cake cutter'. The speed she takes to cut and distribute the cake was fast. Everyone enjoyed the cake and i saw some of the students asking for second servings. What was amusing is that some of the kids have green lips due to the green cream(grass part of the cake).
Soon after, we left for home. I wanted Xavier to get plenty of rest in preparation for the next celebration tomorrow.
