We've had quite a weekend! On Saturday we went to a 1st Year Birthday party thrown by my childhood buddy, Diane and her husband, Dave for their first granddaughter.
We knew this was going to be an amazing party and it definitely was! First year parties are very important in Hawaii. Since we were on the mainland when our kids reached their milestone, Tiffany and Jonathan just had a tiny cake with their grandparents to mark the occasion.
This adorable Lady Bug themed luncheon party was at the Hee Hing Restaurant near Waikiki at 449 Kapahulu Avenue.
I just loved the Peking Duck! Yummmmm! The little favors had cookies frosted with the number 1.
I was getting pleasantly stuffed with all the baus and dim sum when the rest of the dishes started arriving. I was not hungry when dinner time rolled around.
Here I am with Diane and Joanne (another childhood friend) with her husband in the back holding the table decorations that Diane gave us. I just loved the Gerbera daisies in the colorful pails. KC loved seeing the balloons when we spoke to her on Skype at home.
Sunday was the time to celebrate my Uncle Toshi's 91st birthday in Chinatown at the Empress Restaurant. My cousins, Ellen, David and Larry had planned a spectacular suprise party for their dad.
That's my uncle above with the kukui nut lei opening a musical card we gave him. And here are the three sisters together.
I haven't had Peking Duck in years and now I've had it twice in one weekend. Mmmmmm... yum! Aside from the duck, a chicken and noodle dish, everything else was different and scrumptious. Wow! We ate even more. Both Art and my eye brows went up to see how much my mother ate.
Ellen, David and Larry presented their aunts with these orchid plants even though they insisted our presence was all the presents my uncle would want.
My brother, Dennis and I recorded the occasion so we'll be sure to make that our present to our sweet uncle who served as a translator for the U.S. Army during WWII. He is a very modest, independent and learned man who always showed his nieces and nephews love and kindness throughout the years. We were so happy to be able to celebrate this day with him.
Hmmm... I wonder what next weekend will be like...
Kay, my favorite line is "Both Art and my eye brows went up to see how much my mother ate."
ReplyDeleteI love that your mother is CELEBRATING a long life well lived -- hers and your uncle's.
Thank you to your uncle for his service during WWII. I know the Japanese Americans had to be twice as good to prove their patriotism back then -- and I'm grateful they were willing to do so.
First birthday parties are a big deal in a lot of cultures because in the old days it was so common for children to not survive that first year. I'm glad now we have the miracles of antibiotics and preventative care. I think now the First BD "events" are to celebrate the parents surviving all those sleepless nights!
Just think, 90 years difference between the two birthday people.
ReplyDeleteGlad you can celebrate so well, and with so many friends and family.
Israel is setting up a field hospital in Minamisanriko:
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=213123
wonderful celebrations...oh my gosh, the food! I am craving dim sum now...
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week,
Niki
Happy belated birthday wishes for the one year old child and the 91 year old uncle.
ReplyDeleteGuess what I did this morning. I went to the windmills to meet a mutual friend: Kay Davies! She told me she enjoyed seeing you in Hawaii. We had a coffee outside the coffee- and souvenirshop and chatted as if we had known each other for many years. The weather was and still is very sunny and sitting outside is wonderful. It takes me only 15 minutes to cycle from my house to the mills.
The pics of both of your celebrations are so colorful and festive looking. Those ladybug balloons are the cutest ever.
ReplyDeleteMy blogging friend Gigi-Hawaii also had a one year birthday party post the other day and I learned about this tradition in Hawaii with the first birthday. And then a 91st birthday, what a wonderful thing for you! Love the picture of you and the ladybug balloons!
ReplyDeletewhat fun family traditions...the food looks great...
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful celebrations for both!! And what fun! Love all your photos as always! I'm so glad your Mom enjoyed the food -- your statement about you and Art's reaction made me smile, too! I love it! Wonderful traditions! Hope you have a lovely week ahead!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
After 35 years away from family you are certainly making the most of being near them now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence, Kay! David and I hosted a 9 course Chinese dinner for my mother's 95th birthday last night at Hee-Hing also. 'Twas wonderful! I'll post photos tonight, though I did not take pictures of the food.
ReplyDeleteSouthLakes Mom: You're so right. I think the Japanese and the Koreans and maybe the Chinese also celebrate 100 days or was it 90? Yikes! That's a celebration of survival, too.
ReplyDeleteDina: It's so beautiful that people around the world have come to help the Japanese. The Japanese have always sent out people to help other countries in their time of need. It's fabulous that the feelings of friendship are reciprocated.
Reader Wil: No kidding? That is spectacular! I can just picture the three of you having coffee near the windmills. I wonder if Keukenhof has already started their flower extravaganza.
DJan: I can't believe of all the restaurants in Hawaii, Gigi hosted a party at the Hee Hing Restaurant this weekend, too.
Everybody: Art went out for a long jog this morning. He felt like he ate enough for a week this weekend. My mother will probably spend more time on the treadmill we got her. Me? Oops!
Loved your Birthday story and the pictures you posted with it. I've never mastered chopsticks, but my son uses them whenever we serve rice dishes. Guess I should practice!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with your family in Japan...I will continue to pop by to read your posts for updates.
wow Kay, 1st and 91st. The food looks fantastic on both counts.
ReplyDeleteDrool. And I love those ladybug baloons. I've always had a soft spot for ladybugs.
ReplyDeleteWonderful parties! I have never had Peking Duck. I guess it is time to give it a try. Everything looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteWow, one and 91 birthday parties. How special and duck both times. I love duck in any form.
ReplyDeleteYour uncle looks wonderful for 91.
How wonderful to get the chance to celebrate two special birthdays. That was a great feast too. The food looks and sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos, the memories and for getting my taste buds going. I wish I could have sampled the fellowship and the food.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to those who reached these important milestones.
I too learned about the 1st birthday celebration from Gigi. And now you both are posting about 90+ birthdays.
ReplyDeleteYou gave up much in family contact to move back to Hawaii, but what a wealth of old friends and family you have regained there in the islands.
What a nice tradition and enjoyed the pictures of both celebrations. It is nice to see some traditions being celebrated and a lot of them are not upheld any more, this is so sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend the weekend! Blessings to both your uncle and the sweet one-year old.
ReplyDelete