So today was the day of the big party. Let me begin by saying it didn't start well. Leia hasn't been sleeping well lately and last night was particularly bad with just a core sleep of 3.5 hours. I woke up in a pretty bad mood thinking about all that needed to be done before we left for the party.
Eventually the weekend bag was packed, the girls were dressed and I was looking presentable - just. Husband took Leia and went to get the car just to give me a few extra minutes to get myself together. In those few minutes Amaia managed to "disappear". Well, I heard the front door open and close and then I heard silence. I called out but there was no answer. I ran to the door screaming Amaia Amaia Amaia, opened it and saw darkness and no little girl. Thankfully our flat is small and it took another (long) minute to locate the little Madame in her bedroom playing quietly (for once) and with a slightly confused face at the sight of her hysterical mother! She then managed to make me laugh but deciding to unwrap the birthday boy's present. It had been one of those mornings and by this point I could either laugh or cry. I chose to laugh and do a very bad job at patching the gift up!
Next disaster: motorway closed because of an accident. Arrrgh!
The longer journey meant both girls fell asleep in the car and finally we were there. Did I say villa in St Paul de Vence? I meant estate! It was huge. We couldn't even see where the garden ended or should I say grounds because this wasn't your average garden with sculptures, outbuildings, stables and a golf buggy to get around. The house was beautiful and enormous decorated in a very imposing way with grand antiques and impressive art work. Of course we didn't see the whole house but just passed through the drawing room (it certainly wasn't a lounge or a living room!) to get to the party.
The party was in the garden and whilst I can imagine a lot was spent on it it was all done very tastefully and was really about the children although the parents were very well looked after too. We arrived just in time for the magic show and all the children sat in their little arm chairs their attention held momentarily. After the show Amaia spent the rest of her time on the huge bouncy castle and being chauffeured around in an electric ferrari. She loved it! Lunch was then served: a selection of mini burgers, nuggets, chips and pasta salad. More running around and driving for Amaia but she decided to give the ponies a miss. The space in the garden also made it seem less noisy and claustrophobic than having a room full of screaming kids on sugar highs.
The adults also had a good time . I met some cool mums and spoke a lot about kids when I wasn't chasing them. There was tones of staff on hand too which was handy considering the huge pool didn't have a fence around it!!! Fortunately the staff managed to avoid the cars being driven into the pool once or twice.
I came away from the party feeling very pleasantly surprised. Amaia had had a fantastic time and it was all very well organised. I'd met a few new people and at one point relaxed enough to enjoy a canape and a glass of pink champagne! What's more is I didn't feel very out of place. All us mums were in skinny jeans/boots and jumper or shirt combos and if anything the usually glamourous hosts were the most casual of all. Yes, some people brought a nanny so they could enjoy the party without keeping an eye on their child or/and a driver so they could drink but the majority of parents were being hands on which was a relief.
I'm so glad I went and I have told Husband we need a country estate before I can even think about hosting a birthday party for Amaia!!
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