Ming Ming turns 7!

Birthday party at the point in Chicago south side

friends from the Lycee joined us at the party: Mathide, Francesca, Novelle, Adien, and Renzo. I did not take photos at all since I have Emile with me the whole time.

the kids spent a long time exploring the shoreline, looking for crystals, building dams, etc.

Ming Ming's birthday cake--the first time I tried using icing to write on the cake.

The icing, made of lemon juice and cream cheese, was delicious.

a cake I tried out on June 13, layered with cream and strawberries, and topped with a caramel cage. The weather was too humid for it, it got really soft, almost melted (I probably also added too much lemon juice to make the caramel less brittle). I don't like it too much, but the kids were all happy to have cake with candy. 

having cake at the Lacrioxs.

Mike with Emile

Ming Ming turns SIX!

Ming Ming in a flower crown made by Jessica and a birthday dress made by me, playing before her bday party.

making fridge magnets.. the idea was to draw each of their family members in a magnet and thus for each kid to end up with a set of family portrays.

Same game as last year, but the kids did remarkable better this time around. Last year the birthday party started by making all the kids cry (for either falling or losing), but this time there was no crying at all. They not only practiced before the competition but also developed strategies to win. We played the music chair game at Kaius's birthday party last summer and Jessica had to prepare small rewards for each kid who lost the game to avoid major breakdowns, but there was no crying at all this time. I prepared M & Ms but did not use them. 

 WATER Balloons!

 Lemon cake with strawberry mousse, chocolate ganache, raspberries, and some flags!

 painting on canvass

Opening presents... Thank you for all the generous presents dear Friends and Families! Mamie and Papou's present was among the pile but I failed to get a pic.

And the day before, she already opened presents from Popo (a best friend forever scrapbook and a book to learn to play the piano).  謝謝婆婆!

 Books from Tatan Nana et Tonton Andrew, Merci!

 a doggy with a leash and a bag to hold in from Montreal (her dream present)

 and a piano keyboard from papa and mama... as requested.

Ming Ming's birthday party

we started the party by playing some games, which has resulted in some cries (falling, could not break the human chain, etc) and a lot of laughter.

Antoine cheating by holding MM up.

another round

 

look at MM's expression

Oscar broke the chain and got Nourit back to their team.

Antoine jumped over the human chain

 

and this was how the game ended.

i made a watermelon porcupine 

and a three-layered lemon raspberry cake (lemon cake is MM's favorite)

 

painting on a canvass 

bocce ball

 

 

 

opening presents

Jessica made MM a snow white cape!

wizard meeting

the paintings

MM drew the staircase right in front of her.

the party continues and we had a Bbq dinner. Big thanks to Keven who cooked most of the food!

and the party continued... we stayed up dancing until 1:30 am.
MM's birthday party turned into a marathon party that lasted for more than ten hours!