The Epic Minecraft Party!

Of course the term epic is relative. But this was perhaps the most elaborate party I've planned so far. And it's all for my not-so-little girl who's now 10. 

Minecraft is Anya's current game obsession and from what I understand it's all about building and surviving. Which come to think of it were exactly what I went through...

The cake was a replica of the cake in Minecraft ordered from a local baker.
The rest of the creatures I made from boxes & colored paper
(Enderman, Creeper & Ghast)

And for bragging purposes, I threw an impromptu dinner party for neighbours a couple of days before this Minecraft 'children's' party. The Reject shop had a lot of polka dots party items on sale so I went with that theme. I had to convince Anya to wear her polka dot dress saying it's 'customary' for celebrants who are turning 10. 

Going back, I'd like to credit the Pinterest community who helped me come up with ideas for the Minecraft Party. So I'm returning the favour and sharing this post. If you follow me on Instagrm, you'd notice I've been doing paper craft mid-April.

The printer also worked doubly hard - pushing out the invites, green-pixelated Creeper skin, food labels etc. Anya wanted the Minecraft experience in real life. 

On wearing the Tutor Hat

As the eldest of three girls, I recall being assigned by my mother to teach my younger siblings how to read and write in preparation for school. Yes, you read it right: before they start school.

There is this funny notion (from where I came from) that kids must know how to read and write basic basic syllables in our native language & in English prior to entering kindergarten. The intense pressure and competition is palpable when it comes to schooling. And since my mother was working long hours, to feed the family, I was tasked to make sure my two sisters will not be put to shame on their first day of school.

It was frustrating tutoring them with their short attention spans but eventually I managed to, much to the satisfaction of my mother. It was an unpleasant experience for me that I was so not looking forward to going through it again with my own daughter. Luckily, the environment here in Australia is way different - there's less pressure to learn right away how to read or write and teachers are more forgiving.    What a happy moment it was when Anya came home one day able to read her 12 Golden words.

I though I was out of the woods. Turns out I was just given a short reprieve.