Kai’s 1st Birthday Partay!

We celebrated Kai's 1st Birthday on Sat. Nov. 22nd — one week earlier than his actual birthday. We couldn't celebrate on his real birthday (Nov. 29th) because most people would've been out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we celebrated a week earlier! What a blast we all had! We held his party in our apartment building's party room — and it was decked out in island/luau fashion. The party room was complete with a Tiki Bar (for the adults!), and playground area for Kai and the kids, and an arts and craft table.

Of course, we had to have Filipino food — with all the faves — lechon, pansit, lumpiang shanghai, chicken and pork bbq skewers, and escabeche! We also had some salad and greens, to off-set all this grubbin' unhealthy pinoy food! haha…

A Casasola party always includes entertainment — Ninang Shar surprised Cyn, Paul, and Kai with a hula dance to the Hawaiian song "Kainoa" — she mesmerized everyone! Then Paul's parents sang a beautiful Haitian song a capella. Cyn and Paul sang a song dedicated to Kai called "I Believe" — which always makes me emotional. And I sang "Beautiful Angel" with Paul's dad, Lolo.

We had an arts and crafts table where people enjoyed exercising their artistic abilities. We had a Best Artwork Contest and Kai was the judge — he selected Kaori's innovative car creation as the winner!

The Tiki Bar was complete with cocktail drinks inspired by Kai — "Kai's Kookies and Kream", the "Kai Kai", "Peaceful Ocean" and "Kai-mikaze".

It was a day we'll never forget! Happy Birthday, Kai Kai. You are the love of our lives. You make our lives so happy and you remind us of what's truly important in life. We love you!

                                                     Kai, the Birthday Boy

     The playground — see Kai's name???                 LECHON! Yum!

       Ninang Eug in charge of Tiki Bar                 The finalists for the Art Contest

"Kai's Kookies & Kream" – the crowd fave        Ninang Kyong and a sleeping Kai

         Manze (Paul's Mom) & Kai                     Ninang Shar's captivating hula dance to a
                                                                            song titled "Kainoa"

        Manze & Lolo singing a capella              Lolo and Liz singing "Beautiful Angel"

Cyn and Paul sing "I Believe" – a song they wrote for Kai

Kai enjoying his song Kaori's winning car creation – Kai loved it!

                                                 Happy Birthday to you!

           Runner-up – Gary's artwork with                       Kai and Auntie Joan
                 moveable hands/legs.

                                                Paul's beautiful family

              Ninong Ray and Kai   Kai's amazing Ninangs

              Kai and Auntie Liz                            The Party Favors – Kai Chocolate Bars