Turning 32 in Emerald Green

A continuation of my last post...

After the very tummy-satisfying trip to Penang, we continued my birthday adventure in Ipoh. It was a quadruple celebration; my brother's wedding, my Papa's 80th birthday, Ian's first birthday, and not to forget - yours truly's birthday lahhhh...

The theme was emerald green and it was no easy feat trying to get everyone to match. This time around, Hubby refused to make a new baju melayu - he wanted to recycle an existing baju melayu that has been hanging in our closet for the last 7 years. *sigh* Which meant that I had to literally run around town with his baju melayu in hand, to look for baju melayu for the two kids and a ready made baju kurung for myself in the exact same shade! Do you know how many shades of emerald green available out there??? I was lucky I found one shop in Jalan TAR that sold baju melayu for the two kiddos in a similar shade. Next was getting my outfit to match. After weeks and weeks of walking in various shopping malls, I found one outfit in exactly the same green as Hubby, in Saidatulnisa. Lesson learnt - next time just buy a similar material and send it to the tailor for peace of mind. Or - get my outfit ready first then insist that Hubby and the kids match my colour instead! 

The wedding was held at Casuarina Ipoh at Meru. New hotel, and just a stone's throw away from my stepmother's house. Meru is certainly an upcoming area in Ipoh! We walked into the hotel and was greeted by a life-sized standee picture of my brother and his new wife, right smack by the check-in counter. *grin* 

Modern design room.

The build-in hairdryer in the bathroom certainly came in handy that night. 

The ballroom was beautifully decorated for the wedding. I especially liked the elevated walkway towards the dias and how they decorated it in white. There's something so enchanting about the colour white... it's a timeless color and it has such a pure feeling to it.

The beginning of the elevated walkway. Breathtakingly beautiful - decorated with lanterns and white flowers.

The dias in the background, complemented with white drapes.

After choosing our seats, we got to work with greeting the guests at the entrance of the ballroom.

Aiden was nowhere to be found.

But then again, he always manages to appear in group photos! Here are the ladies in my family. See how my shade of green differs from the rest?

The wedding kicked off and Aiden kept himself busy munching on chocolates.

While the crowd was busy watching the bride and groom, we were busy taking selfies! 

Aiden and Ian were both happy and smiling that night.

Aiden is usually super scared of my Papa. I think it is because he sees him only once in a blue moon. Doesn't help that Hubby's dad (Aiden's datuk) pampers Aiden all the time - which is something my Papa doesn't do. But this time around, Aiden actually wanted to take photos with his "kampung datuk", and even gave him a hug (picture further below). Hubby and I were pleasantly surprised!

Can you believe my dad is 80??!!

Halfway through the wedding dinner, Aiden was asked to change into his next outfit. Yup - Aiden was going to escort the flower girl and walk together with the bride and groom down the aisle for cake cutting. As always, Aiden loves being in the limelight so he raced back to our room to change into his tuxedo. He also requested for Daddy to style his hair with some hair gel *huwaaa I am going to cryyyyy, Aiden has grown so muchhhh* and after inspecting himself in the mirror - he insisted that no one touch his impeccably styled hair!

Posing proudly.

Handsome Aiden posing with his partner, pretty Azalea.

Of course, Ian had to change into a similar tuxedo too (a hand me down suit from Aiden!), and he looked like such a gentleman here, holding Arissa's back. (Actually, he was using Arissa as support for him to stand *laughs*)

On the left - Aiden looking super proud in his crisp tuxedo. On the right - Aiden looking slightly pissed that he had to pose so many times because his baby brother wasn't cooperating!

I bought a red bow for Aiden to complement the red handkerchief at the tuxedo's breast pocket, not knowing that the men entourage would also don black tuxedos with red neckties. It was perfect, because Aiden matched them beautifully!

Aiden was smiling and posing for pictures throughout the walk down the aisle. I could tell that he was definitely enjoying all the attention given to him.

Smiling as he walked into the ballroom.

Smiling at any cameras trained towards him!

Aiden and Azalea leading the entourage.

Still smiling!

After the cake cutting ceremony, all of Papa's children including their other halves and kids, went up the stage to sing for him. We sang "Lagenda" - the words really impacted my Papa as he was seen wiping tears as he watched us sing. After the song, Papa was invited onstage to give a speech to commemorate his 80th birthday. It was 9 pages in total! I could barely feel my feet by the end of the speech. Hubby was holding Ian who promptly fell asleep in his arms, and poor Hubby had to carry a sleeping 10kg Ian throughout the longgggg speech.

Group selfie just before we went on stage.

Papa and his very long (but entertaining!) speech. He even cracked a joke about having 5 wives, two being deceased hence he had one more slot available. *erkkk*

Aiden hugging my Papa. So sweet!

Selfie with the two kiddos.

Aiden receiving a peck on the cheek for a job well done.

After the wedding ceremony was over, Hubby and I took the opportunity to close the night with a small cake cutting session for Ian. I didn't even bother baking the cake, I simply ordered the cake from KL and carried it on my lap all the way to Ipoh. Truth be told, when I saw the cake - it was love at first sight and I knew that I simply wanted it for Ian. The cake was made in a shape of an adorable giraffe, with a hat and a tie - I mean, how much cuter can the cake get??!!

Hubby posing with the cake.

Check out that priceless grin when Ian saw his birthday cake! I actually had to block his hand from whacking the giraffe's hat!

Super super cute.

Close ups of the giraffe - with eyelashes to die for!

Love this picture of my dad staring at the giraffe. He was probably thinking back to his birthday cake when he was a year old! *grin*

Singing the birthday song for Ian.

Ooppss we forgot to light the candle.

The three generations blowing out the single candle, Aiden included!

Check out Ian's expression, while looking at my dad: "Who are you and what are you doing with my cake?"

Thumbs up from Aiden!

A kiss on the cheek for the birthday boy.

Finally, we let Ian loose with the cake. And the first thing he did was pull the giraffe's ear off and munched on it!

Ian insisted that Daddy have a taste of the yummy giraffe's ear!

Happy birthday to Ian and me!

Last free-style family photo for the night.

Sisters - from three different mothers!

Ian enjoying his birthday cake.

Aiden came up to me and said "Mummy, this flower is especially for you". I melted and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Back in the room, we tried very hard to get the two boys to sit down together for photos. Can you see Ian wheezing around the room?

Best picture we could get that night!