Birthday Party - Singapore Style

I'm just going to start by saying this. Yesterday was the best day ever.

Most of you know that I detest children's birthday parties.  I always joke that if (when) I go to hell, I'll be stuck at at birthday party with a bottle of wine but no corkscrew.  The mere mention of "Chuck E. Cheese" makes me break out in hives.  Well I can safely say that I now detest MOST children's birthday parties, but certainly not all.

Sophia was invited to a birthday party for her best friend, Saga, at the Mana Mana Beach Club in East Coast Park. We had never been over to the East Coast so had no idea what to expect. We also didn't know whether we should just drop her off, or stay at the party. We had planned to hang out with a friend of Cooper's (who had a sister invited to the party) but ended up with the best of all worlds.

Saga's parents, Pete and Liisa (that is not a typo, she is Finnish), were fabulously gracious hosts and had a table for the parents who wanted to stay, complete with a steady stream of your favorite beverage. That, combined with the great conversation and tropical beach backdrop made for an unforgettable day.



Those are the girls out there!

The theme of the party was sailing - Saga takes weekly sailing lessons at the club and wanted to share her knowledge with her closest friends. (Note: Saga's 12 year-old sister, Astrid, was also celebrating her birthday as well.) The girls took out the sailboats, two to a boat, and luckily my slightly apprehensive daughter was paired with Saga the pro. Watching them was awesome, out there sailing around, and sometimes being capsized and getting the boat turned right again. Sophia loved it, and of course asked for lessons afterwards. While this was going on, Cooper and his friend Daiki were running around the beach trying to split coconuts by banging them against trees (no dice).  Those two could definitely tour as a comedy team.

 

Where the parents hung out

 

Sophia and her friend Momoko

 

After the requisite cupcakes and singing, the girls also played for quite a while in the beach club pool.  I must admit I witnessed some impressive backdives!  The party ended at 3pm, but only for some.  Anyone was welcome to stay longer, but it ended up being Pete, Liisa, Jason and me (of course) sitting and chatting for four more hours.  Cooper, who didn’t have a bathing suit, decided to go swimming in his shorts, and the girls took the sailboats out some more.   

Random wedding, they welcomed all us strangers!

The environment at the beach club is just great.  It was casual and comfortable, with all kinds of families hanging out, kids playing in the sand, boogie boarding etc.  As we were leaving, a wedding had just begun, and we were taking pictures like they were our friends or family.  I have to admit it was quite heartwarming (you know I’m a softie). 

But the true reason it was the best day ever was meeting new friends who after one day already feel like old friends.  In fact, Saga ended up sleeping over and we met Pete and Liisa this afternoon in Little India for some shopping.  Our afternoon there will be the subject of the next post!  Stay tuned…

For more information on the Mana Mana Beach Club, visit their website at ttp://www.manamana.com/

Sun was starting to set

 

Saga, Sophia and Milo the Portuguese Water Dog

 

Cooper and Milo (Saga's dog) - Cooper was wearing Jason's new board shorts since his were all wet!

Cooper had a long day!