We celebrated two birthdays while at the beach, my husband’s, and a grandson, who turned 11 this year. My youngest daughter does fabulous, themed birthday celebrations for her children. This year the now-eleven-year-old requested a Silmarillion theme for his birthday.

(Note: You can click on all the pictures to enlarge them.)

Their dad has been reading all of Tolkien’s works to them for the last few years and the boys love them. There have been Hobbit and Lord of the Rings themed parties in years past. These usually include decorations, cake, and a few games.

The Silmarillion presented a few challenges in this area. But my daughter, with the help of her older sister, was up to the challenge.

A surprise balloon-drop from the balcony with shiny gold and silver balloons emblazoned with mystical runes and drawings (courtesy of his older brother) kicked off the festivities. That was followed by a search for a bunch of hidden “Silmarils”. These were actually clear plastic pool toys in the shape of jewels, with embedded LEDs that made them sparkle in different colors.

Finally, the piece de resistance, the cake. Baked by younger daughter; shaped and decorated by her older sister, who does amazing cake designs. (See posts on previous birthday celebrations for more of her work.) The cake is sculpted and iced to evoke the entrance to a cave, representing a scene from the Silmarillion. A fondant gate and flames, frosting made to look like rock, candles that mimic torches, and a pair of miniature figures (painted by the birthday boy’s brother) completed the masterpiece.

It was a shame to have to cut it up, but we did, after everyone finished admiring it and taking pictures. It was delicious.

The second birthday, my husband’s, was much lower key, though the girls collaborated on a really delicious apple-spice cake.

The final birthday celebration actually took place at our home, the night we returned. Our first, and so far only, great grandchild turned two. For various reasons including work schedules, they didn’t come to the beach with us, but they live in the same town we do, so my older daughter, in her role as Mimi, arranged for a pizza dinner, followed by cake, and presents.

It was quite a week, and produced a bit of cake bloat that we’ve all had to work off!