The birthday-a-thon is over.

Finally. Because after this post, I want to get back to what's really important...me. See the blog title? It says KOKOpalooza. Not KELLYpalooza or BIRTHDAYpalooza. Koko -- all things Koko, by Koko. But not this week. This week it's been all about the birthday girl. I didn't get her anything since I figure my presence is enough (pun not intended, but alas, unavoidable). But no worries -- others had her plenty covered. Here's just a peek at the extravaganza.

The birthday-a-thon started off last Saturday, with Firefly Knit, Lilliputian, Ms Blonde One and Debilla with a visit to the ROM and high tea at the Four Seasons Hotel. Lilliputian set the gift-benchmark very high, with a veritable showering of gifts, including the piece de resistance - the hand-dyed, hand-knit wristwarmers which are so very beautiful.





Tuesday, we had a quiet, non-documented, low-key, prelude celebration at home. I liked this one since I was able to attend.

Wednesday, the festivities kicked into high gear. Two, not one, beautiful cakes were had, compliments of the very capable bakers Firefly Knit and Ms Blonde One. Unfortunately, the one made of white chocolate with strawberry cream filling was devoured before a photo was taken...the other -- a giant chocolate cupcake -- provided sustenance for the office straight through until Friday!



And not only was there cake overload on Wednesday, but the gifts, oh the gifts! A veritable bounty, a plenteous yield, a...I can't describe it. Words escape me. It was a jaw-dropping lot. Let's just say Vilma, Vanessa, Zachary, Kelly F and Susan were pretty generous. Sadly, not everything has been documented yet, possibly due to an extreme and lingering sugar buzz, but we did manage to get some pictures of the beautiful shrug hand knit by Kelly F.



And if you think the birthday was over when the day was done, you are sadly, delusionally mistaken. Thursday's knit night at In The Loop was a Kelly Kelly event, celebrated with all her knitting friends in high style and with a beautiful, decadent "yarn cake" lovingly baked by the dedicated Alessandra aka Vivi's mom.(Pics of this spectacular cake hopefully coming soon via LadyLungDoc.



It was another evening filled with fun and presents. Thank you so much everyone for the very thoughtful, generous, unexpected and very lovely gifts! Knitters rock!



Speaking of gifts, never say never...it seems to me that the recipient of all this beautiful sock yarn from Ms Blonde One will not never be knitting socks. I'm not sure if this is gifting or pushing...oh well. It is some damn fine yarn. I guess if you're going to fall off the wagon (again) you might as well do it with the best!


1. South West Trading Company - Tofutsies, 2. Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock, 3. Estelle - Arequipa, 4. Noro - Kureyon Sock Yarn

The birthday-a-thon week was officially over on Friday evening, after a dinner out with friends at Marcello's on St. Clair West.

If you thought all the above was a tad or even more than a tad excessive, then you would be mortified to know that there was ever so much more -- so many good wishes and many more gifts. It was overwhelming and lovely. It seems a far cry from birthdays in the past which felt lavish at the time and are downright modest in comparison! You'll note that the love of a party and a good cake was fostered young and has remained constant...


1. 5th Birthday - Presents, 2. 5th Birthday - Cake

Happy Birthday! Bonne Fete! Nifrahlek ghal gheluq sninek! La Multi Ani! Co` latha breith sona dhuibh! La-breithe mhaith agat! Penblwydd Hapus i Chi!

And...we're done! We'll return to regular Koko content in the next post. Yep, it's all about me - or it should be anyway!