Kaure and friends, preparing to blow out the candles.Each year we try to do something a little different for Kaure's birthday. When he was born, his father (Robert Nilkare) would buy a muffin from Andersons Foodland in Moresby (they have the best muffins in Pom). We'd put a candle on it and sing Happy Birthday to him when he was just a week old, two weeks old and so on until he was a few months old.
The cake from Alotau Int'l HotelOn his first birthday (we'd already moved to Alotau) I held a small party for him at Wanigili with close friends and family and as usual cooked waaay too much food with the help of our fantastic chef Richie. First birthday's being a big deal,his father had to do it the "Chimbu" way and hosted a HUGE party at Bluff Inn, Port Moresby.We flew to Pom for the event. Rob must have invited about a hundred people (most were his side of the family and numerous friends), then there was the live band, coke bouncing castle, two huge pigs and lots of food. We must have brought back 7 rainbow bags full of nothing but Kaure's presents. We were still opening them by X-mas! So yes, being the only child of the first born son of the Nilkares , he is spoilt (especially by his father who lives in Pom and rarely sees him). One of the many things Rob and I differ in is that with him it's all about excess whereas for me, I like to keep things simple and uncomplicated.
Mum and all the young Aunties put on a feast!Kaure's second birthday was a more intimate affair at Napatana Lodge. It was a lovely day, the Napatana staff did a wonderful job with catering, and decorating the place. They really took care of us and Kaure had his little play mates over. I baked the cake,his father also turned up. No pigs this time! Just a normal kids party with party hats, games and finger food of course there was wine and beer for the adults too. We even had Alotau's "local celebrity" Habona turn up.
Kaure's little cousin sister Taube for his party.
This year, I booked Island Adventure Tours (IAT)Recreation Park at Divinai (@ 25 mins drive out of Alotau). We packed all of Kaure's pals into the IAT van and drove them out to the park which is on the beach front. It was a cloudy day but we managed to cross the rivers without too much drama and despite a little bit of rain, the weather cleared and everyone had a ball. Here are the photos......Next year, my Uncle's already suggested we have Kaure's b/day at Sariba Is. (where I'm from). That'll be interesting.....maybe we'll hire a boat and do a camp out with all his pals on the island.....hmmm.....20 screaming kids on a 2 hour boat ride?.....then again maybe not!We'll see.
Jessica Ellis & Buta Chris
Gerard
Uncle Ben and Nimrod caught in the rain.
Dad playing cricket with the boys.
Father and son.
Ariel,Javier & Zuriel digging into ice-cream. 
Dad showing the ropes to Kaure and Buta Lani.
